“No one is going to love you like South Africans. If you have not been loved by South Africans yet, do something.”
Those are the words of actress, television personality and author Bonnie Mbuli, whose heartfelt reflections on home have struck a chord with many South Africans living both locally and abroad.
Born and raised in Soweto, Mbuli has built an impressive career spanning television, film, presenting and writing. Her work has taken her beyond South Africa’s borders, allowing her to experience life and career opportunities internationally. After relocating to the United States with her then husband, she spent several years living between South Africa and the US, gaining a unique perspective on what it truly means to call a place home.
For Mbuli, distance has only deepened her appreciation for South Africa. While living abroad has offered valuable experiences and personal growth, it has also highlighted something that cannot easily be found elsewhere: the warmth, resilience and genuine sense of community that define South African life.
She believes South Africans have a remarkable way of making people feel welcome. Whether it’s sharing a joke with a stranger, greeting neighbours with genuine warmth, or helping someone in need without expecting anything in return, these everyday interactions create a powerful sense of belonging. It is this spirit of ubuntu—the belief that our humanity is connected to the humanity of others—that continues to distinguish South Africa from many other places in the world.
Mbuli says this appreciation often becomes clearer only after leaving the country.
“If you don’t even know what it means to have a place like South Africa, then you need to do what I did, leave and then come back,” she says.
Her comments resonate with many South Africans who have moved overseas in search of better career opportunities, financial security or a different lifestyle. While many find success abroad, they often speak about missing the unique social connections, humour, cultural diversity and everyday kindness that make South Africa feel like home.
Reflecting on her recent visit, Mbuli admitted that returning home reminded her of everything she had been missing.
“South Africa is possibly the best place in the world to live. Before I came home to visit these past couple of weeks, I hadn’t been home for the past three years, which has been really challenging,” she shared.
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“But now that I am back in the US, I am more homesick than I was before.”
Her words highlight an experience shared by many members of the South African diaspora. Home is not defined solely by geography but by the people, traditions and shared experiences that shape everyday life. The country’s rich cultural diversity, vibrant languages, unmistakable sense of humour and ability to find joy even during difficult times leave a lasting impression on those who spend time away.
Mbuli also praised the resilience of South Africans, describing it as one of the nation’s defining characteristics. Despite facing numerous social, economic and political challenges over the years, she believes the country’s people continue to demonstrate remarkable strength and hope.
“South Africans are so resilient. We’ve died so many deaths as a nation and I really believe that every time we come back, we come back more beautiful and stronger than before. South Africa is vital to the world and to humanity,” she concluded.
While South Africa continues to grapple with significant challenges, Mbuli’s reflections serve as a reminder that the country’s greatest asset has always been its people. Their warmth, compassion, resilience and unwavering sense of community continue to inspire pride among those at home and nostalgia among those living abroad.
For many South Africans, home is more than a place on the map. It is found in shared laughter, familiar greetings, the spirit of ubuntu and the enduring belief that, despite every challenge, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
