There are clear indications that many expatriates who left South Africa during the past decade want to return home. But one of the things that is stopping them is the soaring price of real estate in South Africa.

Louis Fourie, chairperson of the Peregrine subsidiary, Citadel, says many more expats would have returned because of the great opportunities offered by the country but were unable to do so because they could not afford to it.

Fourie said South Africa had become the new face of Africa with its growing economy and stable government.

"South Africa is seen as a moral icon for the rest of Africa and is being closely watched by the rest of the world," he said.

(Source: The Star / 24 August 2005)