Locked in and locked out under lockdown

TALI FEINBERG

Darren Bergman, the Democratic Alliance shadow minister of international relations and co-operation, has been working around the clock to bring back South African citizens. He has been in communication with more than 1 000 South Africans stranded around the globe.

“We have had some serious cases of people running out of money, food, and shelter, literally living in airports that are closed, and some haven’t had access to their luggage for days,” he says.

Justine Segal was one of a large group of South Africans who became stranded at Heathrow Airport as South Africa’s national lockdown came into effect. “We were travelling from Miami to South Africa with a connecting flight via London. We are a group of 47 people working with MSC Cruise Lines,” she says.

“Once we got to London, we realised that all our flights were cancelled, and we were stranded in Heathrow. I knew before I left Miami that my flight had changed from 15:55 to 07:30. I was overwhelmed with emotion, and decided to take my flight anyway, and hopefully catch another one.

“The flight I was booked on had changed its departure time in order to land in South Africa before lockdown. I was devastated at the thought of not being able to join my family. However, I was also grateful to be stranded with 47 friends and colleagues.

“We sat together in the airport building for 14 hours. Probably the worst part wasn’t knowing what was going to happen to all of us. The scariest aspect was being told we were on a flight to Ethiopia, knowing that there would be no connecting flights to South Africa.

“MSC was then able to arrange accommodation for us in London, and I was grateful to be allowed to leave the airport at 02:15. Airport officials weren’t sympathetic to our plight, but we were given a three-month visa.

“The kindness and support shown to us by others has been unbelievable. Lots of expats have come to our rescue with food, essentials, and even accommodation for people not part of the MSC crew. We are extremely grateful for all the help we have received thus far.”

She has no idea what will happen if she is stuck in London indefinitely. “I have to hope that MSC will continue to support us here, or that the South African government will be able to arrange a flight home. We are staying in a hotel. We have good accommodation, excellent food, and daily or weekly testing for the virus by checking our temperature. We talk about how lucky we are, as some of the other South Africans stuck here don’t have the best accommodation.

“My parents and two brothers are all at home in South Africa, and I hoped to be there with them during this difficult time. It’s the uncertainty and having no answers that’s most worrying. We all just want to be home.”

In a plea to the community, she says, “There are many South Africans stranded in many countries who are in the same position as I am. I hope the South African Jewish community is able to spread this story as far as possible in order to motivate some action.”

Capetonian Tyron Brivik is also stranded after going on holiday to Argentina with his girlfriend who is from Mexico. While she managed to return to her home country, he wasn’t able to secure a flight to South Africa before our lockdown came into effect.

“I’ve received no help from the South African embassy. When my girlfriend contacted her embassy, it dropped everything to help her get home. The only assistance South Africa offered was to arrange accommodation for me at a hotel, but I would have to pay double what I am paying for an Airbnb.”

He has been staying in an apartment in Palermo since Argentina’s lockdown came into effect on 16 March. He went to a grocery store once, but had to wait in line for an hour and a half to enter the store because of social distancing rules. He now orders delivery of food, which is still allowed there. “The local rabbi has also been very helpful, bringing me challah for Shabbos, and asking if I need anything for Pesach.”

Brivik says being stranded is an expensive exercise. He spent astronomical amounts on three tickets home, which kept getting cancelled. He can’t earn a living, and still has to pay rent on his apartment back in Cape Town as well as for someone to care for his cat.

“I would love to get out of here as soon as possible – even if it means staying in Johannesburg, as I have family there. At the same time, I’m grateful that I’m in an apartment with everything I need.”

Meanwhile, there are Jewish foreign nationals stuck in South Africa. “I came to Cape Town on holiday from Sydney, where I was working on a temporary long-term visa, and I was stranded when Australia closed its borders to non-citizens. I was shocked when I realised I couldn’t get back,” says Jeremy Resnick. “Thankfully, I’m staying with my sister. If I can’t get back, I’ll consider working here as a doctor – I’m registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.”

Regarding his commitments back in Australia, he says, “I’m employed by the public healthcare system, so my position will be covered. There are some practical matters such as the expiry of my car lease, and I rent a property. The main worry is the separation from my long-term Australian girlfriend who has returned there.”

Peter Barnett was also visiting Cape Town on holiday from Los Angeles. “We called the call centre the day the lockdown was due to start as we were due to fly out about four hours before it started. We couldn’t check into our flight, and found that our change of booking hadn’t been ticketed even though we confirmed our reservations. There were no flights available after that.

“At first, we were in disbelief, which turned to irritation at the airlines for not being more communicative with us. The American consulate has been helpful in keeping us informed about our options. Luckily I’m from here, and semi-retired. I’m staying at my father-in-law, and my neighbours at home are keeping an eye on our house.”

Bergman has created a database and social-media forums for citizens who want to come home. Titled “HomeAwayFromHome”, the platform records where they are, whether they require anything urgently, and gives them a communication platform to talk to others in the same situation.

“We have seen people relieved finally to find fellow South Africans in the same situation as them. They are now able to network, share resources, and look after each other,” he says.

Bergman says the project wouldn’t be possible without the co-operation of DIRCO (the department of international relations and cooperation), and that all political parties are working closely on the matter without any political agenda. “We are trying to do everything within our power to bring as many people back as soon as possible,” he says. Late on Wednesday this week, Bergman told the SA Jewish Report that eight South Africans had arrived in the country from Dubai, and that there may be more such flights from other locations in future.