The festive season is quickly approaching, and for about a million South Africans living and working abroad, homesickness may begin to creep in.
And while a white Christmas can be magical or Surfing Santa exhilarating, for many South Africans, nothing beats the vibe of being here in SA during December, enjoying sunshine, braais, malva pudding, custard or some quality time with loved ones.
That’s why Shyft set out to give one lucky family the ultimate gift this festive season: being together for the holidays.
We invited South Africans to share their stories about why their family should be reunited, for a chance to win up to two return flights to South Africa for two family members.
After hundreds of heartfelt entries, our panel has selected the top 10 finalists – South Africans across the world who shared touching stories of love, sacrifice, and longing for home.
Now, it’s your turn to be the judge.
Each finalist recorded a short video telling us why reuniting with their family would mean the world to them. Watch their videos and pick your favourite entrant by liking or commenting on their video on our TikTok and Instagram channels.
You have until 30 November to vote!
After public voting, the finalist with the most votes will win the return flights.
So, get comfy, grab a tissue, and put on your judge’s hat. Then watch their videos below and cast your vote.
The finalists
Alexa Smith
Alexa’s brother has been in the Navy in Australia for seven years. She recently got engaged, and her brother hasn’t met her fiancée. Bringing her brother home for Christmas would allow them to reunite and give their father the joy of seeing the whole family together.
Vote for Alex on Instagram or TikTok.
Haneem Hendricks
Haneem is a single mother working in the Isle of Man and is separated from her two young daughters, who live in Durban. With her eldest daughter’s birthday approaching, she longs to cuddle them, see their smiles, and share precious moments. A few days at home would make the distance easier and give her family the connection they deeply miss.
Vote for Haneem on Instagram or TikTok.
Geoffrey Lydall
Geoffrey’s in-laws moved to the UK to support their granddaughter through life-saving cancer treatment, but now find themselves far from their newest grandchild, born this November. With festive-season flights far too expensive, they may miss the chance to meet her while she’s still a newborn. Winning would give them the precious gift of holding their granddaughter for the first time and sharing in these fleeting early moments.
Vote for Geoffrey on Instagram or TikTok.
Manjula Naidoo
Manjula longs to reunite with her two children, who are studying abroad in Atlanta, USA, and Luxembourg. After a year marked by her own severe injury and the strains of distance, she yearns to see them together again. This reunion would be more than a holiday, she says, it would be a moment of healing, restoration, and family togetherness long overdue.
Vote for Manjula on Instagram or TikTok.
Bailee Mitchell
Bailee’s aunt Janice has lived in the US for 30 years and has only been able to visit South Africa sparingly. Her grandmother, now nearing 90, longs to see her beloved daughter (Janice) again. Winning this flight would reunite them, bringing Baliee’s aunt home for Christmas and fulfilling a heartfelt family wish that spans decades and oceans.
Vote for Bailee on Instagram or TikTok.
Nigel John Andrews
Nigel and his wife are in their seventies and have spent two years in the UK assisting their daughter and son-in-law in caring for their granddaughter, Abigail, through brain tumour treatment. While devoted to helping their family, they long to return to South Africa to meet their new grandchild, Emilia, and reconnect with loved ones. Living simply on a small pension, a visit home would mean the world to them.
Vote for Nigel on Instagram or TikTok.
Shane Scholtz
Shane wants to reunite his aunt and uncle with his 84-year-old grandmother, who is growing frail with age. A visit from them this Christmas would be a precious gift for his grandmother.
Vote for Shane on Instagram or TikTok.
Maria dos Santos
Maria is a 66-year-old mother and lifelong provider who longs to reunite with her two youngest children, who moved to Sweden to study and build a better future. This will be their second Christmas apart, and the distance has been heavy as they face challenges in a new country and need medical care they can’t access there. Winning would bring them home, allow them to receive the support they need, and give this close-knit family the chance to share a meal, embrace one another, and heal together.
Vote for Maria on Instagram or TikTok.
Anwar Ismail Lockhat
After 10 years away from home, Anwar wants to reunite with his ageing parents, especially his mother, who recently celebrated her 74th birthday. He hopes to make up for missed holidays and share this long-awaited moment with his girlfriend, whom his parents have never met. For him, the trip home will represent healing, reconnection, and the start of a new family chapter.
Vote for Anwar on Instagram or TikTok.
Leigh Shaw-Taylor
Leigh and her siblings are separated across the UK and South Africa, and haven’t spent Christmas together in nearly 20 years due to distance and tight finances. Her sisters, Kerryn and Tammy, are facing serious health challenges and need the comfort of family more than ever. Winning these flights would bring them home, allowing the siblings to reconnect, support one another, and finally share a long-awaited Christmas.
Vote for Leigh on Instagram or TikTok.
Staying connected, wherever you are
Whether your loved ones are in the UK, Europe, the US or Australia, Shyft helps you stay close with:
- Free Shyft-to-Shyft money transfers in pounds, dollars, Australian dollars, and euros to spoil them on birthdays, anniversaries and other special moments.
- The cheapest forex rates, which make global travel and gift shopping more affordable.
- Multiple physical and virtual multicurrency cards, all linked to one account.
- Quick, low-cost international transfers.
This festive season, we’re proving that distance doesn’t diminish love, and together, we can help one family close the gap.
