By Kaya 959 Lifestyle
Tanisha Colon-Bibb’s love story about how she moved from America to South Africa has been met with pride, excitement, and a little confusion.
The New York native shared her story with CNBC. The entrepreneur says her friends had a lot of questions when she told them she was moving to Johannesburg to be with the love of her life.
Tanisha moved to South Africa in October 2020 after a long-distance romance with Malusi Siboto. He is originally from Cape Town but currently lives in Johannesburg.
Tanisha says they “randomly met about two years ago” at a wedding in the ‘Mother City’. Malusi is a professional cricket player.
Her friends might have been shocked by her decision but Tanisha was excited about her new adventure. Her job allows her to be a digital nomad as she does most of her work online.
Tanisha says she is completely fascinated by Malusi’s culture. “My boyfriend is from the Xhosa tribe,” she told CNBC.
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Living on $88 a day
Since making her big move to Johannesburg, the Rebelle Agency founder says she’s been living on $88 a day – which is nearly R1,400.
“It is absolutely cheaper to live in South Africa than it is to live in New York City… anyone who is from there or lives there knows… you step outside, you spend $100 easily without even really doing anything.”
Tanisha says the cost of living in SA is much cheaper. Her largest expense is $979 for their three-bedroom apartment.
The couple splits their monthly bills, and Tanisha says she spends just $85 (R1340) on food.
Tanisha also revealed her favourite thing about living in Johannesburg.
“I’m from the concrete jungle, but it is so refreshing to be able to go hiking by the beach or mountains and be among animals. The first time I saw a zebra, I freaked out because I’d never been that close to an animal outside of the zoo my entire life,” she said.
A beach in Joburg?
That is where Twitter users started to give Tanisha the side-eye.
“Wildlife?? Beach?? Animals?? In Joburg?” one tweep asked.
Wildlife?? Beach?? Animals?? In Joburg???! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jwrWd2KCoR
— A simple life will do🇿🇦 (@MakwenaManaka) December 8, 2021
Another user added: “We see Zebras at the Zoo so how was she close-up to them…. unless she is is at Kruger National Park but even then that’s their habitat.”
A third person added: “Hiking to a beach in Johannesburg and seeing zebras along the way.??? Okay. I don’t go to the East often so maybe Boksburg has a beach.”
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Hiking to a beach in Johannesburg and seeing zebras along the way.??? Okay. I don’t go to the East often so maybe Boksburg has a beach, but I have to call bullshit on her budget. pic.twitter.com/zPutOjzbb3
— Kurt Ellis 🇿🇦 (@realKurtEllis) December 8, 2021
Tanisha has been to the beach
But one Twitter user pointed out that she could have meant she visits the beach during her trips to Cape Town, as that is where her boyfriend is from.
Here’s proof that Tanisha has indeed been to the beach – albeit in Marina MartinIque, Eastern Cape. It seems CNBC phrased that part of the online interview incorrectly and used Johannesburg instead of South Africa.
Some tweeps were shocked that Tanisha spent $565 (R8,943) on self-care every month.
“Her monthly $565 self-care budget has me doing double takes when I convert it to rands,” a Twitter user named Sibongile commented.
Her monthly $565 self care budget has me doing double takes when I convert it to rands
— Sibongile Mtafu (@Sibo_Mtafu) December 9, 2021
Lol per day ??? 😩 people are rich pic.twitter.com/b3tLybz4OQ
— 🇫🇷 NEGUS (@CyaVarified) December 8, 2021
I would never move from America to come and pay a man’s rent! 😭
— x (@haike_xo) December 8, 2021
nka screama!
Some Twitter users came to Tanisha’s defence. They noted that she was simply comparing her cost of living in Johannesburg to New York.
“Ok, saw the YouTube video. The story is about how she is enjoying a much lower cost of living in SA, spending about 1/4 of what she used to spend in NY per month.’
Ok, saw the youtubr video. The story is about how she is enjoying a much lower cost of living in SA, spending about 1/4 of what she used to spend in NY per month
— Ms. Siya Miti 🇸🇿🇸🇿🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@SiyaMiti_the1st) December 9, 2021
You can watch Tanisha’s story in the video below.
Tanisha loves South Africa
Some South Africans might not understand Tanisha’s decision to leave America or her budget, but it makes sense to her and that is all that matters.
“It wasn’t even a second thought for me to come here, live with him and build our relationship. I would definitely say love made me move to South Africa.”
Despite a few negative comments, Tanisha is loving every minute in South Africa.
