Maher Mezahi, a seasoned African correspondent, shares his personal journey of leaving his adoptive France to return to Algeria, the motherland of his ancestry. For every family embedded in the immigrant story, there’s usually one individual deeply critical of their homeland’s aspect, making every family discussion feel like a bout of shadow boxing.
Growing up, Mezahi’s father was that character, his visitations to Algeria from Canada were chaperoned by cynicism and paranoia. He conjectures that the source of this pessimism was guilt over the forfeiture of his past life, his critiques a self-administered salve for his departure.
Upon reaching adulthood and visiting Algeria alone, Mezahi learned to form his viewpoints and found himself ensnared by African football. Consequently, he resolved that to further his career in football journalism, he had to “return” to Algeria.
While reverse immigration forms the narrative arc of many heartwarming tales of generational immigrants reconnecting with their cultural roots, a cynical tirade of discouragement often accompanies it – ranging from having to deal with government bureaucracy or the occasional snide remark from older family members. Even when Mezahi announced his move to Algiers, his family speculated on the duration of his stay. Their familial bets turned out to be ill-conceived, as Mezahi ended up enduring six years in Algeria.
His early years in Algiers were notably thrilling, with an influx of international journalists and diaspora entrepreneurs matching his timing in the mid-2010s. The city of Algiers was bustling with a booming economy, new English-language schools, and football fever, making it the perfect fit for the journalist who taught English as a secondary language.
However, the rosy glow gradually faded, transforming into a litany of excuses to depart Algeria. The COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions and a decline in civil liberties led Mezahi to desire a change in environment, which brought him to the sunny climes of Marseilles, France.
Although the city itself was welcoming with its marvelous architecture and delectable pastries, Mezahi soon felt ill at ease. The reason, he discerned, was his absence from the African football journalism sphere. Nothing, he realized, could replace the sense of belonging he felt when contributing to a field he passionately cared about.
Combined with the allure of everyday Algerian life – from hailing a taxi and striking up friendships with fellow commuters, to savoring locally caught sardines – Mezahi felt an urge to return. Concluding that contentment found in mundane happenstances indicated a good place to settle, he decided to undertake a second migration to Algeria.
Today, the impending move no longer carries the thrill of discovery but fosters contemplation. He weighs the expected challenges, such as bureaucratic red tape and difficulty in accessing specialized health services, in the balance. However, one compelling realization tilts the scale – his return to a homeland where he can pursue his preferred vocation with vigor. Undoubtedly, the thought of reaching a place of such fulfillment is something everyone seeks in their lifetime.
