The paper explained factors influencing some Zimbabwean teachers ‘pushed’ by the crisis (2000-08) into migration to South Africa (SA) to harbour return migration intentions and others not. Quantitative data was collected from 100 Zimbabwean teachers identified through snowball sampling in 2012 in SA since it was difficult to locate schools with Zimbabwean teachers. Three-fifth (59%), most of who were males or few females who migrated alone, thought or seriously thought about returning home to reunite with families. Some were also dissatisfied with teaching in SA due to reasons ranging from huge workloads and undisciplined students to insecure contracts. Others who were satisfied by their wages and repelled by a still poorly managed economy and political uncertainty at home never thought about returning. Developing countries should retain or attract back their professionals through better pay/stability. Host countries should assimilate immigrants who want to stay and/or protect them against xenophobia.

Keywords: brain regain, return migration, Mathematics and Science teachers,