The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to pack up your life in South Africa and start over in a place as far away as New Zealand? What makes someone leave everything familiar behind and begin again, especially when safety and a better future for their family are at stake?In this episode, I chat to Dr. Kobus Du Plooy, a clinical psychologist who took the leap from Pretoria to Otago, New Zealand with his wife, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about the tough decisions that led up to their move, including the safety concerns that played a big part, Kobus’s career journey, adjusting to a new country, and how starting over brings both challenges and unexpected joys.I really enjoyed this conversation with Kobus. He was such a down-to-earth guest, and I appreciated how open he was about the emotional side of relocating - from leaving family behind, to facing loneliness, to eventually finding their feet and building a new life. I found it especially moving to hear how he and his wife support each other and the practical advice he had for others considering a similar move.If you’re thinking of moving abroad, or you're just curious about life in New Zealand as a South African, I think you’ll find Kobus’s story both relatable and inspiring.“When I speak to a lot of South Africans here, they said had their circumstances been different, they wouldn't have wanted to make this move.” - Kobus Du Plooy00:00 Introduction05:58 Making the move mid-pandemic10:03 Prioritising family safety15:48 Balancing familiarity and change abroad20:05 Overcoming reluctance to socialise27:57 “It’s not for sissies”31:11 Life isn’t always fair34:43 Navigating change for the sake of opportunity38:20 Teaching our kids to have manners41:38 What he would have done differentlyFind your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected] podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com

In this episode, I speak with Justinus Adriaanse, a South African entrepreneur now based in Canada. We discuss Justinus' journey from Pretoria to Canada, the challenges and triumphs of relocating.He shares how skiing became a passion and a way to connect with his new life in Canada.He emphasises the importance of family support during the immigration process. Justinus shares insights on maintaining ties to South Africa and the impact of his coding academy, We Think Code which provides opportunities for preserving candidates to learn coding skills.We Think Code has transformed the lives of many underprivileged youth in South AfricaWe also discuss his passion for rugby and the role it has in connecting South Africans abroad. He emphasises the need for action and consistency in making a difference, whether in business or charitable endeavours.Justinus Adriaanse: “Being on the same page is key." "You have to push your comfort zone."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Relocation02:54 Justinus' Early Life and Move to Canada06:35 The Skiing Adventure and Its Impact10:52 The Importance of Family Support in Immigration13:07 Children's Adaptation and Cultural Identity17:36 Feeling More South African Abroad19:48 Charitable Work and Impact of We Think Code26:34 Government Support and Collaboration28:45 Rugby Vision and Community Projects31:12 The Journey to the Final: A Rugby Fan's Adventure33:30 Building a Rugby Talent Pipeline in South Africa36:44 The Importance of Opportunity in Sports37:43 Challenges of Starting Over in a New Country40:31 Networking: The Key to Entrepreneurial Success42:42 Changing Perceptions: South Africans Abroad50:28 Lessons Learned: Reflections on Immigration53:49 Advice for Young South Africans: Exploring OpportunitiesJustinus and Flip van Der Merwe´s podcast Winning the away Game is available on all podcast platforms and Youtube :https://www.youtube.com/@WinningtheAwayGamePodcastContact Justinus on Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanseFind your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected] 

Have you considered the feelings and emotions of parents whose children emigrate?   In this episode I talk to Dr Sulette Ferreira, a migration therapist specializing in emigration therapy for families living apart. We discuss the emotional challenges faced by families, particularly parents left behind when children emigrate.  Sulette highlights the concept of ambiguous loss, the importance of maintaining relationships across distances, and the need for community support. She emphasizes that emigration affects family dynamics and that parents often experience grief and longing for their children. The conversation also touches on the importance of seeking professional help and maintaining a positive relationship with children who have emigrated. The conversation was interesting, and it made me appreciate caring for those who remain behind. Sulette Ferreira: "Ambiguous loss is a continuous loss." Chapters00:00 Navigating emigration and Family Dynamics03:23 Understanding the Emotional Impact of emigration08:11 The Complexities of Long-Distance Relationships12:40 Grief and Ambiguous Loss in emigration17:01 The Role of Community and Support Systems21:53 Financial and Logistical Challenges of emigration26:36 Finding Meaning and Maintaining Relationships33:47 Actionable Advice for Parents Left Behind Dr Sulette can be contacted at www.drsulette.com. She is also on Facebook as Dr Sulette Ferreira and she has a private Facebook group for parents who stay behind “Worlds apart living in one heart” Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected] 

Tracey Shearer left South Africa in 2003 with an Irish passport, a printer and no real plan beyond seeing what life abroad had to offer.What followed was a 13-year journey through the UK and Singapore before eventually returning to Cape Town.Tracey grew up on Johannesburg's East Rand and spent 13 years running a design agency with her sister before deciding it was time to leave. In London, her original entrepreneurial plans didn't work out, and she eventually found her way into maritime recruitment, a career she has now been in for around 20 years.Singapore became a major part of her life. She ran a recruitment company there for seven years, built an international network and experienced a very different way of living.Eventually, however, her heart was pulling her back to South Africa.In this episode, Tracey talks honestly about leaving South Africa, the realities of starting again overseas, the cost of living in London, Singapore's safety and efficiency, healthcare, building an international career, and why she ultimately chose Cape Town.We also discuss the role of family, the idea that the grass is always greener somewhere else, and how technology has made it possible for Tracey to continue recruiting internationally while living in South Africa._______________________________________________________________SABLE INTERNATIONALFor over 30 years, Sable International has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most: building your future beyond borders.Find out how Sable International can support your journey:https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy_______________________________________________________________TIMESTAMPS00:01 Introduction01:15 Growing up in Johannesburg02:36 Leaving South Africa in 200303:44 Arriving in London with a printer04:17 Trying entrepreneurship in the UK05:16 Finding maritime recruitment06:13 Discovering the maritime industry10:52 The cost of living in London12:24 Adjusting to life overseas13:05 Moving from London to Singapore21:58 Healthcare in London and Singapore23:27 Why Singapore works so well29:47 Building a recruitment company in Singapore30:19 Returning to South Africa30:52 Working internationally from Cape Town32:10 Why family pulled her home32:47 Is the grass really greener?33:15 Choosing Cape Town34:00 Building a life back in South AfricaCONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICANThe Relocated South African is the show for navigating emigration from South Africa for a better future.www.therelocatedsouthafrican.comListen, subscribe and explore more stories from South Africans around the world.If Tracey's story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African living abroad.

Connor Jackson was born in Durban, spent much of his childhood in Tanzania, returned to South Africa, and then unexpectedly found himself building a life in Hungary.At 18, Connor went to Hungary on a Rotary exchange programme. He didn't choose Hungary as his first option, but what began as a one-year adventure became a life-changing experience.He returned to South Africa after the exchange, started studying at Stellenbosch University, but soon realised that he wanted to return to Hungary. He eventually moved back to Budapest, restarted his degree, learned Hungarian and began building a career there.In this episode, Connor talks about:Growing up in Tanzania and living in an expat mining communityArriving in Hungary with virtually no HungarianThe challenge of learning one of Europe's most difficult languagesReturning to South Africa and discovering that he had changedLeaving Stellenbosch and moving back to BudapestStudying international relations and starting his career in HungaryFinding community through Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and rugbyWhat life in Budapest is really likeSafety, public transport and the cost of livingWorking for Hungarian companiesThe challenges of Hungarian immigration and bureaucracyBeing forced to leave Hungary after a visa problemHow a lawyer helped him returnWhy he recently became a Hungarian citizenTravelling and building a life across EuropeConnor also explains why putting yourself out there is so important when you move abroad, and why joining a sports club or other community can be one of the best ways to make friends and build a new life.And despite becoming Hungarian, Connor says you never stop being South African.______________________________________________________________SUPPORTED BY SABLE INTERNATIONALFor over 30 years, Sable International has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most: building your future beyond borders.Find out how Sable International can support your journey:https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy_______________________________________________________________TIMESTAMPS00:11 Welcome from Budapest01:02 Growing up in Tanzania03:43 Life in a Tanzanian gold-mining community07:20 How Connor ended up in Hungary09:08 Living with Hungarian host families10:59 Arriving in Hungary with no Hungarian13:35 Learning the Hungarian language14:51 Returning to South Africa16:28 Leaving Stellenbosch for Budapest18:23 Studying and working in Hungary19:12 Finding community through martial arts21:35 Living in Hungary during COVID23:44 Building a social life in Budapest24:40 What Connor loves about Budapest27:52 Cost of living in Hungary30:50 Working in Budapest32:42 Hungarian immigration and bureaucracy35:23 Advice for South Africans considering Hungary36:55 Becoming a Hungarian citizen38:25 Travelling around Europe40:00 Committing to your new life abroad41:28 Braai, biltong and staying South AfricanCONNECT WITH THE RELOCATED SOUTH AFRICANwww.therelocatedsouthafrican.comListen to The Relocated South African on Spotify, YouTube and all major podcast platforms.If Connor's story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African living abroad.