The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

Dr. Deepak Bhootra spent 15 years building a career in South Africa before taking that experience across Singapore, India and eventually the United States.

Born in India and raised around the world thanks to his father's work as a forensic pathologist, Deepak arrived in South Africa in the early 1990s and quickly discovered a country that would shape the rest of his life.

Today he's based in Houston, where he coaches business leaders, entrepreneurs and sales professionals around the world. But despite living on three continents, he still credits South Africa for much of his work ethic, leadership philosophy and outlook on life.

In this conversation, Deepak reflects on adapting to new cultures, earning trust, building a meaningful career, and why success is no longer measured by money—but by the lives you impact.

It's a thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose and what emigrants can teach the world.

"Success isn't about how much money you leave behind. It's about what people say about you when you're gone." — Dr. Deepak Bhootra

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For 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

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TIMESTAMPS

00:11 – Introducing Dr. Deepak Bhootra
01:06 – Life in Houston and surviving hurricanes
02:32 – How his family ended up in South Africa
06:12 – Falling in love with South Africa
07:38 – South Africans' unique sense of humour
10:09 – What South Africa taught him about work ethic
12:52 – Experiencing South Africa before democracy
17:02 – Leaving South Africa for Singapore
20:18 – Moving to India, then Houston
21:26 – Why South Africans succeed overseas
29:12 – Reinventing yourself after emigration
33:33 – Why trust is the foundation of success
37:42 – Leadership, balance and life beyond work
40:05 – How his definition of success changed forever
47:39 – "Grow Together. Rejoice Together."
51:00 – His message to South Africans living abroad
56:35 – Where to connect with Dr. Deepak Bhootra

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Your documents should not slow down your new life.

Apostil obtains, processes and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world.

Fast, professional and stress-free.

Need your documents sorted? Visit Apostil here:
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Documents with convenience.

______________________________________________________________

Connect with Dr. Deepak Bhootra:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deepakbhootra

Website: www.deepakbhootra.com

Connect with the podcast:

Website: www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com

Podcast: The Relocated South African — available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.

If Deepak's story resonated with you, please share this episode with another South African navigating life abroad.

Werner Trieloff left the Free State at 21, chased whiskey and languages through Scotland and London, then followed a Brazilian love story to Porto Alegre in 2008 with only enough Portuguese to order a beer. Nearly two decades later he runs a business connecting Africa, Brazil, Europe and the US — despite qualifying as a CA and never doing a single day of actual accounting since.

Jan and Werner get into Brazil's brutal tax bureaucracy (rules can change ten times a day), the WhatsApp group of 55+ South Africans in Porto Alegre swapping milk tart recipes, and why joining a local rugby club and a motorbike gang did more for Werner's integration than any expat community ever could.

"Life has got its way of bringing magic to you." — Werner Trieloff

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For 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 to you – building your future beyond borders.Find out how Sable International can support your journey: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy

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TIMESTAMPS

00:10 – Welcome to Werner in Porto Alegre

00:52 – Where Porto Alegre sits in Brazil

01:53 – Free State roots, early moves abroad

03:11 – Meeting a Brazilian in Austria

03:52 – Learning Portuguese from scratch

04:55 – Whiskey connoisseur talk begins

05:33 – Talisker 18 and Japanese Hibiki

06:05 – From CA to management accounting

06:52 – Hired without speaking Portuguese

11:14 – Business grounding without doing accounting

11:49 – South Africa, easiest entry to Africa

12:46 – Africa's cultures vary country to country

13:23 – Comparing Brazil and South Africa culture

13:53 – Brazil's brutal tax complexity

15:04 – South Africans in Brazil WhatsApp group

16:57 – Continental Brazil, huge regional differences

18:43 – Regional food differences across Brazil

20:43 – Braai with just salt, no spice

21:04 – Physical safety versus South Africa

22:57 – Corruption and policing realities

24:52 – Public healthcare system SUS explained

26:35 – Visas, red tape, bureaucracy

27:35 – Company registration much faster now

30:42 – Biggest sacrifice: distance from family

34:09 – Advice: find a local sport

36:42 – Wife's adjustment to South Africa

37:37 – Cost of living in Brazil

38:58 – Minimum wage and daily prices

40:20 – Comparing prices to Portugal, UK

41:05 – Housing costs, apartment living

41:56 – Would he ever return to SA?

43:21 – Raising bicultural kids in Brazil

44:55 – Advice to his 22-year-old self

46:06 – How to connect with Werner

_____________________________________________________________

Your documents should not slow down your new life. Apostil obtains, processes, and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents, and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world. Fast, professional, and stress-free. Need your documents sorted? Visit Apostil here - https://tinyurl.com/apostilcoza Documents with convenience.

_____________________________________________________________

Connect with the podcast:

Website: www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com

Podcast: The Relocated South African — available on Spotify and all platforms

Werner's on LinkedIn (Werner Trieloff) if you want to reach out about business in Brazil or planning a trip there.

If this one hit home, send it to a fellow South African abroad — and follow the show wherever you listen.

Justin Levitt grew up in Welkom and Cape Town, toured the country as guitarist in rock band Red Tape Riot, then built a career in SEO.

In 2019 he followed a partner to the Netherlands, landing in Amsterdam just two weeks before COVID lockdown hit.

What followed was six unsettled years: a relationship that didn't survive lockdown isolation, a company sponsorship that evaporated when the business went bankrupt, and a year spent without a couch because he never knew if his contract would be renewed.

Justin talks candidly about finally getting permanent residency, the night in Paris when the Springboks won the 2023 World Cup semi-final, and why he's still proudly South African at heart.

"I don't know if I'm going to have my contract renewed. So, you know, I'll just live with the bare minimum until I really know." — Justin Levitt

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For 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 to you – building your future beyond borders.Find out how Sable International can support your journey: ⁠https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy⁠ _____________________________________________________________

TIMESTAMPS:

00:26 – Guest intro: SEO specialist

00:37 – Growing up in Welkom, the Goldfields

01:04 – Welkom's famous traffic circle legend

01:41 – School, university, bands in Cape Town

03:22 – Landed in Netherlands, COVID hit

04:18 – Learning guitar, convincing parents

05:05 – Backing a solo artist, touring years

06:40 – Forming rock band Red Tape Riot

06:54 – Why music never became a career

08:06 – Jan's theory: SA diversity vs France

08:45 – Radio stations that once launched careers

10:35 – Still plays guitar daily

11:31 – What SEO actually means

13:38 – Expectations before leaving SA

14:53 – Netherlands isn't just a Dutch UK

15:31 – Better government, worse restaurants

15:59 – Afrikaans doesn't help much here

16:47 – Dutch switch to English instantly

17:10 – Dutch know little SA history

17:51 – Arrived days before lockdown

18:17 – Locked down in a small town

19:02 – Lockdown strain on relationship

20:06 – Dutch bureaucracy, organized online

21:25 – Working remotely through lockdown

22:17 – Never settled, five cities

23:56 – Relationship ended in 2022

24:50 – Biggest sacrifice: uncertainty

25:45 – No couch for a year

26:09 – No regrets despite the struggle

27:20 – Struggle as priceless life experience

28:57 – Dutch supermarkets' tiny meat sections

30:30 – Hard to crack Dutch friend groups

31:12 – South Africans seen as hardworking

32:29 – Strict 5pm cutoff culture

34:00 – Feels completely safe here

35:36 – Still proudly South African

38:31 – Who Holland suits best

40:24 – Surprised by SA's racial dynamics

40:51 – Advice: experience first, then leap

41:50 – Doesn't see himself moving back

42:08 – Realizing the weight he carried

42:42 – Misses family and biltong most

43:35 – Best night: Paris 2023 World Cup semi

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Your documents should not slow down your new life.  Apostil obtains, processes, and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents, and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world. Fast, professional, and stress-free. Need your documents sorted?  Visit Apostil here -⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/apostilcoza⁠⁠ Documents with convenience.

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Connect with the podcast:

Website: [www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com](https://www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com)

Podcast: The Relocated South African — available on Spotify and all platforms

Loved Justin's story? Share this episode with someone weighing their own move abroad.

In this episode of The Relocated South African, I sit down with Jenny Forest Angel, who moved from Johannesburg to Wellington, New Zealand in 1997 with a 20-month-old and a 3-year-old in tow — no internet, just fax machines and expensive phone calls. 

Nearly 30 years on, Jenny's sons are thriving, her late parents followed her out and are buried in New Zealand, and she says she'd do it all again without hesitation.

We talk about the break-in that finally pushed the decision, the 18 months it took to feel settled, the "green stars on the calendar" trick she used to track her hardest days, and why she'll never send a car or a dining room table overseas again.

For 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 to you – building your future beyond borders.Find out how Sable International can support your journey: ⁠https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy⁠

TIMESTAMPS

00:01 – Introducing Jenny Forest Angel, 30 years in Wellington

00:41 – What prompted leaving South Africa in 1997

00:54 – Five burglaries in 18 months and a safety tipping point

02:48 – The break-in that made them commit to going

03:15 – Selling the house, packing a truck — "what a mistake"

03:41 – Landing in NZ on 31 August 1997, the day Diana died

04:39 – Leaving parents and siblings behind

05:26 – How her parents adapted to a hard move at a late age

06:50 – "We were the lucky ones"

07:12 – Husband's contract ending and landing a NZ job offer

08:57 – Deciding to bring her parents across

09:08 – Sorting her parents' residency paperwork

10:24 – The brutally hard first year, no support networks

10:44 – Crying every day for three months

11:21 – The infamous fish and chips "scoops" story

12:25 – Fax machines twice a week, no Facebook groups

12:35 – Her parents packing up 40 years of life in four months

14:07 – The airport reunion and chocolate-ginger confetti

14:26 – Were her parents financially secure enough to move?

15:33 – How her sons adapted — school, university, careers

16:34 – Sons' success: actuarial science and a master's degree

16:47 – The key to success: green stars on a calendar, "don't give up"

17:49 – Settling financially, and a quirky job exploring Wellington

20:14 – South African pride vs. "no job's beneath me" overseas

20:58 – Would things have turned out the same in South Africa?

21:24 – All Black or Springbok supporter?

21:46 – A 2011 Rugby World Cup ticket mix-up story

23:18 – Making friends: Kiwis vs. fellow South Africans

23:47 – Why the "soft landing" myth doesn't guarantee friendship

24:56 – What she'd leave behind if she did it again

26:56 – The personality traits that make immigration succeed

27:23 – "You can't swim upstream" — adapting without losing yourself

29:10 – "As the plane took off, I knew we were here to stay"

29:20 – How long it took to feel safe again

29:40 – No security bars, no fear — leaving windows open

31:17 – Returning to SA in 2001, her kids' reaction to locked doors

32:11 – Kids playing freely — the value of living without fear

32:25 – Advice for parents on the fence about immigrating

33:06 – Why moving young helps, but older kids adapt too

34:00 – The shrinking window for older parents to immigrate today

34:24 – Her parents' legacy and why she never gave up

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Your documents should not slow down your new life. 

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Documents with convenience.

_____________________________________________________________

Connect with the podcast:

Website: www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com

Podcast: The Relocated South African — available on Spotify and all platforms

Martiens Bekker is a sculptor, blacksmith and multi-medium artist from Naboomspruit. 

He served in the SA Police Force, studied forestry, and built a career making scrap metal sculptures and film props for Warner Brothers and DreamWorks. 

In 2009 he moved to Cornwall, UK, where he ran a coffee shop, served on the Coast Guard rescue team, and sold art — including a piece to the drummer of Queen. 

A chance invitation brought the family to rural Norway in 2014, where they've lived ever since. Martiens became a Norwegian citizen in 2024.

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Whatever taking your future global means for you, Sable International has the expertise to unlock what the world has to offer. With cross-border services spanning visas, second passports, tax, wealth planning, forex and studying abroad, they'll simplify the complexities so that you can focus on what matters most to you – building your future, beyond borders.

Ready to take your future global? Connect with Sable International today: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy

Timestamps

00:44 — Introduction: calling in from the mountains of Telemark, Norway

03:16 — Growing up in Naboomspruit, a family of Springbok athletes, and losing his father at age four

03:68 — Police force, forestry, Israel — finding his path back in South Africa

04:35 — Meeting his wife outside Cape Town and deciding to leave in 2009

05:35 — Life in Cornwall: coffee shop, Coast Guard, exhibitions — and worrying about British youth culture

07:26 — How Norway happened: a sawmill invitation that fell through, and a school principal who convinced them to stay

09:17 — SA → UK (2009) → Norway (2014) — and a visa battle with the Home Office involving a court case

11:41 — Becoming a Norwegian citizen in 2024 and the language test

13:20 — Which move was harder? Why he'd tell South Africans: "Find somewhere they speak English first"

15:07 — What Norway gets right: unlocked doors, great healthcare, open-source tax transparency

17:24 — The scrap metal art: making props for Warner Brothers and DreamWorks from a Cape Town workshop

23:29 — The Falmouth market story: selling a fish made from pick handles to the drummer of Queen

27:49 — Living with narcolepsy, diagnosed after sepsis in 2016

29:30 — Winter income: copper jewelry, firewood for a traditional bakery, and a heritage market in Mjønøy

31:56 — The price of immigration: reuniting with his brother in California after 16 years apart

36:12 — Why they left: giving the boys a better chance — and what that cost in family connections

37:10 — Would he do it again? His son thanked him for getting him out of Cornwall

38:12 — What he lost: his heart is still in South Africa, but his mind can't align with what he sees there now

39:43 — Could he go back? A brother-in-law's farm and a nephew with Angelman syndrome

41:22 — Advice for young South Africans: understand passive income, tax, and build a foundation

43:28 — Final advice: don't set expectations too high — every country has its problems

Quote of the Episode

"The grass is greener on the other side — you know why? Because there's more sht there."* — Martiens Bekker

Links & Resources

• Martiens Bekker — Instagram: search MJ Bekker or Martiens Bekker
• BBC Autumnwatch -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DowbAXSquqA
• 
  

More conversations. More destinations. More stories of South Africans navigating life abroad. Explore the full episode library at http://therelocatedsouthafrican.com.

_______________________________________________________________

Your documents should not slow down your new life. 

Apostil obtains, processes, and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents, and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world.

Fast, professional, and stress-free. Need your documents sorted? 

Visit Apostil here -⁠https://tinyurl.com/apostilcoza⁠

Documents with convenience.

_______________________________________________________________

Kerry grew up in Kempton Park, playing cricket and hockey his whole life before building a bulk tanker business with his wife on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. After years battling fuel theft syndicates and escalating personal threats, he made the call to move his family to the UK in July 2019 — arriving just months before COVID-19 turned everything upside down. Now, drawing on five years of hard-won expat experience, Kerry has retrained as a life coach to help South Africans navigate the emotional realities of emigration — before, during, and after the move._______________________________________________________________

Whatever taking your future global means for you, Sable International has the expertise to unlock what the world has to offer. With cross-border services spanning visas, second passports, tax, wealth planning, forex and studying abroad, they'll simplify the complexities so that you can focus on what matters most to you – building your future, beyond borders.Ready to take your future global? Connect with Sable International today: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy

_______________________________________________________________Timestamps00:06 — Jan introduces Kerry and sets the scene: Kent, just outside London01:13 — Growing up in Kempton Park.01:40 — Building a bulk tanker business from scratch.03:47 — The moment everything changed.04:43 — The reality of transport crime in South Africa.06:06 — Impact on the kids.07:04 — Moving as a team.07:57 — Arriving in July 2019.09:32 — When reality sets in.10:59 — Cost of living surprises.12:44 — Making friends in the UK.15:30 — Did they ever consider going back? 16:43 — What Kerry found personally hardest.18:50 — The pivot to life coaching: from trucks to transformation.20:33 — Jan on the broader need.22:08 — Kerry's coaching business.23:10 — Why focus on South Africans specifically? 25:03 — The two biggest struggles Kerry sees.26:29 — Identity loss and cultural shock.28:19 — Are people regretting emigrating? 30:13 — Wrong reasons to emigrate.32:45 — How to make a better decision: 33:33 — Practical advice for new arrivals.35:28 — Sitting on the fence? 36:55 — Pushed vs pulled.37:59 — How to reach Kerry: [email protected] (website coming soon)Quote of the Episode"Stop digging the hole. Just take account of where you are in life, how you got there, and understand what needs to change — to make change." — Kerry DeamerKey Takeaways* Don't emigrate out of frustration. Decisions made from a negative, exhausted mindset rarely lead to the outcome you're hoping for.* The hardest part of the move isn't the logistics — it's the loneliness. Deep friendships take years to build, and the UK makes it harder than most.* You have to assimilate, not replicate. Trying to recreate South African life in the UK will leave you disappointed.* If you've just arrived, get involved — sports clubs, volunteering, community. Don't wait for people to come to you.* The story you're telling yourself about why you left matters. Make sure it's true.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don't forget to follow and rate The Relocated South African wherever you listen to podcasts._______________________________________________________________Your documents should not slow down your new life. Apostil obtains, processes, and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents, and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world.Fast, professional, and stress-free. Need your documents sorted? Visit Apostil here -⁠https://tinyurl.com/apostilcoza⁠Documents with convenience.

______________________________________________________________More conversations. More destinations. More stories of South Africans navigating life abroad. Explore the full episode library at http://therelocatedsouthafrican.com.

Monty Stephenson, chartered accountant (South Africa and Canada), business leader, and director of the Solulo Foundation.

Monty grew up in Plettenberg Bay and qualified as a CA with Deloitte Johannesburg before emigrating to Prince George, British Columbia in 1996.

Over ten years he built a senior career in audit, raised a family of three daughters, and came within six months of making partner — before making the emotional decision to return to Cape Town for family.

He and his wife Cathy have now lived in Cape Town for 20 years and recently reclaimed their South African citizenship.

Quote of the Episode

“We never left South Africa angry. We left to go and experience a different culture — and fell in love with the country. But we’re committed South Africans.” — Monty Stephenson

For 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 to you – building your future beyond borders.Find out how Sable International can support your journey: https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy

Timestamps

00:00  —  Welcome & intro.

03:29  —  How the move to Canada happened: a chance conversation at a hotel in Joburg led to a call from Deloitte Canada .

06:40  —  Cathy's struggle to find work as an occupational therapist in Canada.

11:01  —  On Canadians: their warmth is earned, not automatic.

15:00  —  The first 18 months were tough.

20:40  —  How a planned two-year stay became ten — and what that meant for family left behind in South Africa.

25:12  —  Monty's mom visited Canada and her peace at seeing their life there.

33:15  —  The difficult decision to leave.

39:02  —  How they ended up back: an impromptu interview in Joburg organised by his brother-in-law, then one in Cape Town the next day — and a job offer from Ernst & Young on the spot.

45:00  —  The final push to say yes:

46:08  —  Reintegrating into South Africa. Early months in Camps Bay were a shock — the crime headlines hit hard. But within three months they found their feet and reconnected with community.

50:07  —  Monty's philosophy on safety: "There's one criminal in our community and 99 of us are sitting inside letting him own the street. Let the 99 go outside and be connected — and he'll move on."

52:00  —  Monty's involvement with the Solulo Foundation, supporting township and rural entrepreneurs.

58:37  —  His eldest daughter is now back from London. His advice: go, explore, get your Canadian passport, and come back if South Africa calls you.

01:02:50  —  A message to South Africans abroad: "Please don't crash us overseas.

01:03:53  —  Wrap-up and sign-off.

_____________________________________________________________

Your documents should not slow down your new life. 

Apostil obtains, processes, and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents, and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world.

Fast, professional, and stress-free. Need your documents sorted? 

Visit Apostil here -⁠https://tinyurl.com/apostilcoza⁠

Documents with convenience.

_____________________________________________________________

More conversations. More destinations. More stories of South Africans navigating life abroad. Explore the full episode library at http://therelocatedsouthafrican.com.

Dale grew up in Alberton and on a farm in Walkerville, Johannesburg. Armed with a British passport and a bass guitar, he landed in London in 2002 with little more than a suitcase and £100. Over 16+ years he built a career in real estate, raised over £1.5 billion in property transactions, and won multiple industry awards — before returning to South Africa just weeks before COVID-19 lockdown. He now lives in Langebaan, Western Cape, and runs RGA Global, helping investors diversify into offshore property markets.

Timestamps

00:05 — Jan introduces Dale and the Lekker Network connection

01:40 — Dale's early life: Alberton, a farm in Walkerville, and playing in bands

02:01 — Landing in London in 2002 with a British passport and a dream — working factories, call centres, and finding his feet

03:42 — The South African community in Wimbledon and the early 2000s working holiday visa era

04:17 — Life in London: braais, band gigs, and the hard realities of cost of living

05:13 — Bass guitar, the band Starseed, and gigging at the Clapham Grand

06:44 — Was the UK always temporary? Jan asks whether Dale always planned to come back

07:55 — Starting from the bottom: minimum wage jobs, a shared flat with a coin-operated shower, and a pivotal moment on Wimbledon High Street that launched his property career

13:32 — Character-building hardship: was there ever a moment they nearly quit and went home?

15:30 — A crossroads: Dale's wife packs up and leaves — and then things turn around

16:23 — Resigning from a six-figure job, twin daughters born, and the decision to return to South Africa

17:24 — Moving to Langebaan two months before COVID — setting up a remote company right as the world went into lockdown

18:03 — Did Dale need the UK to get to where he is today?

21:02 — The biggest misconceptions South Africans have about moving to the UK

23:27 — Red tape and reintegration: tax, IDs, schools, banking, and why the first three to six months are the hardest

27:29 — Safety and security: why Dale chose not to return to Joburg, and how he researched Langebaan's crime statistics before moving

30:18 — The positivity of the Lekker Network and why it matters for South Africa

30:51 — What Dale does today: offshore property investment, RGA Global, and his Fractional Sales Director role with Sable International

33:40 — Golden visas, rental yields, mortgages, and why UK property still makes financial sense for South African investors

35:43 — Is there offshore appetite for South African property? Cape Town's boom, semi-gration, and the long-term investment risks

39:04 — The digital nomad lifestyle: earning in pounds, living in South Africa, and why more people are asking Dale how to do it

40:42 — RGA Global launch: UK, Thailand, Mauritius, Bali — and a cautious watch on Dubai

41:43 — What Dale would do differently: less partying, sobriety, health, and discovering Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

43:35 — Advice for young South Africans: should they go offshore?

45:47 — Closing thoughts: you can always come back

Quote of the Episode

"Focus on your faith, your business, your health, and becoming a man. You can have fun when you're young, but don't get carried away — next thing you realise you're burning a candle at both ends." — Dale Anderson

Your documents should not slow down your new life. 

Apostil obtains, processes, and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents, and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world.

Fast, professional, and stress-free. Need your documents sorted? 

Visit Apostil here -⁠https://tinyurl.com/apostilcoza⁠

Documents with convenience.

Martin Maritz grew up across the street from Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, attended Affies, became a scratch golfer at 13, and earned a full golf scholarship to the University of Tulsa. 

He went on to play 300+ events across 47 countries on the Sunshine, European and Asian Tours, came agonisingly close to winning the Dunhill Championship (losing to Justin Rose in his first ever pro win), and played in the 2011 British Open. 

Since retiring in 2012 he has built a career in IT recruitment and launched Birdies & Bogeys Golf Gear - an apparel company with a charitable heart, giving back to the next generation of young golfers.

Time Stamps

00:01  Welcome & Pretoria roots - Loftus, Affies, Blue Bulls rugby

02:17  How golf took over - caddying for his dad, scratch at 13

03:59  The road to Tulsa - junior championships, Trevor Immelman, Gary Player's phone call, and what a $70k scholarship really demands

10:00  Turning pro - Monday qualifiers, the Sunshine Tour springboard, and life on the road in 47 countries

11:44  The ones that got away - the Dunhill heartbreak and Loch Lomond meltdown

18:20  The unglamorous side of tour life - expenses, missed cuts, and the toll on family

25:49  Birdies & Bogeys Golf Gear - the brand, the logo, and why the name means everything

33:46  Life in Oklahoma - 30 years, extreme weather, cheap living, and a SA coffee shop that cures homesickness

42:35  Reflection - what he would do differently, and advice for young golfers

46:52  LIV Golf - why he is a fan and what he hopes for the tour's future

Links

Martin’s company: birdiesandbogiesgolfgear.com

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don't forget to follow and rate The Relocated South African wherever you listen to podcasts.

Your documents should not slow down your new life. 

Apostil obtains, processes, and couriers South African police clearances, apostille certificates, unabridged documents, and more, directly to your door, anywhere in the world.

Fast, professional, and stress-free. Need your documents sorted? 

Visit Apostil here -⁠https://tinyurl.com/apostilcoza⁠

Documents with convenience.

Steve Felder is a South African global executive who has lived and worked across five continents over 25 years — from Cape Town to Joburg, Pittsburgh to Tel Aviv, Nairobi to Mumbai, Copenhagen to Montreal. 

He built his career in shipping and logistics with Maersk and Safmarine, leading businesses across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, before making the leap into entrepreneurship. 

Today he runs a cybersecurity venture in Canada, sits on several boards, and is still very much a South African at heart. 

In this conversation, Steve shares an extraordinary story of relentless reinvention, the trade-offs of a global life, raising third culture kids, and what it really takes to thrive when you keep starting over.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Steve Felder, Montreal-based global executive

01:18 – Growing up in Cape Town, dropping out of UCT, and the early move to Joburg

02:29 – First attempt to move to Canada; Sweets from Heaven and running US stores

04:20 – Back to South Africa: Jetline and African Bank

06:30 – Joining Maersk/Safmarine — entering shipping with no industry experience

08:00 – Chief Commercial Officer for Africa; traveling the continent

09:50 – Moving to Israel (2008) as MD; life in Tel Aviv, son born on Freedom Day

12:30 – East Africa (2012): Running Maersk across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and beyond

15:00 – Mumbai (2017): Leading South Asia; COVID lockdown in a 20-million-person city

18:40 – Family splits between India and Copenhagen during the pandemic

21:30 – Life today: sabbatical, pickleball, cybersecurity venture, boards and advising

25:45 – Comparing countries: Kenya as the favourite

27:40 – Settling in across relocations — and why Canada was the hardest landing

32:00 – The importance of a strong family unit when relocating repeatedly

33:40 – India: "Expats cry twice — once when you arrive, once when you leave"

34:00 – How the kids identify: third culture kids who say "South Africa" even though they've never lived there

36:40 – Red tape around the world: Kenya easy, India brutal, UAE astonishing

41:09 – When did Steve realise he wasn't going back?

44:45 – Are South Africans more adaptable? The can-do attitude

48:21 – Living in Israel: perspective on the conflict from someone who was there

51:21 – Advice to a young South African: stay or go?

53:38 – Closing reflections and farewell

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