The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

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."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating emigration and Family Dynamics

03:23 Understanding the Emotional Impact of emigration

08:11 The Complexities of Long-Distance Relationships

12:40 Grief and Ambiguous Loss in emigration

17:01 The Role of Community and Support Systems

21:53 Financial and Logistical Challenges of emigration

26:36 Finding Meaning and Maintaining Relationships

33:47 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]

The decision to emigrate has lifelong implications and challenges for everyone involved. 

In this episode I talk to Andrew Rissik, the Group International Director of Sable International, a well know company that has a slogan of “internationalize yourself, your wealth and your business.”

Andrew speaks from own experience having moved to Portugal for part of the year while maintaining his roots in South Africa. 

He highlights common misconceptions, the importance of planning, tax implications, and the emotional aspects of relocating. 

There is no substitute for thorough research and professional advice when considering emigration. 

He touches on the significance of community, education opportunities abroad, and the impact of leaving loved ones behind.

It was a great discussion with someone who has obviously paid his own school fees and is prepared to share his experience with the listeners.

Andrew Rissik: "Engage with a trusted partner."

Chapters

02:31 Andrew Rissik’s background and journey

04:52 Understanding the decision to Emigrate

09:36 The Importance of Planning and Research

11:57 Community and Support in New Environments

18:23 Navigating Tax Implications of Emigration

25:17 Navigating Nationality and Immigration Claims

27:35 Visa and Immigration Services Post-Brexit

29:55 Investment Migration and Financial Planning

32:15 Documentation Challenges and Government Backlogs

34:34 Housing and Accommodation Considerations

39:13 Understanding Costs of Living Abroad

46:02 Cultural Adaptation and Emotional Challenges

51:06 Family Dynamics and Caregiving in Emigration

48:23 Seeking Professional Guidance for Emigration

If you want to know more about the services of Sable International, their website is www.sableinternational.com. All the services and contact details are available on the website.

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Imagine being a young aircraft engineer in the 1980’s in South Africa who goes to Russia to work on a top secret  military project.

In this episode, I talk to  Kobus De Villiers, who shares his journey from South Africa to Canada. Kobus tells us about his experiences  in aerospace engineering, and the secret project to build the MIG-29 engine into the South African Airforce’s Mirage and Cheetah aircraft.

Kobus has written 5 books and numerous articles, We discuss the challenges of emigration, the cultural adjustments in Canada, and his passion for writing, including his published works. He reflects on his life choices, the importance of commitment in emigration, and offers advice for those considering leaving South Africa.

It was a fascinating discussion with a man who has great passion for his work, his family and his writing and has lived an amazing life.

Kobus De Villiers: “my morals and my values are just not going to allow me to go there..”

00:00 Introduction to The Relocated South African Podcast

02:35 Kobus De Villiers: Journey from South Africa to Canada

05:03 Career in Aerospace Engineering and Military Projects

07:38 Collaboration with Russian Engineers on Military Aircraft

10:06 Transition to Life in Canada and New Opportunities

12:37 Challenges and Experiences in the Aerospace Industry

15:01 Family Life and Dual Citizenship

17:25 Writing Journey and Publishing Books

27:26 Writing and Personal Growth

33:34 Exploring the Publishing World

41:32 Reflections on Life Choices and emigration

48:21 Advice for Potential Immigrants

Kobus De Villiers’ books are available on Amazon both in hard copy and e books and at Kobus de Villiers Archives | Malherbe Uitgewers

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Imagine moving to the UK and building a successful life and career but after more than 20 years deciding to go back to South Africa.

In this episode, I chat to Wolf Dette, the owner of Wolfies Bar in London, who shares his journey from South Africa to the UK and back. Wolf discusses his early life, ambitions in finance and the challenges of running a business during COVID.

He talks about the family’s decision to return to South Africa for family and community support. He also explores the world of NFT's and crypto investments, reflecting on the importance of resilience and cultural identity.

I really enjoyed Wolf’s entrepreneurial spirit and his drive to provide what is best for his son’s health challenges.

Wolf Dette: "the amount of growing up that you do when you go overseas and there is no one to help you. No parents no friends ..”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

01:20 Early Life and Ambitions

04:29 Transition to the UK and Career Development

05:47 The Birth of little Wolf

08:21 A big UK tax bill

09:33 First Bitcoin purchase

16:30 Success in the UK

21:23 Community and Support Systems

23:20 Reflections on Safety and Crime

25:20 Cultural Identity and Resilience

28:00 Healthcare and Family Considerations

32:33 Crime in the UK

39:00 Things change when you emigrate and grow up

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Have you ever thought about the challenges of selling everything to be ready to emigrate and then Covid arrived?

In this episode, I speak to Hettie Meyer who relocated to Wellsford, New Zealand from the East Rand in South Africa. 

We talk about the family’s  journey from South Africa, the challenges of moving, and the differences in lifestyle, culture, and healthcare in New Zealand.

I really enjoyed hearing about Hettie’s experiences with moving, childcare and the importance of maintaining connections with loved ones back home. For me the conversation highlights the emotional aspects of emigration, the adjustments required, and the freedom and safety that come with living in New Zealand.

If emigration is on your horison you will find Hettie’s advice very useful.

"Don't bring your furniture."-Hettie Meyer

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

02:46 Life in Wellsford, New Zealand

05:45 The Decision to Move

08:48 Challenges of Relocation

11:51 Family and Childcare in New Zealand

14:46 Cultural Differences and Community

17:30 Healthcare and Safety

20:32 Maintaining Family Connections

23:33 Reflections on South Africa

26:34 Food and Lifestyle Differences

29:08 Advice for Potential emigrants

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Do we sometimes neglect the feelings of parents who stay behind when their children decide to emigrate.

In this conversation, I speak with Rene Koekemoer, a South African mother who has two daughters who live abroad. We discuss the emotional journey of being a parent left behind, the sacrifices made by both parents and children, and the impact of distance on family dynamics. Rene shares her experiences of coping with separation, the importance of support systems, and the unconditional love that drives parents to want the best fortheir children, even when it means living far apart.

The discussion with Rene left me with a clear understanding of the emotional rollercoaster of a parent with children abroad. Her journey clearly reflects the emotional complexities of being a parent left behind.

Parents often suppress their emotions to remain strong for their children. Support systems for parents left behind are non-existent.

“I will never judge them."- René Koekemoer

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Immigration

02:44 Life as a Parent Left Behind

05:51 Navigating Emotions of Separation

08:47 Understanding the Decision to Leave

11:54 The Impact of Distance on Family Dynamics

14:47 The Loss of Family Connections

17:32 Coping with the Emotions of Departure

20:38 The Role of Support Systems

23:23 Finding Positivity in Separation

26:34 Advice for Parents of Immigrants

29:27 The Unconditional Love ofParents

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to face major life challenges far away from the familiar comforts of home and family? Or how it feels to build a new identity and raise a family abroad, without the built-in support systems so many of us take for granted?

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Ruth Prinsloo, whose story takes us from her childhood in Boksburg, to a life spread across continents. Ruth has not only navigated the practical and emotional realities of relocating -moving through France, Japan, and now the Netherlands - but has also beat cancer, rebuilt her sense of self, and raised a family in a foreign land, all while being far from her closest relatives.

Interviewing Ruth left a deep impression on me. She speaks with such honesty about the difficulties of coping with illness when your family is thousands of kilometres away, the challenge of forming your own identity in a new country, and the bittersweet emotions involved in seeing your children create their own connections with South Africa from afar.

If you’re interested in the real, sometimes raw experience of carving out a life abroad - especially when it comes to family, health, and finding your place in the world - you won’t want to miss Ruth’s moving and insightful story.

“To be able to let go of my idea of how I thought it would work out and just simply take it as it comes.” - Ruth Prinsloo

00:00 Introduction

05:21 An out-of-the-blue opportunity in Japan

09:15 How she ended up in Amsterdam

11:20 Her journey with cancer

14:00 Crafting as part of recovery

16:35 Pursuing bronze sculpting

21:04 Meeting a renowned sculptor

26:43 Playing rugby in Holland

31:40 SA vs European perspective

35:06 Coping with fear and trauma

40:38 Looking forward, not backwards

44:53 She experienced a medical miracle

Resources

• Join ‘South Africans currently LIVING abroad’ on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/salivingabroad/

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

Have you ever felt that your voice was being stifled, or wondered what it would be like to leave everything behind just so you could tell the truth? What would drive a journalist to walk away from their homeland - not out of adventure, but because they could no longer breathe under the weight of censorship?

In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Johan Allers, a man whose work on local television and radio was a familiar part of my own childhood. Johan’s career saw him reporting on some of the most important and difficult moments in our country’s history, but it was the growing pressure to toe the official line - and the inability to report freely and honestly - that eventually pushed him to leave South Africa.

Interviewing Johan was a powerful reminder of just how personal the choice to relocate can be. For Johan, it wasn’t just about career ambition or curiosity about life overseas; it was fundamentally about integrity, and the need to tell real stories without interference and fear. His reflections on those final years in South Africa, the moments when he realised he could not be the kind of journalist he aspired to be, really struck a chord with me.

Whether you’re thinking about moving abroad, facing similar professional crossroads, or simply interested in the stories behind South Africa’s media past, I hope you’ll find Johan’s journey as compelling and honest as I did.

“I actually became for the first time, truly confronted with the realities of South Africa as it was seen [through] the eyes of the Europeans at that time.” - Johan Allers

00:00 Introduction

05:14 Award-winning producer

09:16 Early career ambitions

11:50 Being a journalist during apartheid

14:24 Media manipulation in South Africa

20:15 Connections to the liberation movement

22:25 Meeting Kofi Annan

25:14 Chance encounter with Muhammad Ali

30:19 Moving to Amsterdam

33:26 Travelling Europe for TV

38:10 His views on the Afrikaans refugees in the U.S

41:46 Longing for home

44:04 The essence of SA

Resources

• Watch Johan’s YouTube videos, ‘AllesAfrikaans (Beyond the Borders)’: https://www.youtube.com/@JohanAllers
• Tune in to Johan’s weekly show, ‘Pareltjes uit Amsterdam’ on Litnet: https://www.litnet.co.za/author/johan-allers

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to pack up your life and move overseas - not just physically, but mentally as well? What does it mean to fully commit to a new country, instead of keeping one foot in the place you came from?

In this episode, I talk to Norman and Chantal van Wyk, the first couple I’ve interviewed who made the move from South Africa to Norway. What struck me most about our conversation was how determined they were, right from the start, to go all in. They didn’t leave with a safety net or a backup plan to return home. Instead, they put all their energy into starting over and truly making Norway their new home.

I really enjoyed speaking to them. Their honesty about the ups and downs of committing fully to life in another country really resonated with me. If you’ve ever wondered about what it means to let go of your old life and embrace a new one wholeheartedly, I think you’ll find their story both inspiring and relatable.

“We need to make Norwegian friends. We can't just stay in this South African bubble. Although we're very appreciative of them.” - Norman van Wyk

00:00 Introduction

06:25 Seeking safety abroad

08:49 Life in the countryside

11:59 Serendipitous Scandinavian job offer

13:52 Finding the right house

18:18 Aligning their mindsets was key

22:34 Adapting to life in a foreign country

27:58 Applying for a visa

35:24 Breaking barriers with locals

37:57 Yearning for familiar connections

42:14 Limpet the cat went missing in Amsterdam

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

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 Plooy

00:00 Introduction

05:58 Making the move mid-pandemic

10:03 Prioritising family safety

15:48 Balancing familiarity and change abroad

20:05 Overcoming reluctance to socialise

27:57 “It’s not for sissies”

31:11 Life isn’t always fair

34:43 Navigating change for the sake of opportunity

38:20 Teaching our kids to have manners

41:38 What he would have done differently

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com