The Relocated South African

• Teaching Afrikaans at a US university with Jacques Du Plessis-E37

  Imagine learning Afrikaans at a university in America. in this conversation I talk to Professor Jacques Duplessis who teaches Afrikaans at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.  He shares shares his journey from South Africa to the United States, discussing his passion for teaching Afrikaans and the cultural connections he maintains.  He also talks about his love for poetry and the resources that he has built to promote the teaching of Afrikaans all over the world. He emphasizes the importance of humor, music, and family ties in navigating life abroad, while also reflecting on identity and the challenges faced by immigrants.  Jacques offers valuable advice for young South Africans considering their future, highlighting the richness of their cultural heritage and the importance of staying connected to their roots.I really enjoyed Jacques’ passion for Afrikaans and his people while building a life in the United States.  Jacques Du Plessis:"Afrikaans is a WYSIWYG language."Chapters00:00 Navigating Immigration and Personal Journeys03:13 Cultural Connections and Language Teaching05:50 Innovations in Language Education09:12 The Global Interest in Afrikaans11:56 Challenges of Less Commonly Taught Languages15:01 Language Proficiency and Cultural Nuances17:57 Understanding South African Humor20:53 Cultural Differences in Friendships23:46 The Depth of South African Connections29:31 The Richness of Afrikaans Language36:29 Cultural Identity and Language44:57 The Role of Music in Language Learning52:55 Reflections on Life Choices and IdentityFind out more about Jacques’ work on www.afrikaans.us and his personal website www.jacquesduplessis.com.Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected] 

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• Psychological challenges for parents and family who stay behind when people emigrate with Dr Sulette Ferreira-E36

  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] 

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• The importance of proper emigration planning with Andrew Rissik, Group International Director at Sable International-E35

  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."  Chapters02:31 Andrew Rissik’s background and journey04:52 Understanding the decision to Emigrate09:36 The Importance of Planning and Research11:57 Community and Support in New Environments18:23 Navigating Tax Implications of Emigration25:17 Navigating Nationality and Immigration Claims27:35 Visa and Immigration Services Post-Brexit29:55 Investment Migration and Financial Planning32:15 Documentation Challenges and Government Backlogs34:34 Housing and Accommodation Considerations39:13 Understanding Costs of Living Abroad46:02 Cultural Adaptation and Emotional Challenges51:06 Family Dynamics and Caregiving in Emigration48:23 Seeking Professional Guidance for EmigrationIf 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]

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• From working on top secret military projects for South Africa in Russia to living in Canada with Kobus De Villiers - E34

  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 Podcast02:35 Kobus De Villiers: Journey from South Africa to Canada05:03 Career in Aerospace Engineering and Military Projects07:38 Collaboration with Russian Engineers on Military Aircraft10:06 Transition to Life in Canada and New Opportunities12:37 Challenges and Experiences in the Aerospace Industry15:01 Family Life and Dual Citizenship17:25 Writing Journey and Publishing Books27:26 Writing and Personal Growth33:34 Exploring the Publishing World41:32 Reflections on Life Choices and emigration48:21 Advice for Potential ImmigrantsKobus De Villiers’ books are available on Amazon both in hard copy and e books and at Kobus de Villiers Archives | Malherbe UitgewersFind your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

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• After 20 plus years in the UK the family is heading back to SA with Wolf Dette – E33

  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 Journey01:20 Early Life and Ambitions04:29 Transition to the UK and Career Development05:47 The Birth of little Wolf08:21 A big UK tax bill09:33 First Bitcoin purchase16:30 Success in the UK21:23 Community and Support Systems23:20 Reflections on Safety and Crime25:20 Cultural Identity and Resilience28:00 Healthcare and Family Considerations32:33 Crime in the UK39:00 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]

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