The Relocated South African

• The emotional journey of a mother with two adult children overseas with René Koekemoer-E31

  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 Immigration02:44 Life as a Parent Left Behind05:51 Navigating Emotions of Separation08:47 Understanding the Decision to Leave11:54 The Impact of Distance on Family Dynamics14:47 The Loss of Family Connections17:32 Coping with the Emotions of Departure20:38 The Role of Support Systems23:23 Finding Positivity in Separation26:34 Advice for Parents of Immigrants29:27 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]

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• Navigating Family, Illness And Identity Abroad with Ruth Prinsloo - E30

  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 Prinsloo00:00 Introduction05:21 An out-of-the-blue opportunity in Japan09:15 How she ended up in Amsterdam11:20 Her journey with cancer14:00 Crafting as part of recovery16:35 Pursuing bronze sculpting21:04 Meeting a renowned sculptor26:43 Playing rugby in Holland31:40 SA vs European perspective35:06 Coping with fear and trauma40:38 Looking forward, not backwards44:53 She experienced a medical miracleResourcesJoin ‘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] podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com

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• Escaping Censorship in SA with Johan Allers - E29

  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 Allers00:00 Introduction05:14 Award-winning producer09:16 Early career ambitions11:50 Being a journalist during apartheid14:24 Media manipulation in South Africa20:15 Connections to the liberation movement22:25 Meeting Kofi Annan25:14 Chance encounter with Muhammad Ali30:19 Moving to Amsterdam33:26 Travelling Europe for TV38:10 His views on the Afrikaans refugees in the U.S41:46 Longing for home44:04 The essence of SAResourcesWatch Johan’s YouTube videos, ‘AllesAfrikaans (Beyond the Borders)’: https://www.youtube.com/@JohanAllersTune in to Johan’s weekly show, ‘Pareltjes uit Amsterdam’ on Litnet: https://www.litnet.co.za/author/johan-allersFind 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

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• Making The Commitment To Norway with Norman and Chantal van Wyk - E28

  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 Wyk00:00 Introduction06:25 Seeking safety abroad08:49 Life in the countryside11:59 Serendipitous Scandinavian job offer13:52 Finding the right house18:18 Aligning their mindsets was key22:34 Adapting to life in a foreign country27:58 Applying for a visa 35:24 Breaking barriers with locals37:57 Yearning for familiar connections42:14 Limpet the cat went missing in AmsterdamFind 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

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• Life in South Africa vs New Zealand with Kobus Du Plooy - E27

  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

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