The Relocated South African

• 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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• Weighing In On The US-SA Refugee Programme with Andrea Shea - E26

  In May 2025, the US welcomed its first batch of white Afrikaans South Africans as part of its divisive Refugee Admissions Program. Some people are saying that they will be back, while others don’t even think they should have been accepted in the first place - it’s been dominating the headlines for months and today’s guest has become somewhat of a voice for the programme’s participants.Andrea Shea is a wife, mother, and passionate activist for South Africans living in the United States. Andrea shares her journey of relocating from South Africa after her family won the diversity visa lottery, after many years of trying. We talk about everything from settling in Florida, cultural adjustments, and raising a family in a new country, to her activism in support of South Africans seeking a "safer and brighter future".My discussion with Andrea was a truly eye-opening experience. Her honesty about the challenges of leaving South Africa, the realities of moving to the US, and her tireless work supporting others really struck a chord with me. I left our conversation feeling inspired by her resilience and her unwavering commitment to help fellow South Africans navigate these uncertain paths.If you’re considering relocation, wanting to know more about the refugee programme to the US, or simply curious about what life is like after such a big move, this episode has plenty of insights and practical advice you won’t want to miss.“I think people have it in their head that [if] you're a refugee, there's kind of like a stigma behind it. But no one I've known that has gone over on the programme has been stigmatised.” - Andrea Shea00:00 Introduction07:18 Visiting South Africa12:19 US-SA relations14:50 South African politics and the race debate18:22 Is change imminent?19:35 Addressing poverty23:56 Chaotic start to refugee programme27:20 Relocating for children’s future31:37 Work visa vs. refugee programme32:32 Misconceptions about being a US citizen38:35 Embracing local culture abroad ResourcesContact Andrea via email: [email protected] her on X: https://x.com/andrea_spookFind 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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• Should I Stay In South Africa Or Relocate Abroad? - E25

  To stay, or not to stay? Relocating overseas is one of the biggest, toughest decisions that one can make. You have to consider your reasons for it, look at the pros versus the cons, and weigh up all of the things you gain (and give up) when making that move.Relocating from South Africa is not always easy. And today I'd like to share my own experience of going through that exact process.In this episode, I'll be reflecting on the many insights and lessons learned from both my personal journey and from 24 previous conversations with other South Africans who have relocated. I'll talk about what makes people happy in South Africa, and what happens when those things start to disappear. Whether it's concerns about physical safety, job opportunities, or wanting a better education for your children, I'll cover the main reasons people find themselves seriously considering a move overseas.I'll also speak honestly about the difficult parts - like missing family, the challenges of starting from scratch in a new country, and the grief that can come with breaking up close-knit communities. But it's not all negative! I'll share the practical things to think about before relocating, the joy of discovering new freedoms and opportunities, and why, after everything, my wife and I are settled and happy with the decision we made.If you're thinking about relocating abroad, or just want to know what really goes through a person's mind before, during, and after such a big move, I hope you'll find some value in this episode.“Sometimes it's hard to make the sacrifice now, but five years down the line, you look back and you'll say, wow, I did the right thing.” - Jan Hugo00:00 Introduction06:09 Essentials to consider pre-relocation09:09 Opportunities abroad11:07 Challenges of family separation14:04 Making an aligned decision19:04 Reflecting on leaving SAIf you want to connect with us or share your own story, please contact us on:[email protected] podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com

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• Adjusting To Life Back In SA After Decades Abroad with Bronwyn Rodrigues - E24

  From being born in South Africa, to moving to Canada as a teenager, and then back to South Africa (this time as an adult), today's guest has been on quite the journey!Bronwyn Rodrigues is a mother, entrepreneur, and content creator who left South Africa at 15-years-old to start a new life in Canada - only to return home 23 years later. Bronwyn opened up about her reasons for relocating, the challenges and realities of life in Canada, and what ultimately brought her back home, with her young son.Recounting her experience of navigating Canada’s healthcare and education systems, Bronwyn shared how local doctors told her she would “never be able to have children” and what it felt like to realise there was no place for her child in school as someone with special needs. It was fascinating speaking to her, as she shared the difficult moments of navigating public systems in a foreign country and the ups and downs of resettling in South Africa. I think her story offers lots of relatable moments - whether you’re considering a move abroad, thinking about returning home, or just looking for inspiration from someone who’s faced tough choices and kept moving forward.“I could not imagine how I was going to have a special needs child in that country.” - Bronwyn Rodrigues00:00 Introduction06:22 Mixing with SA expats in Canada07:19 From endometriosis to falling pregnant09:29 A long and difficult labour11:22 Seeking help in the US13:53 Returning to SA18:12 Multiple businesses to support son’s medical needs 18:54 Feeling like she doesn’t belong25:08 Virtual tour business27:57 Commitment to local progress30:41 Corruption and safety concerns33:16 Navigating SA social dynamics39:05 Overcoming depression in Canada45:27 “Stay and appreciate your country”48:05 Holidaying in Cape TownResourcesDiscover Alpha Pro Virtual Tours: https://alphaprovirtualtours.co.za/Follow along with Bronwyn’s journey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bronwyn_and_dylanIf you want to connect with us or share your own story, please contact us on:[email protected] podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com

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• Our Family’s Journey From SA To The USA with Kirsten Halcrow - E23

  Have you ever wondered what it takes to pick up your entire life and move it - all five family members, ten suitcases, and countless memories - halfway across the world? What does it really feel like to leave everything you know for the “land of opportunity”, and face the wild adventure of starting over?In this episode, I chat to Kirsten Halcrow, who - along with her husband Sheldon and their children Cassidy, Keenan, and Chase - made the life-changing move from Johannesburg to Florida, USA. Their story started with a family vote after Sheldon was offered the chance to spearhead a new division of his company in the USA. From there, it was a two-year rollercoaster of visa hurdles, emotional goodbyes, selling almost everything, and finally landing in their new American life, nervous yet excited.I loved hearing Kirsten’s honest take on the all-too-familiar confusion of driving on the right side of the road, wrestling with Fahrenheit and pounds, and building a credit score from scratch - despite decades of being responsible adults in South Africa. Through the chaos, frustrations, and sheer hilarity of American life, the Halcrow family have shown true resilience and found their place, even as they miss those left behind.Kirsten’s experiences led her to create www.emigrate2usa.co.za - a fantastic resource that offers trustworthy guidance for South Africans considering a move to the USA. It’s a platform shaped by their hands-on knowledge and committed to helping others demystify the process, from bureaucracy to cultural quirks.“The problem with the US is there's not that many routes to entry. It's not a, you know, it's not, let me just get a job and a work visa.” - Kirsten Halcrow00:00 Introduction04:09 Halcrow family moves abroad 08:45 Navigating new beginnings09:40 Guiding newcomers through relocation challenges15:14 Adjusting to expensive cleaning costs17:41 $25,000 to have her daughter’s tonsils out20:26 Creating a second family abroad 24:42 “Did we abandon our roots?”27:55 The Lekker Network31:41 Relocating requires unity35:19 It’s a journey, an adventureResourcesReach out to Emigrate2USA: https://emigrate2usa.co.za/Join the Emigrate2USA Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/Emigrate2USA.co.za/Check out the Lekker Network: https://thelekkernetwork.com/If you want to connect with us or share your own story, please contact us on:[email protected] podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:https://www.zapods.com

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