PodcastsDocumentaryThe Relocated South African | Emigration stories

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

Jan Hugo - Emigration stories expert
The Relocated South African | Emigration stories
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  • The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

    From Naboomspruit to Norway — Scrap Art & Viking Axes with Martiens Bekker .- Ep 71

    2026/07/09 | 47 mins.
    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.
    ______________________________________________________________
    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.
    _______________________________________________________________
  • The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

    From Kempton Park to Kent — Crime, Courage & Coaching Expats with Kerry Deamer- Ep 70

    2026/07/06 | 41 mins.
    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: kerrydeamer@icloud.com (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.
  • The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

    From Cape Town to Prince George and Back with Monty Stephenson-Ep 69

    2026/07/02 | 1h
    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.
  • The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

    From Alberton to London to Langebaan with Dale Anderson-Episode 68

    2026/06/29 | 47 mins.
    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.
  • The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

    From Pretoria to Oklahoma: A Pro Golfer's Journey with Martin Maritz-Ep 67

    2026/06/22 | 46 mins.
    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.
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About The Relocated South African | Emigration stories
The show for navigating emigration from South Africa for a better future. Join host Jan Hugo as he shares authentic emigration stories from South Africans who've taken the leap. You'll hear about what drove their decision to leave, the mistakes they made, and how they've built new lives abroad. We'll explore everything from the emotional reality of leaving friends and family behind, to the challenges of emigrating to a foreign country. Relocating isn't always simple, but this show will provide you with the certainty, practical information and support to make the whole process easier.
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