The Relocated South African

In this episode I chat to Desmond Denton an award-winning filmmaker who lives in Washington DC in the United States. We discuss his and his family’s journey from Stellenbosch to the United States.We also explore the challenges and triumphs of immigration and he shares insights on his filmmaking career, the emotional impact of leaving home and the importance of preserving cultural identity.Desmond’s film The Journey Home explores the lives of families and especially children who left South Africa for the United States. It is clear from the film and our discussion that children often experience a different emotional impact during immigration.We discuss the complexities of relocation, the significance of storytelling, and the lessons learned along the way.I found the discussion truly motivational and I really enjoyed Desmond’s maturity, hi faith and his amazing love for the arts.Desmond Denton: "You have to capture the present moment."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Desmond Denton and His Work03:12 Desmond's Journey in Filmmaking07:16 The Decision to Immigrate to the US13:45 Living Out Faith in Filmmaking16:27 The Journey Home: A Film on Immigration22:14 Reflections on Leaving South Africa23:59 Navigating Cultural Loss and Family Dynamics27:13 The Journey of Doubt and Adaptation30:48 The Emotional Toll of Immigration34:11 Cultural Identity and Connection Abroad37:07 Reflections on Life Choices and OpportunitiesIf you want to know more about Desmond and his filmmaking , his website is https://www.desmonddenton.com. Festive Season Far From HomeTo all South Africans spending this festive season far from the place that shaped you… we see you.The longing hits a little harder this time of year—boerewors fires, familiar voices, the smell of rain on red earth.Journey Home shares the real and raw experiences of families who took the brave leap to start over in the US. But the truest storytellers? Their children.If you’re missing home, or know someone preparing for the journey… this film is a companion.The Journey Home film is available on Amazon Prime in some locations and also on this link https://tubitv.com/movies/100028024/the-journey-homeorhttps://www.roku.com/en-gb/whats-on/movies/the-journey-home?id=ff017c49a376ffde41d679b87bad2533orhttps://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-journey-home/umc.cmc.4s5q6gynzbp3ztjqnfdm0onokFind your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected] 

n this episode, I speak to Lumond Kritzinger, founder of HowzitExpats.com, about his emigration journey from South Africa to Ireland. We discuss the challenges and planning involved in emigration, the importance of community, and the role of HowzitExpats in supporting South Africans abroad. Lumondt shares insights on financial planning, cultural integration, and the significance of well-being for expats.He emphasises the need to plan properly in order to make emigration successful.He shares details for his well-being survey that is underway for South African expats.Lumondt Kritzinger: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”  Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:03 Lumondt’s Immigration Journey00:09 Challenges and Planning in Immigration00:15 Community and Cultural Integration00:21 Financial Planning for Expats00:27 The Role of HowzitExpats00:33 Well-being and Family Dynamics00:39 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsIf you want to know more about Lumondt and the well-being survey, his website is https://www.howzitexpats.com.Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected] 

In this episode, I speak to Janet Edwards, author of The Overseas Caregiver's Guid.  We discuss the challenges and emotional weight of emigrating from South Africa to Australia.  We discuss the importance of planning for the future, including legal documents like power of attorney and wills, and the emotional toll of caring for parents from afar.  Janet shares her experiences managing her parents' care and finances, as well as practical advice for expats on how to stay connected with family back home.  The conversation emphasises the need for organisation, communication, and support networks for those navigating the complexities of emigration and caregiving. She offers valuable advice for people with parents in South Africa and the importance of stayingg connected. Janet Edwards: “Just “do one thing”   Chapters 00:00 Navigating Immigration and Family Separation02:44 The Emotional Weight of emigration05:44 The Overseas Caregiver's Guide: A Roadmap08:38 Planning for the Future: Power of Attorney and Wills11:49 Caring for Parents from Afar14:27 Financial Management and Medical Aid17:35 Dealing with Scams and Financial Safety20:29 Balancing Emotions and Practicalities in Caregiving23:24 Advice for Expats: Staying Connected26:10 Reflecting on the emigration Journey29:06 Final Thoughts and Resources Janet’s contact details are as follows: Website:     https://www.theoverseascaregiver.com/overseascaregiverSales Page https://www.theoverseascaregiver.com/overseascaregiverorderform   Fb Group   The Overseas CaregiverInstagram   the_overseas_caregiveremail          [email protected] Book : AU$27 with a 44% discount voucher running until Friday, 12 December 2025 at 23h00 (Brisbane time)Voucher Code:  FLAMINGO Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

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] 

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]