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PODCAST

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories

Jan Hugo - Emigration stories expert

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

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

00:35:06

From Johannesburg Burglaries to 30 Years a Kiwi — Ep...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/07/13

In this episode of The Relocated South African, I sit down with Jenny Forest Angel, who moved from Johannesburg to Wellington, New Zealand in 1997 with a 20-month-old and a 3-year-old in tow — no internet, just fax machines and expensive phone calls. Nearly 30 years on, Jenny's sons are thriving, her late parents followed her out and are buried in New Zealand, and she says she'd do it all again without hesitation.We talk about the break-in that finally pushed the decision, the 18 months it took to

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00:47:23

From Naboomspruit to Norway — Scrap Art & Viking Axes...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/07/09

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

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00:41:25

From Kempton Park to Kent — Crime, Courage & Coaching...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/07/06

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

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01:00:46

From Cape Town to Prince George and Back with Monty...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/07/02

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

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00:47:04

From Alberton to London to Langebaan with Dale...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/06/29

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

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00:46:59

From Pretoria to Oklahoma: A Pro Golfer's Journey...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/06/22

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

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00:57:22

From Cape Town to Canada: A Global Executive Journey...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/06/15

Steve Felder is a South African global executive who has lived and worked across five continents over 25 years — from Cape Town to Joburg, Pittsburgh to Tel Aviv, Nairobi to Mumbai, Copenhagen to Montreal. He built his career in shipping and logistics with Maersk and Safmarine, leading businesses across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, before making the leap into entrepreneurship. Today he runs a cybersecurity venture in Canada, sits on several boards, and is still very much a South African

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00:53:08

Navigating Life and Identity as a South African...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/06/08

In this episode I speak with Cornis van der Lugt, a South African sustainability expert. He shares insights on his international career, the transition from apartheid to democracy, and living across different cultures. This episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, cultural diversity, and building a meaningful life abroad.He discusses his childhood and family history rooted in the Western Cape and Dutch heritage and his involvement in anti-apartheid activism and transition into international

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00:51:00

My Soul Never Felt at Home in England with Marilise...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/06/01

In this episode, I sit down with Marilise de Villiers-Basson — TEDx speaker, high-performance coach, founder of Roar Coaching & Consulting, and bestselling author — for one of the most honest and inspiring conversations the show has had.Marilise grew up in Bredasdorp in the Cape Overberg, studied B Accounting at Stellenbosch University, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC in Cape Town. It was during her induction training at PwC that she realised her true calling wasn't in

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00:57:23

From Randburg to Perth with Jannie and Karen Kotzé-Ep 64

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/05/25

In this episode, I speak with a South African couple Jannie and Karen Kotzé about their migration journey to Australia.They discuss the challenges they faced, and practical advice for others considering the move. We talk about safety concerns, immigration processes, cost of living, and cultural adjustments, providing valuable insights for prospective migrants.Karen also shares some insight on Australian immigration process and visa optionsThey also talk about the mistakes they made in their

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00:47:23

Navigating China: Insights from a South African...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/05/18

In this episode I chat with Marco Bouwer, A South African entrepreneur who builtds bridges between South Africa and China through his work in international trade. He shares insights into living in China, doing business there, and the cultural nuances that shape this unique experience.Marco discusses how to build trust in Chinese business culture and navigating Chinese regulations and red tape.He also shares the important role of WeChat in daily life and businessThrough his business, mychinalink.com

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00:50:50

From South Africa to Canada: A Mining Engineer's AI...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/05/11

In this episode, I speak with South African entrepreneur Francisca Lombard who shares her journey from South Africa to Canada.Discover how she turned tech innovator, leveraged Canadian industry experience to create MineGPT—an AI system tailored specifically for the mining sector. This episode explores themes of adaptation, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of AI in resource exploration.She gives personal insights on immigration, cultural differences, and building a new life abroad.She

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00:49:12

South Africa to the US, a journey of growth with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/05/04

In today’s episode I talk with Lazola Tutani who shares his inspiring journey from South Africa to the US via Germany.We discuss his early life and the lessons learnt from his rugby coaches in the Eastern Cape.He highlights his career in manufacturing, cultural adaptation, and future ambitions to contribute back home. He shares insights on living abroad, career growth, and maintaining family connections across continents.He talks about how his young family adapted two two moves across continents and

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00:50:18

Simplifying documentation for South Africans with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/04/27

In this episode I speak with Jesse Green the founder of Apostil.co.za.He shares his journey from South Africa to Seville in Spain.He provides insights on immigration, and the services offered by apostill.co.za to assist South Africans with documentation and legal processes.He discusses some of the challenges and solutions encountered in dealing with international documentation. We explore the cost of living and quality of life as well as the language, culture, and integration in SpainJesse Green:

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00:48:43

Living Abroad and Embracing the South African Spirit...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/04/20

In this episode I speak with Rob Mailich, a seasoned South African entrepreneur and recruitment expert.He shares his fascinating journey from Johannesburg to London and beyond. He discusses the importance of maintaining cultural roots, the realities of immigration, and the value of international experience for young professionals.He highlights the cultural attributes of South Africans that make them stand out globally.Rob says that the role of family in cross-border relocations and immigration

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00:54:25

Navigating Borders and Building a Life with Ankia...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/04/13

Explore the compelling story of Ankia Coetzer, a South African whose life has spanned several countries, careers, and personal challenges. Her journey highlights the complexities of migration, the importance of resilience, and the evolving meaning of home.Ankia shares how her early relocation from Johannesburg shaped her perspective on migrationShe talks about the experiences and lessons learned during her two decades of living and working in London and how she navigated visa pathways, citizenship,

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00:59:09

SA, Jersey, London, Singapore, Liechtenstein-SA? with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/04/06

In this episode, I speak with Johan Jooste who has lived in 4 countries abroad and is considering moving back to South Africa.He shares his extensive journey as a South African expatriate, detailing his experiences living in various countries including Jersey, London, Singapore, and Liechtenstein. He discusses the challenges of relocation, the importance of family dynamics, and the emotional and logistical hurdles faced during their transitions. Johan reflects on the lessons learned throughout his

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00:39:05

A Journey of Immigration and Reinvention with Wendy...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/03/30

In this episode, I speak with Wendy Williams who left South Africa for Australia at age 45.Wendy shares her inspiring story of moving from Zimbabwe to South Africa and eventually settling in Australia. Her journey highlights the courage it takes to restart later in life, navigate complex immigration processes, and embrace new opportunities.She discusses adjusting to life in Australia: safety, quality of life, and cultural differenceHer advice for prospective emigrants: seize opportunities and stay

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00:56:33

South Africa to Canada: A Journey of Resilience with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/03/23

In this episode, I speak with Vincent Heys, a South African immigrant to Canada, about his journey of relocation, the challenges faced in adapting to a new country, and the importance of financial planning for immigrants. We discuss family dynamics, the decision-making process behind immigration, and the role of faith and community support. Vincent shares insights on the differences in education and healthcare systems between South Africa and Canada, as well as the mission behind his business,

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00:45:21

Relocating doctors to Ireland with Graham Cosgrave -...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2026/03/16

In this episode, I speak with Graham Cosgrave, a recruiter for doctors in Ireland, discussing the intricacies of relocating for medical professionals, particularly from South Africa. We explore the challenges faced during relocation, the unique qualities of South African doctors, and the importance of family and community integration in the process. Graham shares insights on the growing interest from South African doctors, common mistakes made during relocation, and the financial considerations

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94 results

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