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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

00:41:48

After 20 plus years in the UK the family is heading...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/10/27

Imagine moving to the UK and building a successful life and career but after more than 20 years deciding to go back to South Africa. In this episode, I chat to Wolf Dette, the owner of Wolfies Bar in London, who shares his journey from South Africa to the UK and back. Wolf discusses his early life, ambitions in finance and the challenges of running a business during COVID. He talks about the family’s decision to return to South Africa for family and community support. He also explores the world of

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00:36:19

Leaving behind everything that you know for a better...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/10/20

Have you ever thought about the challenges of selling everything to be ready to emigrate and then Covid arrived?In this episode, I speak to Hettie Meyer who relocated to Wellsford, New Zealand from the East Rand in South Africa. We talk about the family’s journey from South Africa, the challenges of moving, and the differences in lifestyle, culture, and healthcare in New Zealand.I really enjoyed hearing about Hettie’s experiences with moving, childcare and the importance of maintaining connections

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00:33:27

The emotional journey of a mother with two adult...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/10/13

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

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00:50:40

Navigating Family, Illness And Identity Abroad with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/10/06

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

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00:49:31

Escaping Censorship in SA with Johan Allers - E29

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/09/29

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

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00:46:06

Making The Commitment To Norway with Norman and...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/09/22

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

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00:45:10

Life in South Africa vs New Zealand with Kobus Du...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/09/15

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

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00:43:18

Weighing In On The US-SA Refugee Programme with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/09/08

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

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00:20:35

Should I Stay In South Africa Or Relocate Abroad? - E25

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/09/01

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

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00:49:55

Adjusting To Life Back In SA After Decades Abroad...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/08/25

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

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00:36:50

Our Family’s Journey From SA To The USA with Kirsten...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/08/18

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

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00:29:20

A South African Brit Abroad with Steve Ayres - E22

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/08/11

What makes someone decide to leave South Africa after thirty years and start again overseas? Is it crime, opportunity for kids, or maybe just a change in family circumstances? These are questions I explored in my latest chat with Steve Ayres, who moved from South Africa back to the UK after decades of building a life in Johannesburg.In this episode, you’ll hear Steve’s honest take on what drove his family’s decision to relocate and what it’s really like being a South African abroad - even if,

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00:33:28

My Faith-Based Journey To Rural Dakota with Sonéll...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/08/04

From a job opportunity to seeking safety - these are just two of the many reasons someone might decide to pack up their life in South Africa and move all the way to North Dakota, USA. But what’s it really like to swap small-town life under African skies for snowy winters in rural America?In this episode, I chatted to Sonéll Van Niekerk, who made that exact journey with her family in 2022. Sonéll shares how a professional opportunity opened the door to a new life abroad, what it was like to adapt to

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00:35:44

Manage The Stress Of Moving Abroad with Psychologist...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/07/28

Have you ever thought about how stressful it might be to leave your home country and start again somewhere new? Or wondered if there are ways to really cope with all the pressures and changes that come with relocating?In this episode, I chat with Marijke Bruins, a South African-born psychologist now living and working in the Netherlands, about how to manage the stress of moving abroad. We dive into all the real-life challenges - like the shock of leaving behind your support system, language

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00:30:46

Building A New Network in the Netherlands with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/07/21

What would make a family uproot their lives in beautiful Somerset West and move all the way to the Netherlands? Is it career, safety, or the promise of a better future for their children? Or perhaps all three. In this episode, I chat to Bradley and Abigail du Toit, a couple who made exactly that leap from South Africa to Europe with their family. Bradley, an old cycling buddy of mine, shares how his career as an electrical engineer opened doors abroad, while Abigail talks candidly about the joys and

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00:59:55

Seeking Spiritual Equality In the United States with...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/07/14

Have you ever wondered what drives someone to leave behind a comfortable life in South Africa and start over in a completely new country? Or what it really takes to rebuild everything from scratch - career, family life, even community - when you move abroad?In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Zelda Botha, who left South Africa nearly thirty years ago for a new life in the United States. Zelda and her husband were both full-time pastors, living a stable and successful life before

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00:28:01

Studying Abroad in Budapest with Kyle du Toit - E17

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/07/07

Have you ever thought about taking your studies international? What about starting out a new business venture abroad? What challenges and opportunities might arise, and how do you overcome them?In this episode, I chat to Kyle du Toit, who left South Africa to pursue his studies in Budapest, Hungary, before later working in Austria and eventually returning to Hungary to try his hand at entrepreneurship. I really enjoyed hearing Kyle’s story, because he’s so obviously adventurous and open-minded. He

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00:30:11

Finding Our Future Children's Home in the Isle of Man...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/06/30

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to uproot your whole life and move your family to a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea? Or what would make someone leave the warmth and familiarity of South Africa for a place where summer might only last a few days?In this episode, I chat with Alicia and Silvano Pizzocaro, a South African couple who decided to search for a safer environment and better future for their children, and chose the Isle of Man as their new home. We talk about

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00:31:54

Relocating To the UK As An Older Parent with Martin...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/06/23

What drives someone to leave behind the only home they've ever known? Is it crime, corruption, or simply searching for a better future for your child? Perhaps it’s all of these. In this episode, I interview Martin Labuschagne, who made the big move from Pretoria, South Africa, to the UK with his wife and young son in 2019. Martin’s story stood out to me because, like myself, he made the decision to emigrate later in life, at the age of 48. We talk about what it's like to start over at an

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00:41:02

Perceptions And Misconceptions Of Leaving South...

The Relocated South African | Emigration stories ·

2025/06/16

Have you ever wondered what it really feels like to leave South Africa behind, or why some people choose to seek opportunities elsewhere? Is it about following your ambitions, looking for safety, or simply searching for a different way of life?In this episode, I’m joined by Khaya Dlanga - a South African author, marketing executive, and media personality who has achieved so much both at home and abroad. Khaya might be best known for his storytelling and books, but today we dive deep into the

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