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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The Relocated South African | Emigration stories, podcast de Jan Hugo - Emigration stories expert - Statistiques, épisodes et classements - My Podcast Data
From Cape Town to China: A South African Author's New Chapter- Ep 77 with James Fouche
jeudi 30 juillet 2026 • Durée 47:12
Crime novelist, screenwriter and creative writing graduate James Fouché has swapped Cape Town for central China, where he's beginning a completely new chapter—not only in his career, but in his family's life.
After years of building businesses in South Africa, publishing crime novels and teaching online, James made the leap to China to teach English at a medical university. His wife and three homeschooled children will soon join him, turning what began as a solo adventure into a family relocation.
In this conversation, James shares what it's really like living in a part of China where almost nobody speaks English, adapting to a completely different culture, and preparing his family for one of the biggest moves of their lives.
We also dive into his career as a crime writer, why South Africa provides such rich storytelling material, China's remarkable pace of development, and why stepping outside your comfort zone can change your perspective forever.
It's an honest and fascinating conversation about creativity, family, and embracing the unknown.
"It's a big world out there. You're doing your kids a disservice if you keep them in a tiny triangle." — James Fouché
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 – building your future beyond borders.
00:01 – Introducing author James Fouché 03:22 – Growing up in Cape Town and becoming a writer 06:14 – Why he moved to China 08:30 – Turning South African crime into compelling fiction 13:48 – Releasing his latest novel Grey 16:22 – First impressions of living in China 18:31 – Preparing his family for the move 19:23 – Learning Chinese and overcoming the language barrier 21:30 – Teaching English at a Chinese university 22:58 – Adapting to Chinese food and culture 24:17 – Finding great coffee in central China 26:45 – China's emerging wine industry 28:29 – The surprisingly low cost of living 31:09 – Teaching at a medical university 32:51 – Chinese bureaucracy and work visas 35:51 – Healthcare and China's rapid development 38:39 – WeChat, Alipay and China's digital society 41:10 – What he misses most about South Africa 43:14 – Is China a long-term move? 45:01 – How living abroad changes your perspective
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.
Podcast: The Relocated South African — available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.
If James' story resonated with you, please share this episode with someone considering life abroad—or anyone curious about living and working in China.
From Pretoria to Poland: Finding Home in Unexpected Places-Ep 76 with Retha Jacobs
lundi 27 juillet 2026 • Durée 49:33
After 25 years abroad, Retha Jacobs has built a life across three countries—but South Africa has never left her heart.
Growing up in Pretoria, Retha took the road less travelled. She skipped university after school, moved to London with friends, later completed degrees in Human Movement Science and Neuroscience, and eventually found herself in Poland—a country she knew almost nothing about before falling in love with its mountains, culture and people.
Over the past decade she's built businesses in tourism, coached squash, become fascinated by mushrooms, and embraced life in one of Europe's fastest-growing economies.
In this conversation, Retha shares what it's really like living in Poland, learning one of the world's most difficult languages, building a business as a foreigner, and why, after 25 years overseas, she feels an even stronger pull back to South Africa.
It's a fascinating look at a country few South Africans know—and a reminder that sometimes the longest journeys lead you back to your roots.
"Life is so short, and there are so many places to see and people to meet. Every country changes you." — Retha Jacobs
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 – building your future beyond borders.
00:01 – Introducing Retha Jacobs00:57 – From Pretoria to London04:22 – Why she moved to Poland06:57 – Learning the Polish language10:25 – Neuroscience, entrepreneurship and curiosity11:32 – Building a tourism business in Poland13:48 – Poland's national sport: mushroom picking17:10 – Mushrooms, neuroscience and PTSD research19:55 – Squash, sport and staying active23:56 – What makes Poland unique27:47 – Cost of living in Poland32:42 – Healthcare and quality of life35:50 – Business, bureaucracy and taxes37:39 – Residency, passports and Brexit41:39 – Missing South Africa after 25 years abroad44:33 – Advice for South Africans considering emigration
From South Africa to the World: Lessons in Leadership and Life-Ep 75 with Dr Deepak Bhootra
jeudi 23 juillet 2026 • Durée 58:47
Dr. Deepak Bhootra spent 15 years building a career in South Africa before taking that experience across Singapore, India and eventually the United States.
Born in India and raised around the world thanks to his father's work as a forensic pathologist, Deepak arrived in South Africa in the early 1990s and quickly discovered a country that would shape the rest of his life.
Today he's based in Houston, where he coaches business leaders, entrepreneurs and sales professionals around the world. But despite living on three continents, he still credits South Africa for much of his work ethic, leadership philosophy and outlook on life.
In this conversation, Deepak reflects on adapting to new cultures, earning trust, building a meaningful career, and why success is no longer measured by money—but by the lives you impact.
It's a thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose and what emigrants can teach the world.
"Success isn't about how much money you leave behind. It's about what people say about you when you're gone." — Dr. Deepak Bhootra
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 – building your future beyond borders.
00:11 – Introducing Dr. Deepak Bhootra 01:06 – Life in Houston and surviving hurricanes 02:32 – How his family ended up in South Africa 06:12 – Falling in love with South Africa 07:38 – South Africans' unique sense of humour 10:09 – What South Africa taught him about work ethic12:52 – Experiencing South Africa before democracy17:02 – Leaving South Africa for Singapore20:18 – Moving to India, then Houston21:26 – Why South Africans succeed overseas29:12 – Reinventing yourself after emigration33:33 – Why trust is the foundation of success37:42 – Leadership, balance and life beyond work40:05 – How his definition of success changed forever47:39 – "Grow Together. Rejoice Together."51:00 – His message to South Africans living abroad56:35 – Where to connect with Dr. Deepak Bhootra
Life's Way of Bringing You Magic —Ep 74 with Werner Trieloff
lundi 20 juillet 2026 • Durée 47:52
Werner Trieloff left the Free State at 21, chased whiskey and languages through Scotland and London, then followed a Brazilian love story to Porto Alegre in 2008 with only enough Portuguese to order a beer. Nearly two decades later he runs a business connecting Africa, Brazil, Europe and the US — despite qualifying as a CA and never doing a single day of actual accounting since.
Jan and Werner get into Brazil's brutal tax bureaucracy (rules can change ten times a day), the WhatsApp group of 55+ South Africans in Porto Alegre swapping milk tart recipes, and why joining a local rugby club and a motorbike gang did more for Werner's integration than any expat community ever could.
"Life has got its way of bringing magic to you." — Werner Trieloff
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
Five Years of Visa Limbo, No Couch Included —Ep 73 with Justin Levitt
jeudi 16 juillet 2026 • Durée 46:12
Justin Levitt grew up in Welkom and Cape Town, toured the country as guitarist in rock band Red Tape Riot, then built a career in SEO.
In 2019 he followed a partner to the Netherlands, landing in Amsterdam just two weeks before COVID lockdown hit.
What followed was six unsettled years: a relationship that didn't survive lockdown isolation, a company sponsorship that evaporated when the business went bankrupt, and a year spent without a couch because he never knew if his contract would be renewed.
Justin talks candidly about finally getting permanent residency, the night in Paris when the Springboks won the 2023 World Cup semi-final, and why he's still proudly South African at heart.
"I don't know if I'm going to have my contract renewed. So, you know, I'll just live with the bare minimum until I really know." — Justin Levitt
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:
00:26 – Guest intro: SEO specialist
00:37 – Growing up in Welkom, the Goldfields
01:04 – Welkom's famous traffic circle legend
01:41 – School, university, bands in Cape Town
03:22 – Landed in Netherlands, COVID hit
From Johannesburg Burglaries to 30 Years a Kiwi — Ep 72 with Jenny Forest Angel
lundi 13 juillet 2026 • Durée 35:06
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 feel settled, the "green stars on the calendar" trick she used to track her hardest days, and why she'll never send a car or a dining room table overseas again.
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
00:01 – Introducing Jenny Forest Angel, 30 years in Wellington
00:41 – What prompted leaving South Africa in 1997
00:54 – Five burglaries in 18 months and a safety tipping point
02:48 – The break-in that made them commit to going
03:15 – Selling the house, packing a truck — "what a mistake"
03:41 – Landing in NZ on 31 August 1997, the day Diana died
04:39 – Leaving parents and siblings behind
05:26 – How her parents adapted to a hard move at a late age
06:50 – "We were the lucky ones"
From Naboomspruit to Norway — Scrap Art & Viking Axes with Martiens Bekker .- Ep 71
jeudi 9 juillet 2026 • Durée 47:23
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
— Police force, forestry, Israel — finding his path back in South Africa
From Kempton Park to Kent — Crime, Courage & Coaching Expats with Kerry Deamer- Ep 70
lundi 6 juillet 2026 • Durée 41:25
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.
From Cape Town to Prince George and Back with Monty Stephenson-Ep 69
jeudi 2 juillet 2026 • Durée 01:00:46
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.
From Alberton to London to Langebaan with Dale Anderson-Episode 68
lundi 29 juin 2026 • Durée 47:04
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
Podcasts Similaires Basées sur le Contenu
Découvrez des podcasts liées à The Relocated South African | Emigration stories. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Podcast: The Relocated South African — available on Spotify and all platforms
03:68
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?
______________________________________________________________More conversations. More destinations. More stories of South Africans navigating life abroad. Explore the full episode library at http://therelocatedsouthafrican.com.
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.
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?
More conversations. More destinations. More stories of South Africans navigating life abroad. Explore the full episode library at http://therelocatedsouthafrican.com.
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?
