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 wasn’t afraid to take risks and try new things. It was inspiring to learn how he navigated language barriers, adapted to new cultures, and has managed to stay connected with family and friends back home.

If you’re considering a future abroad, or just want to hear a relatable story about life after leaving South Africa, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode.

“I wanted to move abroad just to spread my wings.” - Kyle du Toit

00:00 Introduction

04:32 An entrepreneurial mindset

07:05 Studying at an international university

09:21 Overcoming the language barrier

14:45 Work experience abroad

17:11 Impression of SA nowadays

19:33 What he misses most about SA

21:30 Reflecting on making mistakes

23:52 Advice for moving abroad

25:01 Favourite things about Budapest

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

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 everything from the notorious weather and the world-famous TT motorbike race, to what it really means to feel settled and build a new sense of community far from home.

I truly enjoyed hearing Alicia and Silvano’s story. Their honesty about the ups and downs of life abroad, as well as the humour in their day-to-day experiences – like walking home at 2am with a pizza in hand, something they’d never do in South Africa – was inspiring and relatable. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

“There is a better life out there than what South Africa has to offer.” - Alica Pizzocaro

00:00 Introduction

02:15 Experiencing the annual TT races

05:38 When and why they left SA

07:22 Lockdown on the Isle of Man

11:21 Their daughter was an alien

14:05 Visiting SA

16:31 Finding friends and community abroad

20:49 Feeling isolated

22:27 Sharing funny stories

24:02 Considering safety and loadshedding

26:01 Settling into their new life

27:41 Advice for anyone emigrating

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

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 older age, the challenges of red tape, and the emotional toll of leaving family and friends behind.

Speaking to Martin was a real eye-opener. I felt a genuine connection with his story, especially his honesty about the difficulties, sacrifices, and the strong sense of responsibility he feels as a parent. His insights about integrating with a new community, dealing with practical hurdles, and the emotional side of moving abroad really resonated with me.

If you’re considering relocating or are interested in how others navigate this journey, I’m sure you’ll find Martin’s story as compelling and relatable as I did.

“If you can go, go in your 20s or in your 30s, go as soon as you can so you can start making a life there earlier.” - Martin Labuschagne

00:00 Introduction

03:32 Rushing to relocate pre-Brexit

05:50 Proving their relationship was real

10:25 Immigrate early

15:52 Moving to the UK is expensive

18:58 Would they ever go back?

22:40 Giving away his beloved books

25:06 Writing from the heart

27:16 Feeling numb when they left SA

29:45 Advice for anyone thinking of leaving

Resources

• Read Martin’s original article about emigrating from South Africa, published by Netwerk24: https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/stemme/menings/martin-labuschagne-teenoor-britse-jeugdiges-is-kinders-in-sa-nogal-soet-20250618

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

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 emotional side of what it means to leave South Africa: what it means to miss your family, how to cope with grief when you’re far from loved ones, and why building community is so important wherever you find yourself in the world.

Having read Khaya’s latest book, 'Life Is Like That Sometimes', I felt a real connection to his stories about family, loss, and finding belonging. It was both moving and uplifting to talk honestly about the sacrifices, hopes, and challenges that come with relocating, and why, even in the darkest of times, we can still “glow in the dark”.

So if you’re thinking of moving abroad, or you’re already living far from home and missing those everyday South African moments, I hope you’ll find this episode both comforting and inspiring.

“Depending on what drove you overseas, your attitude will be different depending on whether there's a pull factor or a push factor.” - Khaya Dlanga

00:00 Introduction

05:15 YouTube, a happy accident

07:05 Trevor Noah is a global citizen

13:35 Pull vs push factor

15:12 Unemployment in South Africa

21:40 Writing got Khaya through grief

30:21 Building your community

34:45 Advice for staying in South Africa

39:30 “Even in my darkest hour, I glow in the dark”

Resources

• Connect with Khaya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khayadlanga
• Follow Khaya on X (Twitter): https://x.com/khayadlanga

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pack up your life in South Africa and move somewhere completely different, all for the sake of a better future for your children? Or what goes through your mind when you look at your home country and start thinking about life twenty years from now?

In this episode, I spoke with Margaux and Dian de Wet, a couple originally from Johannesburg who took the big leap to Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the United States. Their story takes us all the way from Joburg to Barcelona, where Dian studied for his MBA, before finally arriving in America, where they've built a new life for themselves and their twins.

I really enjoyed talking with Margaux and Dian. My conversation with the de Wets was refreshing, and they were open about the tough decisions, sacrifices, and adjustments they had to make - the biggest one was leaving family behind, but there was also getting used to new cultures, and tackling the realities of visas and finding community in a foreign place.

Their reflections on knowing your "why" and sticking together as a couple really hit home for me, and I think their perspective will resonate with anyone considering a similar change.

“I didn't want to go and be poor in another country. That was a big thing for me.” - Dian de Wet

00:00 Introduction

04:09 Doing his MBA abroad

08:03 Creating a new future for their family

15:24 Getting used to the cold

17:53 Finding South African community in Cape Cod

23:26 US Visa challenges

30:22 Safety abroad vs South Africa

32:47 Domestic help is expensive abroad

35:34 Advice for emigrants

Resources

• Join the South African Women in The USA & Canada Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1957344347867518/

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

You’ve probably seen South Africa in the news a lot lately - and not a lot of it is good news! How does the news impact the decision to leave, stay, or even return? And what is it that keeps people positive about South Africa, despite all the challenges that make headlines?

In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Paul Harris, a well-known South African entrepreneur, businessman, and one of the founders of Rand Merchant Bank - and my former boss, I might add! With so much negativity and noise in the media about South Africa, often from those who have left, I wanted to get Paul’s perspective on why he still feels so strongly about the country, and why it's important to report good news too.

Chatting with Paul was a refreshing experience, mainly because of his ongoing optimism about South Africa, even when times are tough. Our conversation helped me reflect on my own journey and the reasons behind deciding to move abroad. It also reminded me why, despite having left, I’ll always love my country!

Hopefully, our discussion can help others think more deeply about what it really means to stay or leave, and how much our attitude and actions can impact our future - no matter where we are in the world.

“I'm a proper South African and more South African than any Australian is Australian and any American is an American.” - Paul Harris

00:00 Introduction

05:33 South Africa's resilience over the years

06:35 Being positive about South Africa

11:12 “Would you live in the wilderness or would you live in a zoo?”

16:09 South Africans are resourceful and aspirational

21:56 Adapting to a new culture abroad

27:38 Improving South Africa-US relations

32:14 Navigating opinions on social media

Resources

• Read Paul’s original ‘message to a friend overseas’ on Biznewshere: https://www.biznews.com/sarenewal/2025/01/14/paul-harris-no-need-to-stress-about-sa

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to pick up your life and move to a new country? What does it look like to build and maintain a support network once you've left? What are the pros and cons about emigrating?

In this episode, we answer these questions and more as I’m joined by my good friend and fellow nomad, Ian Visser. Ian has lived in several countries and has a wealth of experience when it comes to uprooting and starting again somewhere new.

We chatted about the realities of emigration, including the tough decisions you have to make, the things you miss most about home, and the surprises that come with making such a big move.

I really enjoyed hearing his differing perspective on what it takes to relocate, leaving behind everything familiar to make a fresh start, and when going back might actually make sense.

“What is underappreciated is probably one of the most courageous things that a person or a family can do.” - Ian Visser

00:00 Introduction

02:38 Emigrating is courageous

03:13 What makes a “successful” move

05:53 What about going back to SA?

10:39 Financial realities of moving abroad

13:28 Comparing healthcare in SA and abroad

15:53 Rebuilding a network

19:10 Positives of emigrating

23:33 “Just go and explore”

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to start a new life on the other side of the world – away from family, familiar places, and the routines you’ve always known? Or questioned what really makes someone decide to move for good, especially when it means leaving behind the comfort of close connections?

In this episode, I chat with a fellow podcaster and Tukkies grad, Rudolph Botha, who swapped life in South Africa for Canberra, Australia almost 17 years ago. Rudolph’s story is one of balancing big decisions for his family’s future, finding new ways to connect with his roots, and navigating the everyday joys and challenges of being an expat.

Out of everyone I’ve spoken with so far, Rudolph and his family have been living abroad the longest. It was refreshing to hear how he’s built a happy life abroad in the long-term, while still being honest about the sacrifices and emotions that come with leaving loved ones behind. I especially enjoyed hearing about his role as a podcast co-host of ‘Magalies Potgooi’ (which I recently appeared on as a guest) and the importance of staying connected with fellow South Africans, no matter where in the world you land.

“If you can move to a place where you've got some sort of support system, that is, I think, one of the biggest advantages.” - Rudolph Botha

00:00 Introduction

04:40 Why Rudolph made the decision to leave

06:13 Life in Canberra

10:53 Fleeing the South African political situation

12:46 Advice for anyone emigrating

15:46 Phases of emigrating

18:05 Finding community at the dog park

20:33 Did he ever consider going back to South Africa?

25:01 Feeling safe in Australia

27:54 Navigating Australia’s red tape

30:10 Pros and cons of taking your furniture overseas

33:15 “Test your reasons”

35:04 No regrets

Resources

• Listen to Jan’s guest appearance on Rudolph’s podcast, ‘Magalies Potgooi’: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mDsvKvQZOqJKCkSkiWVQv?si=b0e816da8bb540c8

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com