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