South Africans are people of creature comforts. We like our home-grown products and that’s why “local is lekker” is something we all proudly repeat. Unfortunately, many of us don’t realize just how dependent we have become on our local treats and comforts until we no longer have them. If you are planning to move to another country to live and work, spare a thought for the South African chocolates and sweets that you will miss out on.

South African chocolates – The History of Chocolate in SA

There’s something to be said for the way in which South African sweets form a part of our actual “culture” and lifestyle. Most fond and comforting memories probably include some South African chocolates, chips, sweets, and snacks. Let’s think about it…nothing beats cuddling up on the couch with a blanket and your favourite chocolate to nibble on, while watching the Sunday night. It’s hard to find a South African camp fire with singing, sherry-swigging, and story-telling, without a few After Eight Mints or Speckled Eggs being passed around. South African chocolates and sweets are ingrained in our culture. It’s what we know. It’s more than comfort food. It’s about coming together and bonding over all the things we love…and one of the things we have come to love dearly is our chocolates made in South Africa.

To enjoy a block of Cadbury with your favourite red wine, to gobble up handfuls of jelly tots with the kids, to get that infamous tell-tale red mouth after sucking back on a finger swish of sherbet…that’s to live the South African way. And that is the very reason why we are so in love with our lifestyle and culture.

You might be wondering where South Africa’s history of chocolate really begins… and some say that it comes from the likes of Cadbury and Nestle putting down roots in the country. Let’s take a brief look at the history of both of these chocolates (or chocolate brands) in the South Africa.

Cadbury South Africa

Cadbury South Africa is not just responsible for home-grown delectable chocolate. It’s also responsible for the blast-from-the-past we feel when we see the old hippo Chomp advert that used to be on television in the 80s. Check it out here for a bit of nostalgia. Cadbury as a brand is actually from the United Kingdom. The very first Cadbury shop was opened in 1824 and it was only in 1903 that the Cadbury brothers brought their chocolate making concepts and ideas to South Africa. Between 1903 and 1926, the company used a sales agent to sell Cadbury chocolates in the country and when the general public provided the brand with unfailing support, a factory was opened in 1930 in the Eastern Cape. Think of all of your favourite Cadbury chocolates; Fruit & Nut, Mint Crisp, Top Deck, Dairy Milk, and Wholenut -they were all created right here in SA along with other firm favourites such as PS, Lunch Bar, and Tempo. It’s also good news that the company uses all local ingredients and services which is great for the South African Economy.

Nestle South Africa

Another chocolate manufacturing company that has roots in South Africa’s heart and soul is Nestle. This company established its first factory in the Eastern Cape in 1872 and has been going strong ever since. Nestle is a massive production in the Eastern Cape and is certainly doing well for itself. It’s where all your favourite choccies come from, including the Peppermint Crisp, Rolo, Quality Street, Tex, KitKat, and Bar One.

What’s interesting about Nestle is that it was not initially started up as a chocolate manufacturing company. In 1866, Henri Nestle – a Swiss pharmacist – created Nestle when he produced the very first milk-cereal for children. Over the years, the company expanded to include more products such as chocolate, frozen products, pet food, instant beverages, mineral water, ice cream and so much more.

Let’s Talk South African Chocolates & Sweets Abroad

You’ve decided to move to another country to seek out new opportunities and experiences. That’s great news, but what about your chocolate addiction?! How will you survive without your regular fix of good old South African chocolates and sweets? Many South Africans fear the very same thing. There is a common misconception that expats have to live out the rest of their days deprived of their favourite South African chocolatey treats. Here’s the good news! South African shops seem to be popping up all over foreign countries, specifically for the benefit of South African expats. Looking for a Peppermint Crisp South Africa has made? Dying for After Eight Mints South Africa has lovingly created?  Don’t worry…you’ll find it at a South African Shop! And the SA shops aren’t just for SA expats. They are also there to give the locals a taste of what they are missing. If you have been worrying about this, worry no more! Relief can be yours! You can most probably get your hands on your favourite South African chocolates and sweets in your new home country with exceptional ease. Phew!

South African Chocolates and Sweets in SA Shops Abroad

If you are spending time in the UK, you can hop onto the the SAVANNA website (or visit one of their stores) to find a wide variety of South African treats. This store is like many others that are set up to cater to the needs of thriving South African expat communities abroad. A quick browse through their chips, chocolates, and sweets section uncovers the best possible news for a South African with a hankering for a taste of “back home”. Here you will find the following:

• Nestle Peppermint Crisp
• Chomp (who can live without these, right?)
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramello Chocolate

You can also pop onto the Jumbo Importers website to find all your favourite sweets including:

• Sherbet sweets
• Fizzers
• Fizz pops

FinGlobal: simplifying tax and financial emigration for South Africans

Wouldn’t it be nice if the only thing you had to worry about when moving to a new job and country was where you will buy your favourite South African chocolates and sweets? Instead, you probably spend a mammoth amount of time worrying about your financial and tax emigration process, and the ins and outs involved in it. At FinGlobal, we are a dedicated team of tax and financial emigration consultants that can simplify the process for you. We provide a premier advice and guidance service to South African expats across the globe. With a decade of experience behind us, we can make your tax and financial emigration seem like a box of chocolates (something to look forward to). For more information and advice, simply contact us. Give us a call at a time that is convenient for you, or send us an email so that a friendly and knowledgeable consultant can assist you further.