Expat Insights
Get news and useful articles for South Africans worldwide on our blog.
Tips to Start Your New Life in New Zealand
You’ve done the planning, got the job, packed the bags and boxes and now you’re on the cusp of a whole new life in New Zealand. Now what? What to do in New Zealand? As a newbie to foreign shores, prepare to start calling yourself a “South African expat”. Now is the...
Creamy Samp Recipe: Ultimate Chicken Potjie Recipe
Let’s talk about two South African classics; samp and the traditional potjiekos (directly translating to “small-pot food”). What makes these two well-known local dishes so special is that they represent two very different cultures in South Africa. And when combined...
Seasonal Affective Disorder: The SADs
South Africans are solar powered. We’re used to a hot, sunny climate which means it can be a bit of a shock to the system to move abroad to a new country where the weather is just as unfamiliar as the people. Long, cold, dreary winters and short summers can quickly...
Surprising Things About Moving to Europe
One of the first things most people worry about when moving to Europe is how Brexit is going to impact on their move and of course, their experience there. The reality is that Brexit will impact on your move, but it’s not the only thing that should be on your mind. In...
Guide to Double Tax Agreements with South Africa
If you’re a South African living and working abroad, there are a few things to note about income tax back home. As you should already know, even though you’ve packed up your life and headed abroad you’re still liable for tax in South Africa if you’re considered a tax...
Immigrate to Canada: Canada’s Express Entry Application
What’s the best way to immigrate to Canada from South Africa? When you’re in a hurry, the best way to get there is the quickest way obviously. For South Africans, the Canada Express Entry is an attractive immigration option that can lead to Canadian permanent...
How To Make Biltong The South African Way
Biltong is an SA classic and one of the first things that South African expats miss when they touch down on foreign soil. If you mention the word “biltong”, it will be a dead give-away that you are a red blooded home-grown South African. Yup, biltong is somewhat of a...
South African Jokes (Jan van der Merwe)
Ah, today feels like a great day for a few good old fashioned Suid Afrikaanse grappies, doesn’t it?! Every day is a good day for some South African humour, to be honest. In South Africa, it’s normal for a group to share joke after joke. What can we say? We love to...
The Lekker Shop located in New Zealand
Are you already settled into New Zealand or perhaps heading over there in the near future? New Zealand is a beautiful country that has been luring South Africans over for holidays and even completely new lives for many years now. If you are planning to head over there...
Everything You Need To Know About Getting A Tax Clearance Certificate From SARS
One of the most stressful parts of being a South African expat is dealing with SARS. Everything tax-related just seems to be extra complicated, especially from outside the country. If you need to get a tax clearance certificate from SARS, you’ll find this post...
The South African Accent
As a South African expat, you probably know this already…South Africans communicate in such a unique way that even their accents have accents! It’s true. While South Africans are known to have fairly unique English accents, they also have a range of “sub accents”...
Orange Cake (Lemoenkoek) and How to Make It
Hmm! Who remembers sinking their teeth into a moist and zesty slice of Lemoenkoek when growing up? Isn’t it about time you got to enjoy this delightful South African treat again? Yip, you guessed it! We have another South African traditional treat for you; from our...
Old South African TV Shows
Growing up in South Africa was made all the more enjoyable with the plethora favourite TV shows made available by the SABC. As kids, afternoons would be spent running around in the garden, followed by a hot bath, delectable dinner and an evening ogling firm favourite...
Leon Schuster Movies Throughout the Years
Oh Shucks, let’s talk about Schuster for a minute! With everything going on in your life, you probably haven’t had a lot of time to just rest, put your feet up and watch a little television. As an SA expat, Leon Schuster should serve as a great talking point for you,...
What Happens To Your Retirement Annuity In South Africa When You Retire?
You’ve been paying diligently into your South African retirement annuity fund your whole life, and now you’re ready to take it to the next level. You’re ready to retire. What happens now? Let’s talk about how your retirement annuity pays out, and what your options are...