Expat Insights
Get news and useful articles for South Africans worldwide on our blog.
South African inventions: What is South Africa famous for?
If there’s one thing that South Africans are known for, it’s their ability to make a plan. To think big, to think out of the box - we are a creative, problem-solving nation. Don’t believe it? Just take a look at some of the many cool inventions, innovations and...
Australian Schools: Choosing the Best Path for Your Child’s Educational Future
So, you’re thinking about relocating from South Africa and one of the destinations you’re considering is Australia, but you’re worried about making the best decision for your children when it comes to schooling. Relax. Their educational future is in good hands in the...
What Expats Should Know About their Sanlam Retirement Annuity withdrawal
Saving for your retirement is one of the most important things you can do for yourself during the course of your working life. In South Africa, a retirement annuity with Sanlam can be a smart, tax-efficient means of preparing for your future; especially with their...
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...