Out and about is a column in which we chat to people who live abroad, or who lived and worked there, but have returned to South Africa. We want to hear from anyone who wants to share their experiences with us. 

This week we chat to Marcel de Beer, who lives in Bury St Edmunds.

Hello, Marcel! You have lived abroad for 2 years now. Where do you live and why did you decide to live there?

We live in a beautiful little town named Bury St Edmunds in the United Kingdom. About 20 years ago I decided to see the world. I came here on a work holiday visa and worked in a pickles factory of all places! I was young and full of energy then, eager to see the world and do things.  

Tell us more about your family.

My Polish wife, Karolina, and I met at work. We have been married for 17 years now. We have a beautiful five-year-old daughter, Hannah. She is currently in year 1 at her school.  

Tell us about the type of work that you do and how the work culture differs from that in South Africa.

I am a health and safety manager, and my wife is a dental nurse. The work culture here does not differ much from that of South Africa. I have to admit that the benefits here are far better than in South Africa: pension and private medical aid are all good. The work conditions are flexible; I can sometimes work from home when it is necessary.

There are many South Africans in the United Kingdom. Do you sometimes meet up?  

Of course! Up until a few years before Covid we met and braaied in public parks. I see many opportunities online, but sometimes it is too far to travel. Do not forget international rugby; there have been many an opportunity with South African friends to support the Boks at the Twickenham Rugby Stadium.

It can be a challenge to adapt to a new country. What was the weirdest that you had to get accustomed to abroad? What was the biggest adjustment abroad for you?  

Definitely the weather and the food! Where else do you get four seasons in one day? It is hot, then it rains, then it snows!

At first steak tasted like plastic, but after a few months you get used to the taste.

How do living and livings costs differ from that in South Africa?

Living isn’t that different from South Africa. You work during the week and do school runs. Or you do weekly shopping as usual. Certain items or services are expensive.

Every year we have to take our vehicles for roadworthiness tests. If your vehicle fails, you may not drive it. Everything must be repaired before the vehicle can pass.

Biltong is expensive if you buy it here. I got myself a biltong cupboard and make my own biltong, dry wors and boerewors.

What do you miss most of South Africa? What is the one thing that you wish you could pack in when you emigrated?

Wow, that is one colossal question with a list as long as my arm! May I pack in the Bushveld, South Africa’s delicious food and my family who still live in South Africa in my bag? There is too much to list, to be honest.

Survival list for a British winter:

• Warm clothes, windscreen scraper for the frost on your vehicle in the mornings, a tumble drier to get your clothes dry and a pair of Wellington boots, because sometimes it is just mud and rain!
• A nice warm jacket for braaiing in winter. Everyone here hides out in the house during winter and those who braai only come out on warmer days.

Any lessons that you have learnt?

If you plan on going abroad, make sure that keep an eye out for Facebook pages where other South Africans get together to help one another regularly. It is always a bonus to know that there are other South Africans who know for example where you can get bargains or have your car serviced.

If you need help, ask your question on this Facebook page and other South Africans will help you or send you a private message.  

Preschool (i.e., kindergarten) costs are quite high. We always have a laugh when we compare kindergarten expenses with our bond. If you and your family are alone on this side without any other family, you may struggle during school holidays to ensure that your children are being looked after. Take the grandparents along if you can!

Are there any South African businesses (shops, restaurants or services) nearby that like to support?

We have regular market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays where there is sometimes a South African stand with delicious South African products such as biltong, dry wors and boerewors. But you quickly learn to make some of these yourself; you then save a lot of money.  

We also have many online South African shops here where you can buy almost any South African thing that you desire, from three-legged pots to wood for braai. But believe me: The prices will make your eyes water.  

What interesting things have you discovered about the UK that you did not know before?

The country also has scenic nature, and you will find a few places that will enchant you if you take the time to explore the country. Cornwall is very pretty and definitely a place that I want to explore again and again.

The history of the UK is very interesting, especially if you go back to pre-royal times, i.e., the Romans and the Vikings. The Roman era in the UK lasted from 55 BCE until 410 CE! The Viking era in the UK commenced in 793 CE when they attacked the Lindisfarne Abbey in Northumbria.

 

Write to us

Are you living abroad, or have you returned recently from a sojourn overseas? You can also write us an Out and About column. Send email to wereldwyd@afriforum.co.za and we will send you questions to answer.