Out and about is a column where we talk to people who currently live abroad, or who used to live and work there. This week we talk to Nelieta van der Merwe, who lives in Argentina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hallo Nelieta, it is very nice to talk to you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where in South Africa are you from and why did you decide to live in Argentina?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am originally from Vanderbijlpark but lived and worked in the Johannesburg area for many years. In December 2007 I remarried, and my husband had already lived in Argentina for nine years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My time in the corporate world made me realise how BEE would influence the future, and it made me think of a different path \u2013 to build and manage a guesthouse myself. Argentina seemed like a good choice at that time: the climate is similar to South Africa\u2019s and it felt safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I did not leave South Africa because I hated the country. On the contrary, it was a strategic decision \u2013 a chance for a new start and to build a future in another country, perhaps even for my children should they decide to come here one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell me more about your family<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, and the grandmother of two grandchildren. The all still live in South Africa, and I miss them very much. Here in Argentina, we have no family \u2013 it is just me and my husband. He does not have children and neither do we.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are godparents to two sons who enrich a large part of our lives here. One lives just around the corner from us, and the other one in Buenos Aires.<\/p>\n\n\n