This is a Special Edition on South Africa
The Republic of South Africa sits at the southernmost tip of the African continent and is famously known to be the birthplace of humanity. This is the first and most special edition of the series titled From The Horse’s Mouth, as South Africa is our home, here at Relocation Africa’s Head Office.
How are birthdays celebrated?
Birthdays are an exciting occasion in South Africa. Even if you are not keen on celebrating yours, chances are, your friends will surprise you in some way. We celebrate birthdays with our family or friends, at home or at a restaurant, with gifts and cake.
When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?
Men and women generally shake hands, while friends will hug and kiss. The most frequently used greetings are ‘’Molo’’ (Xhosa), ‘’Sawubona’’ (Zulu), ‘’Dumela’’ (Setswana) or ‘’Howzit!’’ which is a slang word that is used and understood by the entire population, all around the country.
What languages are spoken in your country?
South Africa has 11 official languages, namely; English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Swati, Setswana, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Venda, and Ndebele.
The most commonly spoken language by South Africans is Zulu (23 percent), followed by Xhosa (16 percent), and Afrikaans (14 percent). English is the fourth most commonly spoken language (9.6%) but is understood in most urban areas and is the dominant language in government and the media.
On a lighter note:
South Africa’s English is as unique and diverse as its people. The shores of the country have witnessed the mixing and integrating of people and cultures for many centuries, and this is reflective in the ways South Africans communicate. South African English borrows freely from the native African languages of the country, from colonial-era Portuguese immigrants and Malay slaves, as well as from Afrikaans, which is similar to Dutch. With this giant amalgamation of languages, South Africans code-switch quite often.
Here are some examples of colloquial English that is unique to South Africa:
- Bakgat: [buck-ghut] – Well done, cool, awesome.
- Bakkie: [buck-ee] – A pick-up truck.
- Born-frees: South Africans who were born into a democratic South Africa – that is, after 1994.
- Braai: [br-eye] – An outdoor barbecue, where meat such as steak, chicken and boerewors are cooked on a fire, served with pap and bredie.
- Bru: [brew] – A term of affection, shortened from Afrikaans broer, meaning “brother.’’ An example of this word in use would be, “Hey, my bru, howzit?”
- Chill bru: Relax, my mate. Take it easy.
- Eina: [ay-na] – Typically exclaimed when you get hurt or you see someone get hurt.
- Eish: [aysh] – Used to express surprise, wonder, confusion, frustration or outrage: “Eish! That cut was eina!”
- Gogo: [goh-goh] – The isiZulu word for Grandmother. Used as a term of endearment and respect for elderly women as well.
- Gogga/ Goggo: [gho-gha or gho-gho] – Insect, bug. From the Khoikhoi xo-xon.
- Howzit: A traditional South African greeting that translates roughly as “How are you?”, “How are things?”, or simply “Hello”.
- Jozi: [jo-zee] – The city of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, which is also known as Joburg, Joeys, or Egoli (the city of gold).
- Just now: If a South African tells you they will do something “just now”, they mean they’ll do it in the near future or sometime soon – not immediately.
- Now-now: When a South African says, “I’ll be there now-now,’’ it means that they will be there shortly, it won’t take long.
- Kwaai: [k-wh-y] – A term of approval which equates to ‘’great’’ or ‘’fantastic.’’
- Lekker: [lekk-irr; with a rolling r] – Lekker is a word used to describe anything in a positive way. The word ‘’Lekker’’ can mean nice, good, great, cool, tasty, fun, and so much more.
- Shup-shup: [sh-up] – This is another word that has multiple meanings. ‘’Shup’’ could mean good, fine, okay, great, or it can also be used as a greeting. You can say ‘’shup’’ in the same way that you say ‘’hello’’ or ‘’goodbye’’ or ‘’howzit!’’ and the person saying it will usually offer you a thumbs up and a friendly smile.
- Shebeen: A township tavern, illegal under the apartheid regime, often set up in a private house and frequented by black South Africans. The word is originally Gaelic.
- Takkies: Running shoes or sneakers. “Fat takkies” are extra- wide tyres.
- Tsotsi: [ts-ot-see] – A gangster, hoodlum or thug. Tsotsi is also the title of South Africa’s first Oscar-winning movie, which we definitely recommend you watch!
- Voetsek: [foot-sak] – Go away, buzz off.
What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in South Africa?
We drive on the left-hand side of the road. Road infrastructure is mostly good, and drivers tend to generally stick to the rules of the road. However, first-time visitors beware, our taxi-minibuses have a mind of their own and apparently have their own set of road rules too!
Fun note: The South African word for traffic lights is ‘’Robots’’ (do not ask why – we have no idea!)
How important is punctuality?
Don’t be late! In fact, try to arrive to an appointment five minutes early. South Africans are punctual and being late is considered rude (though this may not always ring true with the Capetonians, who have their own ideas on timekeeping).
What types of music are popular? Who are some of your most popular musicians?
Some classic South African musicians include Miriam Makeba, Johnny Clegg, Brenda Fassie, Mafikizolo, and Freshlyground. South Africa is also renowned for its House music, and some of the country’s most famous musicians of this genre include Master KG, DJ Maphorisa, and DJ Black Coffee.
To get a taste of South African music, listen to Miriam Makeba singing ‘Pata Pata’ by clicking here.
- Listen to Brenda Fassie’s ‘Weekend Special’ by clicking here.
- Or listen to Freshly Ground’s ‘Do Be Do’ by clicking here.
Does South Africa have any traditional dances?
Yes, there are many, some examples are:
The Zulu Reed Dance – watching thousands of young girls attired in traditional Zulu dress sing, dance and celebrate their culture is a powerful and moving experience.
Volkspele – a South African folk-dance tradition. The dress originated from the formal dress the Voortrekkers wore.
Watch a video below to see some traditional Setswana and Gumboot Dancing by clicking here.
What traditional festivals are celebrated in your country?
Due to our cultural diversity and different regional areas, we have many food, art, craft, music and cultural festivals taking place all over South Africa every year. One of the oldest and most colourful is the Kaapse Klopse (also known as Cape Minstrels) traditionally celebrated in Cape Town on the second of January.
Watch a video to get the experience, and to learn about the history behind the tradition by clicking here.
What are your seasons like?
South Africa is famous for its lovely sunshine. It’s a relatively dry country, with an average annual rainfall of about 464mm (compared to a world average of about 860mm). While the Western Cape gets most of its rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is generally a summer-rainfall region. In summer temperatures can reach as high as 45° C in some places and in winter as low as -13° C.
What are South Africa’s major industries?
Among the key sectors that contribute to the gross domestic product and keep the economic engine running are the automotive, financial services, communications, mining, agriculture and tourism industries.
How do people spend their free time?
South Africans love food, family, and friends. As such, it’s no surprise that a favourite thing to do amongst all South Africans is socialising around the ‘braai.’ South Africans also love watching or playing sports such as rugby, soccer or cricket, or going to the beach.
Our national teams are the Springboks (rugby), Bafana-Bafana (soccer) and the Proteas (cricket).
South Africa also hosts many international sporting events such as The Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons and the Cape Town Cycle Tour (formerly known as the ‘Cape Argus’).
What do people drink?
Beer, wine and brandy and coke (very popular with all locals).
Traditional beer was brewed from local grains, especially sorghum. Beer was traditionally so prized that it became central to many ceremonies, like betrothals and weddings, in which one family ceremoniously offered beer to the other family.
Umqombothi, from the Xhosa language, is a traditional beer made in the Transkei, from maize (corn), maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water.
Mageu is a traditional South African non-alcoholic drink, popular among many of the Nguni people, made from fermented mealie pap. Home production is still widely practiced, but the drink is also available at many supermarkets.
Rooibos Tea: [roy-borss] Afrikaans for ‘’red bush.’’ This popular South African tea made from the Cyclopia genistoides bush is gaining worldwide popularity for its health benefits.
Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree which is also locally called the Elephant tree or the Marriage Tree
What is a popular local dish?
There are too many to name only one – here are some of our traditional foods:
Bobotie: [buh-boor-tee] – A dish of Cape Malay origin, made with minced meat and spices, and topped with an egg sauce.
Boerewors: [boor-uh-vors] – Literally translates to “farmer’s sausage”. A savoury sausage developed by the Boers – today’s Afrikaners – some 200 years ago. Boerewors is South African food at its most traditional.
Biltong: [bill-tong] – This South African favourite is dried and salted meat, similar to beef jerky, although it can be made from ostrich, kudu or any other red meat.
Bunny chow: Delicious and cheap food on the go, bunny chow is a spicey curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread, generally sold in greasy-spoon cafés.
Droëwors: [droo-uh-vors] – Dried boerewors, similar to biltong.
Koeksister: [kook-sister] A traditional Malay and now also Afrikaner sweet, made from twisted yeast dough, deep fried and dipped in syrup. The word comes from the Dutch koek (“cake”) and sissen, meaning ‘’to sizzle”.
Malva Pudding: a sweet pudding of Cape Dutch origin. It contains apricot jam and has a spongy caramelized texture. A cream sauce is often poured over it while it is hot, and it is usually served hot with custard and/or ice-cream.
Melktert: which means “milk tart” in Afrikaans, is a South African dessert consisting of a sweet pastry crust containing a creamy filling made from milk, flour, sugar and eggs.
Pap: [pup] – The staple food of South Africa, a porridge made from mealie meal (maize meal) cooked with water and salt to a fairly stiff consistency.
Samoosa: [suh-moo-suh] – A small, spicy, triangular-shaped pie deep-fried in oil. Originally made by the Indian and Malay communities, samoosas – known as samosas in Britain – are popular with all South Africans.
Vetkoek: [fet-cook] – “Fat cake” in Afrikaans, vetkoek is a doughnut-sized bread roll made from deep-fried yeast dough. Mainly served with a savoury mince filling, it is artery-clogging and delicious.
What do you pay for?
(1 USD = approx. ZAR 19.43)
- In a restaurant a cup of coffee is typically R25.00.
- A can of Coca Cola is typically R15.00.
- A meal for 2 people – nothing extravagant – will typically cost R400.00
- A loaf of bread – R19.00
General Safety?
Unfortunately, due to the extreme divides between poverty and wealth, in addition to rising unemployment figures, crime is very much a fact of life in South Africa. One has to be vigilant and aware at all times and take safety precautions wherever possible.
And in conclusion… Famous South Africans you may know include:
- Nelson Mandela – Anti-apartheid activist and the country’s first black president.
- Elon Musk – Business mogul and CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and Twitter.
- Trevor Noah – Comedian, writer, producer and host of The Daily Show.
- Charlize Theron – One of the world’s highest paying actresses and producers.
- Mark Shuttleworth – CEO of Canonical, a computer software company, and the fist South African to travel to space as a space tourist.
To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:
Written by Eloise Williams
Edited by Saudika Hendricks
Contributions by Relocation Africa’s Head Office Team
From the Horse’s Mouth – Mauritius
Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of the African continent. The capital and largest city is Port Louis. Just off the coast of the country lie some 49 uninhabited islands and islets, of which several have been declared natural reserves for endangered species. Mauritius is home to some of the world’s rarest plants and animals, but the arrival of humans in the 15th century introduced non-native species to the land which has threatened its indigenous flora and fauna. Mauritius is also the only known habitat of the extinct flightless Dodo bird.
How are birthdays celebrated?
Birthdays in Mauritius are always a special occasion, and mostly celebrated at home with family.
When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?
We normally offer a friendly handshake. Kisses are mostly kept for family members.
What languages are spoken in your country?
Most Mauritians are multilingual. Languages spoken on the islands of this country include Mauritian Creole, English, French, and Asian languages are the most common. English remains an administrative language and is also used as support in schools.
What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in Mauritius?
We drive on the left-hand side of the road. The most important thing to know when driving here is that most drivers believe that they are in possession of a racing car. The easy-going way of life and the friendliness of the Mauritians can, however, also be seen when they are driving. When asking a Mauritian for directions they might just go in front of you to make sure you do not get lost!
How important is punctuality?
Very few people in Mauritius know what punctuality is.
What types of music are popular? Who are some of your most popular musicians?
A great majority of Mauritians listen to Bollywood music, because 60% of Mauritians are Hindu. Most of the remaining 40% listen to European or mainstream music. Very few are actually fond of Sega, the local music. A few of our popular local musicians are:
Are there any traditional dances in your country?
The Sega remains the main traditional dance.
What traditional festivals are celebrated in your community?
That’s a long list. We celebrate almost all main Hindu, Chinese, Christian and Muslim festivals. We also celebrate some special occasions like the Abolition of Slavery and the first arrival of indentured Indian workers.
What are your seasons like?
There are two seasons in Mauritius: winter and summer. In recent years our summertimes are getting very, very hot and the winters more windy. In summer temperatures vary between 25°C – 32°C and in winter between 20°C – 27°C.
What are Mauritius’ major industries?
The main sectors that contribute to Mauritius’ economy are the agriculture, sugar, textiles, tobacco, tourism, and mining industries.
How do people spend their free time?
Mauritians spend their free time at beaches and engaged in all related sea and sand activities. Most men partake in football, social media for youngsters, and window-shopping which is quite a new thing with the new shopping malls opening in the last two years.
What do people drink?
People in Mauritius usually drink a lot of sodas like Coke and Fanta, but the spirits consumption curve is constantly climbing.
What is a popular local dish?
Traditionally, Mauritian food is spicy, with influences from Indian, Creole, African and Chinese cuisine. Many of the staple fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, and meats are grown or caught locally and there are dishes to suit all tastes. Curry is a favourite food and there are plenty of side dishes to choose from, including rice, roti, niouk nien (dumplings) or mine-frit (Chinese fried noodles.). Lentil or bean curries are popular, along with meat, fish or seafood varieties.
Rougaille is also a very popular traditional dish. Served hot, this Creole tomato dish also contains onions, chillies, garlic and spices.
With their French name but Indian origins, all visitors should try gateau piment. Made with split peas (dhal or dholl), they also contain red or green chillies, coriander, onions and cumin. Shaped into balls, gateau piment are then deep fried until golden brown.
What do you pay for?
In a restaurant, a cup of coffee usually costs: 100 Rs
What is the general safety and security like in Mauritius?
Average. Unfortunately, criminals are always on duty in some specific areas like the north and west. As everywhere though, despite a fairly strong police presence, one should be aware and careful, especially at night.
To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:
Written by Eloise Williams
Edited by Saudika Hendricks
Contributions by Fontana Agathe
From the Horse’s Mouth – South Africa
This is a Special Edition on South Africa
The Republic of South Africa sits at the southernmost tip of the African continent and is famously known to be the birthplace of humanity. This is the first and most special edition of the series titled From The Horse’s Mouth, as South Africa is our home, here at Relocation Africa’s Head Office.
How are birthdays celebrated?
Birthdays are an exciting occasion in South Africa. Even if you are not keen on celebrating yours, chances are, your friends will surprise you in some way. We celebrate birthdays with our family or friends, at home or at a restaurant, with gifts and cake.
When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?
Men and women generally shake hands, while friends will hug and kiss. The most frequently used greetings are ‘’Molo’’ (Xhosa), ‘’Sawubona’’ (Zulu), ‘’Dumela’’ (Setswana) or ‘’Howzit!’’ which is a slang word that is used and understood by the entire population, all around the country.
What languages are spoken in your country?
South Africa has 11 official languages, namely; English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Swati, Setswana, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Venda, and Ndebele.
The most commonly spoken language by South Africans is Zulu (23 percent), followed by Xhosa (16 percent), and Afrikaans (14 percent). English is the fourth most commonly spoken language (9.6%) but is understood in most urban areas and is the dominant language in government and the media.
On a lighter note:
South Africa’s English is as unique and diverse as its people. The shores of the country have witnessed the mixing and integrating of people and cultures for many centuries, and this is reflective in the ways South Africans communicate. South African English borrows freely from the native African languages of the country, from colonial-era Portuguese immigrants and Malay slaves, as well as from Afrikaans, which is similar to Dutch. With this giant amalgamation of languages, South Africans code-switch quite often.
Here are some examples of colloquial English that is unique to South Africa:
What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in South Africa?
We drive on the left-hand side of the road. Road infrastructure is mostly good, and drivers tend to generally stick to the rules of the road. However, first-time visitors beware, our taxi-minibuses have a mind of their own and apparently have their own set of road rules too!
Fun note: The South African word for traffic lights is ‘’Robots’’ (do not ask why – we have no idea!)
How important is punctuality?
Don’t be late! In fact, try to arrive to an appointment five minutes early. South Africans are punctual and being late is considered rude (though this may not always ring true with the Capetonians, who have their own ideas on timekeeping).
What types of music are popular? Who are some of your most popular musicians?
Some classic South African musicians include Miriam Makeba, Johnny Clegg, Brenda Fassie, Mafikizolo, and Freshlyground. South Africa is also renowned for its House music, and some of the country’s most famous musicians of this genre include Master KG, DJ Maphorisa, and DJ Black Coffee.
To get a taste of South African music, listen to Miriam Makeba singing ‘Pata Pata’ by clicking here.
Does South Africa have any traditional dances?
Yes, there are many, some examples are:
The Zulu Reed Dance – watching thousands of young girls attired in traditional Zulu dress sing, dance and celebrate their culture is a powerful and moving experience.
Volkspele – a South African folk-dance tradition. The dress originated from the formal dress the Voortrekkers wore.
Watch a video below to see some traditional Setswana and Gumboot Dancing by clicking here.
What traditional festivals are celebrated in your country?
Due to our cultural diversity and different regional areas, we have many food, art, craft, music and cultural festivals taking place all over South Africa every year. One of the oldest and most colourful is the Kaapse Klopse (also known as Cape Minstrels) traditionally celebrated in Cape Town on the second of January.
Watch a video to get the experience, and to learn about the history behind the tradition by clicking here.
What are your seasons like?
South Africa is famous for its lovely sunshine. It’s a relatively dry country, with an average annual rainfall of about 464mm (compared to a world average of about 860mm). While the Western Cape gets most of its rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is generally a summer-rainfall region. In summer temperatures can reach as high as 45° C in some places and in winter as low as -13° C.
What are South Africa’s major industries?
Among the key sectors that contribute to the gross domestic product and keep the economic engine running are the automotive, financial services, communications, mining, agriculture and tourism industries.
How do people spend their free time?
South Africans love food, family, and friends. As such, it’s no surprise that a favourite thing to do amongst all South Africans is socialising around the ‘braai.’ South Africans also love watching or playing sports such as rugby, soccer or cricket, or going to the beach.
Our national teams are the Springboks (rugby), Bafana-Bafana (soccer) and the Proteas (cricket).
South Africa also hosts many international sporting events such as The Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons and the Cape Town Cycle Tour (formerly known as the ‘Cape Argus’).
What do people drink?
Beer, wine and brandy and coke (very popular with all locals).
Traditional beer was brewed from local grains, especially sorghum. Beer was traditionally so prized that it became central to many ceremonies, like betrothals and weddings, in which one family ceremoniously offered beer to the other family.
Umqombothi, from the Xhosa language, is a traditional beer made in the Transkei, from maize (corn), maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water.
Mageu is a traditional South African non-alcoholic drink, popular among many of the Nguni people, made from fermented mealie pap. Home production is still widely practiced, but the drink is also available at many supermarkets.
Rooibos Tea: [roy-borss] Afrikaans for ‘’red bush.’’ This popular South African tea made from the Cyclopia genistoides bush is gaining worldwide popularity for its health benefits.
Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree which is also locally called the Elephant tree or the Marriage Tree
What is a popular local dish?
There are too many to name only one – here are some of our traditional foods:
Bobotie: [buh-boor-tee] – A dish of Cape Malay origin, made with minced meat and spices, and topped with an egg sauce.
Boerewors: [boor-uh-vors] – Literally translates to “farmer’s sausage”. A savoury sausage developed by the Boers – today’s Afrikaners – some 200 years ago. Boerewors is South African food at its most traditional.
Biltong: [bill-tong] – This South African favourite is dried and salted meat, similar to beef jerky, although it can be made from ostrich, kudu or any other red meat.
Bunny chow: Delicious and cheap food on the go, bunny chow is a spicey curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread, generally sold in greasy-spoon cafés.
Droëwors: [droo-uh-vors] – Dried boerewors, similar to biltong.
Koeksister: [kook-sister] A traditional Malay and now also Afrikaner sweet, made from twisted yeast dough, deep fried and dipped in syrup. The word comes from the Dutch koek (“cake”) and sissen, meaning ‘’to sizzle”.
Malva Pudding: a sweet pudding of Cape Dutch origin. It contains apricot jam and has a spongy caramelized texture. A cream sauce is often poured over it while it is hot, and it is usually served hot with custard and/or ice-cream.
Melktert: which means “milk tart” in Afrikaans, is a South African dessert consisting of a sweet pastry crust containing a creamy filling made from milk, flour, sugar and eggs.
Pap: [pup] – The staple food of South Africa, a porridge made from mealie meal (maize meal) cooked with water and salt to a fairly stiff consistency.
Samoosa: [suh-moo-suh] – A small, spicy, triangular-shaped pie deep-fried in oil. Originally made by the Indian and Malay communities, samoosas – known as samosas in Britain – are popular with all South Africans.
Vetkoek: [fet-cook] – “Fat cake” in Afrikaans, vetkoek is a doughnut-sized bread roll made from deep-fried yeast dough. Mainly served with a savoury mince filling, it is artery-clogging and delicious.
What do you pay for?
(1 USD = approx. ZAR 19.43)
General Safety?
Unfortunately, due to the extreme divides between poverty and wealth, in addition to rising unemployment figures, crime is very much a fact of life in South Africa. One has to be vigilant and aware at all times and take safety precautions wherever possible.
And in conclusion… Famous South Africans you may know include:
To read more exciting blogs, please click on the link below:
Written by Eloise Williams
Edited by Saudika Hendricks
Contributions by Relocation Africa’s Head Office Team
EuRA Celebrates Sustainability at their 25th Anniversary Conference.
EuRA, the European Relocations Association, is a professional non-profit organisation that promotes relocation and other affiliated services. Their aim is to promote their members who offer immigration, relocation, and relocation services across the world, they provide industry related training, support, networking and advice to all its members.
EuRA has made it their mission to set the standard for innovation and education by empowering their members to unlock their full potential and become leaders in the Global Mobility Industry. Their members are passionate professionals who actively work towards the betterment of the Global Mobility Industry. The Association and its members adhere to their integral ideals of compassion, integrity, teamwork, sustainability, and diversity. Members of EuRA have praised the organisation, and highly value the connections that they have simply by belonging to the association.
EuRA is not only esteemed in and of itself for being a well-established association but is also well known for the lively conferences they host annually to promote and assist in building healthy relationships in the Global Mobility Industry. EuRA members take pleasure in attending these conferences as it offers great opportunities and benefits to the members, as is apparent from the comment made by a member in which they stated, ‘’We can see the creation of friendships and strong personal and business relationships simply because we are part of EuRA.’’ These interactions and connections occur on a global scale, with members arriving from every corner of the continent to represent their company, country, and clients. One could not even begin to imagine the degree to which cultures are mixing and substantial information is being shared.
The purpose of the conference is primarily to outline the highlights of the year that has passed, talk about new trends, benchmark with others in the industry and networking and socialising is a big part of the conference, and everyone who attends certainly has an enjoyable time and leaves the conference with a significantly enhanced knowledge in the field and many business opportunities and new business friends and colleagues. The most recent conference was held in April of this year in Dublin, Ireland. This year was a special occasion as EuRA proudly celebrated their 25th anniversary at the conference by giving tribute to the membership and throwing a formal gala evening.
This year, at the annual EuRA conference, one of the symposiums delivered prior to the official conference start was the Sustainability Symposium, it delved into various aspects of sustainable development, and included a corporate representative to give the members a view from a corporate client’s perspective. Many of the 70 registered members who attended the sustainable development symposium on the Tuesday commented on how insightful it was and how important it is for the information that was conveyed at the symposium, to be not only implemented but also to be passed on and shared. The symposium dived into an in-depth meaning of sustainability, the input from a corporate perspective, and what it means to the global mobility sector. Speakers at the symposium maintained the attention of the audience engaging them in various practical workshops so they could take their learnings back to their businesses. The discussion was open-ended and informative and included a workshop structure which allowed the members to fully immerse into practical applications of the sustainable development concepts shared.
The discussion was centred around meeting the needs of the Global Mobility Industry at present in such a manner that resources are not depleted for future generations, thereby ensuring the longevity of the industry. The notion of sustainability covers three pillars, known as ‘’ESG.’’ These key pillars are Environmental, Social and Governance, and they impact every aspect of life.
Understanding the impact of sustainability is two-fold. It is constituted by the effect that a business has on the ESG issues, as well as the effect that these ESG issues have on the business. In one of the sessions during the sustainability symposium day they looked at “materiality assessments” as a way for the global mobility silo’s specifically, immigration, destination services, temporary accommodation, etc, can review their impact on the sustainable metrics (ESG) and the impact of these same metrics on their business. The group got to experience a specific case study by Graebel to help them understand a practical application of a materiality assessment and then each table attempted to review the process in a workshop environment to give some practical exposure.
It was decided that promoting discussions on this topic is important, as the industry has been facing tremendous pressure as of late, from both clients and governmental regulations, to practice sustainability more efficiently. However, oftentimes, not much thought is given to the fact that doing so has proven to be a lot more costly, and sometimes does not fit the budget of the company. Part of the initiative was also to raise awareness of the fact that corporates sometimes may find it difficult to find the funding to practise sustainability in the ways they would like to, thereby making it extremely hard to achieve and adhere to the requests and regulations. This highlighted the importance of collaboration between each other and more than that “radical collaboration” finding ways to solve some of these problems may require us stepping out of our comfort zone and thinking differently. Working with competitors, government departments, NGO’s to uncover how we can potentially find solutions to this rather large complex problem.
The sustainability symposium equipped members with a template on how to go about achieving sustainability in the workplace by educating them on how to identify and prioritise sustainability issues based on their economic, environmental, and social impacts.
Overall, the Sustainability Symposium was so successful that attendees not only left feeling excited to get started on their new sustainability journey but even requested mini-virtual symposiums throughout the year so that they may continue to learn and help others to be more mindful of their duty to practice sustainability. It starts with everyone. We cannot change the world, but we can change our habits for the sake of a brighter and healthier future for the next generations.
The group who put this together for the members are passionate about the topic Magali Horbert, René Stegmann, and Johan de Kam who also facilitated the day and if you want to reach out to them and also follow EuRA’s journey with the Green Coalition. This is an evolutionary process, and we need you all to help get onto a sustainable journey together.
If you would like to find out more about the Sustainability Symposiums Conference, or how you can practise sustainability by yourself, in your home, or in your workplace, reach out to us or if you want to read more on how to reduce your carbon foot print while traveling click HERE.
Immigration Update 09/06/23
Latest News:
ZEP holders whose Zimbabwean Exemption Permits expired on 31 December 2021 have now been granted a further 6-month automatic extension until 31 December 2023, during which time, they must apply for mainstream temporary residence visas (if they qualify) or waivers.
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