Tag Archive for: United Kingdom

Cassidy Dauberman

A Personal Story from Our Marketing Associate – Moving Back Home to South Africa as an Expat

A Journey of Reflection

In the midst of a global pandemic, with uncertainty looming, I made a spontaneous decision that would alter the course of my life: I moved to the United Kingdom. Leaving behind sunny South Africa. I embarked on a journey into the unknown. I boarded the plane, excitement mingled with doubt, but I thought to myself there was no turning back now, as I had left with the mindset that I was not returning to South Africa.

I recall the exhilarating chill that welcomed me as I stepped off the plane, invigorating me to embrace the new adventures ahead, a stark contrast to the warmth I was accustomed to my whole life up until then. Despite the uncertainties, I was determined to make it work. Settling in the city centre, I navigated through closed streets due to lockdown and snowy sidewalks, adapting to a lifestyle vastly different from what I had known.

As lockdown restrictions lifted and life began to normalise, I couldn’t shake the feeling of longing for home. The cultural differences, the absence of familiar food, and most importantly, the yearning for family weighed heavily on my heart. Despite making great friends and building a life in the United Kingdom, I felt a sense of displacement, a longing for the belonging I once felt back home. Africa is a feeling. I cherished the sense of liberation, strolling through the streets without constraints, exploring local parks, utilising public transport, all while feeling reassured by the safety and security around me. Amidst all the opportunities, there were certainly challenges to embrace. Personally, navigating through the enriching experience of culture shock, a phenomenon no one warns you about, stood out as challenging, offering unexpected lessons and growth along the way.

A year into life in the United Kingdom, I made a visit back to South Africa to see family — a bittersweet reminder of the world I had left behind. The visit offered a meaningful glimpse into the essence of my roots. The vibrant beaches, the diversity of cultures, the boundless expanse of the ocean—each facet – resonated with a sense of home that the United Kingdom couldn’t quite replicate Africa, with its lasting mark on the soul, left me spellbound once more.

Upon return to the United Kingdom from the visit, bidding farewell proved to be the most challenging it had ever been—far surpassing my initial departure. Nevertheless, resuming life, continuing to nurture the life meticulously crafted in the United Kingdom. However, as the months went by, a palpable sense of longing enveloped me, a yearning for South Africa that became a constant presence in my thoughts, sparking regular contemplations of what life would be like back home.

The decision to return was certainly not made lightly. Months and months of contemplation, weighing the positives and negatives, led to one undeniable truth: there is no place like home. The pull of family, the richness of culture, the warm weather and the sense of belonging were irreplaceable.

On my return journey to South Africa, I pondered the invaluable lessons obtained from my time abroad. Embracing discomfort, confronting challenges directly, and cherishing fleeting moments of happiness profoundly shaped both my personal and professional growth. Not a single ounce of regret spoils my experiences. I genuinely savoured my time in the United Kingdom and all it offered. In fact, I wholeheartedly advocate for anyone with the chance to explore new horizons to seize the opportunity and embrace the journey.

For anyone considering a move, I offer these words of advice: do your research, brace yourself for culture shock, and allow yourself to feel the full spectrum of emotions. You will have good and bad days. Engage with your community, step out of your comfort zone, and seek support from Destination Service Providers. Push yourself to be brave and adventurous. Explore as you go and give yourself time to adjust to your new normal.

Every country has its pros and cons. Since moving and returning, I have a new outlook on South Africa because I learned to appreciate small things. On paper, South Africa is not a perfect country. I don’t blame people for leaving. The problem is, most people think the act of leaving is the solution, when really all they’re doing is trading one set of pros and cons for another.

Sometimes one can be too focused on what they don’t like about their home country while simultaneously taking the amazing aspects for granted. You only really understand the true value of these overlooked qualities when you’re on the other side of the world for a while. The problem is, once you’re in a new country, and once the rose-tinted glasses come off, there will be many other things you don’t like on that side of the world too.

The advice I will dish out is, make sure you relocate for the right reasons. Moving away may indeed be the best thing that you have ever done. I think the reason for this is simple. When you move, you will love it or hate it over time, depending on what you value. But again, you never just value one thing. And this is often why moving can be challenging.

Like most of us, I value safety, but I also value that warm South African spirit and friendliness, which is what makes it hard to live elsewhere.

I had a fantastic journey in the United Kingdom and am forever grateful to be able to explore and visit other countries whilst living there, but as for now, settling back into the familiar rhythm of life, my heart is filled with gratitude for the experiences gained and the memories made. Home truly is where the heart belongs, and for me right now, that is in South Africa.

 

Since moving back to South Africa, I have been delighted to be part of a team specialising in mobility, immigration, remuneration, and research services. I’ve gained invaluable insights into relocation and expatriate life—knowledge I wish I had possessed earlier. If you’re seeking guidance or information on relocating or any related queries, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to offer support and assistance every step of the way, helping you embrace the unknown.

https://www.relocationafrica.com

Connect with me here

 

Written by Cassidy Dauberman

Sisipho Ntsabo
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Payin30 – Addressing Corporate Sustainability in The Corporate Sector

Addressing Corporate Sustainability in The Corporate Sector through Payin30

The #Payin30 initiative in South Africa has been largely driven and supported by the private/corporate sector. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a management concept or a business model, that consolidates topics of social and environmental concerns into their business policies, operations and their conduct. It is a way in which the company becomes socially accountable, not only to itself and the stakeholders but also to the public. Corporate social responsibility is the approach a company undertakes to enact a balance of the Triple Bottom Approach (TPL) – “People. Planet. Profit” while holding itself accountable to stakeholders.

CSR is a conscious effort to address the capitalistic nature of the business but being cognisant of the environment in which it exists – understanding that people, profit and the planet cannot operate in isolation.

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) diagram: Photo courtesy of Getty Images

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN CSR AND PAYIN30

Although the business sector lies at the centre of CSR, the government as an authoritative power can play a catalyst role – yielding their power and voice to raise awareness of what CSR truly embodies. The government can a vital role in mediating between social agents (business sector and the public).

The United Kingdom (UK) government and the South African (SA) government have been exemplary in calling for action against 90-, 60-, and 45-day payment terms. On the 19th of January, the United Kingdom government announced that it has re-examined the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) to renounce delayed invoices owed to SMEs. Under the new reconstructed terms, companies are obliged to now pay SMEs within 30 days – which is half the time defined by the current Code. The UK government is looking to strengthen the rules, by increasing Small Business Commissioner powers as a post-covid19 economic strategy.

During the South African Investment Conference in Soweto, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for the government to ensure that SMEs suppliers are paid within 30 days. The Public Service Commission (PSC) is an independent and overseeing institution, ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of public service performance. The PSC aptly states that “The non-payment of suppliers is in contravention of the Treasury Regulations and constitutional principles such as efficient, effective and economic use of resources, accountability and transparency”. The PSC will continue monitoring compliance with 30-day payment terms, announcing that they [PSC] will view non-compliance as financial misconduct.

These two exemplary moves by the respective are indicative of how not only government institutions can set precedence on ethical practices but also yield their power for the good of the greater society. The ability of government institutions to recognise the importance of SMEs as job creators, but also as an integral part of the economic ecosystem. The government is held accountable and is responsible for its stakeholders – the people and acknowledging that SMEs are the microcosm of society and the economy. The government’s role is a prime example of the influence of corporate social responsibility.

THE ROLE OF CORPORATE AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN PAYIN30

As the economic and social unit of society, corporate must operate in accord with sustainable strategies endorsed by the economic system in which it operates. The highlight of this is that corporate and business do not exist in isolation and their existence is dependent on the people and planet, there is a responsibility to the planet and the people. In pursuit of a sustainable business strategy, “CSR emphasises on the maximisation of the utility of resources with minimum consumption, exploration of resources without exploitation and maintaining the surplus balance of resources for future generations.”

The #Payin30 initiative in South Africa has been largely driven and supported by the private/corporate sector. Business for South Africa (B4SA), the SA SME Fund, and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), and supported by, amongst others, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), the Small Business Institute (SBI) and the Black Business Council (BBC) have all put their heads together to support SMEs. This serves as evidence that corporates are largely aware of the role and influence in the country’s economic ecosystem.

Paul Hanratty, Sanlam Group Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Risk and Compliance, and Social, Ethics and Sustainability (SES) Committees speaks on the importance of the #Payin30 campaign.

Paul Hanratty, Sanlam Group Chief Executive Office

Hanratty says, that the #Payin30 is a supportive mechanism to SMES navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and will help them become sustainable in the long term. He follows this, highlights how the #Payin30 is also an economic strategy to the pandemic, urging all big businesses to adjust their payment terms in support of SMEs. Hanratty says,

 “Recovery will not happen exclusively through big national initiatives; it will happen bit by bit, in small but meaningful increments. The business sector in South Africa has the opportunity to play a profound role in the recovery of smaller entities.”

We cannot ignore the need for economic development and growth, but we must be cognisant that it needs to be done sustainably. We cannot grow the economy at the expense of the people or the planet. The progression of concepts like that of CSR is dependent on the partnership of the private sector and government.

CONCLUSION

In their article, ‘The Truth about CSR’, Kasturi et al note that there is an increasing pressure for corporate companies to “dress up CSR as a business discipline and demand that every initiative deliver business results.”. This takes away the essence of CSR is: “to align a company’s social and environmental activities with its business purpose and values.”. The authors of the article aptly advise that to maximise the positive impact of CSR, companies must depart from poor coordination of their CSR programs and the lack of logic connecting their various programs. Kasturi et al advise that maximising this means companies need to develop coherent CSR strategies by a) focusing on philanthropy, b) improving operational effectiveness, c) transforming the business model. Post the development of these three theatres, companies must develop a unified practice program through a four-step process. Step 1) Aligning Programs Within the Theatres, 2) Developing Metrics to Gauge Performance, 3) Coordinating Programs Across Theatres, and 4) Developing an Interdisciplinary CSR Strategy. Best-practices companies operate coordinated and interdependent programs across the CSR field.

We must understand the world from the triple bottom line: the social, environmental and financial – people, planet and profit. SMEs contribute immensely to the country’s sustainable growth and need the support of both government and corporations to ensure their survival and preservation. The global problems cannot be solved alone. The collaboration with entities like SMEs, NGOs and association can help them unleash the full potential of corporate social responsibilities. Payin30 is an important CSR initiative that serves as evidence of how government and corporate can work together to ensure the sustainability of SMEs.

 

Andrew Stegmann
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AstraZeneca’s Vaccine is Expected to Work on South Africa’s New COVID Variant, says CEO

AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine is expected to be effective against mutating Covid-19 variants, including those discovered in South Africa and the UK.

“So far, we think the vaccine should remain effective,” CEO Pascal Soriot told The Sunday Times.

“But we can’t be sure, so we’re going to test that,” he told the newspaper. The vaccine is currently being trialled in South Africa. In saying AstraZeneca’s vaccine will protect against strains of the coronavirus, Soriot echoed Ugur Sahin, CEO of BioNTech. There was a “relatively high” possibility that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine would work against variants, Sahin said last week. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is also being tested in South Africa.

The new virus variant discovered in South Africa seems to be more transmissible than the original virus, local scientists said last week.

In addition, two of the mutations in the new South African variant reduce virus sensitivity to some antibodies, meaning that these antibodies may not be as effective against this new variant. These mutations were not seen in new variants in the UK and Australia.

The variant discovered in the UK could be about 70% more transmissible and had already infected about 40,000 people in the UK by midweek, per Reuters.

The new strain was discovered in Japan on Friday, brought by travellers from the UK, according to Reuters. About seven people, including five who had traveled from the UK to Japan, tested positive, The Associated Press reported on Sunday.

On Monday, Japan plans a sweeping ban on foreigners entering the country, in part because of the new strains, according to The Associated Press.

The UK government signed deals for 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was developed in partnership with Oxford University. That vaccine is the largest single order from the government, which has signed deals for 357 million doses of various vaccines.

As of Christmas Eve, about 617,000 people in the UK had received doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, according to official statistics.

The UK government is now reviewing vaccines from AstraZeneca and Moderna.

“The NHS across the UK is working incredibly hard to scale up the vaccination programme as fast as they can to make sure everyone on the priority list can get their vaccine easily,” said Nadhim Zahawi, the minister overseeing vaccine deployment, in a statement.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
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How Much Does it Cost to Move Overseas? Part 2 of an SA to UK Example

This article was written by Sam Beckbessinger.

Part 2 of 2. In part 1, Sam discussed her budget, moving people, moving pets, and securing visas. Click here for part 1.

Bringing your stuff vs. buying new stuff

I spent a lot of time debating the pros and cons of bringing furniture with us (this decision had a spreadsheet all to itself). Ultimately, here’s what I decided: it’s not worth bringing anything that’s not priceless to you.

Partly, that’s just because of the timing. The fastest quotes we received promised to transport our things in 6 weeks (they lied). You can expect this to be more like 3 months at minimum, and several people I spoke to, who’d made similar moves, said it ended up being between 6-9 months (I’m 7 months in and counting, but to be fair, there was a whole global pandemic that slowed things down a bit).

That rules out bringing your bed, unless you want to risk sleeping on the floor for half a year. You can’t bring appliances, because the electrical outlets are different. So you’re down to deciding whether to bring stuff like a couch, dining table, desk, etc.

If you own some very expensive furniture, or priceless family heirlooms, then sure, bring it all with you, but assume you’ll have to live without it for a long time. That might mean moving into a furnished apartment at first, or really embracing minimalism for a while.

I own a couple of heirloom armchairs, many boxes of books and some artworks that fall into the “priceless to me” category, so we decided to bring over a container of non-essentials, but to re-buy all of our basics (like a new couch) in the UK. Because we weren’t paying for this part of the move ourselves, I chose a company that wasn’t the cheapest but purported to be the fastest. This was a huge mistake. They’ve been a nightmare to deal with, and cost R21,148.

If I did this again, I would have just booked a medium-sized MoveCube for my sentimental shit (which would have cost me R11,862), expected it to take 6+ months to arrive, and bought everything else from scratch.

Really, if you’re not that attached to your stuff, by far the easiest thing to do is sell or give away everything and start fresh on the other side.

The tragic fact is that you will get almost nothing for selling everything you own, and it will cost you a lot of money to replace it all. You can mitigate that somewhat by being thrifty about what you buy, but you’ve got to balance thrift against how big your schlep appetite is.

For furniture, I’m a big believer in buying quality brands, second-hand. When I moved to Cape Town, I bought a used Coricraft couch for R3,000 through Gumtree. Four years later I sold it for R2,300. Compare that to the new R2,000 bookshelf I bought from Mr Price Home that I ultimately got R200 for.

I made about R12,000 selling almost everything I owned back in Cape Town. We also sold our car, which got us an extra R60,000.

Fitting out a new house for two people in the UK cost us about R50,000, with a mix of charity shop finds, TK Maxx and Ikea.

Transporting our sentimental stuff and buying new household stuff cost us R74,662 in total. We could have saved R10,000 by going with a different shipping company (and I’m kicking myself that we didn’t). We probably could have spent a bit less kitting out our home if I’d had more time to spend in charity shops before everything locked down.

Finding somewhere to live

It’s difficult to flat-hunt from afar, so it can be smart to send one person ahead to stay in an AirBnB for a few weeks while they lock down a place to live, before the rest of you arrive. We did that, and it cost us an additional R11,937.

When you do find a new house or flat to rent, you’ll need to pay a deposit on it. Ours cost R36,898 including the first month’s rent. Cambridge rents aren’t cheap, yo. You should be able to offset this by getting the security deposit back on your old South African flat.

Overall, the cost of finding and securing a new place to live came to R48,835.

Financial emigration

This could be a whole post on its own, but basically, know that if you want to take all of your financial assets out of the country (for instance, you want to move your retirement savings to your new home) you will have to apply for a process called financial emigration. When you financially emigrate, you will have to pay capital gains tax on these assets. Depending on what assets you own, this could mean an eye-wateringly huge tax bill, and it is not a decision to be taken lightly.

The good news is that you can move overseas without immediately applying for financial emigration, and for most people, it’s a good idea to first move, find your feet and figure out your life plans before you initiate this process.

Figuring out what makes the most sense for you can be complicated, so talk to an expert if you need advice. I got excellent support from a business called Creative CFO, who charges a transparent R750 an hour (I love transparent pricing when it comes to financial advice).

So, was it worth it?

In reality, our move didn’t really cost us R185k, because we had a moving stipend, the R70k from selling our car and furniture, and the returned security deposit on our SA flat, all of which offset our costs. But if you’re thinking about making a similar move yourself, that’s a reasonable estimate of what you’d need to have saved up, if you wanted to follow a similar process. Or you could keep things really simple, sell all your shit, move into a furnished flat, and just take yourself and some bags, in which case you really only need about R30-R50k.

Everyone’s financial life is different. Spending nearly R200k to move to a different country might seem like an insane waste to you, or it might seem totally worth it. It was worth it to us, in the long run, and we were very lucky to have the savings and moving stipend so that we could.

I really believe that being more open and transparent and honest about how we spend our money helps to demystify it, and helps other people have the information they need to make better decisions. I hope that lifting up the lid to show you the real money I spent (including the dumb spending mistakes I made) is helpful to at least one of you, somewhere!

I guess the moral of the story is, never get a cat.

Wishing you Vogon-blasters, warm weather and lots of spreadsheets,
Your friend Sam.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].