Out and About is a column in which we talk to people who nowadays live abroad, or who had been living and working abroad. This week, we talk to Wilmari Kleynhans, who lives in London.
Where in South Africa are you from and why did you decide to live abroad?
I’m from the Cape and 17 years ago I decided to travel and go overseas for adventure. I first worked as a teacher in Taipei, Taiwan and then came to the United Kingdom.
What was the strangest thing for you to get used to?
For me, it was hard to get used to the distance from my family. And the British way of doing things was also strange. I am very open and friendly, and it was hard for me to get used to the stiff city people looking right through you!
Was it easy to make new friends and get involved in the community?
It was very easy to get involved because we speak English in South Africa since we are little. People at work (I’m a schoolteacher) were very welcoming and the neighbours were also very friendly.
What part of your life here differs most from that in South Africa?
There is much less outdoor life here – except in summer when we can do the same things. Then we really like to braai!
What do you do for relaxation?
We go for long walks in the surrounding forests with our dog Chilli and our children. We’re still under lockdown, but before COVID, we often went to the movies, went bowling and ate out at a pub.
Any lessons learned?
The more one reaches out to others, the more they reach out to you!
London winter survival list:
- Movie nights
- Delicious potjie in the slow cooker
- Hang out with friends around the pizza oven
- Good books to read
- Long Zoom calls with the family!
“Life is what you make of it, no matter where in the world you live. It is the love of cooking and socialising that brings our expats together. We made many South African expat friends through the SA Congregation London years ago, friends that became our family.”
Do you live abroad, or have you recently returned to South Africa? We want to hear from you. Please send us an e-mail to wereldwyd@afriforum.co.za.
