From Cape Town to Prince George and Back with Monty Stephenson-Ep 69

Monty Stephenson, chartered accountant (South Africa and Canada), business leader, and director of the Solulo Foundation.

Monty grew up in Plettenberg Bay and qualified as a CA with Deloitte Johannesburg before emigrating to Prince George, British Columbia in 1996.

Over ten years he built a senior career in audit, raised a family of three daughters, and came within six months of making partner — before making the emotional decision to return to Cape Town for family.

He and his wife Cathy have now lived in Cape Town for 20 years and recently reclaimed their South African citizenship.

Quote of the Episode

“We never left South Africa angry. We left to go and experience a different culture — and fell in love with the country. But we’re committed South Africans.” — Monty Stephenson

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Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome & intro.

03:29 — How the move to Canada happened: a chance conversation at a hotel in Joburg led to a call from Deloitte Canada .

06:40 — Cathy's struggle to find work as an occupational therapist in Canada.

11:01 — On Canadians: their warmth is earned, not automatic.

15:00 — The first 18 months were tough.

20:40 — How a planned two-year stay became ten — and what that meant for family left behind in South Africa.

25:12 — Monty's mom visited Canada and her peace at seeing their life there.

33:15 — The difficult decision to leave.

39:02 — How they ended up back: an impromptu interview in Joburg organised by his brother-in-law, then one in Cape Town the next day — and a job offer from Ernst & Young on the spot.

45:00 — The final push to say yes:

46:08 — Reintegrating into South Africa. Early months in Camps Bay were a shock — the crime headlines hit hard. But within three months they found their feet and reconnected with community.

50:07 — Monty's philosophy on safety: "There's one criminal in our community and 99 of us are sitting inside letting him own the street. Let the 99 go outside and be connected — and he'll move on."

52:00 — Monty's involvement with the Solulo Foundation, supporting township and rural entrepreneurs.

58:37 — His eldest daughter is now back from London. His advice: go, explore, get your Canadian passport, and come back if South Africa calls you.

01:02:50 — A message to South Africans abroad: "Please don't crash us overseas.

01:03:53 — Wrap-up and sign-off.

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More conversations. More destinations. More stories of South Africans navigating life abroad. Explore the full episode library at http://therelocatedsouthafrican.com.