Seeking Safety in Australia’s Gold Coast with Lindi Dercksen - E8

When the safety and security of your family comes under threat, would you move over 10,000km across the world? What if that meant leaving behind all of your family and friends?

In this episode, I spoke with Lindi Dercksen, who moved from eManzimtoti, South Africa, to Australia’s Gold Coast. Lindi opened up about her family’s journey, from the early doubts and tough goodbyes to the experience of finding work and creating a new home from scratch.

After looting, loadshedding and retrenchment, Lindi and her family decided to enact their dream of moving somewhere that had a big South African community, but could offer their young children a better quality of life.

I really enjoyed hearing how she and her husband made the decision for the sake of their kids, but also for themselves, and how their lives have changed since arriving in Australia.

It was inspiring to hear her positive attitude, the resilience of her children, and the way the South African community in Australia supports each other through the ups and downs. I found our conversation relatable, especially when it comes to missing family and building a simpler, safer life.

“Kids are so resilient and they are so, so much stronger than what we think.” - Lindi Dercksen

00:00 Introduction

01:21 Reason for leaving South Africa

06:02 Speaking Afrikaans in Australia

07:22 Missing family back home

08:52 Finances and finding a job

10:22 The day we left

12:59 There’s no turning back

13:57 Australia’s South African community

15:47 How similar is the lifestyle?

20:16 Do people question your decision?

22:37 Would you have done anything differently?

23:48 Advice for immigrating

26:06 Missing South Africa and appreciating Australia

This podcast was produced by the team at Zapods Podcast Agency:

https://www.zapods.com