From Johannesburg to Australia: Why Olaf Duve Chose to Start Again-EP 86

<p>Olaf Duve has lived in four countries, built an international career and ultimately settled in Sydney with his wife and three children.</p><p>Growing up in Johannesburg, Olaf left South Africa at 18 to study in Germany before spending eight years in the UK. After a decade in Europe, he returned to South Africa to join his family's logistics business, eventually helping grow and sell the company.</p><p>Then, with three young children, a casual conversation over a braai planted the idea of Australia.</p><p>Olaf had never even visited Australia. He booked a flight, spent a week interviewing for jobs and, three months later, moved his family to Sydney. </p><p>Nearly ten years later, Australia is home.</p><p>In this conversation, Olaf talks honestly about the realities of moving countries with a young family, why the first two years can be the hardest, the challenges of adapting to Australian working culture, the cost of living, family left behind in South Africa, and why South Africans shouldn't automatically assume that emigration is the right answer.</p><p>We also discuss why Australia feels surprisingly familiar to South Africans, the importance of integrating into your new country, and what Olaf would tell someone considering making the move today.</p><p>His advice is refreshingly balanced: <strong>don't leave simply because everyone else is leaving. Make sure the move is right for your family and go in with your eyes wide open.</strong> </p><p><em>"Just be grateful and don't get so stressed... appreciate the decision you've made and enjoy the benefits of where you are."</em> </p><p>______________________________________________________________</p><p>For over 30 years <strong>Sable International</strong> has offered seamless solutions that simplify the complexities of cross-border movement and financial management, so that you can focus on what matters most – building your future beyond borders.</p><p>Find out how Sable International can support your journey:</p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/3R3g1sy</a></p><p>_______________________________________________________________</p><p>TIMESTAMPS</p><p>00:06 – Introducing Olaf Duve<br />00:41 – Growing up in Johannesburg<br />01:38 – Having a German passport<br />02:26 – Moving to Germany and then the UK<br />05:29 – Why he eventually returned to South Africa<br />06:00 – Starting his career in logistics<br />08:37 – The conversation that sparked the move to Australia<br />09:30 – Moving to Australia with three young children<br />11:00 – Australia's visa and skills requirements<br />12:05 – The first two years with a family<br />14:24 – Why Australia feels familiar to South Africans<br />17:15 – The South African community in Australia<br />20:48 – The cost of living in Australia<br />25:33 – Deciding that Australia was home<br />28:00 – The challenge of ageing parents back in South Africa<br />31:02 – Australian versus South African working culture<br />36:38 – Will he ever return to South Africa?<br />39:13 – The advice he'd give his younger self<br />40:37 – Should young families emigrate?</p><p><br /></p><p>Connect with Olaf Duve</p><p><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaf-duve-889893109/</p><p>Connect with The Relocated South African</p><p>🌍 <a href="http://www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.therelocatedsouthafrican.com</a></p><p>🎙️ <em>The Relocated South African</em> — available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.</p><p>If Olaf's story resonated with you, share this episode with someone considering a move to Australia—or someone trying to decide whether emigration is right for their family.</p>