Living in South Africa has been a rewarding experience for Miriam of Holland. She talks about her work in South Africa, the local customs, the friendliness of the people, and many of the other things she likes about her expat life there.	Miriam Mannak

-Where were you born?
The Netherlands, in a small town called Naarden.

-In which country and city are you living now?
South Africa (Cape Town)

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I moved to South Africa alone. My family lives in The Netherlands.

-How long have you been living in South Africa?
Almost three years now.

-What is your age?
30

-When did you come up with the idea of living in South Africa?
I came to South Africa through the media program of a Dutch NGO. Every year, this NGO sends journalists to Southern Africa, for them to gain working experience at African media. I ended up at the Cape Times, where I spent almost seven months. When my contract ended, I realized I wasn’t done with South Africa. At the moment, I am working as a freelance journalist/writer and photographer for various media. Currently, it seems that I am developing myself as a World Cup expert as many of my stories revolve around the event which will be hosted by South Africa in 2010.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
It was terribly difficult. It took me almost 13 months before I obtained the necessary documents. That was also due to the fact that I went into business with the wrong emigration specialists. They basically screwed things up badly.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No. Initially, I had extensive travel insurance. Now I am insured through a South African insurance company. Although it is quite expensive, getting insured was not a problem.

-How do you make your living in South Africa? Do you have any type of income generated?
I have a business permit, which allows me to freelance, because that is what I am: a freelance journalist and photographer. I work for various media, such as newspapers, websites and magazines. Getting a working permit (different from a business permit) is quite complicated, as you need a job offer to get such visa. Employers tend to only offer you a job when you have your paperwork sorted out.

-Do you speak Afrikaans and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
Altogether, I speak three languages fluently: Dutch, English and French. I do understand Afrikaans, as it is similar to Dutch. I would like to learn Xhosa, a so-called black language, as it would enable me to communicate with more people. But so far, English works fine for me.

I do think it is important to speak the local language, or at least the language which is spoken by most people. The reason why I speak French is that I grew up in Rwanda, a Francophone country. My parents decided to enroll me in a local school instead of an international school. They found it very important for me to interact with the local community. To this day, I am grateful for that.

About local customs: yes, every expat should make an effort to study the local customs before settling in a strange country. Remember that you are a guest and that you don’t want to offend people.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Yes, I miss home, my fiends and my parents. But thanks to the internet and Skype, the distance feels much shorter. I chat to my folks and to my best friends almost every other day.

My favourite pastime is being outside, exploring the country, taking photographs, staring at Table Mountain from my balcony and spending time with my boyfriend and South African friends.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
Me and my boyfriend/fiancé (he is South African) have plans to move to Europe the next year or so. But at this stage, that is still a plan. No real action has been taken so far.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I am renting a flat in the Tamboerskloof area. It is a one-bedroom flat with a fabulous view over the city and Table Mountain. My rent is about 2250 rand, the equivalent of 250 euro. On top of that I pay about 150 rand worth of electricity. According to my friends, my flat is a bargain as most of them pay about 3000 rand for a similar apartment.

-What is the cost of living in South Africa?
It all depends on the currency your salary is paid out and how much you earn. I must say that the cost of living in Cape Town is becoming more expensive, more “European.” Going out to dinner is still much cheaper than in for instance The Netherlands, but groceries are quite expensive.

-What do you think about the South Africans?
I find South Africans incredibly nice and friendly. I have been here almost three years now, and have met some fabulous men and women. I have always felt quite welcome and over the years, I have made some great friends.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in South Africa?
Positive: There is a story on every street corner. If you keep your eyes and ears open, at least. Second, this country is extremely photogenic and is heaven for photographers. Third, the weather is great. Winters are a bit chilly but summers are long and warm. Fourth, the people are extremely friendly. Fifth, South Africa has so much to offer travel wise. There are so many reasons why this country has captured my heart and soul.

Negative: Inequality, poverty, crime, and many traumas from a dark past. But South Africa will get there, sooner than people expect.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in South Africa?
Don’t focus too much on the scary stories people tell you about South Africa. Yes, there is crime and yes, you should be careful. But that counts for many countries. Try to find out as much as possible about South Africa before moving here, for instance by following the news. This will help you find your way in a strange society. Find a pen pal who can tell you all about South Africa.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about South Africa?
http://africainpictures.co.nr (Pictures of South Africa)
http://www.southafrica.info (for all your info on South Africa)
http://www.iol.co.za (main news site)