Join us for the best party ever in London! Get your party shoes ready for a fun night of celebration, drinking and a chance to win hundreds of free giveaways! Plus take advantage of some ridiculous discounts of up to 60% off and be amongst hundreds of lucky winners to receive free tours and flight tickets! Oh, did we mention the champagne on arrival, drink specials, belly dance show, free goodies & surprises!? So make sure you pencil it in your diaries now – Thursday 8^th December 8pm, Walkabout Shepherds Bush. C’ya there!!

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Where did you move from?

Malmesbury in Cape Town, South Africa.

Where did you move to and when?

To Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, in February 2007. Toowoomba is a wonderful city!

What was your reason for leaving your home country?

My sister and her family moved to Cairns in 2005 and loved it. That’s what sparked the interest. We also heard there was great opportunity there in our fields – my husband is a University professor and I was a qualified Nursing Sister. In South Africa he had to commute and was being paid peanuts and I couldn’t take working in a State Hospital anymore! It was soul destroying. So I resigned and started a home business in textiles. I missed the work, but not the conditions. We started to talk about being able to do our work in GREAT conditions in Australia. My sister was also very convincing and she did a lot of research for us. We finally decided when our house got broken into for the third time in 2 years that we needed to get our of South Africa.

What is the best thing about your new country?

The fact that we are both appreciated for the work we do and the skills and experience we have. I have never loved my job as much and neither has my husband. He got a great job at a local University (Toowoomba has many universities and schools, so it was a perfect fit for us) and I work at a clinic.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

I miss my other sister and the friends we had in Cape Town. Honestly, that’s about all I miss. Ok, maybe table Mountain and the soapies I watched in SA!

Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

Everything was an adjustment, but nothing was difficult to adjust to at all. The biggest change I saw was how different the kids are here. I find them outgoing, friendly and mature, but not precocious. They are treated like “little adults” and grow up really well adjusted, in my opinion.

Will you ever go back?

I don’t think so. As much as I love South Africa, Australia is out home and will always be our home.

Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

Australia. I love the country, the people and the energy. It’s not perfect by any means, but it feels better for me. Safer, cleaner, calmer, less aggressive.

Which country’s sports teams do you support?

We support Australia! We are here and we plan to stay here, so there’s no point hankering after South African teams and things.

How does the food compare?

The food is actually pretty similar – we eat much the same as we did back in South Africa. There are some weird and exotic fruits and meats and seafood, but we stick to barbecue, fish and chips, salads, take aways and the things we are used to!! I still haven’t had Kangaroo and I don’t think I ever will! The Australian wine is pretty good too!!

How has your life changed?

I now LOVE my job, for the first time ever, and I can say the same for my husband. We would never have felt safe enough to hang out in park in SA, but Toowoomba has so many parks and we literally find a new one every weekend and go and picnic. So we feel safer. We are more wealthy here because we are paid well for our skills and experience. We are genuinely happier than we were in SA. Which makes me sad, but that’s the way it is!

What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

If you are on the list of jobs in demand, it will definitely be easier for you! Whatever you do, don’t come to Australia on a 457 visa – it’s just too risky. Don’t bring your things with – sell everything and buy here! We made the mistake of trying to bring our furniture over and learnt the hard way! All the lugs have to be changed, it takes forever and it costs a fortune. Certain things may not be brought in – gas products, certain furniture like cane also can’t come in. Don’t waste your time – sell it and buy here. If you have kids, you should strongly consider coming to Australia. We don’t have kids, but we witnessed first hand how my sister’s children’s lives changed for the better! Also, Australia is HUGE and each place is different, so choose your city very carefully.

To find out how 1st Contact Visas can help you with your relocation plans, visit www.1stcontactvisas.com or call 0808 141 1664 (in the UK), 0800 003 163 (in South Africa) or 1800 039 300 (in Australia).

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Other winners included The Amazon, Halong Bay in Vietnam and the Komodo Island in Indonesia. While re-counting and verification still needs to take place, we are sure Table Mountain will remain as one of the Worlds 7 New Wonders of Nature.

For Capetonians, Table Mountain is a source of immense pride and enjoyment – from Cable Car trips to rock-climbing, amazing fauna and flora to incredible hikes, Table Mountain has it all.

Here are 10 Fun Facts About This Natural Wonder of the World.

1. Table Mountain is the only terrestrial feature in the world which has a constellation named after it. French astronomer Nicolas de Lacaille named the constellation Mensa (meaning table) during his stay in Cape Town in the eighteenth century. It can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere, below Orion, around midnight in July.
2. The floral world is divided into six distinct floral kingdoms, five of them encompassing several countries, and in some cases, several continents. The only exception is South Africa, which has a floral kingdom wholly contained within the country. The Cape Floral Kingdom has 9,600 plant species, 70% of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Table Mountain alone has over 1 500 species of plants, which is more than the entire United Kingdom!
3. According to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui, Cape Town is the ultimate Feng Shui city, largely because it has Table Mountain to the rear and the ocean to the front. The city has the shape of an armchair, with protection from Table Mountain to the back and Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak as the armrests. The city itself sits in an energy-filled “bowl” surrounded on three sides by mountain, while the wealth-creating properties of water are to the front – making for the perfect city!
4. Table Mountain is approximately 260 million years old. Compare this to the Andes – about 250-million years old, the Rockies – about 60-million years old, the Himalayas 40-million and the Alps around 32-million years old.
5. Most of the world’s caves and cave systems occur in limestone. Table Mountain is the unusual exception, with several large cave systems that have developed in sandstone.
6. The original table Mountain Cableway was completed in just two years and cost £60 000. It was officially opened on the 4th of October 1929 by the Mayor of Cape Town, Reverend AJS Lewis.
7. The latest cable cars (in operation since the 1997 upgrade) were imported from Switzerland. The floor of the cable car rotates, giving riders a 360 degree view on the way up and down. There are only 2 other cable cars like it in the world, one in Titlis in the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, and the other in Palm Springs in America.
8. The cables that make up the Cableway weigh 18 tonnes.
9. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has a proud track record of being totally accident-free.
10. Many famous people have taken the ride on the cable car to the top of table Mountain. These include Oprah Winfrey, Sting, Steffi Graf, Michael Schumacher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Andrew, Brooke Shields, Michael Buble, Jackie Chan, Dolores O’Riordan from The Cranberries, Tina Turner, Skin from Skunk Anansie and legendary DJ Paul Oakenfold.

If you’d like to call Cape Town home and have Table Mountain as part of your daily life, why not visit www.1stcontactvisas.com and find out more about immigrating to sunny South Africa?

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Tracy Lee

Where did you move from?

Initially, from Johannesburg, South Africa. Lived in London for 12 years and recently moved back to Cape Town, South Africa!

Where did you move to and when?

I moved to London and lived and worked there for 12 years. I met my husband there, got my British Passport, bought a property and worked in real estate. Last year, we moved back to South Africa and settled in Camps bay.

What was your reason for leaving your home country?

I left South Africa honestly just because of the crime. My sister was hijacked – she was fine, but the trauma took its toll on our family and her and I both moved to London. (She is still there) My reasons for coming back to SA were because I was missing the country terribly. I missed the beaches and the great weather – and felt a calling to come home.

Why did you choose the country you chose?

I chose London because of the opportunities. To be blunt, I wanted to make money and the opportunities there seemed great. I had so many friends that had gone over and made a success of themselves in the UK. I chose to come back to SA because it’s home!

What is the best thing about your new country?

I now consider SA my “new” country! The BEST thing about being here is the people, the friendliness, the nature, the great weekends away and all the fantastic places we can go on holiday.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

What do I miss about the UK? The wonderful friends I made, the public transport (I’m still getting used to all the driving here!) I also miss the socials – in London we had a lot of friends and we spent a lot of time at one another’s houses. I miss the markets and all the parks. And I guess I do miss the feeling of safety. I am looking over my shoulder a lot here, but I do feel pretty safe.

Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

When I got to London, I honestly couldn’t understand a word people were saying! I struggled to get used to people not talking to one another and I found Londoners quite rude! Back home now I’m struggling to get used to being so safety conscious and I’m more fearful of driving now than I ever was before I left.

Will you ever go back?

I don’t think so. I think Cape Town is my forever home! But I will definitely go back to the UK for holidays and to see my friends, although I have already had 4 sets of friends visit in Cape Town and another 2 sets are coming for the festive season.

Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

Definitely South Africa.

Which country’s sports teams do you support?

South Africa, although I do have a soft spot for the English teams too!

How does the food compare?

In the UK you can find pretty much any kind of food and if you’re prepared to spend a bit, you can have really amazing meals, but all in all the food in SA is much much better! I love the seafood here and you just can’t compare the meat!! The first thing I did when we got to SA was make my husband Karoo lamb chops on the braai.

Was it what you expected?

The UK was what I expected, but I had no idea the weather was going to be quite so different. Back in SA, I’m actually less fearful than I thought I was.

How has your life changed?

The quality of life in SA is, for me, just so much better. I love the beaches, and the sunshine. For some reason we were hesitant to have children in the UK, maybe because we were so focused on working. But now, we’re starting to feel more settled and we are talking about starting a family. So that’s changed. We spend so much time outdoors now. We’ve been camping, which we never did over there, we are gardening too. We are also so spoiled in SA with domestic help, which makes life a little easier too. I do miss being able to hop on and off the tube and spend the day moseying around. Here, it’s in and out of the car…

What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

If you can go to the UK and build up your nest egg, buy property etc. and then come back to South Africa, you really can propel your life and your finances. It’s not that easy for a young woman in South Africa to earn a fat salary and buy property while in her early 30’s. If you work hard over there you can reap the rewards and then come home to enjoy them!

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Cape Town is by far South Africa’s most popular tourist destination in South Africa; the beaches, scenery, laidback vibe and friendly inhabitants all make this a great place to visit.  And while we agree that it is one of the country’s most beautiful and laidback cities, we suggest you check out all 9 provinces before you book your holiday to SA and then plan a trip that includes at least three, as each province truly has its own unique beauty and appeal, cultures, languages and landscapes. We’ve included information about each, as well as a selection of fantastic destinations – one from each province.

The Eastern Cape

Capital: Bisho

Languages: Predominantly Xhosa; English; Afrikaans

History: Formed in 1994 out of the independent homelands of Transkei and Ciskei and the eastern part of the previous Cape Province.

Interesting fact: Birthplace of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and Chris Hani.

FEATURED DESTINATION: HOGSBACK

Hogsback is situated high up on the Amathole Mountains and is a mystical, magical place of mountains, forests and waterfalls, with a small community of artistic and laid-back inhabitants.

The Free State

Capital: Bloemfontein

Languages: Predominantly Sotho; followed by Afrikaans and Xhosa.

History: An independent Boer republic in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, it later became a British colony and province of the Union of South Africa.

Interesting fact: In 1848 the region was proclaimed as the Orange River Sovereignty, with a seat of a British Resident in Bloemfontein.

FEATURED DESTINATION: CLARENS

Clarens is a small town in the Thabo Mofutsanyana region, quite possibly one of the most picturesque regions in South Africa. It sits near the Golden Gate Highlands National Park at the foot of the magnificent Maluti Mountains, with the wonderful Basotho Cultural Village just a few minutes away.

Gauteng

Capital: Johannesburg

Largest Cities: Johannesburg and Pretoria

Languages: Zulu, followed by Afrikaans, English and Sotho.

Population: Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province, but the most populous, with an estimated 12 million inhabitants.

Interesting fact: The name Gauteng comes from the Sesotho “Place of Gold”, due to the thriving gold industry.

FEATURED DESTINATION: THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND

The Cradle of Humankind is a world heritage site, around 50 km outside of Johannesburg and a must-see if you decide to visit this province. The site has produced a large number of the oldest hominid fossils ever found, some dating back as far as 3.5 million years ago and there are close to 40 fossil-bearing caves on the site!

KwaZulu-Natal

Capital: Pietermaritzburg

Largest City: Durban

Languages: Predominantly Zulu, followed by English.

History: Before 1994, this region was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of Zulu Land. In the 1830s, the northern part was the Zulu Kingdom and southern part was briefly called Natalia until it became the British Colony of Natal.

FEATURED DESTINATION: THE VALLEY OF A THOUSAND HILLS

The Valley of a Thousand Hills is nothing short of breathtaking – unspoilt nature, abundant wildlife, and magnificent scenery! The (literally) thousands of hills roll down to the mighty Umgeni River, which flows into the Indian Ocean. This is a photographer’s dream, with incredible views in every direction.

Limpopo

Capital: Polokwane

Languages: Predominantly Northern Sotho, followed by Tsonga and Venda, with Afrikaans and English speakers found in the main cities and urban areas.

History: In July 2003, the name of the province was formally changed to the name of its most important river – the Limpopo River – after deliberation by the provincial government and amendment of the Constitution.

Interesting fact: Limpopo Province is the only in the country where the magnificent Baobab tree is found – at Sunland Baobab farms there is a large Baobab tree which has been turned into a pub!

FEATURED DESTINATION: TIMBAVATI PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is an experience you will never forget! The 53,392 hectares of private land adjoining the Kruger National Park is teeming with elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, leopards, cheetahs, monkeys and much more, including the famous White Lions and more than 300 species of birds.

Mpumalanga

Capital: Mbombela

Languages: Predominantly Swati, followed by Zulu, Tsonga, Ndebele and Northern Sotho.

Geography: The Drakensberg Mountains divide the Mpumalanga province into east and west: the west half consists mainly of high-altitude grassland, while the eastern half is in low altitude subtropical Lowveld – mostly savanna habitat.

Interesting fact: The name Mpumalanga means east or literally “the place where the sun rises” in Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu.

FEATURED DESTINATION: GOD’S WINDOW

With deep canyons, exquisite rock formations and numerous waterfalls, you can understand how God’s Window received its name. It is part of a 250 kilometre stretch of sheer cliffs, hills and forests, with unbelievable views that go on and on…

The Northern Cape

Capital: Kimberley

Languages: The official languages are English, Afrikaans, Tswana and Xhosa.

Interesting fact: Northern Cape is the site of the controversial Orania settlement, whose leaders have called for the province to become a “Volkstaat” for the Afrikaner people.

FEATURED DESTINATION: AUGRABIES FALLS

Close to the Namibian border lies the little village of Augrabies and the Augrabies Falls, a spectacular sight for nature and water-lovers! The Augrabies Falls are named from the Khoi expression for “place of big noises” because of the sound of the thundering water. The gorge is 240 m deep and 18 km long.

North West

Capital: Mafikeng

Languages: Mainly Setswana, while smaller groups include Afrikaans, Sotho, English and Xhosa speaking people.

History: North West Province was created after the end of Apartheid in 1994, and includes parts of the former Transvaal and Cape Provinces, as well as most of the former Bantustan of Bophuthatswana.

Interesting fact: Mining is the mainstay of the economy of North West Province, and generates more than half of the province’s GDP.

FEATURED DESTINATION: SUN CITY

Sun City is largely thought to be Africa’s premier holiday resort, offering an astounding number of different entertainment and relaxation opportunities, including world-class game-viewing, golf and gambling, plenty of watersports, live entertainment and much more!

Western Cape

Capital: Cape Town

Languages: Afrikaans, followed by Xhosa and then English.

History: The written history of Cape Colony (later known as Cape Province and now as The Western Cape) began when Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese navigator, discovered the Cape of Good Hope in 1488.

Interesting fact: The Western Cape is the most highly educated province in South Africa.

HIDDEN GEM – CAPE POINT

Located at the south-western tip of Africa, Cape Point, with its dramatic scenery and rich history, is a must-see for any visitor to the province. This Nature Reserve, situated 200 m above where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, encompasses thousands of hectares of varied flora and fauna; rugged rocks and sheer cliffs – a truly spectacular sight!

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What’s your name?

Carina

Where did you move from?

From Port Elizabeth South Africa.

Where did you move to and when?

To Brisbane, Australia, in August 2008.

What was your reason for leaving your home country?

With four young boys, life was becoming a bit difficult financially and we heard there were great opportunities in Australia in my husband’s field. The more we looked into it, the more we liked the idea… The safety was also a huge driving factor for us, living in a country where we could feel safe from day to day become more and more appealing.

Why did you choose the country you chose?

Mainly… work opportunities and security. We also had old family friends who had been living in Brisbane for a few years already, and another friend in Cairns, so I was lucky enough to go on a scouting holiday with our oldest son… Having three weeks there allowed me to feel secure in the knowledge that this was where we needed to be. Once we had decided, it took a long time for everything to happen, but it was worth it in the end.

What is the best thing about your new country?

The friendliness of the people, the lifestyle, quality of life, the feeling of freedom and safety. The vastness of the country also means that like in SA, there’s so much to see if you travel around.

What do you miss the most about your home country?

I miss my family, I miss the Eastern Cape beaches. Mostly I just miss the different types of people in SA.

Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

Initially, the cost of things.  Otherwise it was an overall adjustment, but we kept focused on the positive and kept ourselves busy from the start.  We’ve been camping all over and it gets hot, dusty and in some places there are a LOT of insects!!

Will you ever go back?

Oooh, that’s a tricky one. I am loving life here, but Africa is in your blood, so I can’t say I will never go back – we might go back if the corrupt government changes and SA becomes a safer place to raise children.

Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

Still SA!

Which country’s sports teams do you support?

SA – definitely!  We are developing a fondness for some of the Aussie players and teams, but our hearts are with South Africa’s teams.

How does the food compare?

Not bad at all. It’s the same, but different. We can’t find really GOOD biltong like we’re used to. We have loved braaing for our Australian friends!

Was it what you expected?

It’s even better than I expected. Somehow I think I thought the people would be rude, but they are quite friendly and straightforward, which I like.

How has your life changed?

We have as a family become more relaxed. My husband is much happier and we are far more active, doing things we never even considered in South Africa. Maybe because in the beginning we felt like we were on holiday in a way, so we were more adventurous than normal. Now it’s become a part of our lifestyles and my husband and 4 sons are always looking for the next thrill!!!

What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

If you can, go and spend time in the city you’re considering moving to first. Get a feel for the place and the people. There is a LOT of red tape, so I would give the advice to be very patient and organised.  If possible, use a REPUTABLE immigration agency who can help you with all the paperwork!! Don’t expect it to be perfect because no country can be perfect. South Africans have a good reputation for being hard workers. If you are motivated and not lazy, you should emphasise that on your CV.  There is so much to see and do in Australia, but choose your city wisely, as the main cities and places are very different!

To find out how 1st Contact Visas can help you with your relocation plans, visit www.1stcontactvisas.com or call 0808 141 1664 (in the UK), 0800 003 163 (in South Africa) or 1800 039 300 (in Australia).

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I myself have never been to NZ, but I have 2 step sisters in Australia and I watched The Whale Rider and Once were Warriors at least twice each.

(I’m kidding of course, I know New Zealand and Australia are two completely different countries. I also know that the list of great Kiwi films is longer than just those two and includes greats like Heavenly Creatures, The Piano, The Tattooist, Avatar and also some trilogy about wizards and weird little hobbit people or something…?)

Anyway, by all accounts, New Zealand is a beautiful and interesting country, with much to offer any visitor. But what to pack so that you have everything you need and don’t have to spend your hard-earned moola on stuff you could’ve brought from home?

Fear not, rugby fans – here’s the list of 10 things you absolutely have to pack. You’ll thank me for it later!

1. Winter clothes and Summer clothes

Spring will have sprung, but you will probably still experience New Zealand’s infamous “four seasons in one day”, so make sure you have a light raincoat and small umbrella, as well as a scarf, beanie and warm coat.

You will also be faced with delightful summer days, so make sure you are prepared with your cozzie, flip flops, cap, t-shirts, shorts and vests.

1. An extra bag for travelling home

There’s nothing worse than trying to squeeze your clothes back into your suitcase when you head home, especially when you’ve made a few fantastic purchases during your trip. So pack a lightweight sports bag into your big suitcase and when you’re packing for home, fill that first – you’ll be happy you did.

1. An electric converter and adapter

If you plan to travel with your own electrical appliances – hair dryer, straightener, shaver, blender etc., you’ll probably need a power plug adapter for New Zealand. Make sure you get one with an earthing pin.

1. Insect repellent

New Zealand has a lot of insects, including the weta, one of the oldest and definitely the heaviest insect in the world, which looks like  a cross between a cricket and a shrimp. And while insect repellent won’t do anything to help you avoid the weta, it will come in super handy for those mosquitoes and very irritating sand flies. And believe me – you don’t want to wait until you’ve been bitten to find a pharmacy – have some with you from the moment you step off the plane!

1. Sunscreen

The New Zealand sun is extremely harsh, even in overcast weather, so you will be doing yourself a huge favour by protecting yourself and your family all the time! The last thing you want is to have to flog your game tickets because you have sunstroke or can’t leave your ice-water bathtub!

1. Camera stuff – plenty of it

If you’re still on film, take loads! If digital, make sure you have extra memory cards, batteries and your charger. Besides all the fantastic rugby action, fan shots and Kodak moments you’ll want to capture, New Zealand is one of the most picturesque places on earth and you will find splendour and beauty everywhere you go. While you’re at it, why not do a google search for a few basic photography tips and tricks, and guarantee better pictures?

1. Travel Money
   

Why not buy your travel money before you go, and secure the best exchange rates available? Spend less time in the bank or change bureau and more time drinking Kiwi beer, cheering for your team. It’s a no-brainer! Visit www.1stcontactforex.com to find out about the two easy ways to get your travel money, quickly, cheaply and safely.

1. Walking shoes

There are going to be the most mindblowing places that you will want to explore. But you can’t do it in socks and flip flops, so make sure you pack a good, sturdy pair of walking shoes.  Check out hiking trails and tours when you take a day off from cheering.

1. Team clothes and colours

Let’s not forget what you’re going for in the first place….Rugby! You don’t want to have to buy your team’s rugby jersey at a ridiculous price in a foreign country, so get your supporter’s gear sorted before you leave. Face paints, jerseys, scarves, wigs, whatever’s in your repertoire…

1. Nerves of steel

You are going to the adventure sport capital of the world and will be offered many opportunities to partake in some or other adrenalin-producing activities… You’ll probably never visit this country again, so why not just accept that you will be doing something adventurous and then embrace the opportunities?

If the thought of massive insects, harsh UV and unpredictable weather has left you questioning your decision, who can blame you? It’s not Dover, that’s for sure. Get in touch with me, I’m sure we can come to some agreeable arrangement!

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1. Mount Everest was named after Welshman Sir George Everest from Gwernvale, Breconshire.

2. Only 21% of the entire Welsh population of Wales can speak the native language.

3. Wales is believed to have more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

4. Welshman Pryce Jones from Newtown Montgomeryshire created the first Mail Order business in the World.

5. Robert Recorde of Pembrokeshire invented the “equal to” sign.

6. The letters K, Q, V and Z do not appear in the Welsh alphabet at all.

7. All the statues surrounding Cardiff Castle are of animals.

8. Lawn tennis first appeared in Wales in the 1800s.

9. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch is the name of a town in North Wales which translates as “The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio’s of the red cave”. It is believed to be the longest place name in the world.

10. Marconi’s first radio transmission in 1897 was between two points in Wales.

11. The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff has the largest retractable roof of any sports arena in the World.

12. Wales is the land of mythical Kind Arthur.

13. The Welsh motto is “Cymru am byth” which means “Wales forever”.

14. The Welsh Anthem is “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” which means “Land Of My Fathers”.

15. Wales is the only part of the UK not to be represented on the Union Flag (Union Jack).

16. Wales has a population of around 3 million.

17. The population sheep in Wales is four times greater than the Welsh population of humans.

18. Famous people from Wales include Richard Burton, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Tom Jones, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Shirley Bassey, Timothy Dalton and Charlotte church.

19. Saint David (in Wales “Dewi Sant”) was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century, later regarded as a saint and regarded as the Patron Saint of Wales.

20. The Seven Wonders of Wales is a list of seven geographic and cultural landmarks in Wales, identified in the late 18th century in doggerel verse. All in North Wales, the “wonders” are: Snowdon (the highest mountain), the Gresford Bells (the bells in the medieval church of All Saints at Gresford), Llangollen Bridge in Flintshire, the Wrexham (Wrecsam) Steeple, the Overton Yew trees and Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall.

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This month we chat to Matt, a South African living and working in London since 2007.

1C: Where did you move from?

Matt: Durbanville, Cape Town

1C: Where did you move to and when?

Matt: London, 14 January 2007

1C: What was your reason for leaving your home country?

Matt: To pay off my student loan as quick as possible, gain work experience and to obtain British

citizenship through my UK ancestry.

1C: Why did you choose the country you chose?

Matt: I thought it would be easiest to relocate to due to my ancestral ties with the UK and I also had

quite a few friends living in the UK at the time.

1C: What is the best thing about your new country?

Matt: It was the Pound but at the moment, the only thing that is still good is the beauty of the

countryside – nothing compares to it.

1C: What do you miss the most about your home country?

Matt: The lifestyle, the beach and the sun.

1C: Anything you struggled to get used to in your new country?

Matt: The cost of accomodation and in general, the English. They are incredibly difficult to read and

are in many ways reserved. One of the few ways you can actually get something out of an

Englishman is if they’ve had a few beers first. Also, the lack of customer service (in the private sector) and restaurant service in general, is

quite pathetic.

1C: Will you ever go back?

Matt: Yes, I definitely plan to, depending on the state of government affairs in South Africa, and the

job opportunities. There’s no place like home and South Africa will always be my home.

1C: Which country do you identify with most strongly now?

Matt: In terms of sport and my identity – South Africa.

In terms of everything else – UK

1C: Which country’s sports teams do you support?

Matt: Always South Africa!

1C: How does the food compare?

Matt: British food does not even compare. South African food is by far the best. SA meat is tasty and

tender, we have fantastic deli’s and bakeries, good butchers and great cuisine.

1C: Was it what you expected?

Matt: Not really. I came to the UK on holiday in 2006 and loved every minute of it. Coming to settle

was entirely different. It was the toughest time of my life. I was poor, in and out of jobs, trying

to settle, getting used to the lifestyle, the cost of decent and sizeable living space, the people

and the weather. It took me a good 18 months to start feeling comfortable.

1C: How has your life changed?

Drastically. I feel more knowledgeable of how the world works. I’m not so naïve anymore.

Coming to the UK made me realise how in many respects, South Africa is still stuck in a time

warp, particularly outside the major cities of JHB, CPT and Durbs. In all aspects of my life I’ve

realised to watch my back a little bit more. I’ve also realised that one cannot keep thinking that

the world owes us something. We cannot expect success to just fall into your lap. You have to

make an effort and work at it, no matter what. I’ve also become very liberal towards different cultures, religions, sexual preference and choices in general. I believe in South Africa, people in general are still quite conservative and not very tolerant towards other ideals.

1C: What advice would you give to others wanting to do the same?

Matt: You need to make sure you’re a tough cookie, well qualified, and can speak English well. If

you think you can simply come to the UK to save money and bag yourself a good, well-paid

job and quickly, think again! Since the recession, salaries and job security have gone down

and immigration is regularly being reviewed. The cost of living, in London particularly, is

extortionate. The overall sense of morale in the UK can be depressing, depending on how one

looks at it. But if you believe you can handle the above, you’ll have a great time in the UK. I’ve

had a tough time, and still do sometimes, but overall I’m very happy, live comfortably, have a

super job, and I’ve made good friends. London has become my temporary home.

________________________

The views expressed are those of the author and interviewee and are not necessarily shared by 1st Contact

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Over the past few months, the Health Protection Agency has seen a marked increase in measles cases in the UK, with figures revealing at least 275 confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2011, compared to 33 for the exact same period last year. Most of the infected are children and young adults and many cases reported are clustered around schools and universities, while some are directly related to travel abroad. The areas worst hit in the UK are London and the South East, with 104 and 102 cases of measles reported in these areas respectively.

Epidemic in France

The sudden outbreak is thought to be linked to an epidemic in France, where more than 1000 cases have been reported since January. Serbia, Spain, Macedonia and Turkey have also reported significant outbreaks and health protection units are encouraging parents to make sure their children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine before travelling to mainland Europe in the next few months.

Signs and Symptoms

The incubation period for measles is 10 – 14 days. The onset of fever gradually increases and lasts for around 4 days.  Most people also suffer from conjunctivitis and an irritating cough.  A few days after the onset of fever, the characteristic bright red rash starts to appear on the forehead and neck before spreading to the trunk. Measles is highly contagious from the first signs of fever until the appearance of the rash!

MMR Vaccination

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles) are all three airborne diseases, contracted via droplets released from the respiratory tract of an infected person through coughing, spitting or sneezing. Each is dangerous, but Measles is undoubtedly the worst, as it can cause encephalitis, which can be fatal.

The MMR vaccination provides 90% – 97% effectiveness in immunising against the three diseases and is usually given to children; the first injection is normally administered when they are about 13 months old.

A second dose is given between three and five years of age before they start school, and this second shot increases effectiveness to around 99%.

If your children need to be protected against quickly (for instance if they have only ever had one shot or if you’re planning to go to mainland Europe soon) they can have the second dose of the MMR vaccine one month after the first dose.

Most people can have the MMR vaccine, but there are a few exceptions, so please speak to your GP or to the Nursing Sister at the 1st Contact Travel Clinic if you’re unsure.

The 1st Contact travel Clinic is situated at Castlewood House, 77-91 New Oxford Street, London and open until 6 pm Monday to Wednesday and until 7 pm on Thursdays. Visit http://www.1stcontact-travelclinic.com/ for more information or call 0808 141 5506 (UK Free call) to book an appointment.

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