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Bright lights can hide hard truths. We sit down with Mark Van Heerden, a South African guitarist who left home with his band after winning LA awards and chasing a label-fueled dream, only to land in a cramped Beverly Hills apartment, hustling tickets on Sunset and selling CDs by hand. The myth of Hollywood met the math of survival, and what followed is a rare, unfiltered look at how ambition, culture shock, and timing can collide for expats and artists alike.

Mark walks us through the grind behind the glamour: recording with a respected Manhattan Beach producer, learning the limits of indie distribution before streaming took off, and realizing that the “right” city isn’t always the right launchpad. He shares the lessons he’d apply today—why the Midwest might have been smarter for rock, how local scenes can nourish momentum, and how perception from afar often misses the small rooms and big disappointments. When the band splintered, each member reinvented: animation, touring production, academia, and a return to South Africa. Mark’s reinvention took a stunning turn.

A volunteer project filming a helicopter ride for a documentary opened a door to aviation. After scrubbing hangar floors and trading work for flight hours, Mark earned his wings and now manages a San Diego operation with five helicopters, serving the power grid and fighting wildfires. It’s a story about purpose over applause, competence over clout, and the radical hope of a second calling. We also talk about the pull of South Africa—family, food, landscapes—and the complex truth of home when your heart lives in two places.

If you’re drawn to stories of reinvention, expat life, and creative grit, this one’s for you. Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who’s weighing a big leap. And if this episode moved you, leave a review—your words help others find the show.

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What does it mean to truly come full circle in your expatriate journey? Rob Malitz reveals the unexpected twists and turns of a life spent bridging two continents while never losing sight of his South African heart.

Rob's story begins like many others – a young professional heading to London for what he calls "the partying year." But his path diverges from the typical narrative when he decides to return to South Africa after experiencing crime in London. "If I'm going to be surrounded by these elements, I'd rather actually go home to the country I love," Rob explains, challenging the common assumption that people leave South Africa primarily for safety reasons.

The conversation takes us through Rob's remarkable career transition from "boring old accountant" to successful recruitment entrepreneur. His candid account of founding Red Eye Recruitment during the credit crisis – "My business plan suggested nobody would be silly enough to do it" – reveals the blend of courage and strategic thinking that has defined his professional life. Now operating internationally, his business serves a unique purpose: helping South Africans gain global experience without permanently leaving, while also assisting those who wish to return home.

Perhaps most compelling is Rob's evolving definition of success. Where once it centered on material wealth, it now encompasses family well-being, respect from colleagues, health, and the flexibility to enjoy life. His advice for expatriates – "You are a guest in their country" – speaks to the humility required to thrive abroad while maintaining your South African identity. As Rob puts it, "When you arrive back in South Africa, part of me reattaches to myself," capturing the enduring connection many expatriates feel to their homeland regardless of where life takes them.

Whether you're contemplating a move overseas, currently living abroad, or considering a return to South Africa, Rob's journey offers valuable perspective on crafting a life that honors both your roots and your wings. Join us for this insightful conversation about what it truly means to be a South African abroad.

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What happens when a devoted Cape Town resident who "would never leave South Africa" finds herself making a new home in a small Spanish town? Simona's story isn't your typical expat tale of fleeing problems, but rather a thoughtful journey toward family and opportunity.

After both her adult children settled in Europe, Simona and her husband reconsidered their future. The growing gap between earning in rands versus euros combined with the pull of family abroad led them to Spain's beautiful Costa Blanca region. What they discovered there went far beyond financial considerations.

The most profound revelation came about a year into their new life: "I didn't even realize how much fear I was living in until I stopped just looking around me and clutching my bag," Simona shares. Watching someone leave their phone unattended at a café table—and finding it still there upon return—highlighted the dramatic shift in daily security and peace of mind.

Despite Italian heritage that simplified visa concerns, challenges remained. Spanish bureaucracy proved nightmarish, requiring legal help despite EU citizenship. Learning Spanish continues four years later (with amusing mishaps, like discovering the Italian word for butter means "donkey" in Spanish). And yes, those legendary Spanish siestas are absolutely real!

The move enabled Simona to finally pursue her dream of writing children's books, with her first publication coming this year. Meanwhile, her programmer husband continues working remotely, allowing them a comfortable life in their small town where everything is walkable.

For those contemplating a similar move, Simona offers wisdom: "It's not a question of the grass being greener on one side or the other. It's what you bring to it." Her experience shows that expat life isn't about escaping problems but about creating new possibilities—sometimes in unexpected places.

Want to hear more stories like Simona's? Subscribe to South Africans Abroad and join our community of global South Africans forging new paths while keeping their roots. Share your thoughts or your own expat journey with us at saabroadpodcast.com.

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