Tinus Groenewald

Tinus arrived in the Netherlands in the beginning of December 2019, together with his wife Pierette, and their sons Alexander and Liam.

Tinus, why did you emigrate to the Netherlands?
There were many reasons why we’ve decided to move to the Netherlands, for instance, the similarities in corporate culture, similarities between Dutch and Afrikaans, the excellent healthcare system and a great location in the heart of Europe. Very often these reasons are dwarfed by realities that were not even considered when the decision was taken. Things that absolutely exceeded all expectations, like the people and the beauty of the country.

Can you tell us something how you do like the Netherlands?
We absolutely love it! We were a bit concerned about the size of the houses at first – especially with a very active family of four. This turned out to be no problem at all! Our boys, aged 9 and 10, are comfortable enough (in terms of safety) to walk to the nearest park and play their hearts out. The only rule is to be home before dark (not because it’s not safe, but we don’t want their dinner to get cold!).

Please tell us something about the projects you are currently working on
I am currently working on a very exciting staff planning tool which helps retailers manage their businesses better in terms of cost and efficiency. The company makes use of all the latest technology. My colleagues are very knowledgeable with expert skills in many areas. I learn a LOT, everyday which is great. The company has a really great culture with regards to knowledge sharing and personal improvement.

Did the process of emigration go smoothly?
Which emigration process? Haha, it went really smooth. We can honestly say that we experienced no surprises. We were primarily responsible for obtaining and submitting necessary documentation timeously. Luckily, we obtained most of the required documentation in advance which made things really easy. summit developers did most of the ground work which helped a lot and made the experience really pleasant from our side.

Can you explain to the South Africans who are considering to go overseas how you did experience the support from us?
summit developers went way above and beyond what was expected from us. We never had any doubts, and if we had questions, it was answered quickly and in detail. It didn’t stop there – to date, summit developers supported us all the way and made us feel really welcome. We have never regretted our decision for one second. Every day it feels like you need to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming.