Eddy Pretorius

Hi Eddy, when did you arrive in the Netherlands?
We arrived in September of 2023.

How did you experience the first few months in the Netherlands?
We thought it would be a much more challenging time, but somehow it turned out to be very pleasant. We were able to adjust quickly and didn’t have any problems. We also arrived before it got cold, which I was thankful for.

Does it feel like home?
Yes, it really does. When we went to South Africa for the first time, it really sank in that this is our home now, and we started to miss it by day 3.

Do you still live in the same house as in the beginning?
Yes, we still live in Boxtel and we enjoy it very much.

How was it to learn the language? Was it easier or harder than expected?
It was easy to read and only took a couple of months before we could have our meetings in Dutch at work. Speaking it is a bit more challenging as it’s confusing between Afrikaans and Dutch.

What do you miss most about South Africa?
Our family, friends and my dog, who couldn’t come over with us. She’s happy at my parents’ house at least, and has a great life. I also miss eating steak whenever I feel like it. Luckily, there is an SA shop here, so when the craving for biltong becomes too much, I can treat myself a bit.

What appeals to you most in the Netherlands?
It’s a wonderful country with wonderful people. Everything works, and you can feel the amount of planning that went into everything. The people are so welcoming and friendly. It’s so green everywhere. It’s a country you can trust your future with.