Hennie Lemmer

In the mid of June, Hennie Lemmer arrived in the Netherlands together with his partner Morné, after a process of preparing for their emigration. Read on for Hennie’s first experiences in the Netherlands.

Hennie, why did you emigrate to the Netherlands?
We decided to emigrate to the Netherlands because it aligns with the lifestyle we were looking for. The quality of life is excellent, with a strong emphasis on safety, work-life balance, and efficient public services. The public transport system is outstanding, so getting around is easy without depending on a car. We also enjoy being centrally located in Europe, which makes travelling to other countries quick and convenient. Professionally, the Netherlands has a thriving technology sector and a culture that embraces innovation, making it an exciting place to grow my career.

Can you tell us something how you do like the Netherlands?
We’ve really enjoyed the journey thus far, although there were a few surprises. We arrived during a heatwave, so our first impression was that it was incredibly warm and humid, which wasn’t what we expected from the Dutch climate! The cost of living is higher, particularly housing. Compared to well-established areas in Cape Town, buying or renting a home is significantly more expensive. What has really impressed us is the infrastructure. Everything is well organized, public services run efficiently, and the cities are remarkably clean. Another unexpected difference is that almost all furniture comes flat-packed for self-assembly.

Please tell us something about the projects you are currently working on.
I’m currently working on iSmart Touch, a human-centered platform designed for healthcare and justice environments. The solution helps support client autonomy, improve well-being, and assist staff with safe de-escalation by providing interactive tools and personalized content.

Did the process of emigration go smoothly?
Overall, the admin process of emigrating went very smoothly, and a big part of that was the assistance from the Summit team, who guided us through everything step by step. That really helped reduce a lot of the administration stress.

What people often underestimate is the amount of work involved in actually leaving. It’s not just packing a few suitcases, it’s packing up an entire house, selling a car, and cancelling every contract and insurance policy that had been built up over the years. It’s a major life reset.

Once we arrived, we were essentially starting from zero again. Setting up everything from scratch, and adapting to a new system all brought a completely new set of challenges, but also new opportunities.

Can you explain to the South Africans who are considering to go overseas how you did experience the support from us?
Our experience with Summit was genuinely excellent. They provided clear guidance and support throughout the entire relocation process, from the early administrative steps right through to settling in and setting up basic amenities. They also helped us find a house, which made a huge difference when moving to a new country.

A really thoughtful touch was the welcome basket we received when we arrived in the Netherlands, it was filled with essentials and thoughtful treats.

What stood out most was that whenever there was uncertainty or support was needed, help was always available and more than willing to assist. It’s still not entirely clear how they manage to handle so much while making it all seem effortless.