Four years ago, I was living in Meyerton, Gauteng, the lovely little town where I had grown up, commuting four hours a day to get to and from my low-paying job 70km away in Sandton. I had no intention of leaving South Africa, as I had no idea that there was so much possibility beyond its borders. That was until my childhood sweetheart, who left me behind to immigrate to New Zealand 10 years earlier, turned up at my doorstep, swept me off my feet... again... and brought me to the land of the long white cloud, Aotearoa.

It was, without a doubt, the most challenging experience I have ever been through. At 21 years of age, I left my family behind and crossed the waters to make a new life for myself in a land with so much opportunity; it is almost unfathomable for a young, struggling South African.

I can honestly say that I have not once had second thoughts about the move. Although we all struggle to get by at first with the higher cost of living, the higher standard of living and freedom to do as you please, makes it so worthwhile!

I started up a wedding videography business about two years ago, which is now doing reasonably well. As a woman, travelling alone to and from remote venues at all hours of the night, I would never have been able to do this in South Africa.

I married my “boertjie” in April this year and now, more than ever, believe in “happily ever after”!