- By Ashlea Tracey
- BBC News, Isle of Man
image source, Vanessa Naude
Vanessa Naude and her family moved to the Isle of Man in 2021
Security and business opportunities are behind a surge in relocations from South Africa to the Isle of Man, members of the growing community have said.
The 2021 census showed that around 1,200 people from the country had traveled to the island to live.
But Vanessa Naude from IOM Relocate said “anecdotally” there were “many more” South Africans on the island.
Ms. Naude, relocation consultant and organizer of the inaugural SAFFA Festival, moved to the island in 2021.
She said it was “a risk” to disrupt her children’s school careers aged 13 and 16, but they are now “thriving” having previously been “terrorised by crime and disorder” in her home country.
Ms Naude also said she had seen an increase in interest from South Africans wanting to relocate for work, which had been boosted by the government’s efforts to promote business ties between the nations.
image source, Wayne Krueger
Roelf Odendaal wants to strengthen business relations between the countries
Roelf Odendaal, founder of the Isle of Man Indaba, said the roadshows in South Africa, attended by representatives from the Isle of Man government’s finance department, had “mutual benefits” for both economies.
The island’s profile had been “raised” by the trips, which highlighted that the needs of some South African nationals with “feelings of insecurity” about the stability of their home country could be addressed using Manx services.
The wealth management consultant, who relocated almost two decades ago, said it was still “very difficult” not to be close to family, but the openness of the Manx community should be celebrated as “you don’t find that anywhere else”.
Suellen Daniel has called the Isle of Man home for seven years
Suellen Daniel’s farm business has been boosted by support from the Department for Enterprise, which has enabled the purchase of polytunnels to grow a South African vegetable called gem squash.
The new structures are to provide room to increase production in the 2024 growing season from 1,000 to 10,000.
Originally from Durban, Ms Daniel said the Manx Government had been a “real force” in helping to expand Sulby River Farm, which also sees the family keep Loaghtan sheep and produce honey.
image source, Swellen Daniel
Gem squash is a popular vegetable in South Africa
British-born Martin Wightman, who lived in South Africa for decades, moved to the Isle of Man to be closer to relatives after his family home was burgled.
The shoe designer said: “South Africa is a country I absolutely love… but the security of the island is amazing.”
Mr Whiteman set up a pottery studio in 2002 in Castletown using support from a government small business scheme.
His wife June Wightman said he was a lifeline and that “integrating into Manx society” had “such a big impact on us”.
The Whiteman family moved to the island 22 years ago
Ms Whiteman, head of the Isle of Man Chapter of the South African Chamber of Commerce, said she believed relocations were likely to increase further due to the business opportunities available.
The Manx government had some “very generous” plans to help traders grow and “that’s the kind of message that can be put across the network”, he said.