Eastern Cape Madiba Action interviewed three ‘semigrants’ on what their reasons were for choosing to live, work and play here. Here’s what they had to say:
It is not an uncommon sight to see Eastern Cape Office of the Premier General Manager of Communications Nomfundo Luphondwana arrive at work on her shiny G650 BMW motorbike – ready to tackle another busy day at ‘the office’.
Although Luphondwana was born and bred in Gauteng and has lived, worked and toured in the United Kingdom, Sweden, New York, Mozambique, Swaziland and North-West province – relocating to the Eastern Cape last year was a deliberate decision on her part to return to her ancestral roots.
Q: When did you ‘semigrate’ to the Eastern Cape?
A: I moved here on June 30, 2007.
Q: Why did you decide to move here?
A: A number of reasons, many of them very personal. One reason has to do with my history – who I am – which is rooted in a village called kwaDidi, near Libode in the Wild Coast. My grandfather was born there. He later moved to Gauteng with my grandmother, who had my mother – who had me - and as a result I was born and bred in Gauteng. However, there was a time when I did consultancy work, capacity building with the community around Lusikisiki, which gave me the opportunity to see the province.
I loved being here – it felt like home. Although I am a citizen of the world, when I was here it just felt like ... this is it! This is home. Another reason for my decision to relocate was that I was offered a post at the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier. It came at a time when I knew I was ready to come back. As an African, I felt the need to have my own ‘peace’ of land – which is in kwaNdengane, eLambase just off Lusikisiki.
Q: Has your daily lifestyle improved since having moved here?
A: Greatly improved in many ways – and in some ways not. It’s one of those ironies of life. Greatly improved in not having to worry about traffic or deal with the stress of cutting through traffic on a motorbike on the N1 to and from Joburg and Tswane.
Riding my motorbike to work here – weather permitting – is a pleasure. My life has also greatly improved in that I feel I am breathing fresh air here – there is something organic and cleansing about this province. Socially, there is a sense of community in this province.
Q: How do you rate our beaches and entertainment facilities in general?
A: From what I’ve seen we are under-utilizing our facilities. If I go to the beach or go camping – there are hardly any people. Similarly, the community I live with in kwaNdengane is next to Mkambati Game Reserve. But beyond the workers, there are few locals enjoying these facilities. We are missing the local flavour and word of mouth that sells the province. The beauty of the province – in all its diversity per season – it’s breathtaking. We should enjoy it more.
Q: How do you rate our tourism experiences on offer throughout the province?
A: From my observation there’s a need for heightened communication to showcase the diversity of tourism offerings available in the province.
Q: Do you think the Eastern Cape is “a compelling place to live, work, invest and play’?
A: Most definitely yes. The Eastern Cape represents the future. There are numerous investment and entrepreneurship opportunities. I love the humane way of life. The choice of recreational facilities from aquasports to rugby, cricket, gaming and the tourist attractions, including the liberation route, makes this province unique in many ways. Put simply – I am investing the remainder of my life in this province. I will not move!
Internationally renowned fine artist Duncan Stewart and his German wife, Natalie, believe moving to live in the Eastern Cape was an answer to their prayers.
Stewart – who grew up in the Limpopo province, studied and worked in Johannesburg as a graphic artist and then trained at one of Italy’s foremost art schools – has exhibited around the world.
Nearly three years ago, he and Natalie chose to settle in the Eastern Cape – where “who you are is more important than what you do”, they say. (See Stewart’s ‘divine’ and inspirational works at
www.duncanstewart.co.za)
Q: When did you and your family ‘semigrate’ to the Eastern Cape?
A: We arrived in Port Elizabeth in September 2005 ... so three years ago, and never looked back.
Q: Why did you decide to move here?
A: Having ‘paid my school fees’ in Jozi, I knew when I returned from four years abroad it needed to be to a place that wasn’t as ‘high gloss’ as Joburg or Cape Town. My wife, Natalie, and I were also looking to find a community where we could raise a family in the best way possible. We both felt that PE was an answer to prayer in that regard.
Q: Has your daily lifestyle improved since having moved here?
A: Absolutely. There is a great freedom here ... whether it be physically in terms of the beautiful beaches and spaces or spiritually in finding out the truth about oneself and God in a safe environment. We walk the dogs about three times a week on the beach, paddle ski before work two or three times a week ... sometimes even see dolphins – just a real privilege all in all.
Q: How do you rate our beaches and entertainment facilities in general?
A: Our beaches are awesome ... especially if I compare them to my experiences abroad. My favourite is Sard’s (Sardinia Bay) for a wilder experience, but normally I use Hobie Beach to surf-ski from! I also love the new track/promenade, which makes cycling along the beachfront a pleasure. On the entertainment front, there is a surprising amount happening performance-wise for this ‘poor’ cousin of the big cities. I do miss the pedestrian culture in cities overseas though and look forward to a Central/Richmond Hill/waterfront development.
Q: How do you rate our tourism experiences on offer throughout the province?
A: When we have guests visiting us, Addo is on the list of to-do’s and the feedback has always been positive. As has been the response to some of the smaller game lodges visited. My experience of various tourist attractions is that the sincerity of the providers often outweighs the lack of professionalism. Having said that, I believe we could up our game to really shine as ‘a gem of a place’ to visit.
Q: Do you think the Eastern Cape is a good place to work, invest or do business?
A: I think it is the best place to work and to invest in ... that’s why I’m here. Business has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of Johannesburg or Cape Town, but I don’t see why it cannot strive for that. I think Coega is very exciting in the potential it offers for Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape. And if we could develop our people, our culture – with attention to the older quarters and waterfront etc. – Port Elizabeth would no longer be one of the Eastern Cape’s ‘best kept secrets’, instead I believe this city will become ‘the pearl of great price’ in South Africa and Africa.
Top South African performer Ian von Memerty – pianist, actor, songwriter, producer and host of the hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing – has swapped the bright lights of Johannesburg for a more peaceful, family orientated life in the Eastern Cape. He and his family have settled in the countryside just outside Nelson Mandela Bay.
Q: When did you and your family ‘semigrate’ to the Eastern Cape?
A: We bought in May 2006, built and moved in January 2007.
Q: Why did you decide to move here?
A: Real reason – it rang our bell. The practical reasons – Nelson Mandela Bay has a good, well serviced airport; fantastic value for money in property; a moderate climate with low humidity; we could live in the countryside but still be close to good schools, great beaches, clean air, nice people etc. Luckily, my job means that I can live anywhere really.
Q: Has your daily lifestyle improved since having moved here?
A: Country living and small city life is FANTASTIC – and we have really simplified. We built a smaller, but open-plan cottage – with no TV (we only have a dvd player and games for the kids).
Q: How do you rate our beaches and entertainment facilities in general?
A: The fantastic beaches in PE are the best kept secret in the country - with really beautiful sand.
Q: How do you rate our tourism experiences on offer throughout the province?
A: Addo is great, Shamwari is excellent – but why does no-one know about the dolphin and whale viewing on offer here?
Q: Do you think the Eastern Cape is a good place to work, invest or do business?
A: I think it has a low self image quite frankly, and there does seem to be a version of tunnel vision here. But I see it as the land of opportunity. Until the whole place ‘feels’ like that it won’t achieve its full potential.
