There are about 45 000 South Africans living in New Zealand, according to the New Zealand premier Helen Clark. During talks with President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria recently, she said that these highly skilled expats could be recruited to assist South Africa in its drive to develop skills. Pres. Mbeki said the South African government wants to reach out to the South African expats there and see how they can strengthen bilateral relations. The two leaders also discussed co-operation between the two countries' film industries, as well as the possibility of working holiday visas for young people. During her visit, Premier Clark also visited Heroes Acre in Church Street, Pretoria, where she laid a wreath in memory of New Zealanders buried there. According to her, about 66 500 New Zealanders were involved in the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902).
Some South African expats in New Zealand have indicated their willingness to strengthen relations between the two countries, but rule out moving back to South Africa. Former Port Elizabeth sports event promoter and volleyball Springbok Dave Mee left South Africa in 1994 and now lives with his wife and three children in Auckland. He is the director of an events company which organises the Ellerslie Flower Show at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. The company is in talks with the organisers of the Cape Flower Show. Lance Dodd, born in Uitenhage, is now the deputy editor of the Marlborough Express and lives in Blenheim. He would be happy to use his skills to build skills in South Africa. Lance emigrated with his wife, Mariette, who taught English and drama at Port Elizabeth’s DF Malherbe High and Theodor Herzl Primary, and their two daughters three years ago. Mariette now teaches drama at Marlborough Girls’ College. Janene Roelofsz left South Africa five years ago. She has two children and works as a sub-editor on the same paper as Lance. Janene would become involved in a project to help South Africa but only if it benefited all South Africans. Former Unisa computer science lecturer Willem Labuschagne immigrated to Dunedin seven years ago. He does not think he would get involved. Willem was born and raised in Graaff-Reinet and now lectures at the University of Otago. His wife Leta, a botanist, now works for Natural History New Zealand, a film production company that makes nature and science documentaries. She would be prepared to act as a liaison between NHNZ, the University of Otago, which runs training courses in documentary film-making, and South Africa to get a training programme kick-started for young South African documentary film-makers.
