From Benoni to … Christchurch

Eunice Stopforth (née van Rooyen) misses South African thunderstorms.

Eunice Stopforth with her sons, Anton (left, 12) and Ruan (13).

The 38-year-old traded Benoni for Christchurch, New Zealand (NZ), in 2011.

BCT: Tell us about your time in Benoni

ES: I was not born in Benoni, but went to Noorderlig Gekombineerde Skool.

I moved to Crystal Park when I was 19 and lived there for about 10 years.

New Zealand has been my home since November 2011.

BCT: Are you married and do you have children?

ES: No, I am divorced; I moved abroad with my sons, Ruan (13) and Anton (12).

BCT: Why did you leave the old mining town?

ES: I am an accountant and decided to seek better opportunities for my children and I.

BCT: What were the toughest adjustments you have had to make since being in NZ?

ES: Not having my family and friends around.

My youngest brother and his in-laws live here too, but I miss my parents, brother, sister-in-law and the rest of my family.

BCT: What do you like about your new homeland?

ES: I enjoy the freedom and relaxed lifestyle over here.

The fact that the All Blacks are the best rugby team at the moment is just a bonus.

BCT: Are you proudly South African? Do you promote our beautiful country in NZ?

ES: I am proudly South African, but do accept that when I decided to leave I had to adapt to the new country and their cultures.

As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans, but that doesn’t stop me from teaching my Kiwi friends some Afrikaans phrases and introducing them to things like biltong, boerewors and beskuit.

We are lucky in Christchurch to have two South African shops where we can still buy our beloved biltong, Freshpak Rooibos tea and mieliepap.

BCT: If you had one day in Benoni, what would you do?

ES: Look up old friends and acquaintances from when I used to live and work there.

I would also love to go back to the house we used to live in – it has a lot of memories.

Do you know a former Benonian now living overseas?

If so, we’d like to interview them.

Email details to benonicitytimes@caxton.co.za