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Staying Connected to South Africa

Some ties don’t stretch — they hold.
From Germany to South Africa, the connection becomes intentional. We plan calls, count time zones, and learn new ways to say “I’m here” from far away. This space is about keeping those connections alive — through voices, screens, parcels, and shared moments that still feel like home.

Phoning Home

Sometimes all you want is to hear a familiar voice say your name the right way. Calling South Africa from Germany isn’t complicated, but the options can be confusing and costly if you choose wrong. Here you’ll find simple, reliable ways to phone home without the stress — or the shocking bill afterwards.

Phoning Home

Phoning Home In today’s world, most of us have apps that we use to chat with family back home. But not all our relatives, especially the older ones, use smartphones. They still use landlines or a basic mobile phone. There are some affordable options for phone landlines or mobile phones

Digital Ways to Stay Close

Staying connected today is about more than a call — it’s about sharing time. From video chats to playing online games together, joining virtual classes, or even cooking the same recipe at the same time, technology gives us ways to do things together despite the distance.
This space explores simple, meaningful ways to stay present in each other’s everyday lives — not just to catch up, but to keep building memories across borders.

Keeping in touch virtually

Staying Connected, No Matter the Distance Living far from home changes how we connect — but it doesn’t weaken the bond. As South Africans abroad, we learn to stay close through screens, shared moments, and a bit of creativity. We may not always be together physically, but we can still

Gift Services

When distance keeps you from showing up in person, a well-chosen gift can step in for you. Whether you’re sending something home to South Africa or receiving a little piece of care here in Germany, these services help bridge the gap. From celebrations to quiet “thinking of you” moments, this is about keeping love tangible — wrapped, delivered, and felt, no matter which side of the world you’re on.

Gift services in Gemany

Gift services in Gemany We have a great selection of gift ideas for your loved ones in South Africa, and I thought it would be great to also have a list of places you can shop for your loved ones here in Germany. Most shops will accept South African credit

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Entertainment & Media

Entertainment & Media Some days you’re fine. Productive. Integrated. Functioning beautifully in German.And then, out of nowhere, you crave a familiar voice, a match that matters, or a film that doesn’t need cultural subtitles. From South African radio drifting through your kitchen, to sports that still pull at your chest,

Going to the movies

Going to the movies It is always exciting to plan a visit to the movies! There are so many things to consider, like choosing the right movie theatre, picking a good movie to watch, buying the tickets in advance, and maybe even indulging in some delicious snacks at the concession

Our Stories, Our Strength

Every Journey Tells a Story — Welcome to Our Migration Chronicles From distant shores to new beginnings, these stories carry the weight of hope, resilience, and the timeless quest for belonging Step into the footsteps of those who dared to dream beyond borders. Here, voices echo with memories of old

Participating in Sports in Germany

Sports in Germany South Africans are generally a sport-crazy bunch. Not just watching it, but also actively taking part. Participating in sports here in Germany has its challenges, mostly due to the weather. But, as the German saying goes – there isn’t something like bad weather, only bad clothing and

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South African Communities

Find your people. Find your place.

Living far from home can be lonely — but it doesn’t have to be. Across Germany, South Africans are gathering in churches, online groups, events, and everyday conversations. This page brings those communities together, so you can reconnect with familiar culture, shared experiences, and that comforting feeling of being understood.

Church Groups

  • American Protestant Church in Bonn – from August they will have an Afrikaans-speaking pastor, Ds Mario Weyers. If you would like more info feel free to contact DeWet Herselman
  • Kirche in Aktion, het kampusse (gemeentes) in Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Offenbach en Mainz. By elkeen van die kampusse is daar SA mense betrokke. 
  • Heimat in Christus – evangelische Freikirche e.V. 📍 Robert-Bosch-Straße 51, 74523 Schwäbisch Hall. Pastors: Elemans (South African) & Ricarda Scheepers. 📧 Contact: ricarda.scheepers@heimat-in-christus.de
  • For Christian Events have a look at cvents

Facebook groups

Websites

  • SA Munich – Your Southern African gateway into Bavaria

WhatsApp Community

Join Our South Africans in Germany WhatsApp Community!

Are you a South African living in Germany or planning to move here? Connect with fellow South Africans, share experiences, ask questions, and support each other in our WhatsApp Community!

To keep our group safe and free from spam, we don’t publish the direct link. If you’d like to join, simply send an email to admin@southafricansingermany.de with a brief reason for wanting to join. We’ll get back to you shortly with the link and welcome you to our community!

Whatsapp Community Rules

WhatsApp Community Rules Join Our South Africans in Germany WhatsApp Community! Are you a South African living in Germany or planning to move here? Connect with fellow South Africans, share experiences, ask questions, and support each other in our WhatsApp Community! To keep our group safe and free from spam, we don’t publish the direct link. If you’d like to join, simply send an email to admin@southafricansingermany.de with a brief reason for wanting to join. We’ll get back

Events

Find concerts, exhibitions, social events, webinars, and virtual get-togethers happening across Germany and online.

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Valentine’s Day (Valentinstag)
Celebrated on February 14th, Valentinstag in Germany is a day to express love and affection, primarily between couples. Flowers—especially red roses—chocolates, and heartfelt cards are [...]
Shrove Saturday (Fastnachtssamstag)
Fastnachtssamstag is the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and one of the high points of the German Carnival season, especially in southwestern regions like Baden-Württemberg and [...]
Valentine’s Opera, Wine and 5 Course Dinner
An intimate evening inspired by love, music and good taste… Opera Arias sung by Mezzo-Soprano Summer Carne artfully paired with 5 South African Wines & [...]
Shrove Sunday (Fastnachtssonntag)
Fastnachtssonntag is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and continues the vibrant Carnival celebrations across Germany, particularly in the Rhineland and southwestern regions. The day is [...]
Rose Monday (Rosenmontag)
Rosenmontag is the highlight of the German Karneval season, celebrated on the Monday before Ash Wednesday. In cities like Cologne, Mainz, and Düsseldorf, massive parades [...]
Shrove Tuesday (Fastnacht / Faschingdienstag)
17/02/2026    
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Fastnacht, also known as Faschingdienstag, is celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday and is the grand finale of the German Carnival season. Across southern [...]
Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch)
18/02/2026    
12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Aschermittwoch marks the official start of Lent in Germany, falling on the day after Fastnacht (Shrove Tuesday). The day is observed with more solemnity and [...]
Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys - (Hamburg, Bayreuth, Bonn, Essen and Berlin)
25/02/2026 - 04/04/2026    
12:00 am
Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys — a voice like dusk settling over the Karoo, a band that carries an old-soul heart into the wide [...]
A Taste of Opera in Colour
A Taste of Opera in Colour is a sensory performance experience intertwining live painting, opera, and wine. Sound sommelier Summer Carne curates a dialogue between [...]
Start of Spring (Frühlingsanfang – meteorological)
The meteorological start of spring (Frühlingsanfang) in Germany is officially on March 1st, marking the beginning of the new season based on calendar months rather [...]
Events on 14/02/2026
Events on 15/02/2026
Events on 16/02/2026
Rose Monday (Rosenmontag)
16 Feb 26
Various
Events on 17/02/2026
Events on 18/02/2026
Events on 28/02/2026
A Taste of Opera in Colour
28 Feb 26
Berlin
Events on 01/03/2026

For Children

Adventures in Odyssey – “an award-winning audio drama series created for ages 8-12 and enjoyed by the whole family.  Episodes often start with the grandfatherly Mr. Whittaker (“Whit”), who runs an ice cream shop called Whit’s End.  They last an average of twenty-five minutes and bring biblical principles to life, through a balance of fun, faith and imagination”

Blogs, websites and Youtube chanels

From South Africa to Germany, these are the stories we carry with us — the laughs, the losses, the lessons, and the hope.
Explore blogs, vlogs, podcasts, and moments from South Africans building lives abroad, while keeping their Mzansi spirit close.

SA Voices in Germany

SA Voices in Germany From the bustle of Joburg to the cobblestones of Berlin, our journey carries more than luggage — it carries memories, humour, heartache, and hope. Here you’ll find the voices of South Africans who’ve swapped braais

International Expat communities

  • Internations – Connect with expats in your city
  • Expat.com
  • Wereldwyd – “Hierdie inisiatief is die ideale platform vir elke Afrikaner wat tans in die buiteland woon, maar graag steeds in voeling met sy geboorteland wil bly”

Other organisations

  • Sage Net  – network of South African and German organisations. This includes clubs, companies, associations, and authorities, as well as individual members.
  • AHK  – Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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Participating in Sports in Germany

Sports in Germany South Africans are generally a sport-crazy bunch. Not just watching it, but also actively taking part. Participating in sports here in Germany has its challenges, mostly due to the weather. But, as the German saying goes – there isn’t something like bad weather, only bad clothing and many South Africans in Germany live by this motto and go out for a run or a cycle in what would be considered “stay home

Keeping in touch virtually

Staying Connected, No Matter the Distance Living far from home changes how we connect — but it doesn’t weaken the bond. As South Africans abroad, we learn to stay close through screens, shared moments, and a bit of creativity. We may not always be together physically, but we can still laugh together, celebrate together, and create memories together. Below are ideas for virtual activities you can enjoy with your hartsmense — whether they’re in Germany,

Product Substitutes

Product Substitutes Most products we know in South Africa are available in Germany, but unfortunately not all of them. Here is a list of product substitutes  for some of them.  I you would like more information about where to buy South African products in Germany, see our Products we love page. Food related products General household items Stationery and Hardware Items Medicinal Products Bed linen Most Germans sleep under their own single duvet, even on a “double”

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Phoning Home

In today’s world, most of us have apps that we use to chat with family back home. But not all our relatives, especially the older ones, use smartphones. They still use landlines or a basic mobile phone.

There are some affordable options for phone landlines or mobile phones in South Africa

Options include:

  • German landline to SA landline
  • Lycamobile – Lycamobile is a British mobile virtual network operator operating in 23 countries
  • Mobile VOIP – With MobileVOIP, you can make cheap VoIP calls from your mobile phone.
  • Airalo E-Sim
  • Fraenk E-sim
  • Rebtel – With Rebtel, you can use any kind of phone to call any kind of phone, anywhere in the world.
  • Telmy – telmy is for customers of any cell phone or conventional telephone networks who are searching for unlimited low priced telephone communication
  • VoipStunt – VoipStunt is a free program that uses the latest technology to bring free and high-quality voice communications to people all over the world. When you use the free VoipStunt software, you can call regular phones in various popular destinations for free or call at an incredible low rate to any other phone on the planet.
  • Lebara – We make it much easier for migrant communities to stay connected to family and friends back home.
  • Mytello – Mit mytello super günstig vom eigenen Handy oder Festnetz ins Ausland telefonieren.
    Kein Vertragswechsel, keine Grundgebühr und keine versteckten Kosten.

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South African Communities

South African Communities Find your people. Find your place. Living far from home can be lonely — but it doesn’t have to be. Across Germany, South Africans are gathering in churches, online groups, events, and everyday conversations. This page brings those communities together, so you can reconnect with familiar culture,

Read More »

Keeping in touch virtually

Staying Connected, No Matter the Distance Living far from home changes how we connect — but it doesn’t weaken the bond. As South Africans abroad, we learn to stay close through screens, shared moments, and a bit of creativity. We may not always be together physically, but we can still

Read More »
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