Faced with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Benoni veterinarian Kurt Verheyke and his wife, Tayla, took the plunge and immigrated to England.

Dreams of travelling through Europe and visiting the United Kingdom’s gems trumped their bucket list, but after two years abroad the couple is back in Lakefield, saying Benoni will always be their home.

Their journey started in June 2024, when Kurt received an offer to work at one of the UK’s leading national veterinary clinics in Redding, just an hour outside London.

“We never harboured any negative feelings towards South Africa but felt that as a young couple it was a great opportunity to expand our horizons,” said Tayla.

“Kurt’s appointment was a chance to step into the world and explore its marvels – or so we thought.”

Rude awakening

Acclimatising to the grey and dreary UK weather was only one of the reasons that brought the bubbly couple back to sunny South Africa.

“Living abroad is often romanticised. We were not fully prepared for the high cost of living, the public health system that is in complete disarray and the negativity locals held towards foreigners,” said Tayla.

“We made friends with South African expats, but the English are rather icy and do not appreciate light-hearted banter, as we often engage in.”

Committed to making the best of their whirlwind adventure, Tayla started polishing her CV.

After more than 60 interviews and only three callbacks, feeling defeated but soldiering ahead, she slid behind the reception desk at the clinic where her former Willowmore High hubby worked.

“Dreams of hopping across the pond for a visit to Paris were soon replaced with withered-down shopping lists. Quick and inexpensive pasta dishes became our go-to,” said Kurt.

Receiving news that Tayla was pregnant with their first-born, Bruton (now nine months), the couple assessed their decision, carefully weighing up the pros and cons.

“Expecting a child in a different country was exceptionally difficult. Sharing our excitement with friends and family was confined to a computer screen. Suddenly I felt incredibly alone,” said Tayla.

“Following Bruton’s birth, I became alarmingly aware of the illusion of our ‘idyllic’ life. Incidents of crime, ranging from shoplifting, assault and murder, were happening mere streets from where we lived.

“Arriving home did not feel like home, and we were becoming increasingly homesick.”

Homeward bound

With the term of his two-year contract coming to an end, the couple opted to head back south.

“Returning to Benoni was definitely not a ‘tail between the legs’ moment. We have no regrets – we had an opportunity, and we took it,” said Kurt.

“At the end, we chose to give our son the best upbringing, surrounded by his family, in a beautiful country, with parents that are happy.

“The experience taught us a lot, and we grew as a couple, as individuals and proud South African citizens.”

For Tayla, the 24-month experience made her increasingly aware that the issues facing our country and its people are not isolated or unique.

“Crime is, unfortunately, universal, but in the UK it feels like psychological fear is all-consuming. There, the crime feels like an act to only cause harm, not to gain anything in the form of possessions,” she said.

“Returning to SA, we could immediately see the roots of change spreading throughout the community.

South Africans are more united than most believe. I would still like to travel, but this is home.”

Looking to the future, Kurt said that gaining experience can never be seen as a failure.

“I learnt a lot in the past two years, about our industry and myself. I have a clear goal of how I want to share this knowledge and will soon be launching a mobile veterinary clinic, to meet animal lovers and their pets where they are most comfortable,” he said.

“My fondest memories come from being South African. This country has given me so much. I now want to give back to her children.”

Touching on the local elections as well as the recent protest movements against illegal immigration, Tayla said that uncertain times have the potential to unite people as they stand together working towards good.

“It is only when you swim in another duck’s pond that you realise how much we have built, and continue building. I would not raise my son anywhere else than here.”

In closing, Kurt said that he will not dissuade others from seeking greener pastures.

“Go experience what the world has to offer but do your research. Make sure that your decision is based on facts and that your choice ticks all the boxes.

“If you leave the comfort of our country, do so gracefully and without malice.”

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