QUESTION OF MOTIVES

Why did we immigrate ? Why Portugal ? What motivated us to move to Porto?

Sadly a typical page (NEWS 24 in South Africa) is all about either corruption, crime or mismanagement of companies. Literally all Government Departments are crumbling, the power utility ESCOM has excuses for ‘load shedding’ and their corruption which is effecting millions of people in their homes and businesses crippling their abilities to function effectively. (NO ELECTRICITY) This coupled with the lack of opportunities for our children, has led to a carefully orchestrated plan on birthing a new life, a new future and new opportunities.

Even considering all the negatives , leaving South Africa, was very hard, we have meaningful friendships, a stunning home, a close family and the best staff you could ever imagine.

Not to forget Muizenberg Beach and Long beach as two favourite surf spots in the Deep South of Cape Town.

So why Porto, why Portugal?

Loads of immigrants complain when they leave South Africa, they cannot cope with the weather in UK, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The houses are small, the tube and transport are horrible when you used to driving and being self-sufficient. No more staff, you have to do everything yourself.

So two key components were ‘good weather or should I say SUNSHINE, and SPACE’ and obviously the ability to become a resident in the respective country we wanted to relocate to.

Porto offers great weather , surfing, there is the river to enjoy, the wine is superb, it actually feels like Cape Town weirdly.

The other aspect about Porto, is it’s really ‘SAFE’, – Portugal is ranked the 4th safest country in the world, which brings its own PEACE to one as an individual.

The other big plus, is it’s CHEAP, the cost of living here is not unattainable as a South African moving to Europe, even with a rand that sits at 18 rand to 1 euro.

Porto/Portugal has amazing architecture, history and culture. So many new places to explore and discover. The learning curve is massive of coarse. But we only live one life?

There are also difficulties, and probably the biggest hurdle is the language, Portuguese is not easy to learn by any means, all documents are in Portuguese, all contracts are in Portuguese.

Our saviour is GOOGLE TRANSLATE, without it, I don’t think we could live here.

Another aspect that was difficult was leaving a successful business built over two decades. My new role abroad is to build on the business by getting new clients to shoot in South Africa, nevertheless being away from something birthed all those years ago, is not easy.

Craig Jones, (BOOMTOWN partner and Producer) however is on a roll and the business without me is still turning over, and is about to ‘BOOM’ as we secure new films and commercials.

Another advantage to being in Europe, is festivals, distributors and financiers are much closer and more accessible, meaning more opportunities. Boomtown has a slate of films, and these all need finance and distribution.

Miss these special people, but the friendships are forever! – here are a couple of the smiling faces we miss….

Onward and upward – Bruce Macdonald from Porto THE CITY OF ANGELS