ABOUT THE COMPANY

Stepping South cc was formed in 2003 in order to fill a gap in the market for a seamless, flexible and complete relocation support for foreigners in South Africa.

The founder of the company was an ex Deloitte immigration consultant who saw the need for a dynamic and professional service provider who will work together with the HR manager to ease their workload in all expatriate related matters. At the same time the company would be the expatriate’s closest companion during their relocating to South Africa and guide them through the process of familiarisation with the country, settling in and obtaining all services and products necessary for comfortable living.

Today, through its own staff and a network of associated professional companies Stepping South is able to provide you with comprehensive relocation, immigration and removal services all through one contact person. Companies who utilize our services include Atlas Copco, Visa International, Nike, Avery Dennison, Kraft Foods, De Beers, Calyon Bank and T Systems.

The owner of the company, Marussia van der Merwe, is always hands on and personally ensures that each client feels secure and confident in the company throughout the whole relocation process. Marussia was also an expatriate to South Africa 10 years ago and from her own experience and that gained from assisting hundreds of clients is in a unique position to assist you with all of your requirements.

Stepping South’s goal is to ensure that the new expatriate to South Africa avoids the usual pitfalls and is able to tail up employment with the least amount of problems by receiving full relocation support when it comes to setting up a life in South Africa, whether it will be on a temporary or on a permanent basis.

The benefits for your company and HR practitioner are numerous:

• Time saving; relocating an individual can be extremely time consuming so outsourcing the process to us ensures none of your employees spends weeks doing unfamiliar to them chores such as house searching, researching schools and areas, driving people around, organising removal companies etc. Furthermore we are experienced in the relocation process; know exactly what the expatriate needs and wants and how to accomplish it in the most efficient manner.
• Cost effectiveness; we have the experience and the connections in the housing industry so we are in a unique position to negotiate the best deals on houses for you. Being able to work within any budget requirements we can save you a large expense in the long run while at the same time offering the expatriate excellent value. Accomplishing hundreds of little chores for the expatriate also ensures that they spend their time at work, confident in the knowledge that everything is taken care of, therefore spending their time doing the valuable work they were hired for. Furthermore ensuring that the expatriate and family are happy in the country prevents the possibility of discontent and early contract termination which could cost your company huge resources.
• Peace of mind; we handle each assignment with the same professionalism, efficiency, integrity and ethics companies have come to recognise. The HR manager only needs to contact us once with a new assignment and then rest assured that all will be done to their specifications and to the expatriates requirements and that their expectations will consistently be exceeded. We also provide with daily/weekly updates on progress for total peace of mind.

The benefits for the relocating individual are undisputed.

• Time saving; rather than spending weeks trying to find their way in a foreign country in an effort to find suitable housing, open bank accounts, learn the roads, purchase a vehicle, find a school, etc. the individual is offered all that and more through one contact person whose sole purpose is to make their move as easy, effortless and pleasant as possible.
• Cost saving; our consultant will assist the family with their first shopping for groceries, furniture and cars therefore introducing them to excellent quality shops priced for South Africans and not tourists. Finding the best accommodation and schools for the family ensures they do not have to move again during their stay thus saving them money and unnecessary frustrations.
• Peace of mind; moving country is stressful in the best of times but for a lot of people it is even more so coming to South Africa. Fear of crime, different transport conditions and culture differences cause a lot of anxiety to the foreign family so having someone to rely on, who will answer all their questions, ease them in the local lifestyle and show them everything that is exciting about life in South Africa can be essential to the success of the relocation. In the beginning of the assignment our dedicated consultant will be available for advice 24/7 until such a point when the expatriate feels comfortable in their new life in South Africa.
• Happy family; in most cases only one of the partners is allowed to work in the country which often leaves the other partner alone at home and depressed. Our aim is to ensure the whole family loves being in South Africa so we will introduce the partner to other people from the expatriate community, arrange for language courses if necessary, culture orientation courses and safety and security courses. A happy and content spouse means the assignment will be a successful one.