Digital nomad makes us long to stay home

It turns out that there’s a name for them. I hadn’t heard of the concept, but it’s apparently a real thing around the world. And now, they have arrived here in South Africa where, unbeknown to us, they walk and even live amongst us. In Glenhazel. Of all places. On the surface, they look like anyone you might bump into at Frangelicas or Urban Grind.

But they are not of us.

They are called “digital nomads”, and I met a few live ones this past Shabbat.

Across the table from us sat a couple, probably in their late 30s. Both Israeli, born and educated, they had no real links to South Africa. They had been in the country since September, and were now deciding if a year would be enough for them to experience the country and complete their adventure. They were employed by Israeli firms, and were allowed to work remotely. Which is what they had chosen to do.

They are digital nomads.

Ariel Levental, 35, explained that they had been living in a 90m² apartment near Tel Aviv before coming to South Africa. Although as professionals they were earning well, the cost of living meant a curtailed and limited lifestyle. The fact that they were able to work remotely gave them the idea of experiencing another country.

When he and his wife contemplated their options, there were a few criteria. There needed to be a Jewish school, a community, and the time zone shouldn’t make it impossible to function in terms of work. South Africa met all the requirements, and in little time, they had rented a house with a garden, pool, and tennis court, enrolled their children at Maharsha, and were living their best life.

Before arriving in the country, they were concerned about their children’s English. Without knowing South Africans, they warned them not to take to heart any teasing they might encounter from others at school. They needn’t have bothered. The kindness and acceptance, along with tolerance and hospitality was something they couldn’t have anticipated or expected.

While all the children played in the garden, conversation swirled around the table. Some of the adults lamented load shedding (even though they had solar), others worried about water (and the size of their JoJo tanks), and the nomad couple debated if it would be possible for them to stay longer.

It was surreal. The couple might well be in the honeymoon phase of their adventure, but to them, South Africa is a wonderful and exciting place. They spoke of the fact that he didn’t need to wear a cap because he doesn’t “feel” the antisemitism here at all, excitedly considered the best time to visit Cape Town, and laughed at the naivety of their friends who wanted to go to Kruger over Pesach.

Their positivity was infectious and in a way sobering. For once, it felt silly to spend so much time on the problems we face when there’s an alternative. And when returning to a hard life lived in 90m² is not nearly as attractive an alternative.

Sometimes it takes a digital nomad to remind us we what we have.

For further info on digital nomad visas, visit https://visaguide.world/digital-nomad-visa/