“What stood out about Boden was that we could be part of something bigger – doing something meaningful for the future, for our children and future generations”, explains Willem Naudé.
He and his wife Annelie both work at Stegra and came to Boden from South Africa to be part of the great global green transition, combined with a safe community where their two young daughters can grow up.
“Titta” (“look” in Swedish) shouts Alexia, aged 4.5, waving happily.
She puts on her warm winter hat and rides her bike in circles inside the family’s newly purchased house in Boden.
The hat is a favorite, worn both indoors and outdoors. Here, she can safely ride and play outside as well.
“Safety is probably the biggest difference since moving here. It becomes even more apparent when we go back to visit South Africa. The last time I visited, I was excited to return home to Boden – to walk alone in the dark , not having fences around the house and just feeling safer”, says Annelie Naudé.
The Naudé family is one of an increasing number of international families who have chosen to let work lead them to a completely new life on the other side of the globe – in Boden, Sweden. Their primary reason for the move was jobs at the green steel company Stegra, which is rapidly taking shape here. Like many others in similar circumstances, they emphasize that this is not a short-term adventure during the development phase but a permanent life change.
From Opportunity to Reality
Willem was the first to find and secure a position at what was then H2 Green Steel, now Stegra, in Boden. His role as a process water engineer as part of the Utility Technology team involves managing all water treatment related matters within Stegra from raw to wastewater treatment within the Hydrogen, Iron and steel making processes.
Once the decision was made to move their entire lives to Boden, Annelie also began looking for a role that suited her skills. It turned out that Stegra needed her expertise too. Today, she works as a financial controller on the company’s finance team. Both work at the “site” at Boden Industrial Park, where the major steelworks, the tower where the iron sponge (DRI) will be produced and hydrogen facility are being developed.
Major transition
Moving from a completely different part of the world without knowing the language or anyone in the area was a significant adjustment.
“We had rented a house, and it turned out the owner was living in a caravan on the property. We didn’t have a car in the first month and had to figure out how to manage all the commutes to work, preschool, and errands with public transport. There was so much snow when we arrived and not being used to it the first month was a bit chaotic”, they say with a laugh.
They quickly realized they wanted something of their own and began researching the housing market. Last summer, they bought a nice family home suited for their needs, which they love. Now they have Swedish driver’s licenses and are experts on Boden’s second-hand stores and Facebook selling pages.
The children attend a Swedish preschool and Alexia in particular has quickly started speaking Swedish. Sometimes the parents have to google frantically to find out what she means when she explains what she´s asking for in Swedish.
Integrating into the Community
“We’re working hard to integrate into the community and municipality. We take turns attending an international after-work event and spend time with new friends, both South African and from other nationalities, whom we’ve met through work.”
Annelie is also studying Swedish at SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) alongside her work.
One of Willem’s older colleagues at Stegra and his wife, also South African, have become surrogate Swedish grandparents for the children.
The Naudés also enjoy attending English-language services at the Matteus Church in Boden and the sense of fellowship there.
“We feel that everyone here takes care of each other in some way, you get a smile, they wave. It feels like if you ask someone for help, the answer is always yes”, Willem explains.
Embracing Life in the North
After a year as new Swedes, they’ve experienced all the seasons – bright summer nights, the northern lights, autumn, sledding, and grilling in the spring sun.
They look forward to continuing to explore their new life in Boden and Norrbotten. They’re excited to enjoy the freedom of fishing, mountain biking, and taking advantage of everything just outside their door.
Their advice to others considering a move to Boden is to embrace something new.
“Even though it’s a small town, there’s a lot to do over the weekends. It’s a good community and place to raise your family”.
Photo: Bodens kommun/KOMM and the Naudés private photos
