What began as one South African expat’s idea to recognise the achievements and challenges of South Africans living abroad has grown into an international celebration supported by expat communities and business networks.

For many South Africans living abroad, the journey of building a life in a new country is marked by sacrifice, resilience and determination. It is a path that often involves leaving behind family, friends and familiar surroundings in pursuit of new opportunities.

According to Emmanuel Mano Thanos, that shared experience is why International South African Expats Day – first celebrated on Saturday (June 6) – was created.

Thanos, co-founder of the initiative and founder of the South Africans in the United States Facebook group, says the idea was born from a belief that South African expats deserve recognition for their achievements and perseverance.

“About a year ago, I was thinking that since South African expats achieve so much and so many of us have struggled to succeed overseas, we needed a pat on our back, and deserve to celebrate our own special day,” he says.

The committee behind International South African Expats Day consists of Thanos, South African Chamber of Commerce USA president Neil Diamond, Lorna Shingenge and Odette Fouche.

The search for a day of recognition

Manos says the concept began with a simple online search, as he wanted to know whether a day already existed to celebrate South Africans living abroad.

“The answer from Google was that there is no day in particular, but that South African expats do celebrate Heritage Day internationally,” he says.

While acknowledging the importance of Heritage Day, he felt that South Africans abroad have unique experiences and that there should be a day dedicated to celebrating their accomplishments, struggles and stories.

“We need a universal kumbaya, if you will,” he says.

The idea was not only about celebration but also identity, as South African expats have built lives in countries across the globe while maintaining strong ties to their roots.

Thinking globally from the beginning

The idea quickly evolved beyond a small community initiative.

Thanos had experience campaigning for the recognition of another commemorative day and believed a global campaign was possible.

“I said to myself, if we are going to dream, let’s dream big. Let’s go for the whole enchilada,” he says.

He initially considered promoting the concept through his Facebook communities, but realised that for the day to have international significance, broader support would be required.

The first person he approached was Neil Diamond, president of the South African Chamber of Commerce USA.

Thanos says the two had established a friendship over the years, and Diamond is a respected leader within the South African expat community in the United States.

“I messaged and spoke to Neil on the phone about the concept, and he was very excited about the idea from those early conversations,” he says.

Diamond subsequently presented the proposal to the chamber’s board.

According to Thanos, support came quickly.

“Neil called me and said the board loved the idea and wanted to begin the process of establishing this day in the USA and around the world.”

Why June was chosen

Choosing the right date required careful consideration.

For Thanos, the celebration needed to reflect one of the most recognisable traditions within South African culture… The braai.

He wanted a time of year that would encourage outdoor gatherings and community celebrations.

‘A nice sunny day’ was one of his criteria.

Because many South African expat communities are located in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Greece and the United Arab Emirates, he believed the celebration should take place during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

He ruled out May because of its proximity to Memorial Day in the United States and July because Independence Day celebrations could overshadow the occasion.

Father’s Day was another factor in narrowing the choice.

Eventually, he settled on the first weekend in June. A Saturday made the most sense because it would allow people to gather and celebrate without worrying about work the next day.

“The date would change, but it would always be the first Saturday in June,” he explains.

This year, that date fell on June 6.

The braai as a symbol of unity

Central to the initiative is the role of the braai, which, for Thanos, is far more than a social gathering.

“It is a symbol of community, connection and South African identity.

“When we braai, we hang out with each other, socialise, talk, joke around and have a good time, but we also network with each other and help each other,” he says.

He describes a braai as a meeting place where people break bread, cook boerewors and maintain a connection to their South African heritage regardless of where they live.

“The braai is the symbol of unity because it’s at the heart of all South African communities.”

Whether South Africans have become South African-Americans, British South Africans, Australian South Africans, Canadian South Africans or members of any other diaspora community, Thanos believes the braai remains a common thread that brings people together.

Supporting South Africans abroad

One of the key objectives of International South African Expats Day is fostering stronger connections among South Africans living overseas.

According to Thanos, emigrating is not easy.

“The immigrant experience, the expat experience, is a tough one,” he says.

“It takes years to adjust to a new country.”

Even in English-speaking countries, he says, cultural differences can make adaptation challenging.

Many immigrants face pressure to establish themselves quickly and build successful lives in unfamiliar environments.

“It takes time for things to get better and for one to start feeling comfortable in the new society,” he explains.

However, he believes that South Africans eventually integrate into their adopted countries and often go on to achieve significant success.

For those still navigating the challenges of immigration, community support can play a crucial role.

Thanos says International South African Expats Day creates opportunities for networking, mentorship and assistance.

Community braais and gatherings can bring together established professionals and newcomers, creating opportunities for employment, business connections and support.

“Having South African expats meet each other at these community braais allows people to network with each other, offer employment to fellow South Africans and provide help to those who may still be struggling,” he says.

Building communities around the world

The creation of International South African Expats Day reflects a broader effort to strengthen South African communities abroad.

The initiative is a joint venture between the South Africans in the United States Facebook group and the South African Chamber of Commerce USA.

According to Thanos, both organisations share similar values centred on community, networking and mutual support.

The South Africans in the United States Facebook group serves as a daily meeting place for South African-Americans, while the Bay Area South Africans Club focuses on bringing together South Africans in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento regions through regular events and braais.

The club does not charge membership fees and instead focuses on creating opportunities for people to connect and build friendships.

Meanwhile, the South African Chamber of Commerce USA has developed relationships with South African business communities and chambers around the world.

Thanos credited Diamond and the chamber with helping transform the concept from a local initiative into a global movement.

“It is Neil’s hard work that has truly made this day an international holiday,” he says.

Why South Africans build strong global networks

Thanos believes South Africans living abroad have been particularly effective in creating strong international communities because of the unique challenges of life far from home.

“Only we can help each other. Only we can really support each other,” he says.

Communities become places of belonging and familiarity in countries that may feel very different from South Africa.

“They are homes away from home. They are places of strength and support,” he says.

Because expat communities often become lifelines for newcomers and long-term residents alike, Thanos believes South Africans naturally gravitate towards building networks that help people succeed.

Celebrating achievement and encouraging co-operation

The objectives of International South African Expats Day extend beyond social gatherings.

Among its goals are strengthening unity among South African communities worldwide, fostering co-operation and encouraging pride in what South Africans have achieved abroad.

“We South African expats have tremendous potential and tremendous power.

“We just have to harness this great positive energy,” he says.

He believes the day provides a platform for celebrating the accomplishments of South Africans living overseas while creating opportunities for future collaboration.

The initiative is also intended to promote what he describes as a spirit of South Africanness rooted in ubuntu and unity.

A positive global response

Although the first official celebration only took place on Saturday (June 6), Thanos says the response from South African expat communities was overwhelmingly positive.

“The response to this proposed holiday has been utterly tremendous.”

Many South Africans welcomed the idea immediately, while others assumed such a day already existed.

Communities and business groups in numerous countries marked the occasion and what began as an idea quickly developed into an international event.

Looking ahead

Because this year’s observance marked the inaugural celebration, examples of how communities will commemorate the day are still emerging.

However, Thanos expects one thing to be universal – the braai.

He anticipates that South Africans around the world will gather with friends, family and fellow expats to celebrate their shared identity.

Looking ahead, he hopes participation will continue to grow each year.

His vision is for International South African Expats Day to be celebrated in every country where South Africans have settled.

He hopes future years will see photographs and stories from gatherings in countries including China, Japan, Vietnam, Greece, Italy, France, Norway, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

“I am confident that this will be a holiday celebrated in many countries around the world.”

For Thanos, the day represents much more than a social occasion.

“It is an affirmation of what I have done in my adopted country,” he says.

“It is a celebration of my struggle and my will to succeed against great odds in a foreign land.”

Above all, he hopes the occasion reminds South Africans abroad of the value of unity.

“There is great strength in being unified.

“We can do great things as South African expats.”

His message to South Africans around the world is simple:

“Mense, this is our special holiday. It is a day of unity and ubuntu for South African expats all around the world.”