Being part of the major global green transition, combined with a safe community where the children can grow up. Those were the decisive reasons why South Africans Annelie and Willem Naudé applied for jobs at Stegra in Boden and started a new life here together with their two young daughters.
“Look!” shouts Alexia, 4.5, waving happily.
She pulls on her warm winter hat and cycles around the Naudé family’s newly bought house in Boden.
The hat is a favourite she wears both outdoors and indoors. Here she can cycle and play safely, even outside.
“Safety is probably the biggest difference since we moved here. It becomes even clearer when we go back to visit South Africa. The last time I was there, I was looking forward to coming home to Boden—to being able to walk alone in the dark, not having fences around the house, and simply feeling safer,” says Annelie Naudé.
The Naudé family is one of a growing number of international families who have chosen to let work take them to a completely new life on the other side of the globe—to Boden and Sweden. The main reason for their choice is jobs at the green steel plant Stegra, which is now taking shape here. And like several others in a similar situation, they point out that it’s not for a short, temporary adventure during the build-out phase, but truly to change their lives and stay for the long term.
“For the past five years we’ve been looking at the possibility of moving abroad. What we were drawn to here in Boden was that we can be part of something bigger and do something for the future—for our children and for generations to come,” explains Willem Naudé.
He was the one who first found and landed a position at what was then H2 Green Steel, now Stegra, in Boden. His role as a process water engineer in the Utility Technology team means he handles all matters related to water treatment at Stegra—from raw water to wastewater treatment—within the processes for hydrogen production, ironmaking and steelmaking.
Once the decision was made to move their whole life to Boden, Annelie also applied widely for a job that could suit her. It eventually turned out that Stegra also needed her expertise. Today she is part of the finance team as a financial controller. Both work out on “site”, Boden Industrial Park, where the large steel plant, the tower where sponge iron (DRI) will be produced, and the hydrogen facility are taking shape.
A BIG ADJUSTMENT
Coming from a completely different part of the world and not knowing the language or anyone was a big adjustment.
“We had rented a house, and it turned out the owner lived in a caravan on the property. We didn’t have a car the first month and had to figure out how to manage all the trips to work, preschool and errands by public transport. There was so much snow when we arrived, and since we weren’t used to it, the first month was a bit chaotic,” they say, laughing.
They quickly realised they wanted something of their own and started looking into the housing market. This summer they bought a lovely family home that suited their needs, and they love it. Now they have Swedish driving licences and are experts on Boden’s second-hand shops and buy-and-sell pages on Facebook.
The children attend Swedish preschool, and Alexia in particular has quickly started speaking Swedish. Sometimes the parents have to frantically Google what she means when she explains in Swedish what she wants.
(private photo)
FINDING YOUR PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY
“We work quite hard to try to find our place in the community and the municipality. We usually take turns going to an international after-work and spend some time with new friends—both South Africans and other nationalities—that we’ve met through work.”
Annelie is also studying Swedish at SFI alongside her job.
One of Willem’s older colleagues at Stegra and his wife, also from South Africa, have taken on the role of the children’s Swedish grandparents.
The Naudés also say they appreciate the English-language services at Matteus Church in Boden and the sense of community there.
“We feel that everyone here, in some way, looks out for each other—you get a smile, they wave. It feels like if you asked someone for help, the answer is always yes,” Willem explains.
(private photo)
ENJOYING PROXIMITY LIFE
After a year as new Swedes, they’ve experienced all the seasons—bright summer nights, autumn’s northern lights, and sledding and barbecuing in the spring-winter sun.
They’re looking forward to continuing to discover their new proximity life in Boden and Norrbotten. Enjoying the freedom to go fishing or cycle out into nature on a mountain bike, and simply making the most of what’s right on their doorstep.
Their advice to others considering moving here is to dare to try something new.
“Even though it’s a small town, there’s a lot to do on weekends. It’s a good community and a great place for children to grow up.”
TEXT: ANNA BERGSTRÖM
