{"id":34274,"date":"2025-01-02T08:08:45","date_gmt":"2025-01-02T07:08:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flyttatillboden.se\/new_in_boden\/the-naude-family\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T09:15:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T07:15:25","slug":"the-naude-family","status":"publish","type":"new_in_boden","link":"https:\/\/flyttatillboden.se\/en\/new_in_boden\/the-naude-family\/","title":{"rendered":"The Naud\u00e9 family"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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 Naud\u00e9 applied for jobs at Stegra in Boden and started a new life here together with their two young daughters. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

\u201cLook!\u201d shouts Alexia, 4.5, waving happily. <\/p>\n\n

She pulls on her warm winter hat and cycles around the Naud\u00e9 family\u2019s newly bought house in Boden. <\/p>\n\n

The hat is a favourite she wears both outdoors and indoors. Here she can cycle and play safely, even outside. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cSafety 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\u2014to being able to walk alone in the dark, not having fences around the house, and simply feeling safer,\u201d says Annelie Naud\u00e9. <\/p>\n\n

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The Naud\u00e9 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\u2014to 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\u2019s not for a short, temporary adventure during the build-out phase, but truly to change their lives and stay for the long term. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cFor the past five years we\u2019ve 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\u2014for our children and for generations to come,\u201d explains Willem Naud\u00e9. <\/p>\n\n

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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\u2014from raw water to wastewater treatment\u2014within the processes for hydrogen production, ironmaking and steelmaking. <\/p>\n\n

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 \u201csite\u201d, Boden Industrial Park, where the large steel plant, the tower where sponge iron (DRI) will be produced, and the hydrogen facility are taking shape. <\/p>\n\n

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A BIG ADJUSTMENT<\/h3>\n\n

Coming from a completely different part of the world and not knowing the language or anyone was a big adjustment. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe had rented a house, and it turned out the owner lived in a caravan on the property. We didn\u2019t 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\u2019t used to it, the first month was a bit chaotic,\u201d they say, laughing. <\/p>\n\n

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\u2019s second-hand shops and buy-and-sell pages on Facebook. <\/p>\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n

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FINDING YOUR PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY<\/h3>\n\n

\u201cWe 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\u2014both South Africans and other nationalities\u2014that we\u2019ve met through work.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Annelie is also studying Swedish at SFI alongside her job. <\/p>\n\n

One of Willem\u2019s older colleagues at Stegra and his wife, also from South Africa, have taken on the role of the children\u2019s Swedish grandparents. <\/p>\n\n

The Naud\u00e9s also say they appreciate the English-language services at Matteus Church in Boden and the sense of community there. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe feel that everyone here, in some way, looks out for each other\u2014you get a smile, they wave. It feels like if you asked someone for help, the answer is always yes,\u201d Willem explains. <\/p>\n\n

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ENJOYING PROXIMITY LIFE<\/h3>\n\n

After a year as new Swedes, they\u2019ve experienced all the seasons\u2014bright summer nights, autumn\u2019s northern lights, and sledding and barbecuing in the spring-winter sun. <\/p>\n\n

They\u2019re 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\u2019s right on their doorstep. <\/p>\n\n

Their advice to others considering moving here is to dare to try something new. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cEven though it\u2019s a small town, there\u2019s a lot to do on weekends. It\u2019s a good community and a great place for children to grow up.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

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