If it feels like conversations at dinner parties have shifted, you’re not imagining it. Increasingly, talk isn’t just about where to holiday next but where to buy abroad — and more often than not, the UK is the prime focus.

Recent figures from Nedbank Private Wealth and the UK government confirm what many of Johannesburg’s affluent circles already sense: South Africa’s high-net-worth individuals are steadily planting roots across Britain and its crown dependencies. Property, business ventures, philanthropy — these aren’t acts of emigration but of positioning, creating optionality in a world that rewards flexibility.

The UK holds obvious appeal. The time difference is negligible, the culture familiar, and the education system world-renowned. Families see it as a way to give children access to top universities, while still keeping a foothold in South Africa. The crown dependencies — Jersey and the Isle of Man — add another layer, serving as gateways to global investment opportunities and hard-currency exposure.

Critically, this isn’t just about fleeing local uncertainty. Yes, political and economic dynamics play a role, but the greater driver is opportunity. Offshore holdings diversify portfolios beyond the limits of the JSE, hedge against volatility, and create long-term security.

For many, it’s less about leaving and more about extending — a lifestyle where one can chase summer, manage global assets, and still fly home for business or family.

Of course, the strategy isn’t without complexity. Multiple jurisdictions mean multiple sets of rules, and missteps can be costly. But with careful planning, the benefits are clear: choice, resilience, and access.

So next time you hear someone talk about “a little place in London” or “looking at Jersey,” it’s not just idle chatter. It’s part of a bigger pattern — one shaping the financial DNA of South Africa’s wealthiest families.

Listen to the full interview from HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs, below: