Who is Farrel Hardenberg?
Ever since I was a young boy, I loved cartoons! The 'golden oldies' such as He-man, Thundercats, and Bravestarr from the '80s for example. These animated stories were the reasons I started drawing at a young age. Drawing, sketching, and creating things has always been a passion of mine. That is why I decided to study multimedia design after completing secondary school. It would be the introduction and start of my digital creativity and software development transition. Outside of software, I played volleyball during school and a little after. I was in the Boy Scouts and didn't like the outdoors back then, but now, I love it now! A few years ago, while in my late twenties, and early thirties, I enjoyed DJ'ing and was an MC for several roller derby matches in Cape Town. That was lots of fun! But most importantly, I'm a dad of two children. My eldest is a girl of 13 years old - Ryleigh. My youngest is a boy of 7 years old - Finn. And I'm the lucky husband to a strong, beautiful, loving, supportive, inspiring, wife - Sabrina. We've been together for 21 years now, in November 2023.
Farrel, why did you emigrate to the Netherlands?
I've always thought that as a parent, you should be able to offer your children more opportunities than the ones provided by your parents. Emigration offered my family and me a way out of a desolate and dying South African economy with career growth, new cultural experiences, and life opportunities for our children.
It wasn't an easy choice, but it was the best choice for our family! We knew it wouldn't be easy, but we're optimistic and will try our best! "The grass grows where you water it!"
How do you like the Netherlands, and what are the most significant differences between South Africa and the Netherlands?
We have been in the Netherlands since August 2023. It is a beautiful country, and I have only experienced warm welcomes from people around us. From the passport control officers to our brand new neighbors to my colleagues! Even the people who cycle and walk past us have greeted us - "Hoi!" The roads are excellent, and everything seems well looked after!
There are a few things we do miss from Cape Town and South Africa:
Fatter slices of breakfast bacon - ontbijtspek
A wider variety of meat from the grocery stores - all kinds of beef (like steaks), lamb, chicken, and pork.
A variety of takeout food options - my family and I miss Nandos Portugues grilled chicken from South Africa
Our pets
And anything to add about Frontliners?
I have been blessed and lucky to be employed by a company like Frontliners. The technology stack is familiar to one I've enjoyed working with at a previous employer. And the direction they're working towards aligns with my experience and personal growth! What's better than a forward-thinking company? A company with a fantastic group of people who have history, understand change, want change, want to bring others with them and know that investing in people will always return results and take their business forward. They have been the warmest and most welcoming to an outsider!