Scapta goes South Africa: the story of our remote colleague Nini!

A spontaneous LinkedIn message and an old friendship going back 33 years… That’s how Nini's scapta adventure began. She has been living under the South African sun for a third of her life already. Today, she works as Business Central support at scapta – entirely remote, and perfectly in her element.

Hi, meet:

Nini Brasseur 💁‍♀️

Found in its South African habitat

Enjoy wine tastings, trail running, and simply being outdoors.

Business Central expert 🤓

How did you end up at Scapta?

I was active on LinkedIn when I suddenly received a message from Alex, whom I've known for over 30 years. He asked me, “How is life in Africa?” I honestly replied that things weren't going too smoothly in my current job and that I was looking for something new. And suddenly, the ball started rolling. He immediately asked if I wanted to do remote support. Not much later, I was sitting at a table in Belgium with Peter and Alex to discuss everything. And that's how it actually started.

By the way, I know Alex from my very first job, where I helped him install Navision at a cleaning company. We've stayed in touch ever since.

What is your current role within Scapta?

Business Central Support, but also a Business Central expert 😉  

You work entirely from South Africa. What made you take the step to go live and work there?

At 36, I started to feel restless: it was time for something new. I briefly considered Italy – sun, wine, pasta – but the language and the lack of English there proved more difficult than I thought.

In 2001, I traveled to South Africa for the first time with my aunt. And wow, it felt right immediately. As if something inside me said: I will come back here someday.

When I finally decided: I'm going for it, Alex put me in touch with someone at Microsoft in Johannesburg. One email later, I already had a reply – and then everything happened very quickly. Nobody at home knew anything yet…

Before I knew it, I had job interviews in Cape Town, and I flew there with only two suitcases. I arranged everything myself: visa, accommodation, work... and honestly, I've never really returned (except for visits, of course 😉).

I now have my permanent residency permit and a South African ID. South Africa feels like home.

Before I knew it, I had job interviews in Cape Town, and I flew there with only two suitcases. I arranged everything myself: visa, accommodation, work... and honestly, I've never really returned (except for visits, of course 😉).

Nini Brasseur

What are your favorite things about living in South Africa?

I've been living here for a third of my life now. I live 800 meters from the sea. The climate is wonderful, the people are warm and cheerful – even though they don't have much. They just dance in the streets out of contentment. There's so little complaining.

We also do a lot of road trips because South Africa is so big, you keep discovering new things. And the nature is simply impressive.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I start the day with a run – often on the beach – or I go for a walk with the dogs. Around 9 AM, I'm ready to log in for support. That routine, being outdoors, it brings me so much peace. The hustle and bustle of yesteryear? I don't miss it at all anymore 😊

How is the balance for you working entirely from South Africa? And how do you experience collaborating with Scapta remotely?

Very good. When I spoke with Alex again via Teams, it felt like we were sitting right next to each other. You barely notice the distance.

I also hear a lot of positive feedback from customers. I even know some of them from way back. And it often leads to nice conversations: “How is the weather where you are?”

At first, I was a bit nervous telling clients I don't live in Belgium, but everyone reacted really well. And when I am in Belgium, I always like to pop into the office.

What do you personally like most about your job? And what do you like least?

I truly love what I do. Ever since that first Navision implementation with Alex, I've been hooked on the system. And I'm still learning something new every day, which keeps it interesting.

The only thing I like less? When I can't find something right away and I have to bother someone else. But then again, I can't know everything 😉.

I truly love what I do. Ever since that first Navision implementation with Alex, I've been hooked on the system. And I'm still learning something new every day, which keeps it interesting.

Nini Brasseur

Do you think you will stay in South Africa long-term?

Absolutely. I still feel like a tourist here every day – and that's exactly what's so great about it.

What advice would you give to people who are hesitant about working remotely from abroad?

First, go exploring! Do your homework: explore the options, make contacts. Traveling taught me a lot. Thanks to my work, I've implemented Navision in places like Madagascar, Kenya, and Mozambique. And most importantly: know well what you're leaving behind. In my case, I left nothing behind that held me back.

A quote or sentence that reminds you of Scapta, how you feel at Scapta?

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”

Hobbies: I love wine tastings, trail running, and just being outdoors. Walking, enjoying – life is really in balance here.