Moving from South Africa to Door County requires a harsh adjustment By Patricia Podgers For The News-Chronicle South Africa is a country of great cultural diversity, its landscape sweeping and dramatic. Covering 470,693 square miles, South Africa is bordered by five independent nations and two oceans. Rich in minerals, including gold and diamonds, mining is important to the economic base of the country. But statistics tell only part of South Africa's story: The 40 million people who call this dynamic country home are the real story. Recently arrived in the United States, Nicole and Marcelle Marais are excited to share the adventure of moving from the place of their birth, and their relocation to Door County with their mother, Liz Kuhns. "South Africa is called 'the Rainbow Nation' because of its many cultures. We had friends of every color," Marcelle said. "Our language is very expressive. For one English word, South Africans have 10 different fun ways to say the same thing." By definition, Afrikaans is the official language of South Africa, developed from the language of the 17th-century Dutch settlers. However, South Africa recognizes 11 different languages, of which English is the most often utilized, especially in business transactions and court proceedings. Born and raised in South Africa, the sisters are proud of their heritage. "Our ancestors were French Huguenots and first arrived in South Africa in the 1600s," Nicole said. Historically, the San were the first indigenous people of the area. Evidence of their nomadic travels can be found in the form of ancient rock art throughout South Africa. The Bantu-speaking tribes entered eastern South Africa from the north in 300 A.D. and are the ancestors of the present-day South Africans. Today they comprise three-quarters of South Africa's population. The whites, Coloureds (people of mixed race) and Asians, including Indians, comprise the balance of the population. "We went to school with kids of all races," Marcelle said. "And we never saw any difference. We're all the same, and everyone accepts everyone else's differences." Apartheid was the term for the political system of racial segregation that existed from 1948 until 1990. Trade sanctions that had been imposed by the international community were then lifted, allowing South Africa to develop economically. Today the country is completely integrated. Geologist Roger Kuhns was working in Africa as the general manager for an Australian mining company when he met Liz, who is a certified gemologist. In 1999, the couple married and soon after applied for Marcelle, Nicole and their older brother, Pierre, to move to the United States with them. The complicated process of immigration would involve years of wading through the bureaucracy of the United States Immigration Services. "It was real nightmare," Liz Kuhns recalled. "And I don't envy anyone going through the process on their own. We had different immigration attorneys work on our case, but in the end, we did most of it on our own. We were constantly shuffled around. It really affects the whole family. I know of families being separated for years because of the paperwork and misinformation. We were told one thing and then told another. It was never the same information." Roger Kuhns sponsored the children's move to the United States, and the necessary papers were filed. "We were told that as long as the children were under 18 years of age when we married, there would be no problem," Liz Kuhns said. "Then we were told the law changed to 21 years of age, which then automatically included my son. But that's not true. When we were to pick up the necessary documents, Pierre was denied a visa at the very last minute because of this ambiguous law." Her son is currently living and working in London, England, on a holiday work permit but is required to return to South Africa when the permit expires. "It is fairly easy to work in England because of the ÔCommonwealth connection,'" Kuhns said. "Although Pierre can apply for a green card on his own, the backlog is over six years long." A green card is a United States permanent residence visa, as defined by U.S. Immigration Services. Over a two-year period, Liz Kuhns moved back and forth between Wisconsin and South Africa as she waited for her children's clearance. "When I was here, I desperately missed my children, and when I was there I missed my husband," she said. Final admission to the United States requires a very strict medical examination and proof of no criminal record. "The immigration department is very thorough," Kuhns said. "They check into everything. We had to undergo X-rays and blood tests for several diseases. You will not be allowed into the United States if you fail any of these tests." While Marcelle continued her high school education, Nicole postponed her college education as the sisters waited for their green cards. Spending four months on a kibbutz in Israel, Nicole worked in the kitchen and in the fields. Liz Kuhns finally arrived in Door County with her daughters on Jan. 20. "It was the coldest day of the year," she said. "We're not used to this kind of cold," Nicole added. "It's really something to get used to." Surrounded by photograph albums filled with pictures of their family, friends and classmates, the girls explain the traditions of their homeland. Nicole will return to Cape Town in July to celebrate her 21st birthday. "The 21st is a very special event," she said. "It symbolizes being an adult, entering the world of independence. We have a huge party with speeches. Everyone close to you attends. It's like a reunion." Marcelle, a senior at Gibraltar High School, will turn 18 the same month. Looking forward to a visit in Cape Town later in the year, she plans to visit with her father, family and friends and commemorate her birthday. "Marcelle finds the communities at school are reluctant to befriend her because of her diversely different background," Liz said. "It could possibly be the lack of knowledge about the true South Africa. There is so much more to the country than the news coverage that's on television. But Marcelle is hopeful things will change eventually." Nicole plans to attend university in the United States, studying international relations or political science, while Marcelle expresses an interest in art. Moving to Door County in the middle of winter was a harsh adjustment, both girls admit. "We're used to big cities where there's lots going on," Marcelle said. "South African cities are very cosmopolitan and active. It's very quiet here in winter. It was so hard to leave our friends and family." "The South African family is a very strong network and supports each other," Kuhns says. "My mother lives in a small village near Cape Town, and it's hard not being close to her." "The beauty of the people of South Africa is astonishing, people in the United States really don't know that much about the country. And the good changes that are coming about are wonderful. It's most amazing to see the people stand together and make good things happen." Nicole explained, "Africa is all about diversity and opportunity, and the government has so much potential to do important things. And the natural resources are so important." Rich in natural resources, only 12 percent of the land area of South Africa is cultivated. Like the future of South Africa, the potential to achieve is limitless for the sisters. Bright and articulate, Nicole and Marcelle are eager to experience America. The only missing piece to complete the family's portrait is Pierre. "The last few years have been exceedingly tough on my children, but with perseverance and tenacity we have seen it through,"Kuhns said. "I believe that the day will come that my son will also finally have the freedom to be with us. If you have unwavering belief in something, then it will happen."