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Yes, open a US based interactive brokers account and buy VWRD on the london exchange. That's what I've done, and have bought for the last 2 months. I also couldn't find a cheaper international broker than interactive that would accept South Africans.

I did a lot of searching for something equivalent to the options Americans had just buying Vanguard. Somehow I stumbled on the term non-resident alien (NRA), which is anyone living outside of the US who isn't a US citizen. That lead to a lot of really well written wiki's and forum posts on the bogleheads forums. There are a few options for NRAs, but the one most recommended by the bogleheads, and on a number of other sites was interactive brokers. I also liked that their monthly fee is waived if you have $100 000 invested with them.

At the moment I just have new money in their account, so it's not my R1m by quite some distance, but the account is ready and waiting, and should I need to move the funds I'll be able to. I'm also fortunate to have a US bank account, but they take transfers in all major currencies, so an EU, UK or even local bank offshore account would be perfect.

I was close to moving all my cash in December after it looked like we were heading downhill fast, but I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. All the reading material says the dollar is overvalued, and the rand is undervalued, and I just couldn't swallow a hit that big. I even went as far as getting my tax clearance, almost. It turns out you can't get tax clearance for investment without going through a bank/broker, but the lady at SARS did confirm they would give it to me with the documents I had on hand. We'll have to wait and see which way we head.

Eventually all my investments will sit in interactive. If I decide I want to hold South African shares, I'll just buy the iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund, or buy dual listed shares, but I think once I'm out I'll be staying out.

Yes, you'll have to take the hit, and unfortunately even inflation isn't taken in to account. My strategy is to sell when all markets are down like in a bear market. That minimizes your capital gains for instance your JSE shares aren't worth as much, but you also buy foreign shares at a lower price, so the net effect is no loss.

Yes, open a US based interactive brokers account and buy VWRD on the london exchange. That's what I've done, and have bought for the last 2 months. I also couldn't find a cheaper international broker than interactive that would accept South Africans.

Thanks Patrick have opened an account online so hope I'm up and away!

Very informative thread. How did you open a US bank account Patrick?

Looking for a different thread, but just saw this now Nios. The agency I work for helped me open the US bank account, unfortunately it's not a method that would work for others. If you have lots of cash any of the big banks locally will be able to help you, but in terms of low cost, we're all still looking. Investec seems to be the most clued up so far.

I use Webtrader from Standard Bank.
The offshore bank they are using is Deutsche Bank.

I am a bit worried because it seems all is not well at Deutsche Bank.
I bought mostly BRK B and Vanguard, so I suppose even if Deutsche Bank goes under, my funds are still ok.
Any thoughts?