- A South African au pair living in the US posted a day-in-the-life TikTok vlog that caught the attention of viewers back home
- The video, filmed in a modern American home, gave followers a glimpse into what life as an au pair in the US looks like
- South Africans flooded the comments with questions about how to get an au pair placement abroad
Source: Getty Images
A South African woman living and working as an au pair in the United States gave her TikTok followers a peek into her daily life in a video posted on 21 September 2026. The creator, who goes by @jpleburu on TikTok, filmed herself moving through a modern American kitchen and living room, with on-screen text reading "Au pair diaries: Spend the day with me," accompanied by South African and American flag emojis.
The clip had an instantly warm, domestic feel. At one point, she could be heard directing a child to go wash their hands, offering a candid look at the everyday responsibilities that come with au pair life abroad.
What is an au pair?
The video sparked genuine curiosity among South African viewers, many of whom were unfamiliar with the concept. An au pair is typically a young person who lives with a host family abroad, helping with childcare and light household duties in exchange for accommodation, meals, and a stipend. It has become an increasingly popular route for young South Africans looking to live and work overseas.
View the TikTok video below:
Mzansi reacts to the au pair life
The comments section on her page was full of South Africans eager to learn more, with several asking practical questions about how to get started:
@Qaqamba_N asked:
"What is an au pair, guys?"
@Magolide S T explained:
"Au pair is almost like a stay-in-helper."
@Attendant minah wanted to know:
"Which website did you use, dear?"
@letty admitted:
"I'm interested. I don't have money to pay."
@londiwemvelase had a different question entirely:
"Chommy, are you allowed to have a boyfriend?"
The video struck a chord with young South Africans curious about opportunities to live and work abroad, with many viewing au pairing as an accessible first step to experiencing life in countries like the United States or the United Kingdom.
More Briefly News stories on America
- An American tourist praised South Africa’s banking system and the hadeda ibis, saying the US could learn from Mzansi and its surprising everyday innovations.
- US cuts refugees’ appeal window from 30 days to 10 as officials review 185,000 cases, while advocates warn legal aid and fair hearings may be out of reach.
- An American TikToker’s critique of plans to admit 17,000 White South African refugees sparks debate over hypocrisy and deportations of brown immigrants online.
Source: Briefly News
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