My first 14 days in South Africa

My first two weeks in Pretoria, South Africa 

After spending a season in Barcelona for 5 months, I arrived here in Pretoria on the 7th of February. For those of you who don’t know, I am currently doing my internship in communications at an NGO called VVOB, worldwide quality education in Pretoria. 

Let me tell you about my first 24 hours here. I would not, under any circumstances, leave my compound. I heard so many horror-stories, about how people would get mugged or cold-bloodedly kidnapped or worse in South Africa. Of course, it is only the worst ones you hear. But, they made me stay underneath this very wholesome and guardian-like tree here, in my backyard. Nonetheless, I had a feeling coming from deep underneath my heart, that I had to be here. his country has something to tell me, something to teach me, I thought. And no matter what challenges I am to encounter, I will commit to it. 

Next to my internship I am working on my bachelor thesis, a multimedia project (documentary, photo series, podcast and article) about something very dear to my soul. About leading women in agriculture - the soil rooted in feminism. A movement is happening: more and more women are taking back their power and are creating their own sustainable and climate-resilient business in agriculture.

I don’t have to tell you that there is a huge gender gap in terms of land-ownership down here, due to the remains of post-apartheid and of traditional values in rural areas. It is very hard to own land here as a woman. To help mitigate this problem, the government decided in 2020 to redistribute 50% of the reformed land to women. Out of that 50%, only 7% came through, a study found in 2024. 

That means, there is still a very big gender gap at this moment.

Meanwhile, like many other countries, South Africa is struggling with the challenges of climate change: water scarcity, droughts, floods. With poverty and with food security. The sustainable and community-centered initiatives of these women are powerful ways to mitigate these challenges. And closing the gender-gap. 

That is what my bachelor-thesis is about! And I can’t wait to show you more of it. And get started on filming and editing. 

Continuing my personal journey.

After some days, I was confident enough to walk to work (which is literally a 10 min walk). I started going to the gym for 4 days a week, just to have an outlet for all this built up energy. The thing/challenge that keeps persisting for me, is the fact that you have to drive literally everywhere here. It’s very American-like. You go from box to box. 

You go from your compound (box) to your work (box) and then go to the gym to work out (another box). You go to the mall, for a “family outing” or a date, (which is considered something fun to do) and to go to all these places, you take an Uber or your car. Which is unimaginable for a European like me. I am so used to being safe and so used to walking everywhere.

My colleague told me that my safety is my absolute priority, and if that means taking an Uber to every location, then that’s okay. And I can just compensate my lack of movement coming from walking, by going to the gym 5 times a week. She changed my mindset, and I started to accept the fact, that life here is just built differently. A plus: reformer pilates for days ;) 

Starting the second week with a worktrip to the beautiful Limpopo! Wow. I have never seen such magical landscape in my life. Honestly. I felt, like I was in a scene in the Lion King. When we drove there, I saw wild monkeys crossing the street and I couldn’t help but scream a little bit out of excitement. My colleagues didn’t even look up from their phone, haha. It was so normal for them. But not for me!

Once at the ranch, where we stayed, we had a two day workshop with district officials to discuss the launching of the project on which we are currently working on. It was interesting to see how this total different culture organizes themselves, to see the ins and outs of a very serious project coming to life. Talking about real problems and how to solve them. I was flabbergasted that I was a part of that. And I felt like a real grown-up. 

I think what stands out to me the most, since I have been here, are the South African people. Never in my life have I met such kind, open and warm people. Wow. So soft, humorous and “real” people. You can have the best and deepest conversation with your next Uber driver for all you know. The people here have been the cushion I needed to land on here. So, shout out to all you South Africans. 

In the second weekend, I went on a trip to Johannesburg, or how South Africans (and now me too) say Joburg. Together with 4 other tourists and one guide (who fulfilled his role extraordinarily well) we did the “ultimate Johannesburg tour”: firstly, the Constitution Hill, where Nelson Mandela and Gandhi were imprisoned. This was very heavy (as most of the tour) and so rich in history. I remember when I was visiting Auschwitz, and the prison here didn’t differ a lot, I have to say. It was a race-divided prison, where they had completely different regulations for the black prisoners, back in the day. For example, giving the black prisoners less-nutritious food, or keeping more “criminals” in one cell than where the white prisoners were situated.

Secondly, we went to the Apartheid Museum, where we got taught about the whole history of apartheid and the life of the wonderful Nelson Mandela. This was so well-made, it impressed me to the core of my being. The history of this country is so complex and so complicated, I could never fully comprehend and fully grasp it. It still amazes me, how diverse it is. It truly is a rainbow nation. And there is still a certain kind of guilt inside of me, being Dutch and European, when I walk through the museum. It is hard to face what the Europeans did to this country. 

Our last stop was Soweto, a destination I desperately wanted to see. Just because it is globally known and heard of, it is mentioned in many songs and documentaries. It is famous for its also very rich history. Mandela’s house was there, which we also visited. We had lunch there and walked the streets to another museum. It was even more special to me, how kind the people were to me. Again, so open and receptive. A truly heart-warming experience.

This Monday, the 24th, I celebrated my 26th birthday. It was so strange for me to be here, and turn 26, without my loved ones. Even though I did it so many times before (having my birthday abroad), this time it felt off. But, I know that, living a life like this, travelling so much and seeing so much of the world, “extraordinary circumstances” also present themselves. I was so happy though to spend it with my new friend, Liz (who is an angel sent from heaven). We went to play paddle and had a beautiful dinner at a local restaurant. It was lovely. 

Now, it has been extremely challenging for me to adapt here. But, as I said in the beginning. I am committed. I am committing to this land, to this experience, to my project and my internship. This is for me, this is here for my growth. I know it.

So, without further ado, I will be going to the gym now. And write again in two weeks, or whenever I feel like, with more updates and new experiences. If you made it till here, I appreciate you deeply.

xxx Lovis