TWTMT In conversation with Nkuli Marope Greenwood

TWTMT: Thank you so much for saying Yes!
Nkuli: Of course, thank you for thinking of me. I feel honoured.​

NKuli, when I met you years ago in Cape Town it was a great pleasure meeting you, and I knew we were kindred spirits.
Thank you, Michelle, that is one way of putting it, lol.

Why is travel important to you?
When my grandmother taught me a quote, I think by Saint Augustine, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” She created a wanderlust in me. I have always been a wandering soul, so I knew from a very young age that I would have regrets if I don’t venture out in the world. Travelling feeds my soul. It is a way of investing in myself and creating memories. I want to have amazing stories to tell my children and grandchildren—also, representation matters. I want black children to know that travelling is not a white people’s thing; it is for everybody who can do it. I want them to know that black people also do travel.

When was your first solo trip?
Come think of it, I have never really had a solo trip so to speak. My so-called solo trips have always been when flying home to visit family.

What countries outside of South Africa have you lived in?
South Korea-10 years
Canada-3 months
Taiwan- 3 months
USA- 2 years and 3 months

What has living in these countries taught you?
To peacefully co-exist with the other
To keep an open mind
To be inclusive
To be sympathetic to immigrants and to some extent refugees
To appreciate South Africa more

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What did you study, and what is your passion?
Bachelor of Social Science in Political Studies and Public Administration (UCT)
Diploma in TESOL -London Teacher Training College
MPA (Master of Public Affairs) in Policy Analysis (Indiana University-USA)

Passion- saving the world!
Okay, seriously, mmmmh using my skills to make a difference-- one person at a time.
I am also working on starting a scholarship program to help educate young children at home (especially from the Northern Cape)

What came as a surprise to you when you left home?

Racism-That no matter how hard you try as a black person, (some) people in this world will always try to treat you like a subhuman.
That my body and soul need to be exposed to sunlight. Experiencing SAD- (Seasonal Affective Disorder) for the first time whilst in Canada was a teachable moment.
I appreciate South Africa and its vibrancy more than ever. I am more determined to keep traditions and preserve certain customs and hopefully passing them on to our children.
I miss the townships, knowing my neighbours, speaking to random strangers on public transit, most of all, I miss interacting with Black people.

Did you have any problems adjusting to your new environment every time you moved?
Yes I did,  in fact I had a few adjustment problems.

In Canada- It was freezing that year (-35 degrees Celsius) and lack of sunlight. I left SA in December, and it was summer, and it was winter in Canada. By the end of January, I learned that I suffered from SAD. Thank god, the mother of the house was a nurse, and she figured it out and did something.

Taiwan- racism. Yhoo, I don’t know about now, but back then in Taiwan, I was treated like an exotic animal.

​South Korea-was like my second home. I loved everything about it, except for occasional racism. I was lucky because all my employers were terrific people and always made me feel like I was part of the group.

America- The US is like Earth two for me. It is very similar to South Africa yet so different. However, I am experiencing a culture shock! I know, but I am having a hard time adjusting to this country (well, particularly in Indiana).

What have you discovered about yourself through your travels?
I discovered myself in totality. I got to grow and reinvent myself
I found that I am very good at learning new languages.
I have discovered that I am capable of competing at the world stage (despite what the Apartheid government wanted us to believe).
I have discovered that I do not like to box people, and I don’t appreciate being boxed.
I have discovered that growing up in the townships has prepared me for my backpacking and camping adventures.
I am very patient with ignorant people (I think its because I always see my interaction with such people as an opportunity to teach).
I have a sense of social justice.
I discovered that people are just people. In every culture, there are good and bad apples.
I discovered that in African countries, I don’t completely blend in (a very disappointing discovery, LOL!).

What would you encourage young people to do in RSA? When it comes to education and travel.
I want them to know that it is doable. I did not come from a wealthy family; I just had a dream to see the world. I took advantage of available opportunities, and things happened.

Education: tertiary education is not for everyone, and I get that. But for me, it was the only way out of the township and poverty. I did not have role models in my community, but I had parents who understood the importance of education, and they did their best to push me in the right direction.
Tertiary life is not easy, its uncomfortable but if that’s what you want to do, do it. Ask as many questions to people who went through that, just to get a sense of what you might experience. And, if tertiary education is not for you, that’s okay as well. Find something that you are passionate about and focus on that.

Travel: Travelling does not always necessarily mean going to a faraway land like France, for instance, and staying in fancy hotels.
You can start small—backpack to the next town, province, then neighbouring country, and then to a different continent.
If you not sure how to do it, you could start by getting seasonal jobs (at a resort, wine farm)—or teaching English in another country. These are all great ways to travel and generate money to fund that kind of lifestyle.
Bring your sense of adventure: If you can ditch the travel tour guides, grab a map, and get lost and discover hidden gems.
Be prepared to experience culture shock or totally be mesmerised by other cultures. Most of all, enjoy yourself.
To all the black people, do not let racism stop you from travelling. When you find yourself in such situations, take a deep breath, and make this an opportunity to teach.

What have you discovered about yourself through your travels?
I discovered myself in totality. I got to grow and reinvent myself
I found that I am very good at learning new languages.
I have discovered that I am capable of competing at the world stage (despite what the Apartheid government wanted us to believe).
I have discovered that I do not like to box people, and I don’t appreciate being boxed.
I have discovered that growing up in the townships has prepared me for my backpacking and camping adventures.
I am very patient with ignorant people (I think its because I always see my interaction with such people as an opportunity to teach).
I have a sense of social justice.
I discovered that people are just people. In every culture, there are good and bad apples.
I discovered that in African countries, I don’t completely blend in (a very disappointing discovery, LOL!).