TokisoM Writes

Lerato Mogoatlhe's memoir, Vagabond - Wandering Through Africa on Faith , on her African travels is really a story of faith, courage and acting on your dreams - regardless of how wild they are. Mogoatlhe goes against everything what we have been socialised to believe about travel, especially as women and even more of our own continent - Africa.  Her solo adventures begin in Dakar and she already sets the scene for what is going to be a series of anecdotes of her showing up in different countries with no money, no solid plans of where she would be hosted and just a dream of wanting to be in the different places. The courage to travel this way allows her to meet so many people who, I believe were extra kind to her out of shock (and curiosity) that this young black woman was in their home town without the usual itinerary constraints.  Vagabond is not written to glamourise her African experience - instead, as a reader - you are given first row experience of her personal discovery ...

The first time I flew long distance was when I went to Germany a couple of years ago. I was so nervous and excited I really do not remember the flight that well. So this time around, a little less nervous (especially since there was no stop over and connector flight - that shit ain't fun for a first timer) I was fully aware of my trip. I didn't make my family do the whole, drive her to the airport vibe. Instead, I spent my Sunday with my daughter and husband. I then dropped off my child at her grans, hubby then took me to the Gautrain. In the Gautrain I met a woman who lives in London. She gave me some tips on the city. The word 'Grey' was used a lot. I had checked the weather before packing and yep I know I am visiting during a grey, wet and cold time. I really need to visit Europe during their summer. This winter/autumn trend has to pass.  I have not been on a Gautrain in years, happy to see that it was still a painless process and well maintained. A...