The R100 South African tour – The Ubuntu Girl.
The beauty of South Africa comes alive in different ways, one of its beauty is its people. Meet Sonja Kruse – better known as “The Ubuntu Girl”, call her amazing, inspirational, crazy, adventurous – her journey to travel across South Africa is a true reflection of what many citizens are faced with – dreams, goals and wishes yet not putting action to them. The Ubuntu Girl has now completed her round-about travel of SA and most definitely #Represent had to get in on the scoop. Mad as a R100.
1. Firstly, I have to command you on doing this project. Your journey across South Africa is worthy of applause. How does it feel to look back on your journey and say “I did it”?
It feels like another challenge will come knocking! It feels like I can more fully understand and embrace this complicated, beautiful country we call home, with the full acknowledgement that I know very little
2. What epiphany led you to begin this journey with only a R100?
It is bizarre when you have a dream that is so clear in its prophecy to fulfil itself, that in the beginning I thought it was just a silly form of escapism. Until the dream stayed around for four years. So, the significance of the R100, I’m only now making sense of. Perhaps it is because people may have been less likely to relate to a person who did this with no money
3. I’m sure you must have had doubts before leaving your home. What stopped you from entertaining them?
Ja, when I calculated how many cappuccinos (my weakness) I could buy with the R100, I had doubts. There was an overwhelming desire inside of me to get to know the people of our country. I was hungry for real engagement and conversation and wanted to experience other people’s experience of life. It could not be ignored
4. What was the end game for this project during conception?
This was one of those events in life that had no purpose, other than to follow the heart. And to listen to the voice inside.
5. Did you achieve it?
I have to say yes. Most of my decisions going forward now are made from the heart and from instinct. I still doubt myself at times. It is part of the human condition
The Journey
1. When you left (EAST LONDON), where was your first stop at?
Chilumna village in rural Eastern Cape. Beautiful landscape
2. Did you have a map drawn out of all the places you wanted to stop at?
Not at all! I must have had a sense that South Africans would guide me, which they did. There was a healthy dose of pride in people about their community and surroundings. The families often told me where they think I should go next. They were like road signs on the journey
3. Did you conduct any cultural research of the places you might find yourself sleeping at?
No. It was a case of learning-on-the-job. As South Africans, we are very generous with sharing information about ourselves and our culture. All that is needed is genuine interest. Also, learning the basics in language (ie greeting, thank you, please etc) and getting to know things about a family’s food etiquette and cultural rituals, gained a lot of respect, both ways
4. What was the alternative to this journey, in case it all came to a sudden stop?
I could not afford to think like that, because sometimes a backup plan is more attractive than what you are supposed to be doing with your life. But looking back now, I would probably have ended up working at the Game Lodge I left behind in pursuit of this dream
5. I seriously want to know, how far did the R100 take you or feed you?
The R100 question? I broke the R100 on day on Day 13…for a cappuccino! I never dipped below R7. It is unimaginable to lots, but even taxi drivers paid for my fare out of their pockets. The thing is, this journey was not about having money or not, collecting money, giving it away, gaining it, and losing it. It was a journey of abundance. And that is something that South Africans have in large supply, much more than money: an abundance of spirit
The Reception.
1. When you told your immediate family and friends about your intended style of travel, what
was their reaction and what discouragement/excitement did they share with you?
My brother was the first to know, as we share a similar life view. My eldest sister was next, because she is incredibly open minded. Followed by my mom. That was tough, because I knew it would be painful to hear. She was calm and collected though. My middle sister last of the siblings. Last was my dad. He only found out a few days before I set off, because he might have posed the most resistance. It was tough to feel hurt because of what I was putting my family through and to feel liberated at the same time. But it had to be done. I actually told very few friends, because I believe that actions speak louder than words
2. What did you miss the most while back-packing across the country?
I think the luxury of just shutting life out. Sometimes, I just disappear into myself and into a dream world where there is no need to explain yourself. The UBUNTU journey was quite full on people engagement. That is not a complaint. It was exactly the point. Can you imagine if no-one noticed, cared or asked questions about a journey of connecting with one another?
3. The strangest day on this project came from…?
The day, around the 6 month mark when I wanted to quit, I was picked up by this guy whose life views and politics were so different from mine. Instead of driving me closer to quitting, he actually, through his opposing points of views, encouraged me to continue. It was very strange to find courage at the lowest point, from a seeming even lower conversation. Strange what drives us sometimes
4. My biggest fear was…?
Not having the courage to ask for help
5. My biggest motivation came from…?
All the families that had carried me to each next point
The Visits
1. Who was the first family you arrived at and what words did you use to get them to open their doors for you?
After staying with a friend in East London for a week, mentally preparing, I met up with a women, Nomi, whom I went with in a taxi to Scenery Park. I met the first host, Phumza Mbambisa there by just knocking on her door, saying that I have nowhere to sleep, no food to eat and that I’m looking to learn about UBUNTU
2. What negative receptions did you encounter while on your journey from other families? (Assuming not everyone is as accommodating)
There must have been only about three or four right out rejections. What often happened, the art of befriending a whole village, is that a family referred me to someone who they thought would find my story interesting. In some rural communities, some people introduced me to community members with bigger homes so that I could have privacy
3. With a diverse culture in SA, what new meals did you try for the first time?
Crocodile; tripe; warthog; wildebeest; chicken feet; Mopani worms; sour pap to name a few
4. What do you think you left each family you were welcomed into their homes with?
Unique stories about South Africans. And perhaps a sense that even though we read about the dangers of our country all the time, it is still possible for us to trust one another. Perhaps I have also dispelled a few myths about white people, who knows. I am planning to go back and would like to ask that kind of question
5. What strengths or/and weakness did you discover about yourself?
A weakness is that I can stubbornly hold onto a preconceived idea at times. The journey has taught me a lot about letting go of that. My biggest strength is an easy ability to feel connected and therefore make connections with people
6. Last but not least, if I were to attempt a journey like yours what would your warnings be before leaving my home?
Sjoe! That’s tough! I’d rather issue advise than warnings: Smile. Wear a thick skin. Have an open heart. Grow your mind and above all else: Be genuine. To some, that might sound like a warning…
Thank you to Sonja Kruse – The Ubuntu Girl- for an awe inspiring interview and a glimpse into what dreamers with actions achieve. To follow Sonja and her venture into NGO make use of the links below and we promise this isn’t the last we are speaking to her.
