Before I speak more about my experience exploring the unique Lotheni Valley in August of 2021, allow me to reflect a bit on the recent happenings of the last two years. I feel like we’re living in a rhythm where every year that passes appears to be more significant than the one that preceded it. We have all been forced out of our comfort spheres into very uncomfortable spheres. We struggled to grapple with the new normal (gah), got tired of clicking that Zoom icon, and screamed more than once at Telkom — we hoped for a better 2021.

2021 has been important, for many other reasons apart from the current Pandemic and the recent Civil Unrest. The nations are restless, and the cracks in the fragile global order are beginning to show in many different ways. Who knows what 2022 will present?