I’ve just returned from a journey to South Africa that encompassed a month of returning to the bosom of my family and reconnecting with my cultural heritage. So herewith a small insight of a life outside my adopted home of New Zealand.

South Africa is currently celebrating 10 years of Democracy. The carnival atmosphere in the cities is evident with street posters and bridges adorned with the acknowledgement of this major accomplishment. An exhibition spanning two of Cape Town’s largest art spaces is exploring the making of South Africa: from the earliest people, the arrival of the settlers through to the emergence of apartheid, and the subsequent dismantling of this system. In 1994 when the first free and fair election took place I was living in a community where people had never had the opportunity to vote. We stood in a two-hour-long queue, the rolling tablecloth cloaking Table Mountain behind us, celebrating the beginning of a new era.

Another, more personal, anniversary is also being acknowledged: ten years of Rob Nairn’s small but significant book Tranquil Mind: an introduction to Buddhism and Meditation in print. I am fortunate to be acquainted with Rob and his accessible manner of writing and teaching, and supremely lucky to have worked on the original publication with Erika of Kairon Press, who has forged ahead over these years to continue to bring Rob’s teachings to print. Tranquil Mind is now distributed internationally by Shambhala as What is Buddhism?

Our journey took us further afield, a visit to KwaZulu-Natal; a restful (until alerted) time sitting at a hippo and crocodile infested river in Mpumalanga; visiting the Kruger National Park waiting excitedly for a giraffe to drink from the Sabi River and finally Johannesburg. Here were my defining moments: a dawn drive across Nelson Mandela Bridge (alongside), tea with new and old friends atop an old block of flats watching the sun rise over Johannesburg, with discussions of literature and the extraordinary creative energy in South Africa and her people that seems almost tangible.

After leaving New Zealand with a minimal amount of luggage, we’ve returned with a plethora of books and a collection of exceptional South African sounds. From James Webb, who has just been awarded a six month artists residence in Japan; and Ross Campbell, of dreamy and enduring band Benguela (heard all the way here, on BFm earlier this year), who has created a stylishly designed and eclectic mix on his record label, Open Records.

I’m hoping to continue this new conversation with this self-aware and exciting country by inviting guest writers to contribute to LeafSalon. In the meanwhile however, a magazine exploring issues cultural and political, Chimurenga, will be a new one for my favourites – not least for the covers!