Every time I hear that my friends would rather go visit Europe for vacation I tell them to first consider African cities because there are so many amazing cities in Africa to visit. Each of these cities have their own unique culture, history, and attractions. Here are ten of the best African cities to travel to, in no particular order:

1. Marrakech, Morocco – Known for its vibrant souks, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine, Marrakech is a must-visit destination for any traveler to North Africa.
2. Cape Town, South Africa – Situated at the southern tip of the continent, Cape Town offers stunning views of Table Mountain and the surrounding coastline, as well as a rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine.
3. Cairo, Egypt – Home to the ancient Pyramids of Giza and the world-famous Egyptian Museum, Cairo is a must-visit for any traveler interested in ancient history and architecture.
4. Nairobi, Kenya – The bustling capital of Kenya is a hub of culture, art, and wildlife, with easy access to the nearby Masai Mara National Reserve.
5. Accra, Ghana – A vibrant and cosmopolitan city, Accra is known for its music, fashion, and art scenes, as well as its beautiful beaches and historical landmarks.
6. Tunis, Tunisia – With its charming medina, stunning beaches, and delicious cuisine, Tunis is a wonderful destination for any traveler interested in exploring the best of North Africa.
7. Lagos, Nigeria – The largest city in Africa by population, Lagos is a hub of business, culture, and music, with a thriving arts scene and delicious street food.
8. Zanzibar City, Tanzania – Located on the picturesque island of Zanzibar, Zanzibar City is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife.
9. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A city steeped in history and culture, Addis Ababa is a wonderful destination for any traveler interested in exploring the best of Ethiopia, including its delicious cuisine and vibrant music scene.
10. Dakar, Senegal – A bustling city on the west coast of Africa, Dakar is known for its vibrant music scene, delicious cuisine, and beautiful beaches, as well as its rich history and culture.

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According to the United Nations today, there are more than 26 million refugees and 4.4 million asylum seekers globally. So what does it mean to be a refugee? To leave behind everything you know to be home, to lose one’s identity and to be caught in between, with no place to call home and to live with the fear of being sent back to the place you have run away from?

Rebecca is from Burundi, a country where ethnic divisions between the Hutus and the Tutsis led to a civil war lasting more than 20 years. In 1994, as the horrors of the 100-day genocide by Hutu rebels in Rwanda ended, the civil war in Burundi was starting to gain pace. It was the year that Rebecca was born. The daughter of a Hutu father and a Tutsi mother.

‘When a Tutsi girl fell pregnant by a Hutu boy, things became worse. For some time, our grandparents were able to look after us, but in 2002 the rebels started a coup, and fighting intensified. Because, as children, we had Hutu and Tutsi blood, neither family could protect us. It would cost them their lives if they tried to protect us. The neighbours knew that we were children of mixed blood. So, our parents had to make a plan. They were told either you run away or they would die.

I was 12. I started to see things were not okay when I was removed from school out of the blue. I knew something was not right. Some parents didn’t want me to play with their kids. When I asked my Mum why, she tried to divert the conversation. You know how parents try to protect you?

We had to leave at night when everyone was sleeping. I didn’t know why we were leaving. My dad left first. My Mum and I followed with my 2 little brothers. We were given a lift by a neighbour to my Mum’s friend’s house, and we were not allowed outside the gate, as if we were in hiding. Her friend took a risk because she could not let us die on her watch. She gave us food and some money. They were crying, and they gave each other those long hugs. You know when you doubt you will ever see one another again? It was a situation like that. We had to wait until it was dark. A car came to take us to the border of the DRC. We were told that we would be safe once we crossed the border.

We stayed with a family friend where my dad was. We stayed for a while, but were told it was not safe for us to be there. There were rebels around where we were staying. People thought we were somehow connected to them as we were not from the area. It came to my father’s attention that there was a refugee camp in Tanzania. The family helped us get the boat to Tanzania. It was not safe to go by road.

Arriving at the refugee camp was strange as, until then, everything was sort of normal. Until then, we had been staying in houses and had food to eat. We arrived at night, and the security guard gave us blankets to sleep on the floor. The woman who ran the camp did not even question us. She understood the trauma and pain as if she knew what was happening back in Burundi. A family had just left the camp, so she gave us their tent. She asked my mother if she had been raped. My mother said no. She asked if anything terrible had happened; my mother just cried.

What we all shared in common was the same struggle. We were all from different countries, but we were broken in our own ways. So, the least we could do was be there for each other. Everyone was bringing us what they had. One would bring a pot, another would bring a blanket and some clothes. They already knew the struggle; they were already used to that life. In the camp, the people were so welcoming. They were telling my Mum, ‘You are going to be fine; you’re going to discover yourselves.’

As time went by, we started facing the difficulties of survival. My father would leave in the morning and go with some other men and hustle, looking for piece jobs – doing gardening, painting. Anything to get paid. He had a refugee permit that would allow him to move around. My mother started selling in the refugee camp. She would go off in the morning. Once she sold something, she would buy some food, come home, cook, and we would eat. In the camp, maise meal, cooking oil, beans, sugar, and rice was provided once a month. For the rest, you had to make a plan.

My mother was worried about our education. She thought that when I turned 15, I would never go back to school as I had stopped in grade 6. One of the men my father worked with had a brother in South Africa who said if we came, maybe things would be easier. He said,’ Your kids would go to school, and you could find a job based on what you studied for. Your family could be saved.’ My father replied, ‘I have been travelling illegally since leaving my country of birth. It’sbeen risky. How am I going to survive there when I am failing to survive here?’ When he told my mother, she said, ‘If my kids will go to school, let’s take the risk.’ She would go anywhere if her children could receive an education.

My father worked to have some cash for transport to get to Mozambique. The lady at the camp gave us emergency travel documents for my parents to travel. She couldn’t give me and my sibling’s documents as we were under 18, so she wrote a letter. But she warned that our parents need to know how to defend us if we came across difficulties, like police and such. She said,’ you must reach your destination before it expires otherwise, trust me, it is a deportation back home where you are running away from.’ So my mother gave away the things we could not take with us, and we just left with a few things like clothes to change, a soap to bathe and our toothbrushes. We didn’t know where we were going, so we couldn’t carry luggage. That is how we left the camp in Tanzania.

We left by bus and didn’t stay in Mozambique. The guard at the border saw we were from Burundi and told us not to stop and they let us pass. When we got to Johannesburg, I didn’t even know it was Johannesburg. I just saw big buildings. We waited for our contact to pick us up. When the guy arrived, he took my Mum, siblings, and me to the shelter. To this day, I do not know where my father went. I remember he came and checked on us every morning, making sure we were okay.

The owner of the shelter, Sister Adelia, said to us, ‘The first thing you need to survive, before I teach you how to do hair, sew clothing, is get asylum papers. If you are accepted, it means you can work and study in South Africa. That means your children will be able to go to school. If you are rejected, it means you need to be deported back home. We cannot keep you.’

As a family we went to Home Affairs. I have never seen such a long line in my life. The ration lines at the camp were long, but this line was very, very long. My parents did the interview. The asylum was rejected, and they asked my parentsto appeal. The following day they went to appeal, and they got the asylum, but on the paper it was written ‘appeal’. We were told to come back in six months. At the shelter Sister Adelia was like, ‘This is good. We have people who have been on appeal for the past twenty years. You will be renewing your papers every six months until you meet the appeal board. You must be grateful you have this paper. Now you can work.’

We had to move from the shelter after 3 months because every day, new people would arrive. Sister Adelia asked my mother, ‘what can you do?’ She said, ‘I can sell. If you can give me some stock, I will sell it.’ Sister Adelia gave my mum stock, she helped us find a place to stay, she paid 3 months rent and gave us some food. She bought us a bed, pots and everything. That is how our lives started in South Africa. We started in a small shack, but we were grateful we had a private place. Now our family was all together.

Since August 2009, we have renewed our asylum papers every six months. When the pandemic came, the 6 months of asylum were no longer guaranteed. You never feel at home because there’s always that something reminding you that you don’t belong here. There’s always that thing inside of me saying I don’t belong.

Each time you feel the struggle is over, it starts again. It’s our current situation right now as a family. In terms of survival, I have achieved a lot because I got the opportunity to go to school. But in terms of achieving great things, I feel like I need to do more, to plan for my future. I would love to own a house one day, but how am I going to own it? Let’s say for example, I get an opportunity. I cannot  go for it because I do not have the right papers. I am caught in one place.

When you see me, I am a human, I am Rebecca. I don’t know whether I am coming or going. In terms of rights, I don’t have any. I cannot exercise any. So if they try and deport me, where will they deport me to? Because I don’t know that place.

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Snorkelling has been on my bucket list for years now, but it has been motionless because I was never taught how to swim. So, on the one hand, snorkelling in the deep ocean, surrounded by beautiful sea creatures, has been a lifelong dream for me, but at the same, I have always been too embarrassed to admit that I am a 20 something-year-old woman who needs swimming lessons.

It became more and more evident that if I wanted to snorkel, I first needed to learn how to swim. So, about 3 weeks ago I enrolled in a swimming school for a couple of lessons. Taking this step was extremely challenging for me, but I did it anyway because I knew the power and blessings that would emerge from it. This step took me out of my comfort zone and enabled me to control my present actions to secure a better future. In other words, what I do now determines how my future will look like. So, the work I put in now, the sacrifices I make now, and the pains and struggles I go through now only set me up for the peace and success I want and deserve.

Since I started learning how to swim, I began to feel one step further towards turning my snorkelling dreams into a reality. So far, learning how to swim has given me so much more perspective on what I should and should not feel shameful about. It has taught me that it doesn’t matter how old I am – my dreams are valid. And no matter what happens along the way, I know that it is not too late to turn my dreams into a reality. I know this because I have the power to control the actions that lead towards making my  dreams come true. So this is what what “bossing up” looks like for me, What does it look like for you? Join me and share your bossing up story.

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Unlike many people around the world, I count myself luck as I will get to spend Christmas with my family even though we live on different continents. But thanks to careful planning on both ends, numerous covid tests and self isolations I am home in South Africa with my family. The decision to visit despite the pandemic was not an easy one to make. But given that I gave birth at the beginning of COVID and my daughter had not met my side of the family as we live in France and they live in South Africa, was just too much to bare. Now at nine months old I am getting the privilege of introducing her to my side of the family as we quarantine together and catch up on the past year.

One thing that has been at the core of our Christmas this year however is to just enjoy ourselves and the time we have together. And as much as I love Christmas and am known to throw big extravagant get togethers. This year feels a little less luxe. But somehow more special and precious.  Which is why I want to milk every drop of family time there is. This means sitting in the garden and chatting or watching old childhood movies with my sisters. And whilst there will still be a fair share of holiday cheer. One thing we have all agreed on is to do as little as possible. And put as little pressure on Christmas day and new years eve, but rather focus on all the little moments.

And even though things are still uncertain. The love and appreciation we all have for each other is stronger than ever. And like so many, 2020 has taught us to appreciate the small moments. And focus on whats important in life which is family, friends and good health.

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Our next gift guide is inspired by our SEE category which celebrates all things entertainment, news and travel. But seeing as so many of us are doing a lot less traveling this year, this gift guide also focuses on the home. A place where we have all spent a considerable amount of time. This gift guide is perfect for the home bodies in all of us who want to make our homes that much cozier. It also has a lot of sustainable gift ideas for your more environmentally conscious friends and family.

Beeswax wrap

Whilst now widely available. Beeswax wraps are fairly new to the scene. These environmentally friendly, reusable options are great alternatives to plastic wraps. And the cool thing is they also often come in cool funky designs that the little ones around you will love. These would be a great stocking stuffer for kids or parents with little ones as they can wrap their sandwiches beautifully. Great thing is they can also upgrade an online learning sandwich to a stylish meal choice. So grab a few for yourself and for loved ones.

We love these from Bumble wrap

Non plastic shopping bags

With so many people and stores ditching plastic bag’s, now is as good time as any to swap out your plastic bags for a non-plastic bag or tote. Whilst there are many variations of these we love this super cool and trendy one from Anya Hindmarch that is as cool as it is practical. This is the best gift for your super stylish and on-trend bestie.

Compostable linen dishcloths

Whilst dish clothes are not the most sexy gifts. they are the most practical because everyone and their grandmother uses them. Which is why we love these compostable ones that can be thrown away when they get yuckie (as dish clothes do) without filling up land fills. So grab a couple for your Maria Kondo, cleaning guru friends and they will forever be singing your praises.

Soda Stream

As someone with a husband who loves sparkling water, I am adding this to my shopping list this Christmas. Not only as a way to reduce the number of plastic bottles we use by buying sparkling water, but also as a long term solution to save money. You can get these in a variety of price points to fit your budget and needs.

Cast iron pots and pans

Cast iron pots and pans have long been a firm favorite everywhere. Which is why gifting these to the foodies in your life is a must. Not only is it a clean alternative to often harmful non stick pots and pans. But, they also come in cool colors that suite every style.

Refillable coffee tabs

For the coffee lover in your house, there is no better gift than more coffee. Or better yet a more conscious way to enjoy their morning cuppa. We love these replaceable Nespresso capsules that make sure that every sip doesn’t equal in unnecessary waste. They are the gift that keeps on giving.

Linen table napkins

Whilst many of us wont be spending time with loved ones this holiday it does not mean we cannot still have a very merry Christmas. Which is why we are decking out tables with some pretty linens like these to help liven up our holiday meals and every meal after. These also make a great gift for newly wed friends or those forced to spend the holidays alone so they can create their own holiday cheer in style.

Bento boxes

With many schools still closed and many little ones missing the time with their friends, why not gift them bento boxes for the coming year so they have something to look forward to? Not only are they practical. But they come in some cool colors too.

Heavy duty paperless towels

At She Evolves we are all about practicality with a bit of style. Which is why we are going gaga for these heavy duty paperless towels. Not only do they come in a cute design, but they also save money and yes the environment too as they can just be thrown in the wash when they get dirty. Throw a couple of these into your gift bags or boxes and watch as they become the most used item by your loved ones.

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As a South African living in Europe, I was pleased when I heard that the South African borders would be open in time for me to go home for the holidays. Not only because I, like many people, have not seen my family in over a year. Furthermore, as I gave birth at the beginning of the pandemic, many of my close friends are yet to meet my daughter. So whilst I had wanted to stay put for the holidays, it was important for my family to meet my daughter before she turned one. Especially as there is no clear end in sight. This however means that I will be taking some precautions to keep myself, my family and anyone else I come into contact with safe. Here are some tips I have read about and will be implementing before, during and after my travels.

• Stocking up on Vitamin C & Zinc: Whilst this combination does not in any way stop you from contracting COVID, the combination has been shown to help with common colds and keeping you healthy. Especially as I will be leaving from Europe where it is currently winter.
• Drinking golden latte: I first introduced to golden lattes from a website I followed and I was instantly intrigued. Not only is turmeric that is found in golden lattes known to be a natural anti inflammatory. But it is also a great way to give the immune system a boost.
• Wear a mask: When it comes to COVID this has been shown time and time again to help prevent the spread of COVID as well as protect you from getting it. This is why I will be carrying a ton of masks for myself both in my hand luggage and in my purse.
• Carry hand sanitizer: The CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when traveling. Which is why I am stocking up and using it every hour or so whilst flying and traveling.
• Avoid touching my face: Whilst I have already been practicing this since the pandemic started. I will continue to keep my hands off my face as much as possible.
• Test before flying: This is a requirement before entering most countries and one that I am more than happy to follow.
• Self isolate when arriving at destination: Whilst I would love nothing more that to see my loved ones immediately after arriving. I plan instead to self isolate and then get tested again a few days after arriving to be on the safe side.

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Whilst many of us are confined to our homes and even our countries for the foreseeable future, traveling is looking less and less likely. Which can be a good and bad thing. As someone who’s recently moved countries, I am taking this new reality as an opportunity to explore my city more. Especially as I will be moving soon. This means hitting the road (literally on foot) to discover hidden gems. Whilst France is currently under lockdown and restaurants and bars are closed, this does not mean I cannot stop by the locally park. Or even grab a coffee at the local pickup and go coffee shop. There are numerous other ways to explore your city and even your home and I thought I’d share a few.

1. Spend time in an area or room you rarely use: Living in a tiny apartment, you’d think we use all the rooms in it. However. As a young family of 3 we usually congregate around the lounge/dining room area. Which is why taking some time to hang out in our daughters room has been fun. After spending months decorating it during my pregnancy and then spending little or no time there. Its nice to sit in the corner, read a book to my daughter and enjoy the pink walls.
2. Walk around your neighborhood: Whilst I have been living in my current city of residence for almost a year. I don’t usually venture out for the sake of venturing out. Which is why I enjoy the allotted 1 hour workout time allowed during confinement. This has given me the opportunity to see the city I live in. Whist I am not going anywhere in particular, I am enjoying getting to know my surroundings.
3. Create an at home spa day: As I’ve recently gotten back to working out consistently, taking the time to just have a hot soak and give myself a facial is not only necessary, but a welcome break from the day to day. For my spa days I like to run a bath, pour some epsom salts, burn a candle and read a book while I apply a face mask. I like to follow this with a slow foam roll which is as good as a massage at this point. And given that my muscles are loose and warm from the bath. The 30 minute foam rolling session is nothing short of heavenly.
4.  Visit museums virtually: Want to go to the Louvre but don’t live in Paris? Or visit the Guggenheim but don’t live in New York? Not to worry, one of the great things about COVID19 and the restrictions it has put in place is that many museums and galleries have gone virtual. So just google what ever museum you want to visit, and sit back and relax as you see and experience all your favourite artworks and pieces from the comfort of your home.
5. Book a hotel stay: With so many business affected by COVID, hotels are some of the hardest hit due to travel restrictions. However, as I recently learnt, not all hotels are indeed closed. Some hotels have taken to applying serious measures against COVID for guests who visit. On top of that hotels are offering huge discounts for stays. So take a look around in your city and see if your local hotel is open and running any specials. And if so, book your stay and enjoy all the little luxuries a hotel stay offers. From comfy bathrobes to room service and new yummy smelling bath products.

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Like millions of people, I have been watching the US elections unfold over the past couple of days. This compounded with the news commentary around them has left me exhausted and anxious. As a black, non-American female, it may seem strange at first. To be so heavily invested in another countries elections. However, as a South African, I grew up consuming American culture. From TV shows, to music and even fashion styles. In my parents mind, and mine, America was the land of the free. A place where a black artists could accomplish so much and influence music all around the world.  A place where black people could live as equals to their white counterparts.  Given our young democracy in South Africa, America felt like the older brother you could rely on. The one that had been through discrimination and racism but had come out the other end.

It’s no wonder then that I have had an emotional investment in America. Even as an adult, living in France, and having travelled the world I always felt like the discrimination I often feel as a black woman in France and other countries could somehow be washed away with a quick trip to the United States or home.  To me the two had always been somewhat interchangeable, especially as a black woman. Because the reality is whilst most countries do have anti-discriminatory and anti-racist laws, whenever I travel, I still  feel like an other. Like a black smudge on a pristine white sheet. Something I didn’t really feel when I visited New York, Washington or even California a few years back.

So seeing the vast amounts of racist, and hate crime committed against black people and people of colour over the past few years has felt disheartening and heavy. Because although my visits were limited and not a true holistic reflection of America. It was still the closest I felt to being accepted outside of my own country.

These days however I could not think of a place I’d like to visit less. So much so that when my husband broached the subject of a temporary move to the US for work, my answer was a hard no. Whilst I had grown and been taught to love the United States as a black person, I now felt it did not love me back. And despite the racism and discrimination I feel in France, I always know what to expect. Whereas the United States feels like a teething toddler where you just don’t know what you are going to get. Which is why watching the elections unfold has been painful and unsettling. And has been a harsh reminder that racism does exist. Even in places and spaces that claim to be liberal and open minded.

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