Connecting with Nature and Community: Lessons from Growing Up in an Off-Grid Home in Africa

In this special episode of the Homefullness Show, host Zola Rose sits down for an engaging interview with her daughter Oriah, a law student at Otago University in New Zealand.

They explore Oriah's unique upbringing in an off-grid homestead in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Topics include their unconventional home setup with indoor and outdoor 'loos,' the transition from a suburban lifestyle to a self-sufficient homestead, their meaningful rituals and traditions, the "free learning" style of education, and living surrounded by wild animals.

The discussion also touches on the broader community involvement through the Woofing program, their intercultural interactions with the local Zulu community, and the various sustainable practices they adopted and shared with schools and visitors.

The episode offers rich insights into intentional off-grid living, the importance of community, and holistic education.

To see a video we made about our homestead where Oriah is narrating, go here:

Link to YouTube video of our homestead: https://youtu.be/dNzA3HPxAB0

00:26 Visiting My Daughter in Dunedin

01:22 Introduction to the Homefullness Show

02:13 Special Guest: My Daughter Oriah

02:24 Our Unique Upbringing in KwaZulu Natal

04:54 Holistic Home Environment

06:41 Family Traditions and Rituals

10:13 Learning and Growing on the Farm

13:25 Eco-Friendly Practices and Innovations

25:35 Coexisting with Snakes

26:26 Wildlife Visitors at the Homestead

29:13 Common Ground Consulting Agency--our services

30:11 Sustainable Living Systems

32:13 Fire Management on the Homestead

36:28 The Woofing Program Experience

40:25 Building and Living in Yurts

42:54 Interacting with the Zulu Community

45:22 Reflections on a Unique Upbringing

48:33 Upcoming Events and Announcements (for those living in Aotearoa NZ)