Inspiring people, places and business

LATEST STORIES

A tourist in South Africa

Posted by chrisanthi on 21/12/2011

Robben Island entrance

“Please stand away from the edge and let go of the handrail the cable car floor is about to rotate.” more …

Picturesque places I’ve peed

Posted by chrisanthi on 20/12/2011

Peeing 'on top of the world' on Africa's Stellenbosch Mountain near Cape Town

Firstly, a confession. Backpacker, cheap hotel and bus-park bathrooms have been the bane of my existence for the last six months. But, on the up side, ‘bush’ peeing is fun and picturesque and here’s the proof  more …

South Africa: The wheels of Soweto’s uprising keep turning

Posted by steve on 20/12/2011

Lebo invites people around to come to look at his Soweto neighbourhood, which us

When Lebo Malepa was growing up the only white people in his Soweto neighbourhood were police officers patrolling in armoured cars. more …

To lug or not to lug: Kindle v the backpacker book-swap

Posted by chrisanthi on 13/12/2011

Steve's backpack bursting with books

The world has been divided into two types of travellers – those that travel with a Kindle (or other electronic reader) and those that lug around books.  more …

Battle of the stone towns: does Mozambique Island out Zanzibar Zanzibar?

Posted by steve on 09/12/2011

The colonial Portuguese architecture set against the background of sand and sett

If you think the package holiday crowds have killed Zanzibar's cool island vibe, there is an alternative: Mozambique Island more …

Meet Africa’s new colonisers: Messrs. Rooney, Messi and Murdoch

Posted by steve on 07/12/2011

English Premier League Manchester United football

Perched atop of a treacherously over-burdened Toyota Landcruiser pick-up about 15 of us hold on for at least a few minutes more of life, notably one Manchester United fan, an Arsenal enthusiast, a Liverpool devotee and even a Real Madrid supporter. more …

Mozambique: Culture capitals, Paris, New York... Maputo

Posted by chrisanthi on 05/12/2011

Art permeates the streets of Maputo

Pouring out from the house is a drumbeat. It’s pounding over the traffic of the wide avenue to where I stand on the opposite pavement surrounded by second hand shoes. This is Maputo, scene of my weekend cultural odyssey.  more …

You’ve been on one too many long-distance, overnight hellish African bus journeys when…

Posted by steve on 26/11/2011

Africa travel bus coach

20-hour bus journeys can be brilliant occasions to learn about African culture, on the other hand... more …

Tanzania: Land mines, tuberculosis – never fear, rats are here

Posted by chrisanthi on 25/11/2011

Apopo's African Hero Rats detect landmines

When I grow up I'm going to be a hero, saving people from landmines, disease and maybe even natural disasters. My name is Aaron and I'm an African rat. more …

Lady mechanics putting the brakes on prostitution

Posted by steve on 21/11/2011

Sandra Aguebor- Ekperuoh, Lady Mechanics Initiative, Nigeria, Social Enterprise

In Sandra Aguebor- Ekperuoh’s Nigeria women are exponentially more likely to work as prostitutes than as car mechanics more …

Syndicate content

Pearl of Wisdom

I like your perm but not on my window

In Soweto discussing activist hairstyles, the memory of a common taxi sticker from the 1980s brings much good humoured laughter 

steve's picture
Chosen by steve

Facebook Action

Our Trip

Below shows you the latest stop on our trip. Be sure to also check all of the primary stops on our trip.

Soweto, South Africa

Javascript is required to view this map.

Explore large map of Soweto, South Africa »

What We Do

We are Steve Madgwick and Chrisanthi Giotis a husband and wife journalistic team.

In 2011 we are in Africa - travelling from north to south searching for the most inspiring people, places and business ventures to share with you.

Why? Because we believe that the world is full of inspiration and we want to prove it by sharing stories of Africa you won't find in mainstream media. We also hope this site will be a buzzing community where you can find inspiration by talking to each other.

How will we do it? On a shoestring! This trip has been funded by missing out on Sunday pub lunches and saving hard. Our website was designed and built for free by people who believe in us. We are also seaching for advertisers who share our values.

If we make a profit from advertising we don't keep it but instead hand it over to some of the inspiring community ventures we will be visiting. Cool huh?

So, if you like us sign up for our monthly newsletter and sign your friends up too! If you know of an inspirational person, place or venture we should be visiting contact us or post it on our Facebook site and if you want to advertise get in touch with us.

Contact Us

Email us at info@itbeganinafrica.com

Follow us on Twitter @africaitbeganin

Join us on Facebook search It Began in Africa or click here

And don't forget to...

SIGN UP to our MONTHLY NEWSLETTER. Get the best stories delivered straight to your inbox by filling the form below.

Thank you very much for answering these questions - they helps us make the site more useful for you and attract advertisers. You can pick more than one interest.