In November 2021, life took an unexpected turn when I arrived at a remote property in the Balele Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal. The world I had once known - a life defined by the corporate grind, international travel, and the relentless pursuit of success - had come crashing down. Prolonged illness and the financial ruin brought on by the pandemic had left me physically and emotionally drained. In that moment of vulnerability, I realised that life needed to be rebuilt on a foundation of value and meaning, far removed from the hollow promises of chasing the “pie in the sky.”
The property, nestled in the wilderness, had no electricity, limited water, and no financial safety net. It was a daunting prospect, but also a rare opportunity to restart my life from scratch. I was now the caretaker of this neglected piece of land, a place where survival would demand ingenuity, a deep connection with nature and perseverance.
Defining initial priorities:
I needed to repair the small house, tame the overgrown bush, and give the property a sense of order. This meant battling waist-high vegetation, clearing away anthills, and salvaging usable materials from the property. With the help of a local helper, it took six weeks of gruelling labour to achieve this initial transformation.
The tasks included:
- Clearing vegetation and removing debris.
- Repairing the house’s damaged structure and roof.
- Setting up basic living facilities, including a water system.
- Creating a designated space for a vegetable garden.
During this time, I also began to explore ways to live off the land. The vision was to establish a self-sustaining food forest that would provide for my needs while respecting the natural environment. Using discarded materials, locally sourced resources, and a handful of store-bought seeds, I began planting my first crops. By February 2022, my efforts bore fruit - or rather, green beans - marking the first milestone in this journey.
Basic Principles:
- Start small with what was available or easily obtainable and scale up gradually as you build knowledge and capacity.
- Prioritise using locally available resources to reduce costs and environmental impact.
- Focus on permaculture principles, including companion planting and crop rotation, to improve soil health and increase yields.
- Develop a water strategy, such as harvesting rainwater or setting up low-cost irrigation systems.
- Develop a routine of activities and priorities to meet daily needs, as well as build resources for a sustainable living standard.