Between newsroom deadlines and tweeting, City Press editor Ferial Haffajee likes going anywhere that the US says we shouldn’t.
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City Press editor Ferial Haffajee gives us the low-down on travel in the August issue.
You’ve travelled to some beautiful places but also some rather unpleasant places, all in the line of work. Is there one experience that stands out from the others?
Not really. I love all of them. But, Goma in the DRC, where I went soon after the Rwandan genocide hung with the smell of death. It felt like Hades.
How many countries have you visited?
Many, but not enough. My favourites have been Iran, Vietnam, Thailand and Ethiopia. New York is not a country but I love it. Oh, and then there’s Turkey…and, and, and. I’m from a family of travellers, so there are many favourites.
In one word, what does travel mean to you?
Joy
Do you travel mostly for work or leisure?
Some work. Not enough for pleasure.
Are you a light, or must-take-everything just in case kind of packer?
Very light.
Do you prefer to travel the continent or the rest of the world?
I try and intersperse an African country with a rest of world trip, but I am running behind. Lake Malawi and Tanzania are in my purview. I’ve been lucky to see lots of our continent in my work as a judge for the CNN/Multichoice African journalist of the year awards. Gorée Island was life-changing.
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See more from Ferial in our August issue, on sale now!
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August issue of Getaway magazine: on shelves now!
