Nkhensani Mthombeni
Hlulani Baloyi went on a month-long graduate program in Dubai in 2015 and was amazed by the experience of different food, languages, religion and customs.
The young woman was truly bitten by the travel bug.
Hlulani, who was born and bred in Malamule, Limpopo, and later moved to Pretoria at the age of 16, was bursting with curiosity to explore the world.
“That’s when I challenged myself to see 30 countries by the age of 30,” she said.
“Traveling is almost like the school of life. The more you open yourself to it, the bigger your chance of learning.”
Hlulani told Scrolla.Africa the more she explored the world, the more she was confronted by herself.
She said her character was strengthened by exploring a temple in Sri Lanka and by visiting Middle Eastern countries when she saw how dedicated the Islamic community were to worship.
Hlulani, who is now based in Austria working for one of the world’s biggest ICT companies, says there are three countries that are dear to her.
“If I was given a choice to revisit some of the nations I have been to, my first stop would be Mozambique for Mozambican bread and seafood,” she said.
“Then I would go to Jordan for the amazing ancient buildings and tasty shawarma.”
Her last stop, she said, would be Mexico.
“The people have a unique culture and the best dishes in the world. I wouldn’t mind spending my days eating tacos, burritos and churros,” she said.
In 2016 she was named one of 60 women to change the narrative in the tech spaces, in an annual award and ranking scheme for young South African achievers.
Hlulani is also part of the Xitsonga Language Foundation and runs a mentoring program for Grade 12 learners with her friend, Kgomotso Mhlambina.
