HOSTED By Seri Mofokeng

If home is a place where one was born or has lived for a long period, then that would make South Africa or Portugal home. 

I’m a Joburger, born and bred. But when I think of South Africa I think of it as the place that I’m from, but never really found my place in. 

Then there’s Portugal which is where I’ve spent the last 7 years building a life. Acclimatising to a different cultural experience, language, people and food. There are moments when I’m in awe of the beauty of this place and overwhelmed with gratitude at how well things have worked out for me here. But I´d be lying if I said I felt fully connected to it. Maybe because there´s a part of me that will always need to have my family close by in order to feel settled. They are a big part of my sense of home. 

Home has never been a place. For me, it’s the smell of my mother’s fat cakes on Sunday mornings and the sound of Metro FM playing all day. It’s hours of laughter with my younger sister. It’s reminiscing with my older brother and sister about our childhood and the conversation ending with someone being teased. It’s the voice note of my four-year-old niece that I´ve saved as my phone’s ringtone. It’s the friends who hold space for me no matter the distance between us. It’s long hugs with my partner that turn into slow dancing in the kitchen. 

Thinking about the concept of home, I realise that it’s personal to our unique experiences. 

The through line for me is that “Home” is a feeling of security and happiness that comes from being surrounded by the people I love. 

Hosting Tip

“What leaves the biggest impression, is how you make people feel in the space you’ve invited them to.

Make sure that your guests feel at home, whatever that means to them.”