I met Brigida in a Edx online course. I contacted her because I had some difficulties with a Python task and she was incredible helpful from the very beginning. We exchanged a couple of messages and then, I invited her to share about her life in Africa.
I have not met her yet but I am already so inspired by her and her path. She shows strengthen in her words. I love how positive she is and how much she loves what she does. Curious about it? Check out the full interview below and once again: travel around Africa…
- Name: Brigida Saíde
- Nationality: Mozambican
- Age: 26 years old
- Occupation: Attending Chemical & Petroleum Engineering master at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and working as an Engineer at Altea Resources Consulting
- Talk a little bit about yourself… My passion is helping people changing their lives into better scenarios: I really believe if we give 1 minute of our time to help others, we can absolutely live in a better place. I dream to be a successful engineer who can inspire other women to fight for their dreams.
- Tell me a funny story about yourself: A few years ago, I went to Cape Town to visit one friend. She came to pick me up at the airport and we called an Uber to get home. On the way home, we stopped at a Sheetz for gas and ran in to buy sandwiches. Once I got mine, I went outside to join my friend. It was really cold and raining and I ran as quick as I could to the car. Then, I said: “Sh*t, it is so freakin’ cold here!” The gentleman next to me calmly said: “It isn’t polite a pretty girl like you to say these words”. Only then, I realized I was in the wrong car. “Oh my Good!” I think that was probably all I said as I jumped out of the car and quickly found my friend sitting in a similar blue car a few steps away!
- Tell me about your hobbies… I love reading Nicholas Sparks‘ novels and Harlan Coben‘s; listening to music (kizomba is my favorite music style); watching TED Talks (such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Denzel Washington , Brigette Hyacinth, etc) and going to gym (I love exercising my body).
1. And what about traveling…
Traveling is probably what gives me more pleasure. Traveling helps me to reduce stress or get away from routine activities. When you are outside of your comfort zone in a different country, you may have to look for others’ guidance. You obtain this connection by engaging with the locals, other travelers, or even those you are traveling with you. Furthermore, you can learn new things about the country such as culture, food, music, dance, languages, and traditions.
2. Which countries have you visited?
I started traveling very early (around 3 years old). I’ve already visited many places. Local places: Mozambican beaches along our coast. Abroad: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Marroco, Nigeria, Namibia, Egypt, this year Angola… I’ve never travelled outside of my continent but I hoping to do it soon. It is a tradition for my family to travel from December 20th to January 10th .
3. You are originally from Mozambique… Nowadays you live in South Africa (SA). Why did you decide to move there?
I moved to South Africa – Johannesburg city because I got a scholarship to study in 2016. During my studies, I had the opportunity to start working. Therefore, I decided to settle in Johannesburg for a while and, in a near future, I will return to Mozambique.
4. As a girl, what is the biggest challenge you encounter in South Africa?
Not only in South Africa but in Africa the major barriers of an ordinary woman are:
- economic exclusion;
- financial systems that perpetuate girls’ discrimination;
- limited participation in political and public life;
- lack of access to education and poor retention of girls in schools;
- gender-based violence;
- harmful cultural practices;
- and exclusion of women from peace tables.
5. You are an Engineer, why did you choose this path?
I love working as an engineering and showing to people that women can also be successful in a male-dominated field. We somehow grew up with the image in our heads that when we go to the hairdresser, a woman will style our hair and if we have to fix our car, a man will help us out. But things are changing and I can assure you there are very good female engineers.
6. Do you have many female co-workers?
Not too many, but I can say that the numbers of female co-workers have been growing faster in the last years.
7. How many languages do you speak?
4 languages: Portuguese (mother tongue), English (fluently), Changana and Macua (dialectics of my country).
8. What is the average salary in Johannesburg?
10 000,00 Rands (around 614€)
10. Tell me 3 positive and 3 negative things about Johannesburg.
POSITIVE
- Friendly: Johannesburg is the friendliest city I have ever been to. Everywhere I go, people make, at the very least: eye contact. They often smile and they are very likely to greet you with a hug. Anyone to everyone!
- Integrated: South Africa is multi- EVERYTHING. Many cultures, ethnicities, languages, religions… As shockingly far as the bourgeoisie is from representing THE TRUE South Africa, in Gauteng (Johannesburg province), the upper & middle classes are more mixed and starting to edge closer to a truer representation of us. I like to use this example: If I walk around Cresta, Rosebank or Sandton Mall during the week, there is inevitably a selection of black, white, Indian, “colored” (and other!) moms debating home dutties with their over tired trolley bound children in the crowded queue at Woolies. They might not be proportionally represented but, step by step, things are changing. In regards to hospitality, the waitering staff is also better mixed than in other cities of the country where most of waiters are black.
- Beauty and weather: Johannesburg is breathtakingly beautiful. Sunset never fails to surprise me: the horizon often ablaze with bold and dramatic color. There is very little wind and mostly crisp blue skies, which make mornings really pop in Gauteng. It gives the day a sense of optimism and hope. Also, Johannesburg has the world’s largest man made forest, there are nearly 6 million trees.
NEGATIVE
- Racism: Even after the country’s independence you can see high level of racism. Many people connect this issue with the colonization that the country suffered and the apartheid period as well.
- Xenophobia: Often you can see a spat of xenophobic riots in the Johannesburg suburb of Alexandra with clashes between black South Africans and refugees/migrants from other African countries – mainly Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans and other Africans – are broadly blamed for stealing jobs and contributing to the spiraling crime rate.
- Crime: I admit that crime is an issue in Johannesburg, even though it has gotten a lot better in the last few years. Perhaps, I’ve been lucky because, in my almost three years, I haven’t been affected at all. Although, I believe crime is not only in SA but a characteristic of big cities. As an example, we have São Paulo (Brazil), Los Cabos (Mexico) and many cities in United States.
11. If tomorrow I decide to visit South Africa, what advices would you give me?
Firstly, I would start saying that you will love and experience new adventures you have never ever lived. Secondly, my advices would be:
- Avoiding high season periods: beginning of December to the end of January and from July to September. During these periods, prices in hotels, restaurants and shops are substantially increased.
- Picking your city according to your trip goals. Johannesburg is the core business area of South Africa. Here it’s very common to find people interested about what You’re doing! Johannesburg is a place with great opportunities to create networking. There are a lot of corporate lunches, business evenings, dinner parties, business at golf clubs, and music events. And the best part: you can do business everywhere… Most freelances don’t even have an office. Unlike Cape Town, where people are much more chill and bohemian.
- Avoiding jewelry made of precious or semi-precious stones and expensive staff; you never know when the thieves will knock your door… so, play safe. 😀
12. You also like traveling, how often do you travel?
It varies from year to year but I can say, at least, 4 times per year.
13. How do you usually travel?
Generally, I travel with family and/or friend. But there are also periods I travel alone for work purposes, conferences or studies.
14. What motivates you to travel?
Adventures, meeting new people, learning about new cultures and countries as well.
15. Tell me a country you would like to visit…
Well, that’s a difficult question because I have so many on my list. Right now: Dubai is on the top of my list.
16. Please, leave an advice to girls who wish to travel in Africa…
Don’t hesitate, just come. Africa offers some of the most amazing travel experiences in the world. Africa is a vast and highly diverse continent full of fascinating cultures, dramatic scenery and extraordinary animals, food, languages, music… You will love it, I promise you.
17. Is it dangerous to travel alone in Africa?
Absolutely, no. You can travel alone but you will never be alone… People are definitely friendly and open-minded in Africa and you will easily find friends.
18. Complete the sentence: Africa is… unique.
In this world there is space for everyone. You just need to believe and fight for it.
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Thank you very much Brigida. I am so happy I contacted months ago asking for help. I hope we can meet each other one day.