Episode #153: Traveling the African Continent with Wazha Dube

Episode Summary

With his roots in Botswana and the U.S., Wazha Dube shares his experience growing up in 6 countries on 4 continents before the age of 18, going to college in Hawaii, and then backpacking through China during the Olympics.  He shares his top highlights and recommendations after years of living and traveling in China.  Wazha then talks about his professional journey into the travel industry and eventually managing the Africa Collection of luxury travel and hospitality brands for Index Select.  Matt and Wazha then discuss the different regions of Africa and share their experiences traveling in North, Southern, East and West Africa, as well as the African islands.   Wazha then explains the post-colonial power dynamics of the travel and tourism industry in Africa, discusses Black-owned hospitality brands on the continent, and gives tips on how to make socially responsible travel decisions in Africa.  He also talks about the importance of avoiding the “white savior complex” and discusses alternative ways that white people can act as allies and advocates in ways that are empowering and respectful. Wazha also shares what travel means to him at this point in his life.  And finally, Matt and Wazha discuss hip hop around the world, and Wazha names his top 5 hip hop MCs of all time.  FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT:  www.TheMaverickShow.com

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Wazha Dube

Wazha Dube is an expat, world traveler, and the Africa Collection manager at Index Select — a marketing and representation firm for luxury travel and hospitality brands around the world. He has traveled and worked with brands across the globe and now concentrates on promoting his favorite African travel experiences. He currently also serves as the Vice President of the Northeast Association for Promotion of Tourism in Africa. Wazha is passionate about building a global community, sharing his expatriate background, impacting Diversity & Inclusion in Travel, and amplifying BIPOC travel narratives.  Originally from Botswana and the U.S., he was raised in six countries on 4 continents before the age of 18, and he has now traveled to over 45 countries and been on over 700 African safaris.  He currently maintains a base in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn.

What You'll Learn
  • Where and How to Travel the Different Regions of Africa
  • How to avoid “The white savior complex” and instead act an ally on the continent
  • How to build a professional career in the travel industry
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Time Stamped Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

[2:37] Growing up in 6 countries on 4 continents before age 18

[5:58] Living in China and Backpacking Across the Country During the Olympics

[15:50] Wazha’s Professional Journey Getting into the Travel Industry

[20:06] Curating the Africa Collection at “Index Select”

[23:32] Tips on Getting into the Travel Industry Professionally and Succeeding

[29:18] Traveling North Africa

[32:36] Traveling South Africa

[36:38] Traveling East Africa

[40:40] Why Botswana Safaris Are So Unique

[43:46] Black-Owned “African Bush Camps” in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia

[46:02] Traveling West Africa

[53:00] Traveling African Islands

[56:05] Making Socially Responsible Travel Decisions when Visiting Africa

[59:07] Avoiding the “White Savior Complex” and Visiting Africa Respectfully

[1:02:26] What travel means to Wazha

[1:04:04] The Lightning Round

  • #1 Book Wazha recommends
  • #1 Person with whom Wazha wants to have dinner
  • #1 Piece of advice Wazha would give to his 18-year old self
  • Top 3 travel destinations
  • Top 3 bucket list destinations

[1:07:57] What Hip Hop means to Wazha and his Top 10 MCs of All Time

[1:15:20] Contact and Follow Wazha