The Essence of Ubuntu: - LIFE LESSONS AND THOUGHTS OF A GLOBAL TRAVELLER ABOUT purpose, personal legacy, inspiration, mind genesis, social distance & ubuntu, Enriched with exceptional art by ARTsouthAFRICA

By tadej peric

The Essence of Ubuntu - LIFE LESSONS AND THOUGHTS OF A GLOBAL TRAVELLER ABOUT
purpose, personal legacy, inspiration, mind genesis, social distance & ubuntu, Enriched with exceptional art by ARTsouthAFRICA. The one aim of this eBook is to share with the world the Ubuntu Philosophy - which talks about a universal bond that connects humanity. I am , because we are.

• Language: English
• Publisher: tadej peric
• Release date: Jan 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9780620923286

Book preview

Foreword

There are people that stay in our lives forever

The older we grow, the more lessons we learn from our experiences. Of course, there is always a possibility that we might repeat the same mistakes, trials, patterns as we do not recognise them as such and therefore, we do not transform nor transcend.

Like a metamorphosis, our life is a series of constantly changing images and moments... filled with love, falls, fears... despair, joy and heartiness as well as a vast range of other life situations, which a human being is fortunate to be able to feel and live. 

[I speak in metaphors, I love math. Pure, clear, and understandable. Until we get to the chaos theory, of course!]

In this rainbow of life, we meet other travellers that are also on their transformational journey. Other human beings that sometimes act as passing tangents; others cross us perpendicularly, some even cross us only at two intersections. And then, some join us at a specific point in our life, jump into our circle and stay with us for the entire duration of our journey. 

One such person is Tadej Peric. We met fifteen years ago in the context of an educational institution in the field of public relations, where I was then in the role of director and lecturer. Even then, he left his mark with his thinking and his views on the world. Our circle has remained united, even though we would be moving in completely different directions in life. Our centripetal and centrifugal forces were so similarly balanced, that we maintained the right proximity, as well as the right distance, if you prefer. In proximity, so that I could observe his internal growth and development processes as well as maturity, wisdom, as well as observe his journey of self-discovery. His victories and his failures, his ups, and his downs, most importantly, his unwavering faith in the goodness of people, a search for a higher purpose, meaning and connection. His faith in humanity.

From a distance, because only from afar, can we see specific things. For instance, a forest cannot be seen due to the overwhelming crown of an oak tree. From afar, I could observe what an outstanding man he became, how his journey evolved. His vision took him abroad, to another continent, to far South Africa, where he has met wonderful new people, has joined new circles, and he has learned to identify with meaningful circles and perhaps step out of the less meaningful ones when he felt he needed to.

His experience shaped him into a diamond. His stories, found in The Essence of Ubuntu, radiate a certain distinctiveness, as the Germans would say, das gewisse etwas, or the French je ne sais quoi. It could also be, perhaps, that the stories in the book took me back to my childhood, the colourful art illuminates my soul and because his stories, testify to his high levels of ethics, which is a trait that is, unfortunately, quite rare nowadays. Stories that leave our life doors open and offer us an opportunity to enter whichever door we believe is right for us to enter at a specific moment, and it leaves us also the opportunity to choose differently, that perhaps in a few years or months we might enter yet another door filled with new potential and possibilities.

Life is evolving. As human beings, we are part of nature, and as such, we are necessarily subjected to development and change, including our own change of purpose and mission. If we stop, we are suddenly in a state of entropy. Possessing a copy of Tadej’s book will add value to your being. You can read it from the beginning till end, or you can commence reading it from a chapter that appeals to you most. You can potentially find the exact lesson or thought you might need in this moment in your life.

I do not believe in coincidence. I believe people have the power to unlock their potential. They just need to find a missing key to unlock and enable a new life. If this book has found you, it was probably looking for you for a purpose. Tadej, thank you for sharing your stories, views, thoughts, as well as the deep UBUNTU philosophy.

Immagine che contiene disegnando Descrizione generata automaticamente

Natalie Cvikl Postruznik

Managing Director, Insights d.o.o.

Founder & Chief Editor, Navdihni me/Inspire me

Table of Contents

Foreword      iv

Acknowledgments      viii

The Art in the Book      xii

Artist: Lazarus Ramotseng / Art title: PLAYTIME      xv

CHAPTER 1      1

THE GREATEST LIFE LESSON: UBUNTU      1

Guest Author – NDABA MANDELA      5

Artist: Andrew Ntshabele / Art title: BROTHER  & LITTLE SISTER      10

CHAPTER 2      11

THE TRAVELLING DIARY      11

Artist: Corne Theron / Art title: PLUNGE      16

Artist: David Kuijers / Art title: RABBIT and MOUSE      24

Artist: Sara Gaqa / Art title: I SEE YOU      32

CHAPTER 3      33

MOMENTS THAT TEACH YOU      33

Artist: Mandlenkosi Mavengere / Art Title: UNWAVERING PATIENCE      41

Artist: Corné Eksteen / Art title: ANTAGONIST 1      48

CHAPTER 4      49

LIFE LESSONS - YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH      49

Artist: Jaret Loggenberg / Art title: CONCEALED PIECE      60

CHAPTER 5      61

LIFE LESSONS – ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS      61

CHAPTER 6      64

LIFE LESSON - PURPOSE      64

Artist: Shakes Tembani / Art title: THREE GIRLS WITH UMBRELLA      71

Artist: Edward Selematsela / Art title: BEST FRIENDS FOREVER      80

CHAPTER 7      81

LIFE LESSONS - THE UNIQUE CREATION OF YOU & YOUR PERSONAL LEGACY      81

Artist: Moeketsi Moahloli / Art title:  MOTHERHOOD      85

Artist: Lebogang Sithole / Art title: INJABULO      91

CHAPTER 8      92

LIFE LESSON - A PERSONAL RENNAISSANCE      92

Artist: Thabiso Dakamela / Art title: SKIPPIN      98

CHAPTER 9      99

MY THOUGHTS – SOCIETY/THE MATRIX      99

Artist: Daniel Ramontseng / Art title: FIVE FRIENDS      105

Artist: Pierre Issa / Title: MALE      108

CHAPTER 10      109

MY THOUGHTS – MIND GENESIS      109

Artist: Lebogang Sithole / Art title: FRIENDSHIP      120

CHAPTER 11      121

THE INSPIRED WAY FORWARD      121

Artist: Michaela Rinaldi / Art title: JUST BECAUSE YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES      129

ABOUT THE AUTHOR      134

Acknowledgments

The idea for this book has been in my mind for a couple of years – and now it is finally here. THE Essence of Ubuntu, my first book. It includes some of my travel experiences, life lessons and thoughts. I also wanted to make it special by adding contemporary South African art to the book.

I was able to embark on this journey thanks to the wonderful people in my life, people that have supported me, uplifted me, inspired me, and touched my soul in many different and special ways.

This book is dedicated to all the people that have played and still play a very important role in my life:

Nada Peric, Ljubo Peric, Marjetka Peric

Molefe Leroke, Thandi Leroke, Neo, Koketso

Snjezana Hrastic & family, Lucka Cencic, Morena Podrugovac & family,

Lorella Flego, Vlasta Maglica, Elis Drcic, Metka Sori, Goga Mirjanic Novak,

Elena Jakac, Maja Gregorovic, Maja Krizmancic,

Max Stefanutti, Luka Fabjancic,

Auriol Hays, Matsobane Ray Thaba, Clare Bromley

All guests, travellers and colleagues

from around the world that I had the privilege to meet.

With special thanks and respect to:

Ndaba Mandela

Chairman, Africa Rising Foundation, South Africa                         

Chairman, Mandela Institute for Humanity, New York, USA

My sincere thanks to you, your family and may the legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela live on!

Natalie Cvikl Postruznik

Insights/Navdihni me

Thank you for believing in me, for your support and thank you for making a difference in so many people’s lives.

Barbara Lenhard & Florian Gast

ARTsouthAFRICA

Thank you Barbara and Florian – your incredible vision and life changing ideas have empowered so many people and I thank you for being part of my story, my book and my life.

The artists that have enriched this book:

Andrew Ntshabele, Lazarus Ramotseng, Lebogang Sithole,

Corne Theron, David Kuijers, Sara Gaga, Mandlenkosi Mavengere,

Corné Eksteen, Jaret Loggenberg, Michaela Rinaldi, Shakes Tembani,

Edward Selematsela, Daniel Ramontseng and Pierre Issa.

While writing the book, I asked people close to my heart

to read early drafts and their support means the world to me, and I would like to individually thank them;

Elis Drcic, Koper, Slovenia

Auriol Hays, Cape Town, South Africa

Jeannette Biesbroeck, The Hague, Netherlands

Clare Bromley, Hermanus, South Africa

Metka Sori, Koper, Slovenia

Molefe Leroke J., Johannesburg, South Africa

Matsobane Ray Thaba, Cape Town, South Africa

Croydon Mohulatsi, Johannesburg, South Africa

In the book I talk about the South African philosophy called Ubuntu and what better way to share what Ubuntu means, by being directly explained from amazing friends from South Africa:

Verona Duwarkah

Ntsiki Ncoco

Auriol Hays

Clare Bromley

Tis’ Paloma

Veli Ndaba

Deswayne Maxwell Jonas

Molefe Leroke Jacobs

Croydon Mohulatsi

Matsobane Raymond Thaba

Book: The Essence of Ubuntu

Author: Tadej Peric

Researcher: Deswayne Maxwell Jonas

Editor: Eulalia Faria

Cover page & Book design: Max Stefanutti

THE REASON BEHIND THE BOOK

My career in the hospitality and travel industry spans over almost 20 years and in this period of time I’ve met thousands of people while working in resorts, hotels, cruises and river cruises as well as planning, executing and hosting events and tours.

Being able to visit incredible worldwide destinations and meeting people of various cultures, religions and races enriched me and filled my soul to such extent that one day I realised I have a message, just like Gandhi said, My life is my message. That is what inspired me to write the book, because I have had my own unique experiences and knowledge and I felt it was the right time to start writing. I decided to write, because of all the human interactions that travel allowed me to experience. The knowledge that I was able to gain and give and the life lessons I have learned.

The idea also came about as direct feedback from guests, customers, travellers, which I have met along my journeys. Guests would tell me that they would like to connect with me and find out about my next destination/project or venture, many simply wanted to remain connected.

Other guests told me, You should write a book about all the craziness that you see and experience around hotels, resorts, cruises and river cruises as well as tours and events. And yes, a few real life stories can be found in this book.

This book offers bits of wisdom, lessons learned and my personal thoughts and thanks to Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast, the founders of ARTsouthAFRICA it is enriched with beautiful art – all from the land of Ubuntu, magical South Africa.

In this book, I share some of the insights as well as life lessons I have learned while traveling the world. I share some of the inspiring true stories of tourists that I had the pleasure to interact with. Some of the most profound secrets were revealed from the struggles and traumatic life events the tourists shared with me. The global experience and these fascinating secrets and life lessons enabled me to rub shoulders with impressive international leaders, entrepreneurs and global icons like Richard Branson, Ndaba Mandela (grandson of the great Nelson Mandela), Ivo Boscarol, Dr John Demartini, Dr Precious Moloi Motsepe among others.

It is equally important to mention, that while I indeed met incredible personalities, my life lessons were also fortified by meeting thousands of splendid tourists, guests, travellers as well as colleagues from all around the world. 

I have become a citizen of the world. The insights that I share in this book are meaningful to me and they can perhaps propel you into finding your authenticity, or perhaps they might help you create a better reality for yourself.

This book is centred around the philosophy of Ubuntu, which encapsulates the secrets to a good life, lived with meaning and purpose, a life that contributes to the wellbeing of those still seeking meaning and fulfilment. It is also true that Ubuntu means I am because we