Lives Less Ordinary

Lessons in grief from the South African wilderness


Listen Later

Sicelo Mbatha grew up in the remote South African region of Kwahlabisa, on the doorstep of a game reserve. Every day, he and his friends - including his best friend Sanele - would walk many miles to get to school and back. One day, on their way home, they approached their final river crossing and children started screaming - there was a crocodile. Tragically, Sicelo witnessed a brutal attack on Sanele that day. The experience traumatised him for years. But rather than turning away from nature, and being fearful of wildlife, he was drawn to it. He wanted to understand the behaviour of wild animals, so pursued his dream to become a wilderness guide. It was by being close to the often brutal world of animals that he would finally come to terms with what had happened, and find peace after grief.
Get in touch: [email protected]
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Katy Takatsuki
(Photo: Sicelo Mbatha. Credit: Bridget Pitt)
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Lives Less OrdinaryBy BBC World Service

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

469 ratings


More shows like Lives Less Ordinary

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,639 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

375 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,046 Listeners

Woman's Hour by BBC Radio 4

Woman's Hour

379 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,520 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,799 Listeners

Witness History by BBC World Service

Witness History

964 Listeners

The History Hour by BBC World Service

The History Hour

584 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,763 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,049 Listeners

Desert Island Discs by BBC Radio 4

Desert Island Discs

1,979 Listeners

The Food Chain by BBC World Service

The Food Chain

342 Listeners

File on 4 Investigates by BBC Radio 4

File on 4 Investigates

40 Listeners

The Inquiry by BBC World Service

The Inquiry

731 Listeners

The Audio Long Read by The Guardian

The Audio Long Read

849 Listeners

People Fixing The World by BBC World Service

People Fixing The World

238 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,177 Listeners

The Missing Cryptoqueen by BBC Sounds

The Missing Cryptoqueen

1,003 Listeners

The Slow Newscast by The Observer

The Slow Newscast

159 Listeners

The Bomb by BBC World Service

The Bomb

1,002 Listeners

Life Changing by BBC Radio 4

Life Changing

95 Listeners

The History Podcast by BBC Radio 4

The History Podcast

56 Listeners

Strangers on a Bench by Tom Rosenthal

Strangers on a Bench

773 Listeners