- The most surprising lesson for me in 2010 was the incredible difference between two remarkable countries in Africa. Both are powerhouses. Both share a fascinating but utterly different history. Both are looked at in neighbouring countries with a mix of envy and admiration. I resided in one, and still reside in the other. And every time I voyage from the place I now live, to the place I once lived, I wonder what it would take to grow roots again in the one I left. Kenya. And South Africa. Like in other years, I travelled to and fro a lot again this year. But this time it was different from previous journeys. This time I flew to Kenya from Cape Town with kilos of books in my bagg…