Traveling the World While Working #6 Botswana and Zambia
Since our founding in 1999, we have been committed to enabling each and every one of our employees to reach their full potential without being restricted by location, time, or living environment.
Together with our employees, we have realized a variety of work styles, including full-flexibility, full-remote work, support for balancing work with childcare and nursing care, and, in recent years, nomadic work both in Japan and overseas. By enabling employees to fulfill both their work and personal lives, we are able to influence each other positively and contribute to improving the productivity and quality of work of the entire organization.
In this series of articles, we will share on how our employees are exploring and implementing their own unique ways of working.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Sakamoto, a global consultant with eLife Singapore office.
I have been working nomadically since 2023, which is my long-cherished dream. I visit two to three countries a month to experience life and work in those places.
In this blog, I will be writing a series of articles on how to balance work and personal life, the culture of the countries I visit, and interaction with the local people through my nomadic work experience abroad.
In this sixth installment, I will share my nomadic work experiences in the Republic of Botswana and Republic of Zambia.
I visited Botswana and Zambia because I was fascinated by the spectacular nature and cultural diversity of both countries. I also wanted to experience firsthand the challenges and potential for growth that African countries face, and to apply this experience to my work. Furthermore, the fact that I did not need a visa and had a good internet environment was another reason why I chose these countries.
About the Republic of Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked country located in southern Africa with an area of 567,000 square kilometers (about 1.5 times the size of Japan) and a population of approximately 2.67 million.
The country boasts one of the world's largest production of diamonds and is attractive for its rich nature and traditional culture. In particular, the Tsodilo Hills, registered as a World Heritage site, are dotted with ancient rock paintings known as the "rubles of the desert," which offer a glimpse into the traces of people's beliefs and lifestyles. It is fascinating to know that these rock paintings are estimated to date back to around 4000 B.C. based on scientific measurements.
In the capital city of Haborone, 1,300 km away from Tsodilo, I was particularly impressed by the interaction with the local people. I was able to experience their warm and friendly personalities as we spent lively times together at billiards and clubs and were invited to house parties. Especially when I joined in the local traditional dance at the party, I felt a sense of togetherness that transcended language and cultural barriers.
I am eager to learn more about the local culture, so I try to actively talk to the local people, have meals with them, and experience their daily lives through play. The discoveries and learning that I gain through these interactions are what I really enjoy about traveling.
About the Republic of Zambia
Zambia is located in the northeastern part of Botswana, covering an area of 752,000 square kilometers (about twice the size of Japan), and has a population of about 20.57 million. It is a multi-ethnic country with as many as 72 ethnic groups, and diverse languages and cultures coexist. Despite this, there is almost no conflict, and security is said to be more stable than in other African countries.
The main export is copper, and the country is blessed with abundant mining resources, but on the other hand, it appears to have a serious poverty problem. Improvement of social infrastructure, including support for rural areas by the government and international organizations, is expected. In Zambia, there are many tourist attractions that symbolize the great natural and cultural diversity of Africa.
In the capital city of Lusaka, I had the opportunity to attend a traditional wedding ceremony. It was an unforgettable cross-cultural experience to watch the participants in their colorful costumes perform a series of dances, music, and unique ceremonies. The wedding was an opportunity to experience the strength of family and community ties and to learn the value of community over the individual.
I was invited to the home of a woman I met at that wedding and had the opportunity to enjoy Zambian home cooking. In Zambia, sima, a staple food made from corn, is widely eaten and is characterized by its fluffy texture with high moisture content. It is torn and eaten using hands and served with side dishes such as stewed beef, fish, or vegetables. As I sat around the table with the locals, I could deeply feel the culture of this country and the warmth of its people.
In recent years, rice has become a staple food in urban areas as people diversify their diet to include bread and fries. While sima is time-consuming to prepare, rice is easy to cook, and its popularity in urban areas seems to be growing. Nevertheless, sima remains an important staple food for the Zambian people, and it has not disappeared from their tables entirely. I felt that this change in food culture symbolizes the coexistence of modernization and tradition in Zambian society.
How to Choose Accommodations and the Importance of Internet Access
In nomadic work in developing countries, the choice of accommodation can greatly affect the success or failure of your work. I consider a stable Internet environment to be my top priority, so I often look for a homestay or Airbnb run by a wealthy local family rather than a hotel, and read reviews carefully before making my choice. This has allowed me to have smooth online meetings and data transfers.
In addition, it is also important to know if there is a supermarket or convenience store nearby. If you choose accommodations with a kitchen, you can easily cook during work hours and make effective use of your time. Such an environment is very helpful in improving work efficiency.
Use of effective communication tools
Nomadic workers who work with multiple time zones utilize the following tools to facilitate their work efficiently.
Google Calendar:
Multiple time zones can be managed in a single calendar, allowing you to know at a glance Japanese time, local time, and even the time in the region where your target market or partners are located. This allows us to efficiently manage meeting schedules and the work and actions required in advance on multiple time zones. It has been very useful for this business.
In-house chat tool:
Ideal for real-time communication and quick response to minor questions or requests. They are not as formal as meetings, and are especially useful in situations where light communication is needed.
Project Management Tool:
They are indispensable not only for project progress and schedule management, but also for centrally managing client questions and requests. Communication with clients and partner companies is also done efficiently through project management tools. Therefore, e-mail is rarely used, except for new correspondence.
Our time in Botswana and Zambia was very productive, allowing us to enjoy the culture and work as hard as we could. Please look forward to the next issue!
