Iga Motylska

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Eager Journeys is a travel and photography blog by freelance journalist and photographer Iga Motylska, who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. It focuses on travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, across Africa and the world, as well as authentic cultural experiences.

Joining the Global Ranks of
Wealth Creators — Africa, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East analyses 250 fortunes in these up-and-coming regions. The
report is also based on interviews with billionaires from these emerging markets, as well as editors of Forbes local language editions, and Forbes and Forbes.com wealth analysts.

I wrote the chapter about Kenyan entrepreneur Navalayo Osembo, founder of Enda Athletic running shoes, for the How We Made It In Africa book. The paperback documents the entrepreneurial journeys of 25 business people across the continent.

Long before the formation of the African continent, the Makhonjwa Mountains pierced the surface of the ocean and witnessed the evolution of life. The Makhonjwa Mountains have been declared South Africa's newest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thanks to the conservation efforts of Samara Private Game Reserve, lions roams the Great Karoo once again.

On a 10-day trip, Iga Motylska travelled through Ethiopia, across magnificent mountainous landscapes from the capital city to its northern reaches and back. It was a journey that took in numerous historical, cultural and religious sites, including three of the country's 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are her highlights.

Cape Town-based start-up Gourmet Grubb is the first company in the world (as far as we know) that makes ice-cream from insect milk. Not only is the lactose-free ice-cream banting-friendly and five times higher in protein than dairy, but it’s also part of a growing entomophagy trend that’s predicted to reach $1.2 billion in 2023.

Much is being written about the trade of live wildlife for human consumption at wet markets around the world, such as the one in Wuhan where the Covid-19 pandemic is believed to have spread from. Many are concerned with how similar zoonotic spillovers can be prevented in the future.

As South Africa loosens its lockdown measures, things are still very far from normal inside its 'quarantine hotels'.

While the international art market, like all consumer-facing industries, is being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s speeding up the transition to online galleries and art fairs. With the disruption of the industry’s traditional business model, many galleries and art fairs are embracing online viewing rooms and Zoom gallery walkthroughs.

The fashion industry is turning towards a circular economy model that embraces slow and sustainable supply chains, which favor quality over quantity, and prolong the longevity of well-loved garments.

The future of luxury fashion will be omnichannel – a combination of physical and virtual stores that offer a click-and-brick shopping experience. While technology will enable upselling, brand loyalty and offer a more personalized customer service experience.

From being a traditional covering for Indian noblemen, cashmere has evolved to become a global fashion symbol that exudes luxury.

My month-long journey through Laos flicked from plains to plateaus, between forests and farmlands, from karst mountainscapes to coffee plantations. It offered me a view of everyday life – a blend of minority hill tribes, ancient Khmer temples, Buddhist culture and remnants of French colonialism. Like the seven-frame reel of my childhood View-Master stereoscope, I clicked through seven places from south to north by scooter, overnight bus and private minivan. Click.