Matsi Modise is an entrepreneur, investor, and a candidate at Harvard Business School. She is the founder of Furaha Afrika Holdings and serves on various boards, both in Africa (public and private sector) and internationally. She is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and the World Economic Forum Global Shapers. Matsi travels frequently for her business interests and is especially involved with the World Climate Group in Copenhagen, Denmark. Being a global citizen is important to her, and she values the relationships she has built around the world. In her own words, Matsi shares her perspective on luxury travel and her experiences in Africa and other parts of the world where her friends have transcended into family. Wherever she is, she is always home.

What makes an individual a global citizen and do you identify as one?

A global citizen is someone who sees themselves as part of the whole world. They don’t just identify with their own country but feel like they can belong anywhere in the world while still maintaining their own unique identity.

A global citizen is someone who is curious, adventurous, and inspired by others. They love experiencing different cultures, and environments. They are motivated to explore and achieve more, and they appreciate being themselves in a global setting.

One thing I identify as, is being a global citizen. I can be in different places around the world, like Paris, Milan, Lamu, Equatorial Guinea, Congo-Brazzaville, Soweto, Phuthaditjhaba, or Khayelitsha. No matter where I am, I am who I am.

I prefer not to stand out too much; I like blending in with my surroundings while still being true to myself. When I travel, it’s exciting to see people turning their heads and wondering where I’m from. And when I proudly tell them that I’m from South Africa but consider myself a citizen of the world, it always sparks interest and excitement. I carry myself, my country, and my community wherever I go.

At the end of the day, my ancestors were from Phuthaditjhaba in Qwa-Qwa. That’s where my late father lived, that’s where I grew up, but also, I could be in Copenhagen, New York, Milan, Lamu, Nairobi, I could be anywhere in the world, and yet I still am who I am, but in a very global context, right?

I don’t try to be what I’m not. I’m uniquely and proudly South African. I always carry my South African badge, and the good thing is that people actually love South Africans. It’s always weird when they say, “He sounds South African.” I wonder what that sounds like because I know what an American person sounds like, I know what a French person sounds like, but when they say, “He sounds South African,” I’m so curious to know what that means.

Therefore, I’m proudly South African but also consider myself a citizen of the world. I appreciate different cultures, diverse experiences, and various scents. Traveling to India is always exciting for me because the people are so beautiful. When I go on holiday to Mozambique and visit the local communities and villages, it feels familiar because I also grew up in a village. Despite my sophistication and suburban upbringing, I can relate to the village context and enjoy it. Connecting with nature is something I love, especially being in the mountains. My aspiration is to earn in Dollars and Euros but continue living in Rands. Although South Africa has its challenges with crime, racism, and infrastructure, I still see it as a Queen in its own land. I love my country as much as I love the world. When I land at O.R. Tambo International Airport, interacting with the passport control officers, I make them feel and know that I am a South African, not just someone who has traveled from America. Being a South African and facing the country’s challenges is part of my identity. South Africa is home, and from here, I want to build my empire for the world.

What does luxury travel mean to you and tell us about your most luxurious and indulgent trip?

Luxury is not about the price, it’s about comfort. I’ve been to seven-star resorts and three-star ones, and both have been equally comfortable. For me, luxury is feeling at ease wherever I am, whether I’m traveling, staying in a hotel, or flying. It’s not about how much money I spend, but about how comfortable and welcoming the experience is.

My most luxurious travels and travel encounters have been the most comfortable, where you feel like you are in your own skin. The hospitality is warm, and the people are friendly. I find that Africans and South Americans are very hospitable.

I have traveled a lot in Europe, and unfortunately, it hasn’t been the most exciting encounters. It can feel very impersonal. People are often cold, and they are shy to say hello. When you, as someone coming from Africa, want to engage or connect with people, and they don’t even look at you, it can be disappointing.

But when traveling on the continent, going to places like Kenya, or Egypt, these are your brothers and sisters. They look at you and comfort you. It’s warm, and people are lovely. There’s a level of humanity and humility that you can feel. There’s no arrogance. It’s all about warmth.

Given that Africa tends to be quite a poor continent in some contexts, you are overwhelmed by how warm Africans are because of Ubuntu, we are one. “I am because you are.” You are a brother. You are a sister.

So, for me, luxury has nothing to do with how much it costs, but everything to do with how much I feel at home.

As an avid traveler, what are the key differences between traveling for work and traveling for pleasure, and how do you navigate and balance this when both are on the agenda?

My life is currently designed in a way that I am in a different part of the world every six to eight weeks. It is not necessarily ideal because I do miss home, my own bed, pillows and cushions. I really get excited when I get home even though I am an avid traveler.

When it comes to the key differences between traveling for work and pleasure and balancing both, luckily, I have quite a global network, and that is part of being a global citizen. So, whether it’s in Kenya, Paris, London, New York, and DC, I have got friends and family there. This makes it easier for me to work and see my loved ones around the world.

When I am traveling, I am at the office and in meetings during the day. Then, at night or over the weekends, I visit Keiji when in DC, or Diane and Fabrice when in Paris and have dinner with them and their kids. These are all friends that I have known for years, before they even had children. And now that we are older, I am able to go have dinners with them and play with their kids at the park in Paris and cycle around the city. It’s nice to be able to connect with friends, with their families in different cities across the world.

So, for me, it’s not a difficult adjustment to combine both activities, because in any city that I travel to, I always have a friend or a family member. And it’s easy for me to see it like any other week in Johannesburg (home), where I would be working during the day and resting or catching up with old friends at night or weekends.

Which country is the best place for luxury shopping and why?

Like Kanye West once said, “I shop so much I can speak Italian”. I don’t really shop a lot, but I love pretty dresses and things. And for me, Italy has both. It’s the capital of fashion and design and when you’re in Milan, you can feel it.

I would say that Paris is one of the cities where the elderly look gorgeous. You just have to go to a café, sit and have lunch, and people-watch.

Italy and France are the essence of style. The people are not afraid to wear bold colors, designs and clothes. They are not afraid to look different, so I relate to both countries.

I remember the first time that I went to Paris, and I was in awe of how everyone looked so beautiful. The men and women were cycling while wearing crisp white shirts and blue blazers. I was so inspired. You have to have your fashion game on point when you’re in Paris and Milan. As clichéd as those cities are, they are cutting-edge. You can’t just wear your black clothes as normal; you have to look stylish. I love New York too. The accessories are big and bold in New York, and I believe I fit in with my big yellow pair of sunnies.

And then equally, when I travel African countries, I step up my fashion too. Kenya is a beautiful country. I’ve been to the coast, to Malindi, Watamu, Lamu, Nairobi, and the Maasai Mara. Those environments are the salt of the Earth. That’s where you wear your cottons and linens. It is where you wear olives and beige. It is where everything smells of the salt of the Earth.

I don’t necessarily like perfume or cologne per se. I create my own scents by mixing different essential oils together. I particularly like scents that have an earthy quality, reminding me of the salt of the Earth, like Kenya. As I’ve grown older, I’ve developed a preference for scents that make me feel and smell like the Earth. Africology, a South African brand, captivates my senses with its earthy fragrances. The best way to achieve this earthy scent is by blending your own essential oils and becoming an alchemist of fragrance. You can find essential oils in various shops, such as Wellness Warehouse. Simply mix oils like ylang-ylang, amber, and rose to create a unique and beautiful scent that reflects your personal taste. I believe that true luxury lies in connecting with the Earth rather than striving to be flashy, as appearances can be deceiving. I’ve come to appreciate brands that embody an earthy and textured feel, combining smoothness with the aromas of the Earth.

What are your top three essential items to take with when travelling?

My late grandmother had these really cozy knitted socks. They’re puffy and warm, with a soft sheep-like cotton inside. They feel incredibly comfortable, especially when I’m traveling by plane. I always wear them to keep my feet warm.

Another essential item I travel with is a hot water bottle. I have perpetually cold feet, so having a hot water bottle with me ensures that I feel comfortable wherever I go. I love to warm it up whenever possible, unless it’s really hot outside. It’s a must-have for me.

Lastly, I always bring my facial mist when I travel. Facial mists are fantastic for rejuvenating and enhancing your skin’s tone and texture. Even if you can’t afford a lot of skincare products, a good facial mist can make a big difference. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just effective.

There are three brands of facial mist that I use. The first one is called Uso, created by my friend Dr. Theo Mothoa-Frendo. It’s an African skincare brand with a global reach. I apply it in the morning after moisturizing, throughout the day to feel refreshed, and at night when I haven’t had a chance to shower before going out. It’s truly amazing.

I also have Aesop facial mist, a luxurious Australian skincare brand. It’s quite pricey, but I love its earthy scent that reminds me of soil. Lastly, I have Dr. Barbara Sturm’s facial mist. She’s a German skincare expert, and her brand is luxurious and highly regarded. Even though I’m not a celebrity, I still enjoy using her products because they nourish my skin.

Facial mists are a staple for me when traveling. Before sleeping on the plane, I always wipe my face with facial wipes and then apply a refreshing facial mist. It restores and revitalizes my skin, giving it a healthy glow throughout the day.

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Follow Matsi Modise’s entrepreneurial and luxury travel journey on:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matsi-modise-94a16230/ – LinkedIn

@missmatsi – Instagram