Nanofasa, which derives its name from a saying that means Nature Never Jumps, is an organisation that is looking to uplift, empower and up-skill the Ju/´hoansi San communities in Namibia. Nanofasa was birthed by an international model, who chose to swop the catwalk for the bushwalk. Aleksandra Ørbeck-Nilssen was making a name for herself on international runways and the covers of big-name fashion magazines, but after one visit to Namibia at the age of 22 years old, she opted to give up the glitz and the glam to come and work with, and learn from, the Namibian Ju/´hoansi San communities.
According to Aleksandra, “Nanofasa Conservation Trust is an entirely non-profit endeavour building on a sustainability philosophy; to leave a green track on the pathway of life.”
“We are introducing a new approach to outreach, we are reaching out and being reached. When I first came to Africa, I was like most people travelling here to help and save, but when I met the San people, I realized that the reversed had happened. They had saved me from my poverty of perception, and opened my eyes to how much we can all teach each other.”
99FM’s MYD Earth sat down with Aleksandra Ørbeck-Nilssen, to talk about her journey from stilettos and high-rise buildings to bare feet and the Namibian sand.
In 99FM’s MYD Earth show, Aleksandra shares with us how the Nanofasa Conservation Trust came into existence and the exciting projects they are working on
Here are some of the areas covered in this episode of MYD Earth :
- Aleksandra’s story of how she came to call Namibia home
- How Nanofasa was started and how through this organisation, ancient wisdom about nature is being documented.
- The projects that Nanofasa is working on, including accrediting San trackers to be internationally qualified trackers with the best trackers on the globe and the Vivo Barefoot sandal project
- What we can learn from the San Community of Namibia
Take a listen to the MYD Earth show with Aleksandra Ørbeck-Nilssen of Nanofasa, here :
https://soundcloud.com/99fm/myd-earth-nanofasa-conservation-trust
For the Nanofasa’s website, click here : Nanofasa Conservation Trust
For the 99FM MYD Earth article on Nanofasa, click here : From the Catwalk to the Bushwalk