Spent the morning with a group of Brazilians from various professional backgrounds, mainly talking about the global polycrisis and the dynamics of transition (tomorrow South Africa and cities). Their visit was organized Shima, a Brazilian who did our Masters degree, and wants to stay in South Africa now. Like when I first visited Brazil, I was reminded once again how similar Brazilians and South Africans are – in fact, Brazil and the Philippines are the two places in the world I have been that feel similar to South Africa – not sure what it is: the inequalities, modernity and poverty in one, the outwardness, the aliveness of civil society, the contradictions of the middle class, a sense of being a ‘new nation’, the ups and downs, low levels of everyday safety, messiness and an aspiration for order, showmanship. Maybe, but the feel is so similar. Language, of course, is always a barrier – but with a great translator, it can work – like today! Look forward to seeing them again tomorrow.