Meet the Wanderist: Zandile Ndhlovu. Zandile is a real-life mermaid. She has a passion for all sports in the water including freediving, scuba diving and surfing. Zandile also has a passion for creating diversity in diving and safe space in the ocean for everyone. She is a freediving instructor based in Johannesburg, South Africa and the founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation and works to motivate and challenge people from all backgrounds. To get to know her a bit better, keep reading!

HOMETOWN:

Cape Town, South Africa

SALT OR SNOW:

Salt

SPORT OF CHOICE:

Freediving, Surfing, Scuba Diving

FAVORITE DESTINATION:

Bali, Indonesia

WHAT DOES ADVENTURE MEAN TO YOU?:

It is doing all the things that make your heart light up, every opportunity to expand your world.

WHEN SEEKING ADVENTURE, WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO?:

Seek wild waters that are close to mountains.

THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT:

A good book, lip moisturizer and my camera.

HOW YOU GOT STARTED FREEDIVING:

Freediving, It started with a snorkel trip in Bali, my first time seeing beneath the surface, and I fell in love.

TIPS FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO START FREEDIVING:

Snorkel excursions are a great way to find your comfort in the water.  Scuba Diving helps with comprehending depth which all folds beautifully towards freediving, especially if you didn't grow up around the sea like me.

FAVORITE SNACK TO FUEL WITH:

Bananas. They are easy to travel with, give good energy and have natural strong packaging that returns to the earth without a fight :)

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?:

Mother Nature, she reminds us to always show up - like the sun, that we are not only one thing - calm to stormy seas, and shows us how to be graceful through all the seasons. These learnings have made my life fuller in all the ways I needed.

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?:

To breathe underwater, to forever explore the depths of these incredible oceans! If on land, it would be to be able to heal people, to place a light in their hearts that allows them to live again, breathe again, see the magic of life again.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST MOTIVATOR AND WHY?:

The possibility of an equal society, where all people are seen and their humanity acknowledged, I think this will expand humanity in all the ways we need.

3 FAVORITE BOOKS?:

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho, Everything is Spiritual - Rob Bell, Pedagogy of the Oppressed - Paulo Freire

PUMP UP SONG:

6 Foot 7 Foot - Lil Wayne (If PG Flawless - Beyonce)

COOLDOWN SONG:

Frequency - Jhene Aiko

SALT + SNOW SELECTS: