Editor’s Note: Summer Edition 2022/3 no. 240

As the final edition of 2022 and the first of 2023 is crafted, I am compelled to look back to look forward.

As the year started, the mist of economic and social disruption of Covid permeated all levels of our society. February 2022 Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine, further eliciting negative sentiment as we grappled with our personal and collective vulnerably. Devastation rained down on KZN in the floods of April and then in July the country was plunged into the darkness of stage 6 loadshedding. September saw this collective ‘darkness’ begin to give way to the light of collective collaboration, a coming together as one, and I personally began to feel the warmth and hopeful anticipation as the mist cleared, exposing a welcome positive ‘can-do’ resolve.

2023 – Time to reset, recharge and restart
Living consciously and walking gently upon the Earth, sees us making sustainable choices that affect all aspects of our lives; these choices dominate our inner dialogue and decisions. What we drive, how we recycle, reuse and repurpose, how we manage our energy and water resources, what we buy, what we eat, how we travel and how and what to listen to, view and read.

According to research by Booking.com: “73 per cent of travellers say they would be more likely to book a property with sustainability practices in place.” Further to this when considering eco-savvy travel, environmental factors like carbon emissions, waste management and off-grid offerings are a factor, as is the desire to support sustainable businesses and conscious communities. In 2023 we will cover travel options across our beautiful country, in this edition, South Coast KZN, South Africa’s Bali.

Our research and analytics indicate that 79.1 per cent of our readers access Odyssey Magazine on a digital platform with over 188 000 digital reach per edition in 2022. To further enhance our digital readers’ experience, we launched the Odyssey Magazine App. For iOS and Android in December 2022.

Our print model in 2023 will be consciously adjusted to be kinder and more environmentally astute. We will actively reinforce our ‘we love it when you buy local campaign’ by taking a targeted approach to engaging with more content-appropriate private stockists: Health shops, wellness centres, spas and esoteric gift and book stores, with less resultant waste, in keeping with our commitment to planetary wellness.

KwazuluSpirit Festival 22-23 July 2023 hosted by Odyssey Magazine and Wozani Africa Events

We invite you to nourish your soul and explore paradise at the KwazuluSpirit Festival. Join us on a transformational journey, a personal odyssey of sensing, exploring and reinvention – find your paradise. A weekend of health, healing, relaxation and rejuvenation, set in the magnificent seaside Estuary Hotel and Spa with spectacular ocean views and a secluded, pristine beach.
The weekend programme launches on Saturday 22 July through Sunday 23 July, with a conscious market, vegan village and an inspirational programme of transformational speakers and events, a healing marathon and bliss booths where you can engage with spiritual leaders and holistic healers. Immerse yourself in a celebration of the soul with Magnificence Music. Explore the KZN South Coast from Pumula to Port Edward on a self-drive Yoga Odyssey and ‘Paradise Found’ adventures.

Pre-register www.kwazuluspirit.com – to participate: email: kwazuluspirit@odysseymagazine.co.za