<p>When Simukai felt like he was drowning at a new school, a role model gave him a pep talk that changed everything.</p><br><p>Professor of African politics, Simukai Chigudu, grew up in Zimbabwe as the first generation after the end of colonial rule. This meant growing up against a backdrop of a lot of emotional and political baggage that his parents and his country were trying to process. Something he's still making sense of to this day…</p><br><p>In this episode, Simukai shares the stories of the boy he judged wrongly, who turned out to be a true friend; a university friend of his parent's who helped him understand his place in the world; and a role model from childhood who made an overwhelming school feel like a place he could belong.</p><br><p>Simukai's book Chasing Freedom is available now.</p><br><p>Thanks so much for being here!</p><br><p>Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.</p><br><p>Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast</p><p>Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast</p><br><p>Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson</p><p>It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>