I write this column from a dowdy economy seat positioned within an aircraft that left Nigerian soil just two hours ago. My seat is 55K – an aisle allocation. Perfect for stretching the legs. My destination is South Africa, a country that the majority of those reading this magazine call home.

During my stay in Lagos, I learned that, despite our best efforts as South Africans to understand and identify with the diverse cultural tapestry that is the African continent, we are far more Westernised – in terms of our social and economic outlook – than we might like to believe.