Zukile Ncube
Kobe City 2019 - 2023. Some of my favorite moments during my time as a JET were the opportunities to teach English across elementary, junior high, and high schools. I especially loved the interactive games we played in the classroom — they made learning fun and meaningful for both the students and me.
Outside the classroom, I cherished the connections built through staff interactions and fellow JETs, especially during celebrations and traditional matsuri festivals. Those shared experiences truly made my time in Japan unforgettable.
Post-JET, my career path was deeply inspired by my time in Japan.I founded a company called Ikigai JPSA — a cultural exchange and tourism initiative that connects Japan and South Africa, with a broader vision to include the rest of Africa and the world.
During my time on the JET Programme, I realized how rare and valuable the opportunity is. Many people never get the chance to experience Japan the way we do. I first visited Japan at the age of 25, and that experience changed my life. I wanted to create a platform that would allow young people — especially in South Africa — to experience Japan even earlier, through meaningful cultural exchange, educational visits, and tourism.
Our work at Ikigai JPSA includes:
Introducing South Africans to Japanese schools, culture, and traditional values
Creating guided experiences that showcase Japan’s unique sights and deep cultural lessons
Recommending hidden gems and offering insights from a JET perspective
Facilitating opportunities for learning, growth, and long-term connection between our countries
To new JETs and partner countries, I strongly encourage you to embrace the full experience — take your time, be curious, and allow yourself to grow through immersion.
And to alumni, I believe we all have a role to play in bringing what we’ve learned in Japan back home. We can be bridges between cultures and contribute to building global understanding in our communities.
I hope to share what we’re doing at Ikigai with JET alumni around the world. My vision is for Ikigai Cultural Exchange and Tourism to grow into a global, JET-founded initiative — one that employs former JETs and uses our shared experiences to create meaningful social impact and opportunity across countries.
Are you a JET alum with a story to share? Get in touch to be featured in an upcoming Senpai Spotlight.
