Ep. 69: Hermann Vivier - Bitcoin Circular Economies in South Africa & Beyond

My guest today is Hermann Vivier, co-founder of The Surfer Kids nonprofit and Bitcoin Ekasi project. Hermann's journey began in 2010 with the dual goals of creating a tourism business and empowering marginalized youth through surfing. Over time, Bitcoin became a critical tool for his initiatives, particularly when geopolitical challenges forced his business to adopt Bitcoin as a medium of exchange. In this episode, Hermann shares how The Surfer Kids nonprofit uses surfing as a vehicle to teach life skills and foster resilience among South African youth, while Bitcoin Ekasi builds a circular economy, paying salaries in Bitcoin and empowering underserved communities to adopt financial sovereignty. From leveraging Bitcoin to navigate failing state systems to inspiring others through grassroots education, Hermann’s work highlights the transformative potential of Bitcoin as both a medium of exchange and a tool for societal change. Tune in to learn about the unique challenges of operating in underbanked regions, the importance of using Bitcoin as money, and the power of building circular economies. ► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS --►► Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn -- SPECIAL OFFERS –►► Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat ►► Enjoy the Little HODLer products, learn about sound money while having fun! use code EFRAT for 10% off on non-sale items: https://thelittlehodler.com/ ►► 10% off on all books & accessories at the “Bitcoin Infinity Store” - use code EFRAT►► Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Hermann’s Twitter: https://x.com/vryfokkenou Bitcoin Ekasi’s Twitter: https://x.com/BitcoinEkasi Support Bitcoin Ekasi: https://support.bitcoinekasi.com/ “Lekker Feeling” - Documentary about Bitcoin Ekasi & Surfer Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8vlzaDSNY0 Bitcoin Ekasi’s Nostr npub: npub1zkr064avsxmxzaasppamps86ge0npwvft9yu3ymgxmk9umx3xyeq9sk6ecEfrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Telegram: https://t.me/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 Coming Up…01:06 Introduction03:59 The Bitcoin Ekasi Project07:08 “Surfer Kids” Nonprofit and Community Impact08:31 Bitcoin Adoption and Bank Failures14:41 Store of Value vs. Medium of Exchange22:09 The Work of Bitcoin Ekasi & Surfer Kids33:06 Inspiration from The Bitcoin Beach Model38:14 Fundraising with Bitcoin40:01 More Circular Economies In Africa55:04 Bitcoin vs. CBDCs1:01:48 Challenges of Onboarding People to Bitcoin1:06:55 “Covid Red Pilled” Not Getting Orange Pilled  1:09:08 Bitcoin Regulation in South Africa1:15:24 Hermann’s Tattoo1:17:45 Hermann’s Message of Hope