Meet Kobus Olivier, a South African living in Kyiv: 'The war has intensified. It's the worst thing in the world'

CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Kobus Olivier, a South African living in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Listen below

Cricketer-turned-teacher Kobus Olivier lives in a literal war zone.

He and his four small dogs live in an apartment in Kyiv, having returned to the country in January of last year.

He'd originally moved to Ukraine several years ago in the hope of building a better life. 

But then in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Olivier left the country for a period but has since returned. He teaches his classes in shelters.

He says returning to South Africa would be very difficult.

ALSO READ: Zelensky cuts short South Africa trip after deadly attack on Kyiv

"I've got nothing there. I'd arrive there and wouldn't have a place to stay. I won't have a job. I've no family."

- Kobus Olivier, South African living in Ukraine

Olivier admits he didn't expect things to be as bad as they are in Ukraine when he returned.

"It's much worse than when I left Ukraine the first time. The war has intensified. I'm basically stuck here now."

- Kobus Olivier, South African living in Ukraine

He lives in a constant fear, he says is difficult to put into words.

"Terrifying wouldn't even go halfway to describing it. It's the worst thing in the world."

- Kobus Olivier, South African living in Ukraine

He has been sharing videos and photos on his Instagram page of how residents in his apartment block spend their nights in the basement bomb shelter.

Olivier describes holing up in the shelter and hearing drones flying overhead.

"You know the damage it causes and you don't know where it's going to land.... the sound intensifies as it gets closer."

- Kobus Olivier, South African living in Ukraine

Olivier has been documenting the events in Kyiv as part of a documentary he is working on, called 'Ollie’s War', named after his beloved pet poodle.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.