My plans to present research in Europe were interrupted when Qatar shut its airspace. The irony was sharp. My research argues that poor infrastructure - like roads full of potholes or bus routes that simply don't exist - leads to deep isolation, reinforces inequality and silences the voices of those living on the fringes.

I had spent months preparing to represent the University of Fort Hare at the 10th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS) in Prague. The excitement was building. On 27 June, I was set to present my paper, "Poor Road Infrastructure in Rural and Urban Communities: The Case of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa".

My bags were packed, my presentation rehearsed, and my mind was buzzing with the thought of lively discussions. But as luck would have it, the world had other plans.

In the early hours of 24 June, I was at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. My Qatar Airways flight was supposed to take me from the cool South African morning, through Doha, and on to Europe. But then, a sense of unease spread through the departure lounge. Whispers turned into worried murmurs, and soon, the announcements confirmed our worst fears. A bombing in Doha had shut down the airport. It was a harsh reminder of how global events can disrupt our lives.

News came in bits and pieces - reports of significant damage and a complete shutdown. Later, from online sources like Reuters, the seriousness of the situation became clear: "Iran weighs retaliation against US strikes...