Beyond Charm: What Do You Know?
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm, for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something; This … Continue reading Beyond Charm: What Do You Know?
Trust: This Land Is Not Ours, Yet
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. I’ve decided to … Continue reading Trust: This Land Is Not Ours, Yet
Who Cares: When No One Does?
Brazilian Author of the Alchemist Paul Coelho shared a post on his blog about a list of things he’s learnt … Continue reading Who Cares: When No One Does?
Accept Yourself : You cannot Make Someone Love You
Brazilian Author of the Alchemist Paul Coelho recently shared a blog post about a list of things he’s learnt which … Continue reading Accept Yourself : You cannot Make Someone Love You
Maponya: Feeding The Nation One Generation At a Time
Perhaps it was not a coincidence that the name Maponya came up during our family New Year’s Eve dinner recently. … Continue reading Maponya: Feeding The Nation One Generation At a Time
Chihombori-Quao: ‘Maybe I Lasted Longer Than I Should Have’
Former African Union Ambassador to the US Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao says she was was not surprised by her recent dismissal … Continue reading Chihombori-Quao: ‘Maybe I Lasted Longer Than I Should Have’
Zulu Wedding: Re-writing History?
This week I had a blast watching the Zulu Wedding, a South African feature film about a young Zulu woman … Continue reading Zulu Wedding: Re-writing History?
Sticks & Stones: Journalism and Hate Speech in South Africa
“I realise that when reporting, I walk with a stoop now, bent from the world as if to protect myself. … Continue reading Sticks & Stones: Journalism and Hate Speech in South Africa
May The Best African Language Presenter Win!
On the week that researchers released a report revealing that most black South African households (parents) prefer to educate their … Continue reading May The Best African Language Presenter Win!
Africa: Stories in The Mist
Storytelling is not an easy skill to master. For the past few weeks I have been writing and re-writing stories … Continue reading Africa: Stories in The Mist
Error: Mind Your Language(s), Nkandla is Beautiful!
The Week That Was For two days last week, I reported from the front-lines of what many in the media … Continue reading Error: Mind Your Language(s), Nkandla is Beautiful!
Juba: The Dream vs Reality
When I accepted an offer to work in Juba, South Sudan for twelve months, I instinctively wanted to write about … Continue reading Juba: The Dream vs Reality
A QUESTION OF POWER: DON’T SAY THAT #freestellanyanzi
There’s a story a former colleague and housemate told me once about “madness”. The story has stuck with me over … Continue reading A QUESTION OF POWER: DON’T SAY THAT #freestellanyanzi
Why are (most) African Leaders Silent on Media Freedom?
The people would be forgiven for thinking that most African leaders are not committed to building liberal democratic institutions as … Continue reading Why are (most) African Leaders Silent on Media Freedom?
Consent: Is a Woman’s Right
As women leaders and activists from around the world gather for the 63 Commission on the Status of Women in … Continue reading Consent: Is a Woman’s Right
Homegoing: A Non Book Review
This post is inspired by a recent reading of Yaa Gyasi’s book, HomeGoing (2016). It is a book chosen by … Continue reading Homegoing: A Non Book Review
There is No War on Women
Perhaps this is the title that many men who commented on a book I’ve been reading this week by the … Continue reading There is No War on Women
Forgiveness: It’s Not Black or White, It’s Personal
It came out of nowhere, just like Die Stem, South Africa’s national anthem from 1957 to 1994. I thought we … Continue reading Forgiveness: It’s Not Black or White, It’s Personal
ON: THE LOVE DIARY OF A ZULU BOY
A memoir by Bhikisisa Mncube A few months ago I was part of a social gathering in which the Master … Continue reading ON: THE LOVE DIARY OF A ZULU BOY
AT LAST: YOU’RE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK
A once dear friend of mine loved to compare me to the American singer, songwriter, composer and pianist Nina Simone. … Continue reading AT LAST: YOU’RE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK
SOLD: How Ramaphosa Managed
This picture of former South African President Jacob Zuma with the newly elected South African President Cyril Ramaphosa brought to … Continue reading SOLD: How Ramaphosa Managed
Inxeba: Tradition VS Culture
Back when I was a journalism student at Natal Technikon now DUT I attempted, rather poorly, to articulate the continuous … Continue reading Inxeba: Tradition VS Culture
Unveiling Democracy: It’s A Mirage
I’m here watching as the brilliant pallet of hopeful colours democracy once painted for us in vivid penetrating hues of … Continue reading Unveiling Democracy: It’s A Mirage
Coconut: Soothing oil for growing Afros
I do not know how to make it pretty. I do not know how to mask it. It is not … Continue reading Coconut: Soothing oil for growing Afros
THE NEW DEAL: OLD NEWS, NEW DATES
It has become phenomenally difficult to retain any level of optimism regarding African politics these days. It’s as if the … Continue reading THE NEW DEAL: OLD NEWS, NEW DATES
THE LEADING SEX: DOES GENDER MATTER?
The incoming president of the Business Woman Association of South Africa (BWASA) Happy Ralinala has challenged women to put their … Continue reading THE LEADING SEX: DOES GENDER MATTER?
ABAHLALI: LINDIWE’S UNTOLD STORY
You can listen to a podcast-radio version of this story here. It is arguably one of the largest shack dweller’s … Continue reading ABAHLALI: LINDIWE’S UNTOLD STORY
POWER FAILURE: LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NOBODY’S HOME
[LISTEN] Take a trip to Nairobi, Kenya and you will find a country at war with itself where political contest … Continue reading POWER FAILURE: LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NOBODY’S HOME
THE EFF: AND ITS LANGUAGE GAME
Click here to listen to the audio version of this article. It is rather unfortunate that the newest political party … Continue reading THE EFF: AND ITS LANGUAGE GAME
APOCALYPSE: LET ME EAT FIRST
You can also listen to an audio version of this column here In the 2008 documentary film Behind the Rainbow … Continue reading APOCALYPSE: LET ME EAT FIRST
MONEY: MIND LAUNDERING
“In politics, we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics, we will … Continue reading MONEY: MIND LAUNDERING
TJOVITJO: I’M SORRY, WHAT?
The recent exchange between ‘the people’s bae’ South African Member of Parliament and Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi … Continue reading TJOVITJO: I’M SORRY, WHAT?
LOVE: FROM PAIN TO POWER
Beyond the biblical definition of what love is: kind, patient, does not boast, does not think of evil, always hopes, … Continue reading LOVE: FROM PAIN TO POWER
IF WE DON’T TELL THE TRUTH WHO WILL? – ZOLA NTUTU
It’s difficult. I am at a loss for words and a piece of me is still hoping that it’s not … Continue reading IF WE DON’T TELL THE TRUTH WHO WILL? – ZOLA NTUTU
GET OUT: YOU ARE NOT A ROCK
You’ve got to learn to leave the table when love is no longer being served”— Nina Simone. A Facebook update … Continue reading GET OUT: YOU ARE NOT A ROCK
BORN A… WHAT?
I’ve been itching to write a review of Trevor Noah’s book of childhood stories Born A Crime (2016, Spiegel and … Continue reading BORN A… WHAT?
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I’m sharing something I wrote three years ago about censorship at the South African Public Broadcaster (SABCNews) which was initially published … Continue reading TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Quo Vadis: Where Are You Going?
Quo Vadis is an ancient Latin question attributed to St Peter who, while fleeing persecution in Rome met Christ on … Continue reading Quo Vadis: Where Are You Going?
DATING: WITH MY FAMILY
My younger sister and I have often toyed with the idea of me re-entering the dating scene through South Africa’s leading … Continue reading DATING: WITH MY FAMILY
MIRIAM TLALI: OUT OF PRINT?
I hung my head in shame when I heard the news of the passing of South African author, journalist and … Continue reading MIRIAM TLALI: OUT OF PRINT?
LOVE: IT’S TOO BIG A RISK FOR MAYBE
What you are about to read will answer all your questions. Can you read multiple stories at once? Find yours. … Continue reading LOVE: IT’S TOO BIG A RISK FOR MAYBE
WEDDING BELLS?: PRAY IT’S THE CORRECT PERSON
These past few weeks I have had the pleasure of attending my sister’s childhood friends’ wedding. It was in … Continue reading WEDDING BELLS?: PRAY IT’S THE CORRECT PERSON
NEWS: PRINCIPLES CAN’T PAY THE BILLS
I’ve heard it being said a million times in the blue corridors of the embattled public (state) broadcaster, the South … Continue reading NEWS: PRINCIPLES CAN’T PAY THE BILLS
INTERVIEW:WHAT’S WRONG WITH BREAD?
Today I want to talk about a subject close to my heart: Food and why millions of well-fed people are … Continue reading INTERVIEW:WHAT’S WRONG WITH BREAD?
DESIGNED TO BEAT THE BENDS
This week a man I used to love dearly sent me a message informing me that he is married now. … Continue reading DESIGNED TO BEAT THE BENDS
JUNE 16: ” Entitled”
The issue of “title” or “entitlement” takes a different tone during the month of June in South Africa with cries … Continue reading JUNE 16: ” Entitled”
LOVE ACROSS THE BORDER: CAN YOU AFFORD TO FALL IN LOVE?
If food is the way to a man’s heart, 33-year-old *Thembi Nkosi seemed to have the exact Global Positioning System … Continue reading LOVE ACROSS THE BORDER: CAN YOU AFFORD TO FALL IN LOVE?
LATVIA, YOUR FLAG IS ON MY LIPS, CONGRATULATIONS!
Latvia is a country, right? Imagine if I had to pitch an advertising campaign congratulating Latvia on the successful conclusion … Continue reading LATVIA, YOUR FLAG IS ON MY LIPS, CONGRATULATIONS!
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Africans & etc
Good Morning, Coffee, anyone? I wanted to start this week’s blog by writing about the recent e-tolling saga ( formally … Continue reading ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Africans & etc
