One unassuming day—whose exact date has escaped my mind, though the month was unforgettably January 2020 (memorable because Singapore had just announced its first COVID-19 case)—taught me two lessons I’ll never forget: First, that we can entertain angels without knowing it. Second, that working toward becoming a good person who relates well with others is […]
Of My Dad’s Quiet Legacy Read More »
I first discovered Mpoomy Ledwaba on YouTube around 2018 or 2019. Even then, she radiated that grounded “big sister” energy — wise, accomplished, and unapologetically herself. Fast forward a few years, and she’s evolved into so much more: a published author, sought-after speaker, and host of The Wisdom & Wellness Podcast — one of the
Sis, You’ll Want to Press Play Read More »
Learning Without Limits Not quite in the academic sense, though that too, sometimes. I wasn’t anywhere near confident about my cooking abilities until my mid-20s. I often doubted whether I’d ever become a decent cook, especially after a proper (though not entirely warranted) lambasting from my high school Food and Nutrition teacher. Long story short:
One of the Best Parts of Adulthood Read More »
This four-hour series delves into the emotional turmoil experienced by a family and those closely involved in the case after 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested in a dramatic SWAT-like raid. His alleged crime? Unthinkable—the stabbing of a schoolmate. Netflix describes Adolescence as “emotional” and “intimate,” and this becomes evident from the very first episode. The
Watch Review: Adolescence on Netflix Read More »
This past weekend, I followed a Facebook conversation between two women writers I admire. The discussion was sparked by International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8. Interestingly, one woman shared her decision not to celebrate, citing recent painful experiences with other women. The other countered, saying she would commemorate the day, particularly in
International Women’s Day Matters Read More »
When my tech-savvy brother gave me a crash course in web development, one detail caught my attention—the “burger menu.” If you’ve ever accessed a website (especially on your phone), you’ve probably seen it: three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other, resembling—you guessed it—a burger. That got me thinking about how much of life
It All Comes Down to Love—of Food Read More »
The undeniable significance of names as a fundamental part of our identity truly struck me during a university lecture. My classmates and I eagerly answered a question about ourselves, skipping over the simplest detail—our names—until the lecturer pointed it out. Reflecting on that moment, I’ve come to understand why some individuals choose to legally change
Living Up to the Names We Carry Read More »
A hilariously relatable meme video making the rounds on social media, with a wooden-mic-type impression, sarcastically highlights how grating last December’s anthem sounds when played in January. This particular course of the Amapiano 2024 hit Biri Marung—easily recognized by its catchy “cash kontant huh” hook—draws an amusing parallel to the natural ebb and flow of
We’ve ‘Just Arrived’ Read More »
Seated among some unfamiliar older people—men in suit jackets and women with doeks covering their heads—I found myself in a sitting room stripped of its familiar arrangement. Gone were the sofas, the TV, the coffee table, and the Victorian-style ceramic figurines that once decorated the space. Taking their place was a pure white wooden casket,
Death and Its Lingering Questions Read More »
Years ago, I wrote—very matter-of-factly—on a placard meant to safeguard my snacks, that whoever dared to eat my stuff would be castrated. Caution was intended to deter my younger brothers. If you have younger siblings, you’ll understand, I hope. I did not know the meaning of the word. But the shock-horror-clutch-your-pearls expressions displayed on both
Linguistic Misadventures, Autocorrect Disasters, and Lessons Learnt Read More »