Author: Ansi
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Uniquely Placed
As we are starting to wrap up March and women world-wide celebrating their womanhood, I am also reflecting on 4years in the north and a surprising (yet satisfying) career. Now, I know that most of us are endlessly tired of the whole woman in society debacle, but I want to have some last bit of… Read more
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Those darn Tea Parties
March is International Women’s month, with the 8th of March celebrated as International Women’s day. Which is probably slightly confusing to the men in South Africa, because in August we celebrate this again nationally. Is it necessary for women to celebrate two months of the year for something that they literally have no control over?… Read more
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Unsettling Boundaries
In the olden days, for two boys to (light-heartedly) start a fight, the one boy would draw a line in the ground and challenge the other one to step over the line. Once the line has been crossed, the fight officially starts – no more go backsies. The lines were pretty clear for me, growing… Read more
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Respectfully Challenged
Many moons ago at a school camp (I was a student teacher), the camp leader gave a nice speech where he set the standard ground rules and he said something about respect that I still – to this day – found profound. He made it clear that everyone he meets is deserving of is respect… Read more
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Bridging Communication
When I was about 6 years old, my brother received 2 walkie talkies as a Christmas present. It was a great present to share and it even had the military alphabet and Morse code displayed. Both of these – which to this day – I cannot remember. Except for whatever the “Alpha – Mike –… Read more
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The Art of Persuasion
If you were in an Afrikaans school in the 90’s or 2000’s, you are probably familiar with the Afrikaans play – Die Keiser, by Barto Smit. It’s a political satire based on ‘The Emperor’s new clothes’ and it was popular for a couple of reasons. It was funny, tongue in cheek political – and it… Read more
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Blissfully Tabled
I love food. Anyone who knows me, probably knows this about me. I’m also not very conventional in my food methods. If I invite you over for dinner – it will most likely be as a test subject to some idea I have. Lately, I have been exploring the amazing use of the mango. The… Read more
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Hidden Agenda
I decided last week to take a couple of days leave for this week. When you are coping in a high stress environment from all directions, for a prolonged time – a breather is just necessary at times. And some other things as well. So the plan was to visit my brother first and from… Read more
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Man’s search for Peace
If all of us would describe our idea of peaceful – what would it look like? Would it be silence? Laughter from loved one’s? Screaming children? Loud singing? For me peace is in nature. A bright blue sky and the sun on my skin. A cool breeze that plays with my hair. Greenery all around… Read more
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Blamelessly Gate Crashing
I heard a well-intended motivational tale sometime last year in a session at work, where the speaker told a story about him and his siblings that used to swing on the security gate at their front door. One day after school, he got home and the gate was off its hinges from whoever swung on… Read more