The first time it ever happened, was when I was about grade 8-ish. In town – a proper Dorp, no mall. This blonde lady running up to my mom all excitedly asking only one question: How is Betty and Wykie doing? It happened a lot after that. And always the same. Now, it sounds nice… Read more

When we are young, our lives are filled with role models and mentors. Our teachers, sport stars, movie stars, Joan of Arc… As we grow older though, the positive features in humans tend to hit a bit closer to home. It’s the noteworthy characteristics in our friends, colleagues and strangers we interact with at times… Read more

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

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

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

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

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

 I have come to accept that I can be quite naive at times. I know – I don’t really have the nose for it, but here we are. When I was about 8 – one of my mothers’ friends said I was so cute – she wanted to adopt me. So of course – I… Read more

And here we are, almost at the end of 2024 on Christmas eve. Some of you are away on holiday. Others are resting at home. Some are working throughout this time period. There will be a mixture of excitement for most, but some might be grumpy with all the celebrations. For some of you, there… Read more

When I was a little girl and had my long nose stuck in books and all the happy endings – I used to beg my parents if we can take orphans in for the school holidays. My parents were never for that idea. Where I had the daydream, they were a bit more realistic about… Read more