It’s officially National Book Week and what a better way to commemorate it than to share my long-awaited 2025 Reading List 😁 You are probably thinking, “Ma’am 2025? 2026 is almost done!” I know. See last year was a challenging one for me on many levels. My routine and new demands of life uprooted my ability to do things that grounded me. One part that got disrupted was my reading and writing habits. I did not attain my goals to read more books and to write often. Book Club g

We've heard many stories about people who go through a journey of reinvention after a certain age. The adage, "life begins at 40" has for years been the benchmark for many people to actually start LIVING LIFE. But Gemima's story shows us that we do not have to wait for a particular age to live purposefully. The journey starts with intentional steps that we take each day to build towards a meaningful life. That in itself does not mean we should wait for a meaningful life to kn

From homeless to multi-lets, a woman’s journey to redefining her bloodline There are many things we come across daily on social media but one encounter with a post never really prepared me for the journey I’d be on. In this digital age, there are many people who show up online for a show whilst others are intentionally curating how they want to be perceived. Others, who I am always drawn to are the ones that show up authentically. It’s the ones who do not pretend to be someth

For the longest time, I avoided driving on the highway. Those familiar with the N1 between Johannesburg and Pretoria know that the commute there isn’t for the faint-hearted, especially during peak time. So I worked in Pretoria, closer to home because the thought of navigating busy highways every day felt overwhelming. It wasn't exactly fear, but it was close enough. I imagined arriving at my destination exhausted before my day had even begun. So I stuck with what felt safer a

What if the future of African storytelling doesn’t begin with turning a page, but with pressing play? From intimate industry conversations to deeply personal reflections, this piece explores how the Netflix Effect is transforming African stories, making them more visible, more accessible and for many young creators, finally within reach.

Looking back at the pages of my life in the past year, I realise that honouring each season we find ourselves in with intentional presence and determination makes a world of a difference. It shouldn’t just be clarity that moves us,we should be moved by faith, hope and the belief that the journey continues. Like the popular phrase says, “trust the process”. So, as life continues in this new year, instead of repelling and armouring up, lean in.

It’s a Saturday, 15h33 and I’m on a flight to Sao Paolo, Brazil - a 10-hour connecting flight from Cape Town (connected from Johannesburg). I’m sitting in an aisle seat, jamming to Elaine via the inflight entertainment channel whilst a little baby next to me is unsettled. Both parents are trying to calm him down but his cries are warranted. The flight is long and I can imagine, uncomfortable for him. The mom continually sings “twinkle twinkle little star”, with the hope to so

Some weeks back someone I know posted a quote that said: “how nice is it to be exhausted from the things we prayed for.” So when I shared about how exhausted I was about work trips I was scheduled to take, my sisters’ reminder that I prayed for all this hit me like a ton of ice. I sobered up quickly and remembered… See, growing up, one of my favourite past times was magazine reading – something my mom passed on to me. I enjoyed the features, testing my knowledge with crosswor

One thing I’ve come to learn is that grief is not a linear journey. It doesn’t follow a schedule and it certainly doesn’t fold neatly. For many, the pain of loss softens over time but it never truly disappears. It lingers quietly, tucked away in the corners of our hearts until something or someone brings it back, most times, unintentionally. One of the most unexpected triggers for this resurgence is witnessing someone else’s grief or conversations around holiday plans. When s

Parenting is a profound gift that many of us are blessed to receive at some stage in our lives. It is a journey filled with unexpected twists, turns and challenges, yet it remains a gift that continues to enrich us in unique and meaningful ways. Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. It demands an unwavering commitment to nurturing and guiding our children, shaping their characters and ensuring their well-being. The role of a parent requires us to dedicate our time