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 and more familiar....

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.