Township Cinderellas

An excellent documentation of Western Cape teens born in 1994, the year Nelson Mandela became President and apartheid ended. From the award winning documentary show Witness on Al Jazeera

Y.O.L.O

By Stephen Doyle (oprah.com)

Happy New Year! I must apologise for the rather late start in blogging this year but I was actually doing everybody a favour. You see, since the clock struck 00:00 on 01.01.2012 I've had a dark cloud following me. It must be all those zeros, ones and twos or the fact that I have 3 months before turning TWENTY- FIVE. It feels like a crisis of sorts. Consequently, I need a chat with father time and the lady who runs the fountain of youth.

I'm anxious, uncertain, slightly cynical, fraught with worry and hosting all kinds of pity parties throughout the day. Instead of thinking about the things I’ve accomplished, I’m more concerned with the things I haven’t gotten around to. It’s as if I have subconsciously given myself a deadline and now I’m begging for an extension. With this comes a multitude of middle class concerns: Yes, I’ve travelled but not to Asia or Europe. I have a degree but will I ever have my dream job? I know where I want to be in 10 years but I have no assurance that I’m taking the right steps to get there. I read but not more than I watch TV. I eat more than I work out. I have a savings account with no money in it. The only things I own are clothes and books. I have no clear vision of how this year will unfold and there’s nothing like “the stress of not knowing that destroys ones sanity”.

Having established that, I can only ground myself with the things I know for sure. I have great skin and can no longer afford to sleep with make up on. Exercising releases all my anxiety. I need my body more than it needs me. Thank you and please are two very important expressions in any language. A quick prayer for peace and clarity can be more elevating than an hour mass. If I haven’t written down a “to do” list, I’m likely to forget. Being on time is harder than being late. Love trumps fear. Barbie isn’t real. Music is healing. I must write down my epiphanies before they’re overridden by the next fruitless thought. Keep my Facebook page clean. Reading improves my vocab. 3AM is the devils hour. I trip, bite my tongue or bang my toe immediately after having a negative thought. It’s ok to say “no”.

The trending theme for 2012 seems to be YOLO: You Only Live Once. It’s a green light for living your best life and a reminder that anxiety, worry, cynicism and self- pity are not absolutes.

Dear self, get over yourself. Quite frankly you have a lot to be thankful for in the 25 years you've lived.

Wish List

Season’s Greetings! Is it too early? I've been singing Christmas carols since mid- November.

I've compiled a lovely wish list to avoid any confusion or unnecessary gifts like home made marmalade jam or pot porrie. This may also fall under my 25th birthday wish list as well as the "because I love Phakamani" wish list which is open throughout year.

This blouse from Zara (Sandton) has been frequenting my dreams. I'm floral crazy! It's chique and turns up the heat when wearing slim fitting trousers and I have a giant patent black bag to complete the look.

There's something about French Connection clothing that makes my knees quiver. This jacket is probably not available in South Africa as yet but should something similar catch your attention do not delay: buy one now and get my adoration free. I recently purchased a stone coloured Witchery blazer and have to stop myself from wearing it everyday. This blazer would recieve the same attention if not more.

I spotted this Country Road sandal on a friend and now I want it for myself. It's also available in coral and would go perfectly with my summer nail polish "crispy peach" by Tip Top.



Well isn't this just charmingly beautiful. A chunky heal which can be worn to lunch with the girls. Available at Aldo for a sensible R599.00.

Words fail- I love, love, love this chunky platform by Céline. In a parallel universe I've sold a body part and am recovering whilst wearing these.

Navy, floppy, wide brim hat: I really just want one to smack everyone within a 10 meter radius when turning my head to take a sip of my bevy. They are completely obnoxious but serve as a fantastic "Do Not Disturb" sign whilst on holiday.

I love looking through cook books but don't expect a meal. Kylie Kwong makes Chinese food look effortless and flavoursome. I'm also obsessed with Jamie Oliver, Nigel Slater, The Two Fat Ladies, Giorgio Locatelli and Bill Granger.



I desperately need rechargeable batteries that come with a charger. My camera hasn't been put to use recently because ordinary batteries take a few snapshots before they call it quits.

I've gone through THREE coffee plungers. Woolworths has a lovely Russell Hobbs presser but I fear it will break before I make it to the till. So, maybe if someone else buys it for me...

And what goes better than a cup of strong coffee and some Lindt Intense Dark Chocolate? I believe anything and anyone that says dark chocolate contributes to improved cardiovasucular health. If you're feeling extra generous, there is a Lindt Chocolate Studio with truffle making courses.

If nothing elese, publishing this modest wish list brings me one step closer to owning at least one of these items. Wishing you a holiday season filled with plenty of middle class concerns like late night Christmas shopping and deciding what wrapping theme to go with.

Getting to Zero

i stock photo

I’m torn between two hot topics that require equal attention so I’m tweeting about COP 17 and blogging about World AIDS Day.

Zero AIDS new infections:

Ironically, HIV/AIDS is not a sexy topic. It’s an attention seeking, conceited and expensive devil. It’s almost 30 years since the first recognised cases of AIDS.  It resulted in a surge of rumours, theories and myths which we’re still battling to slay. It’s not a gay disease, it didn’t originate from a bestial encounter in the depths of Africa, it doesn’t only infect poor black heterosexuals and a hug, kiss or handshake will not jeopardise your health. It’s an exhausting battle. The same pamphlets that were handed out in the 90’s could still be handed out 20 years later. The same movies and documentaries made years ago are still relevant. Millions of  Rands, Dollars, Pounds, Euros, Pulas, Rupees, Pesos and Shillings have been poured into AIDS awareness campaigns.

Uganda began promoting sexual behaviour change in 1986. President Kaunda of Zambia announced that his son had died of AIDS in 1987. In 1993 an estimated 9 million adults in sub-Saharan Africa were infected with HIV and 1.7 million with AIDS. These numbers continue to fluctuate between bad and worse. In 1997, Fela Kuti, Nigeria’s most famous musician died of Kaposi’s Sarcoma; an AIDS-related illness. In 1999 Nevirapine, a new single dose drug for the future prevention of mother-to- child transmission in Africa. In 2002, Botswana began Africa’s first national AIDS treatment programme. Despite this, according to the World Health Organization 2.7 million people are newly infected worldwide.

Zero AIDS- related deaths:

I’m a little hopeful in this area. Anti- retroviral therapy has become more easily available and many people can live a long and healthy life as a result. Botswana, Namibia, Uganda and Rwanda have become great examples of countries providing effective health and support systems. Aaron Mostoaledi (South African Health Minister) has been breaking a sweat trying to increase ARV rollout, HIV/Aids prevention strategies.

Zero Discrimination:

National radio stations were overflowing with callers eager to tell their stories about positive living and encouraging others to do the same. With the support of friends, family and a non discriminative society many told stories of how they are fighting this attention seeking, conceited and expensive devil. In the time I’ve taken to write this blog over a thousand tweets with the hash tag World AIDS Day have been sent. Ordinary people, organisations, campaign groups and activists encouraging zero discrimination, zero AIDS related deaths and zero new infections. Apathy in itself is a disease so (in the words of Charlie Sheen) in some respects we're "winning".

Words, thoughts, music and art

An original Rothko- not.

The media declared the 22^nd of  November 2011 as "Black Tuesday"; a campaign against the Protection of State Information Bill. Is it just another suburban middle class concern?

Political analyst Steven Friedman writes in the Business Day: “If we want to protect our freedoms, we need to make sure they are not seen as the concern of only a few”. He believes the Bill has been misconstrued as it will not hamper investigative journalism or prevent the media from reporting on corruption.

COSATU said “There is immense potential for conflicts of interest to influence decision-making and illustrates the potential breadth of the Bill’s impact on rights of access to information and the promotion of the principles of transparency and accountability”. They are also concerned with the bill’s lack of proper guidelines, possible interpretations and “problematic” definitions.

The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory said South African’s should be worried because the Bill trumps any legislation inconsistent with it. Furthermore “The Secrecy Bill provides that a classified record must be declassified before it is released. If it is released prior to declassification both the person releasing and the person receiving the information may be subject to criminal prosecution.”

The South African National Editors’ Forum views the bill as “a danger to democracy, and a threat to their rights. We had hoped MPs would hear the clamour at the gates of the legislature, but they chose to stop their ears.”

Various civil society groups, media houses, opposition parties and even church representatives are enraged. They are of the view that the bill will serve to protect corrupt leaders and bad governance.

I watched half of the American Music Awards. I reached breaking point and went to bed when Enrique Iglesious tried to con us into thinking he was still relevant with his good looks and a choir.  Anyways, this is not completely unrelated to the topic. The bill may have been passed. It may serve to cover up indiscretions (Don’t you love that word?  It’s so polite). It may require media houses to start budgeting for more frequent meetings with lawyers. It may suggest that democracy is something we aspire towards yet never fully achieve.

However, Osip Mandlestam, Soviet poet and literary critic still wrote poetry under Stalin’s totalitarian regime. Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela still sang their hearts out against the cruel apartheid regime. Dada and other surrealists continued to paint the sad aftermath of World War I. Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o wrote even in detention for raising political consciousness in 1977. We still have words, thoughts, music, art in all its forms and of course, Enrique. The internet alone has multipied available forums for frank discussion and revelations. The Bill does not even begin to threaten freedom of speech... in my opinion.

Hardcore Tattoo

Found this picture on "The Place of Funny Things" yesterday afternoon. It has had me in stitches since.

PS. Happy Birthday to my mom, I won't be getting a tattoo anytime soon.

For the Love of H2O

How Many Calories Should I Eat A Day

Last Monday I fell asleep at my desk after lunch. I mean like a proper snooze fest interrupted by the two people I share an office with. That’s got nothing to do with this blog post but I found it amusing. I blame it on the heat!

There is no doubt it’s summer, which makes hydration uber important. Luckily South Africa has great quality tap water. We have an entire ministry dedicated to making sure our water resources are well taken care of. If you don’t like the taste, there are inexpensive filters available.

This leaves me a little boggled about people who insist on buying bottled water. Evian spelt backwards is Naive. Rumour has it the company started by filling bottles with tap water and selling it to naive consumers. I’m sure it’s not true but I have no proof that any bottled water comes from some fancy, untouched and pristine spring. But, I do know that South Africa’s bottled water industry is coining R1.7billion a year. That being said, if you’re travelling out of the country or are in an unfamiliar region, you shouldn’t assume that the water has been through a million tests before reaching the tap. According to water.org nearly ONE BILLION people have no access to safe drinking water.

For clarity, what does it mean when a bottle is labelled “spring water”? After a little rain or snow the water collects underground and rises to the surface of the earth and forms a spring. It goes through a natural filtering process and is different from tap water because it contains no chemicals. Sometimes, a borehole is drilled to extract the water from the earth’s surface.

On the other hand, mineral water is collected from hot springs containing high concentrations of dissolved salts. Purifying the water removes some of the necessary minerals. There is debate whether the water is healthy or not, claims that people who only drink mineral water live longer and that sometimes the water can be too mineral rich. Anyways, drink water, it’s good for you.

1. 70 % of an adult’s body is made up of water

2. Drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication. (Water intoxication occurs when water dilutes the sodium level in the bloodstream and causes an imbalance of water in the brain.)

3. While the daily recommended amount of water is eight cups per day, not all of this water must be consumed in the liquid form. Nearly every food or drink item provides some water to the body.

4. Of all the water on the earth, humans can used only about three tenths of a percent of this water. Such usable water is found in groundwater aquifers, rivers, and freshwater lakes

5. By the time a person feels thirsty, his or her body has lost over 1 percent of its total water amount.

- All about water.org