I am a passionate and positive South African with a desire to inspire change in our country. Whether it is writing articles and blogs like these, working one-on-one, in deep rural communities, schools or boardrooms, my work aims to inspire all South Africans – and give them practical tools – to move from negativity to positivity; from violence to nonviolence; from passive to active; from armchair critics to co-architects of a better future.
I invite you to join me in creating the future we all dream of!
Reflections of White Entitlement
I recently got a glimpse of myself in a mirror of entitlement. The reflection was clear and stark and it took me totally by surprise. I did a double-take; looked and re-looked – but still the images played themselves out in front of me like scenes from a ghastly...
Journey Out of the Closet of Racism and Privilege
I have a friend who recently came out of the closet. Well, when I say she came out of the closet what I mean is that she came out publically – on Facebook. She did not mince her words or try to soften the blow. She just came right out and said it.
Silence: The Brave New Loud
“Outside, the music pumped. But no one looked like they were in the mood for a party. The late winter crescent moon hung in the sky like a scythe. Five pieces of paper had worked like a car bomb, blowing the night apart.” The Daily Maverick’s Richard Poplak on the...
Enjoy that voting queue!
I learnt a great deal during my half dozen or so years living and working in the UK: I learnt to enjoy warm beer; I learnt that the Cornish Pasty is not only something you eat when you are either drink or hungover; I learnt that a Kebab is not always a stick with meat...
Living Extraordinary Lives
Many of you will recall the 1989 movie classic Dead Poets Society…..
Love your Penis. Love your Vagina
“Do you think my vagina will be safe in the car?” asked Sue Barnes as we alighted from our rental vehicle.
Lessons from Chernobyl
What South Africa can learn from Chernobyl – and not about nuclear!
Keeping positive in South Africa
I am sometimes asked how I keep positive about living in South Africa. My answer is usually four-fold: Firstly, when I do those personality assessments I am usually categorised as having a positive personality type. So in some ways it is a part of who I am. Secondly –...
Being love
Whether one is religious or not, so much can be learned from the life and leadership of Pope Francis. In the blink of an eye he has transformed the Papal office in ways that will materially affect not only the Roman Catholic Church, but the spiritual and indeed...
How history will remember the man who insists on being President
This man (Jacob Zuma) will now be relegated to the trash-heap of history occupied by corrupt leaders.
My Holiday – by Paul Gwala’s ‘big brother’
The list of ‘firsts’ for our 22-year-old traveling companion was as lengthy as his first long-distance car journey: He had never in his life been on a holiday – ever.
Black & White Works
Open letter to a friend and colleague: Dear Akhona, It has become fashionable to write open letters to public figures. These letters are usually vitriolic and self-serving. Come to think of it I have seldom read an open letter that is kind, affirming and hopeful. One...