November 2018

I’m sitting on my couch watching a repeat episode of one of the most coveted talk shows in South African broadcasting; Real talk on 3. The guest is a decorous woman with a hugely apparent aura. She’s sitting composed in an elegant manner, talking to the host about her childhood of growing up in a big family and being raised between two countries. She smiles warmly. Slightly unfolding her arms to gesture graciously, then interlocking her hands again. Her hair sits neatly on her shoulders, a monochrome blazer over a scarlet top and a courteous calm that’s well collected. Azania, the host, asks her a question motivated by an extract from an O Magazine issue that was a reflective piece on her 16 year old self. “I would’ve wanted her to know that she’s beautiful as she is” She says. “and that beauty comes in different packages. I also would’ve wanted her to know that she’s enough and that she’s designed for a particular purpose and she’s beautiful and adequate for that purpose” she finishes off her reply. This time, I smile. Five-time honorary PhD holder and former South African public protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela is a radiant beam of positive energy and the epitome of social justice. Advocate Thuli Madonsela Real talk interview courtesy of citizen.co.za Mbabane was recently abuzz with activity due to the 2018 Global leadership summit. The two-day split event held over a course of two weeks (7-8 November and 14-15 November) and hosted at the…

My brain mostly functions in colour. I’m a right sider, so the first thing I notice as I walk into the lot are the jacaranda trees. Gloriously purple and tumbling off branches like violet confetti. I stop for a moment to greet the guard, who kindly waves me in. There’s a lot of cars parked out here today I note, as my introvert nature starts peeping through. Mountain Inn parking lot A vehicle whizzes past me to settle right outside the big glass doors. A Benz of some sort and a gorgeous lady in business casual steps out. She struts gracefully into the hotel, and I trudge right behind her so to squeeze myself in before the door swings closed again. My awkward self doesn’t do too well with Push or Pulls. And as I slide past the familiar tall glass entrance, I am greeted by a sight I can never get enough of: Lemon walls, colonial furniture and a hive of activity. “Welcome to the mountain inn” a chirpy voice breaks in to greet a couple of guests moving about in front of me. I smile at them as I swimmingly make my way through the crowd. I’m more interested in the mouth-watering smell that’s wafting in from the breakfast room and I habitually walk towards it. Mountain Inn reception I recall the first time I stepped inside the Mountain inn. It was about a year ago, in a black pleated skirt that doesn’t fit anymore more and 30…