There is a strange thing that happens when we talk about “community” now. We say the word, but what we often mean is “people who make me feel good about myself”. We want community that understands us, reflects us, validates us, supports us, reads our long messages, likes our posts, shows up when we are low, disappears when we are tired, and never asks too much in return. In other words, we want community that behaves like a very patient therapist with better snacks. But real

I once read that volunteering allows you to age with grace. For me, the actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn is a prime example of that statement. If volunteering provides me with a fraction of her grace then I will consider myself truly blessed. Ms Hepburn said, “Giving is living. If you stop wanting to give, there’s nothing more to live for.” I recently wrote an essay about my volunteering journey for the #MyGivingStory as part of the #GivingTuesday global initiative. I

This is for all those who just need to know someone is listening and is on their side right now. XXX Monday finds you like a bomb It’s been left ticking there too long You’re bleeding When you try your best but you don’t succeed Some days there’s nothing left to learn From the point of no return You’re leaving When you get what you want but not what you need Hey hey I saved the world today Everybody’s happy now The bad things gone away And everybody’s happy now The good thing

When I dine out I have grown accustomed to giving a tip to my waitron in cash, directly. This action assures me that my money is going to the intended person. I also have a high suspicion about those Tip Boxes placed next to the cash registers unless the establishment has taken the time to compartmentalise according to each of their staff. I know I am not the only one (by a long shot) who has a distrust of this service courtesy. In fact, the matter of what to tip and who gets

Read this before continuing! This article is me, exploring the concept of the end of the world, in general. It is not a criticism of whatever your beliefs are. I am a Roman Catholic. I am a Christian. This is not personal, please don’t try to make it so. Generally, I can be quite patient. I’ve learnt to be more patient as I’ve grown older. I would not be as patient if I followed the predictions of people in the 1st Century who said that the Second Coming would be happening ‘a

Is entrepreneurship fashionable? I cannot help but notice all the magazine articles, blog posts and highlighting of entrepreneurship, and wonder if this is a symptom of age, or the next work evolution, or something else far more philosophical in response to the human psyche. Jason Saltzman, CEO of Alley, said; “In this day and age, being an entrepreneur is truly glamorized. Stories of huge wins resonate through the different startup communities like wild fire. Successful entr

We issue this statement following the publication of various xenophobic comments by our fellow South Africans on the Facebook page of the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, the Facebook page of the television programme, Carte Blanche, and our own TCA Facebook group. – TCA Times Media, 8 February 2017 The comments were posted following the annual Chinese New Year celebration held in Johannesburg on 28 January 2017 and the broadcast of a television programme by Carte Blanche on animal abu

I wrote this post about there years ago. What followed was a hospital visit on arrival at the beach holiday destination because I had not been consistent with my medication which resulted in me collapsing off the airplane. I spent the first days of my holiday under observation in a non sea-facing room. As we begin the One Month of Gratitude for 2016, I want to acknowledge and give thanks for the gift of Life. There is no greater gift. There are 2 me’s. One on medication and o

Lend a helping hand to the Pampers-UNICEF campaign by putting up a widget on your site/blog! Every year, 58,000 babies die within the first month of life from maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) – a completely preventable disease. By posting this widget on your site/blog you will in turn be helping to raise lifesaving tetanus vaccines for children in need. Clicking on the widget will take you through to the Pampers Facebook page and for every new ‘like’ Pampers receives on th

This story, now campaign, really touched my heart. Given the 16 Days of Activism period we are now in, this is a very real and relevant example of how abuse destroys lives – long before death is even an option. The deadline for the appeal was last night but, again, this is a story that must be heard. Related articles on this blog: What type of activist are you?

Violence against women and children is never acceptable, never excusable, and never tolerable. The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an international campaign. It takes place every year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). The period includes Universal Children’s Day and World AIDS Day. Every year, government, civil-society organisations and the busin

“Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe. On this International Day, I urge governments and partners around the world to harness the energy, ideas and leadership of young people to help us to end this pandemic of violence. Only then will we have a more just, peaceful and equitable world.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon By resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the Int

I was born Catholic and have remained Catholic ever since. Celebrating Christmas in the Catholic tradition is all I’ve ever known. I love it this way. Working in corporate for many years we were always debating what type of message to put out over the December holiday period; is it Merry Christmas with a capital C or Xmas? Is it about the holiday period in general so that all religions are included in the message? The bigger the corporate the bigger the debate I suppose. The

Following on from my post about International Suicide Survivors Day I came across some tips online that I thought I’d share with you. I’m not advocating that all these will work for every individual but I always find checklists are good when your mind isn’t clear on what the next steps should be beyond waking up in the morning. “…no matter who the victim is, their loved ones may also feel like victims. Suicide survivors feel sad, angry, betrayed, confused, and shocked. The tr

How long has Movember been running as a campaign now? I ask because I didn’t know until this month (2012) that it was a male cancer awareness drive… I wonder if most of the people flaunting ‘taches know that they are representing a cause by growing out their facial hair. I hope so. I used to diss the Movember concept until i learnt the reason behind it. (It’s still not going to get me to nurture my own upper lip hair though) As many ‘blonde moments’ as I am prone to, I cannot

I have something to get off my chest and it’s been bugging me for a couple of days now. Really grinding me. Oh my word – a racist! Why is it that people are surprised that Racism exists, still exists? Of course it exists. It’s a physical recognition of biomorphic physical differences. Look around, it’s a competition out there – for survival. The problem is when survival is misconstrued as dominance. Transforming the future Is the current generation hedging their bets that the

Is the Discovery Investment Leadership Summit (@The_Dils) really contributing to.. http://bit.ly/NDLWDz via BarrieBramley.com

The latest South African scenarios: Clem Sunter examines the probabilities of South Africa remaining in the "Premier League" of nations, falling into the "Second Division" or, worse still, becoming a "Failed State".

Ahead of the soccer world cup, if you are South African and STILL don't know the words to our national anthem - here is my contribution to this event in the interest of national pride. To kick-start your learning experience you can listen to a version being sung here. (Xhosa) Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, (Zulu) Yizwa imithandazo yethu, Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. (Sesotho) Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, O s

Time to shine South Africa Wednesday 09 June has been compared only to the day when Madiba was released and when the Boks won the Rugby World Cup. Jubilation lined every inch of the country but most wished they had journeyed to Johannesburg to join in the Sandton parade where Bafana Bafana came out to the delight of their fans. 185 000 of them as it turns out. They travelled just a block away from their Southern Sun Grayston hotel into a sea of yellow shirts, colourful wigs,