There is a strange way people talk about “the diaspora”, as if it is a glitch in the system. As if the natural state of a people is to stay exactly where they started, speaking the same language, eating the same food, living next to the same river, forever. If that were true, I would not exist. I am South African‑born Chinese, third generation. My face looks like it belongs somewhere else. My accent belongs here. My family history belongs to both and to neither. I am the resu

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

On Saturday 6 August 2017, Patric Tariq Mellet was interviewed on the Overnight Live Show by Linzi Bourhill on Cape Talk Radio. If you are a regular follower you will know that my Chinese South African heritage is always topical and extremely important to me. I recently wrote about the local community efforts to eliminate hate speech that has become rife on social media. Here is the link to that article again in case you would like to read it later : South African Chinese tak

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

Originally posted on Twitter Blanket Drive #TBD2015: Cape Town Host @merentia Fire & Ice Cape Town @FireAndIceCT Charly’s Bakery @CharlysBakery @iCaptainCupcake Voice of the Cape studios @VOCfm @Zahrah_ Love Pilates studio @LovePilatesCT Kronendal Music Academy of Hout Bay @Robyn_Smith @wren_tweetz Anywhere in the Peninsula – @PicUpSA Johannesburg Host @serenacg Fire & Ice Melrose Arch Pretoria Host Stephanie @tresorsstudio Fire & Ice Menlyn Park Durban Host @fredfelton Drop

“I Was Accused of Drug Smuggling …”.

One Month of Gratitude – my story. I am grateful that summer has finally reached South Africa. The sunshine really does wonders for the soul. The clear skies tell me that everything is going to be okay. Summer in South Africa, and Joburg in particular, really is something to be experienced and treasured.

One Month of Gratitude – my story. I am grateful that I have not lived in a time of war in my country; like the great wars and the ongoing Middle East conflict. It is an experience I don’t want to have to go through. God bless both the people of Israel and Gaza at this time.

One Month of Gratitude – my story. I am grateful that I wake to the sound of birds singing and look out on greenery and flowers growing. Any hardships that I may encounter are kicked into perspective when I am with nature and its healing powers.

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".

All the events in South Africa (#TBDZA) and Zimbabwe (#TBDZW) have been set up on twtvite.com. Please do visit the site and see details of all the events taking place on 26 May 2012. And, more importantly - please RSVP so that we can keep a check on numbers :-) Full list of events: Thanks

The 3rd annual South African national Tweetup for good, #TBDZA (previously known as #TBD), will be held on Saturday, 26 May 2012 at venues around the country. Same time, same date. More details to follow. Details will be posted on the official website: www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za

The temperature has dropped. The trees are shedding green for gold. And, #TBD is back on... Last year the South African Twitter community raised over 500 blankets in addition to bags full of clothing for less fortunate communities. Over R20,000.00 was also donated directly to selected charities for the drive. Tweeps from all over the country came together on the same day at the same time for a national Tweetup for good. This years' #TBD kicked off about 2 days ago and so far

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,

For love of the game... The picture to the left is of the new Orlando Stadium which will soon be on display to the world when the soccer world cup kicks off in a couple of weeks. This weekend though it will be home to the Blue Bulls and the Stormers in the Super 14 final. To say that I am not a rugby fanatic would be an understatement but what has caught my attention is a post on sport24.co.za brought to my attention by active Tweeters, @talk2imagine and @antiekoekie: What Cl