At no other point in our history has the definition of masculinity come into question as has become apparent recently. What has long been held as the quintessential mark of what makes a man, has come undone under the realities of the devastating harm that the misinterpretation of what masculinity is can cause in our...
As one of the greatest philosophers of our time, Sean Carter, once said, “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t”. In many ways, numbers are what shape sport. They take a series of activities set within certain parameters and they give those activities form. With no words, numbers in sport are like chisels that carve memorable...
Hi. Do you do that thing where you fall asleep with your phone in your hand? Do you drive with your phone on your lap, or do you sometimes feel an overwhelming urge to stop on the side of road to share an interesting moment that just happened? Do you prefer staying home and cuddling...
So, Banele asked me why kids who were sent to former Model C schools in the early 90s still twang today? The psychology behind the sending of kids to these schools is the root of how the twang came about. Black kids in the early 90s were sent to former white schools by their parents as a way to access...
In many ways, the entertainment industry is a fickle one. As much as we as the audience love, and love to hate, the people we see on the screen, our curious human-nature always yearns to peek behind the curtain. Also, as much as we love to see our favourite stars rise, we are not averse...
The thing about kwaito was that it was not universal; it was not for everyone and it had no intentions of being such. It was for the hood and only the hood and it was damn proud of the fact. Mandoza’s Nkalakatha’s crossover appeal was a flash in the pan but, kwaito was still too...
By the late 90’s the storm that was the ’94 elections had ceased and gleaming a rainbow nation stood proud. The socio-economics of the country were shifting and more township folk found themselves with some serious disposable income. Patience Muyambo was yet to coin the awkward euphemism, “black diamonds” but, by and large, the coal was under...
With the euphoria that rained withthe realisation of our freedom, a lot of music in the mid 90’s was celebratory and fun. While kwaito was popping its pubescent pimples, the OG’s of jazz were still kicking it. Rex Rabanye’s Ongketsang wasn’t as much a wedding song as it was a wedding anthem. Bra Hugh’s horn had managed...
I recently read an exceptional piece of writing by The Roots’ ?uestlove on “How Hip Hop Failed Black America”. I think anyone who has any type of interest in music has a duty to read this series of essays. While reading it, I couldn’t help but wonder how music had contributed in shaping us into...
They made Her sit on the floor on a dirty carpet in the middle of the room, draped around her shoulders was a checkered blanket with tassels at the end, the one reserved for mourning and shame. They sat in 2 semi circles, one half her family, one half his family and all of them justified...