Open your eyes. Open your mind. Open Stellenbosch.

I attend a supposedly double-medium school. It was the school closest to my house and the only previously model-C school in my town. The school was split about 50-50, regarding the race of the learners, but that’s about where it stops. Classes were taught predominantly in Afrikaans, all announcements are made in Afrikaans, and no one had a clue about the English version of our school song, which was sung no more than twice a year.

In my entire high school career, there have been a total of two members of staff who were people of colour, both of whom were men. Year in and year out, places on the student councils and first teams were reserved for white students, with one or two spots for students of colour. I can go on and on about the institutionalised racism still prevalent three years after I’ve left, but the one thing that haunts me the most, is being called “coloured” like it was my name.

Why Rachel Dolezal’s ‘Black Face’ Is Actually OK

Transracialism is as real as transgenderism, as both are social constructs. This means that race and gender (as well as class) only have meanings, because society gives them a meaning.  In the light of the Rachel Dolezal controversy, it is important to take note of these issues.  

Bringing Sexy Back: Furniture Edition

In modern fast-paced lives, stress is a real problem. Between juggling family, finances and food, it’s nearly impossible to get some ‘me’-time. Retail therapy is real and you need to be doing it. It’s highly likely that you’ve never thought of furniture shopping as a fun activity, since looking at old worn-down pieces of wood in the form of stools, nightstands and not-so-sure-what-that’s-for little cabinets, is not exactly on the top of many people’s priority lists. The art of antiquing, bargain hunting and auctioning is thrilling, but restoring the old pieces is what brings the real joy.

Eskom Shedding A Load On Your Happiness?

If you live in South Africa, you’ll know that hearing the words Eskom and stage 1, 2 and 3, will make you want to start pulling your eyelashes out one by one, because LOAD SHEDDING. Also known as about 2 hours in your day you’ll have to be without things that make life bearable and live like a savage. A few of these inconveniences include being without lights, tea, TV and most importantly, Wi-Fi. It’s like they’re playing some sort of sick joke on us that makes it impossible to access the interwebs in our darkest time of need. (pun intended)

So here are a few ways to overcome the darkness and stick it to The Man.

How To Do The Messy Bun

So, you went out last night and your perfect hair has turned to shit, or your’re running late, too lazy to wash your hair, your flat-iron broke or whatever other excuse you have as to why you’re opting for the messy bun. Many times I have tried and failed to obtain that perfect “I woke up like this” look, but I picked myself up, dusted myself off and tried again. I have found a way to beat the system. I have perfected the messy bun.

How To Make Mom Happy This Mother’s Day Without Breaking The Bank

So what to give your birthgiver that she does not already have? Easy – something money can’t buy, and no, I don’t mean love. I knew this day was fast approaching, and that it was my duty to help you out, since I too have forgotten this special day. So, here are a few cost effective ways to make sure you still get invited to family gatherings after Sunday. (Yes, this Sunday – 10 May.)

An Exciting Way To Keep Your Junk And Use It Too

There’s never a right time to get rid of that jersey your grandma knitted for you when you were nine years old, or those one pair of jeans that have been to every rock concert in the last three years. Not even to mention that not-so-white-anymore pair of Chuck Taylor, Converse sneakers that have carried you through tough high school years and into your womanhood. So, why not jump onto the crafting bandwagon and upcycle them into something more useful, like scatter cushions or sling bags?

Geometric Patterns: From Runway to Room

Geometric patterns started to make their comeback in 2013, and now, two years later, they’re still all the craze. Origami is an easy and affordable way to incorporate this trend into your living space, but not quite the way this girl did… 

A Fun Way To Beat The Blues Without Leaving Your Home

Sticky fingers, paper clippings, paint brushes and podge. Wooden blocks, pencils, clay bowls and paint. They say art is a way of expressive therapy, so besides being one of the coolest things you can do without leaving your home, it’s also an amazing stress reliever and can help you better cope with emotional problems like anxiety and depression.