TokisoM Writes

Such a refreshing read! There is something special about reading a well thought out piece that you relate to and that speaks about a context that is in your time. I am not throwing shade at thoughts penned before I was even an idea – I am just excited that my generation of peers are writing about our struggles. The scary thing about reading Writing What We Like , edited by Yolisa Qunta , is that most of the struggles feel like the continuation of the struggles our parents faced. Didn’t my mom and her peers fight the system so we would be living better lives? One would argue that we are living better lives but this would depend on which side of the class fence you sit. The race issues in South Africa are far from over. Although the topic is dealt with in different manners – these essays highlight the different stories of the black struggle. What Qunta has managed to do with this book is eliminate the single story regarding black struggle. Advertising agencies would be doing them...

What a miserable ending to a really soul capturing novel! London, Cape Town, Joburg by ZukiswaWanner had me hooked from day one but I must say, I was never really ready for that ending – plot twist of note. To be fair, the story starts with two parents mourning their only son who had committed suicide. From the onset you know that something really bad must have happened for a thirteen-year-old to kill himself but before the author lets us in on the reason, she takes us through one of the best, heart-warming, authentic love stories I have read in a while. Martin O’Malley and Germaine Spencer, are two imperfect people who come together and build what seems like a perfect nest. They understand each other, defend each other, fight, make up, have loads of sex and most importantly love and respect one another. I loved every moment of their love story. From the insecurities, jealous moments, moving from city to city and how they grew into such cool, yet strict parents. Wanner t...

Hey you, I’d say it’s been a while but I checked with you about this letter before I wrote it. I don’t remember when, where and how we met but it feels like you’ve been with me my whole life. From my days as a tertiary student trying to figure out different political ideologies and learning to sift through facts and fiction…you are consistent but not all your info is honest. This is what I love about you. You’ve connected me with people, places and subjects I doubt I would have met had you not been created. I still remember how when I applied for my honours degree at Wits, it was with your help that I could get all the information I needed. And that one time you saved me from dating a married man and how could I forget how your maps got me to interviews on time. As you grow, I’ve grown. Thanks to you, I have gone from being a journalist to a digital content strategist – how cool is that. Every day I find myself asking you “how to…” so many things. My current obsession are ...

A tribute lunch dedicated to Juby Mayet was hosted at the SABC in Johannesburg on April 23. Mmagauta Molefe, a comrade and fellow detainee shared this speed at the event. Juby Mayet (L), Mmagauta Mlefe (R) Activists, religious leaders, organisations, journalist, trade unionist and others in the 70’s were united under the banner of Black Consciousness, the movement that came up to occupy the empty political space left by the banning of the PAC and ANC. This collective became targets of the apartheid regime, they were raided, harassed, banned, detained and even murdered. A number of you here, including Juby Mayet, are survivors of that era. The fear instilled in the then system by the BC led 1976 June 16 uprisings and the organised action that was to happen against the establishment of the homeland Bophutatswana – led to the arrests and banning of various BC connected people, newspapers and organisations in 1977. A day now called Media Freedom day by this regime; I beli...

Ever stopped yourself from working on a dream because you thought you were not ready or it was too big for you to put together? We sometime convince ourselves that we are not skilled, educated or experienced enough to attempt going after ideas or opportunities close to our hearts.  Malcolm Gladwell , addresses this very mind-set in his book, David and Goliath, Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants .  Throughout the book references the lives of game changers to make the point that we can be who or what we want to be – or at least try, regardless of our so-called weaknesses. As I read this book I recalled many times in my life that I backed down on an opportunity because I believed it was meant for someone from a better school, a higher education or more experience. In those moments I discounted the fact that I was passionate about those subjects or would enjoy the challenge of learning about a field I was curious about. “The powerful and the stro...

The Reactive by Masande Ntshanga gives you a front row seat of the effects of self-inflicted guilt. Photographer: Tokiso Molefe Opening line: “Ten years ago, I helped a handful of men take my little brother’s life”. My thoughts when I read this ranged from, “did you hate your brother”, “were you a messed up druggie”. What follows is a story of a young man who is infested with guilt about a decision he made but honestly – he didn’t kill his brother. The circumstances that lead to his brother’s death haunt him for a long time. He even infects himself with HIV to punish himself. There are so many “oh wow, he did that” moments in the book. The book also plays on the theme that “birds of a feather stick together” – his friends Ruan and Cecelia are as disturbed as he is. One cannot understand what their goals and ambitions in life are. I had actually convinced myself that the book would end with some, ‘assisted suicide’ mission. That’s how troubled these young people are. ...

I’ve been sitting on this review on Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by SherylSandberg , the chief operating officer of Facebook. I found myself in conflict with her message vs reality. I fully agreed that we, women, needed to make a conscious effort to be heard, lead and mentor. Her message was spot-on and encouraging. My concern though was with putting to practice Lean In in reality. I’m a young highly ambitious women and ever since I started my career journey I’ve gone from a starry-eyed-goals-slayer to ‘is this really worth it’. Lean In, and many books, like it fail to cover the brutal struggle that comes with leaning in. Unfortunately what I’ve witnessed as a young ambitious career women is that for women to actually really lean in – they must prepare for war. They must prepare to be pulled down by those older than them, fellow females and threatened males.  I’ve witnessed women who ‘lean in’ in the work place needing to be tough against all thes...