The Windy Season: August In The Vaal

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It's that time of year when seeds scatter, ready for new homes. It's a season of acceptance, because what follows is a new beginning. August feels like a season of relief, proof of Spring.. A blackberry tree spotting new leaves There are blackberry trees on the third house from mine, already spotting new leaves. By month's end, all of it will be green. In the south, August is windy, and dusty too; it turns the sky a soft, thick orange, the kind you watch from behind a window rather than step into. The afternoons warm up, but nobody dares stay outside too long, especially in the Kasi. You'd end up coated in dust like the ground itself. I remember when my stockings would be almost a brown shade after school. A woman's month, it's a cozy month in its own way.  My mother was born in August, and she's always believed her birth month carries good news with it. I've seen it happen enough times to believe it. That is why it's always a pleasure to enjoy th...
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Five Life Lessons: Wisdom From My Mother

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A generation of mothers


Mothers are akin to pillows, they make life easy and comfortable and at the end of the day we seem to be leaning on to them for support.

These are the life lessons my mother taught me, I hope they can change your perspective on life for the better.

1. Fun is endless — Monate hao fele


Mama said it is okay to want to focus on other things and put off "fun" for sometime, because no one is waiting on you to start having fun and, you don't get to wait on anybody else to have some fun. This taught me to be creative with my time.

2. Education has no Age limit — Thuto hae tsofalloe


My mother is always looking for ways to improve her skills and gain knowledge this I admire about her. She believes that it is never too late to start learning and that education can sustain you for life like, when you feel like starting over, your qualifications are something to fall back on.

3. Wait your turn — Ha re le batho, ha re phele ka ho tsoahana


She taught us to never compare ourselves to other people; you never know what they are going through to be where they are. "Moja pele o tshwana le moja morao", the whole popcorn yada-yada.

Every journey is unique and by the time you finish it it'll be worth the wait.

4.  Old is an illusion — Ho tsofala a batlang


She'd often tell us to never let age hold us back, especially when it comes to fashion and traveling. Experience the world on your own terms, not by those of society.

And that there's no hard secret to living long, you only have to stress less mentally and physically.

5.  Don't look like your problems


She said to not let everyone know that you're struggling; dress yourself up in prayer and faith. It's okay to let those closest to you know, but don't rub it in looking for pity with your hair and clothes unkempt, their response won't be the same.



This post is dedicated to my mother Lydia, and all the mothers out there know that, you're special and loved. And to us daughters, let's continue to love and honor them.

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