Something needs to be done. We can’t continue like this… It is time that the President calls the political party leaders together and insists that they all get their members under control. We, the people, deserve better.

No need to be miffed Minister Mantashe

Instead of having a hissy fit about environmentalists and trying to undermine their integrity through false narratives every time he hobnobs with the mining captains, Minister Mantashe should focus on supporting those industries that can make a real difference to the lives of the poorest of the poor.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Julius Malema and dreams of vetkoek

We have to see the individual faces and feel the suffering of the “others”. Instead of seeing them as a burden or threat, we need to stop and stretch out a hand. If we truly can’t help, we can at least listen.

Resurrect parliament immediately

It was so much more than just the building. It was a symbol of the power of people to do good and overcome evil. Places matter because people are shaped not only by ideas, but by the spaces that surround them which is why we must start rebuilding immediately.

Political commentary, Social commentaryMelanie Verwoerd19 January 2022#Parliament, #SouthAfricanParliamentComment

Let’s celebrate our scars after the very tough year

We have come through a lot this year – riots, floods, droughts, COVID, darkness, and corruption. We have done that together – and even when it looked like everything would untangle, the treads of our common humanity held us together.

PersonalMelanie Verwoerd29 December 2021#happynewyear, #cheersto2022, #celebrateourscarsComment

The loss of Archbishop Tutu: My Heart is Broken

We can keep the Arch’s legacy alive by committing to do a little better every day, to be a little more tolerant to those who we share this country and world with, to speak out fearlessly in the face of injustice, all while laughing a little at ourselves.

PersonalMelanie Verwoerd27 December 2021#ArchbishopTuTu, #restinpeace, #restinpower, #DesmondTutu Comment

Gratefull's comment: Is there really a divine order to the world?

A comment left by a reader on one of my columns a few weeks back got me wondering why people around the world still subscribe to the belief that there is a "natural" world order, with men at the top and women (and children) below them…

Personal, Social JusticeMelanie Verwoerd22 December 2021#divineorder, #God, #patriarchy, #misogynyComment

Apartheid of a special kind? A cheap shot, Minister Mantashe!

If the government is serious about the environment and our international commitments to emission targets, and if they care about the people who rely on the oceans and tourism for their livelihood, this seismic surveyance must be stopped.