Anything And Everything

  The Day an Angel Grew Muscles By Khanyisa Manganyi She was the kind of woman who made people stop mid-conversation just to stare. Soft eyes that carried kindness, a smile that could calm storms, and a beauty so radiant she looked like she’d borrowed a bit of heaven’s glow. To top it off, she wasn’t just pretty—she was the sort of “ wife material ” people prayed for: gentle, respectful, and caring to a fault. A living example of Proverbs 31 , wrapped in grace and sprinkled with laughter. When she got married, it felt like a fairytale. Her husband, at first, was everything she could have dreamed of. Charming, protective, loving—he even pulled chairs out for her at restaurants. But as time passed, that prince charming switched masks and turned into something else entirely. The man who once kissed her forehead began to use his fists instead. Her once angelic face often looked like she’d been in a boxing match she never signed up for. Peace left her home, and she became a silent su...

When WiFi is Down: The True Apocalypse By Khanyisa Manganyi Let’s be honest, there are many things in life that can shake humanity — earthquakes , storms , even that terrifying moment when the last roll of toilet paper is gone. But nothing, absolutely nothing , sends society into instant chaos like the WiFi going down. You’d think a zombie apocalypse had kicked off when the router light goes red . I always find myself laughing (and sometimes crying inside) when I see my kids completely lose their cool over it. The electricity cuts out without warning, and within seconds they look like they’re auditioning for a horror movie — wide eyes, nail-biting, pacing the floor as if oxygen itself has been cut off. And then the ultimate accusation comes flying at me: “Mama, did you people actually live in the stone age without WiFi? How did you survive?” Yohhh! The way they ask it, you’d swear I grew up chasing dinosaurs for dinner. I tell them, back then, we actually talked to each other, ...

“Is Love Making Me Stupid?” — Why Choosing Compassion Isn’t Weakness Let me start with a confession: I usually do things from my heart. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, choose to see the good in every situation, and forgive more quickly than I probably should. And for some reason, that’s been mistaken as… stupidity. Yes, I’ve heard it all. “You’re too soft.” “People will walk all over you.” “You need to toughen up.” But let’s get this straight: choosing love over bitterness isn’t stupidity. It’s compassion. And if that makes me seem naïve, I’d rather be a “fool” for love than a genius in judgment. Love Isn’t Weak—It’s Strategic Now here’s where things get juicy. According to psychologists (and a little research rabbit hole I fell into), love is actually smart . Phewww, I had to do some real research and use these big, genius-sounding words to back myself up—so here it is. Love stimulates oxytocin, the “feel-good hormone,” lowers stress levels, and even impro...

Unspoken Pain: Why People Smile When They’re Hurting Inside The Mask We Wear She stands before the mirror, carefully applying her makeup—each stroke a deliberate act to conceal the turmoil within. Her lipstick is bold, her eyeliner precise, but behind the façade lies a heart heavy with sorrow. This ritual is not about vanity; it's a shield, a way to face the world without revealing the battles waged in silence. In South Africa, and indeed globally, many individuals—women and men alike—don masks of happiness while grappling with internal anguish. The societal expectation to "keep it together" often forces people to suppress their true emotions, leading to a culture where vulnerability is hidden behind smiles. The Silent Struggle Emotional pain doesn't always manifest in visible ways. It's the colleague who always seems cheerful but cries alone at night. It's the friend who offers support to others yet feels isolated themselves. This silent st...