My colleague Mapi invited Bhekisisa Mncube to write a follow up to the column he wrote earlier this year, giving the backstory and the post-burial trauma the family has suffered. “Some deaths aren’t worth any tears,” wrote Bhekisisa when announcing his father’s passing. He noted that his father was “dying for the second time”. Yes, over […]
What questions come up for you about end-of-life situation? I am sharing two of the questions that landed in my inbox in the last week. Question One: What do I need to do to ensure that my chosen, not-biologically related, representative will be recognised to liaise with the hospital in the event of my death? […]
Our flight approaches Johannesburg. The clear sunny winter sky becomes hazy, and then as we circle ready to land at OR Tambo I see the city through its dusky veil of smoke. Winter is always worse than summer. Our city has a kind of industrial metallic smell. When I’ve been away to the bush or […]
Sunday, 28 July 2024, is South Africa’s day to celebrate grandparents – so I am informed by the SPAR Digital magazine that pops up in my email inbox. Grandparents’ Day: I did not know there was one. I am curious. I discovered many countries have National Grandparents’ Day, but no international date exists. Mexico chose […]
A minibus full of primary school children. Imagine the energy and noise levels as they chat, laugh and/or quarrel as they ride to school. A bakkie hits their vehicle from behind. The minibus overturns and bursts into flames. The driver and 12 of the children die. Condolences are sent to the families. People try to […]
Father’s Day is being marketed this week. My devices are full of adverts for what could be “the perfect gift.” The airwaves carry adverts encouraging us to celebrate fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and fathers-to-be. It is a simple celebration for me. I had a dad. When he wasn’t working overtime shifts at the factory on Tuesday […]
Last month, we marked 30 years since our first democratic elections. I cannot help but think about my late husband, Joe Slovo. As 23 May approaches, his birthday is approaching, and a trip to Avalon Cemetery is in my diary. And then there will be 29 May Election Day—people asking each other, who will you […]
The Greek word, euthanasia is made up from eu, meaning good, and thanatos, meaning death. What would that look like for you? Conversely, what do you consider a “bad” death? I ask because I got a call from Cape Talk asking me to comment on the situation of a 28-year-old Dutch woman, Zoraya Ter Beek, […]
Trigger warning: This article contains graphic depictions of the death of a colon cancer patient and is not suitable for sensitive readers. On this 2024 Human Rights Day, so close to our marking 30 years of democracy, I have been listening to the radio while picking up family who arrived to spend the school holidays with […]
What rites of passage have you chosen to observe in your life? How might you do things differently if you could turn back the clock and make other decisions? At the end of last month, I turned 70. Questions arose – whether to celebrate or not to celebrate? Party? Dinner? Or to quietly enter the […]