The South African Series Archives

Gin and Gender: The Sexist History of My New Favorite Drink

Posted on February 22, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

I have recently discovered South African craft gin and it has quickly become my go-to drink. As an African, Christian and granddaughter of whom I have been told were two raging alcoholics, I wouldn’t say I have a “difficult” relationship with spirits and brew, but…

It’s Summer in SA! So Our Family Did Getaway At Teniqua Treetops

Posted on November 2, 2021
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

It's finally November! While our cousins in the Northern Hemisphere are busting out their boots and preparing to flavor everything with pumpkin spice, we down here in Mzansi are getting ready for summer. It took a while to get used to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas…

‘Club Quarantine’ Has Reminded Me Of The Enduring Power of Music

Posted on April 15, 2020
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Club Quarantine is the brainchild of DJ D-Nice on Instagram Live on weekends, usually at 11PM EST, or whenever he feels like spinning. Before they cut it down to make room for a bank, I used to live in a cavernous house shielded by a…

Black Is Beautiful, But THIS Black Terrifies Me

Posted on August 1, 2019
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Remember I told you all a few months ago that months ago that the family was moving into a century-old Dutch style home? And how excited I was because I know that the original builders never could’ve imagined in 100 years that my big, Black…

White People Really Need To Talk To Their Kids About Apartheid

Posted on July 15, 2019
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

“As whites, we don’t teach our children about apartheid. For us, it’s not important. But the Blacks…they make sure to talk to their children about apartheid. All the time. It’s the complete opposite.” I had the opportunity to make a new acquaintance in George on…

The House That Sexism Built

Posted on November 13, 2018
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

One of the many pleasures of living on the Garden Route is access to miles and miles of gorgeous, pristine coastline. The beauty of the Eden District cannot be adequately described with words. It is exquisite, yet does not come without its flaws. As anyone…

Through a Prism of Race and Class: A Look at the Plett Riots

Posted on September 16, 2018
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Plettenberg Bay is a coastal town in the Western Cape of South Africa. Though there is no commercial activity driving its economy – beyond tourism and retail – it is home to some of the most fabulously wealthy people in the country. Plett is renown…

Plot Twist: In SA, ‘Native’ is the New Resume Ready

Posted on September 4, 2018
by Malaka
with 3 Comments

A few weeks ago, a little-known company called Mantality Health found itself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Mantality is a healthcare provider that treats men with low testosterone. As all companies that experience growth (or excessive turnover) are wont to do, Mantality…

My Books Are Available on TakeALot.Com, And That’s A Big Deal

Posted on December 8, 2017
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

Everyone thinks self-publishing – or any independent creative work – is sexy. There’s this aura of grittiness, the allure of the idea of that you can grind your way to the top, the crowning achievement being that indelible interview on Ellen or Access Hollywood. It’s…

I Spoke With a Frightened Afrikaner the Other Day…

Posted on July 24, 2017
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

“You do know it was the English who brought apartheid to South Africa. Everyone thinks it was the Afrikaners, but it was the English!” I raised my eyebrows in mock amazement. I did this for my inquisitor’s benefit. Generally, men feel more at ease when…