Simply Philile

December 3, is International Disability day. This year, more than ever, this day has actually stayed in my heart and I wonder how many of us know about this day that celebrates our brothers and sisters with disabilites.  For me this day, particularly this year, reminded my of a good friend and brother, Joshua Simelane and so I decided to share this article I wrote about him in April 2005, the first time we spent time together. I hope his story inspires you as much as it inspired my life. Joshua's Story Although it is nestled behind tall trees in a small valley, finding Joshua Simelane’s home in hilly rural Maliyaduma wasn’t difficult at all.  Much to my disbelief and shock, he had indeed accurately narrated the directions to me; “From the main road, drive about two to three kilometers past two gorges and then past Maliyaduma Primary School, shortly thereafter you will see a small grocery store and right there you can ask anyone where Joshua Simelane’s home is and they

A few weeks ago, my friend and I were chatting, as usual, about our relevance in the world - our individual purposes other than self-preservation. Our chat brought us to Black Consciousness where he said, “ Is Black Consciousness dead? My friends are just all about sex drugs and rock 'n roll... maybe you should write something around this topic to probe some of the questions about our role as young Africans”.   He threw this in as we parted ways and it left me really wondering. Me? Write about Black Consciousness? What do I know about Black Consciousness? Well I’ve always known that it’s associated with; the late and legendary Steve Biko of “Black man you’re on your own” and “I write what I like” fame, early days of Drum Magazine, Sophiatown, renowned   Apartheid-era journalist Can Themba – basically about taking pride in being black.   Of course I know what the Black Consciousness movement advocated for but how do I relate to it, if at all? ‘Cause I’m not gonna lie (as black folk

It's taken me a while to post something here, not because I didn’t have the content, but mainly because I struggled to settle on a suitable topic for what I've been meaning to post. I thought, “Should it be ‘love is a serious mental disease?’ Nah! Maybe it should be ‘Who’s fooling who?’ Nah!…”        Anyway this topic was for this ‘letter’ that I share with you today-received from one of the people who read my blog. I share with you the thoughts of a young man (let’s call him Max) dealing with the complexities of the emotional side of life, centred around the female-male relationship. I hope you find his thoughts as provoking as I do. I present to you Max.      Judas - By Max        I've been conducting an experiment for the past 15 years or so...unfortunately there is no poetic way to put forward my conclusion without offending enough people. First Sin and its biggest victim It has always bothered me about why another human being would be slave to another. Be it m

For the first time in my life I’m anti-polygamy.  Yes, I’ve always been a bold supporter of polygamy. My stance had nothing to do with the fact that my father sired 22 children from several women some of whom were once his wives at the same time (by the time I started being aware of anything, they had all become ex-wives except my biological mother).  My stance also had nothing to do with the fact that my Kings in Swaziland have been envied by other men worldwide for always having had up to more than 15 wives at a time. Men Cheat #fact Anyway to me polygamy has always been the most practical relationship management system considering that history has proven over and over again that men find it hard to have sex (not love) with the same woman over a prolonged period of time.  The French have always had their mistresses for instance. And even with those men who claim moral high ground supported by biblical verses and religious scriptures; married pastors, bishops, Imams and w