Author: Thubelihle Mathonsi

By Mmathabo Maebela and Thubelihle Mathonsi How was the idea for this book born? It was supposed to be a one-page article. I had gone out drinking with some of my students, and we were talking. I’ve kind of got a history of being involved with the ANC and the Communist Party. One of them said, “Do you know my grandfather?” Later, I discovered that he should have said ‘my grandfather and my grandmother’ because in fact his grandmother was also involved in the struggle. But she kind of hid it, pretended that she was this housewife, although they both…

By Goitsimang Moshikaro The curtains were pushed open. Sunlight poured into the room with a strength that could weaken any shadow. The fuzziness of deep, comforting sleep faded with each shout and shake. “Shamal, wake up! Wake up!” Miara tapped his face again and again, her voice rising with each call. For someone rarely joyful, this must have been a big deal, judging by the excitement in her eyes. “Come on! Baba said we’re having special guests! I wasn’t told who, but come on!” She lowered her voice and stood tall like a commander. “I’m not seeing them without you, Prince…

By 16-year-old who wants to be anonymous for now “Hey, Alistair,” I say, giving him an awkward wave, “how are you?” I stare at his shoes like they’re about to answer for him. “I’m okay… are you okay?” he asks, scratching the back of his head like he’s unsure if the words are right. “Yeah,” I say, but it doesn’t stop there. “Yeah… yep… yes… I am goooood.” He awkwardly laughs. So I awkwardly laugh. Now it’s just the two of us, standing and laughing awkwardly. My friend Maira’s watching us from a distance. I don’t know if she’s…

By Ndalo Mbombo & Thubelihle Mathonsi  The National Arts Festival and Standard Bank have finally released the long-awaited list of artists who have been awarded a 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist Award. Bonga Sebesho, Standard Bank’s group head of sponsorship, said, “We are proud to support this new generation of visionaries as they continue to shape the future of our cultural landscape and ensure that our creative heritage thrives for decades to come.” The recipients of the SBYA award are:         Siyasanga “Siya” Charles for Jazz         Asanda Ruda for Dance      …

Two poems by Oyintanda Phetshetwa who says “I wrote These poems as a way to express my feelings I will be sending more your way. I’m doing Grade 12 at Mary Waters High School.” Soulmate It all started with a smile, Looking so innocent, yet hiding contempt. Never intended for me, yet I caught without consent. You said, “I like you.” My heart heard, “I love you.” How I get lost in your smile, How I seem to smile when you’re around. You feel the same way, I know, Not that you’ve said it, But your actions tell tales. Our…

Mr. Earth and I Noluthando Mampuru I’ve seen the world through the lens of a newborn things forming that weren’t there yesterday, things you’d stand in my way of discovering tomorrow. Siring the bond between Mr. Earth and me, In my eyes, the world unfolds just for me and my newness. See how civil I am in the way I squish and mash things between my stubborn fingers to create something new something you’ve never discovered. Taste how this feels. Look what I’ve made – my discoveries. Rushing to plant flags on concepts foreign only to me, the founding…

By Thubelihle Mathonsi I was about fifteen when I started watching YouTube religiously. Before that, it was cable TV all the way. At that age, I was introduced to diverse opinions, the kind of questions I tried to ask at church but was told I was “allowing doubt” and that “the devil would slither into my life”. I soon realised that my thoughts weren’t unique. My existence and opinions weren’t sealed in a vacuum; there was a wide array of perspectives on the very topics that had unsettled me. That was the beauty of social media, it allowed me to…

ETERNAL SPRING Review: Documentary  By Thubelihle Mathonsi Eternal Spring is a documentary that explores the Falun Gong movement and the persecution of its practitioners. The film discusses values commonly associated with several spiritual or religious groups, such as kindness, love, compassion, and the pursuit of peace. However, I felt that a lot was omitted from the story of Falun Gong. This prompted me to do some research on its practitioners. I was particularly curious about the role of women in the movement, as this was my first time hearing about it.  Falun Gong is considered by some to be a cult…