I wrote my Master’s thesis on the Bubblegum Club (BGC) – and here I am on the BGC, a few months later, telling you about it (how meta?). Titled The Master Narrative of Coloniality and Stories That Disrupt, my research aims to understand and unpack the cultural narratives that remain lifeblood to South African (SA)…
To write about The Substance is to expel. The gruesomeness of this body horror leaves its audience with a thoroughly filthy feeling, similar to the one that comes after a greasy meal, the kind that leaves a slimy film on your tongue and fuzz on your teeth. After 2 hours of some of the most…
A lot of people are beginning to feel some typa way about the fact that when a member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan sheds a tear, it’s supposed to cause a global kerfuffle—even when they’re crying over something that is ultimately their own doing. While there is a healthy level of empathy, the general public seems…
Memes like Yes Chad and GigaChad are epically hilarious, but there are places on the Internet where young men genuinely idolize these supposedly unserious icons of exceptional male attractiveness. The TikTok trend “looksmaxxing” promotes an almost identical “ideal” male look, characterised by chiselled jaws, “hunter eyes”, bulky muscles and ultra-masculinity. While it is said to…
After the liberation and civil rights movements of the mid-century, phrases like “Black is Beautiful” came to epitomise Black empowerment. In recent years, films like Dark Girls (2011), brands like Fenty Beauty and figures like Lupita Nyong’o in Hollywood, Zozibini Tunzi in the pageant world or Anok Yai in fashion have brought more emphasis on…
This article focuses on age-gap relationships specifically within the context of younger women in relationships with older men. The terms ‘intergenerational’ and ‘age gap’ are used interchangeably. With modern dating dynamics becoming less rigid, Age-gap relationships have become a topic of widespread discussion, extending beyond mere celebrity gossip. Across different cultures and generations, age disparities…
The persistent impact of colonialism’s “Divide and Conquer” strategy on the relationship between Africa and her Diaspora, necessitates the addressing of entrenched power imbalances and confrontation of shared struggles against economic exploitation and systemic oppression. While acknowledging the historical scars of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, this article challenges the notion of an overly…
**Disclaimer: The primary context of this article is Tradwifes, therefore the disinclusion of Nara Smith is intentional as she has expressly stated that she is not a tradwife. This is not ironic. While the world at large may have cemented a profound synergy with social media influencers and content creators, its cooperation with the rising…
Every time one of these dating shows wraps up, we sing the same woes! Why do these casting directors include these beautiful and diverse Black women in their shows only to humiliate them and their search for love? The problematic portrayal of Black women on reality TV dating shows has been a point of concern…
Let’s be honest, the boy-meets-girl trope is a thing of the ancient past. In today’s dating world, it’s more like dog-eat-dog. With the inevitable decline of marriage and traditional gender roles, it’s no wonder people are finding new ways to win in the game of love. Contemporary relationships have seen transactional love become prevalent, evident…
Situationships, bites, talking stages, and sneaky links. Gen Z has invented every term to describe a relationship that is not an actual relationship. Scrolling through TikTok, my algorithm has thrown me into the failed relationship side of the platform. From life coaches to single girlies, to random finance bros all giving their unmediated advice on…
At the end of the day, Stanley Cups are just water bottles, so you’d be forgiven for wondering why they have become such a social media sensation. Of course, their reusability has some appeal for sustainability warriors and they play into trendy water intake goals, but the hype surrounding these cups clearly has a lot…
