Keeping up with ‘on the same page’

I’m in a bookclub with 5 lovely intellectuals, we have a bookclub called ‘On the Same Page’ and as someone with poor memory (brain fog and baby brain…I know, double homicide) and anxiety, I resorted to putting down my thoughts and feelings on our read of the month in my notes app. So I’ll be sharing my notes with you guys, perhaps you’ve read the books too and want to share your thoughts :)

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Prayer Is Not a Policy

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs launched what it called a “groundbreaking initiative”. The National Week of Prayer Against Gender-Based Violence under the theme “United in Prayer, Solidarity Against GBV.” I know right? And look, we’ll get to women in positions of power upholding misogynistic and patriarchal values another day. Or maybe later today. One crisis at a time, neh? So here’s the thing. Botswana is facing a relentless and escalating epidemic of GBV. From child rape to domestic homicide, survivors are left with shattered lives, limited access to justice, and an insufficient social support system. With churches, religious groups, and communities being called to unite in spiritual solidarity against a national crisis, this initiative was painted as a hopeful, healing intervention. But let’s be brutally honest: this is not what change looks like. A man was able to walk into a university and take a woman’s life as she...

Loving Someone Long Term

I wasn’t really sure how to approach this. Even now, I’m still not certain, if we’re being completely transparent. Just take what I say with a grain of salt. Abeg. Being in a relationship with someone well-known often feels like living under a magnifying glass, where people’s curiosity adds a layer of scrutiny. Because of that, I’ve always been reluctant to discuss my love life or offer relationship advice. Writing about this feels strange, almost obnoxious, because I’ve never been in a position where I’m so aware of others watching. I know it comes with the territory, but the truth is, I’m not him . He was made to be seen and heard, and he thrives in that space. I’m just wherever he is simply because I want to be. So no, I’m not going to pretend to be a social butterfly when anxiety beats my ass the way it does. I’m content as a wallflower. I’m not miserable, I promise… I just don’t enjoy being perceived. Take my word for it. That said, I’ve lear...

The Unlikeliest Toxic Relationship

When I was 17, I decided I wanted to be a human rights lawyer. Activism has always been a passion of mine, as anyone who knows me will tell you. At 18, I began researching the steps I needed to take to achieve this goal. Every blog, website, and person I consulted emphasized that law school is no easy feat. But what would you expect from “the noble profession”? Of course, it’s hard (sorry Elle Woods, it seems I have failed you). For me, studying law has been difficult for unexpected reasons. The content itself is fascinating, and despite my friends and I often lamenting how much we hate law school, we frequently find ourselves discussing legal topics outside of class, as if they are our favorite subjects. What has been truly challenging is the sense that the institution itself is against me. When I started school four years ago, I was anxious but ready to face the challenges of law school. I was eager to write essays again (can you guess my favorite subject in school?). At each new aca...

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