You South Africa 18 Mar 2021

HERE we are – about a week or so away from the day our country went into lockdown, forever changing the way we live, love, learn and work. Do you recall how you felt this time last year? I remember being nervous about whether our teams would be able to work well, and I was a bit scared of getting sick (but not as scared as I was a few months in when things were at their bleakest). The novelty of it all also felt interesting and on some level I found the changing world to be a fascinating place. Of course, that’s also when I thought lockdown wouldn’t last longer than a few months. I don’t know anybody who thought we’d still mostly be working from home a year later, with school…

A PLACE TO CALL OUR OWN OUR very first home after we were married was a shoe-box sized bachelor flat, but we were blissfully happy nonetheless. Later we progressed to a more spacious one-bedroom flat with a separate lounge and kitchen. Oh, the luxury! My spouse was later promoted and we ended up renting the upper floor of a massive double-storey four-bedroom house. Unfortunately for us, the house was riddled with wood-boring beetles. On one occasion I opened a window to let in fresh air and the entire glass and frame fell to the ground. Shock, horror! Our landlord owned many properties, and was well-known for always being on time to collect rent from his tenants, but equally well-known for his reluctance to carry out repairs. Mr Love was his name, but there…

To find ourselves on alert level 1 of lockdown doesn’t mean coronavirus is finished. It only means that the curve has somewhat been flattened. We shouldn’t let our guard down thinking that Covid-19 has been defeated. If we do, it could well be the start of the third wave. Let’s keep on adhering to Covid-19 regulations until the health department tells us we’re safe. MATOME KUBU, ARCADIA The president has put us on level 1 of lockdown and life is starting to resemble the “old days”. Kids are back at school and the roads are busy again. I’ve noticed shops becoming less strict about sanitising their customers and controlling the number of people they let into stores. Fewer people bother to wear their masks properly. In honour of all those who have died and…

I can’t help thinking those people who bullied and mocked Miss South Africa, the beautiful Shudufhadzo Musida, must be feeling very stupid right now (YOU, 4 March). She certainly has had the last laugh. You keep going, girl! You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. KATHLEEN YOUNG, EMAIL I have the greatest admiration for Rudolph Wolker for having lost so much weight (YOU, 4 March). I’ve battled with weight issues from early childhood, so know how difficult this must’ve been. ADMIRER, EMAIL The coldblooded murder of Tshegofatso Pule is chilling in its brutality (YOU, 4March). It was a calculated and targeted double killing. Her unborn child was nearly full-term and alleged to be the reason behind the crime. My heartfelt condolences to her family. CLAER, GEORGE The delay in rolling out vaccinations to ordinary citizens is…

Retirement should be the beginning of something wonderful. That’s why we’ve dedicated a magazine to help you make the most of this exciting new chapter. YOU Retirement offers expert advice for financial, physical and emotional preparation so you can greet this new phase with peace of mind and in good health. We’ve also included a great mix of brain games to keep your mind active. Get a digital version on magzter.com or order a copy at youstore.co.za or through Johan Terblanche at johan.terblanche@media24.com.…

WELL, we were promised a no-holds-barred, tell-all interview and that’s what we got. For Oprah Winfrey, it was the scoop of her glittering career – two hours of riveting television during which she coaxed detail after detail out of one of the most famous and controversial couples in the world. Few stones were left unturned, few subjects were taboo. And whether you love or loathe Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, there’s no doubt this was riveting viewing. Filmed in the garden of the California home belonging to Gayle King, Oprah’s best friend, the interview covered it all: the good, the bad and the ugly of Meghan’s brief stint as a working royal and Harry’s escape from an institution he felt stifled him. THE GOOD The poignant private wedding One of the biggest bombshells of…