World Cup Closing Ceremony – Hope It Makes Up for the Opening

I’m one of those people who were disappointed by the opening ceremony of the World Cup on the 11 of June. I did not imagine the Chinese-style opening ceremony but I remember the Confederations Cup opening ceremony and other ceremonies we have had (Cricket World Cup in particular) were much better. What made the situation worse was that I was stuck at home watching on TV because I underestimated the traffic around Johannesburg at that time. I thought I would be able to easily make it to Paulshof in a few minutes as usual. My sister came to join me and found me speechless and looking sick with embarrassment. The show got better towards the end but I still couldn’t get over the embarrassment. We eventually made it to the restaurant to watch the opening match and tried to put it all behind us.

Tomorrow I’m hoping for a good closing ceremony but I’m careful not to build high expectations again.

Single parenthood - is there societal pressure?

In the last two weeks I’ve come across two ladies in their thirties who felt under pressure to have a child outside of wedlock because “our community puts pressure”. On one forum another lady claims that her mother was very happy about her pregnancy announcement because lots of much younger single girls have had kids and she was left out. Apparently her mother jumped for joy because she thought she was infertile, which is shocking. This begs the question: Is it really true that in the black community it is expected that a woman who has ‘completed her studies and working is expected to have a child – married or not? I don’t think so.

I do not understand how an independent woman in her thirties would find it difficult to fend off comments from insensitive relatives snooping into her affairs. We are talking about a lady who is obviously successful, has good taste, knows what she wants from a husband (if she chooses this path) and won’t settle. I say to all the ladies (single, married with children or single with children): When you get home at night, no relative will be there to help you face the life you were apparently pressured into. Take decisions that you will be happy to go home to. Single parenthood should be your free choice.