So this past Thursday we did something a little different… took the kids on a train ride from Luipaardsvlei railway station to Princess Crossing railway station 🚆 And let me tell you… simple joys hit DIFFERENT hey 😅 The excitement on their faces, the sound of the train pulling in, the “are we there yet?” every 2 minutes 😂 pure gold man. Little fun facts for you 👇 🚉 Luipaardsvlei station is one of those old-school stations that’s been around for decades — proper OG of the West Rand, carrying workers and families long before Uber was even a thought 🚆 This line forms part of Metrorail’s network that connects communities across Joburg — millions of people rely on it daily (real lifeline vibes) 🛤️ Princess Crossing is right by one of the busiest shopping hubs in the area, so it’s always buzzing — mix of commuters, shoppers, and everyday hustle Honestly… we forget how much history and life runs through these tracks every single day. No fancy plans, no big spend… just us, the kids, and a train ride through our own backyard ❤️ 👉 Share this if you know about any trains still running in your area! Check out our video 🎥

Even with two long weekends there are still plenty news to be shared. 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟: CR confirms 4 Nov 2026 local elections & public holiday likely🗳️ Postbank shifts services from Post office to new banking channels🪪 Fatal EC crash leaves communities in mourning😪 Illegal immigration protests spread across major cities 🚶‍♂️ Police officer killed in KZN ambush during covert operation🤬 Mugabe’s son deported after Jozi firearm case✈️ Soweto shack fire claims two lives as winter cold sets in🔥 Gov urges road safety ahead of Workers’ Day long w/end🚗💨 Madlanga Commission warns more arrests linked to organised crime🤯 Crime intelligence officers gunned down in separate incidents😬 Public servants receive 4% above‑inflation pay rise💰 HIV-prevention jab (lenacapavir) arrives but rollout delayed💉 SAPS warns of organised crime retaliation risk amid intelligence officer killings 🚨 Private sector investment flagged as critical to innovation and job creation⏳ Border enforcement stepped up after thousands of undocumented travellers intercepted 😳 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: Rrising fuel & food prices squeeze households nationwide🛒 Petrol and diesel prices will rise sharply in May, with diesel crossing R30 per litre⛽ South Africa’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 has been cut to 1.0%, reflecting global energy shocks and geopolitical instability📉 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦: JSE@115180↗️ DOW@49499↗️ FTSE@10363↗️ R/$16.64 R/£22.57 R/€19.59 Bitcoin $78269 Brent crude $108 Gold $4661 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦: Retief Goosen bags 5th PGA Tour champs title🏌🏽 Soweto Derby passion is unmatched, but safety concerns demand urgent reform as more than 00,000 fans packed into the stadium ⚽️ South Africa Women defeated India 4–1 in their T20 series🏏 Jonty, Faf & Klaasen buy Rotterdam franchise for new T20 Euro league🏏 See you next week!

So my brother (born and raised in SA ) and his family now live in Ireland… and they recently bought a robot vacuum. @Taitem Jewell Meet “Wall-E” 🤖🧼 And honestly… this thing has become part of the family already 😂 It zooms around the house like it’s got deadlines, bumping into furniture like “sorry I’m still learning the layout” 😭 Fun fact about robot vacuums (because I had to look this up 👀): 🤖 They use smart mapping to learn your home layout over time 🧠 Some can remember multiple floor plans (so it knows upstairs vs downstairs chaos) 🧹 They clean in patterns instead of random movement like old models 🔋 And yes… they literally go back to charge themselves when they’re done (we love a responsible king) But the funniest part is still watching it try figure out corners like it’s solving a puzzle every time 💀 Moral of the story: Whether you’re in SA or Ireland… crumbs are universal. Wall-E is proof.

Today I'm on the road making the most of this Workers' Day, visiting family in Groot Marico. More about this time in a post to come. 😊 I was curious about the history of Workers' Day in South Africa so here it is: Workers’ Day in South Africa, celebrated every year on 1 May, honours the long struggle for fair labour rights and the role of workers and trade unions in dismantling apartheid and shaping democracy. The first recorded May Day celebration in South Africa took place way back in 1895, organized by the Johannesburg District Trades Council. It was only after After South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, Workers’ Day was officially declared a national public holiday. It now stands as a celebration of progress, recognizing the sacrifices made by workers and the continuing importance of protecting labour rights. For me Workers’ Day in South Africa is more than a holiday. It is a reminder that work is dignity and that every job deserves respect, safety, and fair pay. How are you going to celebrate Workers' Day today?

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” — Melinda Gates After a year of living on the coast, our family finally made time to visit Durban . On my bucket list was a return to the harbor and the Maritime Museum, a place I last visited as a little girl during a family holiday. This time, I discovered the story of Durban’s Lady in White. Meet Perla Siedle Gibson. Born in Durban in 1888, Perla studied music and art in England and the USA. She performed as a soprano in London and New York before returning home to marry and raise her children. Her father was a well‑known shipping agent, so the harbor was part of her world long before she became part of its history. During World War II, Durban became a major port, a halfway point between America and the East. Ships carrying soldiers, supplies, and wounded men passed through constantly. The Gibson family often hosted captains and soldiers in their home, and Perla would entertain them with her singing — a true example of South African hospitality. One morning, she accompanied a young Irish soldier to his ship. As it sailed out, he called to her, asking for a song. She responded with “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” That moment changed everything. It was the first of thousands. Dressed in her white outfit and red hat, Perla stood at the harbor day after day, in heat, rain, wind, or cold, singing to every departing ship. U‑boats, hospital ships, supply vessels… she sang to them all. Over five years, she sang to more than 5,000 ships and thousands of men, giving them comfort, courage, and a moment of home before they sailed into the unknown. Her bronze statue was unveiled on 15 August 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Before the unveiling, it was placed beside HMS Britannia so that Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh could view it during their state visit. A fitting tribute to a remarkable woman. 👉 Have you ever spotted Durban’s Lady in White?