Category Archives: 21 Icons

Posts about the 21 Icons series

Day 1980: 21 Icons season 3 episode 21: Simphiwe Dana

“I use my music to heal, I use my music to inform, and I use it to bring out that warm feeling inside, so I think I’m doing quite well with my freedom.” – Simphiwe Dana

It’s 12 : 03 PM on day 1980 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read 1 Timothy 5, learn one new thing – Cold weather will cause some trees to explode by freezing the sap, because it contains water, which expands as it freezes, creating a sound like a gunshot. The sound is produced as the tree bark splits, with the wood contracting as the sap expands. –have breakfast, and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – yesterday Tinuchechi and Jerynchachen donated $250 (thanks SO MUCH chechi and chachen your support means a lot 🙂 ) which brings the total raised to $2 637 only $3 613 more to raise by 10 Jan 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

Last night I watched season 3 episode 21 of 21 Icons (the last episode of this season) featuring Singer and Song Writer Simphiwe Dana I love that Simphiwe endeavours to use her music to heal. Watch “21 Icons: Simphiwe Dana: Short Film” below:

Day 1973: 21 Icons season 3 episode 20: Siya Xuza

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“I am an example of what happens when you give young South Africans opportunities.” – Siya Xuza

It’s 12 : 04 PM on day 1973 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read read 2 Thessalonians 1, learn one new thing – Despite its thick ice, Antarctica is classified as a desert because so little moisture falls from the sky. The inner regions of the continent receive an average of 2 inches (50 millimeters) of precipitation—primarily in the form of snow—each year. More rain falls in the Sahara desert. – have breakfast and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – yesterday Stan Faryna donated $25 (thanks SO MUCH Stan your ongoing support means the world to me ) which brings my total raised to $2 082 only $4 168 more to raise by 10 Jan 2017 (SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ).

This morning I watched season 3 episode 20 of 21 Icons featuring engineer and industrialist Siya Xuza I love Siya’s resourcefulness. Watch “21 Icons: Siya Xuza: Short Film” below:

Day 1967: 21 Icons season 3 episode 19: Terry Pheto

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“Storytelling has the power to make people forget their reality and – whether it’s film or television – for those 30 minutes or 2 hours, you can learn someone else’s story.” – Terry Pheto

It’s 12 : 32 PM on day 1967 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Colossians 4, learn one new thing –The shortest known gestation is that of the Virginian opossum, about 12 days, and the longest that of the Indian elephant, about 22 months. – have breakfast and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – yesterday two people both of whom prefer to remain anonymous donated $25 and $10 respectively ( thank you SO MUCH you guys ) which brings my total raised to $1 717 only $4 533 more to raise by 10 Jan 2017 (SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far ) .

Recently I watched season 3 episode 19 of 21 Icons featuring world-renowned South African Actress Terry Pheto I absolutely love Terry’s proactive approach to life. Watch “21 Icons: Terry Pheto: Short Film” below:

Day 1952: 21 Icons season 3 episode 17: Caster Semenya

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“You can’t wait for someone to push you – you have to know your game. I think that’s what made me survive.” – Caster Semenya

It’s 12 : 43 PM on day 1952 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read Galatians 5, learn one new thing –Daphnia are an extremely important part of aquatic food chains. They eat primary producers such as algae, yeast, and bacteria. Daphnia are the prey of tadpoles, salamanders, newts, aquatic insects, and many types of small fish.– have breakfast, spend time outside – it’s such a beautiful day I thought it would be a shame to waste it 🙂 – and work on my 25 Smiles Campaign – $1 080 raised so far (SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has helped out and continues to help out. Thanks SO MUCH everyone I’m truly humbled by your support thank you for backing this girl who has a desire to make a difference, a laptop and pretty good Wi-Fi 🙂 ).

Last night I watched season 3 episode 17 of 21 Icons featuring athlete Caster Semenya I so admire Caster’s focus and determination. Watch “21 Icons: Caster Semenya: Short Film” below:

Day 1945: 21 Icons season 3 episode 16: Oliver Hermanus

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“Greatness is simplicity. Great people, great things, great achievements, they’re usually achievements of simplicity. It’s the heart of something, the truth of it – for me, greatness is that truth.” – Oliver Hermanus

It’s 12: 00 PM on day 1945 of my journey towards independence and I managed to pray, read 2 Corinthians 11, have breakfast, learn one new thing – To see a man about a dog or to see a man about a horse is an English language colloquialism, usually used as a way to say one needs to apologize for one’s imminent departure or absence – generally euphemistically to conceal one’s true purpose, such as going to use the toilet or going to buy a drink.- and promote my 25 Smiles Campaign – after mom donated $250 yesterday Sneha Abraham donated $125 and Anonymous donated $50 (thanks so much Sneha and Anonymous the support from both of you means the world to me 🙂 ) which brings my total raised to $425 only $5 825 more to raise in 364 days (SO HUMBLED and grateful 🙂 ) .

This morning I watched season 3 episode 16 of 21 Icons featuring ground-breaking filmmaker Oliver Hermanus – Oliver’s third film, The Endless River, was the first film by a South African to be chosen to compete at the Venice International Film Festival – people like Oliver give me hope for South Africa. Watch “21 Icons: Oliver Hermanus Short Film” below:

Day 1917: 21 Icons season 3 episode 15: Ezlyn Barends

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“Courage helped me to step into my potential. I think everybody has the potential to be great, but it takes courage to actually heed to the call.” – Ezlyn Barends

It’s 9 : 24 AM on day 1827 of my journey towards independence and day 13 of our India trip 2015 had breakfast and hang out with family.

Today I watched season 3 episode 15 of 21 Icons featuring impact entrepreneur Ezlyn Barends I love that Ezlyn is enlisting women to mentor young girls through her mentorship programme . Watch “21 Icons: Ezlyn Barends: Short Film” below:

(Note: We’re going to my dad’s house today and won’t be back till Saturday so I may not be able to publish any blog posts till Saturday ).

Day 1903: 21 Icons season 3 episode 13: Jolynn Minnaar

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“I’m focused on trying to understand how we can tell stories and allow other people to tell stories, and in doing so, better understand the South African identity.” – Jolynn Minnaar

It’s 12 : 48 PM on day 1813 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, pray, read 1 Corinthians 4, publish my Disability of the Day feature, learn one new thing – Camels have two rows of thick eyelashes to protect their eyes from the desert dust. They are also able to close their nostrils and lips to keep out the dust. – have breakfast and hang out with family

Yesterday I watched season 3 episode 13 of 21 Icons featuring filmmaker Jolynn Minnaar I love that Jolynn is using her art to make an impact. Watch “21 Icons: Jolynn Minnaar: Short Film” below:

Day 1896: 21 Icons season 3 episode 12: Kyle Shepherd

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“What I love about jazz and improvisation is the freedom it gifts you. It allows you to be yourself.” – Kyle Shepherd

It’s 12 : 08 PM on day 1806 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, pray, read Romans 13, publish my Disability of the Day feature, learn one new thing – Confluence [con·flu·ence] n. The act or process of merging. A flowing together of two or more streams. “A fortunate confluence of factors led to his success.”- have breakfast, hang out with family

Last night I watched season 3 episode 12 of 21 Icons featuring accomplished pianist Kyle Shepherd I loved Kyle’s passion for his art and the respect that he had for the elders in his industry. Watch “21 Icons: Kyle Shepherd: Short Film” below:

Day 1889: 21 Icons season 3 episode 11: Phindile Sithole-Spong

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“The world has been taught for a long time that HIV looks like death. What I try to do is show people that HIV can be sexy and cute and funny… all the things that you don’t expect.” – Phindile Sithole-Spong

It’s 12 : 00 PM on day 1799 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, pray, read Romans 6, publish my Disability of the Day feature, learn one new thing –Xmas and Rosh Hashana. Pomegranates appear on many Greek and Jewish tables during the holidays. At weddings and at New Years, Greeks break a pomegranate on the ground for good luck. – have breakfast and work on my future project.

Yesterday I watched season 3 episode 11 of 21 Icons featuring HIV Activist Phindile Sithole-Spong I love that Phindile has taken it upon herself to rebrand HIV .Watch “21 Icons : Phindile Sithole-Spong : Short Film” below:

Day 1882: 21 Icons season 3 episode 10: Ashley Uys

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“For me, success is what makes you happy. Everybody should move towards that.” – Ashley Uys

It’s 12 : 19 PM on day 1792 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, pray, read Acts 27, publish my Disability of the Day feature, learn one new thing –Pontificate [pon·tif·i·cate] v. To speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner. “He pontificates at great length in political matters.”– have breakfast and work on my future project.

Last night I watched season 3 episode 10 of 21 Icons featuring biotechnologist and entrepreneur Ashley Uys – Ashley developed a self-testing malaria kit – people like Ashley give me hope for South Africa he’s young, smart and hard working. Watch “21 Icons: Ashley Uys : Short Film” below: