#SistaHoodHourConversations

From the first time I interacted with Sihle just before the launch of her book “We Are The Ones We Need”, to our Twitter chat conversation and many other chats in between, I have learnt so much from her. Her chutzpah, her grace, her character and her determination to stay on the path she has chosen for herself, that not only allowed her to share her journey but also gave many many others to be able to open up and share their own journeys. In this episode we talked about the other sides of Sihle Bolani and she shares more about motherhood, being a daughter, navigating her journey in not only womanhood but being an individual. It was a wonderful conversation and I still have a list of more things I really want to chat to her about! Please do connect with her on her various platforms: @SihleBolani_; @KonnektedWomen and @WorkWhileBlack

A lot of the time we hear and read about the fathers who are absent from their children’s lives, as well as how mothers have to literally look for them and bring them before the courts just so they can help maintain their children financially. Those stories just break my heart because those children didn’t ask to be born, and they deserve to be given the very best in life and to be loved. Here and there I’ll hear and read about a father who is trying to gain visitation rights or who wants to have a relationship with their child, but unfortunately the mother of the child s blocking that process. Yes, fathers have rights too and I got the chance to speak to Jennifer Stoler an admitted Attorney and Notary, Speaker, Legal Easer and Advisor and Yolisa Mkele a journalist and father who is co-parenting well with the mother of his daughter. Jennifer and Yolisa also host The Lawyer and The Layman podcast!

Our conversation with Siyanga Madikizela could have gone on for a long time, she has that kind of energy! We spoke about the partnership between VW SA and the Lionesses of Africa and how in 2020 they’ve taken the partnership further and introduced The Lionesses Den. Siyanga shared more about her journey in the automotive industry and some of the life lessons along the way. There is certainly going to be a second part to our conversation - she’s keen, and so am I. To find out more on how to become part of the Lionesses of Africa network visit www.lionessesofafrica.com and to enter the Volkswagen Lionesses Den initiative, please visit www.vwlionessesden.co.za

A conversation with Despina Senatore can go on for hours as there are so many topics that come up as you’re speaking and she’s that kind of person you feel like you’ve known for a long time. An inspirational life coach and entrepreneur - Purposeful Woman is the company she runs workshops through, an author of Soar! - a book for teen girls to help them navigate the changes and challenges of this particular chapter of their lives, wife, mom and incredible human being.

There are some people who just have a way to help you understand a part of life, individual journeys and experiences in such a pure and honest way. The conversation with Lelo and Fareed on their own unique journeys of self-discovery and acceptance from early age to now as grown men navigating life, left me smiling as I listened to it again. I won’t ever proclaim to understand their journeys but it’s given me a deeper awareness on the LGBTQI Plus community. I sincerely hope that as a society, communities, friends and families, we can be more kind, patient, liberal, accepting in how we treat one another, no matter chosen sexual orientation.

I had the pleasure of sitting and speaking to not only a sister-friend but businesswoman, TV host, wife, daughter, woman of faith - and so many more other titles - Michelle Lima. A wealth of knowledge gained from walking life’s path and being open to the lessons she had to learn, whilst remaining true to who she was, but allowing for the growth to take place. It was a beautiful conversation, and it did my heart good and I hope you take something away from it too.

As women there are so many experiences we go through, trying to figure sometimes on our own and other times with the care and love from our closest tribe members. I’m joined by a member of my tribe, Tiisetso Gama as we talk about some of our life experiences, reflect on the lessons and map out the future to being whole, healthy and more of ourselves as women.