UnApologetically Mel

I've spent years editing myself for access. Brown in South Africa, exotic in Britain — same skin, same brain and the same ambition. Then I watched Bad Bunny stand in front of a hundred million people and refuse to be anyone other than himself. This is what that did to me.

There are parts of ourselves that never really leave us — no matter how life bends us, stretches us, or casually yeets us into directions we never saw coming. Through every version we shed, rebuild, outgrow, and dramatically reinvent, some pieces stay. Sticky. Like glue. Non-negotiable. For me, it has always been this : Unapologetic. Bold. Italic. Irregular. That’s who I was when I wrote about myself years ago — loud, rooted in justice, fuelled by purpose, raised in South Afr

Culture isn’t something you find on a checklist. From South Africa to Europe, this is what travel taught me about belonging and human connection.

Behind every visa is a family, a sacrifice and a price rarely discussed. A reflection on the financial and emotional costs of immigration.

Growing up, I spent endless weekends glued to the TV watching … cricket – yessssss, cricket (!!) as South Africa prepared to battle for supremacy in an intriguing series against England. I remember the excitement and nervousness as we cheered our team on – yelling, shrieking, and arguing with the TV screen (and at each other!!) - during the nail-biting moments. 📷 Central Gauteng Lions U13 | Age: 12 The marvellous scent of a good old-fashioned South African braai wafting th

I fell in love with an Englishman. What followed was football debates, chilli sauce diplomacy and a wedding done entirely our way.

In a world that expected conformity, I chose languages over tradition, independence over expectation and rewrote my own script.

Aaaarrrgghhhh??!! I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked, “Where are you from?” because apparently, I look exotic (yes, exotic!)