So many entertaining things happen in my life in Swaziland. These are the moments I will want to remember because they make me laugh, and they show insight into my daily routine. These moments are often hard to photograph and usually last only a minute or two. I will start sharing them with you in this occasional series. 

Professions of love and marriage proposals are quite frequently given to me in Swaziland. 

Then I spent a week in Mozambique without any professions or proposals! It was great. Maybe it was because I wasn’t a solo, female traveller or maybe it’s because the men in Mozambique are a bit more respectful. 

It was probably a bit of both, but I think the author of the book I’m reading would say it’s more of the second. 

Legend has it that Mozambican men do not dare beat up their girlfriends or wives because soon after liberation, if a man beat on his wife or girlfriend, four strong soldier women were sent to that man. On arrival they put their AK47s down and physically beat the s*%t out of the abusive man. This went on until respecting women was a culture in that country. I like that. But it’s not going to happen in South Africa. 

-from “Can you really own a whole human being?” in O’Mandingo! The only black at a dinner party by Eric Miyeni. 

It was exciting to read that part while vacationing in Mozambique and living in Swaziland, which is somewhat of a miniature South Africa. This collection of opinion pieces by Eric Miyeni has been a fantastic read, allowing me to learn more about what makes South Africa tick.