Notes on saving myself:

a register of the moments that have brought me joy and relief in a time of helplessness; a register of memories

um registo dos momentos em que senti alegria e alívio, num período de desamparo; um registo de memórias

Post-fire fynbos regeneration at Silvermine Nature Reserve. January 1, 2026.

Today, representing a friend’s sister at his lobolo ceremony saved my life.

A couple of weeks ago, walking on the immense tidal flats of Costa de Sol, under a stinging sun, observing shorebirds, while my sister and her boyfriend curiously scanned the water’s edge for marine life, saved my life.

The other night, walking the category Face and battling my beautiful non-binary friends, at the Mugangueni Ball in Macaneta, saved my life.

Sitting down with my mom under a tree, talking about life, relationships and self-worth, into the night, saved my life. Neurons forged new connections with one another.

Meeting up for dinner with a childhood friend to catch up on the past 8 years of our lives in the shortest possible amount of time, saved my life.

A long phone call reconnecting with a friend I have immense platonic love for, saved my life.

Eating hand-picked mussels with my family on Christmas and then going to Yuck’s queer Christmas house party — dancing, drinking, eating a delicious home-made Cachupa, only leaving at 6 am when the sun was peaking behind the clouds, saved my life.

A couple of weeks ago, sleeping over at a friend’s house when I felt helpless and utterly anxious saved my life. Vivi and Huriǂoaxa (her two dogs) also saved me.

Going to Silvermine for the first time saved my life. It was very sunny and people beautiful.

Last night, a dj playing qgom bangers non-stop saved my life. It was Soulchoke, of course.

Spending time with my friend, who tells it as it is, over and over again, saved my life.

Going for a midnight drive by the Sea Point Promenade with a friend I’m now getting close to, saved both of our lives.

Yesterday, running into a colleague at a house viewing and afterwards deciding to get a drink at Hun100Percent to continue talking about the failures of mainstream conservation practice, saved my life.

Sitting on the rocks of a tidal pool in Kalk Bay for hours, talking to friends in front of the ocean, saved my life.

In the past couple of days, cohosting my housemate’s best friends at our place saved my life. Hai un accendino?

The other night, walking down Kipling Street with my dear housemate and stopping by the corner of Shelley and Dove in Salt River, to see the West London All Stars beat their drums, blow their lungs away and wave their tambourines in sync — saved my life.

In the past couple of days, coworking with a friend at their new place (finally!) while listening to great radio shows and dj sets, saved my life. Cigarette breaks under the purple bougainvillea to talk about life and relationships helped too.

An unexpected message to have a beer in Obs saved my life. Turns out…Dizu Plaatjies was playing that night and these two friends offered that I move in with them.