Latest news with #UnitedStatesInternationalUniversity-Africa
The South African
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Ofentse Tsipa breaks parenting myths with real talk
Ofentse Tsipa is a shining example that dreams do come true. Her name, meaning 'Christ has conquered,' honours her mother's resilience after several miscarriages before her birth. Today, Ofentse is a transformational coach based in Kenya. She juggles motherhood, marriage, and studies at United States International University-Africa, while helping others manifest love and financial success. With a Dutch husband, two children, and a passion for self-discovery, Ofentse shares her journey openly on her popular podcast and social media. She keeps it real, discussing everything from life hacks to personal struggles. Her story resonates deeply, especially with South Africans familiar with the Tsipa name, according to Showmax Stories. Her brother Lemogang Tsipa is a beloved South African actor who famously portrayed Shaka Zulu on Mzansi Magic's hit show Shaka iLembe. Now, Ofentse steps into the spotlight on Showmax's newest reality series, which follows affluent Nairobi mothers navigating parenting, and high-society drama. Known for her monthly 'Mommies and Mimosas' events, she brings sparkle and connection to the show's cast of moms. On motherhood, Ofentse says her coaching has transformed her approach. 'I'm all about manifesting magic! I've learned to feel my feelings and be present. This helps me walk alongside my kids as equals, real human beings with their thoughts and feelings. Forget the old-school 'children should be seen and not heard' mindset! My kids are both seen and heard.' Ofentse Tsipa adds that her coaching makes her more intentional and analytical about her children's emotions and creativity. Being part of a multicultural family enriches her parenting style. 'We are 100% multicultural! My husband is Dutch with French influence, I'm South African—Tswana with Zulu roots—and we live in Kenya. I like to call myself a global mama raising global citizens. We celebrate Christmas Dutch style but also honour Zulu traditions.' Ofentse employs two nannies and offers advice for other mothers. 'Trust your gut during interviews—chemistry is everything. Hire for character, not skills. Skills can be taught. I've trained my nannies in the Montessori method, focusing on the child's interests and individuality. To keep them happy, we have weekly check-ins. It's all about teamwork and respect. I give them autonomy and don't micromanage.' Asked which mom from the show she'd swap lives with for a day, Ofentse Tsipa says, 'Jackie. She's solo, balancing work and parenting. This is similar to my life, but on a smaller scale. I'd love to experience navigating dating again and rebuilding co-parenting relationships.' If her kids Google her one day, Ofentse hopes they find inspiration and pride. 'I want them to see a legacy of helping people become their best selves, authenticity, and loving life while growing. I want them to feel contentment and say, 'That's my mom.'' Ofentse Tsipa also opened up about postpartum struggles: 'No one prepares you for it. It's like stepping into motherhood and realising, 'Welcome to hell.' We talk about it on the show because it's raw and real. We need to talk about it more.' Her biggest joy? 'Unconditional love—it's unmatched. I love my kids more every day.' And a parenting myth she's debunked? 'You can't control kids. I used to judge moms when their kids threw tantrums—until it happened to me! It's about allowing them to feel and express themselves.' People often mistake her for a snob, but Ofentse Tsipa laughs it off: 'Then they meet me and say, 'Oh my goodness, you're so nice!'' Her favourite reality show? ' The Mommy Club franchise—the SA original and Sugar & Spice editions.' Ofentse Tsipa's story is one of resilience, authenticity, and joy—a global mama with South African roots making waves across Africa. Her journey inspires mums and dreamers alike. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kenyans mourn African literature giant Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — In a bookstore in Kenya's capital, the proprietor arranged a shelf exclusively carrying books by Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, who died Wednesday in the United States. Nuria Bookstore owner Bennet Mbata, who has sold African literature for more than 30 years in the capital, Nairobi, said he enjoyed reading Ngũgĩ's writing and is sad 'he'll never write again.' Kenya President William Ruto on Thursday paid tribute to the man he called 'the towering giant of Kenyan letters,' saying Ngũgĩ's courage shaped thoughts around social justice and abuse of political power. 'His patriotism is undeniable, and even those who disagree with him will admit that Prof Thiong'o's discourse always sprang forth from a deep and earnest quest for truth and understanding, devoid of malice, hatred or contempt,' Ruto wrote on X. Following Ngũgĩ's death at 87 in Bedford, Georgia, Kenyans are reminiscing about the days his literature criticized an autocratic administration and was arrested and imprisoned in the 1970s. Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations at United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ngũgĩ's writing was 'hard hitting' but also a 'true reflection of the society.' Munene said he regrets Thiong'o didn't receive the Nobel Prize for Literature despite several nominations. Munene described the author as one of the few African writers whose writing was different. 'He wrote English like an African, another gift that very few people have,' Munene said, noting that Ngũgĩ later transitioned to only writing in his native Kikuyu language. Munene urged current writers to be 'true to themselves' and write from their hearts, but cautioned there may be some 'hard consequences like was the case for Ngũgĩ.' Ngũgĩ lived in exile for decades and escaped attempted assassination twice following his criticism of President Daniel Moi's administration in the 1970s and 1980s. Current Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sent condolences to the author's family, saying 'a giant African has fallen.' The author's son and fellow writer, Mukoma Wa Ngũgĩ, posted a tribute on X: 'I am me because of him in so many ways, as his child, scholar and writer.' Born in 1938, Ngũgĩ's first books told the story of British colonial rule and the uprising by Mau Mau freedom fighters. Since the 1970s, Ngũgĩ' mostly lived in exile overseas, emigrating to England and eventually settling in California, where he was a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine.
Hamilton Spectator
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Kenyans mourn African literature giant Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — In a bookstore in Kenya's capital, the proprietor arranged a shelf exclusively carrying books by Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, who died Wednesday in the United States. Nuria Bookstore owner Bennet Mbata, who has sold African literature for more than 30 years in the capital, Nairobi, said he enjoyed reading Ngũgĩ's writing and is sad 'he'll never write again.' Kenya President William Ruto on Thursday paid tribute to the man he called 'the towering giant of Kenyan letters,' saying Ngũgĩ's courage shaped thoughts around social justice and abuse of political power. 'His patriotism is undeniable, and even those who disagree with him will admit that Prof Thiong'o's discourse always sprang forth from a deep and earnest quest for truth and understanding, devoid of malice, hatred or contempt,' Ruto wrote on X. Following Ngũgĩ's death at 87 in Bedford, Georgia, Kenyans are reminiscing about the days his literature criticized an autocratic administration and was arrested and imprisoned in the 1970s. Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations at United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ngũgĩ's writing was 'hard hitting' but also a 'true reflection of the society.' Munene said he regrets Thiong'o didn't receive the Nobel Prize for Literature despite several nominations. Munene described the author as one of the few African writers whose writing was different. 'He wrote English like an African, another gift that very few people have,' Munene said, noting that Ngũgĩ later transitioned to only writing in his native Kikuyu language. Munene urged current writers to be 'true to themselves' and write from their hearts, but cautioned there may be some 'hard consequences like was the case for Ngũgĩ.' Ngũgĩ lived in exile for decades and escaped attempted assassination twice following his criticism of President Daniel Moi's administration in the 1970s and 1980s. Current Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sent condolences to the author's family, saying 'a giant African has fallen.' The author's son and fellow writer, Mukoma Wa Ngũgĩ, posted a tribute on X: 'I am me because of him in so many ways, as his child, scholar and writer.' Born in 1938, Ngũgĩ's first books told the story of British colonial rule and the uprising by Mau Mau freedom fighters . Since the 1970s, Ngũgĩ' mostly lived in exile overseas, emigrating to England and eventually settling in California, where he was a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine.
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kenyans mourn African literature giant Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — In a bookstore in Kenya's capital, the proprietor arranged a shelf exclusively carrying books by Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, who died Wednesday in the United States. Nuria Bookstore owner Bennet Mbata, who has sold African literature for more than 30 years in the capital, Nairobi, said he enjoyed reading Ngũgĩ's writing and is sad 'he'll never write again.' Kenya President William Ruto on Thursday paid tribute to the man he called 'the towering giant of Kenyan letters,' saying Ngũgĩ's courage shaped thoughts around social justice and abuse of political power. 'His patriotism is undeniable, and even those who disagree with him will admit that Prof Thiong'o's discourse always sprang forth from a deep and earnest quest for truth and understanding, devoid of malice, hatred or contempt,' Ruto wrote on X. Following Ngũgĩ's death at 87 in Bedford, Georgia, Kenyans are reminiscing about the days his literature criticized an autocratic administration and was arrested and imprisoned in the 1970s. Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations at United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ngũgĩ's writing was 'hard hitting' but also a 'true reflection of the society.' Munene said he regrets Thiong'o didn't receive the Nobel Prize for Literature despite several nominations. Munene described the author as one of the few African writers whose writing was different. 'He wrote English like an African, another gift that very few people have,' Munene said, noting that Ngũgĩ later transitioned to only writing in his native Kikuyu language. Munene urged current writers to be 'true to themselves' and write from their hearts, but cautioned there may be some 'hard consequences like was the case for Ngũgĩ.' Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. Ngũgĩ lived in exile for decades and escaped attempted assassination twice following his criticism of President Daniel Moi's administration in the 1970s and 1980s. Current Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga sent condolences to the author's family, saying 'a giant African has fallen.' The author's son and fellow writer, Mukoma Wa Ngũgĩ, posted a tribute on X: 'I am me because of him in so many ways, as his child, scholar and writer.' Born in 1938, Ngũgĩ's first books told the story of British colonial rule and the uprising by Mau Mau freedom fighters. Since the 1970s, Ngũgĩ' mostly lived in exile overseas, emigrating to England and eventually settling in California, where he was a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine.
