Mantle insights

  Dear Reader, I hope you're in good spirits, or at the very least, holding yourself gently through life’s pace. Thank you for joining me again as we reflect on a topic close to my heart — social capita l — and the undeniable impact it’s had on my university journey. Social Capital in University If you had told me a few years ago that the relationships I built in university would open more doors than I could ever imagine, I probably would’ve blinked twice. Not because I didn’t believe in the power of people, but because, deep down, I’ve always carried a quiet sense of awkwardness around social settings. There are moments when I find it hard to initiate conversations. I can be the person who overthinks greetings or who lingers on the edge of the room before joining in. And yet, despite all that, I’ve become a firm, vocal advocate for social capital— because I’ve witnessed firsthand what it can do. What is Social Capital, Really? Social capital isn’t about popularity or bein...

Beyond Cutting Ties: The Art of Graceful Forgiveness. I used to wear my ability to cut people off like a badge of honor. I believed it was a sign of strength, a testament to my self-respect. If someone hurt me, disrespected me, or acted in a way that I didn’t agree with, I would shut the door on them without hesitation. In my mind, people always knew exactly what they were doing—so why should I give them the benefit of the doubt? But life, in its ironic way, had a lesson waiting for me. The day I found myself on the receiving end cut off, dismissed, and given no room for redemption, for something I did unknowingly, was the day I realized just how much I had misunderstood grace. But life has a way of humbling you, of putting you in the very positions you once judged others for. I had unknowingly hurt someone, and in their eyes, my actions were unforgivable. But I hadn’t meant to cause harm. I hadn’t been aware of the impact of my words or actions. Yet, despite my intentions, I was shut ...

Growing up, the early arrival of my period shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. I started menstruating in Grade 5, at just nine years  old,  barely old enough to grasp what was happening to my body, let alone manage it properly. It was a time when most of my peers were still playing with dolls and had no concept of menstruation. What is menstruation? Menstruation, also known as a period, is the vaginal bleeding that occurs when the lining of the uterus sheds after an egg is released but pregnancy does not occur. Back then, my period was heavy and unpredictable, a biological phenomenon I was completely unprepared for. I didn’t know pads came in different sizes or that “heavy flow” meant I needed something more absorbent. My uniform often bore the blot of my inexperience, a glaring red flag of my struggle.   Instead of receiving the grace and support I so desperately needed, I was met with discomfort, embarrassment, and, at times, judgment. My period blo...

  As I sit to write this, my heart is heavy with sorrow over the alarming and preventable deaths of young children in our communities. Recently, we have seen a tragic rise in cases of children falling ill or losing their lives after consuming unsafe food purchased from spaza shops, particularly those operated by Pakistani nationals. These incidents have devastated families and communities, sparking grief, anger, and a wave of concern about food safety and accountability. To witness innocent lives cut short in this manner is profoundly heartbreaking. Every child’s life is precious, and the idea that these deaths could have been avoided makes the pain even sharper. But while we demand justice and stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies, we must also take a moment to consider the larger context - the lives of those who run these shops and the circumstances that brought them here. The Tragedies: Stories That Shake Us All. Young children, excited about a snack or drink, fell ill ...

Welcome to my very first blog! I’m thrilled to start this journey and even more excited to dive into a topic that’s close to my heart. This week, I want to talk about something that impacts us all deeply: the role of women in leadership and why it's essential for more women to dare to step up and take the lead. Before diving in, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my loved ones. Thank you for supporting me through every step of this process—from the spark of an idea to the execution of this blog. And to everyone who helped me brainstorm and finally choose a name, your encouragement means the world. This blog is as much a result of your support as it is my own work. As someone who has taken on numerous leadership roles in my university years—as a departmental representative, chairperson of the debate society, secretary for UNICEF, deputy president for a book club, and class representative for two consecutive years—I have seen firsthand the importance of diverse voices in lea...