Opinion Booth

Ageism is real, body shaming is real... and so is depression. Sonia speaks to magazine editor and publisher Mia Ziervogel, and businesswoman and supermodel extraordinaire, Elize Gazaar Yed.

What do you do when your child is admitted to hospital for a life-saving operation or medical intervention, in a different town/city, province or country... and you have no friends or family nearby to accommodate you? Sonia speaks to Reggie Skhosana and Pat Thekisho from RMHC... plus moms Busi Khumalo and Sibongile Masemola.

The joys and challenges of raising opinionated, expressive and self-assured children. Sonia speaks to Hlobsile Manzini - Industrial Psychologist, Executive Coach, Public Speaker, MC and Author.

From herding livestock, to prison, to performing on world stages alongside international superstars and writing masterpieces... Sonia chats to Serame Sediti. Singer, songwriter, and founder/chairperson of Sediti Entertainment - an independent record label.

Music was her first love but she prioritised her acting career, only for the music bug to take centre stage... pun intended. Sonia chats to actress, musician, songwriter and businesswoman - Miranda Mokhele Ntshangase.

She is as sharp as a razor, as witty as a fox, as funny as a clown - but she is petrified of Black Twitter. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting... Kwanele Ndlovu.

Terry and Barbara Bell decided to paddle 11,000km from England to Dar es Salaam in a five-metre glass fibre kayak. A challenge issued by a friend that led to a book: A Hat, A Kayak and Dreams of Dar. Terry is a political and economic analyst, columnist and investigative journalist. He authored the book and Barbara contributed the recipes contained therein. She is a former educator.

Swazi-born singer, songwriter and actress Nomzamo Zamo Zaza Dlamini broke away from the shackles of an abusive relationship to allow her to focus her attention on her most favoured and preferred title, working mom.

She started out as a fashion model and ended up as an academic. To her family and close friends she is Thabi... but to the rest, she is Dr Thabi Leoka - an economic strategist who was recently honoured with the Economist Of The Year award by ABSIP (The Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals).

She didn't make Top 7 of The Voice singing competition, but that didn't block her shine and immense talent. Get to know Zoe Modiga...

Sonia gets to know the co-founder of the Feather Awards and founder of the Global LGBTIQ+ Network, Thami Kotlolo. They touch on subjects like dealing with homophobia, and the decriminalising of homosexuality in Africa.

Ottilia Anna Maunganidze is a human rights advocate, international criminal law expert, plus head of special projects, legal analyst, strategist and senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. She joins Sonia to unpack the difference between xenophobia and afrophobia, leadership and dictatorship.

The plague outbreak in Madagascar has killed 102 and over 1,200 are infected. Should we start prepping for doomsday? Sonia chats to Prof. John Frean, who is an associate professor at the Parasitology Reference Laboratory Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases and Deputy Director at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service.

He has been labelled Digital God, Digital Whiz and Digital Marketing Guru. Get to know the man behind these titles as Sonia speaks to Mikey Mashila.

It is 2017 and we are still discussing homosexuality as a sin, as a curse, as a disease. TK, like many others, never chose his sexuality and sexual orientation. He was born this way! Tinyiko 'Teekay TK Goldfish' Mathebula is a presenter, brand influencer, stylist, socialite, and party/events planner.

Want to know if your manuscript will be tossed out or published? Sonia chats to Melinda Ferguson who is an award winning author, publisher, writing coach, motoring columnist, inspirational speaker and recovery coach about the makings of a bestseller.

Sonia chats to Obakeng Augustin Leseyane about the makings of a leader/leadership qualities. Obakeng is the co-founder and executive director of EdConnect, a contributing writer at Forbes, director of administration for the African Leadership Academy Model African Union 2018, Youth Ambassador for SAIIA (SA Institute of International Affairs) and the International Relations Council (IRC).

It takes more than talent to find your true potential and build a music career. Lira shares her insights on building a sustainable career, and about longevity and staying power in the cut-throat music industry.

Dr Gary Sudwarts is an interventional radiologist and founder of the Fibroid Treatment Clinic which specialises in Uterine Fibroid Embolisation. Having worked for many years as a general radiologist and training doctors in radiology, he now devotes most of his time to the micro-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids. Tanika Gray Valbrun is a CNN Content Producer, Journalist and Founder of the US-based non-profit organisation, The White Dress Project: We Can Wear White. Sonia speaks to them to find out more about how this health issue can be managed.

Phil Mphela is an entertainment commentator, blogger, brand influencer, media consultant, and content creator activist. He chats to Sonia about longevity and how to stay relevant in the industry. Find out which celebs Phil thinks have the most staying power and more.