Neural Graffiti: Musings of a human with multiple hats

  A Home Beyond Bricks: Addressing Accommodation, Mental Health, and Purpose A stone narrowly missed my car as I waited at a traffic light. In a flash of anger, I turned to see where it came from. There, sprawled on the pavement, was a middle-aged man in tattered clothes, a sore festering on his left foot, his right wrapped in a dirty plastic bag. His matted hair and wild, angry eyes matched the expletives he hurled, along with objects, at another unkempt man perched on a rubbish bin nearby. Not far off, a younger person shuffled along in a torn t-shirt, a hoodie, and no pants. At the next traffic light, another man rummaged through bins, collecting scraps to survive. These are the unseen—people society often overlooks. Driving to an open day at Tafta Lodge, this scene was a stark reminder of a universal truth: everyone needs a place to call home. At the open day, our area manager, Yougendrie, spoke passionately about the concept of a "forever home." It’s not just about brick...

  Meaningful Engagement of Elders – Alignment of the Universe by Femada Shamam A dear friend, Lynda Smith, recently recommended watching a movie titled Nonnas . As a Vince Vaughn fan, I was intrigued. I was also amused because one of my favourite TikTok pages is Nonna Pia — so, naturally, I took the bait. Earlier that day, I had attended the open day at Langeler Towers, where members of the public were invited to view the accommodation on offer. Among the team welcoming guests were the ladies responsible for catering — a group affectionately dubbed “the Koeksisters” by our wellness activity coordinator. The name, a nod to the sweet South African treat, had us all giggling. As each woman explained her role — one the cupcake specialist, another the savoury queen — I was struck by the pride and joy in their voices. They weren’t just cooking; they were contributing. The energy, the excitement, and the sense of purpose they radiated was beautiful. My heart was full knowing that Taft...