This Life Online Magazine

09/10/2026

What happens when life takes away your voice for six years, and then throws cancer into the mix?

Kim Vercueil Ballantine's remarkable story became one of our most-read articles of the year. Now, she's sharing even more in an honest and moving filmed conversation with our writer, Chelsea.

From navigating a marriage on the brink and talking to children about death, to finding hope in the darkest seasons, Kim opens up about faith, medicine, gratitude, and the reality of facing life's toughest challenges.

With remarkable honesty, wisdom, and even a little humour, Kim reminds us that hope can exist even in the hardest moments.

❤️ Watch her inspiring conversation and share it with someone who might need a little hope today.

05/10/2026

When Kim Vercueil Ballantine's written story of six years without a voice (plus a cancer detour) became one of our most-read this year, we knew we had to go deeper and asked our writer Chelsea to sit down with Kim in a filmed conversation.

What do you do when your marriage is at breaking point? How do you talk to your children about dying, or find your way out of a dark season? And where's the line between gratitude and toxic positivity, between medicine and faith?

Kim meets it all with striking lucidity, and a touch of lightness that says everything 🙌

Please share this to give other people hope!

What did industrial psychologist Kim Ballantine learn from losing h...

26/08/2026

Thuly Matti believes a great meal is about so much more than what’s on your plate. Leaving the corporate world behind her, she’s created an arty food café in Cape Town’s vibey Observatory that showcases the best of African hospitality to people from all over the world.

Here, this home-cooking powerhouse makes it her mission to ensure everyone who walks through the door feels that they matter. Hear her ups and downs, how she and husband Mike deal with their differences, and how she copes with fear right here👇 https://www.thislifeonline.co.za/more-than-a-meal-thulys-story/

14/08/2026

‘What is going on here’? That’s the question that burst out of a teen Marcél Roux after his brother dragged him to church!

Marcel, who’d been going through a period of utter despair, found himself going up to the altar. Find out what happened next to this captain of Cape Town’s Brackenfell Rugby Club who’s achieved huge success in the Mr South Africa and Mr Supranational competitions 🇿🇦

Watch Marcel’s full story on our page below (3 August)👇

13/08/2026

How heartening to see the launch of Cape Town’s first Citipod at Constantia Village shopping centre 🙌

Discreetly situated on a patch of grass opposite the Spar, what a great innovation this is to help a skyrocketing workforce of delivery motorcyclists park, shelter and rest between jobs. ‘Delivery numbers are exploding but infrastructure supporting the people doing the work is almost non-existent,' says Citipods co-founder Jenny Dove. ‘Sidewalks are currently packed with drivers because they literally have nowhere else to go. The pods will reduce litter, clutter and pavement congestion.'

Each pod has benches, charger sockets and a toilet, and can easily be dismantled and relocated. Cared for by a dedicated manager, it gets locked at night and watched by centre security. The funding model is a blend of corporate sponsorship and advertising on the pods themselves.

Well done, Citipods, for making Cape Town cleaner and safer and improving the working day of delivery riders! If YOU have a location to suggest for a Citipod, or are interested in supporting through advertising or sponsorship, let Jen know on 079 480 9252 or [email protected]😀

12/08/2026

Why was Marcél Roux, 2024’s Mr South Africa, so angry with his wife?

Hear him tell it here then read his whole story at www.thislifeonline.co.za/the-story-of-a-mr-south-africa/ or watch the full video on our page below (3 August)🇿🇦

11/08/2026

'There’s got to be more to life than doing the same thing every day!' So said Adri Williams, who in 2007 left her secure corporate job and took a financial knock to pursue a vision with Khayelitsha Cookies to provide unemployed women with jobs 🙌

It's been a roller coaster ride but the company's still making thousands of cookies daily and many of those previously unemployed women now have a share in the business 🇿🇦

We love the look of these choc chip biscotti, apparently amazing with ice-cream! Why not support this brave venture and keep a bulk box of Khayelitsha Cookies in your pantry to brighten the day of anyone who visits your home, from friend to gardener to fridge guy? Email [email protected] or call +27 (0)21 510 2300 (orders can be sent round the world).

And finally, be inspired by our interview with tough cookie Adri right here:
https://www.thislifeonline.co.za/tough-cookie-adris-inspiring-gamble/

10/08/2026

What lasting impact did a South African pastor have on a teenage Marcél Roux, who went on to achieve extraordinary success in Mr South Africa and Mr Supranational? (Oh, and he captains Cape Town’s Brackenfell Rugby Club too) 🏉🇿🇦

Watch Marcel's full video on our page below 👀

07/08/2026

We salute , bringing joy, hope and a safe space to 70 children from disadvantaged Cape Town communities!

Each week its children enjoy two surf sessions, two educational classes and a life-coaching activity, all complemented by daily nutritious meals 👏

The sea might be cold this winter, but joy is blazing in these hearts ❤️

07/08/2026

Care to support children’s literacy in South Africa while netting yourself some stylish clothing bargains?

, a non-profit that uses the power of ‘pre-loved’ fashion to fund educational initiatives, launches its Big Sale at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront at the end of August 💃

Gently-worn top brands are waiting in the wings for you to snap them up as you shop sustainably - what a win!

Congratulations to Vintage, which has harnessed community kindness for more than a decade to raise millions of rands for literacy programmes, ensuring South African fashion does more than look good ❤️🇿🇦

Get your tickets at vintagewithlove.co.za