There were some nuances in poetry or in storytelling that my colleague and I then felt were missing in the Open Mic Community. Our goal then was to create a safe space for people to tell their stories or poetry without facing scepticism about the authenticity of their experiences. It's worth noting that the Open Mic scene has since evolved significantly.

The most important relationship in life will be with yourself. It affects how you are perceived, how you love and how you make decisions. Have you cheated your way out of a wonderful job, relationship or moving because you felt you didn’t deserve it?

Which made me ponder can we really fake it until we make it? Are we supposed to make it or are we creating space for others to push further than where we arrived? 

They were meant to protect you. Instead, they caged you. They made you feel like you were stuck in a box, with no holes or room to breathe. It was a nagging pressure, you could not shake. How could you? It was all you could, to try and keep your head above water. Suppress, that is what you learnt to do best. 

People have a single story of Africa, that instills fear of people ever setting foot onto the continent. Where people come to take, keep taking to the point where they feel entitled. When they give, they give at a fraction of what they took.