Johanu Botha - Articles

“I’m glad to be with you…here at the end of all things.” – Frodo Baggins Terrible, isn’t it? After all the sweat, tears, laughter and… Read More »Life Lines: Steps to the end of the tunnel with little feet

I’m a pretty gentle gent. I drink green tea and buy wine for the pictures on the bottles. I own a plant, believe in true… Read More »Life Lines: A gentle gent’s appeal to the world’s weather jocks

I started at noon, delving through Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and Burns. Then I exhausted my famous quotes collection, reading one-liners by Jefferson, Galilei, and Huxley. Still… Read More »Life Lines: Sunshine on an unanswered mind

There may be tangible reasons why stereotypes sprout up, but many of us know you don’t have to delve deep into history to find that… Read More »Life Lines: Beware of the Canadian journalistic apocalypse

“Like all madmen, I thought everyone was mad except myself.” – Leo Tolstoy That was me, sitting shivering in a Manitoba ice rink, gawking at… Read More »Life Lines: Going home to handle rink-side madness

If I had a boat, I’d go out on the ocean, and if I had a pony, I’d ride him on my boat… For most… Read More »Sailing through life on a country song’s ifs

Alright, this is the one. My days of sentimental, inspirational-themed, hallmark-gift-card-esque columns are over. You thought I wouldn’t snap out of it, but I did.… Read More »Life Lines: Get in touch with your other side

I read something on the back of a toilet stall last week that made my Intro to Philosophy class look like playtime in kindergarten. It… Read More »Life Lines: Finding wisdom in the third stall from the right

It’s amazing what can happen in 24 hours. That period between one rising of the sun to the next can hold secrets and tell stories… Read More »Life Lines: A guide to living your legendary days

“In the course of history, men with facial hair have been ascribed various attributes such as wisdom and knowledge, sexual virility, or high social status…”… Read More »Life Lines: This year, read beyond the bearded cover

Say what you will about a university education – gateway to the future, reason for our society’s success, palpable deterrent to crime – but you… Read More »Life lines: Don’t let the dentist pull your blissful ignorance

Few things serve as well for a paradox as the words of a newspaper column compared to the conversation at a family gathering. At the… Read More »Life Lines: Three simple steps toward a pleasant winter

Surveying the colourful spectrum of newspaper writers, you’ll come across everything from self-aware critical essays to flamboyant, roller coaster-type pieces, and it’s often hard to… Read More »Life Lines: Breaking our profane Morse code