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Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo with Seafood & South African Flavour

  Servings: 4–6 Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 40 mins Video:  Ingredients Pasta: 500g fettuccine Veggies & Herbs: 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced 1–2 tomatoes, diced 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried parsley Handful of fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish) Seafood: 300g seafood medley (shrimp, calamari, mussels, etc.) Alfredo Sauce: 2 tbsp butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1½ cups heavy cream 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tsp Aromat (South African seasoning) 1 tsp Italian seasoning Instructions Cook the Fettuccine Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Sauté the Veggies In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Sauté ...

Toyi-Toyi With Purpose: Protecting What We Have While Fighting for What We Need

  The toyi-toyi, a spirited and symbolic act of resistance, has long been woven into the fabric of South African protest culture. Its echoes in the streets are a call for justice, a refusal to remain silent in the face of oppression. For decades, it represented the fight for freedom, equality, and dignity under apartheid. But now, in our young democracy, we must ask ourselves: how do we channel this powerful tradition to serve our communities without causing harm to the little we have? A Personal Note As someone deeply connected to the Transkei, this conversation hits very close to home. I was born and raised in Cape Town, but my mother was from the Transkei, and she made sure we stayed connected to our roots by taking us there every year to visit our grandparents. During my younger years, I lived with my grandparents in the village, and those experiences shaped much of who I am today. I've chosen to settle and build my home in the Transkei because of this deep connection to th...

Welcome to The Village Blueprint by MamaDee

Mholweni, dumelang, sanibonani, and hello, family! Welcome to The Village Blueprint by MamaDee —a space where we engage in deep and necessary conversations about rebuilding our communities, reclaiming our dignity, and redefining the way we see ourselves and the spaces we call home. This blog is not just about structures; it’s about shifting mindsets, challenging old narratives, and embracing the full potential of who we are. Why The Village Blueprint? For generations, we have been conditioned to associate success, order, and beauty with places that were built without us in mind, while often overlooking the value and potential of our own communities. This way of thinking did not happen by chance—it was shaped by history and passed down over time. But history is not destiny. What if we shifted our perspective? What if we treated our villages, townships, and ancestral lands with the same pride and care that we so easily give to other places? The Village Blueprint is about reimagining our...