Kathryn van den Berg
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The Control Enthusiast

The Control Enthusiast

“Covid caused my rare disease”

“Covid caused my oxygen levels to drop to 56%, which is why I was then hospitalised, and it caused me to have muscle weakness”

By The Control Enthusiast, 2 yearsMarch 15, 2021 ago
The Control Enthusiast

Away from home in a pandemic: A South African’s experience in the UK

Seeing as South Africa will not experience this feeling of hope for a while, it helps to talk to people who have had the vaccine and whose lives are returning to some semblance of normality.

By The Control Enthusiast, 2 yearsFebruary 3, 2021 ago
The Control Enthusiast

Touring without tourists: walking Amsterdam under lockdown

The reduced number of museum visitors competing for prime viewing space is just one bonus of being a tourist under pandemic constraints. Another is being able to feel awe and intense appreciation for art, while the world outside collectively holds their breath until a vaccine is found.

By The Control Enthusiast, 2 yearsNovember 23, 2020 ago
The Control Enthusiast

I’m a conservative: you can hate me now

We are mature enough, thoughtful enough, and ‘woke’ enough to be able to make out own choices. As is said in one of my favourite quotes: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.

By The Control Enthusiast, 2 yearsNovember 15, 2020 ago
The Control Enthusiast

Confronting Cuties’ Critics

Where initially I thought Cuties was a promotion of paedophilia by Netflix (as had been the title of many scathing Facebook posts), I understood that ‘Cuties’ centres around themes of religious dogma, conflicting ideals of radical femininity, cultural displacement and the policing of girl’s sexuality.

By The Control Enthusiast, 3 yearsSeptember 16, 2020 ago
The Control Enthusiast

“I’m (conflicted about) Lovin’ It”

I started the hike up the vegan mountain of information, opinions and controversies in an attempt to come to terms with my guilt at enjoying fast-foods while claiming to be an animal-lover.

By The Control Enthusiast, 3 yearsAugust 2, 2020 ago
The Control Enthusiast

Paramedics in pandemics: always on-call during COVID-19

Wanting to know more about COVID and South African hospitals, I asked a paramedic to describe the logistical nightmare haunting all hospitals in South Africa.

By The Control Enthusiast, 3 yearsJuly 17, 2020 ago
The Control Enthusiast

Trust us: look at our adverts

While I recognise the benefits of having proactive social movements that revolutionise corporate advertising campaigns, our responses to organisational support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is changing from ‘you go, Nike!’ to ‘go away, Nike…”

By The Control Enthusiast, 3 yearsJune 26, 2020 ago
The Control Enthusiast

National Restrictions ‘Put Down’ Animal Shelters

With decreases in amounts of charity donated to animal shelters, coupled with increases in the number of animals needing help, the merciless choice between euthanasia or closing down must be made.

By The Control Enthusiast, 3 yearsApril 27, 2020 ago
The Control Enthusiast

Who is this “Kathryn” girl, anyway?

On the topic of writing – I have always fancied myself gifted with the English language: a sort of silver-tongued writer.

By The Control Enthusiast, 3 yearsApril 7, 2020 ago
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