By William Van Zyl (Published on 1 June, 2024) Have you ever considered how a shepherd could write some of the most significant words we know? How did he do it? This shepherd lived around 1040–970 BC. How was he educated? Was he homeschooled? Did he perhaps read through the ancient Jewish scrolls (the first… Continue reading How to Write Like a King
Category: Biographies.
Biographies – all types.
The Stitcher from Republic Shoe Repairs
By William Van Zyl (published 3 December 2023) In the electric atmosphere of the boxing ring, a dance unfolded, a symphony of jabs and blocks echoing through the tense silence. Bill and Mike tested each other’s mettle, a ballet of aggression and defence—the “Anvil” versus the “Assassin.” A moment of brilliance sparked when Bill’s feint… Continue reading The Stitcher from Republic Shoe Repairs
Antonio Gaudi – ‘God’s Architect’ – transforms paradigms.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 4 September 2023). Nonetheless, it wasn’t until architect Fred Van Brandenburg’s return to Spain to New Zealand in 2004, and his exploration of Park Güell in Barcelona—a masterpiece created by Gaudí during his naturalist phase, drawing inspiration from organic forms in nature—that Fred experienced a revelation profoundly shaped by… Continue reading Antonio Gaudi – ‘God’s Architect’ – transforms paradigms.
Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
By William Van Zyl Published on 9 August 2023. Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye). I analyse the contrasting aspects between Bjarke Ingels’ moonbase design and the principles of Modernism in Architecture. This article delves into the… Continue reading Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
A Pellet in my Mallet
By William Van Zyl Published in June 2023 ‘Whizz – plink – swoosh – whirr!’ That sound? Imagine target shooting with an air rifle. A pellet strikes one of the small metal levers hanging from a wire frame. Because the lever is lightweight, it spins round and round when the projectile hits the lever. Then,… Continue reading A Pellet in my Mallet
Swallowing a Bicycle Wheel, Fishline, and Ballast.
By William Van Zyl Published on 20 May 2023 At 6:05 am, the two workmen in their high-vis vests were on duty in the street that runs past the Banco Rio in Buenos Aires. The lid of the maintenance hole situated in the road – on the side, out of the main traffic flow –… Continue reading Swallowing a Bicycle Wheel, Fishline, and Ballast.
Crushing: An Unexpected Route to Greatness.
Published on June 20, 2019. By William Van Zyl Want to hear about the life story of someone who started at the very bottom and ended up at the top. Here is an exciting story of someone who followed a different path. Or, maybe not so unfamiliar. Ever thought about the invitation to become a… Continue reading Crushing: An Unexpected Route to Greatness.
LESSONS ON GREATNESS: THE LIFE OF LUCIANO PAVAROTTI.
By William Van Zyl Published in 2019. Contents Introduction. 5 Lesson #1: Keep the family together – always try to reconcile – never give up. 7 The Jailhouse Principle: 8 Lesson #2: Love people, trust people. 9 Lesson #3: Show compassion, help people – be selfless. 10 Lesson #4: Be humble and honest; enjoy the… Continue reading LESSONS ON GREATNESS: THE LIFE OF LUCIANO PAVAROTTI.
Hantam staan in Steenbok-se-Pan.
Deur William & Malinda Van Zyl Geskryf en gepubliseer in 2018. Afrikaanse Gedig: Uit Dikmelk en Nettige-vet Inleiding Malinda en William skryf n gedig oor die plaas Steenbok Pan – in Bloemhof, Suid Afrika – waar Malinda groot geword het. Met verwysing na Malinda se pa Errie Kleynhans. Hantam staan in ‘Steenbok-se-pan’ Van biltong-tyd tot wit… Continue reading Hantam staan in Steenbok-se-Pan.
Die Foto se Snare / The Strings of the Photograph.
By William & Malinda Van Zyl Gepubliseer in 2018/Published in 2018. Inleiding: Malinda skryf n gedig, Malinda writes poem. Strings of the photograph Strings of the Photograph The photograph they say, tells of a thousand distant worlds… A thousand times over, and over− Someone loves that landscape and contours, you know The image sits in… Continue reading Die Foto se Snare / The Strings of the Photograph.
The Tall Building turned into a Lighthouse.
By William Van Zyl Published 18 Feb 2023. Birth and early years: Digging, marking out, and excavating young trenches. Theodolite, dumpy level, extended staff, and plumbline; dedicated measuring, aligning, and checking. Calloused hands and sweaty brows; labour from dedicated parents – shaping and shaping, Windell and Da Silva families, leading and grooming their young.… Continue reading The Tall Building turned into a Lighthouse.
To Forgive, or not to Forgive, is the Question.
By William Van Zyl Published in October 2022. Listen to the Podcast of this article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-za7fb-12da550 At last, he gets him. They are both bloodied, exhausted to death—the tomahawk slices through some of his fingers. The assailant looks at his hand in disbelief. He is missing a couple of them; blood starts to trickle from… Continue reading To Forgive, or not to Forgive, is the Question.
Scuba Diver Defeats Unknown Depths of Hopelessness.
By William Van Zyl – Published June 2022. *Listen to the podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-nsx8y-125b8e9 “Swoosh” The rusted cable and long pipe flashed briefly as it hurtled towards the experienced US Navy diver. “Watch out!” he shouted as he looked up. At the same time, he pushed and pulled the person next to him out of harm’s… Continue reading Scuba Diver Defeats Unknown Depths of Hopelessness.
Champollion’s (JFC’s) death – French Decipherer of the Rosetta Stone – underlines one of the age-old killers: Sex, Money, Power, and Fame. Which one could it be?
By William Van Zyl (April 2022). Listen to the podcast while reading this article (Podbean- ‘The Extravagant Podcast’: https://williamvzyl.podbean.com/e/champollion-sjfc-sdeath-%e2%80%93french-decipherer-oftherosetta-stone-%e2%80%93underlines-oneof-the-age-oldkillerssexmoneypower-and-fame-whichone-c/ In 1822 – in a moment of joy and ecstasy – JFC ran breathlessly into his brother’s office and shouted: “Je tiens l’affaire!”, “I found it!” he dropped to the floor and collapsed. He was unconscious… Continue reading Champollion’s (JFC’s) death – French Decipherer of the Rosetta Stone – underlines one of the age-old killers: Sex, Money, Power, and Fame. Which one could it be?
Leaving Your Comfort Zone Requires Courage. A Brave Move Will Make You More Efficient! A Lesson from ‘The Little Prince’ (Famous Novel by French Writer: Antoine De Saint-Exupèry 1943).
By William Van Zyl. Published in 2021. A pilot’s bracelet lost at sea was found in a fishing net—what a coincidence. The bracelet belonged to a pilot that had gone missing many years ago – in fact, just before the second world war ended in 1944. The pilot was reported to be lost at sea… Continue reading Leaving Your Comfort Zone Requires Courage. A Brave Move Will Make You More Efficient! A Lesson from ‘The Little Prince’ (Famous Novel by French Writer: Antoine De Saint-Exupèry 1943).
Poem: A Strong Tower/ Gedig: N Sterk Toring
A Strong Tower (English version) / N Sterk Toring (Afrikaans version) By William Van Zyl. Published in 2016. Deur William Van Zyl. Gepuliseer in 2016. Poem: A Strong Tower (dedicated to Nena by William) My mother stands mountain tall She towers high above the stratosphere Storms have no business with her She waves her hand… Continue reading Poem: A Strong Tower/ Gedig: N Sterk Toring
IN MEMORIAM: GABRIEL STEPHANUS PHILLIPUS HERHOLDT (Junior) – 56 YEARS OF AGE.
Time to say goodbye. Gawie had a surpassing love for his family. How do we know this? He posted many pictures of his siblings, dad Gawie (Senior) and his mum Ous on social media. He loved his siblings – Delien & Liz – with a special place in his heart for Neville. Like all of… Continue reading IN MEMORIAM: GABRIEL STEPHANUS PHILLIPUS HERHOLDT (Junior) – 56 YEARS OF AGE.
War medal of 12-year-old ‘Penkop’ War Hero – Pieter Grabbe – located in the U.K.
By William Van Zyl. Published January 2022. Pieter Grabbe van Zyl (Zijl) also known as PG. Pieter Grabbe – Anglo-Boer child hero – was born on September 30, 1888. He joined the Heidelberg Kommando in 1901, during the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa (1899 to 1902). He would have been just over 12 years… Continue reading War medal of 12-year-old ‘Penkop’ War Hero – Pieter Grabbe – located in the U.K.
The World’s shortest Poems.
By William Van Zyl (published September 2021) Listen to the podcast of this article online as a blog post: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5iaj8-10f7cbb Have you ever wondered what is the shortest poem ever written? After a search, here is a result. The shortest poem in the English language, by the late great Muhammad Ali, is simply “Me, We”.… Continue reading The World’s shortest Poems.
My Poem is locked up in a sweet Mandarin; my Identity is sprinkled with spicy Cinnamon.
Listen to the article and poem: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5wky8-10fc1f0 By William Van Zyl (Aug 2021) After writing this personal poem – ‘I come from …’ you will not believe how good I felt afterwards! Also, my creativity soared. The expression of my feelings and thoughts – at the same time delving into the great memories from the… Continue reading My Poem is locked up in a sweet Mandarin; my Identity is sprinkled with spicy Cinnamon.