Women born in the 1990s

"I do love gymnastics, but it's such an intense sport and you have to be so committed. It's such a commitment that it's really hard to do anything else other than gymnastics as people progress."

"I like to climb. I don't love to work out. Actually, I hate to work out. You know, I tell myself, "AnnaSophia, you have to work out. You haven't gotten any exercise in the longest time." You know, I don't have time, really, to work out or play a sport. But I love to dance. I like to run in the springtime or in the fall. I like to go outside. I don't like running on a treadmill. I get tired... I just get sick of it. But if I'm outside, I could just run for ages. Or walk, if I need a break."

"I kept all my gum from the movie... It's about as big as a softball."

"I've always wanted to go to college — I don't know what college — just to explore the world. I want to learn languages — many, multiple languages. And I love to help people, so I think it would be fun to do some nonprofit work."

"I couldn't believe this could be true in the 21st century."

"I said goodbye to a skinny boy I had made friendship bracelets with morning and asked how old he was. I was shocked when he said he was almost fourteen. We were practically the same age, but he was so malnourished that he was barely the size of my eight-year old cousin. Most of the other boys and girls were so poorly fed that they had gray hair on top of their heads. It was a reminder for me of how blessed I am, and how even the biggest of smiles can't fill up someone's stomach."

"Knowing how they were sleeping on a dirt floor at that very moment, while I had a soft pillow under my head, made me feel incredibly guilty."

"But there's no reason to wait until I'm grown up when there's so much I can do now. So many Americans take so much for granted, so it's only right to help someone who has so little. That's why I'm sponsoring a four-year-old Dalit student, so Ayisath can have a good education all the way from the start."

"A little bit goes a long way — it's true. And I sure am glad I went such a long, long way to find that out for myself."

"No, I don't have a boyfriend, [...] I don't want one."

"I'll be ready for my first kiss! When it happens, it'll happen, but I don't know. It doesn't look like that will be anytime soon."

"I don't really have time [to babysit my twin cousins]. And, well, I actually have my own babysitter sometimes."

"I'm not in the gossips that much, but something I read recently was that me and Emma Watson are having a feud. And I've never even met her."

"I got into the make-up chair one hour before my call. I got my make up, hair, and costume all done up and then had a bit of breakfast. We start filming till lunchtime. I am not used in every shot so when I have breaks I go in my room and do schoolwork. After lunch we go back to work, I go on and off set a normal day. When we wrap for the day I go home and go relax, swimming or maybe to the movies."

"Interviewer: What advice do you have for kids who are as an actress? Either way I would encourage kids to make good choices, don’t get forced into things due to peer pressure, lead a healthy and safe life, and excel in the things you love. You can be great at anything, as long as you like doing it."

"I never did theatre or took classes, which I think has helped me. I just had instincts and they were right. My parents were the exact opposite of stage parents. They did everything in their power to keep it from happening. But it was going to happen no matter what. I was like, "Thanks for raising me, but I'm going to take it from here.""

"I've always studied people and been fascinated by their reactions and feelings. And I think that's the best acting class you can take - watching real people, listening to them and studying them."

"I always knew that I was going to be famous. I honest to God don't know how else to describe it. I used to lie in bed and wonder, "Am I going to be a local TV person? Am I going to a motivational speaker?" It wasn't a vision. But as it's kind of happening, you have this buried understanding: "Of course.""

"“It breaks my heart because America had the choice between a woman and a dangerous, dangerous jar of mayonnaise. And they were like, Well, we can’t have a woman. Let’s go with the jar of mayonnaise.”"

"I remember when I was doing Hunger Games, nobody had ever put a woman in the lead of an action movie because it wouldn't work, we were told. Girls and boys can both identify with a male lead, but boys cannot identify with a female lead."

"Success doesn't mean you're allowed to work less and treat people like shit."

"Everything that we think comes across in our eyes. Our eyes really are the windows to our souls, and that's why at least I can tell when somebody doesn't mean what they're saying - if you just look at them in the eye."

"“Don’t worry about unkind people. That could be a good motto because you come across people like that throughout your life.”"

"It's just so bizarre in this world; if you have asthma, you take asthma medicine. If you have diabetes, you take diabetes medicine, but as soon as you have to take medication for your mind it's... there's such a stigma behind it."

"“Be strong. Don't be a follower, and always do the right thing. If you have a choice between the right thing and the wrong thing, the right way is always the less stressful.”"

"If you have the choice between the right thing and the wrong thing, the right way is always less stressful."

"The media needs to take responsibility for the effect that it has on our younger generation, on these girls who are watching these television shows, and picking up how to talk and how to be cool,"

"Strive For Strength and Health"

"“You have a choice. You don’t have to be a person who spreads negativity and lies for a living. Let’s just make that choice and—it feels better.”"

"If you are going to do something that you have to lie about, don't do it, it's very simple."

"I've worked with some amazing actors, and I've never seen anyone with more raw talent. There's a reservoir of emotional power in her that's sort of stunning."

"I believe that people do their best work when they're loose - and she's very loose. She'd be on the set telling jokes and horsing around, and then she'd go into a scene and blow the roof off it. She truly inhabits every moment."

"It's often said that with enough effort and determination you can do whatever you put your mind to. But saying those words and living them are different things, and my father has lived them. It's one of his defining qualities and I've seen it in action all of my life. Whatever he does, he gives his all and does it well. His desire for excellence is contagious. He possesses a unique gift for bringing that trait out in others, starting with those closest to him. He's always helped me be the best version of myself by encouragement and by example. He motivates me to work my hardest and to always stay true to who I am and what I believe. That's what he does: he draws out the talent and drive in people so that they can achieve their full potential. That's a great quality to have in a father and better yet in the president of the United States."

"As far too many know, it is the small, loving acts that help an enormous amount in times of grief. My father is good with advice, as you might guess, but he keeps it short, and the takeaway is usually the same: to help us find our own way, and our own gifts. If you do what you love, hold nothing back, and never let fear of failure get in the way, then you've pretty much figured out the Trump formula."

"I loved Heidi Klum, but now I know Kathy Ireland is on the cover of Forbes, so that’s pretty amazing as well."

"I was at a photo shoot and I was wearing a cross necklace that my mom bought me, and somebody made a joke like, 'Why are you wearing a cross? Like you would be religious,' And then they took it away. I was really affected by that.The whole thing made me realize that I do want [a cross] with me, at all times."

"In my opinion, the national anthem is a symbolic song about our country. It represents honoring the many brave men and women who sacrifice and have sacrificed their lives each and every single day to protect our freedom. Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country. Sitting down during the national anthem on September 11th is even more horrific. Protest all you want and use social media all you want. However, during the nearly two minutes when that song is playing, I believe everyone should put their hands on their heart and be proud of our country for we are all truly blessed. Recent history has shown that it is a place where anyone no matter what race or gender has the potential to become President of the United States. We live in the most special place in the world and should be thankful. After the song is over, I would encourage everyone to please use the podium they have, stand up for their beliefs, and make America a better place. The rebuilding of battery park and the freedom tower demonstrates that amazing things can be done in this country when we work together towards a common goal. It is a shame how quickly we have forgotten this as a society. Today we are more divided then ever before. I could never imagine multiple people sitting down during the national anthem on the September 11th anniversary. The lessons of 911 should teach us that if we come together, the world can be a better and more peaceful place #neverforget."

"If there's anything that I can tell people that are being bullied, it's that the bullies are really the ones that are hurting. Playing Lauren Tanner made me realize that she was evil because she was harboring so much pain from her childhood. And if there's anything I would tell anyone who is being bullied, it's to just let it go. Bullies are the insecure ones and the ones who are trying to get a rise out of you to make themselves feel better."

"Everything in your career is a stepping stone because it’s an experience, and experience is the biggest thing."

"I was very, very, very shocked about the outcome of the first one, what it became, and the domino effect from the news outlets that were covering it and the social media trends that grew out of it. It goes to show that you never know what is going to take off in Hollywood; it’s so unpredictable, so you just have to have fun with it."

"I’ve always been opposed to slaughtering, eating, wearing carcasses."

"When I stopped eating meat, I noticed that it was easier for me to focus, and I was really proud of myself for being green also. … I had a plethora of reasons for going vegetarian. I was eating meat and didn’t know how it affected my health …. I just felt better and brighter and lighter, and I had more energy …. It was a big deal to me, being an animal lover, that I realised what I was eating, and I didn’t separate myself from, say, my animals, my pets."

"I was literally waiting till I turned 18 so I could do that [nude posing] with PETA. It's something I was passionate about at a young age. I was educating my mom and sister, and encouraging as many people as possible not to eat meat and the reasons behind it. That poster is something I'm really proud I did to raise awareness for a cause I believe in. It's one of my proudest moments."

"When I booked my first role, I felt completely validated in my pursuit, I had always wondered if I could actually do this for a living and once I booked my first job, it was like, "OK, someone other than me thinks I have a place on the screen.""

"Kids are closest to some of the most gifted actors, because they haven't gotten rid of that imaginary world yet. A lot times kids have the best insights into acting because they're still living there."

"Everything I want to do would be in this industry. I can’t imagine myself not being in it. I don’t know if that’s because I started so young, but at the end of the day I love it. It’s what I know and I feel like it’s what I’m good at, so I don’t think I would ever stray too far away from it."

"My biggest inspiration in my life is my sister Brianne. As cheesy as it sounds it’s true. She is an incredible actor who helps me every day to stay happy and be the best I can."

"If I want to be out there in front of the cameras, I will be; if I don’t, I’ll stay inside."

"You have to put out the image you want people to have of you, I keep my opinions to myself. I’m neutral—like Switzerland."

"The most important thing to worry about, in terms of myself, is making sure that I’m mentally and emotionally in the right state of mind, because it’s one thing to look good and feel good, but I think mental illness is something that we don’t discuss enough, and it’s something that everyone deals with to a certain degree."

"I still think acting is something that you’re born with and I think the greatest actors today, they don’t need training, it comes naturally to them. It’s like being a naturally good singer….I don’t think that’s me at all."

"I think home has become my friends and family, wherever they are, home is where your rump rests."

"In high school, I convinced my parents to let me try wrestling. I loved how strong I felt and how difficult the workouts were. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. And it was one of the earliest examples I have of men and women being capable of the same kinds of things, no matter what anyone says."

"Growing up in the media, it’s... interesting. We’ve had some serious grounding from our parents. They’ve had their fair share of terrible media interest and it makes us stronger. We believe very strongly in who we are, and the support system of our friends and our family is pretty incredible. There's no point being angry with anyone for beating us up – we just need to shine light and love in the world."

"It’s nerve-wracking because you want it to be perfect but then you realise that you’re going to be with the person you love forever and nothing else really matters."

"My advice is that if acting doesn’t happen quickly, don’t get discouraged. I’m still working 24/7 and all these years later I still hear no’s and I still face disappointments. However, if you truly love this line of work and you believe in your vision and your talent everything will happen at the right time. Surround yourself with good, uplifting family and friends, stay focused and be kind to yourself!"

"Just because your smart may not be conventional, doesn’t make it any less important or credible."

"I’ve never been one to fit into a box. I’ve never been normal. I think that this is part of the reason why I love this life that I live, and that I am an actor, and I am a chameleon, because I am okay with the not knowing sometimes, and I’m okay with the questioning and I’m okay with being different"

"We’re at an interesting time where women have been told to take the pill is cool, to sleep with whom­ever you want, or wear what you want. But if you’re naked, it can be offensive or sexist in some way. That’s the last step our culture needs to deal with. We have this culture of men, especially, watching pornography, but then offended by a classic nude portrait or photograph, and I’ve never felt that way."

"I dreamed of you for the first time the other night. You were swaddled in a blanket and floating. Your hair was dark brown before it curled and turned blonde, just like your father's. I brought my head down to my clavicle and nuzzled you, melting a little. I told you, or did you tell me that it wasn't time yet? We are waiting for you, wondering who you will be. I've made a habit of Googling strange changes in my body in the off chance they might be connected to your existence. Too much saliva, bleeding gums, muscle pains in the lower abdomen. Every time, no matter how seemingly random, all of these symptoms are correct, connected to the making of you. I'm reminded my body is marching onward without any help from me. There is a quietness that comes with pregnancy, a humbling. I'm listening for you. I'm full of wonder. Mornings and nights, my stomach grows. It's getting colder, an election is coming. I feel you flutter underneath my belly button. I want you to see the world's potential. You feel like the world's potential. I'm driving through Manhattan, looking out the backseat window of my friend's car, studying pedestrians as they move through the city. A man crosses the street in glasses, another jogs in place, his eyes focused ahead of him. I stare at these strangers. Will that be you? I wonder. I'm in the shower, rearranging all the names I'm thinking of for you in my head. I peer down at my belly and say one of them aloud to see if it fits. Water steadily beats against my back. In that moment I can't feel it myself or the space around me. Just you. Hello, I think, is that you? My chest swells and my eyes sting with the thought that one day soon, so very soon, your presence will be real. I close my eyes and try to imagine you moving through the pixelated darkness of my mind's eye. I cannot wait to see who you will be."

"Horror movies have always been my favorite. I was probably the only 5-year-old that wrote “scary movies” as my favorite in my school bio. I love being thrilled, which is also why I love roller coasters."

"When you’re on set you kind of clear your mind and just do it. You don’t really think about it until you get playback and that’s when you’re like, “Woah! That’s what I just did?”"

"I think people should stop taking social media so seriously. It is very easy to get wrapped up into the attention that comes with it, but it’s important to remember that those likes and follows are just numbers. What’s really important is your connection with the people and the world around you."

"I’m a big reader, so I read scripts like a book, and if it affects me the same way that my favourite books do, I know that’s the project I want to do."

"I’ve always just loved the horror genre and scary movies. I don’t really know why. Ever since I was a little girl, they were always my favorite movies to watch. They are also one of my favorite movies to act in. There are just really no rules."

"I love working with directors who have acting experience, because I do believe there’s a connection there that they’re able to speak to that not everyone fully understands."

"Whenever I watch movies, it doesn’t matter what it is, I try to I imagine somebody else doing the character."

"Night shoots are always the best."

"A lot of Hollywood is very dark. Girls my age, I find a lot of them that I have literally grown up and auditioned with take these different paths that break their hearts, but they felt like they had to do it in order to get where they want to go. It’s just so hard on their spirit."

"I don't believe God would give you something that you wouldn't be able to use for his glory," Carrol said. I don't believe you have to compromise who you are as a person in order to do what God has called you to do."

"It's true what your mother says, I think any boy who doesn't see that you're special, doesn't deserve your attention."

"You gotta have people supporting it because it’s entertainment so if you’re not entertaining anyone or making sure that you’re growing that grassroots fanbase or you’re not going to get anywhere."

"Surround yourself with people who are not in the business. And it’s do things that has nothing to do with your career. I’m really attracted to things that are genuine. The more time you spend with genuine people—the more it affects you and make you feel more normal in this crazy business."

"I try to never lose that part of me because I know that in the beginning, when you come to a new country, you want to feel comfortable and feel normal, but now as I get older, all I want to do is get back to it. It’s fun finding that balance in my journey."

"When you play a character, you learn the inner workings of someone's heart. I've learned something about myself through every character I've played!"

"We don’t persist because we see hope. We only see hope when we persist. Before we succeed, we are not failing. It’s just that we are not there yet."

"We should not suppress our feelings of sadness during our activism. Being upfront with these emotions shows our humanity and gives validation to others feeling the same way."

"We have one million reasons to give up. But we only need one to continue the fight; that is, we know that what we’re doing is right."

"We’re asking for universal suffrage, we’re asking for democracy, we’re asking for freedoms. I ask myself every day if I’m doing enough, so that I won’t feel guilty about the fact that I get to enjoy these freedoms and privileges when my friends and my colleagues cannot. And have I been utilising every moment that I have freely? Do I take breaks responsibly? Do I work hard enough? Do I spend time for myself? And so on. These are all very important questions that you have to ask yourself when everything is going wrong."

"If we say something wrong, then we will be put behind bars. But Hong Kongers never yield. Although they’re not under siege right now because of the pandemic, their mindset about we have to fight the fight for freedom has never actually gone away. They’re still very much aware of the fact that we are still in the middle of the fight, although we seem to be losing and we are not giving up."

"I really love the city and would always love to go home. I do fear coming home and do not feel safe coming back. It’s just not the same place that I grew up in."

"The motivation for me as an activist is the belief that no one is subordinate to another. The government is merely an agent of the people. We lend authority to it, and when it performs badly, we reserve the right to take it back."

"I don’t want to put it that way but I will. If Google or other technology companies comply with this national security law, it is actually helping indirectly the Hong Kong government, Chinese government, to oppress or crack down on the civil society."

"The Hong Kong government continues to spout phrases like ‘law-abiding’ and ‘rule of law,’ but the law now serves to uphold the regime rather than protects and safeguards Hong Kongers’ basic rights and freedoms."

"Making use of common law procedures and the veneer of an independent judiciary, the NSL has successfully infiltrated and taken over Hong Kong's legal system, providing law enforcement and prosecutors with unchecked power and legitimacy."

"It's unclear how the crime of 'failure to report' under Article 23 will be enforced, but it's definitely putting pressure on us, hoping we'll retreat in the face of difficulty."

"You never know how they will try to find out where you live."

"But when I saw they were offering bounties on the wanted list, my first reaction was to think why aren't I on the list? Haven't I been doing enough?"

"There are more than 100 reasons to give up."

"Without press freedom, society would be a really bad place, because there would be no one to hold the government to account."

"The press is society’s fourth estate and has the unparalleled role of informing the public."

"In Hong Kong, in order to be able to have discussions at all, we need a free press first. Unfortunately, that is currently not the case."

"There are many activists who fight for different political goals. But no one thought about the future of digital rights."

"The main issue when it comes to hiring someone from Asia is the language barrier. It's difficult to book someone when they don't speak the language and they can't deliver the lines or even speak to the director. But in terms of Asian-American actresses, we all speak it fluently!"

"Here's what I love about social media: You get to peer into people's lives that you normally wouldn't be able to."

"My mom suggested studying acting in college, but I was a bit scared to choose that path because I couldn't wrap my head around the drama school audition process."

"I believe film and television should reflect our society, and the reality is that there are people in many different shapes and sizes, ethnicities, sexual orientation - the list goes on."

"It was really fun! It’s definitely difficult when you can’t say what you want to say, [but] she [Kimiko] says a lot without uttering a word. Portraying that has been a challenge but I really don’t know how to explain it; it just comes to me and I kind of become that."

"Even if we didn’t have our current political climate, I think it would be very satisfying to beat up a Nazi. I think when that happened, it was really—it’s satisfying to see onscreen. I was watching it with my boyfriend yesterday and he was like, ‘Yeah, it’s so good. It’s so satisfying, I’ve been wanting this all season.’ But obviously, me as Kimiko, I’ve always wanted to do that."

"But looking back on it, maybe that was just me being this Asian actor who’s used to not being given a story of her own. A lot of times, you’re right, the trope of silent Asian characters is very much a thing. And so I guess a part of me didn’t want to ask for too much, or I didn’t even think about asking for more because she was already given so much. But perhaps that it is the conditioning—that I have been conditioned to think in that way, if you get my drift."

"I grew up in a unique environment where I was immersed in both Japanese and American cultures equally."

"Upon graduation, I hit a wall. All of my good friends from UCLA were taking on jobs they were passionate about, and I felt left behind. It took a bit of soul searching, but in the end, I finally had the guts to pursue acting."

"I don't come from a well-off family. We're very middle-class, lower-middle-class, so that's something I cherish."

"Growing up, my parents made reading a top priority. My parent’s emphasis on reading is not confined to our home, they have made it a priority for our entire country. Education is the key to our country’s future."

"The early years of a child are important for the child’s brain development, because the experiences young children have and the relationships they build with the important people in their life, literally shape the development of their brain."

"Unfortunately, in many places, girls and women are held back by legally sanctioned sexism and laws that prevent women from traveling outside the home or obtaining secular work without male consent."

"Serve and return’ is just like any play but it is more important because it brings about interaction that goes in both directions."

"It is only combination of the young and the old, the traditional and the modern, that we can deliver the kind of future, the next generation deserves."

"I have always felt that being independent is one of the most powerful assets a person can have."

"Celebrating 20 years of Rwanda's independence leaves our peers with a great responsibility. The passion of our parents made us the first generation to live in a Rwanda that is full of value and human attraction. It is our duty to protect and leave what our parents were willing to die for."

"It's not good to go into something without putting your whole heart into it."(Si byiza kujya mu kintu utagishyizeho umutima wawe wose".)"

"If I want to show who my father is in one word, I would say that he is an activist. He went through a rough road, but it built him up, it didn't discourage him. You are recognized as an incomparably strong man.(Mbaye nshatse kugaragaza uwo Papa ari we mu ijambo rimwe, navuga ko ari umurwanashyaka.Yanyuze mu nzira y’inzitane, ariko byaramwubatse, ntibyamuciye intege.Mwemera nk’umugabo ukomeye mu buryo ntagereranywa."

"The technology perfectly aligns with our country-wide efforts to increase digital learning, develop Rwanda’s reading and writing culture, and maximize the use of information and communications technology"

"Library for All can make a big difference in the lives of many children and young adults by encouraging the culture of reading in Rwanda."

"Education is the key to our country’s future."

"The successful programme of one laptop per child is already a policy in all primary schools and is expanding to one digital ID per child. This will allow a child to log in anywhere at any time, making it easier to track his or her progress."

"I am sure, we all agree that in the end, knowledge is power."

"We have to get to a place where education is not just a privilege for some but a right for everyone."

"The right to education has the potential to serve as an equalizer of opportunities globally."

"We live in a social media-driven world. With a large number of us with access to Twitter, Facebook and different social media outlets, the news and what is going on in the world is that much closer to us."

"Despite obstacles such as unemployment, Africa’s young population continues to show the potential for innovative young entrepreneurs across the continent to drive the economic transformation."

"The youth should own the development process of their respective countries and feel very much a part of it."

"I hope that in this generation’s lifetime, we can live to see a self-reliant and stable Africa. That we can start to be defined more by our successes rather than the negative images that have become synonymous with Africa."

"Our parents’ generation and our generation grew up under different circumstances. Our parents were born during difficult times and forced into exile at a very young age. They had to fight for their country and identity."

"This kind of accessibility will go a long ways to enhance the reading culture and boost the enthusiasm for learning starting at a young age. I am sure, we all agree that in the end In the end, knowledge is power."

"Did you know that? Is it the responsibility of both parents to ensure baby’s brain development."

"Did you know that babies’ brains develop most in the first 1,000 days at a pace never repeated again? Did you know that the most important interaction you can have with your child is through play."

"Parents can do to support the brain development of a child is to get to know the young child to understand her or his needs and also be able to engage with a child through what scientists call a ‘serve and return’ interaction."

"Play can occur when you’re feeding your child, when you’re changing a child’s clothes or when you’re bathing your child."

"All of these are opportunities for playful interaction and learning between adults and children. Parents need to understand that when you smile back and don’t just stop there and start playing, you’re actually building the baby’s brain connections."

"It’s all about interaction, visual and sound, looking the eye, making the personal connection and being sensitive to the baby’s feelings."

"It is also very important that both the mother and the father play with their baby by taking the time to create back and forth interactions every day. You are helping to prepare your baby, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning and problem solving."

"I don’t think that the word leader has to do with a particular talent or a particular field.A leader is a leader, and this cuts across in different ways."

"We live in a world where women are abused daily and are unable to speak up. One out of four women experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. This crime can take place at anytime and can happen to anyone regardless of tribe, religion or social class. Sadly, the society’s response to this heinous crime has led victims to believe that silence is the best option. However, Speaking up is our greatest weapon in this fight against sexual violence."

"Despite the overwhelming pushback against gender equality, I encourage young women and girls to remain resilient and hopeful for the holistic change we are working to create."

"I anticipate a day in my lifetime when women and girls can thrive and take up space in all socioeconomic and political spheres of society without fear of violence."

"I call on governments, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to prioritize the rights and well-being of women and girls in COVID response plans."

"Despite the challenges to women’s and girls’ empowerment, young women and girls must remain resilient and hopeful for the holistic change we are working to create."

"I am a lawyer (in equity), vocal girls’ rights advocate, and an unapologetic feminist."

"My doting parents raised me to believe in Gender Equality."

"Feminism is the translucent lens through which I view all individuals – EQUAL, regardless of gender."

"I am a Woman of Rubies because of the passion I exude and my commitment to purposeful living"

"The main factors that have paved the way for (United Arab Emirate's) progress (in space achievements) in such a short period of time is how the country's resources are being used to develop the people's skills and abilities. The drive that this country's leaders have planted in their people has pushed them to dream big and work hard in every sector, including space. An example of that is that the UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, which was established in 2006. Since then, there have been a variety of space programs."

"You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy."

"Last time I checked, I had some cancer in my lungs, spine and my liver."

"We're all a little lost and that's alright."

"Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it—but we knew that already."

"Are we not allowed to be Palestinian on Instagram? This, to me, is bullying. I am proud to be Palestinian (from my father descendent)."

"Having a dream it keeps reminding you why you started it in the first place"

"Stand up again and keep on"

"Preparation is key"

"Only meaningful preparation pays out in the end"

"Never give up on your dreams no matter how long it takes"

"Take that long as time to prepare"

"Learn and build as much as you can"

"trust God's timing"

"turn all losses to gains"

"Her long walk to Victory… (Friday, October 06 2017) by Botswana Guardian The Midweek Sun Retrieved 09 June 2022"

"https://guardiansun.co.bw/Style/her-long-walk-to-victory"

"I’ve had my fair share of severe depression and anxiety a few years ago which has had an impact on my life. This experience taught me the value of self-love and self-care which I continue to grow in."

"After months of feeling deprived of expressing my creativity while I was studying for my accounting degree, I just decided to START! I decided to start where I was, with what I had and who I had."

"Rea Kopi Opens Up About How She Has Struggled With Depression (12 November 2020)"

"I had trouble accepting my being a woman, my changing body. I've always hid under loose clothing, and I still do some of it. From the outside, it is not perceived, the television returns something else and I avoid putting the oversized sweatshirt in public. However, I have always had a tendency to want to hide rather than show."

"I discovered that I have a great passion for radio and this is teaching me: I am acquiring great confidence and dialectical skills. I love how the radio enhances the expression of a content and not the appearance of the person who utters it. Having said that, however, I don't want to be hypocritical: if they offered me to run a good TV program, I'd take it."

"The social world has become more raw than it was a few years ago and, I believe, the credit goes to the new generations. They don't want to see perfection, they hate the stereotype of the all-beautiful always. If my mother or grandmother had seen an advertisement for a cream sponsored by a model with perfect skin, they would certainly have thought they could buy it. Now, thanks to social media, in advertisements and in photos and Stories we can talk about acne problems, about skins that are anything but perfect."

"Today, the image always comes first, and it is enough to look at the women on our television to realize it. I don't want to make a bundle of all the grass, but having a nice and seductive image is necessary. I don't even know if it is wrong: a beautiful woman is right to be appreciated also for her own aesthetics. The problem occurs when, at an audition and with the same talent, the girl with the dress is taken instead of the girl in the suit. I realized I had a weapon available, my body, and I decided to use it. It is wrong, however, that talent alone is not enough."

"The enmity of the Islamic Republic with women is not hidden from anyone."

"The biggest war for women's rights and human rights is happening in Iran. If you live on earth and remain silent, you will never be able to speak about women's rights again."

"After listening to Masih and watching what's happening in the streets of Tehran, and though it pains me to say it, if only Russian men were as brave as Iranian women!"

"I will not allow my daughter’s blood to be trampled on."

"The goal was to come out and to win this gold, Honestly, I believe in my abilities, but I was not expecting a world record at these championships."

"Unknown now, but I will be UNFORGETTABLE … I will Persist until I SUCCEED …."

"At this moment, Kendra owns the record and I don’t have any but she doesn’t have two heads. It will be good for me to run a PR or break the world record if she is not careful–just kidding…"

"Physically, I think I was ready, but mentally I wasn’t. I think my mentality let me down."

"Remember someone saying that I'm a giant in Africa, but a wounded lion on the world stage."

"This is good news for Nigerian athletics and sports in general and I pray and hope it inspires this generation of sports men and women of this generation and other generations to come."

"Hard work pays. Tobi is a hardworking girl who believes so much in herself and her coach (Jamaica's Lacena Golden-Clark). She didn’t give up after coming close to making the podium twice, first at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2019 where she came fourth and at the delayed 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan where she also came fourth, losing by the narrowest of margins, especially in 2019. She never doubted herself or her coach."

"I know that myself personally, I don’t recommend anyone to get into porn because it’s really tough and it’s really hard and I feel like you really have to have a strong mindset and perspective.You have to have a lot of self-love because there’s so much hate coming at you. People are just clawing at you so you have to really be confident in who you are before you open the doors to allow people who have no idea who you are, who have never met you, know nothing about you, who literally just watched you have sex, then judge you and complain about you."

"Never have I ever had a boyfriend who was proud of my job. I’ve had two ‘normal’ boyfriends in my adult life, normal being they don’t do porn. Both of which ended in an ultimatum, porn or them. I always chose porn. I’ve struggled with that choice though, wondering if I’ve made the right decision."

"It’s super-flattering and I would be super-happy if I won. Winning an award will help me feel like I am the best at what I do."

"That was very spontaneous. I was like, Well, here it goes."

"I might hit up the male performer of the year and we might have a little party tonight."

"I can say I understand his effort and desires trying to make the city seem more family-friendly. I one hundred percent understand those perspectives and everything like that, but sex is how we were all created. Sex is the root of technology and everything that happens in our world. Vogue and everybody else, they all use nude female bodies. They use sex constantly to sell products. So I want to say [to Giuliani]: I’m sorry that you felt the desire to somewhat banish us from the city life but we have only begun to fight back. We will be back in that city. I don’t see why we shouldn’t be glamorized in that same light. We all watch it, we’re all part of it, we all need sex to create life, so why not just glorify it?"

"Not being egotistical but I know I’m a big name and I know that I’m recognizable. For the people who know who I am to be walking around in Times Square and be stopped in their tracks and be like, ‘Wait a minute, is that Riley Reid on a giant billboard in Times Square? What?’ And then for the people who don’t know who I am, they’ll see it and probably be like, ‘Oh, what is this? What’s going on here?’ And then hopefully do their research, look into it because they’ll be curious, and then see that it’s an adult story documentary porno all mixed together. I think it’s going to be huge for the general public. I hope we have more opportunities like this. I hope other companies will take the time to glamorize themselves in the mainstream media, because if it can be done it should be done."

"I’m at a point in my career where I really want to humanize myself and allow the world to see there’s more to me than my adult videos. I want to show them my raw self, myself without makeup, myself when I’m just rambling and talking. And maybe I shouldn’t have said the things I say but I fucking said it because that’s who I am."

"Being a big star in the industry, knowing that I have an impact on the industry, it was almost a duty. To take on this challenge and do this documentary, to really show the adult entertainer is more than just her stage name."

"I use my Twitter to sell content and make money. A lot of the times you won’t see me posting about my dog because I do try to stay on brand. I understand why the common person who follows me on social media would put me in a very hyper sexual category. They’re looking at my job. They’re looking at Riley Reid. I want to attract people who will hopefully understand this is just my brand, but sadly we’re not in a world of intellectuals. I think a lot of people don’t look deeper; so many people are just surface-lookers. It’s an emotional thing. I struggle with it when it comes to making friends or dating but I also try to meet people in real life, which is also sometimes a battle because people meet me though Riley Reid."

"I love listening to Jake Paul, he’s so funny, so I came here for a bit of the comedy sense or whatever but I think it’s great. I think Jake is going to f***ing kick his ass."

"I watched Logan’s fight and I have watched a bit of UFC type stuff but I don’t typically watch much fighting so I don’t know the rules or anything like that. To me, it looked like Logan won but I don’t know."

"They got me into it more. I have some friends who do some betting on the UFC and stuff like that but I’ve never gone to a fight before."

"I initially thought with the Logan Paul fight that would knock him (KSI) out in the first round so, I honestly do not know, I can only hope because that would be amazing to see a knockout in the first round. But by the third round maybe someone can get downed and it is going to be f****** Gib because you’re going f****** down."

"Coronavirus has had a huge impact worldwide affect almost every business including the adult industry. From commercial sex workers such as dominatrix to more mainstream pornography, we too have been affected greatly. Since our work includes being up close and extremely personal with our co-workers, production has been shut down. Leading to a loss of work for not only the actors/actresses but also directors, production crew and make up artists."

"When production does continue again imagine that the workplace will be very different in order to create a safer place in regards to protecting the crew and talent from exposure to such viruses again. There has been talk of adding a coronavirus test along with our regular STD tests to our testing panel which we are mandated to do every 14 days. I personally am curious to see how the future of porn will change with how greatly the world has been impacted by the coronavirus."

"I’ve always said that climate change is more than statistics, it’s more than weather, but in Turkana I really got to understand those words."

"Many people are calling it an African Cop but it won’t be an African Cop if the communities, the activists are not there."

"Having dominion over the Earth is about responsibility and service to the planet and its people, because God is not a God of waste and exploitation."

"It’s people and stories like this we really need to listen to."

"Across the continent many activists are doing incredible work, and there were many before us and the climate strikes in 2018. When the focus is just on one person it erases other experiences and stories. The solution is not to put faces on the climate movement, it has millions of people who are doing incredible work and organizing in their communities."

"It hasn’t rained for two years. To experience what that means in a community, to see how much people are suffering and how much help they need, I really got to see how the climate crisis is affecting so many lives and destroying so many livelihoods, and that it’s mostly women and children who are suffering the most."

"Africa is on the frontlines of the climate crisis but it’s not on the front pages of the world’s newspapers. Every activist who speaks out is telling a story about themselves and their community, but if they are ignored, the world will not know what’s really happening, what solutions are working. The erasure of our voices is literally the erasure of our histories and what people hold dear to their lives."

"There are people who are looking for answers to a question that needs to be answered through much needed reparations and responsibility from the global north."

"My advice would be that, even as we do activism, we prioritize ourselves, we prioritize our lives, we prioritize our mental health, because the very planet that we are fighting for will need us to exist as well."

"We can only better take care of the planet when we are also doing well. As we advocate and fight for climate justice, it’s really important that young people really prioritize their mental health and their own self care, to find out, what is self care to them?"

"We need to move beyond dialogues because with every dialogue there is a child dying, with every dialogue there is a family migrating looking for sources of water and looking for food, for every dialogue people continue to suffer."

""Your actions matter. No action or voice is too small to make a difference." https://laidlawscholars.network/posts/your-actions-matter"

"You cannot adapt to lost cultures. You cannot adapt to lost traditions. You cannot adapt to extinction."

"Woman walks into a warzone and has warriors cowering at her feet."

"There's always more to write."

"Don't talk about my flavor unless you know that my flavor is insurrection it is rebellion, resistance."

"You don't know compromise until you have rebuilt your home for the third time."

"I use my words to raise the alarm on the conflicts of our time...in the hopes that someone might hear something that moves them."

"It is no longer rumour, the long love journey that singer Knowless Butera and music Producer Clement Ishimwe have shared has finally paid off."

"When Someone Says You Can’t Do It. Do It TWICE , And Take PICTURES."

"It has been God’s favor upon my life but also my hard work. Not just music but also whatever I set my hands on, I make sure I give it my all because I do not like being failure in life,"

"I’m inspired by the people I see around me and the people I meet on the roadside or anywhere and also the things that happen to me"

"As a musician who had just risen musically, I felt tested by God and would feel so down and betrayed by people who were supposed to support me, but I became stronger. I knew all this would eventually end,"

"“I had always wanted a baby girl and that is what God gave me. I can’t explain the joy that I had upon realizing that I was going to have a girl. It was a dream come true"

"I don’t know what my daughter wants to be. She might want to live a private life and posting photos of her will mean disrespecting her decision. If she wants publicity like her parents have I’m very sure, she will get as many followers as possible. Although my daughter is too young I can tell she is humble and who knows what she will be in future."

"In this country, not so many people are not lucky enough to have inherited property from their parents. I believe, that what such people, like me should pursue to inherit, is educational knowledge. That has always been my motivation to complete my studies because even when I have a career, education will always be a tool to move with the fast growing world."

"In regards to fashion, according to me, everyone should have their own style. One should take fashion to mean comfort such that if any one sees them they can say that the person has taste and is well versed with fashion. One can even wear slippers and pull off a style.Therefore, fashion should be one’s own. Another thing is that fashion is all about knowing yourself, as in your body shape and colour."

"I am grateful that I was chosen to perform with various established musicians from our region and beyond. It is an opportunity for me to learn from others and the exposure is equally vital"

"Don't wait until it's too late to tell people that you love them, because when they leave, no matter how much you shout and cry, they won't be able to hear you at all.(Ntugategereze kugeza ucyererewe kubwira abantu urwo ubakunda ubitayeho, Kuko iyo bagiye nubwo wasakuza bingana gute ukarira badashobora kukumva na gato.)"

"Because our body is our body, And the future we holding. We want for you to see that everybody can win."

"Could it be education or contraception. Girls and boys we'll always be fine."

"No memories of all we had can go away, They keep hunting me, They keep hurting me, I can’t avoid."

"Do you ever think about me too? cause I think about you everyday, will u ever differ ma head onе day?"

"My music is often inspired by society, everyday life, and my loved ones. My creative process varies - sometimes I visit the studio, listen to a beat from a producer, and compose the melodies and lyrics on the spot.Other times, I write songs and come up with melodies away from the studio, then consult a producer to record it. It really depends on the song and my mood."

"Some female artistes have experienced sexual harassment, although it hasn't happened to me personally. However, I am aware that it still happens to others."

"I strive to positively impact the next generation, not just young girls, but all youth. I hope my music and journey inspire young girls to pursue their dreams and to know their worth, despite any challenges they may face."

"I choose to ignore online gossip and negativity. If I let myself get caught up in other people's opinions, I won't be able to achieve my goals and aspirations as an artist."

"Our music industry has made great strides and is quickly rising to prominence. Looking back at where we started, the growth is undeniable, and I believe we have some of the most talented artists in East Africa."

"While my marital status may have changed, the core of who I am remains the same."

"Alex Dusabe is someone I admire and respect, and it would be an honor to work with him. I also have great admiration for international artists like Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Tiwa Savage, and Asake."

"Miss Shanel and Miss Jojo were trailblazers in the Rwandan music scene, paving the way for many of us who came after them."

"The kids and I love you more than words or even life itself can explain."

"Clement is incredibly talented. He is remarkably gifted. Truly exceptional—not just because we’re related. Twenty years is a great reflection of where music came from, where it is now, and the unnoticed talents behind it all."

"Each day, we’re inspired by your commitment, your talents, and how you remain focused on all that you do."

"Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO RwandAir, says the air transport industry must continue to improve diversity"

"[Yvonne Makolo Cargo is of ever-increasing importance for the aviation industry, and as a landlocked country, we recognize the importance and"

"[The only disability in life is a bad attitude. Women Power Africa 's Post"

"the new freighter will play a significant role in RwandAir’s operations. “The delivery of our dedicated cargo aircraft is a huge milestone in RwandAir’s fleet expansion plans,”"

"I find it necessary that, from the beginning, you make it clear that you are not there to play; there is a reason why you are there and that you know what you are doing,"

"I think that there is some difference. I believe that women leaders are more empathetic, so they relate more to what’s happening in their teams’ lives. I think we have to be a little bit tougher, more assertive but we do have that soft side to us as well and in most cases, we manage to balance the two."

"I would walk into a meeting and I would be the only woman there. I find that it’s necessary that right from the beginning, you make it clear that you are not there to play; there is a reason why you are in that position and that you know what you are doing."

"I have learnt that the toughest thing about being a leader is managing people."

"I have also learnt that you come to work to do a job not to please people or make friends."

"There are still many places around the globe I would like to explore, and I'm going to trust my modeling career to take me to at least some of them."

"I think it [The W Series] will be a revolution and I am sure that thanks to F1, it will show more people the female talent we have. It will show that it’s perfectly normal and that girls are just as competitive as men. At the moment, it is irrelevant to me whether I race against men or women or both. Nothing changes for me."

"And then once it hits home, you realize that, no, it's not. It's not necessarily something wrong with the people or the location or the country per se. It's actually something that anyone can suffer from, even those perhaps listening to us right now thinking that they will never live a war. I think no one knows. And that's why it is important for even ordinary people to to get interested in peace."

"Peacebuilding is not only about stopping violence, it is also about the prevention of violence. To do so, all groups, all voices and perspectives in the society have to be considered. Young people, particularly girls, in the Middle East and North Africa constitute a large percentage of the population, so their role in peacebuilding is very important."

"Together we build it."

"Much more is needed. Including; facilitating a serious nation-wide dialogue that will include the voices of ordinary people, ppl affected by the multiple wars, women, and young people. This dialogue should be an official part of any formal political talks"

"“Peace is a public good, so everyone should have the right to enjoying, building, making, and shaping peace.”"

"Countering violent extremism should not be looked at as only putting an end to something negative; it’s also about empowering positive peace."

"God made me the way I am, and I accept myself. I am who I am, and I'm proud of myself."

"I don't give a damn what people say about me. I like me the way I am, and who cares what other people say?"

"Sometimes I was sad, sometimes happy. Just on and off. Always I felt welcome. It's just, you know, sometimes as a human being, you cannot always be happy. You do good things, you do bad things, people talk."

"I am not a fake. I am natural. I am just being Caster. I don't want to be someone I don't want to be. I don't want to be someone people want me to be. I just want to be me. I was born like this. I don't want any changes. [https://playersbio.com/caster-semenya-quotes/"

"I am a fighter. I never give up. https://playersbio.com/caster-semenya-quotes/"

"I'm the kind of person who doesn't really focus on more negativity. I'm a positive person, and I look at things in a positive way."

"It's all about the hard work, knowing your strengths and weaknesses. You work on what you know you can do best. I have speed."

"I know how I look like. I know how I sound. I know how I walk. I'm just gonna be me. I do me, and you do you."

"When I'm racing, I'm thinking about my own race. I'm not thinking about anybody."

"I don't like fame, I prefer to have no profile. But this is not possible for me. This is what I do, so I just have to find a way of being comfortable with it."

"Education is the key. If you are educated, nothing can defeat you."

"Be yourself, embrace your uniqueness, and don't let anyone else define your worth."

"Don't let setbacks define you, but use them as stepping stones towards success."

"It is not about winning or losing, but about giving your best and pushing your limits."

"Strength is not measured by physical prowess alone, but by the resilience and determination of the human spirit."

"Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you."

"Success is not determined by the opinions of others, but by your own self-belief."

"The true measure of an individual lies not in their victories, but in their ability to rise after defeat."

"Do not let the constraints of society limit who you are meant to be."

"Challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be an athlete."

"Don't let anyone's narrow-mindedness define your path, break the barriers and make history."

"The road to success is not always smooth, but the journey itself is what makes it worthwhile."

"Be proud of the person you are, regardless of others' opinions."

"Embrace your own strength and be unapologetic about it."

"Listen to your own voice, because it is the only one that truly knows your potential."

"The strength of the human spirit knows no boundaries."

"Embrace your uniqueness, for it is what sets you apart from the rest."

"Never underestimate your own power, for you are capable of achieving greatness."

"Success is not defined by external validation, but by the inner sense of accomplishment."

"Stay true to yourself, even in the face of adversity."

"Hard work, perseverance, and self-belief are the keys to unlocking your true potential."

"Don't be afraid to challenge the norms, for that is where true progress lies."

"Your identity should never be defined by society's labels, but by your own self-worth."

"Never let anyone make you doubt your worth, for you are deserving of every success that comes your way."

"Believe in your dreams, even when they seem impossible."

"Stand tall, be proud, and let your achievements speak for themselves."

"The greatest victory is the one fought against your own doubts and fears."

"Embrace the power of resilience and never give up on your dreams."

"The road less traveled may be challenging, but it is where true greatness awaits."

"In the face of adversity, let your spirit shine even brighter."

"Do not conform to the expectations others have of you, but forge your own path."

"The Run For Life: Caster Semenya , December 17, 2019"

"QHAWE! Mokgadi Caster Semenya , ISBN: 978-1-4856-3072-2, May 2021, 260x210mm, 32 pages,"

"Caster Semenya working on memoir, ‘Silence All the Noise’ : https://apnews.com/article/caster-semenya-book-f21d3b0ee4bce91dea726a9a566dad3b"

"It’s passion for me. But sometimes, your passion might not give you money."

"I mean if they don’t talk about it, then you are not doing anything."

"A confident man will never be intimidated by the accomplishments of his woman. Instead, he will try to make you better. A confident man will push you to actualise your dreams."

"Winning the AMVCA made me realise that you don’t need to give up."

"I Support other people’s business. I learnt a lot. And think that is how works."

"Depression is real and we need to tackle it so that we can stop losing people."

""Enjoy the process, very soon you will get everything you want. It just takes time"."

"thankful for Mummy for giving you birth and God who created you (youNihashimirwe mama wakwibarutse na Rurema waguhanze)."

"i did not know the meaning of LOVE until i meet you(Sinamenye icyo umukunzi bivuze kugeza mpuye na we)."

"I am a spiritual being and music lover."

"Labour of love."

"I’ve learnt that you should never wait for people to help you to become successful."

"I am inspired by a lot of women who have come before me. I am inspired by people who had been told they couldn’t do something but pushed through and overcame it."

"New York City made me dream big, but Nigeria has given me a chance to actualise those dreams."

"I think it’s great to live your “best life,” but after all is said and done, your impact is what counts."

"It’s not a Nigerian issue, it’s global; we see that women have not been adequately represented in various fields across the board."

"A feminist is someone that simply wants something “better” for women, so I think everyone should be a feminist."

"I would say my most incredible years were when I lived in NYC, because I learned that anything is possible."

"Under our mission to give back, our three areas of focus are education, poverty eradication and empowerment."

"I'd be honest with every man or woman who wants to be successful."

"Always try to aim higher because I too have flaws. So don’t try to be like me, or just take the good parts of me and mimic that part and be better at that. I want to do better than my role models too."

"When you love someone, it is hard to fall out. You cannot fall in love today and fall out of love tomorrow. Love is strong. Before you tell somebody you love him, you have to be sure."

"A lot of young girls got pregnant at a young age just like me and they gave up. I just want to encourage them that this is not the end of the world; you can do so many things. It is never late to go back to school. Age is just a number, your child will grow up to love and appreciate you. Even if it is not school, learn how to do something, empower yourself."

"I have been training for the whole year with my coach, though it has been difficult because it’s not easy to study and do sport at the same time, I want to do my best."

"I feel the social responsibility that comes with being a woman, my mother has it, you have it. The fact of being a woman means you have a social responsibility because in history, amongst all of them, they have brought about change such as women's suffrage etc. Now we are fighting for equal opportunities, valuing a person regardless of their sex and that is important for all women, that we are all conscious of that whatever our profession may be. Ours, even more so because I have not had female role models. Girls today see that they have named several Barça players as the best in Europe and the most important thing is that these girls have the opportunity to do the same. There is still a way to go."

"But when you put in the work and people have faith in you, the results come. That’s how it has been for me."

"We have to do exercises to normalize the fact that there is a football, which is played by men and women, and above all to report a lot because it is difficult for me to find information about when it is played. The day I get an interview and can talking about football is that we have achieved it (the normalization of women’s football)."

"I won’t risk the years I have left to play."

"Fame is just another thing you have to deal with. My life has changed in the last year and it’s still changing, but I’m just concentrating on what I do every day. The rest doesn’t bother me."

"The captain is the first to make a commitment to the objectives that are set internally, they have to lead by example to reinforce that."

"I must confess that I wasn’t aware of where I was playing until it was over."

"We do not set limits."

"It's important to improve condition for women's player."

"Many of the things I would wish to do are beyond my control."

"Swimming always challenges an athlete mentally and physically. It is an individual sport, you don’t have a teammate to pass the ball to like in football and team sports. You compete against others, but also with yourself."

"At first I tried out a few disciplines before settling for swimming. Then what followed was a lot of learning and training to become a professional."

"Many of the things I would wish to do are beyond my control. I would need swimming pools of international standard during my training, have more practice time and participate in many competitions before the Olympics."

"It is a tough competition that requires extraordinary preparations but I believe I will have a better performance this time and set another personal best."

"I’m a big goal-setter. I write them down before the start of a season. I used to write them down in a journal but now I keep them in my phone. I have short and long-term goals, but I always make sure I include goals that are easy to smash because I feel this helps me along the way."

"I’ve always stayed true to who I am, no matter what’s going on. It sounds cliche but where there’s a will there’s a way, and I hope people can take away from my experience that they don’t have to fit into a certain box to make it; they can be themselves and make it and that be OK."

"Now it is all about doing what I love, I’m relaxed and enjoying what I’m doing and when the goals come you have more fun. It’s a ripple effect."

"It’s only a crazy dream until you do it."

"I'm a risk-taker, my life is lived on the edge - I either go big or go home."

"I try things that maybe others wouldn't."

"My messages are mainly about bringing into discussions topics that our societies shy away from but are at the core of issues that we deal with."

"At times it’s challenging because I have to teach myself new skills."

"Poetry can be really heavy and being able to carry those emotions and hold them is something I get from my acting skills."

"I have a lot of content in music and poetry that is waiting for me to make visual content for it."

"If anybody is out there and wants to make their own content with big ideas, keep that dream but also scale it down to make it possible with what you have."

"It took some time but it’s because it required a huge set."

"This is an atrocity that happens and my hope is the piece pulls people in to be witnesses of what they are denying."

"When I find it hard to write or create, it’s often a sign to take a break and be with family and friends, but to also move in your body by doing some exercises."

"Sometimes, you need to completely take a break from creating and watch other people do their arts and allow yourself the time to get inspired from that."

"Stay true to yourself and work hard to become the person you dream to be."

"I am not going to say it’s easy but it’s definitely worth it when you love it and when you know what you are capable of and willing to go through thick and thin to make sure that what you envision for yourself becomes true."

"Create a work ethic that makes you stand out from people who just consider art as a hobby."

"However, as Rwandans, we need to realise that there is more that we can do to contribute to the life of an artiste."

"We all know that fame is not such a simple thing to handle, but again, you have to accept what comes along your way."

"We have to win."

"The challenges they are facing these days include the discouragement of the makers of these Rwandan Cinemas, which has made them seem to be at a low level, and there is a gap in the sales of these films"

"Film producers play an important role in the development of Rwandan cinema because they must produce quality and original works."

"My focus now is to intensify training before taking part in the African Senior Championship next month and my dream is to qualify for the summer Olympic Games."

"It is my first time competing in the Canadian marathon and I am so happy for this achievement."

"My focus now is to work hard in training so I can make my country proud in my first appearance in the Olympic Games."

"My first performance in athletics made me realize how I had wasted time in football and handball."

"The silver medal for me was a sign that I would achieve a lot in athletics if I gave it time and work hard."

"I am proud of my performance at the Peace Marathon. It has shown me that I can be more productive in the Olympic Games if I improve my preparations."

"I think the most important thing is for a person to be happy and to be good where they are, not the money."

"The best players are intelligent, able to read the game, anticipate things,”"

"When you look at the list and see certain names, you don’t really know the criteria to choose from, but I dedicate myself to my business, to meet my personal goals, which are what make me more satisfied. I don’t have to wait for anyone to recognize what I do, I am the one who has to be satisfied and proud of myself."

"Psychology is a fundamental tool for everyone, although not everyone can afford it."

"It's never too late to be a good person!"

"“Value your energy. Value your time. Time is a finite resource you can never get back or buy. What are you doing with the 24 hours you get each day? Stop waiting for the right moment. The time is now. I’m really out here trying to live my life to the fullest these days. Who’s joining me? ”"

"At the end of the day, you may as well try and fail than not try at all."

"It’s more like a feeling; a sense of peace I don’t seem to feel with anyone else. It’s feeling like you have found your best friend, your own person and also your soulmate. I really don’t know how to describe it. It feels just like home.”"

"My life may look rosy on social media but I am really not living the life of freedom. I have a calendar that I am obligated to follow accordingly and this has really deprived me of the freedom to live life the way I want"

"When she told me that, I had told myself that I had to make it, whatever it took to be somebody. I had to make her proud somehow for what she did for me."

"If you have a mother and also have sisters, and you slut-shame hardworking women, shame on you. And if you are a woman and partake in such stupidity, I don’t have words for you. You all should know better."

"I don’t have #COVID and COVID is not a death sentence like y’all are making it look"

"A whole 365 days have passed and it still feels so surreal. On this day, we changed the narrative. I was crowned the winner of BBN Pepper Dem, and also the first female winner the show was to have. We told the female child “dare to win”? We created history and became a force? We changed the game and leveled the playing field."

"when a man is useless in every aspect of life, drop him like used sanitary pad that you’ll never use again."

"We are so excited to have made the country proud. The victory is a motivation for us. We now know our level of performance and where we need to improve."

"When we got to the field like that, you don't say much to the players except to remind each one of his role on the team, that's why we participated in this tournament that all we want is to win, all we need is to participate in the World Cup. In the next game Eswatini team this victory is a great motivation to prepare for the next meeting.(Iyo twageze mu kibuga burya nta byinshi ubwira abakinnyi usibye buri wese kumwibutsa inshingano ze ku ikipe ni cyatumye twitabira iri rushanwa ko icyo dushaka ari ugutsinda, icyo dukeneye ni ukwitabira igikombe cy’isi.Mu mukino ukurikira ikipe ya Eswatini uku gutsinda akaba ari Motivation ikomeye yo kwitegura iyo tuzahura ubutaha)"

"We are very happy to bring the trophy to our country, the competition was not easy but we put together and listened to the coach's advice and managed to win. As you can see on our faces, the competition was well prepared, we left Rwanda with one goal to win.(Turishimye cyane kuba tuzanye igikombe mu gihugu cyacu, irushanwa ntabwo ryari ryoroshye ariko twashyize hamwe twumva inama z’umutoza tubasha gutsinda.Ni ko kanyamuneza mubona ku maso yacu, irushanwa ryari riteguye neza, twavuye mu Rwanda dufite intego imwe yo gutsinda)"

"We had one common mission which was to win the tournament. We worked as a team, game by game, as the coach told us and here are the results."

"We are not doing well in batting as you may have seen it during these series. The games we lost can solely be attributed to poor batting. I think these series are here to show what to improve and we really have a room for improvement in batting."

"We won’t underestimate anyone. We are going to take every game as it comes and we hope to win the tournament."

"Music is my life, music is something I love doing, like I said earlier, I grow up in a family where music runs through us, music is my passion and it’s what I love doing, can’t stop doing music, I have to keep doing it because I love to do it and isn’t that I don’t have other things doing but basically I can’t leave music and music can’t leave me because it’s my passion and I love doing it."

"Whatever happens in this life, our faith in Him, my salvation in Him, our belief and trust in Him, will always help us to overcome."

"I asked myself, why I couldn’t try. Then, I decided that I can push beyond the 24 hours and add two more hours"

"I am extremely happy to achieve this. It was a long journey, but finally all has ended well"

"Because of the love I gradually attained for cricket, I learnt the rules of the game pretty fast and I was able to play for the U19 National Team in Kenya in 2008. I was also able to play in 2010 and 2011 in Tanzania and I learnt a lot and gained more skills in all these region tournaments,"

"At first I didn’t like fielding because I was afraid of the ball hitting me but with time, I over came my fears and I can now field, bat and ball because it’s required as a team player."

"To me, cricket means more than just a sport, it’s also my source of hope. I was in despair, with no clear purpose of life before joining this beautiful sport,"

"I first got to witness cricket with my eyes in 2008 and I immediately picked interest. There was no women’s team then, so I started training with the boys, which I believe help me adapt quickly,"

"After that the tournament, I realised my potential and decided to the take the game more seriously. By then, cricket in Rwanda was still at a low level and we performed poorly but I was very happy to represent my country,"

"“I received overwhelming support and broke down when I remembered how I used to sit alone with my mother in our house in Gisozi. Many people congratulating me from Rwanda and abroad was both humbling and inspiring,”"

"My dreams are taking my country team in international cricket champion games and playing cricket in countries like England and Australia."

"It’s having a hand in the construction of Rwanda’s first ever cricket stadium and having been able to inspire young girls to join cricket because ever since I joined the number of girls have increased as well as female cricket clubs."

"“I used to like sports a lot - that's what made me actually join cricket"

""Cricket in Rwanda is really growing, and we are looking forward to competing in the ICC tournament next year. We believe we can be better, and if we play to our capability we can challenge anyone.”"

"We are so happy to be part of this tournament after it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19. Our team is ready and we are in good spirits"

""We are well prepared and we put in work during the lockdown – we never stopped training. Every player worked on their fitness and skills through that period. This is why we can't wait for this tournament to start. With this readiness, we promise a good performance and we'll not disappoint our fans and the nation."

"“I used to like sports a lot - that's what made me actually join cricket,” she reminisces. “I was going to the new school where I was doing these technical courses, and those courses don't have many girls – there were 35 students and we were only three girls. That school didn't have enough girls to play the school games, so they would tell the new girls to join the game. Each time they would find new students, they would tell the new girls to join. I was the only one who went in my class.”"

"The Kwibuka tournament was a good way of bringing back the women’s national team. It has extremely helped, because after that there was a rise in participation in cricket."

"The more we keep working and the more we play these friendly and international games, the more we will improve our game. We all want to see Rwanda qualify for the World Cup qualifiers and go out of Africa and play with those teams and reach further than we are right now."

"Inzozi is mainly based on how people can start with whatever they have and achieve their dreams even though they don’t have the required resources."

"Also, it was clear that it is a profession that I will benefit from soon or later, and at the same time support the Rwandan society."

"My role in Inzozi is that of a miserable woman because her husband is burden to her. I have had instances where women looked for me just to tell me that they were about to file for divorce but because they saw the results of my patience in the film they chose to be patient too."

"This proves that what we act reflects the life that people are experiencing. There are even instances where you act something and people experience it after, and base on a character in the film to react appropriately. Films are significant in society because our stories encourage and advise people."

"This year, there is another film called ‘Selfish’ that I will release. There are several messages on this one. There are different messages that I cannot disseminate through Inzozi because it already has its own primary story. I will do like five seasons of Inzozi, end it, and then do other films of not more than two seasons each. I envision showcasing all lifestyles in my films"

"the industry is a safe investment due to the availability of market and local televisions which are supporting their movies, even though the journey is still too long."

"The industry is growing, and many are making a living out it. I am a scriptwriter and producer of my movie dubbed 'Inzozi (Dreams)’, if the movie industry was not a ready investment sector, I would have invested in other creative industries ."

"During the lockdown, I tested my entire crew for Covid-19 and we were confined together in a rented a house, where we also did shooting for the film so as to avoid possibilities of contracting the virus. This obviously, was costly on my end you of I had to cater for many people and ensure that we work in a secure environment."

"there is still a gender gap in the industry, in different movie production departments like female producers, female camera operators, movie directors, and scriptwriters but she says that they are most likely to fit in acting and it's a good sign of the growth of the industry."

"Our silent environmentalists, as I like to call them, deserve to be integrated into a system where their economic and social security is enhanced to ensure no one is left behind and the furthest behind are reached first."

"Nigerian informal waste workers’ plight is quite pathetic and the job they do is an essential job because, without them, we will all be living on dumpsites"

"I want to excel. You inspire me in every act, every word, every glance. I look at you, and you're like… like light made into flesh."

"She is one person who believes determination and consistency is the magic to thriving"

"I’ll be Diego_Twahirwa's wife by this Christmas."

"this is an opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s fashion industry to the international market, and a chance to create new avenues for them to gain regional and international markets for their products."

"To my people exciting times….” Designer& mental health advocate."

"May we all hear the voices of children, who are learning to be expressive under the best of circumstances, and are often completely absent when they, as I was, have been traumatized."

"What you see today is me, dressed in a cloak of healing, which is often forgiving and will be in production forever."

"The most important thing is truth, dignity, and that enduring Rwandan spirit – the spirit that must never die."

"Join me, as I stand here today and pray for every Rwandan, who is healing from a life left by the Genocide’s ‘visible and invisible’ scars."

"Let us condemn all the deniers of the Genocide against the Tutsi so we give dignity to the deceased and respect the survivors."

"The purpose of denial is to destroy truth and memory. The denial of the genocide against the Tutsi causes the gravest offence to survivors."

"I strongly believe that Rwanda has a very rich culture with an artistic side to it, and I am determined to put the country on the world fashion map."

"“If you told me today to start a fashion line, I don’t know if I would be as brave because the older you grow, the more you calculate what could go wrong or right.”"

"“It’s not who wears my clothes, it’s about what difference we are making in the community.”"

"“The ability to redefine yourself is a bold, daring and purposeful choice… No one can take your happiness from you or prevent you from being happy. No one except you, that is.”"

"“Designing campaign attire for our candidate, President Paul Kagame, during the 2024 elections was an honor. We wish him all the best.”"

"“No one can take your happiness from you or prevent you from being happy. No one except you, that is.”"

"“Redefining oneself is the epitome of growth and development. The woman who redefines herself is free because she has let go of her insecurities.”"

"“The ability to redefine yourself is a bold, daring and purposeful choice… No one can take your happiness from you or prevent you from being happy.”"

"“I prepare for the next step in my life — motherhood. I hope you love it as much as I do!”"

"“To those still carrying pain in silence: you are not alone.”"

"“Free Spirit. Control. Powerful. Feminine.”"

"“Yes, she is indeed wearing our belted Vintage dress from our Spring '22 collection! We love to see it #MadeinRwanda to the world …”"

"It is a place that drives community conversations about the past, peace and reconciliation"

"It was my dream to win the coveted title. But I was not sure I could make it simply because I knew that the contest was very tight and each of us had the same aim,”"

"The hopes and aspirations of the Rwandan youth today and admired the work that FORA is involved in to make this a reality"

"The truth of the matter is that we are no longer together. Our journey ended. That is all I can say for now but I will write a book and give more details on the matter. I will inform you when the book is out ."

"I will not answer that question. I will pass"

"The best feeling in the world is having someone all to yourself and not looking dumb"

"No shame in my game."

"You gotta let me be me. Because everything I’m doing and how I operated has worked for me all this time."

"Every day something special has happened. Every day something new keeps happening. It’s crazy."

"People try to go tell you stuff, and they’re not in your shoes. They don’t see all the footwork that goes into it. Mentally and physically, it’s just a drain. They don’t know what you’ve been through, so people always try to tell you “You know what I would do? I would do that.” You don’t even know the half."

"I think the way that you dress always can add spice to whatever you’re doing, to hold people’s attention."

"But the people who do show love and who love what I do, those are the people who I work for, who I want to keep happy. You can’t worry about the haters."

"To keep to myself and understand that it takes only God and His grace to break into stardom"

"Every man loves good things and that includes pretty women."

"I do not support divorce but at the same time, I feel that married people should devise better ways of handling their issues, rather than resort to divorce."

"I intend to keep my marriage by being extremely submissive to my husband, and by not letting fame get into my head so much so that it will make me look down on my future husband"

"To me, sex is deep and I feel it should be given to only the person who is worth it. Sex creates connection and is a way of bonding."

"I feel if producers bring out good money and make quality movies, if piracy can be flushed out and possibly YouTube movies made to be viewed by only people outside Nigeria, then the industry will have more value."

"I’m versatile, I add extra spice; I say crazy and funny things that are not in the script. For me, challenge is being hated by people I refused to let in between my legs, and success is unexplainable because I give it all to God."

"Most times the best way to handle annoying comments on social media is simply to ignore them but if not, then give the person a dose of his/her medicine because they fail to realise we are equally humans."

"My face, my beautiful body figure. God Almighty has blessed me with beauty and I know that goes a long way but most importantly is my talent. This is paramount because with beauty and no talent, your brand as an actor will not sell. So my talent speaks for me and that sells me."

"Feminism to me is advocating for the “equal rights” of women. It is about understanding and accepting the equality of the sexes; socially, economically and politically."

"Compliments are supposed to be like little confidence boosters. A compliment is when someone expresses their admiration for how well we did something or how well we look. A kind word really does go a long way. Especially, when we are single and it comes from the opposite sex. But not everything that comes from the opposite sex our culture deems endearing is a compliment. Like being called “sexy!” “Sexy” in our society has become a replacement adjective for “beautiful” or “nice-looking”, but I have to be honest with you—this type of compliment to describe a woman’s beauty is totally inappropriate."

"For a man to call you (a woman he isn’t married to) “sexy”, is him expressing his unrighteous lustful desires toward you and The Scriptures are clearly against being drawn away by the lusts of the flesh. As women, we are to be respected (and act) as dignified beings created by The Most High. We are to teach others how to respect us by controlling what we allow. And allowing random men to call you “sexy” is a form of disrespect."

"My ultimate dream is to become Africa’s Best Actor, to break into Hollywood as well. Most importantly to be known as a very deep actor."

"The act of using collage is helpful as a reminder of the fragility of the human condition."

"In essence, the exhibition is about me… trying to find myself in these images. A lot of the people in the photographs are not people I was close to, you know, growing up. But they sort of played a role in influencing the way I think."

"I allowed myself to learn from them instead of imposing ideas of how I wanted Zimbabwe to be."

"The beauty of being a child of the diaspora is that we are able to reinvent ourselves and what it means to be African."

"When I read the brief initially I remember feeling and I think this is something that happens when you finally align with your purpose and your calling."

"I don’t ever have to take off my top (to confirm my gender) because people stare at my breasts anyway. All the time. It has really empowered me and my body because I often have to say to people ‘you know you’re staring right?’."

"It's such a deliciously groundbreaking character that has heightened my level of appreciation for performance. I find it very honourable and moving that members of the LGBTI community come to me and tell me that this story is being told so truthfully"

"When people come to me and tell me that I feel proud to have done my job the correct way and raise awareness"

"Yes, I'm a method actor. I take my work very serious, I go very deep. Physically, what I do when I play the boy character is that I walk into my dressing room and my chest is strapped."

"We take clothes for granted. What I started to feel when wearing Wandi's clothes – the girl clothes – the soft fabric of dresses and feminine underwear made me automatically click into myself. But I had to remember that I'm still this character"

"The biggest misconception about me is definitely that I'm a man. I'll state that I'm proudly a heterosexual woman"

"I'm a straight woman who has now played a transsexual character, and was able to fool you as possibly a heterosexual man. Don't ever let your sexuality stop you from being whatever you want to be, whether is in storytelling or real-life"

"It is obviously unbelievable, completely surreal but also absolutely humbling. I can’t believe that I am so lucky, but also I sit in total gratitude for sitting, arriving and being at a place that proves that all the work, all the dedication, and all of the persistence has paid off"

"One of the first things I thought of was how exciting it was to have an African story that follows a lead female action hero when for a long time, my go to for an action reference was Lara Croft–Angelina Jolie. I just always pictured Angelina Jolie, I never pictured an action hero with an afro. I actually coined the term, ‘Aflo’ because she walks with it like a halo. It’s so powerful she is our African angel superhero"

"You also get to see we are represented in our clothing, our hairstyles, different images, different ideas of what it means to not only be beautiful but what it means to be a star within your own right. ‘Do I wear my weave, am I black enough, do I wear my fro, am I bold enough and do I wear my braids, what does that mean? What do I think of myself’ and so all of those things to be seen and celebrated by this beautiful, talented people was one of the most honourable and glorious things for me to experience and be a part of"

"I think there can be this perception that, people who have some kind of practice, whether it's meditation or spiritual practice or whatever, have got it all figured out, and there's a kind of righteousness about it."

"Progress doesn’t go in a straight line. Representation moves forward, then retreats. It’s a journey. I don’t know what the final destination looks like, or if there even is one. It’s just about pushing forward."

"Those excluding people of colour are robbing themselves – they just don’t realise it."

"Whatever choices you make in life, it’s OK – there’s more life, you know?"

"You can’t get a complete history of anything in two hours – particularly the slave trade."

"Ultimately it’s a case of sink or swim, ‘I’ve always had that “sink-or-swim” thing about my own career too,At difficult moments, it’s like: “Okay, you’re not gonna sink so let’s figure something out.” Take a moment, have a whinge... and then get on with it.’"

"I think that’s something that you have to keep learning and recalibrating and experiencing through life."

"Making a film with a 99% Black female cast is great, but if we are not allowed to explore what our hairstyles will look like or if we're not allowed to imbue the film and our characters in the story with details that are specific to our experience, then it doesn't mean anything."

"You don’t want to be a freedom fighter every time you enter a job."

"You know, always being positive, always wanting to try things, even if at first glance, it isn’t quite clear what the outcome is going to be."

"You can’t say Shakespeare has nothing to offer because he’s a white man."

"I am confident that we will qualify for #WorldChamps because we have a very robust team. Come on #TeamBW #WorldRelays"

"Makeup is cool. I mean, you can turn up and feel really good and treat yourself, but it shouldn't be something you hang on to to validate your beauty or something you have to do to make you feel beautiful."

"So many young black women love science, technology, engineering, and maths. But that's not the widely held image of the kind of person who likes those things"

"I think the beauty of a relationship with God is that it's not just about praying and thinking everything's gonna go away. It's a process there to aid and help you."

"Art is subjective so people can either like it or not but you have to be willing to be comfortable with that."

"Grief comes like a thief in the night. And you have to deal with it. You can’t kid yourself that you’re OK"

"You think you have time, and that's the thing I've learned, These things make you realize it's important to reach out to people you love."

"I want to encourage young people. You don't have to be young, you can be any age, but I want to encourage you – anyone going through a hard time… God made you and you're important."

"A couple weeks ago I officially joined the @rocnation management family! It’s been overwhelming to see your reaction to the news since I announced it two days ago and to see what this means to so many of you! All your messages really touched my heart. I’m excited for this new adventure, @kailynash my badass manager and I am soooo ready and excited to build the foundations of our wildest dreams. I feel unbelievably blessed to be where I am in my life right now and it’s all thanks to your support. Cheers to all of you to female energy and team work. Let’s goo."

"I have to sacrifice my privacy for a greater cause."

"In Africa, we are very spiritual: here, if you talk about God, it's considered an affront. Even Catholics are afraid to say they are. France and Belgium are among the few countries in Europe to have a discourse on the veil."

"I want to be an example of a Black woman who succeeded on her own, against all odds."

"Good luck when you wake up / And realize all that you've lost / Shining lies are what you're made of / I hope it's worth the price that it cost"

"So cherry chaotic, the taste of losing control / I'm chasing down the drip sip down the rabbit hole / Now I'm staring down the metal barrel of your gun / I surrender on a bender, you're the drug."

"As I enter this new moment, I wanted to explore the vulnerability I've felt in finding balance with submission, dominance, and sexuality. I've had to dive into my own body to feel the deeply powerful but also dangerous feelings of relinquishing control."

"As my closest friends and I have now begun to really grow into ourselves, it can feel heart-wrenching to witness people you love fall for a moment, or lose sight of the goodness they have within themselves when they're struggling. As a friend we just want to pick them up and show them who we really know them to be — to try to cheer so hard on the sidelines over how incredible they are, and how much they mean to us, but at the end of the day of course it's only them who can discover their own light on their own."

"Feeling pretty cute until I ran into you/ Chewed me up and spit me out like gum on your shoe/ And if you’re free and you’ve got nothing better to do/ Go ahead, destroy me, destroy me."

"It is a great injustice when we ignore God's plan for women... His plan clearly states that, specifically within the Church, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man"."

"Now, I admit that often I don’t understand the "whys" of God’s plans. Maybe it's because I don’t know myself as well as He does. He knows the exact number of hairs on my head. I don't. Or, maybe it's because I'm not God and never will be, and so I don’t quite grasp his reasoning. Maybe it's because I am ambitious, young and female. I have a degree from Cambridge University, worked in politics and I'm now employed on one of the best fast-track schemes in the business world. Education, hard work, and stewarding our talents within the parameters of Scripture are commended in God’s Word."

"I think for me, Angela Merkel is the example I would follow, I would have voted, as a matter of conscience, along the lines of mainstream teaching in most major religions that marriage is between a man and a woman. But I would have respected and defended the democratic choice that was made. It is a legal right now and I am a servant of democracy, I am not a dictator."

"[On having children outside marriage.] It's entirely up to them. It's something that I would seek to avoid for me personally. But it doesn't fuss me, it doesn't put me up nor down. The choices that other people make is [up to them]. In terms of my faith, my faith would say that sex is for marriage and that's the approach that I would practice. [...] For me, it would be wrong according to my faith, but for you I have no idea what your faith is. So, in a free society you can do what you want."

"A rapist cannot be a woman and therefore my straight answer would be that Isla Bryson is a man."

"[Asked if SNP colleagues withdrawal of support following her expression of socially conservative opinions about same-sex marriage had affected her campaign.] Absolutely not [...] We have a large party membership, most of whom are not on Twitter, and I understand that people have very strong views on these matters. I think the public are longing for politicians to answer straight questions with straight answers and that's certainly what I tried to do in the media yesterday. That doesn't necessarily allow for much nuance."

"[On same-sex marriage.] My position on these matters is I will defend to the hilt everybody's right in a pluralistic and tolerant society to live and to love free of harassment and fear. And in the same way I hope that others can be afforded the rights of people of faith to practice fairly mainstream teaching. And that is the nuance that we need to capture on equal marriage. Equal marriages is a legal right, and as a servant of democracy, rather than a dictator, I absolutely respect and defend that democratic right."

"If we’re saying that public office, or at least high public office is barred to people of a particular faith, or people who have a faith but can leave that faith, as there are strict elements of that faith, then it is getting into dangerous territory."

"The primary calling is to be in the dirt of reality [...] Where do you see Christ historically? You see Him, not in some sort of cathedral or some elevated ivory tower; you see Him in the midst of vulnerable, under-represented, underprivileged people. That's what politics is, theoretically. So therefore, there is a natural home in the midst of the underprivileged, under-represented, voiceless people. You then go from there into parliament, to try and make good law that serves those people, and that's where, quite rightly, there's a democratic debate."

"I support same sex marriage and like anyone I'm disappointed when anyone disagrees with me. But if you’re asking me to condemn someone for their religious views you've failed to understand the basic responsibilities of being minister for equality. [...] I actually admire her for not being dishonest. It'd be very easy for her to tell lies, just so that she could win that election, and she's not doing that, and I think that that's something that people need to take into account."

"I do think that those people who are withdrawing support from her, I'd ask "why did you support her in the first place"? Because I don't think what she's saying is new, and I think it shows a level of unseriousness of many people who engage in political activity and commentary, where they don't take things seriously in terms of "why am I supporting this person"?"

"[After Forbes said she would have voted against same-sex marriage in the Scottish parliament if she had been a MSP in 2014] In practice, I think you couldn't get elected leader of the Conservative Party now, with the view that she has, so try getting elected leader of a more left-wing party with that view, that's the difficulty that she’s got."

"[Forbes is] entitled to her view [but same-sex marriage] has become part of the culture of the country around the United Kingdom over the last ten years."

"This is my job. I’ve been doing this for a while. I don’t have any fear. I will believe in myself, and what I can do. I cannot wait to be the best that I can be in this league and make a name for myself, and my family. I want to help this team as much as I can."

"Linkopings FC has a long history of success and I look forward to being able to take home titles and create a professional level name here. It's a good opportunity for me to develop as a player and I am expectant about the next step in my career. I am really looking forward to start playing with the team and am glad that Linköping sees potential in me as part of the team. Now we achieve great deeds together."

"With Chinaza and Uchenna we get two good offensive players that complement and spearhead our team, which also gives the squad better balance and durability."

"You can break every ceiling or be a better version of yourself ."

"Success is when you live a purposeful life, an intentional life and creating a positive impact on other people’s lives."

"Life will always offer many more chances, so when they come your way, grab them."

"Getting a first class is not as hard as people think! It actually depends on you as a person. You must be motivated by something or someone greater."

"As a girl child also, I’m not satisfied at all because it’s so crazy when you talk to a guy, some parents as well, and they are like, ‘You’re just a girl, you don’t have to do this , ou don’t have to do that.’ For me as an example, I’ve really talked about my story, what I went through, how ignorant my mother was not to let me do what I’m doing now or become this successful. She tried to stop me but should I say I was stubborn? Yes, I was somehow, to pursue my career."

"it’s a culture that is part of life; a part of everything one is doing or about to venture into. It must be seen as a very essential tool in making life better for you and everyone else."

"The youth must believe in themselves; the powers they possess in making Africa better; and wisely use it to promote cohesiveness, peaceful coexistence and well-developed Africa where respect for diversity is guaranteed."

"Be firm and decisive over what you believe in; stay focused and determined. There is never a smooth road in achieving great end."

"Gender equality is the equal access to opportunities - political, economic and social – for both male and female."

"My home is only two metres above water. With the threat of climate change we lose two metres of our culture."

"I feel i started a trend or like I am pretty much a trailblazer because only a trailblazer will start something and other people will want to do it."

"Taking up the challenge has helped shed a positive light on the (culinary) industry."

"Pushing through that means I can conquer things in this life."

"When you are doing what you love, it doesn’t feel like work."

"Not necessarily. I feel that if you have a niche for yourself like your service is good, you still have your client base. I would say people don’t have the desire to eat the same thing 365 days a year. As human beings, we are not static to be eating the same things."

"If I am doing something that I love it has to serve me and pay my bills."

"I am bright colors with a mixture of summer flowers. I am sensitive and made up of emotions and poetry. Also, I’m a woman who allows myself to grow through feeling everything in full."

"I’m a woman boss with a voice, dreams, stories to tell and the ability to tell them. My motivation is that I’m blessed with a gift and because of that, I get to walk and live my life with a purpose."

"Another memorable meeting happened in Gateshead, as I sat on a rock by a lake, interviewing a man who had a history of believing and spreading online conspiracies. Despite the freezing weather, he insisted on wearing sunglasses to protect himself from the 5G rays that he believed caused the pandemic. Having challenged him under the watchful eye of his entourage, who filmed my every move, he finished by telling me I was a good kid who shouldn’t get caught up in the genocide. Talking in real life had started to erode the barriers between us — and exposed the stark distrust he felt towards everyone. He called me a few weeks ago and, in between telling me I would be tried for war crimes, had the courtesy to ask how I was and wish me a nice day. His inability to question and see the flaws in the conspiracy theories he promotes was unnerving. But conspiracy theories are his way of making sense of what’s going on around him. It’s his way, I think, of regaining control."

"When I found that out, I was quite relieved. [...] To have someone be, like, "Oh, actually, you do receive this phenomenal level of abuse," it makes you think, "Oh yeah, OK, I’m not going mad"."

"There are huge misconceptions about the kinds of people who believe conspiracy theories. This image of people as stupid and crazy is not the case. I often find people are very switched on, hyper-curious and engaged and deeply distrustful. Often they’ve been really let down by people in authority or power and then turn to social media that starts to play on that distrust."

"[Describing the sofa she was sharing with her interviewer] I might love the cream sofa, you might hate the cream sofa, but we agree there's a cream sofa and we're sitting on it. If you don't agree there's a cream sofa, it's really hard to have a conversation."

"It's really normal to really hate me."

"Spring is an extremely energetic, personable young woman. In a screwball comedy about a newsroom, she would be the one described as a dynamo. She is screen-ready – her earrings match her necklace, which matches her trousers, which match her shoes – but seems completely without vanity, the way athletes do. All that emanates from her is drive, curiosity and focus, and the zeal of authentic public-spiritedness. In your crankiest, most contrarian mood, you would still find it impossible to dislike her; it would be like trying to dislike the Lionesses."

"I'm really excited as they (Hellen Obiri, Peres Jepchirchir, Brigid Kosgei are my friends...It only makes the competition more fun when it’s that stacked. I'm excited to compare myself with all those women."

"I was so disappointed that I couldn’t defend my title in New York last year (2022) due to an injury, and winning again in Central Park has been my main motivation as I begin my preparations for the autumn...New York is an important step in defending my Olympic gold medal next summer in Paris, and I will do my best to make my family and my country proud."

"I was thinking to run maybe 1:04:50, but I'm so happy...it's difficult to run alone. If I had a pacemaker I would run 64 (minutes)."

"I am not worried about the course, as I have had success in hilly marathons before, but New York has always been about head-to-head competition...I know I must be in the best possible shape to compete with the other women in the race."

"I was not expecting to run a record time. I just tried my best – that was all...Today was great preparation for Chicago."

"About a year and a half ago, I quit my job, moved to the countryside, and started a new life. Since then I've learned quite a few lessons on how to cultivate a feeling of abundance while living simply."

"One of my favorite low budget ways to decorate is just to decorate with books. You can find interesting-looking books, almost anywhere, second-hand for very little cost. I like to get ones that I'm ... interested to read but also others that just speak to me. Their covers may be intricate, or the stories that are told can teach me something about the people who lived in the past and their perception of the world. Next time you go to a thrift store, maybe look out for some fun books within a specific color scheme or style."

"I love to see animals running free. It reminds me to be grateful that cool weather and a space to play is enough, and sometimes that's all we need to be joyful."

"• Imagine you have a root system, much like a flower. Where are the roots? Are they in your mind, your heart, your entire body? Outside of your body? Where does your "strength" come from? • What are your sources of nourishment? Apart from your basic needs, is there something else you need? Perhaps it is a few minutes alone each morning, reading a book, creating art, taking walks, etc. What is it, and how can you incorporate it into your life? • What do need to flourish? What steps can you take to nourish your soul? • What other types of cycles can you notice within your life? What can the trends you see within your relationships, friendships, body, and emotions tell you about yourself? What wisdom can you take from them?"

"Many edible herbs and flowers can be used in tea and recipes. When it comes to tea, I find my favorite sources apart from lilac are chamomile and rosemary. Even if these flowers are not as readily available to you, the options of flowers and herbs to use are endless. I often pair the dandelion and chamomile with a touch of honey. In addition, each year I love to experiment with using these herbs in a variety of syrups, jellies, and baked goods. Once you know how to properly harvest and dry each herb, you can get creative with its uses."

"I was thinking about winning this gold since 2019, but Hassan was always there. I was also watching Hellen Obiri...This time, I was really watching them, and I knew I had to be very fast in the last 300 metres."

"This victory to me was even more important than a world record...I am so happy about this performance."

"With God’s help, I can get the double...I am very confident now."

"I really did not do anything special to prepare for Guiyang...I never stress about competition and thought I should just follow the leading group and rely on my finishing speed at the end. I am really happy about my individual result, but even happier that we [Ethiopia] took the top three places."

"Some people believe that it is nowadays very difficult for junior winners to make it at senior level...But I believe that there is nothing that stops a junior athlete from making it at senior level. Actually, coming up from success at junior levels is easier because there is little pressure and expectation when competing with senior athletes."

"I ran a 3000m race representing my Woreda [district] and finished second at the All-Tigray Games...It was this performance that convinced me that I may have a future in athletics."

"My focus is to defend my Olympic title in Tokyo...It was a really good race here (Kasarani Stadium near Nairobi), which I really wanted to win. I know I will meet many good athletes in Tokyo but I have prepared really well."

"I was really looking forward to defending my title, and I had a dream. Amazing to me, I completed it. I'm so, so happy," she told reporters. "I managed to make history. I've done it.""

"I didn't know I would come out strong today, after what I went through over the 5,000," Kipyegon said. "I didn't sleep until yesterday.""

"How I started athletics was like magic or something. I started when I was in primary school, back at home, where I used to do training in the school"

"I used to play football, gymnastics. After that we got a teacher [who] introduced us to running. I started running and knowing that athletics might [get] me somewhere"

"I have been performing for many years and getting the gold medals"

"I want to do my best and motivate the young girls and young women to know that Faith has come a long way, and she’s still performing at the Olympic level and getting these medals, especially the gold medal."

"I won my first gold medal as a mum, after coming back from maternity leave. I was running with experience and at the same time [for] people back at home, especially my daughter. [Motherhood] changed me a lot, mentally."

"Many people benefited from that gold medal"

"My village got electricity after that"

"It’s the love of the sport. Wanting to inspire the young generation and the young girls around the world, that you can also take athletics as a profession. Going out there running early in the morning and going to camps, staying there, from Monday to Saturday"

"Because we as athletes take what we have given by God [as] our talent. To inspire the young generation and upcoming athletes to know that if you take it seriously, it can put you on another level in the world."

"If you have that pain, it's success"

"The dream is just to get that gold medal…bring that gold medal home"

"If you are in training, and you don't feel pain, next thing you are going to a race, and you don’t perform good. But if you have that pain, it's a success. So, you feel pain today, I think it will be a successful tomorrow to achieve what you have been feeling pain [for]."

"I want to do this for my country. I want to do this for myself. I want to do this for the next young girl to know that if a young girl can win a gold medal, why not us"

"I didn’t expect to win...The [race] was tactical. I didn’t have many races but my preparations [were] uninterrupted. My wish is to ensure we work as a team in Tokyo to ensure we deliver podium finishes."

"It has not been a fab day for me, I have to say...I am very disappointed because I feel like I am in an amazing place. I couldn’t feel my legs [after grimacing in the semi-final], it was a bit weird, but at the end of the day, I can still run, it’s not really a problem. I am in much better shape than that so I am very disappointed."

"The race went according to plan, I was only thinking about the gold medal."

"Of course, I set the women-only world record for the half marathon (1:06:11) in Valencia and that was a race without pacemakers. I have also run times for 10,000m on the track (personal best 30:36.75, 2016) and 10km on the road (31:35, 2017) that are better than the course record but the most important thing for me is to win."

"Since Valencia, I have just been training and focusing on Bengaluru. Even though the race has been put back two weeks, that hasn’t affected me. In fact, it’s allowed me to prepare slightly better."

"I had to keep on checking who is behind me, how I am doing...that’s all I was doing, and I decided to be ahead of the boys, so I was always checking behind me."

"It was a very competitive race with strong runners...the course was very good and the weather was perfect for running. I am going back to Kenya to prepare the track season. My goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in the 10,000m."

"I feel like the starting point of success is acceptance of reality."

"I'm always going to stand for the truth and the truth is sensitive."

"Work hard till your critics become your dancers."

"Every artiste you’ve seen on top isn’t doing what they’re doing carnally... I live by the motto 'work hard and have faith'."

"Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength."

"Gdansk is beautiful. I like multicultural cities. I came here at the beginning of the year (2021) and worked the entire preparation period with the team (AP Loros Gdansk). I am from outside Europe so playing in different leagues was a challenge for me."

"I wanted to play football from the age of seven, although my mother says that I had been digging other items before. It was a dream come true for me to be able to play in Europe. I was prepared for it much earlier. At the beginning, it was not easy because I had a collision with low temperatures, which was new to me. Today I'm used to it."

"Priscilla came to Gdańsk at the beginning of January (2021), so she already had some time to acclimatize, but we realize that in her case this period may be a bit different than in the case of the Polish players. That is why all club employees try to do everything to make her feel as good as possible in Gdańsk. I am also glad that the other players received her warmly. I believe Priscilla will bring a lot to the team's offensive performance."

"I remember countless times where I played barefoot or without shin pads and was injured many times, but if you love the game, you love the game. Football is everything, it’s part of my identity nobody can take away from me."

"We need more opportunities to showcase what we can do. It’s sad to see talent go to waste because of a lack of opportunities, but the fact that there is NSW African Women's Cup shows how much the game has changed. We have many girls of African heritage who are good players. A competition like this definitely opens up opportunities for those of us who have been working really hard and that's exciting."

"“And when it comes to the Holy Spirit my reservations always give way.”"

"“My not good experience in marriage has not changed God’s beautiful idea of marriage”."

"It is my first big achievement and is very unexpected. I am very surprised and delighted."

"I think this victory will change my life for sure."

"It is all about staying focused and positive, and I thank God I was able to run well during the season."

"I had one world record and now I have two, so I am lucky"

"Football, for me, was definitely a place where I could come and authentically be myself."

"I always had a lot of boy cousins and i'd play football with them in the street, since then I had passion for football"

"Whatever you are going through in your personal life also affects your voice and that is exactly what I was going through hence I took time out around mid-2021"

"The day I learnt that I was in an abusive relationship I did not stay one minute and made plans to get out of there,"

"When we were dating and when we first got married I only really started to see the signs of what was going on and that I am in too deep. 21 December 2021 was the day I stopped loving him and had to break loose."

"I needed to redefine the definition of success, and I needed to change the narrative. Just because I’m not on the national team doesn’t mean I’m not successful. It doesn’t mean I’m not a great player."

"I really started working on staying present. Not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future, just thinking about today. It just makes things easier on yourself, easier on the mind."

"I just focused on the Reign and being the best I can be for them, Because ultimately, that is going to have me playing my best soccer, which is what would get me called up for the World Cup."

"I’m just playing and having fun, Huerta said a few days before the U.S. roster drop. Because ultimately, it’s Vlatko’s decision. It’s out of my hands. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing, and hopefully, he will choose me."

"At this point, I have nothing to lose because I’ve been told no so many times in my career, Being pushed out and then coming back up creates a lot of strength in itself. But I think at this point, my mentality is a lot less anxiety and a lot more excitement. I appreciate where I am as a player now."

"My career has not been easy, whatsoever, I was never with youth teams. It hasn’t been linear, hasn’t been a guarantee. That’s what makes my journey so unique, and I love to be a representation for people who feel like that."

"I think it’s important for that community of young boys and girls to see that name, and know that they can do what I do, I represent those who don’t have an easy journey."

"For me coming back here, it means a lot. This room, in particular. There were some tears shed. A lot"

"I feel a lot of joy coming back here. It’s kind of like seeing an old friend I haven’t seen in a long time."

"I was just thinking when I was watching Serena and Venus (Williams), I was thinking, ‘I probably, no way, will ever play at their age.’ But sitting here, I’m like, ‘No, you know what? I might do that."

"I don’t think I can predict what I’ll do - I never am able to do that - but it definitely made me appreciate a lot of things that I took for granted."

"I think it's because I don't know how the beginning of the year is going to go for me."

"I think I don't know the level of play, so I have to ease in for it, so I have to set myself up for a very good end of year."

"The patriarchal world needs to be demolished."

"It's a massive honour to be offered this position as captain for the next two tours,"

"It's something that I have always aspired to do, having played in this team for a couple of years. Having more of a leadership role is something I’ve wanted to take on. It'll help me as a cricketer and learning to think as a captain on the field will hopefully help my batting as well."

"I'm very excited to be able to contribute in another way, too, and not just in batting. It still feels surreal at the moment, but it will all become more real when I meet up with the team in Pakistan."

"What I can bring to the role is the experience that I have in the side. I've been playing international cricket since I was 16 years old, I know quite a lot of players in the circuit and I've been playing in the leagues as well, so I've played a lot of cricket in recent years and hopefully, I'm able to use that experience and the knowledge to my advantage when I captain the team."

"It is very new to me, but I am keen to learn and do everything that I can to do well in the position. I am lucky that I have a couple of senior players within the squad around me as well, who would be able to help me and guide me if I do need help along the way"

"I think everyone that comes and goes within the team, the team will always miss the impact that player had. It is always like that. We have all the memories with them, and it is something we will miss in the change-room"

"But as a bowling unit, we do have a great unit. We do have people who can step in."

"I am not the type of player that will go to the captain and say ‘I want to bowl’. I’ll let them make their decisions."

"The efforts of those who played before us, and all of us put together as a community, have now made this possible. Imagine those ex-women cricketers, who even without getting much 30 or 40 years ago, continued to play. They made our present reality possible"

"I don’t like the comparison between men’s cricket and women’s cricket"

"It’s just a different game. You don’t have to put us in the same category."

"Initially, when tennis was developing as a sport, there were comparisons made between the serve rates of different players. Now it has reached a point where Serena Williams is appreciated just as Roger Federer is in his own right. It’s time for cricket to also reach that place."

"For me, there is not much but just to enjoy ourselves, defend our title and bring the cup back home. Considering we are the defending champions, the pressure is definitely there. However, we have been working hard on our mental aspects and have been taught how to handle different situations so I believe we are mentally ready"

"One thing I tell them is that for them to make it to the national team means they have a lot of potential. Nothing happens in an instance so you have to take everything step by step"

"Be grateful for this opportunity you have and learn from the experience as much as possible. Being in the national team is not going to be easy but we are here to help the"

"This is my sixth year participating in Kwibuka and I have gone from strength to strength with every edition. The Elite League is an opportunity to sell myself out there and to improve and to play among other experienced players"

"I am a very fond player in Mozambique not only for my talent but also for my way of being and interacting with the Mozambican people when I have the chance and I am very grateful for the affection"

"This is the result of hard work and we know that we have some weaknesses because we are in a process of transition from the old generation to the new generation but without a doubt, my goal with the Mozambique team in recent years is to win the AfroBasket and this year I definitely have the same goal"

"High competition has other requirements and we unfortunately still cannot speak the same language. It involves an investment both in terms of athletes in the respective clubs, training with a certain insistency on coaches and finding competitive volume. And for that to happen there needs to be more support."

"I feel capable and it will always be my duty to give my contribution both in terms of national team and projects that may be worth a different and brilliant future for our basketball. In general, I want to be remembered as someone who contributed a lot to the game in Mozambique and continue to inspire future generations with my legacy"

"I am still in shock but I do know how hard we all worked to secure this title. Although I’m so grateful to have been awarded team MVP, it was a collective effort and every time I step out on that court with my team members, I am filled with gratitude that I get to do what I love every single day"

"To become apart of an amazing brand like AFA Sports is such a huge blessing. I’ve always looked up to athletes specifically women who had broken barriers representing brands that promote athletes to look and perform at their best. AFA Sports is a brand that does just that"

"Consistency and work ethic has always been my core values when it comes to the game of basketball; Especially since the goal is to continue playing at the next level. Being a member of the AFA Sports team would motivate me to do that. I’m extremely excited to be a part of something amazing. I am looking forward to what’s in store."

"If I were to make something, I wouldn’t want it to be polished or clean or fussy."

"I would never show one side of me because that’s setting myself up to fail"

"I don’t want anyone to make money catching me out being me. I want to give them all of me."

"It’s a sport that should be available to men and women to compete equally. There’s very few sports where that’s the case."

"It’s definitely challenging as a young female driver trying to overcome those physical barriers,"

"As a young girl, you don’t look at it as, ‘I can do this,’ because there’s no one doing it"

"As a young girl, you don’t look at it as, I can do this, because there’s no one doing it, I’m a big believer of having more women, not just as drivers but mechanics and engineers"

"I want to be a part of this next step of getting more and more females in the door. And even if I don’t make it, hopefully there’s a whole crop of young talent that’s coming through that I can help."

"I am from a very poor background so I only need to work hard to achieve success and be who I was before i became a star and that had made me very unique and to remain simple as well."

"It's not just about music but everything we just love the foreign stuff so looking at our numbers and the way our system has been infiltrated with foreign things how can we get the level where people are complaining about."

"I like to mind my business all the time so I’ll advise that you also mind your business, and you’ll avoid all the wrinkles. Also, be grateful and content with what you have. I know we hear this all the time, but someone doesn’t even have what you have."

"You think you have only 5 cedis, but guess what, someone doesn’t even have anything, so be very grateful and just keep fighting. As for the Akpl3, that’s the number one secret to my evergreen forever young looks, but the other one is that I mind my business."

"The song Destiny, basically, I'm taking control of my life, and I am the one in charge of it. Nobody else can move my life in any other way. Just me. It's inspired by everything my life is saying today. Like, I have just been moving like this at my own pace, in my own time."

"Destiny just has to do with me as a person and my journey so far. I started from, like, a very low point in my life. Very timid, very shy, not confident at all. I had so many... If I say mental, people will take it out of context, but I was not very okay here (head) and here (heart). But just going through life, going through music, people I've met on the way, it just brought me to a very beautiful point."

"Trends are not timeless, timeless songs are unique in that they are something that comes out of specific moments. They are things that come from the heart but the danceable songs will always come and go and we all have some of these songs."

"I don't see when I am performing unless I take a really good look and stare, but not really. It helped me when I started music and I was very nervous about the crowd because, when I got on stage, I will not see anybody."

"I think music is free. You can't tell a painter what to paint because they are from Ghana. It's a feeling so when you enter the studio and you feel like singing a French song, sing it...it's a creative art so people create...so you can't force anyone into a box."

"I’m not an expert in dating. So, I didn’t know how to read red flags and all that, but now I can spot a red flag from a man. You have to be a Christian. I don’t want to be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t believe in God, who is not saved."

"I picked home economics because I was lazy. I didn’t want to learn. I came to understand that it is one of the toughest things to actually do. Because the practical consumes so much of your time that you are unable to read your book. It was tough, and that’s where I learned my first lesson: nothing in life is easy. Everything is difficult. So far as you want to succeed at it, it is difficult,"

"It’s crazy, it’s not easy to come up with an album. There’s so much work around it."

"We jell on the creative level, so you know music is a universal language and it brings everybody together. It doesn't matter where you are from or what language you speak so that's what we always vibe as musicians."

"If you have realized, I don't use alcohol, drugs and dress half-naked. This is because of what my parent thought about the music industry. I want to clear that thinking."

"Coming this far has not been easy, I feel older and wiser now. It also feels good, it has been an interesting journey with a lot of highs and lows, loads of lessons learnt which have all made me a much better person. Just like anyone else in this world, life is not a bed of roses all the time, somethings have come through from learning from one’s mistakes, but we thank God for where we are right now."

"It's sad because there are women who are making it through hard work and just going through the way life is. So, people shouldn't judge quickly but at the same time, at the end of the day, people also have their own opinions. Most at times, some of these opinions are not true...People should just mind their own business."

"Thinking about it, my lows have brought me this far, so I can't even complain and highs have been that I have just grown into myself a bit, the confidence is there, the music is more matured, yeah, I'm just loving everything I'm doing, the exposure is great, I'm meeting amazing people, just learning from them and my pocket is full."

"This music thing was never a part of my plans at all, I grew up really confused, I had no idea what I wanted to become so every time my mind was changing on what profession I want to do. Music is a blessing I stumbled upon because I was so confused about what I wanted to do until it just came to me accidentally, coming into it from my life before where I was very reserved and quiet."

"Our generation is so pressed! So fast! And so unhappy. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. Get present in the moment and ask yourself what is important this very second."

"It was fantastic, this is actually my first event that I have planned with my team like this is the first time I've been very involved in a concert concerning me. So it was very interesting to see how the process was like and it was very nice to know that I have so much love from my colleagues in the music industry."

"I get a lot of people trying to get me into trouble by saying things about me that are untrue. I hear stuff about me that I sometimes want to respond to but when I look at my brand and my focus, I intentionally forget about everything and let it go. Staying out of trouble is so easy for me but I wonder why some celebrities are not able to do so."

"Going online to exchange words or explaining myself about a particular issue about me is the last thing I would ever do. Ignoring my haters is so simple for me. I have been doing it over the years and it has really helped my brand. That is the reason my issues are not out there. More so, I want to work with serious brands and I know good brands don’t want celebrities with too much drama around them."

"I am very emotional and the last thing I want to see is for a friend or someone I know to betray me. I cannot just stand that so I keep very few friends I trust so that I don’t get hurt. It takes a while for my heart to heal when it gets broken."

"I’m really grateful for the love, truth is, I was not expecting it like that and I am grateful to everyone. I must say, the love and affection shown me since I my come back is more than before and I’m humbled. You see, there are others who take a break, come back and it doesn’t work out for them but I have been showed something different."

"Music is what I do, I love music so yes it has been worth it, it was very necessary that I come back and I’m glad I did."

"I am not one of those who concentrate on regrets, I believe everything we go through are life lessons, the mistakes, they all make us better people."

"I will not give away my freedom for anything, I was not enslaved but it had its advantages and disadvantages but I have come to like being on my own more. I don't want to give this up, maybe not just yet. At a point, I was lost and really didn't know what was going on with me."

"So I knew that this day will come and people will see that it was a lot of work I was putting into my craft so i wasn't worried at all at first."

"Our (music) industry is one that has a lot of things going on; everyone is fighting for fame so I will say it is a dirty one but in the sense that, the industry is really crazy so they have to be patient."

"The music industry is progressing, I don’t see Ghana music today the same as it was. Things are getting better every single day; the shows and security have become better. There’s more room for improvement on everyone’s side."

"I was deeply sad all the time. Very angry all the time, I didn't want to talk to anyone...I was just really away from everybody. Depression gets to a point where you don't even know what in particular is worrying you. It's so many things you've harboured for so long and you explode at a point and you don't know why but you are just sad. I've always known that I was not okay but 2018 was the height of everything."

"If we don't speak up, nothing will change. Join me in taking a stand against all forms of child abuse. Be a Ghanaian Against Child Abuse."

"Most often, we talk and act like we can do things on our own but that is not the truth, we all need help at some point in our lives and I believe our music industry is not different. We first have to admit we need help, put down the kind of help we need and we move from there."

"If I was not doing music, my life would have been boring. I do not see what I would be good at, I can’t do an 8 to 5 job. I am the kind of person who wants to be on the go every time, music is my everything."

"Girls, we are a different breed, we have too many things going on with us and girls live by what they hear and how they feel. Girls easily fall for pressure. If you are not brought up with that confidence and you don't have people who keep telling you being you is 100% enough you will fall really easily."

"I am not jealous at all. You know per the human nature, it is expected that someone gets jealous when things like this happen but the truth is, I am not all because for me, music is not a race or a competition, it is about passion."

"When I started music, some people were telling me to deviate a little bit from my personality, that is, wear something more explicit and sing more explicit songs, but I told them it wouldn't last because I couldn't sustain it. I have been this way from the beginning and I would not change, and that is why my brand has lasted."

"It hasn’t been an easy journey on a truthful note, God has been good to me. Many people started long before I ever dreamt of charting this path but I can boast of awards and many international nominations as well. I think it’s not by my might but the handiwork of God that I have reached this height of my career."

"Dance moves do not make me good in bed neither am I what they perceive me to be when they see me on stage or in my music videos. The truth of the matter is that, I love to dance and I am good at twisting and winding my waist which so far, I think has been very helpful to me as a performer."

"Well, I am that kind of person who just does her work and any awards that comes surprises me. I don't put my mind on awards or anything like that so when they come they do surprise me."

"If she (MzVee) says she does everything on her own, I wrote most of her songs, I don't think it's disrespectful. I wrote Daavi, Come and See My Mother featuring Yemi Alade, and I Don't Know so she didn't do anything by herself. She doesn't do stuff on her own, as she claims. I have helped, so I'm just hoping that she will appreciate rather than making it look like I never did anything for her. Because I never took even GHS1 from her."

"I watched MzVee's recent interview with Delay, she is not cured. MzVee is still depressed because depression is not cured - it's manageable. The church does not manage depression, it would rather give you false hope. MzVee currently into the music scene is no different from the depressed MzVee. She broke bounds from the house, an indiscipline behaviour that she should be disciplined."

"Yes - her (MzVee) colleague musician Efya could offer help but that's not enough. The last time I watched her interview with Delay critically, she's still going through depression. When you're treated properly out of depression, the sort of things that earlier made you feel bad, you'll be okay with it now no matter how long they say to offend you. We call it total recovery in professional counselling. She needs to seek professional counselling if she wants to go ahead with her music, else whatever happened to her when it's being repeated, she'll break down."

"She is MzVee. She has been in that legendary state. She’s released back-to-back so you can say she wants to rest for some time and give the new guys some room to propagate."

"I always see Wiyaala on TV. I sing MzVee's songs everyday. Today I am seeing them. I think I am dreaming."

"MzVee and I work together a lot so we spend a lot of time together. We have become good friends and nothing more, there is nothing romantic between us."

"MzVee is a woman I feel. She is beautiful, intelligent and has the shape I want from my ideal woman. Most of all, she is a Dancehall artiste and based on this, the two of us click very well."

"I am a winner; I am a superstar How you see yourself is just how you are No compromising, no second-guessing Stay true to yourself and you’re gonna make it far! Can’t stop my Destiny, it’s my Identity!!."

"I will rule my destiny I’m unique, I’m not common Let me tell you where I come from In the ghetto, not London Mama told me you’re a champion You gon make it on the long run."

"I go like spend my life with somebody like you Give me the ring I will collect Mama I'm coming home, tell Papa am coming home Take my hand and carry me go."

"And on doing the research and noticing the very clear effects of global warming, it’s something that I really wanted to raise awareness for."

"We need to switch over, move over, to renewable energy and let nature provide us with power — and not just power, positive power."

"So we need to let our leaders know this, that this is the future that we want for ourselves and for those we love, our children and our grandchildren"

"What my mom would say to me is that people will remember who you are, for the kind of person you are, rather than what grade you get on a test, or if you win a soccer game or a basketball game."

"Your teammates will remember you for the type of teammate you were. I think who you are when you don't win and how you support your teammates says so much more about you than who you are when you win"

"I had no idea how much support I would receive or how much support so many of my teammates and other brave people who spoke out would get"

"The more that we can be honest and talk about if we're struggling, or we're feeling self-conscious, and we can normalize that conversation, I think we'd be surprised how many other people actually feel self-conscious, too,"

"I happy to say that I am a part of England Netball under17."

"University is going to be brilliant! It will provide opportunities and experiences you couldn't have imagined. Use your time wisely and make the most of what you can get while you still can."

"It builds confidence when you see someone else coming from your background who was in a similar position to you achieving in their given field. It's vital that we all have something to aspire to! Sometimes you need to see it to believe it."

"I think with 'role models' it's key to understand that you don't have to be just like them to be great. Underestimating the worth of being the best version of yourself and taking the qualities you possess for granted are big mistakes!"

"I take influence from their ambition! Athletics is a sport in which you have to stand up for yourself with conviction in your actions regardless of what others around you are doing. That passion for being and doing better is highly influential and carries over into my daily 9-5 work too."

"Ihave a lot of respect for Lewis Hamilton. He is standing up against racism and helping to get across an important message within an environment where he could easily step back, keep quiet and follow the status-quo. Stormzy has donated £500,000 to fund educational scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and will provide £10m to black British causes over the next ten years. Again, it's not just about the amount of money, but the fact that he is choosing to use his platform for sustainable change that makes this inspiring."

"I fought for it with every possible effort. I can feel that I could reach 68m. That's a fair result for me and will make me feel more confident"

"The tough competition pushed me to fight hard and the pressure can be somehow kind of encouragement, motivating me to finish the throws with better skills."

"Nothing is impossible. I was hoping for some better results after securing the medal"

"I want an Olympic gold. My goal is 70m and I don't think it's a faraway target. I have good skills. I need more training, more inspiration, and more energy to boost myself. I have such a feeling that I can make it happen sometime in the future."

"So the thing about me is, I’ve always considered myself to be a very versatile artist. From the very first EP, all five to six songs on are completely different and I’ve never wanted to box myself."

"Going for a reality show developed me as an artist. Vodafone Icons helped develop me as an artist, I am Cina Soul because of my time on Vodafone Icons, I may not have won but being on the show gave me an identity. I know a lot of people out there have faith and believe in me so I have to make everyone proud by giving it my all."

"My music career began in school but got firm and strong after I had completed and put in much effort in to building it."

"What ever sound that comes to me in the studio, that’s what comes out be it highlife, Afro beat, or Afro-pop."

"It was for a moment. I released an EP called Ga Mashi during that moment, so it makes sense to be that persona for that moment. If I've gone past that project and released an EP called For Times We Lost that is very Afrobeats/HipHop, whu do I keep doing that? All this is intentional, I like to be different persona with every project I put out. I love to stay different all the time."

"My glam team don't sleep, they are always on point and always trying to make me look good because my image is really important...every space am in, they want me to stand out."

"When I started music people used to look down on me because I was smallish. There were some instances where I went to events and the organisers asked how old I was and I added five years to my age."

"There is something called psychology in music, psychology is just studying peoples behaviour and my background as a psychology student has influenced the kind of things I say in my songs and people say my music is therapeutic."

"Sometimes, some labels just preach a lot before they sign you, but you get in there and you don't see anything. I remember when I actually was with Universal when I recorded Ojorley, they didn't want the song. And that's my biggest song too. That's how funny it was. I actually got signed to the Universal Music record label, and I'm independent again, I have been independent for a longer time."

"It's hard to penetrate the Ghanaian music market, your music probably won't sell, people wouldn't like you, some people who have grown in the industry will tell you that your music won't sell. Sometimes these comments can break you and you tend to ask yourself would this music that I'm doing yield results at all...Even people would sometimes sabotage you."

"I think finding your sound or what makes you unique is always the hardest part because there are a million artists around the world. Even in Ghana, there are thousands, so what will make you stand out? It’s like at every point, you find a different type or different side of you."

"I think she (Cina Soul) is actually extremely good. Soul’s voice is like something that can represent us (Ghana) on an international scale. I know she’s gonna get there. I don’t know which song [will take her there]. When I saw King Promise I knew. But I didn’t know how. But I knew he was gonna be huge. And Cina Soul has that approach."

"Cina is a nice person and I like her vibe and I'll spend the whole day with her and even more. She is talented, I like her vibe and performance on stage and I'm a big fan."

"I love Cina Soul. I put her on my shows because I want to give her the kind of exposure that I didn't get when I was starting my music career with the kind of music that I was doing. And she has a beautiful talent that I think is gonna grow to become amazing and I'm here to support her as much as I can..."

"I for do what I can till I’m gone You touch me, you touch fire Let no man ever touch my crown."

"To me, netball is life and everything else because everything that I have in this life is motivated or influenced by the sport"

"Whenever I step on court, I play my heart out and enjoy the game and whatever comes out of it is a bonus…this is what I did in both World Cup appearances,"

"Being part of the Surrey Storm family is phenomenal, apart from moulding me as a player, a lot has also changed socially and at home"

"This time, I told them (Gems) to get out there, play to enjoy the game and whatever the result is, be ready to work harder again tomorrow."

"It is very overwhelming to play in your first world cup, but for me, it is the third one."

"So, it is just another tournament; whether it is the Commonwealth Games or a World Cup, the name really doesn’t matter. It is just a matter of playing against 16 countries and trying to be the best."

"The more games you play, the less stress and nerves become. The pressure will always still be there"

"It is about taking that experience and telling the next player: ‘Hey, It is just another match, focus on our goals, focus on what is important.’ If you keep focusing on what your job is and what you do next, you will forget about everything else."

"I can be my really introverted, calm self off the court, have lots of empathy and really care about people, and that is who I am at my core."

"But when I step onto that court, I have to put a persona on. I am competitive, a little bit stubborn, I love to win, and I love the teams I play for. I will absolutely go to the nth degree to help us get across the line"

"I do overthink things, and I’ve found it’s quite common for elite athletes and for females. We want to be perfect, and there’s no such thing. That tendency to overthink makes my self-confidence waver, so I’ve had to learn to leave that alone."

"But I have great people around me in the Fever and the Diamonds’ environment, so it doesn’t really pop its head up too often. And when it does, I focus on three things which I believe are strengths – my footwork, my energy and my voice, and that brings me back to the present."

"The greatest thing that my parents ever gave me was to dream big and that nothing is impossible."

"For my Dad to go and play for the All Blacks, he was a dad at 16, married at 17, coming from a really small town. He never really gave up on his dreams and that's what my parents have always instilled in me. Anything is possible if you work hard, dream big and chase everything."

"I still feel that love and passion for it and when you've got teams like the Black Ferns Sevens girls and the Black Ferns 15s girls, they make it so enjoyable that you really don't want to leave. You want to ride until the wheels fall off!"

"Climbing is such a natural thing as human beings. It’s part of how we used to survive"

"They’re climbing within their comfort zone, and mitigating these risks, and choosing to do something that keeps them fit, active, healthy and happy."

"There is so much more freedom and enjoyment in a very different way. When you make your passion your job, it’s difficult to stay in love with that. This stage has brought it all back, fulfilled me again"

"It started off with me and my mum, She was my bank. She was my chauffeur, mechanic, manager, and she didn’t even know the difference between the front wheel and back wheel."

"It’s not going to be an easy road for me, because it’s quite difficult for single nation [riders]"

"I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it. I’m very set on that. And I believe it. I think once you believe in something, it’s achievable."

"I just have to put in all the hard work and do what I know I’m capable of, and it will be an absolute honour to make history, once again, for Barbados, and make them proud."

"For me, success is when I feel happy and free from any pressure."

"The fact that we are able to get people excited about women’s football is probably our greatest success."

"In my experience as a football player, the media often make difficult situations more difficult."

"It is important to me to treat everybody equally, to be able to stand there personally in difficult situations and have confidence in my abilities, and to be able to use my knowledge and experience to support my team."

"But the pay gap between male football players and women players is so unbelievably huge that it is unfair."

"We just want to have the same conditions and structures as men. Of course, we generate less revenue, but if people don't want to invest more in us, they are not going to see higher returns."

"Some of us play sport as a living, and we’re really privileged to do so. But for the majority of people across the world, sport is a vehicle for keeping healthy and active."

"By accepting that there are barriers to women’s participation in particular, we are accepting that there isn’t a level playing field. That’s not a sustainable position to be in."

"Under participation in women’s sport is a global concern. There are plenty of factors that contribute to the problem – a lack of facilities, a lack of real and genuine opportunities, and a perception of being less valued than our male counterparts."

"When it came to deciding where I should apply for university, the reputation of LJMU’s sports offering was second to none and was something I was keen to experience and be a part of. I was aware that the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences had a history of nurturing world-class athletes and I knew I’d be getting an excellent quality of teaching and support."

"It’s been massively beneficial for me to be able to play football professionally and still continue with my studies at the same time. The support the university has given me has been great, in particular from my tutors and the rest of the Sports Scholarship staff who really go out of their way to guide you. In my case, being part of the Scholarship scheme and getting so much guidance from staff definitely helped me to strike the right balance, and commit to both my studies and professional endeavors to the very best of my ability."

"The teaching curriculum on the Sport and Exercise Science course was also massively applicable to my career. Everything I learned in lectures could be related back to myself as an athlete. It also provided me with a valuable opportunity to continue to progress in my career, while still obtaining an education. It was certainly a challenging experience but it’s one that definitely enabled me to better myself as a person, improve my time-management skills and further develop qualities that I hope will continue to set me up for future success."

"Before February, I hadn’t really thought about an international call-up for a number of years, to be quite honest, Not that I didn’t want it to happen, but I just thought maybe that time had been and gone."

"I think you always need some timing and luck in your career, I think that did come together [with] more game time, scoring some goals and I just felt like I was in a good place."

"I was really proud to be out there and to be called upon was great. When [the coaching staff] shouted me, I thought ‘Oh wow. There’s a lot I need to remember over the next couple of minutes!’ I was just trying to soak it all in. It was amazing to get out there."

"I think you never want to be playing on someone else’s misfortune, but luckily we found out that Keira’s injury obviously wasn’t too long-term or serious, so that is brilliant news."

"To be honest when I found out I wasn’t picked for the April camp I actually thought that was my World Cup dream over."

"I think for a couple of days I really thought I’ve worked so hard all season, and it’s just not meant to be, but we had some really important games at Manchester United, obviously fighting for the league title and the FA Cup final."

"We’ve got players that can come on now and change the game. And we believe that our team’s very talented, it’s a close knit group and it’s amazing to be a part of"

"We’re definitely playing better and hopefully, we need a big win and hopefully that happens against Belgium."

"I think maybe people look at the results, but I think we’ve definitely improved. What we’re doing on the ball, what Pedro is encouraging us to do – close connections – everyone feels confident now."

"We are in a good place; we have had a good couple of weeks of training and it’s up to us to go and get the three points. We need to see it as an opportunity to put things right and show what we can do."

"I think it’s an advantage that there’s a few familiar faces for me, so I know what I’m going to be up against."

"It’s so important we keep up our unbeaten run at home and the fans have been massive for us, you can always hear them they really are like the 12th player for us"

"It's always been my dream to play for Barca's first team, It is true that I left before, but I did so with the mentality that it would serve me to come back."

"I have more experience now. I have travelled, I have played in England, where I was happy, but I am delighted to be able to come back and continue my career here."

"Barcelona sign Ona Batlle on free transfer from Man Utd,ESPN, 19/June/2023, Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens"

"On a personal note it was wonderful to be able to score my first goals at a World Cup, I think I’m going to keep on the positives. We were able to score six goals."

"There are a couple of negative notes. We conceded three goals, but for me the most important thing is to hold our heads high and we’ve got a couple of days to work on our defensive set play."

"My time in Houston has been a journey. Not many people can say they have played at the same club for seven years. I am honoured to have worn orange for that length of time, I absolutely love this club and the city of Houston."

"I have created memories that will last a lifetime. I feel happy knowing that I am leaving this club in a much better place than when I arrived. I can’t wait to see the future success of the Houston Dash. I want to thank everyone, from the bottom of my heart"

"It was a tough one to take because I thought in spells we did really well, but in this league it’s the small millimetres that make the difference"

"We could have won, 100 per cent. It’s the small things that let us down today, like second balls and not defending crosses. We just have to take it on the chin and go on to the next one."

"I am a Woman. I have dreams and ambitions. I have goals and aspirations. I have a PLAN for my life and the only thing that can stop me 2019/03/29"

"No, I am not because I have nothing to hide. Sometimes you don’t really call for the attention you get"

"I think when you leave an open life where there is really no big secret or big scandal that you are afraid will be exposed to the public and will destroy your image, I think you can sleep easier at night"

"I can’t think of anything I’ve done or has happened to me that would embarrass me if it comes out to the public."

"The worst scandal that could come out is if someone doesn’t like my acting and goes ahead and starts trashing me on TV. I think that is the worst thing that can happen to me."

"I am not angry. I am just a no nonsense person. You don’t bring nonsense my way and expect me to smile"

"I believe in love, but I don’t believe that everybody gets to experience true love. I just think not everybody is fortunate enough to experience true love."

"It all comes back to the reason why we are in the industry. If you know why you are here, it makes it easy for you to avoid all these ridiculous offers. I am not desperate"

"I like to separate my personal life from business. This is work. Everybody should come here, be professional, be ready to work and be done with it"

"I am willing to take acting as far as it would take me."

"If I didn’t have the motivation and support I am getting from them at the moment, I don’t think I would have gotten this far with what I’m doing"

"You get into that position and you don't want to get your hopes up because everything is so fickle in the industry."

"I think it's a good thing to look back on and understand that you have a power really. You have power in it and to use it wisely and to the best of our abilities too. Do good rather than bad."

"Society expects you to act a certain way and she didn't, which had its consequences."

"It's one of those things where — and this is why writers are so successful — it's about humanizing people."

"Some of the biggest monsters out there have something in their past that's made them into what they are.I don't think someone is just born into the world being nasty. Usually it's a combination of things. But it's interesting how it affects their life, how it affects everybody else in their life."

"Teenage bullying in general, I don't even want to say teenage anymore because everyone deals with some sort of bullying, it never ends. That's such a misconception, but bullying in general is so awful. Whether it's online or it's in person or it's your family."

"The biggest thing is to protect yourself emotionally and mentally, which should be a daily practice anyway.""

"As far as advice goes, I would definitely say keep your circle small and close. There really is something to making sure that you have a good support group."

"Every cake is unique; whether it is simple or complex."

"Make it simple but significant and if it has to be complex, never leave out the important details."

"Cakes are a very significant part of celebrations."

"We were each born for some higher purpose and it is now our cosmic mission to find it."

"Baking is pure chemistry."

"We live in a competitive world and there is no business where one would not have a competitor who offers similar products"

"Outcome doesn’t mean anything about your efforts."

"A lot of people think of a ‘no’ as the end of things, or a way to beat yourself down. But then you keep going. It’s not final."

"‘No’ is not really the end of growth. It’s just a way to get better."

"Growth is so uncomfortable yet so rewarding"

"advances in the digital world and technology will continue to illuminate the problems and simultaneously bring people together for the purpose of acceptance, love and unity’"

"While there are barriers that need to be addressed, the Philippines already has the advantage. The Philippines still leads among Asian countries in terms of closing the gender gap, based on the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report, where we placed 19th in the global rankings."

"Bridging the digital gender divide is crucial to achieving gender equality and promoting economic growth. Through policies, programs, and initiatives that prioritize digital inclusion and gender equality, the Philippine government is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind, that every individual, regardless of gender, has access to and can fully participate in the digital economy"

"Prior to World War II, our rail transportation spanned 1,100 kilometers. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) used to run from La Union to Bicol, linking the north and south provinces of Luzon. In 2016, however, we only had about 77 kilometers of rail routes left. What was left would oftentimes be a bane rather than a boon due to frequent technical glitches and other service interruptions. As Asian megacities were developing their rail systems, ours was on the decline"

"Filipinos have built many cities, expressways, subways, railways, and airports elsewhere in the world as OFWs. The pandemic gave us the best talent pool one could ever ask for. Build, Build, Build gave OFWs an opportunity to serve their country if they wanted to. Although we couldn’t match the salaries they received abroad, many stayed to ensure that Filipinos would get to use infrastructure that they only saw in photos before. We are on the right track. The Philippines can be a trillion-dollar economy."

"Many will try to discredit the accomplishments of 6.5 million construction workers. They will say that what we have completed is not enough, that there could have been many things that we could have done still, or that we never really worked at all. Allow me to say — if you are reading this, and you’re part of the Build, Build, Build team - without you, we wouldn’t have been able to build 29,264 kilometers of roads, 5,950 bridges, 11,340 flood control projects, 222 evacuation centers, 150,149 classrooms, 214 airport projects, and 451 seaport projects. Philippines is in a much better place because of your skill, work, and sacrifices."

"About five years ago, on our first day of office — Build, Build, Build Czar Mark Villar and I were talking — “What can we do to make the Philippines a better place?” His answer was simple —roads to the most rural areas so that children can go to school without risking their lives, bridges to connect farmers and fishermen to their markets and infrastructure that would open up opportunities in the countryside and allow Filipinos to dream and aspire for a better future."

"What is Build, Build, Build? It is a revolution of Filipinos who want the next generation to see a better Philippines."

"People would often ask - what is Build, Build, Build? it Is a springboard, a chance to turn a dream of connecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao into a reality. It means connecting 81 provinces, 146 cities, and 1,489 municipalities.”"

"This is the first time in Philippine history that expressways operated by different concessionaires — as in this case, San Miguel Corporation and Metro Pacific — will interconnect. And who are the biggest victors of this arrangement? The Filipino people.”"

"Back in 2016, no one knew what Build, Build, Build meant or what it stood for. Critics had very little expectation of the team. They wagered against our success, not knowing that when they did, they gambled against the future of their country. They were certain that the infrastructure projects would never materialize — that blueprints would remain as drawings. They didn’t expect 6.5 million Filipinos to stand and work behind it."

"Before the six-month closure of Boracay, coliform bacteria in Bolabog reached as high as one million most probable number (MPN) per 100 mililiter (ml). The streets were so narrow and cars could not pass through. Pedestrians competed with pedicabs and tricycles for whatever little space was left on the street. There were no sidewalks. Establishments encroached on the shoreline, with some sections left with barely any sand.Six months later, water quality had significantly improved — with a recorded value of only 19 to 20 MPN/100 ml. This is even lower than the acceptable threshold of 100 MPN/100 ml for swimming areas and 200 MPN/100 ml for areas of non- contact sport."

"In one of our visits, I met a fourth-year high school student, who was three months shy from graduation. Before Yolanda hit, he was studying for his exams with his girlfriend. It was supposed to be the last Christmas they would be dependent on their allowances. They dreamed of traveling together after college. It was going to be their first time. They never had money to spare before. But in three months, they thought, everything would be all right. They only had to wait a few more months. After all, they had already waited for four years. What he didn’t expect was the fact that the storm [Typhoon Haiyan] would be so strong he would have to choose between saving his girlfriend and her one-year-old niece. For months, he would stare longingly at the sea, at the exact same spot he found his girlfriend, with a piece of galvanized iron that was used for roofing pierced through her stomach. It was a relief that one of the first projects we started under DPWH Secretary Mark Villar was the Leyte Tide Embankment, a storm surge protection structure that would serve as the first line of defense for residents of Tacloban, Palo, and Tanauan in Leyte should another typhoon hit the region."

"The United Nations has often defined culture as being created, contested, and recreated within the social praxis of diverse groups in economic, social, and political arenas. There is no point to segregation — to further an invisible line dividing Christians and Muslims. Just as men need to stand up for women in gender rights, Catholics must stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters for sustainable peace. We must be the first to oppose whenever Muslims are branded and discriminated against. As the old Chinese proverb say — Just as a fence has to be built with pegs, an able person needs the help of three others."

"If you are in any way part of Build, Build, Build, be strong and steadfast. The truth will not change only because alternate realities are repeated, or that facts are often ignored. The attacks will be more vicious and it will be at a rate that we have never seen before. Do not be disheartened. There is work to be done still. While we are already able to complete 29,264 kilometers of roads, 15,134 kilometers are still ongoing. While we have already built 5,950 bridges, we still have 1,859 bridges to build."

"In the Philippines, there wasn’t much political support or policy or infrastructure that would address the needs of cyclists and pedestrians. It was almost impossible — and to a certain extent unsafe — to walk or cycle alongside national highways. Fortunately, the vision for Philippine infrastructure is fast changing. With the issuance of DPWH Department Order 88, all projects that involve new road and bridge construction will include in their design the provision of bicycle facilities, if feasible."

"Soon, the Philippines will be a cycling country."

"We must come to the table knowing that there is no barangay, city, province, government, or country that can solve the COVID-19 crisis alone. More than ever, human collectivism is key. We have prepared for wars even before they happened. Maybe this time, we ought to work together, collectively and purposively, regardless of race, ethnicity, political affiliation, and religion, in finding a solution to a threat that has shaken our very definition of civilization."

"Love is choosing someone every day, even when you are disenchanted and disappointed, even when the rest of the world offers brief, short-lived, and uncomplicated romances, even when the easier option is to simply let go.” - Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo , Night Owl: A Nationbuilder’s Manual 2nd Edition"

"Cinderella, Snow White, or Red Riding Hood wasn’t our role models. We were taught from a very young age that girls need not be saved, that they could be heroes, protagonists of their own stories. Girls are not inferior to men, not in this generation or the ones before it.”"

"At the onset, critics pointed out that Boracay beach closure seemed to be a drastic move, an isolated strategy. But the statement was nothing but a myth. When I visited Florida as part of the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), I learned that beach closures were part of a standard operating procedure relevant to Algal Bloom Monitoring. Recently, it closed Jupiter Beaches on Palm Beach County, Hobe Sound Beach, and Bathtub Beach in Martin County.In Rhode Island, the moment the concentration of Enterocci bacteria in beach water exceeds 60 colony-forming units per 100 mililiters, they issue a temporary closure. In 2018 alone, there were at least 40 beach closures in Rhode Island. - Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo , Night Owl: A Nationbuilder’s Manual 2nd Edition"

"There is a certain standard that women are placed on, much higher than men. Why is it that when it’s a woman it’s like so much more dramatic and quite frankly irritating?"

"Social media has been helpful because you can use social media to get information for stories and can use social media to gather data."

"The world is constantly changing and you have to find the best way to tell your story, sometimes you might find that text is perfectly fine but other times you might need to make it into a podcast or an audio version, it really depends on what the story needs"

"Podcasting is still a concept that people are getting used to, especially in Africa. Podcasting is difficult because people still think it’s radio and you need an internet connection to listen to an episode."

"You need to be open-minded, when you start you will start off doing work that you don’t really enjoy because you need to grab as many skills as possible."

"If you claim to be telling the stories of African women and you don’t document the bad experiences, then you won’t be honest in your coverage of women, because those bad and terrible experiences are the realities of many women."

"Generally, the media business not just in Nigeria, but in Africa is hard. The media has not yet hacked how to make money."

"I scored with my very first touch. That’s football, though, isn’t it? Sometimes you play well and things don’t work out. But today I went out there and found the back of the net straightaway."

"I suppose you could say I’m a goal specialist. I just try to get in the area so I can round moves off by putting the ball in the back of the net. That’s what I’m there for."

"We (Super Falconets) played them (New Zealand) during the qualifiers for the World Cup and I came on in the second half in that game too. By the end of it, I’d scored five goals."

"It’s impossible not to be nervous when you’re on the bench! It’s far worse than starting because you want to get out there and help your teammates. And when they make a mistake you think: ‘Ahhhh. I would have done it this way or that way’. Sometimes, though, you just have to sit there and watch and cheer them on."

"I’m dreaming about that semi-final. I don’t know if I’ll start the game – that’s up to the coach – but I do know that no matter who plays, they will have to give their all because we want to be in the final."

"I remember that game (final between the Super Falconets and Germany at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup). I was on the bench feeling really nervous and apprehensive, hoping that my team would score. It’s going to be a different story this time. In 2010 they were playing at home, with all their fans behind them, but that won’t be the case here. This final against Germany is also coming at a good time for me, because I’ve got a lot more experience now."

"The only thing that’s in my mind is that I can’t lose two finals, and both of them to Germany. We’ve got to win this Sunday. I don’t care how. And we’re going to do it too."

"I was the youngest player in the team but I had two friends with me and they helped me a lot during the competition. They kept encouraging me the whole time."

"When you hear ’12 years in’ and ‘you’ve been doing this for so long,’ and ‘40 games,’ your mind automatically goes to ‘OK, how can I achieve this the best way possible without getting hurt?"

"I’m really just very grateful, to be honest. I guess it kind of gives me a new lease on what the end of my career really looks like."

"I didn’t anticipate it, to be honest. I ended up doing more than I thought I was going to do this season. It’s still a blessing and I’m very grateful to know that I’m capable. To be able to come out, both on the All-Defensive and WNBA teams, it showed that I’m doing something right. I want to make sure that I’m as much of an asset on the court for my teammates."

"I would say that I learned something new, maybe not necessarily about my skill but more about how I exert my skill – my stamina, my endurance. I learned a lot about that. That’s after a lot of great offseason work, and now to build off of that. Each offseason, I’m like, ‘OK, I did this much. What’s it going to look like?’ It’s amazing to see that there are still more changes to be made after each season. I’m in that right now and it feels really good."

"That’s what it feels like and I’m really grateful. I think I’m also thinking about myself, what I want and what I want to achieve. I think I’ve kind of hung my career very heavily on service but I’m focusing more of that service as, like, how can I serve my wants, my needs, my goals that create a greater environment and perspective for my team and my teammates."

"I want to leave this place better than how I entered it. Period, point-blank. I want the job — the fervor, the passion of having agency over your value, your worth, your change — to be in players that are recognizing that as they enter the league."

"When we (Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike) started playing basketball, we didn't quite know what it would offer. It was a whole world that we were just completely unfamiliar with."

"There's a through line in all of us (she and her siblings), but we all kind of ended up doing our own thing, and I love it. Supporting that is really important because our parents raised us to be collaborative and be teammates instead of competitive. So we've never been a, 'Oh, Chiney did that? Oh, I'm going to do this!' We've always just been like, 'Girl, can I come along!' We just love celebrating each other and I think it's also what contributes to how we achieve what we achieve."

"With the pandemic and wars going on, it's really making it difficult for players to decide between life and dream. It's sad that the choice is so dangerous. It's not that it wasn't before. I guess it's that with the rise of women's sports, with the investment in women's sports, you just want to see something to where that doesn't feel like it's a necessity and I think right now, it still feels like a bit of a necessity for players."

"There’s a lot of stigmas and stereotypes that we navigate on the daily, to the point where I try my best to really tune them all out. But everyone thinks that we don’t make any money at all, people don’t know that we play 12 months out of the season, and that watching women’s basketball is not exciting. Those are all fallacies and… I think are quickly becoming dispelled."

"We have the want to, we have the determination and the belief but we need to turn all of that into real confidence and just having a little bit of swagger. I think that’s what we saw (Tuesday night) and we want to definitely build off of how we feel. For me, I play for intangibles so you can run as many plays as you want to, you can throw all these different schemes out but it’s not going to matter if you’re not locked in with the people that are out there."

"I’m not the same caliber as Nneka so I feel funny saying this but I’m really proud of her. It takes a lot to do that and she is consistent, especially this year 92023). Her numbers are off the charts and it’s almost casual. She’ll have 15 at halftime and that’s consistent. It’s kind of not talked about enough and it’s just a thing that she does, but it is excellence and I’m proud of her. I’m not surprised though because that’s the human she is."

"For every woman out there!! Lately I've been seeing women mock, condemn and even curse each other out on social media. it is so painful, I mean we have all made mistakes In our lives, ALL OF US! So why are we so quick to call another woman out, why is the word "bitch" such a trend now.. we women really need to encourage and most importantly pray for each other.. you can save her life with kind words.. that will never take anything out of you. A lot of women will hate this post as good things are barely promoted but may God touch your heart.. God bless us."

"When God says yes, nobody can change His verdict."

"I have always wanted to be a queen and I feel amazing to have won the pageant. Winning the Miss World looks promising and I have the confidence to, having won this"

"Of course, yes. I mean, you buying a form means you are ready to become MBGN. I always knew I would be a beauty queen. Years back, the password to all my accounts had been forevermissworld"

"We had to bond. The girls became sisters. You wake in the morning, you meet the same girls with whom you do practically everything. While in camp, you argue, you make up. We had so many great moments"

"I will help stop child trafficking and child abuse. We have to work with agencies in this area to eliminate the menace. We need to work with agencies involved in this area to keep children off the street and free them from forced labour"

"I will also organize seminars to mentor young girls, a kind of motivational programme aimed at mentoring them"

"You guys I actually had an experience with R.Kelly. I was about 16 working part-time at a retail store in Sandton (Johannesburg) we heard R.Kelly was in the mall, so we were standing outside the store to see him pass and I swear we locked eyes. He stopped and said hi to me, me out of everyone??!! and was asking me my name when my boss called us back in! I was angry at my boss though but watching this documentary now I'm like wow. Maybe underage girls were his type and was about to show interest"

"Our experienced forward Sarah Michael has chosen to extend her contract over 2021! Sarah has qualities that give variables to our game and contribute with clear target play, goal danger and weight in our attacking play. We are looking forward to Sarah's season and we are happy to see her in Mallbackens IF again this year!"

"Linkopings FC is a big club in Damallsvenskan and it has been a dream to play there, a dream that has now become true and it will be so exciting. I will do my best, collaborate with my teammates and work hard to win multiple titles."

"We’re going to work hard to put the 8-0 defeat by Germany behind us. We are not scared of them even though they a big side. Lots of factors contributed to that loss. The climate affected us; it was very cold and many of our players just aren’t used to playing in such extreme conditions. But this time around, we are ready for the test. Because of that, no one can blame the team or the technical staff for what happened, and you only have to look at how we played in South Africa during the last African Football Championship to see that. We were a lot better. Honestly, the climate didn’t help us at all and that’s a question of what you’re used to."

"I appreciate God for the victory and my contributions against Vaxjo. As a team, we really performed well and worked hard to get our goals early in the match. It was a team effort and I'm glad to see that we started the season very well. I played a very important role in the victory as a striker and I actually did my best to make sure we won the game. I am happy at the club and also felt welcomed and special as well. I'm grateful for the [Player of the Match] award and it made me feel proud of my contributions in the match. I give God all the glory for that and also my teammates for the support. We are in good shape as a team and I'm very keen to keep giving my best and also hungry to deliver more goals to help the team go far this season."

"Being so young, I had not traveled widely and to see this beautiful country with the sea surrounding, it was a wonderful experience. I had not seen anything like that before."

"I was sent off and that was really tough for my side. Although we managed to draw 2-2, it was not enough and we were knocked out. It was very disappointing."

"This was my best World Cup experience. To play in the final against the host was a terrific achievement and to come home with a silver medal is something I will cherish forever."

"Last season (2015) I scored some 30 goals in the league and this season I had eight after the first four matches. But I know that I have to keep on working hard to keep scoring. That is what I want to do, as I just love scoring goals."

"I thought that Ebere was at times one of the elite players last year (2019) and she will hopefully add a further edge to our offensive. I also think it is an advantage that she knows Swedish football after her three years here and of course it has also made possible very reliable references from different angles."

"Linkopings FC has always been one of the top teams in the OBOS Damallsvenskan. I like the Swedish league which has both good teams and players, and I like Linkopings FC's way of playing. It fits me perfectly and is good for my continued development as a football player. I really feel that this is a step in the right direction for me."

"With Chinaza and Uchenna we get two good offensive players that complement and spearhead our team, which also gives the squad better balance and durability."

"I’m excited and grateful to God. I’m super happy that I was able to make the top three. I’ll say I’m not the best athlete but I’m grateful to God for bringing me this far. I can’t contain my joy no matter the colour of the medal."

"It has been a great season for me right from April when I was injured but I never settled for less no matter the challenges. I keep on pushing and my coach keeps telling me that Ese you can do it. It is not all about the training but the faith I have in God."

"This is one thing I really wanted, to get the Games record. This is special for me because it shows consistency. It shows the hard work of all those that have supported me and my coach, who has been backing me up. Sometimes it's about how you're able to show that what you're doing is not a fluke."

"The Rio Olympics taught me that you should never look down on yourself and stick to what you believe in. I told myself if I'm able to make it to the final with one leg, I should be able to make the podium on two legs."

"To win a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2019 gave me a lot of confidence that, 'OK, so I can actually compete with the top athletes in the world. I could actually do better still because that wasn't my best, you know, so it made me believe that I could get better. And so far, I have been working with that mindset, and it's helping me, and I can see a lot of improvement."

"It's a huge achievement for me and my coach. It was a surprise for us at first and, you know, it was something that we didn't expect to happen at that moment. It just happened. And we're still trying to recover from it. And hopefully...I'm able to back this distance, and hopefully, it should get me a medal."

"Tobi Amusan is my best friend, everybody knows. It was amazing for us because this is what we are trained for. She deserves it so much. Last championships, we just got one medal. Now we are getting out with two medals. It is a wonderful night for Nigeria, for all of us."

"I want to make young girls believe that all things are possible. You know they can do exactly or even better than what I'm doing right now. I'm not any super girl from one unique place. No, I'm a local girl from Ughelli. So if this local girl can do it, can come this far from nothing to become something, then you also can do it."

"Pressure is coming in from different places, from Nigeria, from my team, from Africa as a whole. I try as much as possible not to let that overwhelm me, take it one step at a time, not to rush. I try not to panic at any point in time and I do not see anyone as a rival. It's something that has helped me, and it has really brought me this far. And then the only thing to do is to surpass my personal best. I try to beat myself."

"I know this will be an inspiration for them (young girls). Of course, when you see someone you look up to doing well, you want to definitely be like them. So this is going to motivate and inspire them. I hope it works."

"I told myself that I had to tell the federation and everyone that it was about my run up. I wanted to prove everyone wrong, because everyone was like ‘What was wrong with me?’ I was the world leader and all of a sudden I came last. I had to turn to God and put Him first and He did it."

"My dream is to become the world’s best so I know that for the World Championships, I will be on the medals table because I should be doing much better before then. If not the GOLD, I will be on the medals table."

"I was talking to her (Brume) about education, and I asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She talked about beauty pageants, they had a beauty pageant in a church that week, and she was going to be part of it. I told her that, you know, you can be in beauty pageants in many things in life. So I encouraged her to go to school, and I encouraged her to step in training."

"Ese Brume has continued to make us proud time and again. From the Olympics to the Commonwealth Games to the Diamond Leagues, Ese has consistently ranked amongst the top athletes in her sports, globally, While it is disappointing that she narrowly missed out on the Diamond League title, I want to state that the country remains proud of her achievements. I am sure that she will bounce back and take her rightful place. I urge her and other athletes likewise to stay focused on the bigger picture as we draw closer to the 2024 Olympic Games."

"I proudly congratulate the duo of Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume, both winning at the Diamond League held in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America. Oluwatobiloba Amusan for winning the 100m Women’s Hurdles in a time of 12.33 to reclaim her Diamond League title while Nigerian long jumper, Ese Brume for her silver medal achievement in the long jump event at the Diamond League. The duo of Tobi and Brume represents strength, mental toughness, and the Nigerian spirit....From the Olympics to the Commonwealth Games to the Diamond Leagues, Ese has consistently ranked among the top athletes in her sport globally. I join millions of Nigerians globally to felicitate with both Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume on their deserved wins at the Diamond League. Both victories are those that will restore their confidence after the difficult ordeal both passed through this year....Brume came close to winning her first Diamond League title after leaping 6.85m, just as Ivana Vuketa, who won gold, I am mostly proud of her for finishing strong, despite missing out on first place by very small margins. I urge Tobi, Brume, and other Nigerian athletes to reflect on this season, applaud themselves for their hard work, and look towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."

"ESE BRUME HAS WON A GOLD MEDAL! It was never in doubt, but Brume after coming under an early pressure, pulled up TWO Games Records, jumping 700 to reclaim her #CommonwealthGames crown. If there's ever an athlete who always delivers for Naija (Nigeria), it is Ese Brume."

"When we achieve, we usually do so because others have helped. I acknowledge those who have helped in achieving this goal, especially, to God who has strengthened me spiritually, physically, emotionally, and psychological."

"I started at the age of 12, but my family were strongly against me doing the sport at first. They kept me telling to stop doing it, but I persuaded them by getting a female coach. From then on, it was hard work, training, a lot of pain and dedication that got me here today. And now my family were in the audience and they are so excited and so proud."

"We [have] issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an in-competition test. That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on 25 July. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."

"The relevant processes, as detailed in our anti-doping standard for the Games, are now being followed and Ms Amalaha has pursued her right to have her B sample tested. This will take place at an accredited laboratory in London tomorrow, 30 July. Upon receipt of those results the process will continue."

"I am very disappointed that somebody as young as that (Chika) appears to have committed an offence at a multi-sport event like the Commonwealth Games."

"The Commonwealth Games Federation has determined that Nigerian weightlifter, Chika Amalaha, has committed an anti-doping rule violation and has fully suspended her from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. As a result, Ms Amalaha has been disqualified from her event at the Games, with her result in the Women’s Weightlifting 53 kilogram competition nullified."

"I am rather saddened and disappointed this has happened to a 16-year-old (Chika). We will need to see if the 'B' sample matches the 'A.' Then if it does the girl will be removed from the games and it will be up to the international weightlifting federation to apply a sanction and then she would lose her medal."

"Further to your (Amalaha) appearance today at the federation’s court (CGF) we hereby notify you that the court has decided that you have violated its rules through the use of banned drugs. The class of substances contained in her urine sample collected on July 29, 2014 are diuretic and masking agent as well as Hydrochlorothiazide. The court decision is that the following sanctions be imposed on you; that you are fully suspended from the 2014 Commonwealth Games. That you are disqualified from the 53kg weightlifting event within which you took part at the 2014 Commonwealth Games with all results nullified. That the gold medal and price awarded to you should be forfeited and returned."

"It was unfortunate that Amalaha was stripped of the medal she won at the Commonwealth Games, I could recall that after she was warned against drinking Zobo after the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana last May where she won three gold medals, when we returned to Abuja for camping ahead of the Commonwealth Games, she still sneaked out to drink Zobo again."

"It is sad it is a junior (Chika) and I hope they will learn from this experience. I think the international federation should look at it carefully and see whether there are mitigating circumstances when it comes to the sanctions. Being a junior obviously there must be some culpability from those that are looking after her, whether it is coaches or managers or doctors."

"I feel very sad about this development and that is why I had to rush in from London to see our weightlifters. I sympathise abjectly with Chika. She is just a young girl, very strong and promising in the sport and did not deserve to be brought into this kind of situation. I blame our coaches squarely for her predicament. As I see it, the issue is about meeting the right weight and she couldn’t have accessed drugs all on her own. I understand she competed about three months ago in Mauritius and she won without drugs, so how come she used those drugs now? Even if she got them herself, it is the duty of the coaches to know whatever medications their athletes are using and to research to be sure if the drugs contain banned substances."

"My biggest fear is how they will treat this little girl (Chika). She is strong and has passion for the sport but I fear that, as is the case in Nigeria, the authorities may discard her. I plead with them to console her and encourage her. She has a bright future and what happened is entirely not her fault. It is the coaches. The authorities have to find a way to make her forget about this incident and move on with focus on realising the place of her dream in weightlifting."

"The preparation is nothing to talk about; but I am not discouraged, rather I’m taking it up as a challenge to increase the tempo of my training outside the national camp. We have been in camp for the past two months training seriously, this will enable me to win a medal this time around and I know that almighty God will support my effort. I was in Beijing and London Olympics in 2008 and 2012 respectively, but couldn’t win any medal. However, this is another opportunity for me and I must make the difference this time."

"Thank God for exposure at previous Olympics, continental championships and series of trials that has helped me to garner the basic points that earned me this Olympic ticket."

"It is painful to come to the Olympics and see people who are your contemporaries perform better than you; not because you lack the ability but because you were not prepared like them."

"For me, it is not just about jumping unto the plane every four years to go to the Olympics. Every athlete you see here wants to step on the podium. If you can’t aim to climb up there, you have no business coming to the Olympics. I can only consider going to another Olympics if things change for the better. But if the status quo is maintained, I don’t think I will go to another Olympics again."

"Olympic gold medal doesn’t come cheap. It is painful that one has to suffer and when competition comes they expect you to win a medal with your blood. The people you have to compete with had everything they needed: training grants, competitions and are exposed to the most modern equipment. I had nothing. You don’t expect such people who have invested so much to lose to one who don’t even train adequately."

"I feel 2012 was better. I had better training and my result was better. This time nothing was done to better one’s performance."

"I feel honoured and glad to be voted as the Weightlifter of the Year 2014 by Nigerians. It was an honour that I feel is also a challenge for me to continue to do more, and promise not to disappoint the country (Nigeria)."

"The secret of my success is not far-fetched. With all honesty and modesty, I can say that determination and hard work are the keys to my success and I believe that other athletes can also achieve success if they are determined and hard working."

"I decided to become a weightlifter because of the intimidation from boys. I felt I needed to look like that so I can earn some respect from males and let them know that women can be like them too. Since I started, I have had no regrets at all as I have been able to win laurels for myself and the nation. Also, I can feed comfortable without disturbing anybody and my family is happy."

"I am going to the qualifiers lift the sole aim of picking a ticket for the Olympics. The tournament will actually show how much impact the camping had on me because I have never gone through this kind of camping in recent time. The coaches pushed us to the limit to bring out the best in us."

"We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. If our sports authorities want Nigerian athletes to begin to win like the rest athletes from around the world, we must begin to do things differently to get the type of results others are getting."

"It hurts a lot when you know that you have the capacity to do better but because certain things are not right in our preparations for the Games, one then fails to meet set target. I don’t want to sound as if I am giving excuses for my inability to make the podium. What I am saying is that we should not go to the next Games in four years time in Tokyo, Japan and also be in this same state of poor outing. I am appealing to whoever will be in-charge of Nigeria sports not allow things again turn lout like this. There should be better preparations, more encouragement for Nigerian athletes. Those other athletes (from other countries) that we competed against had everything as in everything to succeed. It just does not make sense to expect good result from Nigerian athletes who are competing with those who have been preparing in the last three years. We Nigerian athletes are just competing with tears and blood. It is through sheer personal determination to succeed that is driving Nigerian athletes. It just does not add up like that."

"I have won a couple of medals in several competitions but I yearn for an Olympic medal. It is the ultimate reward an athlete can get to show that one got to the peak of sport. And so it really hurts when one cannot get to the podium to receive an Olympic medal. Hurts real good."

"I feel really excited about winning. I've had my mind on gold ever since the very beginning. I believed I would get it and I did."

"Usman is the only one for weightlifting event in Rio; she did excellently well at the qualifiers which saw her through and she was able to secure the Olympic ticket."

"I had to raise her (Usman) to 160kg because she was no stranger to that. She lifted 170kg. She went to London to win, but Usman lost focus. I don’t know what happened, but she bungled it. It was painful. I brought her up and I know her capability."

""Music has brought me lots and lots of joy. For me, it's a feeling""

""I went through a lot. I went through a lot of changes. I lost weight and some unfortunate fellows said I did surgery.""

""I grew up in a polygamous family with many people, so you can’t come and do rubbish. I received excellent care, a lot of love and protection.""

""I chose music after struggling to make people laugh as MC, ""

"I am fine now and doing much better. I have started my training. I was formerly in South Africa, but presently I am in Akure, Ondo State. But I hope to be in Lagos next week. By October I will be back to start afresh."

"I am so happy to win because four years ago I won a bronze medal but this time around, I am the African champion. This season has been a great one for me as I became national champion, won a bronze at the IAAF World Relays and silver at the Commonwealth Games. I am going to train harder ahead of the Continental Cup."

"Abugan's 'A' sample was found to demonstrate findings consistent with an exogenous origin of endogenous steroids… and indicate an application of testosterone prohormone. She wrote to the CGF waiving her rights to have her 'B' sample analyzed. She also admitted liability."

"The Federation Court has determined that Ms Abugan had committed an anti-doping rule violation. Consequently, she has been disqualified from all events she participated in during the Games, with the results nullified. This includes her silver medal in the women's 400m. As she was also a member of her country's second placed 4 x 400m relay team, that result is also nullified."

"Folashade Abugan returned an adverse analytical finding from a test conducted on October 8, 2010, after competing in the women's 400 meter final."

"Ms Abugan wrote to the CGF waiving her rights to have her "B" sample analyzed and a hearing, as provided for within the CGF Anti-Doping Standard (ADS). She also admitted liability."

"In a situation where everyone trains differently, it doesn’t help in the relay. Another important thing is equipment; if we have standard equipments, we’ll improve in our performance. All what the country (Nigeria) needs to do for us as a team is for them to give us the financial support, make us train together because when you train alongside your team, definitely the spirit of togetherness is present."

"You know in 4×400 meters, you have to work as a team and this was what we did on the track. We had one spirit, one mind and as a result of determination we clinched the gold medal. The next target for the team is numerous. In Africa, Nigeria is number one in 4x400m and we are grateful to God for making us return the gold medal to Nigeria ones more. Back in 2016, the South African female team defeated us in Durban and right now the gold medal has returned to its rightful owners."

"You use what you have at your disposal to enact as much change as you can."

"Social media is a very important tool too, we can’t underestimate the age of information. Anyone who fears social media, fears the freedom knowledge brings."

"When you’re young, the amazing ideas you start up with don’t always have longevity."

"Do what makes you happy as long as you’re not hurting others."

"Regardless of societal expectations and unsolicited pressure, stay true to yourself."

"Keep on learning. We honestly need to continue to reorient our mindsets for the greater good and build a better society."

"Everyone deserves an education, it is NOT a privilege, it is simply a fundamental human right. You cannot expect a society to thrive when citizens are not equipped to develop a skill set and contribute to the development of that particular society."

"Quite frankly, stop running away from the media. Stop avoiding interrogation and stop avoiding young people. It is unhealthy for our society and if you want to serve in public office, you have to be willing and ready to be a person that is for the people."

"You cannot shy away from what affects your day to day and if you want to see a societal change, you have to infiltrate the system."

"Life is always going to have its ups and downs, but our energy controls so much about us."

"Being loving and kind, giving your life purpose, and simply doing something – these simple things that we often complicate as humans, lie at the core of that energy, and at the core of how we should exist."

"If a fish in the ocean is what we do know, then the entire ocean is what we don’t. The universe is always going to remain the largest mystery."

"Life is short and there’s so much more to life than we’re ever going to know."

"Consciously deciding not to, knowing and understanding what comes with being Nigerian in our world today, and choosing to stay focused on individual success, will one day lead to our collective success as a nation."

"Someone loving the heck out of themselves regardless of society’s opinion of what’s hot or not."

"The love from strangers can feel like a high, but it’s fleeting and it isn’t built on anything substantial, so that love can turn to indifference or hate."

"You either love, or you just don’t love."

"You just had to be yourself."

"Just don’t give up and it’s not going to be easy. It’s a long road."

"Just stick to what you’re doing. No matter what anybody says, no matter if you feel out of place, just think about your home and think about all the people that you’re going to help just by inspiring them. Maybe not even help directly, but just by inspiring them"

"It’s always sad saying goodbye to something you love so much."

"When people fall in love, they really become truthful, and when you’re truthful, no one can stop you from getting your truth heard."

"It's always nice to have a leader that knows where they're going, as opposed to a leader that's like,Well, we'll figure it out together."

"Whatever you feel that you’re not comfortable with, you need to immediately fix it because as soon as you’re thrust into whatever is about to happen after these shows air, it’s not going to go away."

"Film has a way of pulling people out of their realities but also showing them exactly what their reality is, shouting it at them."

"Pepi is an amazing singer. She's incredibly talented and is one of the kindest people I ever met. Truly a good person. She's so beautiful."

"You have your five years plan written out and if you are somebody that submits your life to God at some point, God will disrupt your plans and put his own plan. He starts to lead your life in the way he wants it to go."

"You need to be mentally, emotionally and physically stable. It takes everything from you even though it looks like we are playing."

"People think they are wayward or wild. You can’t just judge anybody because of their profession. You cannot judge anybody because of their looks."

"Don’t just break up with people, without proper communication, leaving them in the dark to figure out what went wrong."

"Looks can be deceptive. That person you think is the wildest and most deceptive person can be sweet. The person looks that way because they choose it or they don’t see it as anything bad."

"It takes God to please God. We can not walk this path relying on our own strength, or else we will fall."

"There is nothing God cannot do. Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop believing. He will do it in his own time."

"There will always be pressure and it’s not an easy process but it’s good to stick to one’s values"

"Never underestimate the power of communication! Stop assuming and just ask!!!"

"Even if you are not talented in something, you shouldn’t just let it go. You should train yourself in it and work very hard."

"If you’ve got a good woman, please let her know. Tell her as soon as you can. Make sure she knows, make sure she feels it."

"Everything is turn by turn, your time will come"

"If you are good at what you do then your market will make way for you even without effort."

"Because who will be for you, will be for you regardless. The journey is a forever thing."

"The story makes sense. Speaks to the audience and it have positive impact."

"The full package of being a good actor is that one can embrace any character. There could be challenges sometimes, but one cannot be considered a good actor without being bold enough to explore one’s skills at length."

"There is a process called growth. One should not expect to start earning what an A-list actor gets paid from when one gets into the industry."

"One can never know too much. One should always be ready to learn. Be very patient and consistent. One also needs to be open to criticisms."

"It is very important to be yourself, know who you are and being true to yourself when it comes to Nollywood and life."

"If you are a young person eager to learn, passion will take you very far because passion will drive you to show up to things that you can learn from."

"If you are passionate about acting, go for it, it will be tough but enjoy it and make sure you are keeping tab on your ways."

"You don't have to do something big to change the world. Start by doing a small act like reading and informing yourself about what is happening around you."

"Every one should advocate for climate justice because climate change affects all of us; the young and old, no matter how much you contribute."

"Climate change is here already. The good news is that we have the facts and solutions with us. Climate change is a health issue, it is an education issue and it affects everyone. Fighting for climate justice is fighting for humanity."

"The future belongs to those young people, because they still have a lot of time, they haven't achieved a lot, but the older generation have already achieved so much and (climate change) probably won't be so much their problem."

"To have a dream, one has to see oneself as being successful."

"Everyone’s got their own issues going on. Do good, and expect nothing in return."

"If you ever wish to be something, I wish that you will choose to be you, choose a better version of yourself and not someone else."

"You will get there. Just trust God and He would direct you."

"As an actor, one’s job is to be the character and deliver it perfectly."

"Be strong but not rude. Be kind but not weak. Be bold but don’t bully. Be humble but not timid. Be confident but not arrogant."

"Let’s start being kind to one another, because only when we join hands will the world become a better place for the both of us."

"When I'm with someone, I try to hide a little and keep a low profile because I really don't like people to know. “I am very well alone, but I have been alone in Europe for four months and the truth is I would love to share this moment of my life with someone ,”"

"I haven't even been with someone for four months. “I would like to have a partner ,” the actress began in dialogue with Catalina Dlugi in her radio series broadcast by La Once Diez"

"If there is a faithful boyfriend, who is listening to the radio at this moment, I am looking for a partner .""

"Sometimes it hurts me a little when, for example, they are surprised because I was with Carlos Tévez, as if it were difficult . And the truth is that I have beautiful memories of him, of all my ex-boyfriends. "They were all good people,""

"Sometimes you are with new friends, or with people who... Yes, of course ,""

"Always stand your ground on what is right/wrong whether people love you or hate you for it...People are going to talk regardless."

"I’m really just a normal girl doing what I love."

"I strongly believe in equal opportunities and working towards eliminating gender inequality."

"". I also avoid getting entangled in things that will create scandals for me as an actress""

"""https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/kannywood/212643-interview-i-can-never-act-nude-rahama-sadau.html?tztc=1]"

""Acting in the Northern Nigeria is a problem because our people see is a profession that isn’t normal for ladies to take up. Thankfully, all that is changing and today I am so proud that I am like a role model to others.""

"My mom put me in dance at four, I started writing music at ten, and it has always been a super passion of mine."

"It was really crazy, though, because when I got the audition for the show, it didn’t exist"

"I’m in a space for releasing more music. I’ve been in my bag, but I’ve been in the lab just working"

"Gwen Stefani is a fearless rocker who can wear the same boyfriend jeans and sneaker wedges over and over but make them look different every time"

"There's nothing wrong with wearing makeup and hair extensions to feel pretty, but you can't get lost in all of it."

"This is really embarrassing to say, but it’s sincere, “One of the reasons [I became an actor] was because maybe I could get famous enough to meet the Jonas Brothers one day.”"

"I feel shame a lot because of how sensitive I am, how much I feel and how much I can be, whether my happy moments are just so big and they overwhelm or annoy or embarrass other people, or if it’s just too much for a friend to hear Haley having a hard time again"

"Dance has been a huge grounding thing for me because I feel so deeply,"

"Conor Leslie made a comment in passing to me that I now say to everyone I meet: You could be the most brilliant shade of orange, but they want blue, and there’s nothing you can do about it, so release it. Another one, from an interview with Bryan Cranston: Auditioning is your job until you book a job, and when that job is done, auditioning is your job again. Mentally, it can release you from a lot."

"I’m always quite fond of Canadian greats. I was probably too young when I got onboard the Cronenberg train, but I remember watching the Dead Ringers film for the first time. I think I knew I was a bit strange when I watched The Fly, but that solidified it for me because I loved it."

"It goes back to sonic frequency and how that can translate energetically and get me in my body. I have a dance background, and I was in choir growing up. I used to be very shy, so I’d express myself through movement and sound. I always end up going back to that as my safe comfort place."

"I grew up a somewhere. Now I am an anywhere. Sometimes that disconnect gives me a rootless feeling: an odd vertigo I can't quite nail down. There is, of course, another phrase for it: liberal metropolitan elite. Nobody who has heard the vicious punishments an Ivers government would hand out to people who drive motorbikes without silencers would describe me as liberal. And I suspect actual elites have functioning kettles."

"It is hard to be a conspiracy theorist as a political journalist. Spend enough time staring into the heart of the institutions that run this country, and talking to the people who run those institutions, and the idea that any of them would be capable of pulling off an elaborate masterplan of the type espoused by the crankier parts of the internet becomes laughable."

"In the midst of all this, I've noticed a tonal shift in the way I and other Irish people speak about the English. Our anger is more sincere. We are more ready to call them out on all those centuries of excess, more likely to object to those pink-trousered, pink-faced dinosaurs who still perceive us as their inferiors."

"I've lived in London for three years. I hadn't spent much time in Britain before my arrival and had no particular feelings toward the English. I expected them to react to me with similar neutrality. What I didn't expect was the toxic mix of dismissal and casual disdain. It would have been easier, perhaps, if it was all as overt as potato jokes. But what kills you is the ignorance; what grinds you down is how much they don’t know about the past and, if they do know, how little they care. It's a strange and maddening thing to discover about the people who shaped your country’s fate and who are poised to do so again."

"Almost as soon as I began, I was lost. The idea of getting up each day and going to class, of learning over and over again that I was stupid, and crass, and incompetent, did not seem doable. It hadn't occurred to me that I was there to learn, to become less stupid. I felt I had failed already, fumbled the opening pass. I had arrived to university quite mad already and quickly became exuberantly so, drinking litres of gin by night and lying in bed, shaking with fear, all day long. It wasn't laziness, exactly, that stopped me trying to work, but that fear. It lay immobile on my chest. All of Dublin, but especially Trinity, felt corrupted by some malign force that I couldn't break through."

"Though there is more I could say on this – details that would both elicit sympathy and make me look like a spoiled little shit – that was all there really was to it. The slow, boring poison of drink and secret-keeping, spread out into every part of my life, so that nothing was safe or good any more. Until I woke up one day and realised I could not remember the last time I had read a book."

"Part of what I find depressing about England is that, rather than being upset with the wider forces that make your life horrible, you're encouraged to look at your neighbour like, 'He's making £10 too much a week on his benefits, and I'm going to report that f***er'. When I read a tabloid occasionally, I feel that being stoked — you're supposed to hate someone who has a tiny bit more than you to avoid having to look at why you don't have enough for yourself."

"[H]is working-class background became embroiled in a circular logic with his misogyny, where [[Russell Brand|[Russell] Brand]]'s sexism was condescendingly validated by his class credentials and vice versa. Brand can't help speaking about women that way, that's just what someone with his background is like, people seemed to shrug – neglecting to recognise that this is not a condition of working-class people. In this way, he was allowed to be openly misogynistic for years, with anyone who objected to his presence dismissed as stuffy, classist or incapable of humour."

"It is, sadly, not unheard of for the mother of an abuse victim to side with a romantic partner who is the child’s abuser. Sometimes this expresses itself as blanket denial even in the face of clear evidence, sometimes it is a grim choice born of financial dependence on the abuser, and sometimes it is a consequence of being another victim of the abuser's violence. What is striking, and frankly repellent, about Munro's decision to stand by Fremlin is how lucid it appears to have been, and without any material necessity driving it. Rather it seems to have been a choice made for reasons that are sentimental in a ghastly sense – because she couldn't bear to be alone, to leave this man she loved."

"It is disturbing to imagine a figure of apparent dignity and autonomy, one who achieved such mastery in her field, as weak enough to indulge this sort of thinking. This sort of self-pity, this admission of dependence – not just on a man, but a man capable of abusing children and blaming it on them."

"So many women have contacted me with concerns about this issue (of trans activist claims on female sport) but they are worried that if they speak publicly, or even internally, they might face consequences at their club or at their work. How do Australians know that they are able to speak freely about women's rights. The idea that someone could lose their job or be banned from the sport they love for acknowledging that [biological] sex exists should be alarming to every fair-minded Australian."

"Being summoned by a quasi-judicial body to appear and explain why I say that males shouldn't be in female change rooms or in female sporting competitions is an indictment on the state of free speech in this country. [...] It is yet another example of the assault on truth and the assault on the very meaning of the word 'woman' by activists who are determined to remove every sex-based right that women around the world have, and allow anyone who identifies as a woman into women's sports and women's spaces. I will not be silenced."

"For several months, Rugby Australia has been in possession of a transgender participation guideline developed by World Rugby in consultation with developmental biologists, medical experts and sport scientists. The World Rugby Guideline runs to 38 pages. It has a reference list of 45 scientific reports. It finds that it is neither safe nor fair for transgender players who are biologically male to play in women's rugby, demonstrating with significant rigour that a situation where a male player tackles a female creates "a minimum of 20 to 30 per cent greater risk for those female players". Rugby Australia is yet to respond to this document or release it publicly. On Thursday, Rugby Australia released its own trans inclusion guidelines. It contains no references to scientific reports and doesn't mention the World Rugby findings of significantly increased head and neck injury risk to female players. It lays out a procedure to allow biological males identifying as women to play women's rugby."

"This decision, however, only further highlights the dangerous absurdity of Rugby Australia, Sport Australia, the AFL and other major sports in adopting the opposite position that 'inclusiveness' is more important than women’s safety. [...] If it is not safe or fair for a professional female rugby player to have to play against biological males, then it isn’t safe or fair for Australian women playing at their local club either."

"[Introducing her "Save Women's Sport Bill"] Women’s sport exists to provide separate competition for females, in acknowledgement that males have numerous physical advantages over females in the sporting arena. When the bill comes to a vote, Parliamentarians will have a simple question to answer: Do you agree that women and girls have the right to play single-sex sport?"

"I can only hope that at some point there will be a positive change and I will get to cover that as well."

"“And there’s so much more to the region. There’s so much history, so much culture, so many people doing incredible things in different industries. It’s nice to see those aspects being showcased now, in magazines, in TV, in film, in music. To see that actually there’s a different side to the region, which has always been there. It just hasn’t really been given the platform.”"

"As the fountain of honour, I am by right allowed to please and displease as I wish- picks two billion and gives the tax man as thanksgiving for doing a job they are sufficiently paid to do"

"Women today face many threats in this country, but among the most insidiously pervasive are the human rights deprivations and disparities which arise from increasingly regressive taxation, let alone the deep cut in the chain of access to public services."

"We ought to stand up and challenge the explicit and implicit biases (which may skip the mind of those in the chair) against women embedded in tax policies and to demonstrate the urgency of moving to more just alternatives which fulfil women’s rights."

"This tax amendment is a monstrosity and there is only one thing to do with it, scrap it, kill it, drive a stake through its heart, buy it, and hope it never rises again to terrorise the people."

"It's scary, but that is the nature of politics. The history of the organisation motivates us. I believe the ANC has a future and we must fight against the scourge of killings to advance democracy."

"The elected leadership must be protected. There are internal structures and the party's constitution that must be utilised rather than resorting to killings."

"We will not be intimidated by such incidents because it means there will be no leaders in future as those who kill will have it their way, which compromises democracy."

"The bullying issue and gangsterism are also our issues, I have worked with the provincial government to address and intervene in those cases,”"

"Our municipalities have enough land for human settlement, however, without proper water and sanitation the government cannot build houses there. We understand that we can not do it all overnight but we have made progress in that regard."

"What we get from the community is that people want the land to farm and the relationship with farmers gets worse each day."

"All I do is according to the rules, that has helped me a lot to gain confidence and be able to command the council. We emphasise the importance of respect among each other and we advance democracy."

"This assembly represents a unique opportunity to chart a collective course for the future of information and communication technology (ICT) in Namibia"

"We know that ICT will be the cornerstone of tomorrow’s society. Therefore, it is the tool through which we can bridge gaps, create opportunities and inspire a new generation filled with hope and optimism"

"This year’s summit must be a high-level event where we reach a consensus on key issues"

"We were the first country in Southern Africa to launch 3G and 4G. We were on track to be the first country in Africa to launch 5G, but because of COVID-19, and because of the conspiracy theories around 5G, that was put on the back burner for a little bit"

"But the potential of 5G extends beyond just sports. We're looking at education, health, and mining. We have oil and gas as a new industry because we recently discovered oil"

"But of course, conditions vary depending on whether we’re talking about 3G or 4G. At 4G, we're at about 79%. But with 5G coming into the picture, every single network tower needs to be upgraded"

"E-government requires citizens’ trust. My takeaway is that we (first) need to win the citizens’ trust if we are going to successfully implement e-e-government programmes."

"Emma Theofelus on E government"

"Many young people have an aptitude for business, they have the talent, skills, ideas, and brilliance – all ingredients to build a successful business. They simply do not have the funding or the degree"

"The DBN has provided crucial financial support to young entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses. Additionally, the government has also introduced various training programmes and mentorship initiatives to help SMEs grow and succeed in a competitive market"

"The principles of GYRB transform financial planning, ensuring that allocations consider the unique needs of women and young people. This means that we look at every line of our budget through a lens that considers the diverse needs of different genders, but most importantly, those of young people"

"This budget stands as a testament to our government’s profound commitment to fostering the well-being and future prospects of the Namibian youth. By strategically allocating funds, the budget addresses critical areas directly impacting young individuals, reflecting a genuine concern for their welfare"

"The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has to conduct research on the validity of the marriage. This period allows sufficient time for any necessary background checks and verifications to take place, ensuring the integrity of the marriage process"

"I think the three-month window is a reasonable compromise that supports both administrative efficiency and the couple’s need for preparation"

"I was inaugurated as the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development by His Excellency, @RealAARahman on Friday."

"I return all glory and adoration to Almighty God, I pray for His guidance in actualising the Kwara of our dream."

"I also want to express my gratitude to our indefatigable governor for the confidence he reposed in me to serve as one of his cabinet members."

"I promise to discharge my duty diligently and not to let our youth folks down."

"Plastic waste is everywhere and it’s not going anywhere. The question is what we do with it. What you see as waste, I see as the foundation for something greater."

"I was tired of being on the sidelines."

"What if we could turn this plastic waste into something useful?"

"It is absurd that we still have this problem of providing decent shelter – a basic human need,plastic is a material that is misused and misunderstood. the potential is enormous, but its after life can be disastrous."

"I feel so proud knowing I am building something useful out of waste."

"Plastic waste is not just a Kenya problem, but it's a worldwide problem."

"We decided what more can we do instead of just sitting in the sidelines and complaining. Essentially, companies have to pay to dispose the waste, so we solved their problem."

"For me, I was just tired of being on the sidelines of seeing plastic. I really jumped in, off a cliff without a parachute. I was building it as I was falling down but isn't that how great things are done? So act for nature."

"I was not excited, because I came here to set a pv that is what is on my mind. But I still thank God because this is my first time coming to an international competition like this. For making it to be fifth I know next year or any world championship later, I'm going to work hard. So I'm going to better my time and I'm going to work better than this..."

"Great is your faithfulness oh Lord!! My Redeemer, my protector, my sustainer thank you for how far you've brought me and my home, Glory to God almighty!!!"

"How do you win against tough times? Sometimes, I lose."

"Thoughts like "That could've been the case, that could've happened, I could've had that kind of a relationship" also cross my mind."

"Maybe love is like looking for a place. That doesn’t even exist."

"Efforts invested in building new connections bring the most significant results because one person alone is not a warrior."

"To get somewhere, you have to start moving."

"I try to keep learning something new all the time, even if I don’t feel like it."

"I always speak to people the way I’d want them to speak to me: without sarcasm and with complete honesty."

"For me, success is looking back at what’s been done and knowing it was what needed to be done, with no regrets about lost time or effort."

"Being sexy to me is being confident in who you are and your craft. Being able to stand out in any gathering you find yourself."

"There is an unreal level of nepotism and it exists in acting as well."

"For me acting is passion, emotion, and creating the character and the whole world around the character. We enjoy all that. Sleeping on time, eating healthy, you are what your lifestyle is."

"It is good to have healthy competition and be inspired by others, as all this helps you take up challenging roles. There are people who come from different backgrounds in this industry. In my case, my mom runs a play school, and Dad is into business. When I go home, conversation revolves around that and lot more topics other than cinema."

"I am so excited to be associated with Mohey, a brand that not only celebrates weddings but also, their brides and their individuality. Personally, I love weddings! I can feel the joy every wedding brings in the hearts of new brides, their families. It's important that the brides feel comfortable in their own skin and are their true self on their big day. This campaign beautifully encapsulates the #DulhanWaliFeeling and we hope it strongly connects with all the new brides."

"THINK, BELIEVE, MANIFEST. I believe in energy. The thoughts you think and the words you speak determine what you receive… If you let out negativity and frustration, it might calm you for that moment, but you’d never eventually be at peace… In other words, you can’t throw sh** all around and wonder why your life stinks… So think positive and be kind because the energy you emit will bounce back at you ultimately. Make sure you emit what you would like to receive. Some call it the law of attraction. Some call it Karma."

"They fight for you, then fight with each other, an unstoppable chaos, and it's not about you anymore, it's about them...Maybe it always was."

"I love the sound of the wind as it whispers 'sweet nothings' in my ears, The warmth of the sun that heals my soul and melts my fears, The rhythm of soft breeze, That makes my hair dance on its favourite track. And Oh, I love the touch of the waves That kiss my feet with a promise to be back!"

"Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles.. notice them!"

"No, I was really excited about doing the stunts. I had never done an action film before and so, that was really exciting and appealing to me. And not to say that it was very easy, right? We definitely got banged up but it’s this sort of gratifying feeling of going home at the end of night and being like ‘I worked hard and look at that big bruise!’"

"One thing I really prioritize is sleep, and it has changed my life genuinely. Another is focusing on how I can nurture and help my self-talk. When I notice negative self-talk hap­pening, how I can sit with it and be friends with it instead of constantly feeling I'm in this rat race of not good enough, not this enough. Becoming a witness to it instead of a victim to it has also dramatically improved my health. Plus, I use astrology: It's simply a tool to give ourselves permission, to accept ourselves and understand ourselves more. The minute I understand that I was built to think this way, instead of judging myself for it, I have acceptance for myself. It's an allowance to have more self-compassion."

"For me, nudity in any film is a matter of what is realistic and authentic, not exploitative or unnecessary. These are the questions that I always ask myself when there is a love scene or a meditation scene on a ship [like in the film Adrift]. What I love about this film is that we explore sensuality in so many moments without needing any sexuality at all. The more we're able to capture sensual moments on screen the more we can start changing our view when it comes to our personal sexualities and sensualities. In a personal way, I find less to be more in most cases and I think leaving things up to the imagination leaves a little mystery when it comes to nudity or sex. It only intrigues the audience more."

"It was so much fun. Everyone was freaked out because I’m nude, but in real life, when I have sex, I’m naked. I don’t have a bra on, and I don’t usually have panties on. So let’s make a real movie! Let’s bring truth to the scene! I didn’t want to be exploited, but this girl—like most girls when they first have sex—doesn’t know what she’s doing. I wanted their first kiss to be sloppy, teenagerish making out. When you’re younger, you think you know what to do, but you really don’t."

"She's a very gentle and grounded person, so I suppose I could say that I'm not worried about her. She knows the industry extremely well. She has a really wonderful family, too. Yeah, of course we talked about it. Of course we do. It's a great privilege to be able to share the experiences I have had with her. Am I going to be specific about what we shared? No [laughs]. But she's going to be just fine. She's a really great human being. She's going to be tremendous actually."

"Advice I would give to my younger self? I don’t know that I would really give her advice. She was a little too angry to take advice. I’d probably just get in a fight with her. I’m very thankful for it [childhood]. Of course, when I deal with things in therapy and whatnot, therapy has helped me a lot to figure my own shit out. It’s really helped me understand and not be so angry in life. I think I always felt like I didn’t necessarily have a voice, the way I grew up. It was like everyone else’s voice was on me."

"We make memories every day and everywhere we go, it's just shenanigans. Something always happens. I think the secret to a really great friendship is just creating fun memories whenever you're with that person. Bella is a surprise every day. That's the best part of our friendship. She's very bubbly and bright, and I'm more mellow, so we are kind of like our characters in a sense. We fit together so well because whatever I lack she has and whatever she lacks I have."

"I really have the ambition to bring the trophy to Portugal."

"I think it’s possible to make a difference, singing in Portuguese. People see Portuguese songs as poor songs. We need to prove that it is possible to sing in Portuguese, and have a great song, which can be capable of winning Eurovision. And we also need to have faith that things can happen, like it was in the UEFA Football Championship. Nobody thought that Portugal could win it, but we had faith and we did it."

"I believe I deserve to win the title as I embody resilience, strength and the ubuntu spirit within South Africa. As a deaf woman with a cochlear implant, I represent a community that often goes unheard."

"I aspire to eventually help provide cochlear implants to those who cannot afford it and give them the same gift my community has given me."

"I am here to prove that, despite being differently-abled, it has not affected me. My journey is a testament to the power of dreams and determination we all possess."

"We do not need sympathy, being deaf does not affect our intelligence and capability. We just need a little bit of help in terms of accessibility and inclusivity such as subtitles on TV shows, advertisements and sign interpreters at live shows."

"Asking myself, "How can I make a difference?" led me to Can Too Foundation! Can Too offers professionally coached training regimes for participants at any fitness level, encouraging them to run, swim, and cycle their way towards a healthier lifestyle and, more importantly, a cancer-free world."

"I'm joining the fight against cancer with the Can Too Foundation, a cause very close to my heart. This is not only for the countless individuals worldwide who are affected by cancer, but also for those I've personally known who've battled this dreadful disease. Thankfully, my family has been blessedly untouched by cancer, but witnessing the impact it has had on others around me has fueled my passion to contribute in any way I can."

"Back when I was living in my beautiful homeland, Mauritius, I founded an organisation called S'mily in 2014. S'mily was our local version of 'Make a Wish' in Australia, with a crucial mission - to enhance the day-to-day lives of children suffering from cancer. This experience has greatly impacted my perspective and has inspired me to continue this noble cause here in Australia."

"I’m not much of a hoarder of my gifts and blessings. I take it in and I let go."

"humble ’cause any minute could be your time to shine, so be wise about your actions."

"I’ve never met a student with such a strong determination,” Deng’s English teacher told the Express-News."

"I think Ataui, through the hardships that she’s had in life, through what she’s seen, it’s probably made her stronger,” Corinne Nicolas, president of Trump Model Management, told the San Antonio Express-News"

"Ataui was in demand by every agent in New York", Nicolas said."

"From My Soil to Yours has a lot to do with acceptance of myself — all the versions of me till now — and also opening up the space for versions that are yet to come and understanding that, as a human being, I am ever changing because, at some point, we think that this self-love and self-journey has a stop, whereas it does not"

"I struggled a lot with the separation because the industry calls for you to separate yourself from who you are and the art"

"I found myself in that dilemma of separating myself from Amanda Black and Amanda who are in essence me, they are one and there is no difference between them"

"I am lucky to have an audio diary that I literally go back to before I start a new project, and I listen to Amazulu, I listen to Power and I listen to Mnyama and it gets me to understand quite a lot"

"I have truly been called for this music. Over and above healing those that consume my music, I myself find healing in the messages in my music, I find healing even when I perform"

"I believe everyone has a voice and should always find courage to use it even when it’s not popular to do so. Every voice matters. Everyone has got a story to tell"

"I’ve learned that although there is no separation between myself as an artist and myself as a human, I value the ability to continue living my life outside of the limelight which allows me to still be able to be authentic in my artistry"

"The music is about falling in love with self, honouring yourself by self-acceptance. The theme and message is spiritual reconnection and trusting herself with her music"

"I’ve realised my need to talk, I’ve realised my power to talk. I only attributed it to the music for a while and allowed people to tell me it’s only in the music. Now, as I am unfolding, I’m finding my voice to speak for people who can’t speak for themselves, to speak out about things that are affecting me. I am black and I am a citizen of South Africa, that on its own is something to speak out on ... It's because I have found me again, I found my voice again and I am here to use it"

"We are in the system, and it's rigged. Better we get to know it if we are to survive, break out and thrive, at this moment its near impossible to live outside it. So we need to equip ourselves with the knowledge that will allow us to have more than a fighting chance"

"You don’t talk about how you become OK and how you went through it, and this is what this album is about ... I ignored my emotional, psychological because I was in the battle ... and I neglected me."

"I went through a break-up, and all my plans were in the trash. I kind of just shut down and I remember that there were so many things happening all at once ... I went through a mental block for two-to-three months, and I was at home ... it made me reconnect with myself."

"Going through the break-up within the lockdown, I was actually seeing what had actually happened, I had time to think about it and ask myself questions. I couldn’t really run away from myself any more, there was nothing to distract me ... Even being home, it reminded me of myself"

"I remember I was not able to express to people in the house that I don’t feel like getting up from bed, and not being able to give that a name, I just went through this darkness that I couldn’t explain"

"I feel that with this journey and just relating to the album ... I felt an awakening, I think I reminded myself of who I am ... ever since I started waking up understanding my blackness and my place in the world ... It started then opening my voice again. It shows on social media now"

"It's not the award that means so much to me;it's the fact that I was the first woman in 20 years to win the award after Brenda Fassie"

"Because we need to keep this winning streak going,we can't let it be another 20 years before another woman wins"

"I had the time of my life doing this, it was like being a kid the whole time"

"Don't you want us to talk about people who bring light, instead?."

"That's when my grandfather started receiving his veteran's pension… He's a great man, Rachid Bouchareb. He called me, and I said to myself: 'I hope he calls me to offer me a role. And yes."

"As an actress, in the theater even more than in the cinema, in fact, I have always had a rather expressive way of acting. I love shouting out a text, declaiming it, giving it its poetic and political force. Here, indeed, my acting is more subdued, and that's what interested me ."

"I was born in Algiers in 1992, at the beginning of the 'black decade'. At the time, intellectuals were threatened with death. Since my father was a journalist, we came to France."

"I said to myself straight away: 'It's Algiers, I need this role.' It was too close to what was in my heart."

"I arrived in France at the age of 10, with my mother and my little brother. She had divorced my father. She wanted to leave Algeria to join my grandmother here. We had a lot of family problems, we didn't have a house, we didn't know where we were going to live."

"I was already behind because I didn't speak French and I was constantly changing schools. Once we had a more stable situation, I couldn't keep up anymore, I couldn't catch up. It was a shock for me because in Algeria, I was always top of the class and, suddenly, I found myself last. And all my dreams, everything I wanted to do since I was little, I knew it was no longer going to be possible. I had to find another solution."

"I was young and I wanted to have sex. I didn't want to remain a virgin. And then I thought: what options do I have? All the girls my age had a boyfriend, they were in love for a month, then they were sad, then they changed (...) I knew it was just going to be a waste of time, that it wasn't going to get me anywhere. I thought: I might as well have sex and earn something in return. I found it more exciting. And I didn't like men my age at all, I didn't find them interesting."

"I started going out and meeting women who took me with them. I followed them a little, I saw what they said, what they did... I felt a bit like a grown-up."

"Since I was a little girl, I've had this passion for fashion and for what makes women look beautiful."

"I'm very proud of what I've achieved so far ... I'm concentrating on my brand for the time being, but I've got so many other dreams, and I'm constantly brimming with ideas."

"I'm still the same person that I used to be, with the same passions and the same dreams. The only difference is that I've become a media target,"

"I am so proud to have won this, not just for me, but for my country."

"If she had the privilege of meeting Barack Obama, she would gift him a family trip to one of Namibia’s tranquil conservation reserves."

"An experience is much better than any gift."

"Sports was a natural thing for my brother and I, we loved it so much and our parents were always supportive."

"Firstly, sports taught me that it’s never a failure if you don’t succeed. It taught me to build character, perseverance and how to socialise."

"I see everyone as an equal. No one is lower than me, no matter what they have or don’t have."

"I love to cook and I make mean wraps. I don’t like cooking for myself though."

"I want to be remembered as someone who tried to bring change amongst the youth in Namibia."

"I am tired, yet I love every second of the waking hour. I am not my body, yet I need to treat it like my temple. This Body is the only one I’ll get in this lifetime, and I can’t trade it in for a newer model"

"It is difficult to remain disciplined, when you’re working, and you’re mommying, and you’re wifeying... sometimes you forget your own needs. Sometimes you have too much grace for yourself, other times you have too little"

"This is the heaviest that I’ve ever been in my entire life it scares me. I work hard. I burn calories but I don’t eat in a deficit just yet. I need to do what’s best for my baby, and that’s staying nourished and mentally healthy"

"Sometimes you need to trust your gut and not sweat the small stuff. Weight can always be dropped, getting your mind right takes effort and reversing eating disorders, well that’s a conversation for another day"

"I’ve just seen too much, to not be happy with where I’m at. My voice, my current struggles, and my journey will speak to someone out there who needs to be reminded that, mommy, sister, daughter, wife, friend — you are doing your best, and sometimes your best needs to be good enough for now, until your energy is revived — and until we switch some gears. But until then, Let’s do what you can, and the rest will follow! We are in this together. We are more connected than you realise. Let’s draw strength from each others’ struggles, and hope from each others’ triumphs"

"I'm excited to be back on the show, there has been a two-year gap which includes two seasons. I'm super excited to be playing with these people because it's a super strong cast and the diversity in this cast is amazing, so I am excited to see it play out, the story behind the story and the alliances, their view of the game and what narrative they are going with"

"I've been seen as a physical player, so I'm going to focus on the other spheres like the social aspects of the game and strategic play and timing. I'm definitely going to work more on my relationship skills this season"

"Summer bodies are chiselled in winter. It all starts with recognising bad habits. Binge eating, watching series, and being emotionally exhausted start with choosing not to rest instead of watching TV. Choosing yourself is as easy as scheduling physical activity as a priority in your daily routine. You have to make time for your health – that includes exercising and meal prepping in order to avoid eating takeaways"

"Marriage is an endurance race. We are so used to instant gratification that we have forgotten how important it is to work for something you want. Marriage is the same. You won’t always like your spouse, you won’t always win arguments and you won’t feel like compromising. What matters is that you serve the marriage instead of yourself. Doing introspection helps a lot because you become each other’s mirror. Work on yourself first before trying to blame someone else"

"I dated him. I had no idea he was married. I had no reason to ask him because I never saw wedding ring on his finger and there were obviously no pictures of him and any woman on a social media so I assumed that he was a single man."

"Technically, no! What happened was I got to know that he was married and that was a deal breaker for me. Obviously we were out in public which was a dumb move and I got contacted by some people that he was married and then I decided to google and I found out that he was really married."

"Sex on the first date doesn’t make you cheap , it’s called relationship interview and if you’re called back then you got the job."

"When you are a giraffe and you receive criticism from turtles, they are reporting the view from the level they’re on."

"First of all, I want to thank you for having me. It’s such an honor. I have been acting in Africa for more than ten years, with over 30 films and over ten awards under my belt; I will say apart from my talent, my established career in Africa has prepared me for films in Hollywood in terms of experience, commitment, professionalism, the ability to work hard under pressure, I’m a great team player, humble, confident and passionate."

"Never give up; believe in yourself and your dreams no matter where you are, no matter your situation and conditions; never give up on your dreams. Be confident, be honest, be humble, work hard and never forget to put God first. Nothing is impossible."

"I honestly have a book full of top actors and directors I would love to work with, but if I have to choose my top three actors, I’d love to with Idris Elba, Kerri Washington, Johnny Depp."

"Reasons are simply because they are great talents, inspirational, intelligent visionaries, and they go all out in bringing a role/character to life."

"The war has polarised the country so deeply that I know many people will label me as a liar simply because I say the government has also done painful, horrible things."

"We brought back the most painful stories, and every side was implicated."

"I said, ‘I won’t do it unless the prime minister calls me himself, or you put it in writing."

"It’s now been 100 days since the day we met, and it has only gotten worse. I knew it then, I knew it before then, and I know it now: he’s in denial, he’s delusional. His leadership is failing."

"I have this slogan – I wish I could swim with a cap that says Swimming is just what I do; it’s not who I am."

"Achievements fall away but you want to be remembered for who you are, she said from Paris.I hope that I’m remembered for bringing people joy."

"Swimming is really just a part of and a season in your life, there’s so much more than swimming."

"I'm excited to in the future tell my kids I used to swim there (Olympics) once. I am just grateful that I can walk away with medals. It is any athlete's dream."

"I hope my story inspires one person, and if that happens I've reached my goal. It's never about trying to inspire millions, it's about inspiring that one person to never disqualify themselves from the race"

"The lane space is obviously crowded, so that could get frustrating on its own."

"But it really pushes you to grow as an individual. It helps you find your strengths amid this group because, at the end of the day, you're the one that's going to race the race by yourself."

"I swim because I love it. I also swim for a bigger purpose which is to use my talents to glorify God through my swimming"

"The world has defied success as medals and records where success is different in my mind. And I think that is why I'm very easy to go back and never be hard on myself in terms of that. I just try and find the next thing to improve a little bit more."

"For me, the emotions were really because it took a village to get me to where I am. I know they would have been proud even if I didn't have a medal"

"But it was really for them. I swam for everyone that's been there for me and believed with me."

"Sometimes, us as athletes, we always strive for the achievements, for example to get better or reach a certain goal, and that sometimes takes away from the purpose and passion of the sport."

"At the end of the day, a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer, so if we maintain that passion, we will ultimately maintain our purpose. The characteristics that our sport teaches us is also so important – the discipline and the perseverance – they create characteristics within you that last a lifetime, long after your swimming career has ended."

"I am very dedicated and motivated to the things that I love, when I put my mind to something I would do anything in my power to achieve it"

"I can’t believe what I had achieved. I had a difficult two years in which I did not once get close to swimming a personal best time. So, I had been quite discouraged ever so often. All I wanted to do at the Olympics Games was to swim a personal best time. It is what I wanted out of the whole Tokyo experience"

"It is always lovely to be recognised for what you are doing, but it should never be the sole purpose to do what you are doing. If you are swimming to get recognised, then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. You should do it for the love of the sport, the love of being active and the experiences that come with it. If you then get recognised for doing something great it is only a bonus and it doesn’t define you."

"To overcome challenges, it is good to reach out to family and friends and I do believe it means having a great bond between you and your coach to always let them know how you are feeling since all kinds of challenges can affect your training."

"It is always a great feeling to do well with a lot of your teammates and to have hard work pay off."

"I would love to be able to show younger women that we as women are so much stronger when we support one another. I believe that swimming should stay in the pool and as soon as the race is over, you celebrate one another no matter the outcome. Women need to stand together."

"I train together with Tatjana and teammates are very important to me. Your teammates are the ones who push you when you feel like you cannot carry on. The Tuks swim team environment is constantly evolving and getting better but like they say a rising tide lifts all the boats."

"I was not particularly good at everything, I must say. I tried to be good at everything but swimming finally chose me. When I say that swimming chose me I mean that I started doing better in swimming than in the other sports and started loving my time in the pool with all my friends."

"I would give them the advice to never lose the hunger to be better. Every day I wake up wanting to better and to achieve better, but not better than someone else but better than me."

"Make sure that you challenge yourself to be a whole person, work on yourself not just physically but take care of yourself emotionally, spiritually and mentally. It takes a whole person to succeed. Lastly, build a support system around you that will support you through the highs and the lows since swimming is not an individual sport, you might swim alone but it takes a team to get you faster."

"Winning the world championship was a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I trained so hard to achieve that goal and it was definitely the best feeling ever."

"I was the youngest player in the league and I didn’t understand what was going on."

"At the beginning, no one encouraged, supported or even gave attention to any sports other than football. So after I had overcome all these obstacles to show that there are other sports [in which we] can achieve even better than football, now I think it will be easier for others to pursue this path."

"I am really interested to help young females to achieve what they want to. I try to be as much of a role model as I can because I want to help and inspire other people—not only in sports but whatever goal they have"

"I am a hard worker and passionate young lady that happened to have little talent and would like to pursue my dream of having an Olympic medal for my country. I would like to share my experience with the young athletes back home to give them the hope and will to succeed by pursuing their dream."

"My advice to young athletes, not only girls, is to never give up on your dreams and to be committed and determined to it because it is definitely worth the journey. So if you want to succeed and achieve your goal, you have to work hard and accept that you have to be out of your comfort zone because it is not easy."

"I think greatness in life is to follow your dream, work hard, fight and never give up till you reach your goal. Then pass your experience and success to others in an attempt to give back to your community."

"Our forests provide wild mushrooms and fruits and a safe space to experience our traditions and cultural beliefs."

"Plastics are one of the most incredible inventions of our time but they are also equally disruptive and costly"

"We may have won one battle, but the war on plastics in Malawi and across the world is far from over"

"Together, we challenged the idea that these companies can put a price tag on our environment and call that development."

"You sometimes put your family at risk coming up against huge companies and people that are well connected politically. You always find there’s a conflict of interest and you’re stuck in the middle. It does feel a bit threatening and can also feel a bit scary."

"It became very personal for me after interacting with farmers"

"Some of them are losing their livestock because once the animals get into the field, which is so heavily polluted with single-use plastic, they consume these plastics, which kill them, thereby affecting the livelihood of their owners."

"A lot of plastic wastes that we are generating end up at open dumpsites and they slide right back into the communities, causing pollution in our streams and landscape."

"Malawi is very far behind. Recycling of waste requires technology and we do not have a lot of that technology."

"Individuals have to be aware of their own contribution to the mess. Malawians should make it easier for plastics to end up in the right place and to be potentially recycled."

"I love and appreciate the support you give me. My heart sank when I read this last scene as DR P. I gave everything, every time for every take. I don’t have regrets."

"I’m grateful and content because I got to work with some of the best directors – Mthunzi Dubazane – Sabelo Ndlovu – Zimkhitha Maseko and Zuko Nodada and the script supervisor – Sihle"

"To the actors, I had the pleasure of working with on the show – I learned a lot from you. Guys, love and light. To the acting coach and co-star – thank you sir for being a great sparring partner on set – Sibalhkulu"

"It’s very easy to speak truth from this podium when you have a president who is implementing policies that are wildly popular with the American people, and that’s exactly what this administration is doing. It’s correcting the lies and the wrongs of the past four years, many of the lies that have been told to your faces in this very briefing room. I will not do that."

"You’re asking me for what the president’s justification is for these tariffs. It’s not up to you. You’re not the president, Gabe!"

"Tariffs are a tax cut for the American people."

"[The big beautiful bill] does not add to the deficit."

"nationwide injunctions ordered against the first Trump administration, Trump 1.0, account for more than half of the injunctions issued in this country since 1963. And President Trump had more injunctions in one full month of office, in February, than Joe Biden had in three years."

"Of course the president supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question."

"Nobody knows what it means to accomplish peace through strength better than President Trump. He is the one who came up with that motto, and that foreign policy doctrine, and he successfully implemented it in his first term."

"[Donald Trump] knows what his supporters want. It’s transparency, and he has given them that on all accounts when it comes to everything this administration has done."

"The hoax is the Democrats pretending to care about victims of crime, when they do not care about victims of crime, when they have to done nothing to solve crimes, when they have done nothing to lock up child pedophiles and child rapists around the country. It is a distraction. The Democrats view the story as nothing more than an attempt to distract from the accomplishments and achievements of this administration. And that is what we mean when we call it a hoax."

"If you’ve heard it from the president of the United States, obviously it’s true."

"The big, macho men from ICE who are storming around American cities like Visigoths are a bunch of cowards. They arm themselves as if they are battling ISIS terrorists in Iraq while the only threat they face is common American citizens with whistles and protest signs. They break into private homes without warrants, they gas school kids, they tackle women on the street, they smash into the cars of American citizens. And one of them summarily executed a mother of three children because -- well, because he could. They think they are tough, but they are punks hiding behind masks. They are poorly-trained thugs dressed up like real soldiers who think they are living out a video game where they get points for assaulting anyone who gets in their way. They are the farthest thing from the real cops who police communities with restraint, discipline and a knowledge of the law.These mercenaries do not serve the country, they serve a regime that excuses their unjustified violence and lies about their lawless actions. President Donald Trump falsely alleges that Renee Good, the mother of three gunned down in Minneapolis by an ICE agent, was a “professional agitator” who showed “disrespect” for law enforcement. His toady press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, who will say any despicable thing to please her boss, accused Good of being “a lunatic.” The Homeland Security boss, Kristi Noem, branded Good a “domestic terrorist.” There is zero evidence of any of the Trump administration’s slander. Renee Good was, indeed, out on the street to monitor the actions of ICE, but, as anyone can see in the video taken seconds before she was murdered, she was smiling at the ICE agents and telling them she was not mad at them. Good was, in fact, doing what she had been ordered to do, moving her vehicle out of the way. Trump and his team are even bigger cowards than the cosplay cops they have sent to terrorize immigrants and punish Democratic cities. It takes leaders with maturity and guts to admit fault and accept accountability. The cruel clowns in the White House will never be brave enough to do that."

"I am with the Narendra Modi in his Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign and I will work hard and to my full capacity. I will work with the BJP and will help the party in making Bihar a developed state."

"Just like frogs become active in the monsoon, these leaders also become active in the election season. Now, with the Bihar Assembly elections approaching, they are doing a Yatra. But I want to ask, where was Rahul Gandhi in the last five years?"

"I’m very confident in myself as a person, and I know I work well in business, but you just never know with the tasks. The first couple of weeks were really hard."

"“Actually, if I put my head down and do the right things, I could bloody win this.” I felt I grew a lot more in confidence during the process and eventually won it. So yeah, I did something right."

"One of the key things for me going in was to just be myself. I tried to stay calm. I did not want the aggressive label. In business sometimes, that’s how people are and that’s what works for them, but that’s not how I would want to manage my own."

"Usually, you’d have to remind yourself what happened but this part was just selling myself and my business, and that’s my passion. That’s what I know everything about. So by that point, it was great to be able to just talk abut the business and to sell it."

"In business sometimes, that’s how people are and that’s what works for them, but that’s not how I would want to manage my own. So I tried to keep out of confrontation, focus on the prize and keep people on board. But by the end, I wanted to show myself a bit more. I think everything I did worked really well and, obviously I’ve won so... I can't even believe I’m saying that."

"You have to work hard for money and save for a rainy day."

"I ended up working pretty much every hour I possibly could and reined in my spending as well so that I could invest in my business."

"You’ve got to have that entrepreneurial flair where you will find the answer to the problem."

"As long as you’ve got a solid idea and a strategy to get to where you want to be - just give it a go."

"The rise of social media made it easier to make and sell my own clothes and get into the fashion world."

"“Am I going to feel passionate about my business every day for the rest of my life?”"

"You don’t need massive amounts of money behind you when you start, but finding the right products for your business can really help."

"Business owners shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help from the people who have the answers."

"I think you need a little bit of everything. I think you have to kind of play it safe to begin with a little bit, you have to listen to people and work as a team, but towards the end you kind of use your own initiative and be a bit more outspoken."

"Sustainability is woven into everything we do as a business, from product development to supplier sourcing and auditing, packaging choices and giving, to operations and logistics."

"I truly believe that it’s through a holistic approach that we can drive real change and also support in educating our customers about the interconnected ecosystem making up their health."

"My journey began when I first developed IBS whilst in my early 20s. I spent a lot of my time (and money), trying different natural and pharmaceutical products to deal with my symptoms, which only made me feel worse. I couldn't find products that worked for me, or more importantly, that I wanted to take - that was really where the seed of The Nue Co. came from."

"We set out with a very simple aim, to change the way people feel about supplements."

"We always rely on data and science to kick off any sort of new product development. We look to ingredients as close to the food source as possible to deliver a nutrient or a vitamin, whilst focusing on absorption in its format"

"Starting my business] just made sense at the time"

"I feel like I had spent so many years, or maybe my whole life, gathering insights for THE NUE CO. From going to the herbalist with my mother to learning about vitamin B12 from my grandfather, who was a chemist. I felt like I had so much to offer to the category, and in all honesty, there was no job out there that really spoke to me, so I decided to create one"

"At that time [when we launched] (and for a while later), nothing else in my life mattered"

"Knowing that the work you do contributes to the betterment of society is an added privilege worth experiencing."

"The diversity of projects I get involved in and the different project teams I get to collaborate with excite me. Developing a new method, improving an existing engineering method, mastering a new software, technique, opportunities to travel for work, and successfully managing a project from concept design to construction also excite me about my job."

""Since winning the award, I am convinced that these awards play a part in helping to attract and retain more young women in the profession by promoting the achievements of female role models across the industry."

"Engineering is a prestigious career with diverse routes and global opportunities that encourages individuality, creativity, ingenuity and collaboration."

""I think mentorship and encouraging more participation in STEM is very important for the continuity and benefit of the industry.As professionals in engineering, we are all role models who can inspire others to join the profession by being engaging living examples, and by creating inclusive and equal opportunities for all."

"about what excited her about her career"

"I have started light training with the advice of my coach. I feel no pain in the angle now but I will take it slowly as per the program."

"The injury has affected my year activities as I missed on international competitions and representing my country. However, it’s part of the sport, I aim to come a better person and take off where I left."

"Obviously I want to compete in the Diamond League. It is the crème de la crème in athletics and having one Motswana (Montsho) competing there has given us hope. We have to work harder and stay disciplined to achieve it"

"“I have equity in EG, so I’ll always have some peripheral relationship But trying to make sure everyone’s stable, and that I’m not a blocker to anyone feeling empowered to go into the next stage of EG, is my priority."

"“I came in more macro, to turn around a back-end business that wasn’t working. And the infrastructure, the title diversification — putting the brand back on the road map, I think, has been done. And nothing has been done perfectly, but I’m proud of where we’ve come, versus where we were. And now, the name of the game is what’s the next evolution of revenue growth, revenue diversification and innovation, because I think the world knows just functioning and monetizing as an esports team today doesn’t work. So I’m super excited to pass the torch to my long-time right hand, our revenue brain."

"“I’m biased, but coming from a private equity mindset, I’ve always got downside risk and a P-and-L focus, sometimes to a fault And I think we’ve made changes over the past year and a half. We’ve been really thoughtful on how to face a poor market turn for our space for a while now. So we are actually strong in our partnership position"

"I definitely think I was naive to the realities of esports. Esports might be a smaller pond in the grand scheme of the universe, but our community is definitely engaged, and expects direct communication and access, and being a ‘public face’ — I’m using air quotes — in this space was not something I planned for, was not classically trained in. But it was a good learning opportunity, and I took the responsibility of being a public face seriously. For any public face in any business, there’s always criticisms, myself definitely not excluded from that. But it’s clear to me that me being a face in the space mattered positively to a lot of people, and that’s something I’m so grateful for.”"

"“Certainly not a factor. We — myself or EG — have still not received any actual complaints from Danny or his family around this. Danny even posted on Twitter himself that he did not feel mistreated and had a good experience. So I know that’s been a divide; I know people want an apology. But, as of now, I have nothing to apologize for.”"

"“Everything’s for sale, for the right price. This is a space that needs to think differently around structure. I’ll use 100 Thieves as a great example — they have diversified their revenue by building and buying components that are market decorrelated to esports but don’t cannibalize their core. There’s always opportunities; we’re always looking. Right now, I can say that the plan going forward will definitely be Chris and the board’s call, but I don’t think the open-mindedness to good opportunities will ever change.”"

"Every summer we manage to grow as a team and also individually."

"We stayed at their level for much of the time … we must fight for every ball."

"I wanted to be a ballerina, now I dream of an Olympic medal … I have great potential and I don’t feel pressure."

"Being the captain of the National team means having a lot of responsibility and being able to manage them … No regrets … we gave 100%."

"There is disappointment and regret for this loss … we must face the situation and reality without lowering our heads."

"The real victory is in making proud those who have always believed in you, and especially having people who rejoice with you for your successes."

"I would never have imagined playing for Juventus; I had a poster of Del Piero in my room, and today to that little girl inside me I would say: dream, sooner or later it comes true."

"Football has been my great passion since I was little, and I never had doubts about what I would do when I grew up."

"Being captain is an honor and a pride … I see it as a recognition from my teammates … That’s what makes me proud."

"There has been a change in the vision and recognition … all this clearly brings more responsibility."

"As a child I was the only one in the province of Brescia to play soccer. I always played with boys, I was the captain. I've always had great respect from them, sometimes they still write to me now complimenting me. I always felt free to do what I wanted and this was my great luck. I've always wanted to play soccer. When I got home I couldn't wait to go train. When I was 14 years old, a Verona executive called me, I told my parents that I didn't want to go play with the girls. They were the ones who told me that the train only passed once."

"["Your first memory of your mother?"] I'm six years old, I finish catechism class, I go downstairs and find her in front of the door of the oratory. She never came to pick me up; my house was only 50 meters away. "Damn, I think I did something wrong," I say to myself. She looks at me and claps her hands: "Come on, hurry up, let's go get my sports bag. Your game is coming up soon." It was my first official outing with the Nuvolera men's team."

"Usually, anticipation is a slow burn, but when you’re on stage in heels, under the bright lights, smiling nervously ahead waiting for the emcee to say your name, the anticipation burns hot and fast."

"No matter how many times I go through it, I can’t help but feel its intensity which then mellows into ambivalence, leaving me in a stupor of more emotions than I can count."

"Although it was my first time at this pageant, I grew up competing in various pageants in Colorado up until I left for college at 15. I had competed twice in Miss Massachusetts USA with disappointing results."

"I grudgingly accepted my unspoken duty to my mom to do this thing that continues to be a significant part of my life for better or worse. She unpacked and furnished my house while I concentrated on adjusting to working remotely for my job I kept from Boston. I employed what felt like grueling levels of self-discipline to prepare for the pageant. After all, I had moved here to pursue business opportunities in pageantry, and wouldn’t the title of Miss Colorado USA be a great foot in the door?"

"I poured these feelings which have been stewing slowly for years into the regimen of restraint I needed to lose ten pounds in 7 weeks. Even this I feared wouldn’t be enough for me to be a viable competitor, but it was all I could reasonably do."

"The discipline naturally spilled over into my work and I had a productive start to my entirely separate and equally significant remote work journey. My boyfriend was with me for it all and offered his observations and insights about all the newness in our lives."

"There are many people who don’t believe that people like me exist."

"STEM is about changing lives and making a difference, and that’s what we want young women to see."

"We don’t just want women in tech – we want women leading tech."

"It all started with watching the movie “The Intern“, which sort of mirrored life at Google, i got fascinated by it and decided to take my love for gadgets a step further, I became an active member of the Google student club while in my 2nd year, attending designs and code classes / events."

"Interacting with developers who were levels ahead of me and keeping up with latest technologies only pushed me to want to know more. It’s been that way since then as i’m still learning and growing, everyday."

"I believe can achieve whatever it is I set my mind to and that mantra has done a great deal in most of what i do today."

"I’m known as the go-getter, the one who’s always trying out new things, the one who pushes a little harder."

"I never let anything/situation derail me,⅚ if I can work hard and come this far in Software development without a B.Sc degree in Computer science, then I or anyone else can achieve whatever it is they set their mind to"

"Set goals, work hard towards them, Achieve them."

"Being a woman in tech doesn’t just stop at bearing the title, the rest of the world is expectant to see what you can do, how far you can go, how resilient you can be, how smart your brains are and at every given opportunity, do not derail in letting them know your worth!"

"You’re Smart, You’re Beautiful, You’re Intelligent! You’re a definition of Beauty and Brains."

"The women in tech community in Nigeria and Africa still has a very long way to go, there’s so many potentials in girls, ladies and women here, once we acknowledge that we have to start from the grass-root up, it gets a lot easier having them embrace the ideology of W.I.T. I personally believe with the right support, initiatives and personnel, larger input can be gotten from the ladies."

"“I know what communities have done for me personally. Communities have had a huge impact on my career growth.” — On why she founded She Code Africa."

"These are Americans who have served with honor, with distinction, and with unshakable patriotism. Brave, honorable, and committed patriots, who have also dared to have the courage to say out loud that they are transgender."

"These individuals met the same rigorous standards as their peers—the same physical exams, the same screenings, the same background checks. And in many cases, under intense scrutiny, they didn’t just meet those standards—they exceeded them."

"It is appalling that while families gathered under fireworks to honor that sacrifice, the Trump administration was all-too-quietly forcing out thousands of patriots from military service."

"This decision to remove proven patriots for no justification causes serious weakness to our force. It turns away proven courage."

"Today in America, LGBTQ people are still targeted by hate that lives in both laws and hearts."

"I worried that my dreams and my identity were mutually exclusive. Since then, I’ve seen change."

"Yanmo Omorogbe(born November 2,1994) is a Nigerian entrepreneur and finance professional."

"" It's always shocking to me just how few female founders there are across the board. If you check the Africa stats, there's less, there's maybe five, at least in Nigeria, female founders who've raised a Series A. And we're not even talking about sole female founders, just literally companies with a female co-founder." Yanmo speaking on gender inequality in the African TECH space"

"I wouldn't advise anyone to start a tech company unless it was your dream."

"What I do tell women in general is that whatever dream you have, whatever goal you have there is room to scale it."

"" We need more women across, not necessarily being founders, being product managers and being customer experience. We need just more women across the entire value chain so that there's no more news that like you're a woman founder. There's no term like male founder. "Yanmo on the need for more involvement from women in the African TECH industry"

"My general philosophy about life is: what’s the worst that could happen? If I reflect on this, and I am okay with the worst‑case scenario, then why not?"

"“As a society, we need to make it easier for women to become founders, to enter tech, to start learning to code, or know what other opportunities are available. Spaces need to be safer for women — women are over mentored and underfunded. They don’t need another seminar; give them a check."

""I also wanted to understand how we could use technology to make my parent's workplace better." Velda on her motivation for venturing into TECH"

""The challenges I faced mainly involved fear of taking leadership positions, self-doubt, and not feeling like I belonged."Velda on the challenges she faced as a woman in TECH"

""I love the fact that you can easily get involved in it despite your background and there is a lot of vibrant communities in it too." Velda on her favourite thing about TECH"

""You belong in this industry as much as everyone else, you can and will add value in your own unique way. You will definitely experience challenges and detours, enjoy the process be kind to yourself, learn, and unlearn. Put in your 1% daily, there is power inconsistency." Velda to women in TECH"

"“People have deep-rooted gender biases that they are sometimes not even aware of.” ** https://som.yale.edu/profile/oladiwura-diwura-oladepo-18"

"“What makes you happy at the end of the day in the nonprofit space is not earning millions of dollars, or Naira,” she says. “Fulfillment comes from seeing a woman learn a skill and use that skill to get a job—changing that woman’s life, the life of her family, and bringing prosperity to her immediate community.”"

"I wanted to be an entrepreneur because it would allow me to make critical decisions, implement them, and more importantly, to make a difference.”"

"“The dream was to solve the world’s greatest problems using technology, we thought about technology as being an enabler, as giving people access to opportunities.”"

"“Technology is one of very few sectors in Africa where there is no nepotism, It’s not, ‘Oh, my cousin needs a job. Can you help?’ Tech is strictly merit based. If you’re good at what you do, that charts a course for you.”"

"I figured repurposing my talks into articles will be a win-win situation because I’d get to reach two different audiences via speaking and writing.Asikpo on why she ventured into tech writing"

"we write to educate others but we also write to improve our skills and also help our future self.Asikpo on the importance of technical writing"

"Personally, I can’t remember being in a situation where I felt I was not treated as equal. However, I have seen it happen to other Women in Tech. Asikpo speaking on gender inequality in the TECH industry"

"Whenever I feel like an imposter, I remind myself about the things I have achieved so far no matter how small it might have been. I tell myself that if I could do it before, I can as well do it again and even better this time."

"“Tech started to become cool because I thought I would start doing what the big boys at Facebook do.”"

"I haven't just seen the impact of communities in my life but in the lives of so many people so it is very important. That is why I am motivated to pay it forward by building developer communities which would, in turn, help other people join the tech world and scale through faster. Asikpo on her motivation for building tech communities"

"Being a developer advocate is just an opportunity to do a lot of things at the same time I get to write, to speak, to code, and meet amazing people.”"

"I believe women who fought for equality centuries ago probably thought that women won't have to face certain biases in the 21st century, but that is not the case sadly. Asikpo on gender inequality"

"“You might be a newbie in tech for 2 weeks but there is someone joining who is a newbie in tech for one week. So what you know in two weeks you can help the person joining with one week. So never feel like you don’t know enough or there is no one who is going to listen or you’re not good enough or something. Just start." Asikpo's word of advice to newbies"

"The Sleep function on Apple Health is one of the best tools to help moderate your screen time and ensure your sleep is uninterrupted, so you wake up feeling refreshed.”"

"Meanwhile, men live in a world where periods are still a taboo topic. Because of this, in most workplaces, periods are invisible. The flow-on effect? The conversation about reproductive wellness is quiet and slow. Women often feel afraid to share that they’re pregnant with their employer. These barriers need to change.”"

"Creating a platform that will make women’s lives easier. My mum faced so many barriers juggling her work and family life. I look at all she’s managed to build, and I wonder how much easier things could have been if she didn’t have to deal with severe period pain or hormonal acne every month.”"

"For women to understand what’s happening in their bodies, have easy access to medical care, and to never feel stuck or embarrassed asking about their cycle or reproductive health.”"

"“I love leaning into their vision and style and being a representative of what they stand for. For me, it’s fun to let these houses push me creatively while still grounding the looks in a way that feels like me"

"There is so much rich fashion history in sport in general, and luckily, tennis for years and years has been incredibly fashion forward and iconic. I never want it to feel like a costume, so to me it’s about carrying forward that elegance in a way that resonates today and is also comfortable."

"Now that I have secured so much work around tennis, I am definitely investing more into the looks, also to create exciting content for my audience,"

"“It was overwhelming in the best way. We had people lined up for hours, some who have been following since the very beginning and others discovering us for the first time."

"Experiential retail is in our DNA; it’s how we’ve built our most loyal community moments. I’d love to expand that further and also pursue collaborations with like-minded brands."

"This is an idea I have had since I was a primary school student. Seeing teachers encouraging us to plant trees inspired me to feel like I owe something like this to the community and I think time is now to make it happen ."

"I have been a member of the scouts’ family for quite some time and, as we are encouraged to leave the world look better than we found it and I believe their relentless commitment to mobilize the community to plant trees can make a big impact."

"This program ensures that young players, especially girls, receive physical fitness training and the necessary support to overcome challenges faced in past competitions ."

"This was a tough game but we tried to play hard and came back. They dominated us on the paint and on rebounding and it took teamwork to win this one. The first win is key as it gives us momentum going forward. We will make adjustments where necessary and come back stronger ."

"I started playing basketball for fun at school, and a camp in Gisenyi became a turning point when Coach Jovithe Kabarere spotted me, igniting my passion for the game."

"I didn’t allow myself to work on it during the day,” she said, “because I didn’t consider it to be real math. I thought it was, like, my homework."

"It’s really [three- and four-dimensional shapes] that are exciting for me, but the study of these things is deeply linked with knot theory."

"We do not work to be acknowledged, but to be acknowledged for doing the work you love is a different kind of blessing. This is my first international humanitarian award."

"I am really passionate about public health, and assisting people from poor backgrounds and the north was a better fit for me."

"Being a confident orator has gotten me into rooms I’ve only dreamt of. How you speak changes everything."

"The aim is to establish the largest public speaking school in the world and train the world’s greatest speakers."

"The emergence of social media platforms like Clubhouse has reiterated the importance of speech, a social media platform where all that matters is what you say and how you say it has reminded many that public speaking is of utmost importance."

"I am still trying to process this award. I’m still in awe. Hearing the news that I had won the award was a cherished but emotional moment. It has been years of hard work, sleepless nights and a lot of mental exhaustion."

"I am beyond thrilled and we are honoured to accept the award! Like I always say, we do not do the work in order to be awarded but to be awarded for doing the work we love is a different kind of blessing. We are immensely grateful. When I say we, I mean my entire team and everyone that has been involved in my journey as a Healthcare advocate and humanitarian. The doctors that went before me and took the time to teach me what it means to be a good doctor, my mentor, my family and friends but most importantly, God. I’m excited for what the future holds for me and the millions of lives we are yet to save."

"I am studying mathematics because I wanted to study something as difficult as it is useless"

"It is easier to want a better, higher paying job than to ask ourselves what happened to the idealism that had once dominated our youth and fuelled our desire to change the world"

"It is easier to want a better bed than it is to lie in it and wonder what within us has driven away every partner that lay in our own bed at one point or another"

"Because, it is far easier to want a nicer, more expensive outfit than it is to ask ourselves why we can never conceive that we are enough as we are"

"Agonising over which property to purchase as your first house is tough — I’ll give you that: but that’s a far easier choice to make than say, deciding who to share your entire life with. And that’s when materialism becomes convenient. Now, everything in your eyes becomes commoditised. It can be listed now"

"You can list the traits you want in a life partner like you list your groceries. In bite-sized desires: acquirable and uncomplicated. As if “honest” is a category in a shopping isle, you can walk down it, pop a partner in your cart, and tick “honest” off the list"

"That’s why we drape our souls in shallow aspirations. That’s why some of us escape the hum-drum of desiring life partners for child-rearing. It is all far too daunting. Un-manageable. So we shorten the list and chase men with money and power or women with good looks and sexual prowess, and we ask from each other only tangible things"

"We fear the pain of failure, and that’s why it’s easier to want things. We don’t want to examine our parenting techniques; thinking back to painful moments in our childhoods when we vowed never to become our parents"

"Language is about practicality. This is a fact. The first homoerecti that invented language did not do so because it made their insides feel warm to release a series of grunts and vowels into the air between them. No, they did it because they needed to get a certain job done"

"And if your plan is to save your language so that your grandchildren can hear that the story of the tortoise and the hare sounds so much better in your language then whatever your plans are to save it are hereby doomed"

"in order to save your language it must become a necessity for anyone living in your country/community to speak it in order to thrive and survive. Instilling a pride in it can only do so much"

"Growth is better than preservation"

"If we wanted our languages to grow we would have entire institutions dedicated to bringing our languages up to date with technology and everyday sayings. This is the essence of practicality"

"Ultimately, I hope a new dimension is added to the debate on language “preservation” — that we do not focus on feel-good campaigns that do nothing but shame our children for not seeing the point of learning their parents’ languages but rather shift our mind-set to the question of growth and practicality"

"It has opened a lot of doors for me. I have met and rubbed shoulders with a lot of important people and world leaders, and not just in Nigeria but also across the world. I would always cherish those moments. I learnt that life is about meeting people, traveling, networking and building bridges so that we could have good and lasting relationships with people"

"I will advise every young girl who wants to go for MBGN, and whoever wins MBGN to just be herself. Be yourself; don’t try to be me or any other person. Don’t try to be any other person that went before you. Yes, these people can be your role models, but please be yourself and enjoy the moment. Be cool and don’t get carried away by what happens in our society nowadays. Just maintain your values"

"I have learnt to be a bit more patient and a bit more understanding. Before being queen, you were relating with people but you can’t compare it to you being queen of a big country like Nigeria, and everybody is looking up to you, to see the next move you make or your next mistake or that good thing you do. So, that is the difference. I have learnt to be more understanding and careful of things I say and do, because people like to misinterpret things. What you mean may not necessarily be what will be interpreted, so you have to be careful of what you say and things you do. You are relating with people and everybody is not going to be how you want them to be, so you need to be smart, you need to know how to work with people, because if you can work with people and you can build relationships and be more understanding and patient, you will go far"

"My ideal man, first of all, has to be God fearing. Everybody could say that is a cliché but it is really important. I have to be attracted to him though, its part of it. And you have to be a hard and smart worker. I don’t like lazy men; you have to be on your feet. You have to be loving and caring as well. I don’t care about height. He could be short or tall and I don’t care about age, but he must be attractive. However, what matters for me is what is inside"

"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What is ugly to you may be handsome to me. I don’t think there is anything like dating an ugly man. He might be ugly to you but he is handsome to me. It is basically beauty from the inside; that is the most important thing. If your inside is as beautiful and amazing, what is on the outside is of no consequence, so it is your inside that matters"

"I have learnt to develop a thick skin. I am thankful for my family who has been my backbone and my fiends too who have been very supportive. So, you see negative things and you just laugh it off, because if people are not talking about you, then you are nobody; you are not relevant. You see negative reports and you just laugh and move on with your life"

"This platform has given me the opportunity to help create awareness about endometriosis in Nigeria. It’s a disease that so many people don’t know about which affects the female child, so, I intend to go round, starting with secondary schools, to create awareness about endometriosis. I want young girls to know about this disease and try their best to get checked early enough. It is a disease that is fast spreading in Nigeria and it has to be checked; we can easily control it when everybody, especially young girls know about it."

"Everything happens twice, the first time in your mind and then in reality."

"I’m a test-tube baby"

"I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. Maybe because of the fact that I was a test-tube baby, maybe because of the fact that my parents were very passionate about health"

"The thing I will always remember from this experience is the different cultures I got to experience. We ate Thai food every night in [Maeya Nonthawan Thongleng] Miss Thailand’s room. The US is very popular for their sweets, so Miss USA [Elizabeth Safrit] brought a lot of sweets for us to try… Miss Australia [Courtney Thorpe] was probably my best friend – people actually said that we look alike. It’s so funny because she’s amazing at doing make-up and I was good at doing hair so we helped each other for the final"

"It was a childhood dream that came true and as big an honor as it is, it is still a responsibility…But it’s also not the destination; it’s the beginning of a new journey"

"If you look at beauty, it fades. What we are working on is a legacy that will last beyond our lives. If you really look at what Miss World has achieved in raising millions of dollars for charities, you’ll see that we’re making a big difference in people’s lives."

"I actually do my own hair and make-up which comes in handy because I don’t always have someone. I have someone who helps with styling, Werner Wessels, and he’s been helping me [from] before I became Miss South Africa. My style is kind of the way you tell a story without people being able to speak to you. My style icon is Princess Kate Middleton"

"It’s part of who I am, part of what I want to be. I want to be able to practice and I also want to start a business that focuses on women’s health…I like the holistic approach to women’s health and my health because I believe that your mind and body are interlinked and connected so if you look after you mind you automatically look after your body, also vice versa"

"In life, you get a lot of platforms to do good, to reach for your dreams and have a positive influence on other people’s lives as well. Whether it’s through education, being a doctor, or others have the platform of being good at sports. That way, I’ve received the platform of Miss World and I’m going to use it to do good"

"We chose each other and chose to trust one another, to be gentle, and to put in the hard work"

"We had to learn how to live in the present, and decided to embrace every season and moment"

"We tried to not overthink the goodbyes, but rather saw them as an opportunity for the heart to grow fonder again"

"The biggest lesson I learnt from being raised in a small town is that you might not have all the opportunities there, but when you do get one, you should grab it with both hands"

"It was all about what you look like, whereas pageants and Miss South Africa was more holistic. It’s about using your unique skills and talents to really make a difference"

"True beauty lies in how you affect other people"

"I did my master’s in philosophy and studied leadership coaching to develop a model for women who struggle with their self-confidence. I use this model in a lot of the keynote talks, workshops and seminars I do, and in the business talks I give with my husband"

"I believe that very often, we turn to people to crown us with a title – ‘you’re good enough’ or ‘you’re pretty enough’ – and we always wait for someone else to put that crown on our heads"

"It’s about becoming the queen of your life, instead of trying to be the queen for everyone else and fit into their boxes."

"They brought me back to enjoying every moment, seeing its beauty and embracing everything as an adventure"

"They just tore all the unnecessary details away from life. They got to the core of building a heart-to-heart connection and being there for one another. They ground me in who I am"

"We struggled through our obstacles, stood up after difficult times and gave hope to so many countries where equality is a struggle. This shows us that we are capable of great things and we are resilient"

"The fact [is] that we as humans don’t realise how much potential we have to do good, give and make things right. How amazing would it be if we all realised our potential"

"I am the University of the Free State’s first successful test tube baby. One of the greatest gifts anyone can receive is the gift of a healthy life. With my passion for giving, people and health, I will be able to contribute to one of the most important things any country desires: health for all"

"I think university catches you at a very specific time in your life where you, yourself, are trying to figure out yourself."

"There will be points where the work will not be magnificent and there will be moments when it comes back to itself again."

"You don’t have to create something new. Just be in a conversation and then something new will arise."

"I was a pretty serious teen. I thought it would be the end of the world if I did badly in a test."

"Directing is challenging. I commend all the wonderful directors out there. It takes a lot to drive a project forward."

"I was inspired by the idea of isolation and survival, but also by something deeper, what would the world look like without us? During lockdowns and global upheaval, it became clear how quickly nature reclaims space when human presence fades."

"Initially, it was about survival. But as I developed the story, I realized that emotional survival is just as important, if not more so, than physical survival."

"I wanted to convey that even in the most broken, abandoned places, both physically and emotionally, love and hope can still take root. Nature plays a big role in this story; as humanity fades, the Earth begins to heal."

"Working [in horror] is fun. It’s amazing. All that blood, and screaming, it’s just exciting! Watching it can be scary, but making it is so much fun."

"I think that’s very important for girls to know: You can be the hero. You can be the strong one in the film. I think it’s a good message for young women all over the world."

"As an actor, I always love a challenge. Every character and job come with hurdles and overcoming them deepens my understanding and enjoyment of what I do."

"Experiences are intersectional, so I cannot speak as if I understand the challenges facing every woman. That being said, young actresses are in a dangerous position when stepping into the industry. We are all hungry for work and there are predators in positions of power that do take advantage of that."

"Motherhood is such a beautiful journey. It’s so perfect. I love every bit of it. I love my baby boy to bits and pieces. Everything I do is for him and yes, I am very private. I feel like my privacy is me protecting my peace, and I have so much contentment in my little bubble, and I only come out when I have to do something and go straight back in. This is where I just shut out the noise and just live in my little bubble with my people, and that’s where my happiness lies."

"I want to empower other women struggling with weight to see their health in a whole new light. I want them to embrace non-scale victories and understand their bodies inside and out. That’s where the real transformation happens — nourishing not only our bodies, but our minds and souls too."

"This campaign is about putting our bodies where our minds are at."

"I don't think it ever truly affected my self-esteem, but I have never been in a body I enjoy, and I sincerely hope to change that."

"The industry is still struggling to see plus size actors as romantic leads, or deep intricate story bearers who aren't there for just comic relief."

"Fat-erasure is still a very tense conversation in casting rooms, and I believe that until we can all have the seemingly difficult conversations, and make bold choices that truly represent South Africa, we will continue to raise a society filled with unnecessary shame, a warped understanding of beauty and the striving for unrealistic aesthetic standards."

"The conversation is bigger than just fat people on screen, the conversation is bigger, deeper, and definitely political."

"I’ve always understood that we’re on this earth to do something and I’ve known that mine is to do with acting. I am constantly inspired by my love for the craft and the ability to tell beautiful stories through my work. Even though some characters are fictional, the stories I tell are not."

"It’s empowering to give a voice to the voiceless."

"Understanding that my talent can take me to places that my pocket cannot."

"I have been exposed to phenomenal opportunities and I’m not restricted to the confines of any geographic space. My talent is my passport throughout the world. My work fuels me and my purpose and I can channel the influence I gain into what I call spirit work, that’s an amazing thing to me."

"The joys: you can do what you love. I’m able to live my dream, which I know is a luxury. I know I’ve risen above so much history and I’m able to dream, that’s a beautiful thing."

"I’d love to be known as somebody who used her influence for the betterment of her people. I want to be remembered as somebody who fought for dignity for all, showed people love, a great mother and a wonderful partner."

"I came here for game time and I came here to play against other internationalists regularly in high quality matches. With so many internationals in the PWR after the World Cup the standard is likely to have gone up and that is exciting and a challenge we are ready for."

"As an experience, you can’t beat that. I’m also excited to be able to take what I learn here back home into the national squad and impart my knowledge to help South African women’s rugby continue to grow. Giving back is always one of the reasons why I do what I do and why I play rugby."

"A lot of the girls have PWR Cup games under their belt and we’re just excited to set our standards and a platform and then work from there and see where we’re at as a squad. I am definitely excited for what’s to come and I am excited to be playing in this league."

"I think the biggest ‘work on’ for me is focusing on my attack. I think I focused a lot on defence over the last couple of years and I’ve grown so much confidence in that space, but now I want to be an all-round play"

"Being able to represent my country is a great honour, it’s one of those things that are really hard to describe but I know I want to do it to the best of my capabilities. I believe I’m not just representing my country but I’m representing the community that I come from, I’m representing my friends and my family, they celebrate me the most. They are what has made my journey even more meaningful"

"Playing the sport professionally always seemed like something very far from me considering that it was not professional for many years in my country. I have always been a hard worker, and somehow things aligned so that I could be where I am today"

"There isn’t too much adapting to do, rugby is all the same with different calls, Going into a national camp I just make sure that I am mentally ready because the level of intensity is on another level."

"I have always felt like my strength and conditioning journey only started when I got into the national team. Prior to that, I was just playing rugby without a clue in the world that I had to condition myself. Injuries were a common thing for me and I always think that not having that information was so unnecessary."

"I would like to help in youth development, I want to be able to help young athletes optimise their abilities and just to have the information on how to do that as they develop."

"A lot of things have been put in place so we can get better. In the past, I would have been screaming that the rugby unions can do better, and while they can still do better, I’m witnessing some great things and I am appreciative of the effort."

"I’ve always loved the idea of youth athletic development, as of recently I have been thinking about considering going the forwards coach route and there is also sport psychology. Honestly, I have no clear plan yet, but I’m excited about the possibilities, and I have to admit that it’s kind of scary"

"When we finished playing [against France], I saw a big sign saying, 'Hele, can I swap shirts with you?I asked him to come through, and I said I'd meet him at the gate when I came out.I didn't swap with any of the French girls because I had kept my shirt for him. And when I got there, he was waiting and smiling. That really warmed my heart. I thought 'Aseza, you are doing good.I've inspired young boys, not just girls. It warmed my heart to make someone's dream come true."

"Rugby has changed my life. I am the person I am today because of where I came from and the choices I made.Now, I'm able to feed my family because of rugby. I have my car because of rugby. My first flight was because of rugby."

"I’m a sweetheart, But when I play, you see the monster on the field. I cannot explain how I get to that point."

"When I meet people in the street or in the shopping centre they tell me, ‘You’re so sweet in real life’.But I now like what I see. It’s not that I become a different person. I become a different version of myself. Who I am on the field is me. It’s a part of me. It’s good that I can let that part of me out. I think it’s important to show people that women and girls can be more than just one thing."

"I always say I’m my granny’s daughter. My mom was around, but she worked far away. It was my granny who raised me. She taught me discipline and how to be soft, but also when to be strong."

"At some point I had to make a choice: keep rowing or devote (my life) to rugby. My parents wanted me to stay with the former, but I really wanted the rugby dream."

"I loved rowing but it was the same thing over and over again. The excitement wasn’t there for me, and as rugby was packed with thrilling new challenges, it made it easier for me to make a decision"

"I never thought that I would end up playing sevens, and then I was playing it. The same happened with the 15s and me going to England. The world of rugby just opened up to me, and I had to go through those doors. When I raised my hand, I felt it was the right step for me. It was exciting times"

"I got an email from Lewis Sones (Saracens Women’s Performance Pathway Manager), and I thought it was a scam at first glance. I showed it to our High Performance Manager, Lynne Cantwell, and she said she would look into it."

"I struggled mentally in the first season, as I was not used to the weather or the food. It was a complete change of pace for me. I missed home, my family and friends. However, I learnt so much in that first season, and my Sarries teammates helped me every step of the way."

"When I started playing rugby, I never thought I’d be the first player to score 100 points, let alone 200. But I’m very proud to say I’ve achieved that."

"I hope it inspires young girls in South Africa. We’re seeing more players coming into the system, and I want them to feel like they can beat my record, become the most capped Springbok, or set new standards for the game."

"Bringing South Africa together, inspiring young girls to dream big and lead."

"As I neared the end of my studies, I knew that somehow I would be involved with rugby, be it on or off the field."

"We saw that when we play as a team, we can be unstoppable, even against a top side like Canada. That self-belief is growing every day, and we do have the luxury of testing that against the New Zealand side who are also going to put up a massive fight. So, it is exciting times for all."

"The coaches are really doing a great job in getting us battle-ready and fine-tuning our strengths"

"We played both WXV 2 tournaments at Athlone and that resulted in us getting a regular crowd of people coming to watch our games. We hope they will all be out there again on the weekend and even better, bring a plus one along. That will be awesome to have a good crowd in supporting us"

"Flyhalf is a new position for me. I play 13 for the Border Bulldogs. I think I played one game (at No 10) for them. It’s a fairly new position, didn’t quite go as planned, so I still need to learn a lot in that position, especially about keeping calm."

"I think if I can play flyhalf against the No 2 in the world, then it should become easier. I was very humbled in that position. I learned a lot."

"I put myself under pressure by standing too flat. Just knowing when to be a little deeper, because they had a rush defence, which put us under a bit of pressure"

"If I was deeper, then the rest of the team would have more time on the ball. It's a small thing that can make a huge difference."

"It is always great to have a coach that allows you to play what you see.We have structure, but within that structure you must see what options are open. It’s great that we are allowed to play heads up rugby, either at centre or flyhalf."

"I never thought that I have leadership skills in me until I got this opportunity to lead this brilliant pack"

"Our biggest improvement has also been in the set piece because we’ve been focusing on that.effort, attitude and dedication"

"Heading to the World Cup it will mean a lot to me and my team as we're paving the way to a brighter future for South African rugby"

"What we saw in our analysis is that they are not scared to run with the ball, so there is an element of variety in their play, and they love doing quick taps from penalties.We prepared well and will be ready for everything they are going to throw at us."

"Some players will be desperate to impress with Rugby World Cup selection on the horizon, but we will look at how players compliment and strengthen the system, rather than them doing individual things"

"But God’s timing is always the best because this time I feel I am better prepared physically. I’m well and feeling good. I am excited to go there and have this experience"

"There are going to be a lot of people with a lot of experience at the tournament. I will learn through them. Seeing players that I look up to there is going to be something else. I want to enjoy every moment"

"I think the reason I went for rugby is because people were asking, ‘Why would a woman take up rugby?’ That is why I went for it."

"They would say, ‘It is a man-dominated sport.’ I wanted something that would challenge me, something different from netball and soccer — something that was different. They say rugby is not for women."

"They always have something to say about playing rugby, but it is a sport for all sizes and shapes. Anyone is welcome to play rugby because it accommodates everyone."

"I enjoy the freedom. You can do anything you want on the field, provided it is legal. Maybe if you have anger issues, you can sort that out. There are a lot of things, and you have fun while doing them."

"You get to experience other cultures through it. There are different cultures around the world that you can learn from"

"Rugby has changed my life, and for the best, I don’t come from a great background, but with rugby, I know how to take care of my family and myself. There are a lot of things that rugby has changed for me. I am very grateful that I chose this sport. It came into my life and did good things."

"I’ve been in the system for about a decade, and this is probably the pinnacle of it. It’s been a big honour to be on that journey for so long, and to witness the growth and depth of the squad. I think there’s a lot of improvement in terms of how well the system has been invested in."

"We’ve developed an edge- a competitive edge. There’s just an overall better understanding as to what it means to be a professional athlete. All these factors contribute to the quality of the group that we are now and to where we’re headed."

"We understand that we come from various different backgrounds, but we are able to have a beautiful melting pot of different cultures and different characters even. We tap into that and embrace that because we are South African."

"Certainly, we get a boost from representing Africa as champions at the World Cup. It's a reminder of what we can do if we remain committed, united, and believe in ourselves"

"The World Cup, however, is a whole new level and requires even more of us. Not only will we participate, but we want to compete, proudly represent Africa, and push ourselves to the limit"

"The World Cup preparations are really going well, the intensity in training has been high, there’s strong sense of focus and unity in the group."

"It's important that we build on last weekend’s performance. Our mindset is to stay focused, disciplined and also be consistent with everything we are doing, not stopping our physicality going direct to them."

"I believe we’re moving in the right direction, and starting not to hold back against New Zealand."

"Our mindset is to stay focused, disciplined and also be consistent with everything we are doing, not stopping our physicality going direct to them"

"The reality is I spend every moment working to achieve my goals. Every day that I'm not on set, I'm creating opportunities to be on set."

"If you don't ask, you don't get!"

"I believe it is important for everyone to be able to physically fend for themselves, not just women exclusively."

"Every individual unfortunately has the prospective of becoming the target of a predator. Prevention and avoidance is step number one - something I make a point of highlighting at my self-defence seminars."

"From the moment I was nearly kidnapped, I craved something I had never craved before… It wasn’t just ‘safety’ or ‘sanctuary’, it was more than that. I craved POWER! I finally understood what that buzz word was all about - ‘EMPOWERMENT’. Never again did I want to be the deer caught in headlights, the Beauty overpowered by the Beast, the timid Lion on the Yellow Brick Road to Oz."

"I wanted to be my own hero."

"After starting martial arts training with two-time Muay Thai World Champion, Quentin Chong, I felt such an incredible sense of inner strength (as well as outer - ‘Hello muscles, I didn’t know I had you!’) that I wanted others to feel this too."

"I often find myself feeling like I am speaking a foreign language, even though we are all speaking English."

"Go out into the world and make it happen - one step at a time."

"Remember why you started acting - hold onto that."

"You can be still professional without being serious - keep the fun alive. Keep the creativity going."

"And when you’re having a bad day, a dry spell or a feel like you’re losing momentum; go out into the world and see what you can give to others… No expectations of what you’ll get in return. Your relationships will keep you fuelled along your journey - don’t forget to nourish them."

"Self-care, self-motivation, self-focus are all important and necessary to keep those batteries charged. But placing my focus on others is the thing that really fuelled me, and continues to do so, throughout this pandemic. It’s like ‘curing’ two birds with one stone – there’s almost no way you’ll come out of helping others not feeling better personally."

"The bottom line is, there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to diet and nutrition."

"There is no silver bullet. Life will have it own, unique, individually-crafted set of gifts waiting for you."

"It is great to have a goal, but the most rewarding thing, I’ve found, is overcoming the obstacles on the way to achieving those goals. You’ll need to feel that fire burning underneath you in order to keep you going if you decide to pursue your passion as your career, and that fire is great! But don’t forgot to go with the flow… Sure there might be a few blows here and there, but it shouldn’t feel like a constant fight."

"Keep having fun! Stay professional, but don’t take yourself too seriously."

"But we’re not here to just make up the numbers. We want to prove that women’s rugby in South Africa deserves attention, that we deserve respect. That’s on us. We’ll only get that respect if we deliver on the field. We’re all fully focussed on what we need to do."

"We know we’re not going in as favourites, But the growth of our team gives us a lot of confidence. We have structures in place. We have a game plan. We know what we need to do. We’re not shouting and making a lot of noise or promising we’ll do this or that. But keep an eye out for us. That’s all I’m saying."

"Because so many of our players are professional, and because they don’t have to worry about things like a second job or worrying about when they can train, we can work on things on the scrum, the line-out, the maul."

"That’s become our strength and we now love to get physical with teams and we back ourselves to compete in that space. We want to go to dark places with teams. We want to bring them to the gutter. We want to get physical because that’s a South African way of playing. The men’s team has had so much success playing"

"I am just so happy to be back. I love playing for my country and this is such a great opportunity for me to show that I am fit and ready for another Rugby World Cup."

"It is not about impressing the coaches, although that will be part of everyone's thinking, but playing international rugby again. I was kicking my heels long enough, now it is time to play,"

"The crowds are amazing and the support for their home team is just off the charts. For us as players, not used to play in front of 15 000 fans, it is a real experience, and I cannot wait to feel that energy again. It is actually the ideal place to make a return to test rugby for me."

"I still struggle to trust people. I find it difficult getting too close to people. I keep my circle very small. It can be hard. I’ve definitely not had a difficult life. I’ve had an amazing life. But ya, I suppose you can say it had an impact."

"Growing up on my grandmother’s farm, rugby was this thing that brought us all together. We’d all get a braai going, I’d play with the boys and the game was just this way to make me feel part of a family"

"Whenever the Springboks were on we’d all share the gees [Afrikaans for spirit]. When I’d see one of the players do something on the field I couldn’t wait to go and try it in the garden"

"Growing up with that love and passion for rugby, even before I knew that there was women’s rugby in South Africa, helped me deal with a lot of things in my life. Representing my country, realising my dream, it’s been just incredible."

"I now feel a responsibility to be an icon for other young girls. Being raised by my grandmother, I try every day to hold the values she taught me."

"What we did see against the New Zealanders in Cape Town was that our physicality is tough to live with, and that gives us confidence for the weekend."

"We have prepared well for this one and we have showed that we can play with the best. This is what this tournament is all about, proving that we belong."

"It will be good for us to train against France, as they are in the middle of their current campaign and will be full of speed and intensity, whilst we have not played together since the WXV. Also, as you can see, the weather is quite nice now to play rugby"

"The trick for the weekend will be to look to what we want to achieve and to go out there and enjoy it."

"That's the main reason, or part of, why I'm here – that I can provide for my family and I can provide for myself being in this environment"

"So, yes, this environment does not require me to go and look for work, this is my work. And every rugby player would appreciate that, especially for women in the country"

"I went to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and that's where I started playing rugby in my final year. My mom did not want me to play any sport before I got my degree and qualification."

"But she was happy with me playing as soon as rugby wanted to pay for my tertiary fees, so that's how I started playing, and I played for the Sharks for over nine years before I now joined the Bulls Daisies"

"Sevens teaches you to live in those high-pressure moments, there’s no room to hide, every second counts and each decision can change the game"

"That environment sharpened my ability to make quick decisions, manage space effectively and maintain intensity over long periods"

"It also taught me resilience because in sevens you can be down and out in one minute but turn the game around the next. Those lessons have translated into 15s, especially at the World Cup, where the stakes are so high."

"It’s about keeping composure, adapting to what’s in front of you and the skill be it passing, tackling and quickly bouncing back up into the game"

"It was a mix of joy and gratitude. Personally, I thought back to all the years of sacrifice, challenges faced and the faith that kept me going when the road wasn’t easy"

"To finally see it pay off on a stage like the RWC felt like a testimony to God’s grace and our team’s resilience. For women’s rugby in South Africa, it was so much bigger than just us"

"I think it was a message that the Springbok Women belong at the highest level. It means that young girls can dream bigger and the country can start to see the true potential of women’s rugby."

"On the field, it’s about composure, showing younger players that you can handle pressure, stick to the system and still express yourself"

"Off the field, it’s about being approachable, sharing knowledge and making them feel supported in moments of doubt"

"You know they will test every part of your game. For us, the key was discipline and structure. We couldn’t get caught up in their tempo or play on emotion alone"

"Our physicality is always a strength, but it needed to be applied smartly with dominating collisions, slowing their ball and staying patient"

"At the same time, speed and fitness had to come into play, especially in transitions. If I had to choose one thing it was our discipline and structure. That gave us a foundation to compete, to stick to our plan and to trust each other in the big moments"

"I want girls to know their dreams are valid, no matter where they start. I was once a young girl with a dream too and it took years of work, setbacks and faith to get there."

"If you stay consistent and keep working even when no one is watching, opportunities will come. I want young girls to see us and know that it’s possible – whether it’s rugby, studies or something else entirely, you can break barriers"

"My personal goals are to keep growing as a player and leader and to continue representing South Africa in both sevens and fifteens."

"I also want to be part of building pathways for younger girls so that when they pick up a rugby ball, they already see a future in the sport."

"I hope South Africa will keep growing the game at the grassroots level so that we see more opportunities and investment in our athletes. The talent and passion is there – it’s now about building a structure that gives every young girl a chance to reach her potential"

"We respect the Springbok name deeply, but we also know that we’re writing our own story within it. We want to be known for our resilience, unity and courage"

"In terms of style we bring physicality, passion and flair that’s uniquely South African. We want people to look at us and see a team carving a legacy of heart, strength and pride in green and gold."

"I lost my temper during a heated match and acted in a way that was below my standards. To Yasmin in particular, I extend my sincerest apologies. I hope you are well today and wish you nothing but the best for the future. I am sorry"

"My actions yesterday are not representative of me as a person. I lost my cool in a heated match and acted in a way that leaves me disappointed in myself. To Yasmin in particular, I offer sincere apologies. I hope you are feeling fine today and only wish you the best going forward"

"The mood in the squad has been amazing heading into the new season. Playing for this team on its own carries a lot of pressure because we have set ourselves a very high standard. That means we have to push even harder to stay at the top."

"The mandate is clear—win every trophy we lost. It starts with winning COSAFA because that puts us in a strong position to compete for the CAF Women’s Champions League title. If we get another shot at competing Continentally, I believe we will perform better because we have already experienced that level"

"We stayed on our toes, even during the festive period. We were given individual programs to maintain our fitness and keep the momentum going. Having an early preseason has also been a big advantage, giving us more time to get ready."

"Our esteemed supporters are the 12th player on the field. I want to thank them for their continuous support and encourage them to keep coming in numbers to witness more great football at the stadium(s)"

"My priority is to help the team concede fewer goals so we can win more games. But football is evolving and defenders now play a crucial role in attacking too. I want to improve my ability to push forward, create opportunities and even score more goals."

"I have always found strength through my son, despite my busy schedule I celebrate being a mother and a professional player because it's not easy balancing in between."

"A typical day in my life is when I came back from maternity leave, balancing wasn't a walk in the park because every time I was thinking about my son when I left behind if he was okay or not and I ended up not full concentration in training, traveling days was my worst knowing that am going to leave my son behind for a while that, I use to call back every time but I’m grateful I picked up and got support from his dad"

"I do train age-grade kids, anytime I go for training I usually go with my son and he joins the under 9 years category, and when I have club games I normally go with him as he watches."

"To those mothers in sports, I would say it's never easy raising a family while in sports but never give up doing what you love because you are a mother, let your kids be the motivation towards your goals"

"I was emotional as I walked up to take the penalty kick"

"I believed we could win the final, and that mentality drove me as I approached the box"

"I concentrated on the ball, not the penalty kick itself. I told myself, 'This is our chance to take the lead.' Luckily, I scored, and it means the world to me and the team. I'm relieved I didn't disappoint"

"Honestly, it was tough to think straight"

"I was praying in my head, 'God, help us,' while closing my eyes. Then, I just heard the scream, 'Goal"

"The mental picture of what could happen if I scored was what kept me believing and focused within those few secondsn"

"When we qualified, I told everyone it was possible and we could win it. I'm thrilled we achieved it together as a team, and I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead"

"Every team comes here to become champions. Nothing is easy, but we are ready to give everything to go all the way"

"Seeing the victims - children, mothers, fathers who've lost loved ones, and families torn apart - was heartbreaking"

"It's been hard to cope with"

"For me, the support I offer is simple: when I'm on the pitch I feel compelled to win, even if it's just to bring a small moment of happiness to our people"

"It means a lot to me, I've been trying to get it, and upon getting it, I was really emotional," said Shangase"

"At the same time, I [had to remind myself] it's still not over, the game is still on, and I still need to wipe those tears and go back to carry on with the match."

"At the moment, batting is in front now, and judging from both – I can't judge, it's two different skills and I love them both," she acknowledged."

"I think the creation of a professional franchise women's league in South Africa needs to start happening in the next year or two. I think that is the only way we can start bridging the gap between our provincial set-up and the national team"

"We need to play more competitive franchise or club cricket throughout the year, and we can't just rely on four players that go to the WPL, the Hundred, or the Big Bash"

"I never dreamt of being a footballer. I used to play Netball and I was very good at it but one day my teacher told me to try and play as a football goalkeeper and that’s how my career started like a joke."

"For me, football is more than a game; it’s a way of life. We survive because of football. I feed my family through football, so I always make sure I work really hard and do my best during games"

"I am happy to be back and I am sure my experience will help Buffaloes. I know most of the players here and I will easily adapt"

"It felt so good [to score the penalty] because we normally [practice it] ; whenever we have a session, we train for it,"

"I think this was the sweetest victory we had"

"I really had so much trouble that I had to change where I would stay"

"I went for a holiday at my grandma's place. And I really cried because I wanted to stay there and enjoy my sports career. So, I had to do that. And it really helped me a lot"

"She used to play netball, and in the process I wanted to do something different from her sport. So, I began playing football and from that time, it has been my favourite sport"

"She would encourage me. She told me to focus on school but also play football because I like it. So, she understood me so well and it really gave me the zeal to keep on going"

"I think the moment I started being named in the national team, that's the time my parents stood up for me and began supporting me. My mom is now my biggest fan"

"I feel like that moment, that's where everything began"

"That's the very year we also qualified for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. If you look at the team that qualified for the Women's World Cup, half of it came from the U17 World Cup"

"I really want to experience more, because now it's at a senior level. I'm very excited and looking forward to the World Cup"

"He called the next day. He was like 'you really adopted my spirits', and I was like, 'wow, yeah"

"It feels so great. Kennedy is my inspiration so, for me, this is so encouraging and it really gives me more hope and more courage to keep on working extra hard"

"I think we're not just physically on the field, but spiritually, in everything that we're doing, together"

"Barbra keeps pushing us, telling us 'girls, we can do this' in every word that she speaks. She says 'we' and of course, it really encourages us to say 'OK, she's not playing but obviously she's among us"

"I feel it's a very great achievement, especially for women's football"

"The development is very great and I feel everyone now is focused to say we can go further - even to those people that were doubting themselves are now encouraged"

"I’m over the moon to announce that I’ve joined Zesco Ndola Girls Football Club"

"After years away from the pitch due to injury – years that were devastating, breaking, and emotional – I’m finally back. Thanks to Zesco Ndola Girls Football Club for this opportunity"

"I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude towards my stay in New Zealand , I got injured a few days to the biggest tournament which is the World Cup. A Tournament I have always wanted to participate [in] as a young dreamer"

"The injury almost made me lose hope of ever going to play and walk nicely on both legs but the unmatched love and care in New Zealand gave me some hope"

"I have massive hope of relighting my career on the field of play within the possible time, everyone in New Zealand has been supportive and encouraging while I was out there injured. Massive thanks go to the Zambian Government, Sports Minister Mr Elvis Nkandu i really appreciate for the father figure role you played, The Football Association of Zambia, The Ministry and the people back home for the support and warm encouragement"

"Hazel is a fantastic goalkeeper. She was at this tournament for Zambia. She’s already over a year out of play. So she did not train in any club"

"She did not play any games. So for me, of course, when she’s back on the training pitch, which I hope is going to be soon, then she will be in focus for the national team"

"But it’s never possible to call up a player who was more than a year out of the game and even in training practice"

"What’s yours is yours, regardless of age."

"I try not to conform and prefer to stay in my own world. I spend a lot of time alone, which allows me to hear my own voice more clearly and avoid getting caught up in industry noise. I’m still learning about this industry and don’t know it deeply, but I’ve realised it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing."

"I see people comparing themselves constantly. I remind myself, this is my journey and I need to honour it."

"Maybe it’s wise, maybe it’s not. Sometimes you do really need to secure the bag, but if there’s one thing I want to keep, it’s my integrity."

"However, I also realise that sometimes you do have to take on projects that don’t perfectly align with your values. In those cases, I think it’s important to find my “why”. I need to find a way to connect with it somehow. This helps me maintain a sense of purpose and integrity, even in situations where I have to compromise."

"When I’m working, I stay centred by meditating and prioritising breathing – breath is life."

"I often hear questions about opportunities for women and whether there’s equality. I feel these questions should also be directed at the men in the industry who are in charge of allocating opportunities. It would be interesting to hear their perspectives and how they think we can move forward towards equality."

"Realistically, men have held many of these influential positions for years, which can limit access for women. I don’t like that reality; but given the current climate, it’s crucial for women to support each other and create our own opportunities."

"Women need to rely on each other more and be open to being relied on, as we are the best advocates for our own success."

"The future, I am just happy to take one step at a time. I’ve learnt to be patient with myself and trust my journey. So wherever God is going to place me next is where I will be next."

"Because of social media, everything is so available."

"A love story is a story that I think almost anyone can relate to, a love story is universal and I think that allows audiences to really invest in the world we have created and pick up on the racial injustices and social injustices the characters face based on the colour of people’s skin. I think a love story gives people a way into that."

"To remain true to yourself and the things that you believe in and to do projects that really resonate with you. If something is for you it will be for you, and if it’s not then it’s not, trust your gut and do the things you passionately feel will make a difference."

"If everyone acknowledges the privilege certain people have, it’s up to those people as well to help push the agenda forward."

"Prior to reading Malorie’s books I had never heard of a world that existed where Africans were the ruling class. It was unique and it made me feel warm inside, to imagine a world where this could be a possibility."

"In the past, African culture hasn’t been as respected or honoured in the way this drama displays. I feel so proud to be a part of something where African culture is put on a pedestal."

"What I really liked about the relationship is how innocent it is in this world where everything seems to be set up against them. It is always beautiful to see the message relayed that whatever world you are in and however hard your circumstances may be, when you feel like the world is against you there is always that bit of hope - and their relationship represents that. They are very brave to want to be together as their relationship is illegal. It is inspiring to see how courageous they are and how their love is able to overcome such dangerous obstacles and difficult struggles."

"I'm excited for audiences to see the different perspectives of race from the opposite race. I am also excited for black people to see their culture so honoured and celebrated."

"I am excited for white people to see white privilege through a different medium and I think people will learn a lot from this show, it is very educational. It might kick start a conversation about racism that comes from a place of trying to see things from someone else’s perspective."

"One thing the general public does not know about me is that I work very hard behind the scenes; I even have a personal trainer. I train twice a day, with my club and then with the personal trainer. So, I put in a lot of practice, especially for my passing. What you see on the field is a result of that hard work and practice"

"I’m not a person who likes to become comfortable in one position – I want to constantly improve as a player. I never want to hear people say ‘Bambanani can’t play football anymore’. So, I need to always work hard, especially because age is also not on my side"

"I’m grateful for the support I was getting from my wife, family and team. That really helped me bounce back from that setback, even though it was not an easy journey"

"I will continue playing until I feel that I can’t do it anymore. Everything we do in life is about timing and I feel as though I can still continue playing for the national team. After all, everyone is entitled to their own decisions,"

"But I’m happy for the retired players. They raised the level of women’s football in general, not just at Banyana Banyana"

"We spoke together after the loss of the last match. We agreed that we should keep fighting and that’s what we did"

"I thank god for the award of Woman of The Match, it crowns our efforts and so does the win"

"In our first match, we were nervous and were not yet aware of the situation. But we managed to pass through this one"

"In our first match, we were nervous and were not yet aware of the situation. But we managed to pass through this one. We came to qualify to the final game; this is our level and we are ready for AS Mande"

"It’s a huge responsibility because we have so many young ones in this team so we (the older players) have to motivate them and show them the ropes"

"But, it’s also not that difficult because we have been in this team for so many years, so we know what is expected from us, so we have to make sure that we keep the kids motivated to do better"

"[For the new players] it’s a matter of them adjusting to the game plan of the team so I believe that even with coach calling them, she saw something in them of which it will help boost the team"

"My family are the first people who played a role in shaping my mind and their importance in my life cannot be emphasised enough. With them beside me, I know that everything will be okay and I know that I have purpose"

"I want to branch into the research sector so I can play a role in developing nutrition related guidelines to combat South Africa’s double burden of malnutrition and obesity"

"I am lucky enough to be on a platform that allows me to provide community education on the importance of a healthy life through a healthy diet. I have also recently started a campaign called #nyakazani which aims to get community members involved in responding to crises"

"I have always pictured myself as a role model for young women. Growing up I read about female trailblazers and always thought of myself as one too. I entered the competition because I am a driven woman who wants to make changes for the better of our country"

"I think it’s how we show love. My love language is showering people with gifts. I also reciprocate feelings when someone shows me love"

"beauty queens are the subject of harsh criticism and booing"

"It’s like a boot camp for women. It allows me to grow. About the bullying, you can choose to lock out the negativity and focus on the good things"

"From an early age, I had a seed planted inside of me, which I have been watering over the years, and seeing my dreams realised has been nothing short of amazing! Especially when this experience has far surpassed my expectations"

"I love a good challenge, and pageantry is exactly that; I get to be involved in community projects, take the lead on various campaigns, and find out more about myself and my own capabilities. Essentially, I get to step into my power. From afar, pageantry seemed like glitz and glam, which initially is what drew me to the industry; however, the closer I got, the more appreciation I had for this world, and I have not been able to turn back since"

"The issue that is most aligned with me is our flawed healthcare system. It is no secret that a lot of attention has been directed towards the Department of Health since the beginning of 2020 due to COVID-19; however, all that attention was only focused on the new pandemic on-hand. As a result, other sectors started to lag, leaving our country in shambles! I want to tackle finding interventions that will improve and strengthen health system resilience and financing through local, national, and global engagement. After all, a healthy society is a thriving one"

"As someone who is considered to be a part of the youth, I believe that I can speak for the majority of my generation when I say that the biggest lesson that can be learnt from 1976 is that: change is inevitable if you are willing to actively play your part towards seeking it. The students who marched bravely in 1976 knew what they wanted, and they took the necessary measures needed, drastic as they were, to see it through. We need to learn to have that resilience today as well! There are so many social injustices that need to be faced head-on. If we can learn to gather our strength and put on brave faces, we, too, can lead our own revolutions"

"After all, what you wear should be a reflection of who you are and how to keep yourself updated with the world’s and South Africa’s current affairs. I have been putting all of this into practice by actively searching for self-awareness; reading up on current affairs; thinking of possible questions, which I then answer myself; using social media as a tool to get my message across; using any free time I have to work with my community to find gaps that can be filled"

"Pregnancy is such a sensitive thing. You need to respect it, protect it and take care of it"

"Firstly, I was never into marriage. Even at home, they were shocked when the letter came. I always said I didn’t see myself getting married. I wanted kids, but never marriage. I also don’t have a really good reference of marriage."

"There was a time in my life when I was working in retail because I thought showbiz wasn’t happening for me and I had invested so much. I worked for like, a year, before I was hired at Gagasi FM. Folding clothes in retail is not easy, but all of that builds you"

"She believed in me so much and could see that being in the public eye was something I enjoyed. From singing to dancing and doing drama, I was always that kid"

"It was a beautiful story about being lesbian in an African community like KwaMashu. I enjoyed playing that character and it was out of my comfort zone,"

"Noxolo and I had coaching lessons and counselling. It helped a lot having to understand that these are people’s lives and they sometimes get killed based on whom they choose to love. Portraying those characters was serious for us."

"I felt so privileged to be able to wear my country across my heart and to take people on a journey through our diversity and resilience. It was just an honour for me to have that opportunity"

"I definitely worked hard and expected more for myself but the journey does not stop there and it is now up to me to continue the legacy that has been created"

"It was quite difficult balancing my studies and the competition because I was in my penultimate year of my Law studies so I took some time off to focus on Miss South Africa because on its own it is a full-time job that requires all your attention. I had explained it to my lecturers and they understood and helped me finish the rest of my studies"

"I wanted first to prioritise my education and the purpose I had set out for myself which was to become a lawyer. By the time I entered again, I knew the power of what it takes to be a Miss South Africa and the importance of having a voice of relevance"

"Being in the Faculty of Law, one of the best in the country, there was so much support and help to learn both theoretically and practically. When I finished studying, while chatting to colleagues in the industry, I realised just how privileged we are to study at UJ"

"You may not be successful the first or second time around but if you believe in something, it is so important to never let go of that belief. Sometimes it may not be the right time but if you give up on yourself you won’t realise that. Don’t be afraid to fail, have hope, reevaluate yourself, and try again. If it is for you, it will find you at the right time. This is not just about following your dream but also choosing something to study and following the course"

"As a lawyer I am passionate about empowering women and I have seen how effective our law in South Africa is when it comes to the constitution. I wanted to start an initiative that helps women because they are the most vulnerable group of people in our society and need the most protection. Her Way Out is an initiative that allows women to find their way out. It is specifically targeted at empowering women in their legal rights and helping them to find platforms to better themselves. I’ve partnered with a legal firm and we have been working with Gender Based Violence victims in the courts, and working with women-led initiatives to help them"

"I am incredibly excited and honoured to have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming Miss Supranational competition. I have been working tirelessly to prepare myself both mentally and physically for the competition. These preparations have included intense training sessions to enhance my physical fitness, catwalk, poise and stage presence. I have also been working with top-notch trainers to improve my communication skills and develop a strong and impactful voice. I always say that the most important thing for me when preparing for any competition is to have a positive and healthy mindset and to have put in all the necessary work"

"It taught me invaluable lessons about confidence and grace. These platforms demand more than physical beauty- it’s about owning your uniqueness and embracing it. I learned to stand tall, speak my truth and carry myself with poise. The spotlight can be intimidating, but I realised that authenticity shines brighter than any spotlight. And now, as I step into the international arena once again, I carry with me the lessons learned. I know that genuineness, resilience and an honest connection with people transcends borders. Whether I win a crown or not, I’ll continue making South Africa proud. So, here’s to dreams realised, lessons learned and the magic of representing my country on a global stage"

"The outpouring of support from fellow South Africans has been nothing short of heartwarming. Their encouragement, positive messages and unwavering belief have fuelled my determination. To every person who has cheered me on, sent kind words or simply believed in my dream, thank you. You are not just spectators, you are part of this adventure. Your love transcends borders and it’s a reminder that we’re all connected. Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to embark on this new phase of my incredible journey"

"I want to empower all women, no matter the issue, from those battling gender-based violence, pensioners, women with health problems, professional women, mothers, grandmothers and daughters. Women are facing severe issues which stops their progress in life, and the time is now to recognise that women’s rights are human rights and that women can become whatever they want to be. In my legal career, I have witnessed the disparity which exists between men and women and the existing patriarchy enforcing power over women, which urgently requires our attention and voice for change"

"I have seen a woman glow when she heard she had tenancy rights and could not be evicted from her home of 43 years and I have comforted a domestic worker who wept on learning she had legal recourse to summary dismissal and was later awarded a six months’ salary. There are no small victories here. These are monumental life-changing moments and I want to make sure that this happens more and more. I’m a lawyer, so how can I not use my background to empower women to help themselves? All women need to know is that the law is on their side. My mission and pledge is to teach a woman about her legal rights and let her know that information is Her Way Out"

"I have always believed that being different is a superpower and becoming the second South African of Indian descent to represent our beautiful country on the international stage is a testament to that fact. I will be giving the competition my all and have already started extensive preparations. I cannot describe how excited I am to start this Miss Universe journey and, as this new chapter unfolds, I am fully committed to my support of women equality in South Africa. My advocacy is to address and remove the gaps in the progress of women empowerment by introducing mentorship programmes focusing on business and leadership courses, entrepreneurial and job training programmes and skills development training programmes on secondary to post-tertiary levels of education for girls and women"

"I wanted to try something different to challenge and push myself"

"I consider it an honour to touch people's lives"

"Those experiences helped me conquer many fears and self-doubts"

"I enjoy it and love embracing my full authentic self"

"I encourage everyone to experience the diverse art scenes, amazing food and warmth of its people"

"I have my moments of doubt and vulnerability just like anyone else"

"Stay true to yourself and keep pushing forward"

"Growing up in a village made me realised the importance of education. It is important for young girls and boys to be educated and to break the cycle of poverty through education. It is my wish to work with corporates and universities across South Africa to champion the power of education"

"I would like to change that and make women and children feel safe in our country – gender equality is important"

"I am Miss SA 2022. I have uttered these words more than a thousand times before, but to be able to say it today and it actually being my reality is so humbling. Look at God"

"I would like to glorify my heavenly Father for making this dream come true. God has carried me and prepared me for such a time through every season of my life, and it is through His faithfulness that I am here. With every step that I took, I had peace in knowing that He was there with me and I know that He will continue to guide me to touch as many lives as possible in this new chapter"

"A big thank you to the Miss SA Organisation for this incredible platform that you’ve created for us young women to grow, lead and fully face our power. There is no other space that embraces the power of women in all their diversity and that also empowers them to give back tenfold. I am honoured to continue to do what I love in partnership with the organisation, which is to serve my country"

"For a girl from Gabaza to be seen, embraced and chosen to represent her country is a groundbreaking moment. A moment that reaffirms that our dreams are valid, regardless of where we come from. I am grateful for the women who have gone before me who broke the glass ceilings so I could stand here today empowered, fulfilled and ready to proudly raise the South African flag up high everywhere I go and to shine the light of hope to all South Africans"

"As your Miss SA, I understand the importance of representation, because it is through seeing other women look beyond their fears and their circumstances, that I gained the courage to rise to the call. I will represent SA, in all its diversity, resilience and beauty. It really does take a village, and I am so grateful that my village showed up for me. It is now for me to work and ensure that every success of mine overflows into my country"

"I plan to meaningfully contribute to levelling the ground for all South Africans, by increasing the accessibility to information for those in underdeveloped schools"

"I think that a lot of people can relate to my story and it's also an example for other young women from a small village to dream big, believe in themselves, regardless of where they are in life"

"As someone who comes from a small village, I know the mindset is there that the youngsters limit themselves because they are not exposed to as much but I want to inspire South Africa’s youth to open up minds, dream bigger, see what is possible and know that our communities are willing to show up for us"

"I am passionate about creating an equitable education system in SA because I think that it is so important to ensure that every youngster in the country is given the opportunity to gain skills and resources to be a success in whatever profession they choose and that no one gets left behind"

"When this happens, it leads to many other problems like crime and teenage pregnancy because young people feel like they are unable to be part of a bright future"

"I think my personality was shaped by those contrasting families. I had a normal upbringing, played, went to school, followed the rules and broke them, learned morals and Values, then discovered myself."

"I am who I am today because of that young girl who grew up knowing there’s more to offer and fearlessly pursued her dreams"

"It’s awesome! Levi’s® has been around for years and has always maintained a brand that represents quality and growth within the market, so to be associated with it means I’m doing something right!"

"It makes me so proud to be the face of a range that considers a broader market that wasn’t necessarily thought of before!"

"I actually enjoy my body!"

"My whole life, I’ve been tested in all that I do"

"I’ve always dared to put myself through numerous tests again, knowing it’s worth a try because I’ve learned more from my failures than my wins"

"You need to dive into the unknown to discover your full potential"

"In a world where everything seems structured and perfect, people appreciate engaging with someone who portrays the truths of life"

"it’s always liberating to know you’re not alone"

"Your impact on people generates influence"

"it’s easier to market to an audience that believes you!"

"Acting is a job for me and, trust me, there’s nothing glamorous about it behind the scenes"

"every job requires discipline, professionalism and a sense of enthusiasm to perform at your best!"

"I’ve learned acting is somewhat spiritual; you’re as real or believable as the amount of Commitment you invest in it"

"Beauty is seen as a commodity in society"

"Music has always been the heartbeat of everything I do"

"I want to relay a story of owning your power, your being and success as a woman in a sassy, vibrant yet soulful way"

"Letting go of perfection and trusting my instincts was the hardest part, but also the most freeing."

"I have always felt challenged before because I was never prepared and just went with the flow of the character"

"It’s amazing what happens when you apply yourself."

"I have been put in rooms where I felt like I didn’t belong. For the longest time I didn’t realise I actually grew up in this industry because I was just going through it"

"Don’t fight people’s battle in the industry. I’m not saying be mute to any injustices of the industry, because if you are an actor in the industry those are your battles"

"But people’s battles that don’t involve you, stay out of them. When you are young in the industry your heart is so open and you just speak up even when it’s not your place. You wonder why the adults are quiet"

"Soccer became my escape and comfort."

"Football teaches you how to behave on and off the field."

"As long as I keep going, nothing will stop me."

"Pressure is a privilege, and when our backs are against the wall, that is when we perform."

"I tell people I am a full-time worker and a part-time footballer. A lot of us have to take unpaid leave to play matches. But come game day you would never say we are not full-time players."

"The field wasn’t the greatest. The fact that they thought it was OK for us to play on it, was something we were not happy with. It was just about us being respected as athletes."

"What was beautiful was that we stood together and we knew what we were fighting for. We fought 23-strong. We knew if we stuck together no one could break us and that translated on to the field. Our bond is the strongest it’s ever been."

"We were so tired of being stepped on and not being heard."

"Like I said previously, I’ve worked hard to be where I am and I think my confidence grew and I show up every day and gave maximum effort."

"I feel school is not for me. I quit last year, dedicating my life to football. I'm positive I'll have a successful career as a footballer."

"I decided to drop out because I wanted to spend more time playing football. So far, I have been able to focus on football the way I have always wished. I was an average learner."

"I think God only blessed me with football."

"Here you have to bring your A-game all the time or you will struggle."

"When the coach told me to go warm up I had butterflies in my stomach."

"As the kick-off approaches, my heart is racing but I am looking forward to the challenge."

"I grew up in a family that was football oriented."

"When I play football, I forget my problems. It is my joy. It is my happiness."

"Pressure is a privilege for me."

"I like being criticised because if I am not being criticized, I get worried because it means that people care."

"Glasgow is my home. I call it my second home."

"I do not only represent my team or just my family, but I also represent kids from back home."

"“It’s very important for us to achieve things and make history for the next generation. When they come here, they must know they can’t take things for granted and need to work for the nation."

"I used to play football with boys before playing with girls."

"It’s every player’s dream to play in the World Cup. Everyone that is here is trying to find their ticket to the World Cup."

"I think the lesson for us is that if we put the badge first and remember the people on ground who support us. That is what pushes us as a team. We are just taking lessons from the previous experiences, and just want to do it for the badge and for the people."

"I think, one thing about experience is that you can't buy it, you need to earn it, and being part of this tournament earned that experience for the team, and the individuals to show what we're made of in South Africa and the type of skills and players we have."

"Grassroots football is so important."

"It’s not a coincidence for me to be where I am now. It’s something that I’ve been working towards for years, without even changing the recipe – just constantly showing up and working hard, even when nobody is looking."

"For me, the biggest drive has been my family, to ensure that I achieve my goals so that I can make life better for them. That’s my biggest motivation."

"Being where I am now is definitely a dream come true – something I’ve been working towards for years. So, it’s quite fulfilling."

"As a footballer it’s also important to have a purpose besides things on the field."

"There is nothing like family support for me. Family is everything."

"To know that there are people who care about you and wish you success is very motivating."

"Ultimately, working as a team will be key. Team spirit will help us prevail."

"I think every defender can say that the minute we step on the field and in training, we try not to concede because the team won’t lose if we don’t."

"It's about what you want in life. Studying and playing football at the same time is a nice challenge, it keeps you focused. I am not finding it difficult at all."

"I’ve never doubted myself, but I never thought I’d be here this soon!"

"It is a dream for all African players to come to Europe and play football, so it is a dream come true that I am now standing here in Farum."

"I am very goal-oriented as a player, and if I had to describe myself in a few words, I would probably define myself as a “silent killer” on the pitch."

"Excited is an understatement for me, I still pinch myself now and then just to make sure that I am not dreaming."

"We understand the significance of our supporters and we aim to give them a reason to cheer. They have stood by us through thick and thin and it’s our responsibility to put in a performance that they can be proud of."

"Our supporters are our 12th player on the pitch and we know that their energy and enthusiasm can make a huge difference to our performance. We value their contribution, and we’ll do everything possible to ensure that we give them a reason to celebrate on Saturday."

"God’s blessings are unmatched and truly when the Lord says yes NOBODY can say no"

"Home ownership is a feeling that makes life’s daily grind worth facing,"

"When you come from the villages you don’t give up. We keep on working no matter what."

"It’s also about working hard and not giving up. Because when you love something you’ve got to go the extra mile."

"Sometimes we mess up our opportunities. But if it had to happen, it had to happen."

"I don’t like to be relaxed. When it’s my time to move, it’s my time to move. I wake up in the morning and pray. After that, I go for a run. Then I train with some boys. On Sundays, we play matches."

"I don’t need to be reminded about where I come from. Wherever I go my name stays the same, my accent stays the same. But it’s good to know people are behind me."

"We are feeling good, and we are prepared. We know what it will take to defend our title, and we will have to work as a team – play for one another, support each other, fight for one another. So, teamwork will win the day, unlike in tennis where you are on your own."

"I want to do more talking on the field of play."

"Teamwork will win games for us because football is about the team not individuals...we're here as a team, representing our country."

"My dad was my support system, he would drive me to practice every day and he would have to drive back home an hour away, as I was in boarding school and they would not allow me to leave the premises alone."

"Education is very important. I know I love football and I know I can make a living out of it but things are different in South Africa, as we do not have a professional league here."

"I know there will come a stage when I won’t be able to play professional football."

"I need to have something to fall back on. Injuries occur sometimes and I should be ready if something like that happens. Not only will education help me in the future, but I can also apply the knowledge I gain while playing soccer; aspects such as injury prevention, rehabilitation, sport psychology among others."

"Sometimes, I feel like quitting but I have one goal; to finish this year even if it means crawling to the finish line."

"Through education, you can achieve your goals."

"Not everyone will represent their country at national level. Education is the best thing you can fall back on if things don’t work out the way you want them to. Let’s get that qualification!"

"I have learnt a lot from it, from playing against the best players in the world. It is an experience that no one can take away from me."

"The smiles they put on my face that day… it hit me that they needed us more. I realised that when I made it, I had to go back and help. I want to show people who think they have boundaries that there are no limits."

"The first thing you need as a footballer is a ball. Then you need shoes. If you have that, you’ve got the confidence to play. That changes everything."

"It all starts with development. The earlier kids have access to proper gear and training, the better their chances of making it. If brands invest now, they’re not only changing lives, they’re strengthening our national teams, our leagues, our future."

"I’ve made it out of an under-resourced area, and they can too. The impossible is nothing."

"Imagine what the national team could achieve if women’s football was fully professional. It would change everything."

"It’s important to remember where you come from and to use your success to uplift others. I want these young players to know that their dreams are valid. They must know that with hard work and dedication, they can achieve anything."

"I know that I love football and can sustain myself by making a living out of it but circumstances might change – like getting an injury and obviously reaching a stage where I won't be able to play professional football and I need something to fall back on, in this case, it's my education. It also helps me apply the knowledge that I have while playing the game: aspects such as prevention of injury, sport psychology, etc."

"The partnership with adidas allows me to dream big about my goals and aspirations. I can fully concentrate on my performance without stressing about boots and bras that will help me to perform extremely well."

"Sponsorships go beyond just tangible things. I have access to a team of experts to help me optimise my training and nutrition to ensure that I perform at my best."

"This is a big win, not only for me but for other sportswomen as well from disadvantaged areas. Let's celebrate and pave the way for the next generation of athletes by also giving back to the communities we come from."

"Being a radiologist helped me because I knew that if I gave myself enough time to recover, there'd be less chance of me getting injured again."

"Had I not quit my job, I wouldn't be here because I was working in the deep rural areas. It was very hard to train. I was training with the boys."

"Not everyone gets a chance to play at the highest level of sport, especially when you are from a rural area like where I come from."

"I know that one day it will also pay off and that once I am retired from football, I have something to fall back on."

"I always make sure no day passes without me not going to the library. I have to always ensure I am ahead with my studying and finish my assignments very early."

"What you put in is what you get out."

"I think for me we need people to come and watch our games."

"I think it's because most females, they all want to go into coaching actually and I think they also don't realise that they are some other branches that you can go into and I think this one of them and that's where I saw that there was a gap and there was a lot of opportunities."

"So, there's a lot more than just being a coach, there's a lot you can do in football and contribute to the game."

"I was always involved in sport. I used to be the only girl at school or back home playing with the boys. At school I tried all sports that were available, but I enjoyed football more than anything"

"Football is not just about becoming a great player it’s also about becoming a great person."

"We need people to invest in women’s football. The team managed to qualify without a professional league. We need a professional league so that players can be committed to the game and the national team needs to play very international break against the best teams, get exposure and play abroad."

"Extremely difficult, I'm gonna be honest, we all know as athletes, it's very, very difficult to come back from an injury. For the most part, it knocks down the mental side of things but I had to be tough on myself and be like, you gotta get back into the game, that's what I love to do."

"Personally, it has been talked about for so many years that women's football needs to be professionalised, but at this point, I am going to reserve my comments and will only believe it when I see it practically happening. I've heard it mentioned so many times that I don't believe anything they say about the intention anymore."

"Indeed, as female footballers, we do value education highly because it's simple: We are not paid enough to make a living out of the game, whereas our male counterparts can play, say, for 10 or even five years and make enough money in order to make a living if they use their funds properly. So, there is a huge gap in terms of we know that we are not being paid well and the money that we make cannot sustain us for the rest of our lives or for a longer period of time, so we opt to navigate towards education. That is so that we are able to secure full-time jobs on the side, or even after football. We need that more than our male counterparts."

"I own it because it gives me so much pride in being a woman in a space mostly deemed as a men's sport."

"Oh, I love those people. They treat me like a human being – like a girl. Let me tell you when we go and do shoots, they just hire a whole makeup crew to pamper me and I love that."

"I love the face beats, lipsticks, eyelashes – just everything about it. I love everything about it. You know what, Puma, let’s just end it there because I can just go on and on about Puma!"

"Life has been amazing, spending time with my family and that’s what I’ve been longing for many years, as you know as a professional athlete you travel a lot ... you don’t get time to sit down. I don’t know if players talk about it, I’m taking time to take care of my mental health."

"When I talk about mental health, I’m not saying I wanted to kill myself. You get tired as a person, that’s why there is sick leave, and people go on vacations, I needed that."

"There are many things that go on that people from the outside don’t understand, but as a person I understand myself, I know how I operate, I know when I need a break, I know when I’m having a breakdown, I know when my body says 'no' and when it says 'yes', so I have to listen to it."

"Before achieving everything that we achieved, we set goals and said this is what we want at this time. And we achieved everything, every goal that was set."

"Development is key. 100%."

"I demand more of myself and my teammates. I want to win things – this is where my teammates and I are supposed to show up. This is where we are supposed to show the world who we are, right?"

"I command and organise when needed. I also understand the need to encourage and push the team to stay on top of our game."

"Barriers are only in the mind. If you truly want something, do whatever it takes. Invest in yourself if you’re not getting the support you desire."

"There is always something that feels unfulfilled when I wake up."

"I’ve got something to do on this planet and whatever that purpose is keeps me going."

"It is extremely important to be mentally tough."

"Netball opens up a lot of opportunities. For example, it can help you further your studies by getting a high school or higher institution bursary. Besides that, you can play abroad, which is a dream come true for many. Above all, you can make a living out of what you love."

"Being captain isn’t just about wearing the armband, it’s about connecting with people, understanding what motivates them, and creating an environment where everyone can perform at their best."

"I’d say my leadership style is calm but intentional. I believe in leading by example, through my work ethic, communication, and consistency. I’m also big on empowerment; I want my teammates to feel trusted and confident to make decisions."

"Leadership for me is about guiding, not controlling."

"They have taught me that leadership is never one-size-fits-all. Every person in the team is different; some need encouragement, some need accountability, some just need to be heard. I’ve learned to listen more, to be patient, and to celebrate others’ strengths."

"When I look at where netball was when I started and where it is now, the professionalism, the exposure, the opportunities, it’s truly inspiring."

"The younger generation now sees netball as a career, not just a passion."

"I always strive to better myself and give my best on and off court."

"I tell myself that what I do now counts for what lies ahead! So not focusing on the future but making sure I give my very best at each task now because later I will reap the rewards."

"Lastly, that little netball player that we inspire, will get to see live how it is possible to reach your dream."

"Where you come from or even how you look doesn’t determine where you are going. It is important to know where you want to be in order to set goals and chase them. Believing in God and believing in yourself is vital to achieving your dreams."

"I’ve got goals to achieve so I need to keep working."

"The decision to continue chasing your dreams and not focusing on the loss is also one of the most difficult decisions in life, but it has made me who I am today."

"Having doubts about yourself is inevitable, however, it is important to use those negative thoughts and emotions to keep you motivated and continue pushing on."

"We have provincial teams that consist of national players, which can be used to reach out and conduct clinics for the less fortunate. I also believe that young netball players should have access to netball facilities that are well-equipped and looked after."

"Difficult circumstances don’t determine who you will be or where you will go, you can use them to become a better person and example. I love netball because it is an escape, but you also learn life lessons from it."

"Netball opens a lot of doors and it’s helped me become a person I never thought I would be."

"What’s what makes a good leader, your actions in the present, it’s not always necessary to talk so much, you must lead by example."

"Over the past years it has not been easy being a female footballer because of the whole concept of it being a man sport but now people understand that we too can play football so that pressure has toned down."

"I think it is very important that you do not neglect either and if you think you are a great footballer you also dont know where football can take you so you need something to fall back on, which is a career."

"I think the current situation faced in the football fraternity is a sad one as football in general is a great investment one can make as you are also creating a name for yourself and marketing yourself."

"We have a high fighting spirit. We are consistent and resilient and we want to win. We feel like this is yet another chance for us. My heartfelt gratitude to all the supporters who always come out to watch us play."

"It’s down to teamwork."

"I was there to save my life, and that was my mentality."

"Whether I was happy or sad, whatever emotion I had, I would just drink on."

"I was in such a bad place that I didn't care what happened to me."

"I felt like I was drinking to die because I had nothing left to give."

"Some people think that going to rehab is the final straw, that it's the end. But it's not, it's the beginning - and the acceptance of that was the start of something very beautiful for me."

"I am still alive, I am sober and I am grateful. It has taught me to take each day as it comes and not to worry about tomorrow."

"I have got a lot more to give."

"I am going to wear this, I am going to go to bed with it, I am going to shower with it, because this wasn't even possible for me. This is probably my gold…. for now."

"I was walking away from cricket."

"I went to rehab and now to play the final four months afterwards, it's pretty emotional."

"Social media doesn't support you. You have a really tough day and people just bullet you on social media. That sent me over the edge. It just wouldn't stop."

"People are allowed to have their opinions but it doesn't define who I am. I am forever grateful for that."

"The one thing I learnt in the time off is that it was always a behaviour thing. I must be the same person on the field as I am off the field."

"Cricket is a game where you wake up and you have another day."

"entered rehab and that humbled me, but I still didn't admit that I was an alcoholic. At that point I realised that if I lose my cricket career, so be it ... It was my life that I was trying to get back. Whether I had a career coming back, it didn't matter."

"No-one turned their backs on me during my struggles. I'm no longer playing for myself like before because it was always about me, now it is about how I get better for the team."

"I'm not worried about what happens on the outside now, I'm more focused on getting the simple things right and looking at the package."

"I am my biggest critic, but in 2023 I learnt I have to fill in the work and everything will take care of itself."

"I don't see it as success. For me, it's literally just the 24 hours that is very important to me. And I think when I went into treatment, that was the one thing that I wasn't focused on. I was more focused on what I am doing outside of the game."

"You literally focus on that day because that's the most important."

"If I think too far ahead, I don't know whether relapse is coming tomorrow. But if I know that I'm sorting out what I'm meant to do today, I won't relapse tomorrow. It's more like a domino effect. And I think anyone that's going through anything with addiction or with sobriety in general, it's okay."

"I think if someone told me that it was okay and [if I had] asked for help, I think that's the biggest thing. There's nothing to be ashamed of because your story is not done yet."

"And I always think of life as chapters. It was just another chapter of my life. So now I'm looking forward to the rest."

"I always say I know a few people within cricket or football or whatever, where there is an element of struggling with addiction. And I think once you open yourself up as yourself, being sober, I kind of use it as a platform to say to someone: Hang on, you still have a chance."

"And I think that's what I've always tried to portray. Yes, you might have messed up somewhere, but that doesn't mean that it's the final story. I think if you put in the work, it will always multiply into something great."

"Yes, I think there's a really conscious mindset [now] because sometimes you won't understand why a player is going through such a ditch, but you don't know where that player is."

"And I think it's that, I'm not saying level of grace, but I think one has to step back and be like: Where I'm sitting, I've also struggled with something."

"And I think it's just awareness from everyone around, whether it's spectators, fans, coaches, players, and I think it's always just being vulnerable enough to say: Hang on, I'm struggling here."

"And I think it's just be open because you're helping the next person by you being open."

"Yes, I remember my mom used to be a big fan of Makhaya Ntini, and actually Ntini was the reason I started watching cricket."

"I want to also motivate young kids to take up the sport and I want to be a role model as well as a good individual."

"I would simply say, never give up, there is no shame in failing, but it is important how you pick yourself up after that."

"The person you get on the field is someone who gets on their knees every day. I am not in control of anything. God is always in control."

"I lost who I was."

"For me, a leader is always just someone that can obviously implement – and it's all about action, like I think their action and everything that they do."

"I've always had a positive approach in whatever situation I find myself. I tend to find that as soon as you go negative, immediately, people around you tend to be negative. So my focus is to just stay positive as long as possible."

"To lose like that, it does hurt. If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't mean anything. But no one game like this makes us a bad squad."

"I’m the only girl in our home, and my father used to play football. So, I started playing football at the age of 6 with a boys’ team. To be honest, I’ve been lucky to have my family’s support. Even though they got scared for me at times, of getting injured, specially playing with boys, but they kept supporting me. My mother even used to take me to my trainings."

"When you reach a certain age, you realize that being only a footballer does not help you financially, as women’s football does not have enough money as the men’s game. So, I made sure to secure myself with another full-time job. I had to work on both at the same time."

"To be where I am today, I owe it to my supporting mother, and to my recently passed away grandmother. I’ve been through many challenges in my life, but it all made me the strong woman I am today. So, girls must not give up; everything comes with time. Do not get distracted with downs, consistent work and training gets you where you want."

"We are not just aiming for a win; we are looking to make a statement and solidify our position at the top of the league."

"But winning away from home always feels good. Securing all 3 points is crucial, regardless of who the opponents are."

"I am thankful for everyone who have contributed to my growth, good and bad, and I am ready for the new challenges ahead of me that requires new focus."

"I am happy to have contributed to their growth with opportunities that were not around when I started as a young kid."

"We don’t approach football games seeking revenge."

"We have learnt that there's a much quicker way of moving the football, we learnt not to give the ball too much."

"Consistency is very important, it builds the team's confidence."

"My football career started at the age of 13. I was very hyped and excited for football, playing for the national team and my team. I was just enjoying the fact that I’m playing football."

"I faced many people that always told me football is not for girls, but it’s not about that, it’s about what I love."

"Every dream has its challenges, and those challenges build you. It’s always about how you get up."

"Every girl has to be strong and push forward, never listen to any negativity. People will hate and love, you must face it all. That’s life, it’s never easy."

"Growing up in a small town, I never had small dreams. Only big targets and destinations! I always dream big."

"To young girls, you should not try to be someone else. You do not what people go through to be who they are. Do not listen to people saying, ‘you cannot do it’. Only you can decide that!"

"I'm busy, but I don't find it difficult. When it comes to my lifestyle, the industry, I get a lot of time cos I know no one dictates for me. It's about me."

"When it comes to football everything runs on time, on their a schedule, we must be there. We signed a contract, and working for them. But as an individual, I'm working for myself."

"What I like about me, I can transfer this energy. If I'm at soccer, I'm at soccer, I train I keep the energy. I go home, get a bit of rest, and I go back to the studio. On and off the pitch I can still work, than someone who can complain 'I'm from soccer' and they sleep. I'm not like that."

"Dancing has always been there, as part of street culture."

"Amapiano is a vibe, it is a culture and it is a celebration of being young."

"I'm happy with the way I am. I'm a product of God. People should be supportive about my career, not be judgemental."

"I want people to respect and support me."

"When you score goals, you increase your chances of winning games. As such, we are determined to score more in April. I am happy with the way even the new signings have hit the ground running in terms of putting the ball in the back of the net."

"I am grateful to pursue my love for music and football simultaneously. Doors that I have never imagined are opening for me because I work hard in all that I do. It is a marvellous time to live a dream that I never saw coming. Now that I am realising my dreams across both fronts, I aim to keep soaring higher. Like I always say, believe in your dreams, because if you do not give up, that dream will become a reality"

"What a time to be alive. I appreciate the fact that we live in a time where we as the youth are reaping the blessings that our ancestors struggled for."

"I want them to watch how I navigate my career and how I carry myself, more imperatively they must watch how I treat people. Everyone you know brings you closer to your next yes."

"Reality is we are all from different backgrounds [that is why] it’s a special place to find family within a work space regardless of the industry. The family aspect of it all, everyone at Sundowns has yellow blood."

"Soccer has positively influenced my life in many ways. It has ensured that I could further my education at tertiary level, it has groomed me holistically, it has also helped me to become the individual that I am right now."

"Stay disciplined and focus on your goals ."

"Believe that whatever you want is possible to achieve, do not let your circumstances define where YOU WANT to end up."

"Work hard, hard work always beats talent when talent doesn’t work."

"Having to be mentally strong is very important in life and having an understanding that things won’t always go our way is important. Dealing with hurdles is important."

"Teachers played an integral part of my life. They were the ones who constantly kept me on my toes academically and with my football. The support was the most important part from my teacher and lecturers throughout my education years. The understanding that I am a student athlete was very important."

"To the educators, support the kids, by all means be the mentor that they never had growing up or they wish they always had. Encourage learners to pursue their dreams however emphasise the importance of education, especially to the girl child! The fight for equality in sports continues."

"I had to make time management one of my main practices and prioritize my studies before my football, because I was a student before being a soccer player. Discipline, dedication and hard work – these are some the traits that helped me balance my football and studies."

"It is important for girls to have someone to show them the way, and I take this seriously. I would love my values and actions to inspire the next generation and give hope to the hopeless; to be someone young girls wish to emulate. I also want to help young girls feel like they belong, especially in a sport seen to be male dominated. They need to be inspired when looking, hearing, or seeing me."

"Try to accept yourself and be kind to yourself. It’s the most important and perhaps the toughest thing to do. Practice looking after your needs and refrain from putting your wellbeing at risk to please others. Continue loving yourself even when someone treats you poorly, bullies you, or shows you disrespect."

"No matter who you are or where you come from, have confidence in yourself and follow your path. Rise above your circumstances – never let them define where you can or want to end up."

"Things that keep me hungry for success are making myself and my family proud. Wanting to give back and to be remembered. To leave a mark everywhere I touch or pass. My desire to win and to realise my goals."

"The World Cup is every soccer player’s dream, including mine. I would love to play at a World Cup and believe that if it’s meant for me it will come to pass. For now, I can only control the variable in my power, continue to work hard, stay disciplined and determined. The rest is up to God."

"But at the end of the day, you don’t do things to please people but to please yourself and for your well-being and what you think is the best for you. At the end of the day, it’s about you."

"We did apply ourselves and did everything we could to win, but sometimes when it is not your day, it’s not your day."

"Yes, we might sweat, but at the end of the day, we need to go out there and collect all three point."

"At 6 years old, football was very interesting for me. My family encouraged me to play and then I started playing with a girls’ team after playing in the streets for a long time."

"There are many players who wish to be in our place right now, we are very grateful to be here. And I feel it can open more opportunities for me, so I’m grateful."

"We are never taken seriously as female footballer, but I feel that this is changing gradually. We should be equal to men in this sport because we play it well."

"Every girl should keep on working hard because anything is possible in life. I never thought I’d end up here one day, but it’s possible. It happened for us, and it can happen for anyone. And never neglect your school, school comes first along with football. Education will make you accomplish your dreams, so take your future seriously, that’s what I tell our youngsters in the team."

"I went through a lot in my life, it was never easy. You need to be disciplined in your life, to focus, take responsibility and work harder than you can, that’s what I did and will keep doing."

"As coaches, we are genuinely delighted with the remarkable form displayed by our girls. We take immense pride in their techniques, solid positioning and growing tactical awareness. It brings us great satisfaction to witness their diligent implementation of the training sessions. Naturally, we are also thrilled with their consistent winning performances. However, as coaches, we recognize the importance of preventing complacency and nurturing a hunger for continuous success. It is our responsibility to guide and motivate them towards reaching new heights and achieving even greater accomplishments."

"We work for one another; we die for another on that field of play. It doesn’t matter who is playing or not playing. Whoever is chosen does the job. Even when the coaches change things up and bring in new players, you cannot see who has been subbed off and who has replaced them."

"But I think it's good, you can tell women's football is growing. The coaches are now becoming more wiser in how they approach games. It is good for the fans and it is good for the league."

"The only competition we can and have competed in is the COSAFA Cup, so I honestly don’t know what I can achieve with my national team. Maybe I will be one of those great players who retire without ever being at a major tournament."

"It’s every player’s dream to play abroad, and I am no different. I would like to see myself getting out of my comfort zone and challenge myself against some of the best players in the world."

"Putting the ball in the back of the net is always a good feeling because goals help us to win games."

"Adapting to a new country with a different culture and way of doing things was tough at first."

"We need all the supports we can get. Women’s football is growing larger. The more people watch it, the more it keeps growing for sure, for women’s sports."

"Thank you for the support. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to make it. We hope they keep supporting us."

"Awards don’t always reflect reality, but the pitch never lies."

"Back then, women's football wasn't seen the way it is today. But I knew I was good."

"We're teaching the younger generation not to give up and to have a fighting spirit. Whatever you want, you gotta work hard for."

"Being able to inspire the younger generations means a lot to me."

"We need as much fans as we can get and we need support, so keep supporting, and we’re gonna get the trophy."

"my insecurities from when I started in the industry is the difference, because I am constantly learning with every set I go into."

"We are back as the giant of Africa."

"Every coach has their style."

"I always try to give my best and adapt to whatever pattern the coaches bring. With the experience I have, I try to help the younger players settle and excel."

"Growing up in northern Nigeria is not that easy because they don’t believe that a girl child should play football. From my family, my parents were supportive, but my brothers didn’t want me to play. I was stubborn and didn’t listen."

"Sometimes I would sneak out to play with boys and they would beat me when I returned. Eventually, they gave up and started supporting me."

"I try to promote grassroots football in the North. I’m getting support from the state government, and it’s helping young girls who want to play professionally and pursue their dreams."

"I always try to mentor young players with the little knowledge I have. I talk to them during training and matches. I think they appreciate it—it’s up to them to use what I tell them."

"I grew up in the midst of men six boys and two girls, and all my play mates were boys, everything about my growing was with boys, always playing street football with them."

"Unfortunately, things didn’t go well as we planned in this tournament. We really fought hard to reach the goal but we couldn’t, but it's also part of the game."

"We didn’t start the tournament so well. But we held on and stayed faithful. We achieved what we wanted."

"The journey was not easy, but God being so good, we achieved our target."

"My aim is to play for Chelsea Ladies. I want to win the Women's Champions League with Chelsea Ladies."

"Women Football in Ghana don't pay."

"My mum was against my profession from the early stages, she said I won't give birth when I continue playing."

"My dad wa in support of what I was doing when I started from my early stages."

"It is my first WAFCON so being able to stand there, sing the national anthem with a proud chest, in that moment I was just thinking about my family, the people close to me, people that I care about and all of them watching me."

"I need to be locked in and give everything. I am grateful that it worked out today, so I am looking forward to the next game."

"Watching from the stands in the opener, I knew that if I am going to get a chance to come in, I need to do more, work hard and give my team the balance."

"I am super excited that I finally have played at the WAFCON. This is a dream come true."

"I am kind of sad of course because this is not the result that we wanted but I am grateful for the platform."

"Football has shaped me to find myself, my identity as a woman and as a footballer. It has taught me about life and how to embrace opportunities. It gave me an opportunity to go to college and because of that, I want to be an inspiration to young girls in Ghana. I want them to dream that it is possible to make it, to play with the best in the world."

"Football has provided me with a platform to meet important people and play with and against the best of the best. These are opportunities that I do not take for granted."

"Playing in the USA gave me the mentality to work harder than everybody else, to always be ready."

"So, I have always been working hard and waiting for an opportunity, and it has finally come."

"I give back to the community, to the young ones especially those that never had an opportunity to have mentorship. We give them boots and this alone can change their lives. We have so many partners that come on board to donate and this has been important to us."

"I love DC [Washington DC] because the people are very respectful, a predominantly Black community gives a feeling of home. You will see so many Ghanaians, Ugandans, Ethiopians basically, you will see people who are the same. People who will take you as a sister and make sure that you do not feel out of place."

"Being a Nuzest Influencer means a lot to me, and not only inspire young athletes to work harder but also help them take care of their body and stay healthy as well. Where I came from, I was never introduced to nutritions as much as a player, but when I had the opportunity to further my career here, I wanted to learn all that I didn't have in my country so I can help young athletes to understand how proteins and nutrition are important for players."

"I make sure I have enough protein, carbs, and healthy fat in all my nutrition. And constantly reminding myself of what to put in my body because the work we do requires us to be in good shape all the time."

"I would say trust the process, be able to learn about the product and what works for you. And also give yourself the chance to start something new."

"This is a dream come true for me. Representing Ghana at this level is an honour, and I’m giving everything for my team."

"We’ll fight like it’s our last game."

"I never felt that there were people who were going to fight for me."

"Having them gives me a sense of freedom, knowing that they are going to tell people to fight for what I have been craving for, and asking for. Things that I have not been able to say out loud as an individual player."

"Growing up as a young girl, it seemed impossible to do things that men do."

"Soccer is a huge sport and all the boys and girls play that. But in our culture it seems like it is only for men. My family and friends, everybody would be like You have to be in the kitchen."

"I never felt that’s what I was born to do. I could do more than that, so that is something that I always wanted to change."

"Soccer is not equal for men and women."

"Every single player, be it a man or a woman, does the same job. We put in the same amount of time, the same amount of work. They give everything they got on the field, and they inspire on and off the field. It’s clear that they have to be paid or treated in the same way."

"But in this world right now, it’s different. Men get everything they want, women get less. If we ask for more, it looks as if we ask for too much."

"It will be fair if women are paid the same, treated the same, respected the same and given the same platform."

"If you put soccer on TV, whether it is a men’s or women’s game, everybody is going to watch it. Young boys, young girls, they are going to watch it. So it has to be equal."

"I remember the days when they said We cannot break that cycle. I now feel like we can break that cycle. Playing soccer isn’t only for men, it is for all young players, boys and girls. I’m glad that things are now changing."

"When I was young, there were good players in Africa, but we didn’t see them on TV."

"I had no player to look up to, until I saw the 2011 Women’s World Cup. I saw Alex Morgan, who became my role model and inspiration, not just on the field, but also outside the field: believe in yourself and your ability even if other people don’t believe in that."

"Visibility matters because for me being able to share my story is one of the ways that we can solve problems."

"I want my story to make that change and make people see that if they put the time into it, we will be able to change players’ lives and have them to face life in different ways then I went through."

"I felt like this is where I belong. This is where I wanna be for so long and watching them play the way they played, witnessing that, I was like no, this is where I wanna be."

"Every day I wake up and it feels like I’m still dreaming."

"No matter how [much] people would say ‘you’re a good player, you’re a great player,’ you always wanted that validation for yourself, feeling like I actually did it."

"Where I grew up, when you’re a kid, everybody, especially the older people when they see you play, they call on you based on the player that they think best fits your style. When I was like, eight or nine years old, Kaka was my role model. I always loved watching him play for AC Milan, and Brazil. So, one day I was playing with the boys and I needed a name to play. There was this old man who was sitting right next to the field and he was like, ‘Oh, you’re like Kaka from Brazil.’ Pretty much from then on I was Jen Kaka."

"I knew at the age of thirteen that I wanted to be a professional player. Now growing up in my country, soccer is there but it’s not as organized as a club or, like they would do here (in the US). I don’t know, it’s fun, but also it’s not as competitive as playing club."

"There are still changes that need to be made to help women’s soccer in Ghana. And I hope one day I can help to make that change, help push it to be more professional, you know, it’s difficult to be seen (by scouts and agents) which makes it hard for them (women’s players) to get out."

"It was hard for me to make friends, and my English wasn’t that good."

"It was the craziest feeling I’ve ever felt. I wanted to be on the field and I had these little tears, you know, looking at the crowd, the way game was played. And I said, this is where I belong. That’s the words that came out of my mouth. This is where I belong."

"Sometimes I keep reminding myself like, How did this happen? How did this happen? You know, but I feel like it’s hard work and if you believe in it, and you have the right people around you to push you to work harder. For me, people see where I am now. But it’s not easy, this journey."

"“Reach out to teams like I did. Send a bunch of emails to coaches. It’s all about getting the chance, because for me, I don’t have an agent, and if I didn’t go to the (Sky Blue FC) tryout, I wouldn’t have ever had the chance."

"Other than that, model your training so your intensity and the way you think will be the same as the professional game. It’s a lot of sacrifice. There’s so many things you miss out on because you need to stay focused. But it’s going to pay off for sure."

"I've played football since I was very young, around four years old, when I saw the boys playing, and one of the dads of the other kids saw my mum and was like: 'Bring her down to the football that the boys do'."

"I am so proud to be Ghanaian."

"My first thought was … to make Ghana be spoken about in a very, very good light in women’s football."

"I hope I can add a lot more … not just goals, but assists, leadership and encouragement."

"My mum has always kept me with my roots, even though she's English. She's always made the African peanut butter soup and the fufu, and eating kenkey and Gari."

"I think we deserve the respect from African football."

"I want to give this continent so much respect, but I also want to gain it. The only way you gain it is by performing, by showing who we are."

"It feels like part of my roots. It feels like a big sense of home away from home. It's like my two homes colliding. Obviously am partly from England and I have half Ghanaian as well, so it's brought me closer to the motherland as I always say, my roots, the people. It feels amazing because everyone's really nice. Yeah, the girls are really welcoming as well, so it's really good."

"From the first day I was a little bit shy. I'm a shy person, but then straight away, I've never been in an environment before where everyone is genuine. Everybody's really grateful and shows positivity and they made me feel like I've been a part of it for a long time."

"Every time I touch the pitch, every time I play football, it's passion because I am filled with passion. I think everyone that sees me play, whether we're chasing the game or we're winning a game, I always have the passion and try and feed that energy from me to other people."

"So, when I'm wearing the Ghana jersey, I'll be bringing that exact same passion, the same desire and the same focus as well to win the games and hopefully do something special with this national team as well."

"In the previous squads, I was one of the youngest and had the chance to learn a lot from the experienced players. Now, I’m one of the oldest and the longest-serving, so I’ve taken on the responsibility of mentoring the younger ones, which I really enjoy."

"Ghana is blessed with a lot of female talent, and that remains consistent."

"WAFCON is the biggest women’s football competition in Africa. It’s always a great opportunity to play on such a huge stage, and I’m super excited to represent Ghana again."

"It’s always a great feeling to represent your country."

"Out of so many female footballers, to be chosen to play at such a big tournament is a huge honour. Women’s football is loved by many, and we know a lot of people will be watching us."

"I believe in my teammates and the work we’ve done in training. Our preparation, our coaches and our belief will push us forward."

"It’s very important to lead by example through my work. I always make myself available to the younger ones in case they need support. We live together like a family, and sometimes it’s hard to even tell who’s new or old."

"Every team at the AFCON has earned their place, so each game will be tough. But we have belief in ourselves and what we bring to the competition."

"I always want to give my best for the national team because I love Ghana and our fans are amazing. They deserve our very best."

"Whatever it takes to keep myself in top shape, I’m ready to do it."

"It’s very important. When I check my social media, I see people who post about me and send encouraging messages. We definitely inspire many, especially the young ones who dream of playing for Ghana one day."

"My message is simple: keep supporting us, keep praying for us. We promise to give our best and bring the trophy home. Thank you."

"Sometimes you will lose, sometimes too you will win but I think we can build on the positives from now."

"As a footballer you need to be tough in everything so I will say I am thankful to God for how far He has brought me, I am so excited to be back."

"We don’t really care about their World ranking as I know we can match them. We are going to play as a team and I know at the end of the day we are going to achieve what we deserve."

"They are really doing a good job for us because at first people don’t even cheer female footballers but now they are all supporting us. We are always grateful, we hope they will continue to support and we will also do our best for them."

"The quality of the Black Queens team is very high, from the goalkeeping department to the attackers. All the players have geniune talents."

"When it comes to motivating myself, it is not about money but I encourage myself to be the best at what I do and when fans are happy, it's a great feeling for me. This award is a massive honour and a motivation to reach higher heights."

"Yes for sure, I am hoping for that, that's my aim, I listen to coaches and personally I feel anything you do you have to set a target and that is my target and am working towards that."

"We won the bronze medal for ourselves and the nation. I am happy we didn't go home empty handed... To be able to go home with a medal is great. I am really excited."

"I thank the nation for their support. I know during the group stage it was really hard for us... We were not just here to participate but at least able to make an impact. That is the dream and I am really excited for that."

"Where I am and where I want to be is a little bit far... I always stay positive. If it happens I could make it one day. That is the dream and I will forever be grateful."

"This is amazing. I can remember way back when we couldn't make it, but last season we went to the WAFCON, we made an impact and lucky for us, here we are today."

"We have our last game to play at WAFCON. The excuses are too many. It’s time we put everything aside and play for the badge."

"I’m not saying we haven’t tried, but football is about results."

"I know I am playing in the Saudi League. There is so much difference from the leagues I played before but they are trying to progress in women's football."

"I'm happy we didn't go home empty-handed. We couldn't reach the final, but we're going home with something."

"Playing the host nation is exciting, not pressure."

"It’s just been really exciting to play for the national team — It’s always been a dream, but I never thought I’d actually be here. It didn’t become real to me until I was there, and it was one of the best experiences of my life."

"You’ve got to keep pushing yourself. When you’re tired? You have to do more. Do you want to stop a guy? Do one more."

"You have to make sure you’re fit, that your weaknesses improve … you have to have confidence in yourself. There is always something to work on, so you should never not be doing something."

"I think if we play to our best abilities, I think we could really win the whole thing."

"It’s been my dream to be a professional soccer player."

"I’ve been learning the path to success is not just one straight line. There are a lot of ups and downs, and most people don’t see the downs."

"But you just have to remember when you’re down, you’ve just got to keep working hard because if it was easy, everyone could do it."

"I think that if we all work together and follow the coach's instructions, we can achieve great things. My hope is to win the Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and then qualify for the World Cup."

"I'm from Accra, but I was born in Liberia. My father is Ghanaian, and my brothers live in Ghana. I've been to Ghana only once, but it was great seeing my family and having that experience. I really enjoyed it."

"We’ve worked so hard, and now we’re just one step away from the final. That means everything."

"Some of the younger players bring so much energy to the team. It lifts us."

"We the older players try to guide them and keep the team strong. It was always my dream to play in these kinds of games. But due to some reasons, I haven’t had the chance to be on the field as much as I wanted. Still, I’m supporting the team in every way I can."

"We trust our coach. He’s given us a clear game plan, and all we have to do is to follow it and give everything we’ve got."

"We know what this game means. We are hopeful. We’ve prepared well."

"Tomorrow, we’ll give it our all."

"Getting to this stage of the tournament is a big deal, not just for us as players but for the entire country."

"I’ve been through a lot going to school in a foreign country. Had to do jobs on the side to pay for my expenses. In the end it was really worth it."

"I started getting interest in soccer since I was little. I would say I was about 4. I developed interest by following my two brothers around. They played street soccer all the time and I would follow them out and be a ball girl. But it all changed, one day they were one play short and they put me in to make up the number. Though all I did was run around, it was fun. It didn’t stop there. They continued whenever they were a player short. I played street soccer until middle school."

"I didn’t necessarily choose soccer. I just accidentally started playing and with time I was actually good at it. So I kept going."

"Never been interested in any other sports. My parents were really supportive. My parents are very educated so they know the value of combining education with sports. My dad bought all the necessary things I needed to play."

"Ummm I think you need to be willing to learn, be positive, most of of all be persistent and don’t give up easily, you have to be coachable and not complacent, be humble and listen to good advice from your coaches and experienced players. I think that’s it."

"Yes, the challenges I faced was being called names in my community. Names like, manwoman, boygirl and even a prostitute. And there are a lot of misconceptions about female athletes. That you won’t be able to give birth and finding a husband would be difficult. But am glad that people’s perception is changing everyday about women in sport’s."

"I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity"

"I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity the strongest pillars that guide me"

"I must remain firmly anchored in my values guiding principles that pave the way toward excellence"

"I encourage them to push their limits, to walk confidently into rooms where they believe they do not belong, and to proudly embrace their identity"

"It is this commitment to being a positive influence that guides my decision today"

"I call upon Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities: continue entering spaces where you are not expected"

"Let us open the way for the brothers and sisters who will follow us"

"Never let anyone define who we are or limit our potential."

"Our presence matters, and our voices must be heard"

"I always knew even at a young age, that I had to take charge"

"Modeling is much more than a fashion show. It is the confidence you exude, the courage you show as you move forward to overcome the challenge facing you and the multitude of eyes staring at you like a lightning on a T!"

"Education gives us the opportunity to expand our abilities and specialize in a field that suits us the best"

"Education for All is one of the causes dearest to my heart"

"The emotional skill that should be taught to every child is self-love. It’s the foundation for confidence, resilience, and healthy relationships"

"When children learn to love and accept themselves, they’re equipped to navigate life’s challenges and shine their unique light"

"I would want to be the face of a representation of a new generation that mixes culture, that mixes modern and traditional"

"I want to be the face of a new era of women that are bold, that are leaders, that are unapologetic about who they are"

"I want to be a role model for all the young girls and let them know that you too can make it"

"Go in those rooms where you think you don’t belong, shine, and make sure you assume your identity. Because it’s time"

"I want to democratize Black beauty"

"It’s not about falling, but getting back up"

"Empowerment starts with listening"

"My heart is committed to causes that build legacies, not headlines"

"Success is measured in lives touched"

"My parents raised me to be very free with expressing myself"

"I think it’s been incredible to be able to represent two different cultures that are so rich in their history and very different from each other"

"There are so many mixed babies out there who don’t see themselves represented on TV or in the media or in film"

"Being able to have that light and have this platform has made me very choosy and very picky about roles, what I do, what I say, what I put out on social media."

"I think I carry this responsibility of being one of the voices of this generation, but also being a biracial girl and just kind of carrying the torch for everyone and paving the way"

"I am done holding my tongue to make the oppressor feel comfortable. Peace be with you all who are fighting out there for us in this twisted world"

"I really think it starts with having the conversations and having racism and prejudices and discrimination no longer be a necessary evil in order to just get ahead"

"It starts with everybody having a voice and not being quiet anymore, and having those uncomfortable discussions, because that’s the only way we’re going to rewrite the narrative of this global issue"

"I love acting because I think it’s beautiful to be able to step into other people’s shoes"

"as a person living in the world, you have to be able to open your heart and be vulnerable. Acting does that and I would say acting is really telling the truth"

"It is my job that requires me to bare my soul in front of random strangers on set all day, so I have to have this level of focus that kind of takes me outside of myself"

"I most definitely have faced racism and indifference in this industry and in the world period. However, I’m proud of who I am and I would never ever want to be anyone else but myself"

"I love my brown skin and my Asian eyes. It’s what makes me unique"

"I don’t look at my ethnicity as a setback but more of an asset."

"seeing little to no representation of who I am never discouraged me"

"My goal was and still is to make people feel like they belong somewhere"

"Diversity means love of all people. The love of every difference, every skin tone, every personality & culture"

"Don’t let people break your spirit, mama. What you spend five minutes dwelling on won’t even matter in five years."

"I just want to be free and creative until I can’t be anymore!"

"WE ALL GET THE SAME 24 HOURS IN A DAY, JUST GO OUT THERE AND BE GREAT—WHATEVER THAT IS. BE GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO, AND STRIVE TO BE BETTER"

"I think stand-up is all controversial anyway and that's kind of the point of stand-up comedians is to be offensive and be weird and have opinions"

"A lot of music from some of our female artists is about relationships and can be a little whiny"

"I think, honestly, growing up was the biggest role I could have taken"

"I think having the creative outlet to express myself at a young age shaped me into the woman I am today"

"Sometimes I feel a little odd because no one in my life shares the same experiences that I do, but I hope that through my artistry I’m able to help people feel less alone in their feelings of weirdness or ‘too-much-ness"

"For us child actors, it can be really difficult to transition to adult material"

"In a lot of ways, I think songwriting can be more cathartic for me than acting because I’m really just sharing what makes me me"

"I just love being a woman and especially a multi-cultural woman where I’m able to hopefully continue to tell a wide range of stories that make others feel seen, recognized, and heard."

"The biggest legacy I want to leave behind is how much I loved and was loved by my tribe"

"The line between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange is always going to be blurry"

"I think already, at age 12, I was like, Yeah, people are racist. Why are y’all surprised?"

"When I reflect on it, I don’t remember being very upset about it. I remember feeling that I don’t give a flying f**k what these racist people think of me. I think bigots don’t really bother me"

"A lot of my adolescence was defined by being here. I feel like the first time I really experienced freedom and autonomy was here, so I think I probably fell in love with New York and knew it was the place I wanted to live when I was 15 or 16. Then I had a series of unsuccessful attempts to move here that were thwarted by different things"

"It wasn’t until I started living in other places that I realized that growing up with the backdrop of a mountainscape is not everyone’s experience"

"Social media really shaped me and my generation and our ability to organize or express our thoughts"

"I have always had and continue to have a lot of disillusionment around social media, particularly now"

"feel really disheartened by the fact that there’s no infrastructure legislation to control and mitigate the amount of manipulation that is occurring toward the public by these private organizations and corporations who just want to make money off us and control our thoughts."

"I don’t think there’s ever been a moment where I’ve thought social media is not for me, because I’m obsessed with social media. I have three meme accounts!"

"I think that as a black girl you grow up internalizing all these messages that say you shouldn’t accept your hair or your skin tone or your natural features, or that you shouldn’t have a voice, or that you aren’t smart"

"I feel like the only way to fight that is to just be yourself on the most genuine level and to connect with other black girls who are awakening and realizing that they’ve been trying to conform"

"when people come to me and say, “I’m more comfortable in my identity because of you,” or “I feel like you’ve given me a voice,” that’s the most powerful thing ever."

"But I’m not tired of talking about hair in the sense of it being an empowering thing. I know when I used to chemically straighten mine, I did it because I wasn’t comfortable with my natural hair. I thought it was too poofy, too kinky. So for me, personally, when I started wearing it natural, it felt like I was blossoming because I was letting go of all the dead hair and all the parts of me that had rejected my natural state."

"I often find myself in situations where I am the token black person"

"Now you can go on Instagram and you can see a girl who looks like you who is killing the game and expressing herself. Just being able to see that is so affirming"

"I don’t particularly like putting forward an image of myself that’s too true to reality"

"Being an actor is one of the few professions where, as an adult, you get to play!"

"I’m not sure if social-media activism serves the cause in the long term"

"Though the intentions are generally excellent with respect to giving a voice to those who were too long silenced, the movements that came before us, in the past, perhaps had more weight"

"you might say that culture has become more inclusive, that inequalities and prejudice seem to be slowly retreating, and that things which were once considered normal and acceptable are now deemed to be inappropriate"

"our collective relationship to the truth has become far more chaotic.”"

"I think as a queer person, kind of everything I do in the public sphere is drag in some capacity"

"We have a unique voice because we grow up with the ability to empathize. We constantly have to do the work of placing ourselves in other people’s shoes"

"I noticed that whenever I was trying to talk about social justice and how Black women are framed in the media, quite ironically, I would be framed in a certain way that would demonize me and take away the value of my point"

"Whenever Black women have a point, they’re characterized as Angry Black Women, and therefore the thing they’re talking about is no longer of importance because they have to deal with them being overly emotional or something."

"I recognize that people who respond negatively to what I have to say aren’t at a place yet where they are able to learn"

"I feel like when I was younger—even though I may not have been conscious [of it]—I fought my hair and I fought who I was…to try to conform, or shy away from my Blackness"

"Now that I’m growing older, I find that my source of power comes from my identity and ethnicity"

"I thought a lot about the concept of cultural dysphoria, and how that can shape how people relate to the world,"

"This year's tournament is not going to be easy, everything that will be participarting will be coming for the ultimate."

"We as host nation have a big task to win the sompetition as well but is not going to come easy."

"I have believed and very confident we can make mother Ghana proud when the competition begins."

"Naturally, we want to win the tournament because it would feel very good [to do do] at home, but we can only focus on it one game at a time."

"We have come close many times so there we are not far off at all."

"It’s sometimes sad and disheartening how the people of Ghana especially the media have just neglected us and say nothing about our teams."

"Whenever I’m listening to Radio and watching TV, I hear how they(the media) promote and fight for the Black Stars and other Men’s national teams at the expense of we the Female teams which shouldn’t be the case."

"The Black Queens were the first team to represent the country at the world cup level but the kind of treatment and promotion we get from Ghanaians especially the media is on the low side."

"We want to qualify for the semi-finals without any doubt and that will mean winning. Besides, we want to keep our unbeated record so far."

"Why can't female players and coaches be celebrated as well?"

"We are all serving the same Ghana as the male players and coaches."

"When I have the ball, she knows what I'll do next."

"I write from scripture, I sing scripture, whatever scripture that the Holy Spirit drops in my heart that feels relevant at the time. That's how I write and that's how we wrote almost all the songs in the album"

"I believe if He did it for you, He will do it for me. But more than anything, it's a declaration of His unchanging love. This is my thank you to God for every season — every pain, every joy. I'm grateful. This album is that gratitude in song."

"I'll do it for love. I have done a lot of gigs for free. But I need to survive, I have dependents and I have a family. We don’t do it for money. If money doesn’t come, you will suffer. But if you do it for love and make someone smile,"

"God always has a way to reward you and that’s how I live. And if everything I did was for money, I wouldn’t be here today doing this interview because you would have to pay me."

"I listen to Whitney Houston, Ntokozo Mbambo and Tasha Cobbs. If you listen to their ranges, they are very high. I practice with them. I love their music, I love their voice"

"I had to be very grounded with the fact that I am going out with this information because that’s part of the calling … It shocked me to my core, but at the same time also made me very steadfast, very strong, and to just trust in the process …"

"I feel like, in some small way, I opened the space for people to feel more comfortable about talking about that journey."

"I'm so excited to have emerged second in my first major marathon. Special thanks go to my husband, who gave me full support and guidance during my preparations because if I was doing it alone, I couldn't have made it"

"When the pacemakers dropped because they were pacing up to 30km, I decided to run my race"

"I had one lady who was running alongside me until the 41km mark, but I decided to make the final push, edged her out, and secured second place"

"While we were lining up, I was scared looking at my fellow elite runners because their personal best times were higher than mine,"

"I asked myself, ‘Will I make it to the podium?’ I decided to run my race, and it worked out well for me"

"If given a chance to represent my country, I will be glad because it’s a global event and prestigious to compete at that level"

"After a break to recover my first training sessions went so well that I really wanted to run another marathon in the autumn. I am in the best shape of my life and did not want to waste it"

"Frankfurt is the perfect race for me. I am really excited to have the chance to come back"

"So far in my training not only am I looking at time but also how I am feeling"

"Mostly I judge myself when we do long intervals on the roads. We run 4km at about 3:30 (per kilometre) pace. Then for one kilometre easier at 4:00 pace. We do that five times. If I finish that feeling like I can continue that’s when I know I am feeling good and ready to go"

"I was very pleased about the result I had - with a very small preparation - for Hamburg, so that result was very good for me. I had a couple of small injuries along the way, so I had to scrap a couple of sessions"

"I want to get a personal best and finish in the top three"

"That is my aim. I want to be in top three. I think 2:23 or 2:22 is within reach"

"It felt pretty good. I mean, it’s a bittersweet feeling because usually we’re one of the last events at the championship and now we’re one of the first. I was like, ‘Okay, this is different, but I like it.’ Got it out of the way, got the rust off, the dust off, and, you know, did what I came out here to do"

"It felt good, the start felt really good. I definitely would like to get hurdles eight, nine and 10 a little bit more efficient in the next round, because everybody’s coming all guns blazing in the semis and so if I want to make it to the final, I have to be as sharp as possible"

"You know, I try to keep a clear mind and a loose body, I try to focus on what I can control. I know I can do all the hard work that’s possible but it’s God who gives me the strength to keep going and provides the opportunities and I’m just really grateful, and I keep that in mind and just enjoy the process. I mean, it’s not going to last forever, so while I’m in it, I enjoy what I’m doing"

"The younger girls are running really fast. I’d like to think I have a lot of experience under my belt, and so if I need to call on that experience, I feel like I can, but at the end of the day, you know, it’s just to do my best every time and let the chips fall where they may"

"Process is training hard and trusting in God. That’s all it is. Trusting in God, trusting in the training that I put in, trusting in the abilities that I have, and believing without a doubt that everything will work out for the good of those who love the Lord and were called for his purpose. If that’s me, that’s me"

"I know Usain (Bolt) has won Laureus awards before, so to bring this trophy back home to the Caribbean, also in Jamaica, is very special"

"I would say I am very, very proud, but I cannot dwell on the past. Even though it’s very special, it’s memories. I cannot just sit and say ‘OK, I’m a double Olympic champion, I’m a five-time Olympic gold medallist’. I have to continue working because my motivation is to be even better"

"I told myself that I want to be the greatest female sprinter, so I am just going to focus on what the future holds for me."

"Every champion has struggles that they’ve been through. There will always be obstacles and you have to learn to hurdle them – you’re never too old to learn new stuff. I think I’ve learned a lot over the past year, and the main thing is that I’ve learned to listen to my body. Like any athlete who wants to be a champion, you tend to want to train through your pain, but sometimes it’s better to rest and listen to your body, which will help you in the long run. That’s one of the mistakes I’ve made in the past; I’d try to push through the pain"

"Even though the achilles injury was challenging and meant I was unable to sprint or even walk at times, I continued to work. To come back from that and achieve what I did is a surreal feeling and I’m happy and proud"

"You get a lot of motivation when you achieve your first victory of the season"

"The season was a tough one, but we went out there with our heart and our soul and we put on a show"

"It’s an honour to win this award and I’m humbled to accept it. It will keep me motivated as I continue to work towards my targets"

"As a journalist, my heart aches for my country drowned by corruption, for the lives lost to earthquakes and typhoons. And for journalists like Mariam Abu Daga from Gaza, who died for truth. We are not born in fear, but to hope, to love, and to live in peace. Peace begins when parents teach children with compassion, leaders embody humility, youth find their purpose. And when we live with empathy and kindness, let love be the grandest voice to peace."

"I've learned that grace is stronger than pressure, that humility opens more doors, and that choosing kindness (even when it's hard) will never make you weak. And most of all, I've learned that every dream has its own timing… and when it's finally your season, everything aligns beautifully."

"I think it is not just about perfection. It is about a queen who is willing — willing to grow, willing to learn, and willing to love everyone. Because right now, what is happening around us is so cruel. It is not all about good. And what we need to be to inspire is to be a source of goodness and kindness."

"There’s always a reason why God put us in this situation… it’s up to you how you will use it. So I hope whoever we are in our life, whether we are beauty queens or we are somebody else, there is a reason why we are there."

"Pick what you are passionate about, read about it online, engage people in the same space and always know that the problem is that challenge you want to solve and it’s not a competition."

"I believe that the only qualification you need to conserve the environment is the fact that you live on this planet."

"I fight to protect the environment and I like to say I chose one master and that’s nature."

"I want to prioritize the climate agenda and have it as the first point of discussion before someone speaks about poverty eradication. I want to ensure we have discussions about how climate change is affecting other spheres, including water shortage or lack of access to clean and safe water, food insecurity, health and more. I believe the environment is at the center of economic development and social issues. I will not rest until these conversations are had in political spaces and the work is done."

"It feels really good to be winning again after having been away from the game for so long."

"Some of the most important things are travelling and gaining worldly experience, seeing the world and learning about different cultures."

"These are small things which play a huge role."

"I hope the future generations will take it upon themselves to change these things and build a team."

"As much as it was a difficult decision, it was the only one available."

"It was tough, but I could not accept a reduced sentence upon admitting guilt when I was innocent."

"When I stopped playing tennis, I was forced to confront myself and remember who I was before sports became such a huge part of my life."

"If there's one thing that the past year has taught me, it's to not limit myself to just one career path."

"I’d tell her she’s on the right path but I’d also tell her not to make herself an enemy and to not be afraid of being alone. But beside that I’d tell her she’s doing great."

"Honestly, I used to want to be a role model. But I know that I am not. Being a role model is a heavy shoes to fill. I’m not sure if I want to be one anymore. What I want women to know is that life will be challenging."

"I want women to cherish the growth of their minds, their souls and their spirit—the value of their essence. So much focus is put on our looks when our real value should really be focused on our values and inner strength."

"In every moment, whatever emotions or thoughts, I try to find myself beneath all of it— my essence…more than my looks and even intelligence. It is empowering once I find my truth and stick to it."

"It needed to involve change and acceptance, and it meant letting go of the version of yourself that has expired."

"I had to learn to muster the strength to trust that my body would heal, that I would regain my strength again because it killed me to accept that I had no choice but to trust the care of my kids to someone else. Nothing was in my control."

"I just remember praying, ‘give me another chance and I won't ever take it for granted. Give me another chance to pursue what will truly fulfill me.’ As women are plagued with narratives, judgements. and ideals of how we should live out our lives. I played out mine. But once the story was something I refused to play along with, I left it. Di na ako yun. Di na ito yung para sa’kin, I said to myself. And left the narrative."

"What was once a period in my life I no longer wanted to remember is now something I remember with fondness. Without that pain I wouldn’t appreciate my life now. I'm grateful for its humbling effect on me because one thing is for sure, we will all return to dust."

"Don’t get stuck in a bad place. Know that life is a cycle and good and bad it all passes. Be in the moment but don't be swept away from it, live in your authenticity. Repair when you can. Laugh or make someone laugh and last but not least celebrate yourself. You deserve it."

"Being a single mom means trying to make everyone else look good while you settle to become annoying and repetitive and taking in that pain of knowing that you needed to be tough. Praying to God they would someday understand mama was crying too when you were throwing that tantrum. Mama was praying for you to grow tough and strong. Mama was praying for you all along."

"Mama can’t wait for the day when she tells you the truth that it wasn’t mama that was the superhero. It was the complete opposite. That it was their love that kept saving her. It was them that was mama’s superhero."

"Mom guilt is the absolute worst because missing out is the worst. All you can do is make the small moments count let them know at every moment you can. That you love them and pray to God one day they will grow to understand you did your absolute best even at your worst."

"Single motherhood is so hard!"

"I think I’m ready to mom again, I’ve been Dad for quite some time now."

""I see the bigger picture now.”"

"“I only meant that aalis po ako ng Pilipinas kasi gusto ko ng tahimik na buhay (I'm leaving the Philippines because I want a quiet life). It was not a comment to insult my father because I trust in his judgement and all the good he is doing for this country. But I think it is also my right to know what kind of life I want to live. And that is a quiet peaceful life. Yun Ing po (That's all).""

"“Your lack of empathy reflects on you not me, I just have to remember. My Worth is not based on your closed mentality. I let it go, I set myself free. I don’t believe in regrets, But I regret having you as a memory.”"

""A wise woman once told me every strong woman will be called crazy at some point in her life, it comes with the territory. And she said embrace it. Do not run from it. Claim it. Roar even louder, show some teeth. Only those who are worthy will know how to tame the wild inside you. Stay wild and run with the wolves.”"

"Never expect anything, but plan for everything."

"When it comes to planning, I'm very nurturing, like a mother."

"Change cannot be just the responsibility of the people who need it most. They need the support of everyone, especially those of the highest power, if we are to see true change."

"I’ve embarked on a fresh new chapter and I’m finally taking control of my life, pursuing dreams that I’ve always had a hold off on. It’s exciting, it’s terrifying, it’s anxiety-filled, and it’s confusing. But what I know for sure is that for the first time, I’m finally living my life for me."

"My heart bleeds for all the people who cannot afford not to go out and work. They literally have to choose between dying of starvation or dying of covid."

"Calling someone your best friend doesn't necessarily mean you are friend-zoning them."

"In the Philippines the only way to become a big star really — if you're not a singer, if you're an actor — is to be in a love team. It becomes this whole thing where your career and your personal life — the line between the two gets blurred. People just don’t know what reality is."

"When you're a kid, that's just what you do. You believe anything that an adult says because you think that they have their best interest for you."

"People told me they loved me, but then they would do the complete opposite of what you do when you love someone. So that’s why words don’t really mean anything to me. It’s all about action."

"Now that I had a taste of what collaborating feels like and being empowered to be creative and think outside the box, it's like I can't unsee it anymore, and that's the only way I wish to work."

"I'm always grateful, thankful, and I am blessed to everybody that came into my life."

"It should be an equal amount of time and effort and pushing for the same narrative and the same vision or values while also boosting up your individual brand, I think that's the way collaboration should be."

"I really wanna become an actress, a world-class actress."

"My goal is to become my own person because for so many years, I was in a love team. I never was able to build up my own personal branding. I really wanna do with my career and personally finding out what excites me, what fuels my passion."

"As an actress my job is to entertain, but as a public figure, my responsibility is to speak up on the things that matter, from a place that matters."

"It is a privilege and honor to be able to share my experiences so that even just one little girl out there can feel encouraged to speak up."

"Cruel people will try to discredit your story, they'll say you are exaggerating or being self-serving, don't mind them. Don't let them, only those with hardness in their hearts would discourage your voice."

"Only weak people would respond to stories of pain with doubt and interrogation. Worst of all, some will even try to exploit your story for personal gain, responding to your pain with gossip and attention-seeking, making it a source of entertainment."

"To 4-year-old Hope, who's in the midst of a painful, upside-down world, just trying to stay a child, thank you. Thank you for staying determined and strong, for choosing to keep pushing ahead, to build a beautiful life worth living."

"Before, I would try to be as perfect as possible. I would never talk about anything negative. I was told not to talk about anything negative or talk about my real life and my struggles. That’s not reality, that’s not real. Nobody can sustain just by being happy, successful, busy or whatever all at once."

"When I start becoming more honest, that’s when I start getting more hate. It felt like my most honest self isn’t worthy of this love, and attention, and appreciation from people. At all times, I’ve decided to be as honest and authentic as I can be, not only for myself but for the people watching me."

"Whether they like me or not, at least what they’re seeing is my most authentic self, and me trying my best to contribute something to society in a positive way."

"Just because I'm a celebrity doesn't mean I was confident my whole life."

"Just because society creates this image in our minds that perfect is the new beautiful means that we have to follow that, We don't have to let that image in our head overtake our insecurities."

"For me as a teen, there's so much going on, It makes us become who we're not. We are all unique, we are all different in our own way, and we can stand out and be beautiful on our own."

"I know how it feels to be a regular teen girl. I'm proud that I'm able to make a difference to help other people out. That's really what I like doing."

"Be yourself, because that's the best you can be. It shows your uniqueness, how you're different from everybody else, and that will make you stand out."

"If you're like the rest, nobody's gonna notice you."

"By being yourself when you're answering questions, you're able to answer truthfully. But if you're not yourself and you're pretending to be someone [else], that's when you get nervous."

"Getting confused? This is normal, you’re trying to find out who you are, who your friends are, who are the people who will stick by your side."

"I believe I was born to make a difference to help people and encourage them. Parang (like) Emma Watson, I really wanna make a difference."

"I get nervous because of experiences before, so when I come out on stage, I'm trying not to get stage fright. I must do it because it's work and it's also what I love to do."

"Minsan lang magkaroon ng ( You only get) an opportunity once in your life, and if you're not gonna give it your all now, when is it gonna come back to you?"

"I don't like disappointing people. I don't like creating enemies. I'm a people pleaser."

"I wanna change because I wanted to grow."

""I was scared to go beyond, And I think, looking back, that mindset that I had, that notion that I had was wrong."

"This crown just does not belong to me and it [does] not belong just to myself but to everyone here right now. Miss Universe Philippines has always been more than just a competition, it's a celebration of passion, dedication, and the beauty of dreams coming true."

"(About Iga Świątek) The simplicity with which she plays is impressive. In women's tennis, it's not so common to play against someone who does everything very well and always makes the right choice."

"[...] I started playing tennis at the age of 5 and fell in love with the sport. It was love at first sight. I feel great when I play. When I was younger, I used to watch the Grand Slam finals [...]. But it was hard to imagine that I could do it myself. Of course, I wanted to, but now it's something crazy for me."

"I dreamed of becoming a professional, but not of being number 1 or winning a Grand Slam. Never. Not even of entering the top 10 [...]. But I hoped for it, without really believing it. Then, step by step, step by step, I started to believe in myself without projecting myself too far ahead. That's why I was surprised to hear Nole's [Novak Đoković, ed.] interviews when he was a child, in which he said he wanted to become number 1 in the world and win Wimbledon. I watched them and it seemed incredible to me that children could dream like that. The same goes for Jannik [Sinner, ed.], who at 15 said his dream was to become number 1 in the world. I'm very happy, but I think I'm a different person."

"You get hurt, after the injury you can't find yourself again and a thousand doubts arise about your level, your ability to play well... uncertainty after uncertainty, your level drops. If you go on court without being calm, it becomes difficult."

"Interviewer: “Everyone says about you: ‘She has a great forehand but she's short’. What do you say to that? Jasmine Paolini: It's not a problem and I don't even think about it. I know what I need to improve, for example my serve, but for me, height isn't a huge disadvantage. Okay, if I were 5 centimeters taller, maybe I would serve a little better... but maybe I would be less agile. Like everything, it has its pros and cons."

"Interviewer: “During a match, have you ever thought that you would have won if you were 10 centimeters taller?” Jasmine Paolini: Never. The only question I ask myself is how I would serve if I were taller. That said, I can serve just as well. We're working on it, especially on transferring what I do in training to the match. During training, I serve pretty well. In a match, it's more difficult: I might miss a couple, I don't get the first one in, I get a couple of winning returns... and then I start to slow down and the insecurities creep in. But I'm happy with what I can do in training. We're working hard: the serve is too important in tennis today. In particular, I try not to slow down the speed of the shot."

"For a tennis player, technical changes are often traumatic, because it's not easy to change shots that you already consider good. We players are usually quite stubborn..."

"Interviewer: “What has been the most difficult moment in recent years?” Jasmine Paolini: Not qualifying for the Slams made me feel really bad. Finally, at Roland Garros in 2019, I got through the qualifying rounds [after nine failed attempts in various Majors, ed.] without losing a single set, and that broke the deadlock. Now I'm starting to win matches in the main draw, and it's a whole different story, but those years weren't easy. I arrived unconvinced, often without a coach, and I couldn't express myself at my best. In 2018 in Australia, I won three games in the first round of the qualifiers, and it was devastating."

"Interviewer: If you could give advice to Jasmine Paolini, who is entering the circuit at a very young age, what would you say to her? Jasmine Paolini: To have fewer doubts about myself. I think it's a very Italian flaw not to belittle yourself a little. Less doubt, more certainty."

"Interviewer: Life on the circuit can be exciting but also repetitive and tiring. How do you experience it? Jasmine Paolini: After years of playing mainly ITF, without hospitality and with very low prize money, I would describe life in WTA tournaments as peaceful. There is no anxiety about money, there are lots of points up for grabs, and everything is perfectly organized. Obviously, traveling all the time is not so easy, I have to learn to manage myself a little better: after New York, for example, I returned to Europe to play in Portoroz and then, without a break, I went back to the States to play in the Chicago tournament. I arrived exhausted and lost in the first round; looking back, I would opt for a different schedule or simply a week's rest. In summary: the professional circuit presents you with many challenges, sporting and otherwise, that are not easy to resolve; however, I consider myself privileged and never complain about this life."

"The more important matches I play, the more I understand this sport. There are no magic formulas. There is only hard work, perseverance, and determination."

""Being married teaches me to have a more balanced life. All my life all I knew was work. I have been working since I was 15. I wake up in the morning with only one purpose, go to the shoot and hopefully nail it, and make my directors happy, then I go back home. It is a cycle I have been doing for so long. Now I am being taught how to balance and slow down."

"Even rest was not in her vocabulary. "I have learned that resting is a good thing."

"If you have a clear goal, focus on that goal. Everything else is just noise. Surround yourself with the right people. There will be days when you don't believe in yourself and you are going to need your best friends, your sister, your mom—the ones who actually believe in you more than you do. Eyes on the target, and make sure that you are enjoying the process too. Also, make sure you don't step on anyone. When you achieve your goal, it really is the best feeling."

"“The moment I met you, instinct took over. Welcome to the world, my love,”"

"“2 years of joy, playful banter, and heartfelt truths. Happy anniversary, my love. You’re my favorite person to do nothing—and everything—with,”"

"“I’m very excited, and I feel very blessed,”"

"My whole life, all I know is work, and now it's nice to have this kind of journey and really have a sense of family. And I'm so excited to experience this with my husband. I'm nervous, to be honest, but I know this is going to be an amazing chapter."

"Oh, just being surrounded by the people that you look up to and they're all funny,"

"“I said: Oh, my God, what can I contribute to this? Because they are all very natural. And of course it's nerve-wracking. I mean, I've been working for how many years. But it's different because you have to really master English.”"

"“Hard work is really important,”"

"Because when I was younger, I would always think: oh, if you're talented enough, that's good enough. But hard work really, really pays off. You have to come to the set prepared and go the extra mile, take (acting) classes, take lessons."

"“The whole time I've been creating so many future projects for after I give birth. Of course I need to buy something for the baby girl.” She gasps realizing that she just said it publicly for the first time. “Ah! I said it, it was revealed!”"

"“I feel really blessed, and I feel really grateful talaga,”"

"“I know I have my angels guiding me up there, because this is definitely a dream come true. And there’s more I would love to do in the future. And I’m just really grateful… kasi most of the things that I’ve prayed for, I have now.”"

"I feel like you're ready, but I don't know. I think I need a checklist of what's still missing, because in my head there's still a lot missing."

"“This is the best journey coming up.”"

"“Baby on the way! ♥️,”"

"“This journey reminds me that being intentional with my energy matters just as much as chasing my passions. 💫”"

"“Today we have our Bench Body of Work and we are at the backstage now and this is gonna be the first runway of my little angel in my belly. I am just so excited,”"

"“When I get on in this trapeze, it’s gonna be an amazing experience.”"

"“Two years in. No longer 7000 miles apart. Without a 16 hour time difference. A lifetime of adventures. But really, who’s counting… Happy wedding anniversary to us, My Scientist. ✨ #LoviGoesFullMonty,”"

"He's very patient, and he also wants to see me shine. He lets me grow as an individual. He doesn't take it against me that I work so hard, that I'm so far away from him,"

""The fact that he wants to see me bloom even more as an individual makes me want to be with him because I know for a fact that he won't take my passion against me because I’m so passionate about my work, my career.”"

"What made me do this was actually, I always loved writing my own stories and concepts. I remember it started po with our film, Seasons, with Regal. I came up with that concept and then suddenly, it was just nice to be part of the process and then biglang may script na kami and then nag-cast na and then everything just came together, and then we were taken on by Netflix,"

"“It’s the most challenging ever. If there’s one thing I would like to do perfectly, it’s to be a good mother,”"

"It feels great. I just can't believe it's finally happening because we've been planning for months, years, our products to be developed. Finally now it's been launched. I feel so blessed and I'm so, so happy."

"I just can't believe he wasn't here to witness all the things we built together."

"full of love, laughter, and lots of food."

"Officially became Mrs. B. 8.8.23 ♥️,"

"As we celebrate Women’s Month, let’s forget about the numbers that pressure women. Remember, you are worthy of love, no matter your insecurities."

"People's reaction when I performed Mandarin seemed louder, compared to the 'Say Something' performance, so I felt like, 'Oh my gosh, maybe my ranking is lower than rank six.' It's really unpredictable, huh."

"If ever I wasn’t given the opportunity to win X-Factor or even be given the opportunity to audition, I still see myself as an artist today."

"“The pressure of being a parent is really heavy on a mother. You’re not just carrying a child, you’re changing yourself. Even though you’ve given birth to a child, you are completely changed as a person — physically, spiritually, and mentally.”"

"I said earlier, I don't want to be a mother because I'm already under pressure."

"“It’s so heartwarming. They’re using our song to take the next step in their lives.”"

"There are things that if you really treasure something, someone is very special to you, and something is very important to you, you protect it from the unnecessary noise, right?"

"Love is a decision. He's not just like an emotion that thrills, it's a choice. It's a decision. When you commit to it, you commit to it not because you're just happy. But when you accept it, you accept also the not very colorful ones because it's not always rainbows and butterflies. He's not like a fairy tale... As long as you know yourself, you know your partner. It will be a rollercoaster ride because it's not rainbows and butterflies."As long as you know yourself, you know your partner. It will be a rollercoaster ride because it's not rainbows and butterflies."

"I'm proud of that I am able to stay in the business, in the industry for a long time. I guess I didn't forget myself. It's important [that] you don't lose yourself. Because in the industry there are many temptations, many influences that you're not sure if it's a good influence or if it's a bad influence. I'm proud that I didn't forget myself. I've always chosen myself."

"I realized that you won't last long unless you really love what you're doing. Yes, it's hard, but it's also a fun and memorable ride. Not only did I learn a lot but also gained new friends and had a really good time."

"To my family and loved one, for always supporting me, praying for me, for the never-ending love that you've given me. Thank you for trying all the food I cook hehehe 🙈 ❤️."

"Here's to discovering more flavors of life. To trying recipes and creating dishes. To that pinch or a dash of spice that will make life more colorful, delicious and worthwhile."

"So it's okay for me to be told rude things because it's not true so I'm not hurt. 🙊 and to set the record straight I didn't want any attention that night.. I just attended."

"I always promised my parents that even if I was busy with work, I would really push through my studies, because I knew that showbiz wasn't forever."

"I don't like it when I don't have a job, I'm not in showbiz, I don't know what to do. I don't like that. Let's just say I don't have a job, I should be doing something. I don't like it when I feel like I'm always lying down, doing nothing."

"What's the point of my love life if I'm always crying? Or, even though I have a love life, I'm not happy. So, I think, I don't deserve him."

"Here I want to prove that it's not just that they'll see, not just my daring, but also the acting wise. The whole movie, the lesson of the movie... everything, he's a package, so to speak."

"I chose to look the other way. I always say this, but it's true. When you have a grateful heart, instead of questioning the things around you, or questioning the things that are happening to you, instead of complaining, it seems lighter inside that you are just grateful that this is happening to you because you know that it's better preparing you for the bigger battles in life."

"I am only 23. At that time, I knew I was confident that there were still so many beautiful things in store for me. If I give up now, what will happen to my life now? I am still young."

"My biggest lesson was just keep going, just keep moving forward until the next battle. It will never end. The biggest lesson was don't get stuck."

"“28!!! So grateful for another year, and to everyone sending their love today. Means the world to me,”"

"It's still one of mom's greatest gifts to me. She really let me fly and learn to be independent on my own,"

"thank you mom kasi now you feel more na parang you know na kaya mo na on your own, so it's a gift that she gave me [which] I'm grateful for,""

"But I think because of that, our [family] travels are even more special because wow, we're together again in one house,"

"you need to build your own space,""

""We both chose to move forward, to be happy and grateful for that chapter in our lives."

"It's a project that I'm really, really looking forward to in 2025.""

"I just love if you are just surprise with an opportunity and then you have this good instinct na I actually want to give this a shot. I might learn from it and that's how it's been this past year and hopefully next year as well."

"The universe has its way of really just opening up opportunities for you that you never thought you would do or would be willing to try and that's what I love about it."

""I just love if you are just surprise with an opportunity and then you have this good instinct na I actually want to give this a shot"

"I am just so grateful for the year that it was and the year that it has been. Nag-shine talaga 'yung grace ni God this year and I'm just really hoping for a very, very productive 2025,"

"I am just really overflowing with gratitude and so much excitement."

"My advice to those who are aspiring to make it in this business is to be humble and thankful always. Don’t let fame and popularity get to your head. Don’t ever change. Just continue doing what you love doing, and work hard."

"To spread only love and positivity. We try to be good examples to them. As for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who showed us nothing but love, we try to teach others to respect them. What Jea and I have is sisterhood. For me, it’s hard to find a true friend in show biz, someone who will not judge you. Jea and I have this huge love for each other. When one has a problem, you can count on the other to be there."

"I think it's very normal to feel down if it's a negative comment. I just need to learn how to manage it, because it's normal in showbiz."

"Sometimes, it’s okay to be selfish. It’s also okay to be selfless, but let’s weigh it up."

"It's not because you just want to be selfish, but at the end of the day, only you can save yourself."

"Well, it seems like there are better things to come, why do you have to sacrifice this thing?"

"There is nothing wrong with a little self-love and a pat on the back."

"All of us have different struggles, worries, and problems.” “But please, do not ever forget to BREATHE. Take it one step at a time. There is nothing wrong with a little [self-love] and a pat on the back. You are doing well, love. You will be okay."

"Seeing it closed broke our hearts!! We were so sad, and yes, i was crying huhu. 😢 This place holds so many special memories for us, and we really hope they reopen someday so we can celebrate there again."

"I didn't start working out to chase a certain body. I started because I wanted to feel strong, healthy, and good in my own skin."

"To be kinder to my body, to listen to it, and to appreciate everything it allows me to do. Not perfect. Just better. Still learning. Still showing up."

"Nothing happens instantly. Everything requires hard work."

"As long as you’re passionate and you really wanna do what you wanna do, be patient and just go for it."

"I think we all have insecurities, it all just depends on how you handle them."

"We're all human and nobody's perfect, that we also have our flaws and our insecurities and self-doubt. That we're relatable."

"The fact that he made time for my birthday is great. This is going to be a moment that I will remember forever. It is truly unforgettable and I'm really grateful."

"I don’t need to have zero sleep all the time just to say I’m doing good in life."

"For someone who had always been used to juggling multiple pursuits, the decision felt like an act of self-permission. “I was so used to doing two things at the same time…I thought if I wasn’t as busy, I wasn’t productive."

"I tried out to be a courtside reporter. I tried out two to three times and I didn't get it."

"I was never approved to become the courtside reporter and it definitely broke my heart because I was always at the games, I was really the number one fan of the athletes, and I was not accepted."

"Always remember that what's meant for you will always be yours."

"Better late than never"

"I think it's enough for other people but for me, I think that I did my part in you know, representing short people, representing young people."

"I think after my year in Miss World Philippines, I did my role, I did my best in creating a safer space for women like me."

"I look Asian, I'm an oriental beauty and people you know, mestizo, mestiza, iba 'yung itsura nila (they look different). It's pointless to compare myself to them."

"I was bullied for being Asian"

"Because we're the same age, same 'yung emotions (we experience the same emotions)."

"We ladies should be confident."

"I had to raise my standards from when I was younger. I’m older now, so the things I’m looking for are different, not someone not ready to settle or someone that isn’t serious. I don’t have time for that."

"I don’t want to date for the sake of dating. I have a son, so I have to think what would be the best situation for him."

"My character is maarte, irritating but funny. It’s different from my past roles. I have never been a funny kontrabida. I am used to heavy drama, crying scenes."

"“Out with the old, in with the new.”"

"“Know exactly what you want before going to Bangkal. You should be able to decide on the spot whether or not to buy something. If you opt to sleep on it, chances are someone else will get it.”"

"“Sprucing up a place is a matter of taste and lifestyle. You should feel good about the stuff that you bought. And use them.”"

"When I’m not acting, I work behind the scenes with a group of talented individuals from Stronghold MNL, which is a production company that I own with a bunch of friends from DLS-CSB. The newest addition to my schedule is that some of my friends and I are about to start a line of lounge sets, room scents, and candles—so watch out for that!"

"I really try to keep things simple by staying away from a lot of prints and color. Keeping it basic and simple is key. I don’t really like spending too much time on thinking about what to wear. If it looks good and I’m comfortable then that’s about it."

"Wear clothes that make you look and feel good. Plus, don’t waste your money on trendy stuff, you won’t be able to wear them again and again."

"It hasn’t exactly been the smoothest ride. We’re safe and healthy, but my body has been gently reminding me that some things need to change."

"To my little one, who I can’t wait to meet: my promise will always be to love you through every chapter, every stage, in every moment of every day."

"My first birth caught me off guard and left me with some trauma because I didn’t know what to expect. This birth was the opposite. I was prepared with things I packed but never used, techniques I didn't really have the time to apply, and plans that didn't unfold the way I imagined. Both births were special and beautiful in their own ways, and God carried me through each of those journeys just as He always does."

"If you want light to come into your life, STAND WHERE IT IS SHINING!' You are braver than you believe and stronger than you think! Kaya natin 'to!"

"'You only live once,' so make it count and live. Live longer and healthier. I have travelled, lived in different countries, joined and won beauty competitions, started acting, and became a host/presenter, but nothing beats a healthy mind and body."

"Before you do or change your diet or drink something, make sure you don’t have bad health history problems! Always ask your doctors!"

"Aging will always be part of one's life, so getting old should not be greeted with fear."

"More than anything else, it should be embraced and celebrated. It should be seen as a phase of culmination of everything beautiful about our individual lives."

"An important part of my Bininining Pilipinas journey is my social cause for our SENIOR CITIZENS."

"Right from the start, I've been actively campaigning for more opportunities and programs for our elderly population."

"As I go around the elderly havens, I've seen the need to lobby for more facilities for them, where they can still be allowed to be productive and to pursue greater things with the help of the GOVERNMENT, their FAMILIES, and respective COMMUNITY."

"“I have always believed in your mission of creating meaningful connections for people with IDD to gain self-confidence and self-esteem,”"

"This is one reason why I identify myself as a classical crossover performer. It’s called ‘crossover’ because you can rearrange pop songs and put a classical spin into it, or rearrange a classical piece to make it sound modern. Then, it will be easier for the public to appreciate the genre."

"There are challenges along the way, but it’s all part of the journey. Whatever your career is, whether you’re a lawyer, businessman or painter, you might have supporters, but you cannot control negative criticism. There’s also politics within the workplace and rumors are inevitable."

"Musical theater and stage plays will always have a special spot in my heart. I’m open to joining new theater productions anytime."

"I spent it building my career (in Dubai), building it from scratch. I started from zero. And when I was finally in a position where I was already comfortable in terms of my lifestyle in Dubai, I was already 26, and I felt that this chapter or this aspect in my life, it’s not yet complete."

"And I feel like if I forgo this pageant career, then I would spend the rest of my life regretting why I didn’t do it. It was such a difficult decision, but it paid off. It paid off eventually and I’m just so glad that I made that decision, I made that risk."

"It serves also as a message to everyone that if your dreams mean more to you than money, than fame, or than anything else, then it’s worth pursuing. It’s worth risking everything. You can see that in the life that I live. And now I am proud to be Bb. Pilipinas Globe. I left my life there, but I’m beginning anew here. And I began it with a bang."

"This journey of mine is a testament really that it’s not too late to pursue your dreams. I was already — I mean I’m already 26 when I took this leap of faith, but it paid off in the end. So just be brave in your decisions in life and fully commit to it and it will pay off."

"Never give up, that’s really my line in my mind always. And a winner is not only the one who wins, but the one who never quits, because if you have that goal in mind, stick to it, and the rest you just have to do your best and God will do the rest."

"It can only mean that whatever message it is you were trying to convey, they have understood. Knowing that you have connected with your audience is always gratifying."

"There are times when we really choose the partner who is not right for us. We are exposed to guys who may be popular and good-looking. But somehow, the right one will also come."

"At this point, I see no walls anymore. When tragic situations stretch your emotions and mental capacity, you discover a strength you didn’t know you had. You realize that you can become bigger than your situation. I no longer live in doubt or worry—I carry a quiet knowing in my heart that I am meant for great things. That’s why I was given another day, another chance, to share my stories from behind bars and turn pain into purpose."

"The whole film, my character has been covering up her emotions with a hardness, not letting anybody see her crack, so I found myself also feeling like that during filming. I was never emotional, and me as Mikey, I’m a very emotional person. For the last scene, I was almost shaking going into the car because I didn’t know what that would feel like—because I had been feeling the same way as my character for so long."

"I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. So to be here standing in this room today is really incredible. I also just want to again recognize and honor the sex worker community. I will continue to support and be an ally. I also just want to recognize the thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, breathtaking work of my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be recognized alongside all of you. This is a dream come true."

"Any uncomfortability or pain or difficulty I felt is temporary because that’s just how it is. I welcome those feelings because it means it’s something real that I’m able to show. The film will be forever —any sadness or pain I feel is temporary, and it goes away. And I’m lucky. This is my dream job."

"“As simple as providing spaces like parks and playgrounds where schools and the community work together, will eventually help these children develop their well-beings. Over time, it became apparent that it is very difficult to achieve and acquire this space because of business modernization. I am still hopeful that the city will help us provide these safe places for the kids to play and meet.”"

"Raine Baljak’s meaningful reign The Freeman, 19 February 2017."

"When something feels off, have it checked. Don't wait. Don't assume it'll go away. Prevention will always be better than cure. Take care of yourselves. Your body speaks—listen to it."

"I just want to inspire other people to try and balance two things. A lot of people think you can only pick one over the other, but for me, it’s really important to follow what your heart wants, and for me, I wanted to do sports and take up my studies, so that’s what I did."

"For sure nanghinayang pero it happens for a reason. Medyo na-sad pero parang okay rin na may setbacks and you have to think some stuff. May mga na-realize din like spend time with family, sa jowa, sa dogs, and friends. Try to enjoy life din. (For sure there are regrets but it happens for a reason. It's somehow sad but setbacks are also fine since you have to think some stuff. There are also realizations like spending time with family, partner, dogs, and friends. Try to enjoy life, too.)"

"Though we said our last goodbyes today, I know you’ll always look after me like this from afar — the little girl you watch pose and sing on the table, on random afternoons. I love you, Grandpa."

"This may have been the most painful New Year's Eve, but as you raised me to be the strong woman that I am now, I will continue on, with you looking after me from heaven. Happy New Year, Grandpa."

"As though I prepared the concept and direction, since I was also the ’mermaid‘ and technically still in freedive territory, it's a must to ALWAYS have a buddy and safety diver."

"I think that was enough time for us to learn the playing style that he wants us to play. I think we are all on the same page and we all know how he wants us to play."

"Gutted, heartbroken, disappointed and confused but as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason and I have faith knowing God’s plan is bigger than my own."

"I will continue to stay true to myself as a person and player and not let one person’s decision or opinion of me change that. I hold my head up high knowing I did everything I could to compete for a roster spot both at my professional club and during pre-camp."

"My story and experience involving the national team these past months will be shared soon when I feel ready and I hope I can continue to represent the Philippines again in the future in a healthier environment."

"A woman is never just one thing. She is strength and grace, fire and kindness, a dreamer and a fighter. Today, we celebrate every version of us. As a beauty queen, I once stood on stage with a crown. But life had other plans. I faced kidney failure, a battle that tested my spirit and self-worth. Today, I stand before you, celebrating my third year and kidney anniversary, a living testament of resilience, second chances, and the power of a woman who refuses to give up. For too long, the world has tried to define us, but we are limitless, whether we lead, nurture, create, or fight for change. Our power lies in our choices. True empowerment is lifting each other, embracing our differences, and knowing that we are enough. Always. So, let's stand together, break barriers, and own every part of who we are. Because when women rise, the world rises with us."