Cults, snakes, devil worshipping, sex rings, sugar daddies, sacrifices for money, rituals and witchcraft, you name it. If it's taboo and considered sacred, she will address it. She has probed, poked, and even named and shamed people of high stature in South Africa and the continent who she believed have been involved in dubious acts. Author and social activist Jackie Phamotse was introduced to the South African media, years ago before releasing her first book, Bare: # the Blesser's Game. Since then, her voice has not been silenced. "I believe in truth and open conversations,' Jackie tells ZiMoja. "I love to question everything. I am inquisitive. I love research and people who have opinions.'

OPINIONS

Jackie joins the panel of celebrities on episode one and season two of Castle Milk Stout Black Conversations which dissects topics from black people's perspectives such as spirituality, religion, cancel culture and many more. In the panel sits scholar and philosopher Bishop Joshua Maponga, TV host Rorisang Thandekiso, pastor Solomon and Dr. Khehlelezi. And as expected, she speaks her mind and voices her opinion. But in the years of branding herself as the spokesperson for truth, she has also rubbed some people up the wrong way. "Ja noh. Being vocal has its benefits and challenges, "she says. "It can be a lot of pressure. But I do tune out and cut the activities of the world out. But I really believe in the work and I want to help. I was part of that life. I was a sugar baby, I have seen the darkness of party life. I know the things I talk about from first- and second-hand experience. I understand the desperation of wanting to escape life and needing help and answers. So, If a young girl comes to me to say she is dating an older guy that is molesting her, I feel I have to help. I am a social activist at heart. I was born to do it and it doesn't matter how I help, whether through my voice or food, school shoes, stationery, sanitary towels, mental health issues or rape kits. I am always willing to help.' 

POISONED

Last yeast, Jackie says she was poisoned while at an event and miscarried her unborn baby for being "too vocal,' she says. "I almost died,' she says. Jackie has received subtle warnings and death threats for being too opinionated. "I have received several death threats. I have been shamed publicly, taken to court, and most recently people tried to poison me,' she says. Last year, Jackie's non-alcoholic drink was allegedly spiked with poison. "I got sick last year and had a miscarriage from being poisoned,' she says. "I got to the doctor, and they did blood tests to see what the problem was and risk on my system and he said, I was poisoned.' Jackie says she has a clue who could have poisoned her but did not have enough evidence to prove it."There were people in a certain room, at an event that I had attended. I was uncomfortable with being there anyway. I felt some type of way. We ate and oddly, I didn't see where the waiter had gotten my drink. He came with my drink and I started feeling sick sometime after. I went home, I was vomiting, sweating, had diarrhea and I couldn't sleep, to a point where I needed to go to the doctor.' Jackie says she knew this was because of her opinions. "I know I make people uncomfortable. They feel threatened and targeted, even when I don't mention names,' she says. "My writing and the truth in it makes a lot of people uncomfortable and even those who don't know what I am about  have ended up hating me because of the brand.' But these days, she looks at how she delivers her content and opinions. "But it doesn't take away the activism and the truth in my work and how I want it to translate. But I can be very robust,' she says. "That experience alone taught me that I need to be careful. In the beginning, I just shot from the hip and I was not really aware of the impact. Now, I sit down and look at what I say. But I still say what I want to say and still stay true to who I am.' 

WEIGHING-IN ON THABO BESTER AND DR NANDIPHA

Last week, the Facebook rapist and murderer Thabo Bester and his accomplice Doctor Nandipha Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania and brought to South Africa on Thursday,12 April. They were on the run since Bester's escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May last year, where he was serving a life sentence for murder and a series of rape charges. Many people shared their opinions on the Bonny and Clyde- like situation. Jackie says the situation is messy. "When I look at Nandipha, I see a girl who wanted fast things. She had the education, but that was not a problem. She looks smart but smart girls can also be calculating. She found a gap, which is money and a bit more than she could chew,' Jackie says. "She comes from Mbizana and wanted the Sandton life. She got to Johannesburg, went to Wits, and dreamt like every black girl to have a business in Sandton, drive a Porsche and have access to relevant people and money. She was into the celebrity life, she attended events and hosted powerful people. She saw where she wanted to be, a socialite and flamboyant doctor that is well connected, and choose people who had the spotlight. Her clients were prominent people, celebrities and wasn't just helping the general public,' she says. "No! She was willing to sacrifice her entire life, including that of her children and Thabo saw that. He was calculating. He was arrested at 17 years old; he was mischievous from a young age and you get these two people who don't respect the law and would do the most bizarre things,' she says. "Had I been Nandipha, when the pictures came out our her and Thabo shopping, I would have come forth and confessed to protect her children, husband, and family. Now the father, brother, and everyone is involved. The entire family structure has been destroyed. This is a Jackie Phomotse book, a typical story that I would write and I would love to do so one day. This is what money, power, and greed can push a person to do,' she says. "I don't think it was love. Because she was living without him for a longtime while he was in jail,' she concludes.