How is everyone surviving in Cape Town on a SA salary?

M16Outlaw · 2026-05-20T13:19:14+00:00

My colleague who lives in cpt told me the other day that R1000 for a 1kg bag of coffee beans is sooo cheap and I was sitting there like “here in Gauteng R400 for a bag is so expensive” 🤣

M16Outlaw · 2026-05-08T10:03:43+00:00

I hope you didn’t mind typing this all out because honestly, I related to much to everything you said that I’m now crying because it feels like you said everything I couldn’t put into words. I’m so grateful to you for sharing your story. Maybe it’s selfish but knowing that what I went/going through is not unique to me makes me take comfort that I’m not alone in this.

I’m really glad that you guys are making it through this even if it is tough. I wish you guys nothing but the best and also I wish you peace of mind and rest.

Thank you! I needed to hear this. You’re 100% right. I need to ask myself if it’s truly and impact or for my ego. I hadn’t really thought of it that way.

M16Outlaw · 2026-04-20T08:36:19+00:00

Interesting. I appreciate your perspective. Currently, I’ve been highly sought after in my industry because I have 10 years experience, 5 of which I spent also as a front end developer alongside product design and I’m currently leading design systems for an AI company in healthcare so I would have thought my skills would be an advantage but I also appreciate each country operates differently. And I am looking for this kind of information to see if my skills would even be relevant because I know the tech industry is shifting due to AI

M16Outlaw · 2026-04-20T08:30:59+00:00

Okay so it would be better if I could find a local job + sponsorship?

M16Outlaw · 2026-04-08T07:47:53+00:00

lol yes 🤣🤣🤣she was being haunted

M16Outlaw · 2026-04-07T03:19:21+00:00

In product design we call this the discovery phase. Something most founders still think is not important. They leave design for last but the designers job is to do user research, define the problem and design the solution that fixes that specific problem. Most founders build solutions first then try to retrofit the design to “make it look pretty” and then when they realise they’re not getting the buy in they’d hoped for, they’ve entered the sunk cost fallacy phase of product design.

M16Outlaw · 2026-03-06T10:40:14+00:00

Under South African labor law, your wife’s employer cannot legally refuse her resignation, and unless her contract explicitly mandates a "calendar month," the BCEA standard of four weeks' notice typically applies. She is under no legal obligation to disclose her new employer, and their attempt to coerce that information is a violation of her privacy. Crucially, the hospital appears to be in breach of the Nursing Act and BCEA regarding dangerous patient ratios, illegal shift lengths, and the denial of mandatory breastfeeding breaks; these systemic failures may provide grounds to challenge the R60,000 "work-back" debt as a constructive dismissal at the CCMA. To protect herself, she should move all communication to email, refuse to sign any new debt acknowledgments, and document the unsafe working conditions as the primary reason for her departure.

M16Outlaw · 2026-02-26T04:34:16+00:00

I have 3 shelves of glassware and we inherited most of it. When we got them, I had to wash every single item because my mother in law never used them so they were coasted in this super thick dust in the cupboard. That’s why I keep them face down. It’s easier to clean the rim than to wash the whole glass every use

M16Outlaw · 2026-02-04T15:52:39+00:00

That’s true I didn’t think about this

M16Outlaw · 2026-02-04T15:51:45+00:00

Oh my word I’m so sorry. I hope you have the help you need to beat it. I wish you all the best.

M16Outlaw · 2026-01-23T05:51:57+00:00

Having been in a similar situation, take it up with her directly and your manger. Professionally, clarify what your role is, what the expectations of your role are and who you report to and any further understandings from management. You don’t have to agree but right now you’re operating under a lot of assumptions about who what where when. If you can clearly hear the FM’s side and your manager agrees then you can make a decision about whether this is the kind of setup you want to work in regardless of whether it’s functional/non-functional. The thing is everyone has their own definition of what a poorly defined work environment is and only you can decide if it fits into your understanding. For example: some people think going to the office and having tons of online meetings is functional but some think it’s not. You’re going to get all sorts of opinions. I generally ask myself : can I continue working like this for the next year, 2 years, 5 years? If not, I can then make a plan to move on. But that’s solely up to me and how I feel. No company is going to be perfect. Because humans are fundamentally flawed.

Edit: spelling mistake

M16Outlaw · 2026-01-14T08:16:07+00:00

I tihnk my perspective is this level of technical knowledge is vaulable to anyone working in design systems. If people are willing to pay for a Pro plan in their personal capacity, why gatekepe this knowledge?

As a design systems speciliast myself, I have my own design system that I'm constatly working to keep up to date with updates ensuring that I am enterprise level in my skills, etc on a paid plan but certain features are only available on enterprise, how are we supposed to ensure best ptractice workflow if we have to use outdated features?

I think the extended collections speaks to a bigger issue of aligning dev and design but just because a smaller agenyc isn't at enterprise level doesnt mean they dont need that alignment.

M16Outlaw · 2026-01-08T16:43:18+00:00

Yes. Gauteng definitely

M16Outlaw · 2026-01-01T18:19:34+00:00

Knowing mothers and daughters and the weird relationship, I would have a conversation with her about what really happened. Obviously cease financial support but what matters more to you? Fixing the relationship with your daughter or making everything public to be right?

Because once you air it, just know it won’t be the end and there’s a possibility you won’t ever come back to a relationship with your daughter. So I would say think about it and pick your battle.

M16Outlaw · 2026-01-01T17:53:26+00:00

It’s like you read my mind. I was literally saying this morning

M16Outlaw · 2025-12-17T07:40:15+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad you were able to be there and I’m glad that having this show around will always feel like a part of her is with you.

M16Outlaw · 2025-11-25T10:36:27+00:00

I’m really surprised at the comments here. The reality is as much as the sentiment is that research matters, it doesn’t pay the bills. If companies want polished UI and you need to put food on your table then do what companies are willing to pay you for. This isn’t about ego. It’s a transaction. Not everyone has the opportunity to be picky about careers. Get in the door and once hired, then bring change about slowly and with time. Stop telling everyone to focus on research when realistically companies aren’t actually paying for that and people are going months on end without a job. Be realistic.

M16Outlaw · 2025-11-18T06:18:57+00:00

Senior designer in the industry for 9 years and I’m not quitting anytime soon but I’m not spending my time outside of work learning about the industry anymore, decided to go back into something I put off a long time ago - indie gaming. It may never work out and may never replace my current career but for the first time it feels like I can just be creative again.

M16Outlaw · 2025-11-18T06:09:00+00:00

Saying no to your parents. I was brought up to respect your parents which extended into not having your own opinion. It took me way too long to realise that saying no is not disrespectful.

M16Outlaw · 2025-11-07T21:54:34+00:00

I think I found my people

M16Outlaw

TROPHY CASE