Ringo Madlingozi was a famous singer with a voice that could calm a storm. But one hot afternoon, after a long recording session, he was just a man stuck in terrible traffic on his way back from Mthatha.

Remembering a lesson his grandmother taught him— "Respect nature, but also respect your own needs" —he pulled over safely, grabbed an empty water bottle from the back seat, and used the privacy of his open car door as a shield. He made sure no one was watching, relieved himself quickly, and poured the bottle out respectfully away from the road.

He looked around. To the left, endless bushes. To the right, more bushes. Ahead, a line of cars not moving. He couldn't wait.

The Long Walk Home

Back in the car, he laughed at himself. Even a star has simple, human needs. From that day on, before any long drive, Ringo would tell his driver: "Stop at the first garage. I’d rather be early than desperate."