ESSAYS A WOMAN’S JOURNEY
OF AFRICA
ESSAYS OF AFRICA
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NANDI MNGOMA Channels her
DRUG MULES
The PAWNS of the underworld
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Inside ESSAYS a woman’s journey
of africa
OCTOBER 2015
cover stories 36 MAIN FASHION: Vintage is forever. 52 Nandi Mngoma: Channels her inner queen. 64 RELATIONSHIPS: The politics of changing your surname. 70 NEWS REPORT: Drug mules: Pawns of the underworld. 74 HEALTH: Beyond the pink ribbon: breast cancer in women under 40.
people
34 PROFILE: Nomonde GogiGumede’s career in the navy. 50 REAL LIFE: I hate the way I look! 60 WOMEN’S NETWORK: There’s power in numbers. 76 MAN Q&A: Aubrey Pooe is a man for all seasons. 98 MAN Q&A: Some like it hot, with Chef Ghengis San.
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18 GUEST BLOG: Adiya Atuluku explores creativity through the African point of view. 20 READER’S CORNER: Ipeleng Tlhankana questions women’s global solidarity. 22 UNCOVERED: Ndoni Khanyile shares her hair story.
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features
58 MONEY: Stay on top of your taxes. 66 SEX: Contraception choices for the smart woman. 68 PARENTING: Your eggs in cold storage. 78 MAN FEATURE: How much porn is too much?
EssAY S o f Africa
2015/09/09 10:05 AM
- SINCE 1976 -
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regulars
19 SEXY 7: The best fashion picks for the month.
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ON LOCATION
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EDITOR’S LETTER
21 SHOPPING: Form and comfort in one simple step.
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CONTRIBUTORS’ LIST
23 SHOPPING: Block heels for easy glamour.
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ONLINE UPDATE
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LETTERS PAGE
24 FASHION NEWS 25 SHOPPING: Metallic magic. 28 REAL WOMAN: Vintner Praisy Dlamini’s heightened awareness of taste. 46 SHOPPING: Free to fringe. 48 FASHION INTERVIEW: Founder of Castelo Sue-Ellen Branco’s passion for shoes. 57 ITEM OR OUTFIT: Michel Herbelin watch or one outfit? 80 MAN SHOPPING: Step up your game.
99 SOCIAL SCENE: Celebrate the Woman In You AND Godly Women in Sevice. 103 SUBSCRIPTIONS PAGE 112 SOCIAL SCENE: EOA Conversation Brunch on Women’s Road Safety with SANRAL.
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118 HOROSCOPES 119 SOCIAL SCENE: Threein-one for Elizabeth Arden AND The Intern Zambia by David Tlale. 120 STOCKISTS PAGE
beauty
MAIN COVER: STYLING: TUMI MDLULI. PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS. MAKE-UP: LUCOH MHLONGO. FASHION: ROBOT TRADING. INSIDE IMAGES: LELETHU TOBI, ©ISTOCK.COM, GARETH JACOBS.
fashion
82 SEXY 7: The best beauty products of the month. 84 MAIN BEAUTY: This city life. 90 HAIR: Get your hair braidready. 92 BEAUTY NEWS
lifestyle 94 FOOD & ENTERTAINING: Fire & Spice. 100 DÉCOR STYLE: Let’s take it outside – outdoor entertainment. 104 DÉCOR NEWS 106 TRAVEL: Akwaaba, welcome to Ghana. 108 MOTORING: Clean, green machines. 110 ENTERTAINMENT Q&A: Makho Ndlovu lights up NYC. 114 BOOKS 115 TECH NEWS & APPS 116 MOVIES & THEATRE 117 MUSIC
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36 EssAY S of Afric a
2015/09/09 3:21 PM
ESSAYS www.essaysofafrica.com
CEO of Kwenta Media & Founding Editor of Essays of Africa
Managing Editor Deputy Managing Editor Features Writers Fashion & Beauty Editor Admin & Fashion Assistant DĂŠcor Writer Contributors Online Features Writers Sub-Editors Proofreader Designer Junior Designers Digital & Web Specialist Online Administrator Production Manager Sales Marketing/PR & Events Coordinator Operations & Finance Manager Advisory Board
Office Drivers Publisher Physical Address
Postal Address Websites Advertising Editorial Information & Enquiries Subscription Queries Printers Distribution
Nawaal Nolwazi Mdluli
Zama Nkosi Tracy Maher Caryn Thandi Petersen, Thina Mthembu, Hlulani Masingi, Ndoni Khanyile Tumi Mdluli Tebatjo Manamela Rhoda Davids Kim Garner, Adiya Atuluku, Eugene Yiga, Robyn Bloch, Zama Nkosi, Dr Antony Rodrigues, Zukiswa Dlamini, Bulelwa Mokori, Helen Herimbi, Denise Slabbert Thina Mthembu, Hlulani Masingi, Tracy Maher, Tebatjo Manamela Tracy Maher, Nadia Goetham Nadia Goetham Lelethu Tobi Asanda Mazwi, Siphokazi Masele Lekeke Mahlo Nuraan Motlekar Tumi Mdluli New Business Development Team Mbalenhle Fakude Nuraan Motlekar Fazila Bizor, Lindsay Breytenbach, Lindelwa Isabelle, Ndoni Khanyile, Busisiwe Mahlaba, Sen Mdhluli, Moeketsi Mosola, Dr Salifou Siddo, Nthabe Zondo, Sonto Ndlovu Gabriel Mashishi, Yusuf Msinyi Kwenta Media (Pty) Ltd. Fourways View Office Park, Block C, First Floor, Cnr Sunset Ave and Sunrise Blvd, Fourways Tel: 011 467 5859, Fax: 011 467 2808 Kwenta Media, Essays of Africa: P.O. Box 4437, Dainfern, 2055 www.essaysofsafrica.com / www.kwentamedia.com advertising@essaysofafrica.com / advertising@kwentamedia.com editorial@essaysofafrica.com info@essaysofafrica.com / info@kwentamedia.com subs@essaysofafrica.com CTP Printers Cape Town RNA (Astrid Anderson) Essays Of Africa Magazine, Website and Webzine are 100% owned and published by Kwenta Media (Pty) Ltd. The editor and publisher reserve the right to alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary. Copyright by Kwenta Media (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. BBBEE Level 1
e ssays of A f r i c a
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OC T OBER 2015
2015/09/09 9:18 AM
EOA ON LOCATION A TOUCH OF BLUSH TO ACCENTUATE GORGEOUS CHEEKBONES.
LUCOH MHLONGO BRINGS HIS ARTISTRY TO LIFE ON THE LOVELY NANDI MNGOMA.
NANDI MNGOMA, A CLASS ACT FROM EVERY ANGLE
The queen of Skhanda Love shows the professionals exactly how it is done: effortlessly, and with a breathtaking smile that leaves everybody wanting more! THE TEAM BEHIND THIS BEAUTIFUL COVER: THAT’S A WRAP, EVERYONE!
ZAMA NKOSI ADJUSTS THE NECKPIECE FOR THE PERFECT LENGTH.
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WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS.
THE STUNNING ACCESSORIES USED FOR THE SHOOT.
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ED’S LETTER EOA
HUSTLE HARD & CHANGE THE WORLD
PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS.
he word ‘hustle’ seems to have earned a negative connotation in our society. Some of my friends even deemed to call me a hustler and that didn’t sit too well with me at the time. I associated their concept of hustling with taking a reckless chance without understanding the consequences, and therefore wasting my time by thinking too big. It was difficult to have that word bouncing around like loose change in the back of my mind when I was an impressionable young woman. In my efforts to master my ‘hustle’, I researched some of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs to under how they navigated the challenging business environment. The difficulty has always been that there is no formal training in the art of the hustle, certainly not in Africa. But through research and my own entrepreneurial journey, I have learned a thing or two that could benefit those who ask me how I do it. And I have a great idea for GIBS to formalise hustle as an academic field. The word implies the constant move or drive in pursuit of a goal or dream, be it in your business life or personal relationships. Often it is thought that this move towards a happier state of being is a blind one, without real regard for consequences or future complications. I have now learned to embrace the idea that I am a hustler and that I willingly hustle my thoughts and ideas – ideas are a form of wealth that no one can take away from you, steps in a strategy that unfolds the louder your voice is heard.
E SSAYS O F A F R I C A
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Hustling is not a once-off execution, but an intrinsic part of your personal brand. It fuels and communicates your vision and unapologetic hustling is the best principle I have adopted to accelerate the realisation of my vision. Everyone begins small, but not everyone works smart or keeps their goals in line with their vision. I always say I was born with the ability to sell. It is in my DNA. I have been selling since the age of five and while my product has changed over the years, the concept and passion with which I sell has not. It has only intensified as I have become more involved with those who have bought into my vision. A sincere admirer of the late Steve Jobs, I agree wholeheartedly with him when he said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” I love reading about the success stories in our magazine, especially when women have made the most of opportunities presented to them. Open-minded people who had big dreams and who knew how to hustle in order to carve their place in the world, such as vintner Praisy Dlamini, and Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Nomonde Gogi-Gumede, Director Maritime Intelligence in the SA Navy. We showcase determined women whose dreams, stories and revelations serve as a critical toolkitto help you craft your personal road map to success. I reflect upon my yesterday and today, I look to beyond, as I constantly seek lucrative opportunities. I was once advised of the importance of the ability to sell. When you realise that the world is there for the taking, start thinking about your own vision and how you are going to hustle to make it happen for you. Embrace your hustle to birth your success.
Nawaal Nawaal@kwentamedia.com
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OCTOBER 2015
2015/09/09 12:15 PM
EOA CONTRIBUTORS • I lost a friend of eight years over a silly joke I made. I thought our friendship was strong enough to withstand anything and we could speak freely to each other without fear of a malicious response. The unfortunate lesson I learned was that it’s not who you have known the longest, but who is in your life to stay for the long haul that matters. • There are no guarantees in life. You could be deeply in love with someone, only to become enemies the next. • Do what makes you happy and brings you peace of mind, without compromising your sense of selfworth. Don’t worry about the judgements of others. Hlulani Masingi, Online Writer
LESSONS I’VE LEARNED
• I have learnt to always trust my gut. Like many of us, I was guilty of ignoring it, but lately I have been listening and have learned that my gut is hardly ever wrong! • Always do the things you set out to do – there are no excuses! Tomorrow is not guaranteed. • When people show you who they are, believe them. There is often more to a person than what they say. Siphokazi Masele, Junior Designer
• Settling down with the woman I love and committing to her changed the way I view life as a man. I am no longer single, but I have a life partner. • The most important change this year came with the birth of my son! Becoming a father has taught me to step up as a man. I need to support my family and be the provider and protector they need, so that we can grow in strength together. • I have also learned about career choices. Sometimes you can take a step backwards in order to go forward. I have moved to a place I value and respect, where I feel I belong. Lekeke Mahlo, Digital & Web Specialist
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• I have learnt so much from my travels this past year, about people and their cultures. The world is a beautiful wonder out there! Travel! Travel! Travel! • Be true to yourself – learn to love yourself first before you can love anyone else. • Trust – as the saying goes, trust is earned. Forgive and forget and never lose your moral high ground. Nuraan Motlekar, Operations & Finance Manager
WORDS AND IMAGES: SUPPLIED.
With the year coming to a rapid close, we asked EOA staffers what three things they’ve learned this year that have made an impact on how they view life.
e ss ay s of A f ric a
2015/09/09 9:47 AM
ONLINE UPDATE EOA SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EOA DAILY ONLINE NEWSLETTER TODAY!
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E SSAYS OF A F R I C A
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OCTOBER 2015
2015/09/08 8:06 PM
EOA LETTERS From the bottom of my heart, thank you for delivering such a beautiful message to all the women in the audience. In such a short time frame, you managed to win the hearts of so many, inspiring them (including me) to be more! Last night, I settled into bed with your magazine and fell in love with every article I read… You have a fan for life. Keep up the amazing and awesome work you are doing! Fayaz Mohamed
Job Well Done! This is definitely not the right platform [SMS] but I am absolutely in awe of the work you do. Through reading the magazines I have been empowered to do a lot. Thank you and may the good Lord continue to bless you, because as a young 20-year-old entrepreneur, I can’t even begin to comprehend how many lives you are impacting on. Thank you! Amukelani Mathevula
I found the magazine and wow! I spent the whole weekend reading it and decided to read it again because I couldn’t put it down! Tshepang Mangwane (Botswana)
I hope all is well with you and your team. I find Essays Of Africa magazine quite fascinating, interesting and a good women’s empowerment magazine. Job well done! Valencia Waibale
Your letters SOCIAL MEDIA
Ms Tifa @Ms_Tifa Weekend mornings are the best coz I get to read my books and mags. Just finished the September issue of @EssaysOfAfrica love it. Ms Tifa @Ms_Tifa Omg! @tumi_morake is hilarious. Reading @EssaysOfAfrica and I must say I always look forward to reading Tumi’s page. Lyndle Jacobs @10_Tenz Just got the September issue of @EssaysOfAfrica, excited that @iamleannemusic is on the cover… Going to get reading Lindiwe @Ndiwe123 @EssaysOfAfrica enjoying copy of the mag but I struggle to find it in grocery shops. Will try subscription. Mzwandile Khathi @MzwaJourno @EssaysOfAfrica nice piece on David Tlale from the July issue PreciousThePlanner @preciousthamaga Lunch time reading – my work featured in the August issue of @EssaysOfAfrica thank you #precioustheplanner Betty @BettyzaSpencer @GerriLiive when happiness exudes from within, it’s Gerry Elsdon. Enjoyed the Aug issue of @EssaysOfAfrica.
We would love to hear your views, news and especially your feedback on the magazine. E-mail us at letters@essaysofafrica.com or post your comments on Facebook.com/essayofafrica, @EssaysOfAfrica or EssaysOfAfrica.
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ESSAYS OF AFRICA
2015/09/09 9:20 AM
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EOA BLOGGER COLUMN “Looking at Africa through the eyes of contemporary art, photography, architecture and design is perhaps the most appropriate way of approaching this vast, powerful continent, so creatively rich and diverse that today it is still one of western modernity’s greatest sources of inspiration.” – Stephen Burks, Industrial Designer.
CREATIVITY THROUGH THE EYES OF AFRICANS
Nigerian blogger, Adiya Atuluku, talks about how she gets to tell stories of African creativity from the view of Africans and promote business for its artists through her blog, Muse Origins.
ETHICALLY SOURCED BAGS BY AAKS ONLINE
AFRICAN DEITIES BY JIM CHUCHU
FASHION BY OKUN BEACHWEAR
ADIYA ATULUKU
WORDS: ADIYA ATULUKU. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY MUSE ORIGINS.
ADIYA ATULUKU
I started Muse Origins out of desperation to express myself outside the restrictions of a 9-to-5 job. At that time in my life, I felt like I had a lot of creativity inside of me that had no opportunity to be let out. So I decided to start blogging. I played around with blogging on several topics, but none stuck. Until, a bit by accident, I started writing about the people around me who I admired. These people were able to express their own creativity and I completely fell in love with that. I started being drawn to these people who showed their love and respect for their African culture primarily because I am passionate about our heritage as well. Some of these talented people include fashion designers who used West African print in modern collections; photographers who captured images of beautiful local scenery and activities; designers who recycled furniture pieces and put an African spin on them; painters who depicted African marketplaces with beautiful colours and unique styles, and even animators making fun of cultural nuances in short animation skits. All these made me feel amazed, proud and inspired. Curating and writing about these diverse works from Africa made me feel like I was part of a growing niche that had the power to change the world’s view about Africa by promoting inspiring works. This feeling inspired the name, Muse Origins, which can be read as inspiration (Muse) from Africa (Origins – Africa being the ‘cradle of life’). It seemed then, and even more so now, that there was an explosion of creative talent in my native Nigeria, and in Africa as a whole. And I wanted, and still want, to be part of it. Many African creatives are young, and I have found them using their creativity for a larger purpose – for positive social change. These gifted youths are eager to showcase their work on the global stage, and show the world that the conventional image of Africa is skewed at best. What’s more, young Africans in the diaspora are as involved as African artists on their home continent. Many are increasingly being connected to African culture, even as they remain urban and ‘Western’. They are looking back to Africa with the aim of making a positive impact. And a lot of this is done through promoting art and culture. Going a step further to realise my aspirations for the African creative arena, I am currently integrating a Marketplace into Muse Origins. As the blog showcases creative works, the Marketplace will give people a chance to purchase these products directly from the artisans whose works are being promoted. This creative hub will enable these artisans to reach a market they were not privy to, while helping enthusiasts and supporters in the global community to reconnect with, and discover African heritage and culture. I see Africa playing a bigger and more influential role in the global creative industry, and Africans competing internationally. Most importantly, I am thrilled that I, using Muse Origins and its Marketplace, will be part of making this change a reality. E
UPCYCLED CHAIRS BY YINKA ILORI
Find Adiya’s blog, Muse Origins at museorigins.net Instagram: muse_origins Facebook: www.facebook.com/museorigins Twitter: @museorigins LAPTOP GAMES BY KULUYA
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FASHION EOA
FENDI PARADEYES SUNGLASSES, R7 000, SAFILO.
SEXY
Seven
Tumi Mdluli’s best buys this month to keep you in style.
CALVIN KLEIN WATCH, R5 000, ARTHURKAPLAN.
ARMANI COLLEZIONI NECKLACE, R6 795, D’ORÉ.
WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.
HIGH COLLAR STRIPEDSHIRT DRESS, R4 000, KAREN MILLEN.
BANGLE SET, R299, LUCKY BRAND, EDGARS.
LORIN DS HANGBAG, R2 999, VINCE CAMUTO FLAGSHIP STORES. TAN GLADIATOR HEELS WITH TASSELS, R3 386, RAPHAELLA BOOZ.
E SSAYS O F A F R I C A
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OCTOBER 2015
2015/09/08 8:10 PM
EOA READERS’ CORNER
WOMEN’S GLOBAL SOLIDARITY A Hungry Idea EOA reader Ipeleng Tlhankana questions if our concept of women’s solidarity is as strong as that of the women who marched on the Union Building in 1956. recall a time in history when women from all walks of life met at a point and shared what gave strength and impetus to a common cause. Whatever the cause may have been, they dealt with it as a collective. In South Africa, not so long ago, the women of 1956 came together and drew strength, reason, and conviction from what affected each and every woman; the government of the day. Women’s solidarity is a concept that unfortunately appears to be starving of late. Is the world ready for women leaders? Is South Africa ready for women’s input that could effect change and growth? If not, are we then still not repeating the order that we so often claim to be against? Or is it that some women are interested in such a development approach, but only if it promotes and enhances them individually? What happened to women’s global solidarity and why has the concept been left to starve for so long? Why are women not feeding it with hope, collective action, pride, integrity and honesty? Have women given up on the idea because the agenda of the day is so boisterous a male voice that we cannot cope? Perhaps it is because women are often expected to choose between the global solidarity towards one another and the patriarchal influence. The strong women of 1956 have surely left us a legacy of grace. Overcoming centuries of discrimination meant that women from all walks of life broke down boundaries, defied the odds, and carried one another, supported each other towards establishing a wonderful place that allowed their voices to be heard and affirmed. But the spirit and momentum seem to have faded when individual aspirations became bigger than the common cause. Think of:
1. The woman who applies for a social grant that is not served and treated with the same dignity as the woman who drives a BMW and asserts herself among a group of men in a boardroom. 2. The tears wiped away with the dirty handkerchief of a woman who waits in a long queue at a maintenance court. They are no less significant than the tears wiped away with a tissue, that belong to an executive woman whose child has just lost at a hockey match. Women of today, remember that even if some legislative reforms do offer advantage platforms to some of you, this does not imply the sincere application of gender equality and women’s advancement in society. At this point, all we have is the assumption that our circumstances will gradually improve socially, economically and politically, but this change starts with each of us. I applaud all the development approaches where tremendous progress has been made in ensuring that women do count, that they have a considerable voice and strength. The onus is now on progressive women to use whatever opportunities are at their disposal to train and develop each other, and to stand in oneness. The struggle we have of today is on a different level from the women of 1956, but just like them, we can be triumphant through collective effort. When one woman succeeds, no single woman should lose. As we celebrate one another, let’s remember how blessed we are to have a history with phenomenal women like Lillian Ngqoyi, Maya Angelou and Mama Epainette Mbeki, and so many others, who knew that when you get, you must give; that because of another woman, I am. Let us not betray their strength, their conviction, and their lessons, but let’s start to feed the concept of collectiveness with hope and grace. E
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WORDS AND IMAGES BY IPELENG TLHANKANA.
“What happened to women’s global solidarity and why has the concept been left to starve for so long? Why are women not feeding it with hope, collective action, pride, integrity and honesty?”
EssAY S of Afric a
2015/09/09 10:06 AM
Shopping
WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.
FASHION EOA
WHITE DRESS, R5 099, TIGER OF SWEDEN.
TAN DRESS, R199, KELSO, EDGARS.
THREE-QUARTER SLEEVE BLACK DRESS, R3 199, TIGER OF SWEDEN.
BLUE SHIRT DRESS, R799, MANGO. WHITE ADIDAS SNEAKERS, R999, ADIDAS, ZANDO.
BLACK AND WHITE BOOTS, R799, ADIDAS, ZANDO.
MULTICOLOURED FLORAL FLATFORMS, R1 200, SUPERGA.
TAN LEATHER BOOTS, R800, SUPERGA.
FORM & COMFORT IN ONE SIMPLE STEP
Shirt dresses are comfortable, easy to wear and look great with a well-matched pair of sneakers. E SSAYS OF A F R I C A
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OCTOBER 2015
2015/09/09 12:37 PM
EOA UNCOVERED
HAIR MATTERS Part One Regardless of how you choose to wear your hair, every black woman has a story (sometimes funny but often deeply painful) about what she was taught about it, how others viewed it, or the value that was attached to her choice of hairstyle. NDONI KHANYILE shares her hair story.
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This all came to an abrupt end when I left home for varsity and suddenly paying for hair was no longer my parents’ responsibility, but my own. As I cut corners in my hair spend, the hair that used to respond to the slightest breeze collected in clumps on my combs and bathroom floor. I had no choice at that point – I had to cut it all off and start afresh. The most telling comment came from my puzzled straight-haired, light-skinned hairstylist: “I hope your boyfriend is understanding”. At the time, her comment made me so mad that I wrote a poem about it, but I have more compassion for her now. We have all been taught that the brownness of our skins, the deliciously soft kinks that grow from our heads, and our size and shape are all wrong and undesirable. So instead, we look to others to tell us we are worthy and beautiful, whether it is a boyfriend or fashion magazine. I have existed within that same limited thinking and might still have been there had fate not intervened and stripped me of my mask, finally allowing me to really learn about and get to know my hair for what felt like the first time. Next month brings you Part Two of my hair journey where I discovered that ‘all natural’ did not always mean all good. E
What were you told about your hair as a child and how has that affected you as an adult? Share your stories with us on Facebook at Essay Of Africa.
IMAGES: ©ISTOCK.COM.
s African women we have the most unique curl pattern in the world when we let our hair grow naturally. Imagine that no one else on the planet can grow hair like ours or do with it what we can. But instead of celebrating our unique kinks and curls, wearing our hair in its natural state is still too often seen as a radical act that women have to defend in their classrooms, bedrooms and boardrooms. I have experienced the full spectrum of hairstyles and have stood on both sides of the natural versus chemically enhanced black hair worlds. As a young child my mother would not let me chemically straighten my hair, so most of my primary school years were spent sporting a close, simple ‘boy cut’. My memories of this time are patchy, but what stands out are the repeated laments from aunts and family over how ‘it was such a waste that my brother got the good hair’ and that my kind of hair was ‘kaffir hare’, aka the ‘not good’ kind. Come high school, after a considerable amount of pleading and bargaining, my mother finally let me relax my hair. This ushered in the ‘blowing in the wind’ era of hair for me. I was introduced to a world of exciting new styles and my hair confidence grew as I gained length – an intoxicating mix for a teenage girl negotiating adolescence. Every compliment I got made the cost, time and restricted physical routine (goodbye swimming) that relaxed hair imposed on me worth it.
Essays of A frica
2015/09/08 8:16 PM
Shopping
GOLD AND BROWN SANDALS, R479, BRONX, ZANDO.
FASHION EOA
TAUPE BRAIDED SUEDE BLOCK HEELS, R3 386, RAPHAELLA BOOZ.
WHITE WITH RED BLOCK HEELS, R3 100, KAREN MILLEN.
THROWBACK FOR EASY GLAMOUR 1960s block heels are a fashionable must-have this summer.
NUDE BLOCK HEELS, R799, ZOOM, ZANDO.
AALENIA PEEP-TOE BLOCK HEELS, R1 299, ALDO.
WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.
BLACK GLADIATOR BLOCK HEELS, R3 152, RAPHAELLA BOOZ.
MULTICOLOURED SNAKESKIN GLADIATOR BLOCK HEELS, R3 065, RAPHAELLA BOOZ.
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2015/09/09 12:31 PM
EOA FASHION NEWS
JET SPRING/SUMMER 2015 LAUNCH
New luxury label TREBENE offers only the best 100% cashmere scarves, hand-woven in Kashmir, the birthplace of cashmere. The first collection, Wanderlust is inspired by the travel photographs and memories that founder, Bushera Bashir, gathered over the past 10 years of travelling around the world. The collection comprises five uniquely designed scarves inspired by her memories, from Egyptian pyramids to blooming spring flowers in the founder’s native Kashmir, as well as South Africa’s national flower, the Protea. The Wanderlust collection is currently available online at www.trebene.com or at Kingdom Boutique at Cavalli Estate in Somerset West; Virgule in Cavendish Street, Claremont, Cape Town, and at Studio 8 in Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg.
BOW DOWN TO THE BOW BAG
Missibaba devotees are about to be blown away by the five much-loved styles that were revisited during the Iconic Missibaba collection campaign period, with a new beauty being released every month! The Bow Bag is priced at R3 250 and is available in a delicious palette, from juicy apricot to bottle green, made in a selection of patents, suedes, butter soft cowhides and kudu leathers! So go on treat yourself to a Bow Bag!
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TROPICAL TRENDS
WORDS: THINA MTHEMBU. SOURCES: MEGAN MITCHELL, LAMEEZ MOHD, ASANDA MAZWI. IMAGES: THESKINNYBEEP.COM, GIRL ABOUT TOWN PR, VIVID LUXURY, REDSTAR COMMUNICATION.
WRAP yourself UP!
The Jet Spring/Summer 2015 launch at Cresta Shopping Centre was a bustling affair. Guests were warmly received and given welcome cocktails while they perused the trendy yet sophisticated clothes on view in the store, which ranged from sports and casualwear to evening attire. The store was well curated with a ramp in the centre, poised for the fashion show that introduced guests to the new clothing ranges for kids and teens, ladies and gents. An iPad was given away to one lucky guest, along with gift vouchers to all who attended, before the evening ended with delicious food and a networking session.
Spring is here so stash those dark, warm winter clothes right into the back of your closet and watch closely as all the vibrant colours, patterns and silhouette trends come out and play! If your aim is to stand out in the fashion world this spring, simply think oversized florals that bleed onto the fabric. Go for the fun, tropical look because spring is a playful season after all. E
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Shopping
FASHION EOA
SILVER LACE-UP PLIMSOLL TRAINERS, R429, RIVER ISLAND.
METALLIC MAGIC Metallic is back on trend and is best used as a neutral.
METALLIC CROSSOVER STRAP SANDALS, R130, WOOLWORTHS.
METALLIC CROSSBODY BAG, R199, WOOLWORTHS.
ROSE GOLD SNEAKERS, R449, UTOPIA, ZANDO.
WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.
ROSE GOLD FLAT SANDALS, R1 299, TED BAKER.
METALLIC SCUBA LEGGINGS, R160, WOOLWORTHS. SILVER PENCIL SKIRT, R699, RIVER ISLAND. METALLIC SHOPPER, R550, MIMCO.
SILVER GEM SANDALS, R1 049, RIVER ISLAND.
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OCTOBER 2015
2015/09/09 12:29 PM
Sisters in victory The tragedy of sickness is something most families go through at some point. For sisters Soso Thamae and Sue Malotane’s family, illness struck twice and were defeated as many times.
There’s something about sickness that manages to catch us off guard at all times. This was no different for Soso and Sue. The two sisters grew up in Brits and despite some health scares for Soso, everything was going well. “I had lumps in my right breast from when I was 15,” she says, “but luckily they were not cancerous and they were removed.” They redeveloped when Soso was 16 and because her mom’s side of the family has a history in breast cancer, everyone was scared. “I was a teenager and it prevented me from wearing vest tops, because I didn’t want to explain the lumps on my breasts,” Soso explains. “By the time I was 20 I told my mom I didn’t want to go to hospitals anymore; I’d had enough.”
AN INTRODUCTION TO HIV In 2006, Sue was diagnosed with HIV and became very sick. “It was a very tough time for my family,” Soso says, adding, “Sue lost lots of weight and there was a point when she couldn’t even take herself to the toilet, that’s how sick she was.” It was a time that brought the family closer together as they cared for Sue during her illness. “I was very shocked when I found out I was HIV positive. I’d been sick for a long time with flu-like symptoms and had been getting mouth ulcers, but I never thought I would be HIV positive,” she admits. “The thought had not crossed my mind as I assumed that being with only one man sexually, my husband at the time, was keeping me safe.” Sue and her then-husband were already separated when she was diagnosed. “We didn’t split up because of the diagnosis,” she explains. “We had other problems that caused me to leave our marriage.” Even though she was very sick and had to deal with the reality of her condition, Sue says she felt strengthened because of her support system.
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MY JOURNEY EOA Soso says. “She reminded me about how Sue came out victorious. We had faith and that helped us a lot.” One of Soso’s big lessons during this time was that a relationship with someone who is in it for the long haul is priceless. “I’ve learnt that marriages aren’t just about being happy. Every relationship has its challenges,” she says, “but throughout my sickness my husband showed me that he really loves me. I know I can rely on him; he is my supporter and my number one fan.” She emphasises, “We are closer than ever and I’ve never experienced the common notion that men leave you when you’re sick. I had the opposite.” One of the tips she has for women going through sickness is the gift of caring for yourself. “Even though you’re sick and feeling sad, it’s important to take care of yourself; exercise and don’t hang around in your pyjamas all day.” Soso even went on a course to learn how to put on lashes because she knew she would lose them due to chemo. “Try to look good,” she advises. “It helps you feel better.”
“Even though you’re sick and feeling sad, it’s important to take care of yourself…” A STORY OF TRIUMPH
WORDS: ZAMA NKOSI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY SOSO THAMAE AND SUE MALOTANE.
SISTERS, SOSO THAMAE (LEFT) AND SUE MALOTANE (RIGHT)
“My family was very supportive; my siblings and parents assisted me in every way they could. That’s the reason I can stand up and talk about it, knowing that my family supports me. I didn’t tell anyone at work for the fear of stigma at the time, but these days I am free to talk about my status.”
THE C-WORD Sue’s road to recovery would not mean that the family’s trials had come to an end. After Soso gave birth to her second child in 2005, doctors advised her to go for annual breast exams. In 2012, Soso noticed that something was wrong; her breasts were swollen and there was discharge. “They sent me to a specialist who did a biopsy. On 1 August 2012, I
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was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and by 22 August I was undergoing chemotherapy,” Soso shares. “I had 16 shots of chemo over a six-month period and there were really bad days where I would cry alone, wondering why me, but I got to a point where I thought if not me, then who?” Soso underwent a lumpectomy and had reconstructive surgery. “I also had to have radiation therapy every day for seven weeks after I had my reconstructive surgery. It was not an easy time,” she admits, “but having the support of my family went a long way.” Soso explains that Sue’s illness helped equip the family to deal with chronic sickness. “My mom was very sure that I would come out okay,”
Soso and Sue decided to share their story with the world in their book, Sisters’ Triumph, because Sue believed that it would bring hope to people in similar situations. “Our book has allowed people to share their stories too. Sue wanted us to share our story because it’s not common for the first- and second-born in a family to get sick back to back. We are so grateful that we have survived and we want to share that with others,” Soso explains. “I know how much respect I have for my sister and how much people can learn from her story. She is my hero; she has survived her divorce and HIV. What she went through was not easy, but she triumphed. There are many who can relate to our story and that’s the significance of it.” E Sisters’ Triumph can be bought directly from Soso Thamae for R100 via her Facebook page by the same name, Soso Thamae.
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2015/09/08 8:19 PM
A heightened Awareness OF TASTE
Vintner and wine-taster Praisy Dlamini steps out of her comfort zone and into a fashion shoot with EOA.
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REAL WOMAN EOA
FULL BLOOM FLORAL SKIRT, R599, CITY CHIC. LANSKY KNIT TOP, R1 199, PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND; BLUE HIGH-HEEL SANDALS, R649, SISSY BOY; DISK BRACELET, R269; BUCKLE BRACELET, R269; ALL FROM STUTTAFORDS.
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s a top-performing student from Empangeni, KwaZuluNatal (KZN), now 26-yearold Praisy Dlamini was handpicked as the beneficiary of a Department of Agriculture scholarship to pursue studies in agriculture. “I couldn’t make up my mind between a career in wine or food technology, because chemistry was my favourite subject in school,” Dlamini says, but in the end she chose to study winemaking at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch. Having no background in wine, Dlamini says it took a lot of focus, courage and discipline to familiarise herself with something so removed from her own experience. After three months at Elsenburg, she went home for the Easter break with every intention of not returning to college. “It was so far away from home. I was 17 years old and I just felt overwhelmed,” she explains. But her mother talked her into getting back on the bus to Stellenbosch, telling her not to squander the opportunity she had been given. After graduating in 2007, she successfully applied for a place in the Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protégé programme, a mentoring initiative, where aspirant winemakers from historically disadvantaged communities are given the opportunity to work alongside some of South Africa's leading winemakers, all of whom are members of the prestigious by-invitationonly Cape Winemakers’ Guild. Amongst her mentors were Philip Costandius, cellar master at the time of Lourensford, David Finlayson, then of Glen Carlou and now of Edgbaston, and Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira of Graham Beck, together with Irene Waller. After completing the programme, she joined Bergkelder under Andrea Freeborough, another fine teacher she says, and was appointed to the Zonnebloem team in 2013. “I count myself immensely privileged to have been exposed to so many talented and generous people who have taught me so much. Here at Zonnebloem, under Deon Boshoff, I am learning even more. This is such a quality-focused, thriving brand. What I really enjoy is the very considered way in which we work,” Dlamini admits. “Every step you take has a very carefully reasoned rationale.” She has started a tasting group to benchmark what she and her peers are making with other local and international wines, and she now mentors newcomers to winemaking “to give back in the way people have given and continue to give to me”. Dlamini feels good about how many women there are in the wine industry now. “Whether it’s a part of our makeup or because we have been socialised to do it, we have a very heightened awareness of taste, so why not apply that in your career too?” E
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2015/09/08 8:24 PM
HUNADI BLACK LACE DRESS, R950, PLUS FAB. TWO-PART PATENT PUMP, R1 750, CASTELO.
GREEN ZIP DRESS, R750, EPHIA’S DRESS, PLUS FAB. NUDE ASHLEY HIGH-HEEL SANDALS, R1 999, TomMy hilfiger; DISK BRACELET, R269; BUCKLE BRACELET, R269, all from STUTTAFORDS.
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REAL WOMAN EOA
GREEN pocket DRESS, R700, PLUS FAB. ADINA HIGH HEELS, R2 999, TOMMY HILFIGER, STUTTAFORDS.
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2015/09/09 10:21 AM
OT JUMPSUIT, R850, PLUS FAB. DIAMANTÉ PEARL BELT, R279, CITY CHIC. PVC PUMPS, R799, STUTTAFORDS. DISK BRACELET, R269, STUTTAFORDS. BUCKLE BRACELET, R269, STUTTAFORDS.
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WORDS: PROFILE SUPPLIED BY DE KOCK COMMUNICATIONS. PHOTOGRAPHER: THE MOUSIST. STYLIST: TUMI MDLULI. HAIR & MAKE-UP: PRUDENCE SEGAME. LOCATION: L’OPULENCE RESTAURANT IN NELSON MANDELA SQUARE, SANDTON.
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BLACK AND WHITE DRESS, R800, PLUS FAB GLAM POINT DIAMANTÉ HEELS, R2 559, CASTELO. DISK BRACELET, R269, STUTTAFORDS.
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OCTOber 2015
2015/09/08 8:25 PM
REAR ADMIRAL (JUNIOR GRADE) NOMONDE GOGI-GUMEDE MWANSA IS AN INSPIRATION TO THE WOMEN OF SOUTH AFRICA.
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PROFILE EOA
IN the NAVY!
Enlisting for national service doesn’t often cross the mind of many women, but with the right attitude, Nomonde Gogi-Gumede paved a career path in the South African Navy.
ear Admiral (Junior Grade) Nomonde Gogi-Gumede has proved that with discipline, dedication and hard work, she can ensure a successful career in the South African navy maritime industry, a career that involves protecting South Africa’s coastlines and marine resources. Born and bred in the Eastern Cape, GogiGumede (47) was, through the provincial bus and consumer boycotts and school uprisings from July 1985, influenced into politics and joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). “The uprisings lasted until 1986 and this increased the young generation’s political conscience as students of 1985, and influenced many of them to join uMkhonto we Sizwe underground movement at an early age. Between 1985 and 1987 I became both politically and socially active, and was increasingly involved in street committees in my area,” she recalls, before matriculating at Mdantsane’s Nyameko High School in 1990.
WORDS: BULELWA MOKORI. IMAGE: SUPPLIED BY NOMNDE GOGI-GUMEDE.
FINDING HER PATH A school friend helped accommodate Gogi-Gumede in Cape Town while she sought a means to further her studies. “My father, who had been my financial support, passed away and my mother was unemployed,” she explains, “ and I managed to get into the University of Cape Town for Africa Theatre Project from 1990 to 1992.” In 1993, she registered for a Performer’s Diploma in Speech and Drama and graduated in 1995. In 1996 Gogi-Gumede continued with her Bachelor of Arts degree and, through her political involvement, she was integrated into the South African
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National Defence Force, (SA Navy) the following year, in 1997. Gogi-Gumede completed her Military Training for Officers Part1 at SA Navy College in Gordon’s Bay in January 1998 and was appointed as a Public Relations Officer with a Sub-Lieutenant rank in Pretoria. “The same year, I completed the Basic Public Relations course at SA Air Force College and in 1999, the Combat Orientation Course for Non-Combat Officers at SA Navy Warfare School in Simon’s Town. I was later appointed as a SA Navy Internal Communication Officer at Defence Headquarters in Pretoria,” Gogi-Gumede says. Other courses she took that developed her career were the Intermediate Public Relations Course and Cultural Diversity Facilitators’ Course and, after the Appeal Board for Integration process in 2000, Gogi-Gumede was given a Lieutenant rank.
DEDICATION TO HER CAUSE Education has played a large role in GogiGumede’s rising up through the ranks. “In 2003, I completed my Junior Staff and Command Course at Naval Staff College, Muizenberg in Cape Town,” she explains, after which she was appointed and promoted to a Commander rank as a Staff Officer Affirmative Action at Chief Directorate Equal Opportunities, Defence Headquarters in 2004. She then completed her Senior Management Programme in preparation for Joint Senior Command and Staff Course (JSCSC) and in 2008 she completed her JSCSC at SA War College, Pretoria. Gogi-Gumede was promoted to a Captain (SAN) and appointed as a Senior Staff Officer Navy Transformation and in the same year, she was appointed as an Acting Director Navy Transformation from January to September 2009. Later the same year she was awarded the Chief of the
Navy’s Trophy for organising a successful first SA Navy Gender Conference. Since then, Gogi-Gumede has received a Chief of the SA Navy’s Commendation Certificate for her commitment to Transformation and was promoted to a rank of Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) and appointed to Director Maritime Intelligence.
MAKING AN IMPACT A married mother of three, Gogi-Gumede encourages other women, especially young women, to pursue studies in this field. She says that it is nobody’s fault if they are born disadvantaged or underpriviliged, but they can get out from under the shackles of poverty. Gogi-Gumede understands firsthand how a decision to pursue a certain career can change one’s course in life. She adds that she would encourage women to have the confidence to apply for jobs in industries that have traditionally been dominated by men. “These sectors are far more accessible today and can offer some outstanding opportunities for driven individuals to excel and succeed,” Gogi-Gumede says, adding that there are many career opportunities offered in the SA Navy, for both commissioned and non-commissioned officers. “There are programmes to fully empower women to fill posts at all levels of the decision-making structure, both in combat and in support roles, on shore and at sea. Women do get support to ensure they do not encounter obstacles in the execution of their duties.”
“There are programmes to fully empower women to fill posts at all levels of the decision-making structure, both in combat and in support roles, on shore and at sea.” One of the perks that Gogi-Gumede treasures about her job is that she is able to plough back to her community. Her former school, Nyameko, was chosen for refurbishments among other things, with a brand new steel container fitted and fixed to be used as a kitchen. “I am grateful the navy chief agreed to adopt Nyameko because it meant that I would be working for a place close to my heart,” she says with pride. Even though Nomonde is in a great place career wise, she wants to continue to grow with the navy and her country. E
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octob er 2015
2015/09/08 8:27 PM
MULTICOLOUR PANTS, R380; BROWN SHIRT, R200; SUNGLASSES, R300; GREEN BERET, R150, ALL FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. PROTO YELLOW HEELS, R1 299, STEVE MADDEN.
VINTAGE IS forever Step back in time as we model the unforgettable fashions of the ’60s with just the right amount of modern elegance.
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BLUE FLORAL SKIRT, R200, BLUE SHIRT, R150, BOTH FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. BROWN UNENAN HEELS, R999, ALDO.
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2015/09/09 9:23 AM
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FASHION main EOA
BROWN UNENAN HEELS, R999, ALDO. BROWN SKIRT, R250; WHITE TOP, R150; LARGE DIOR SUNGLASSES, R700; YELLOW CARDIGAN, R180, ALL FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. MISCHA EMBROIDERED INSERT BLOUSE, R699, FOREVER NEW. FLORAL SKIRT, R200; BLACK GLOVES, R100; BLACK HEELS, R300; BLACK HAT, R150, BLACK CLUTCH BAG, R100, ALL FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET.
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2015/09/09 10:22 AM
“Fashion fades… Style is eternal.” YSL
GREEN DRESS, R200; RED GLOVES, R100; RED CLUTCH BAG, R450, ALL FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. PROTO YELLOW HEELS, R1 299, STEVE MADDEN.
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TARTAN SKIRT, R250; WHITE TOP, R80; GREEN HAT, R150, ALL FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. MABLE SLEEVELESS JACKET, R799, FOREVER NEW. JILLYY FAWN HEELS, R999, STEVE MADDEN.
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RUSSIAN ARMY BLAZER, R500; WHITE TOP, R80; GREEN SKIRT, R220, ALL FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. CHOEWIA HEELS, R1 199, ALDO. GREEN DRESS, R250; FAUX FUR SCARF, R220; NAVY BLUE GLOVES, R100; WHITE HAT, R150, ALL FROM AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET.
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PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS. STYLIST: TUMI MDLULI. HAIR & MAKE-UP: LUCOH MHLONGO. MODELS: JITE, ALLY KHERY.
FASHION main EOA
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RANI PALAZZO PANTS, R399, FOREVER NEW. RED HANDBAG, R450, AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. ORANGE AND BLACK McCARNEY SANDALS, R599, CALL IT SPRING.
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PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS. STYLIST: TUMI MDLULI. HAIR & MAKE-UP: LUCOH MHLONGO. MODELS: ENO, NILER BERNARD. VINTAGE VEHICLES COURTESY OF KOFIFI MOVEMENT.
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BIG HAT, R200, AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. DRESS, R250, AVIELA’ VINTAGE CLOSET. WHITE CLUTCH, MODEL’S OWN. WHITE McCARNEY HEELS, R599, CALL IT SPRING.
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EOA FASHION MULTICOLOURED TOP, R70, MRP.
Shopping
TASSEL SKIRT, R100, MRP.
TIGHT-FITTING DRESS WITH TASSELS, R100, MRP.
FREYA CLUTCH, R299, FOREVER NEW.
FREE TO FRINGE Add a playful edge to your look with tassels and fringes. FRINGE LEATHER-LOOK SKIRT, R779, RIVER ISLAND.
BEIGE SUEDE TASSEL SANDALS, R1 099, RIVER ISLAND. BLACK FRINGE HEELS, R1 099, RIVER ISLAND.
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WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.
BAG BUCKET TASSEL BAG, R3 800, KAREN MILLEN.
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EOA spoke to Sue-Ellen Branco, the founder of Castelo, whose passion for shoes has led her decision to take her business to the next level.
In shoe
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FASHION INTERVIEW EOA Q How Did You Get Into The Shoe Business?
Whilst some are born into this world with a silver spoon in their mouths, I was born into it with a love for shoes. In his early days, my late grandfather was a shoe cobbler and I think I may have inherited his passion for shoes. Fortunately, as a young girl I was quite confident, expressive and determined, with an unquestionable love for fashion. I felt there was a gap in the market for high fashion shoes and I took the chance. I combined my creative talents with enthusiasm for shoes and Castelo was born.
Q For What Kind Of Woman Does Castelo Cater?
A Castelo woman should be two things: who and what she wants. At Castelo we value women with attitude and confidence. A Castelo woman tells the world, without needing to say a word, that she is bold, beautiful and living the life she aspires to live. I believe that fashion isn’t defined solely by our clothing choices, but is also conveyed through our personalities, and through the way we carry ourselves, and our views of the world. Each day, we put on our shoes that do more than just cover our feet. We choose shoes that represent our personalities, our moods, the times we live in, our ambitions and our desires. Fashion depicts our personalities in terms of visual information and Castelo thrives on allowing women to live their dream through the acquisition of shoes.
Q What Are Some Of The Challenges You Face As A Boutique In The SA Market?
Behind the fabulosity, there are many challenges that we currently face, such as economic instability, currency devaluation, extremely high duty costs, and international chain store competition to mention a few.
Q Can You Talk Us Through How You Choose The Shoes That You Bring Into Your Stores?
Having a passion for fashion, this comes naturally to me. I’m always on the lookout for new trends, styles, fabrics and signatures of designers. Castelo is an exclusive brand, so I am always focused on creating a collection that will not be mimicked by any other stores in SA.
Q What Advice Can You Give Women About Shopping For Shoes? What Do They Need To Look Out For?
I would say ‘penny wise, pound foolish’. Rather spend a little more and get a durable shoe that not only looks better, but also feels better. Spending less costs you more at the end.
Q What Are Some Of The Common Shoe Mistakes That Women Make?
1. Wearing stockings with sandal style shoes or open-toe shoes. Rather than wearing stockings, just moisturise your legs with a good daily moisturiser. This will make your legs look glossy and healthy. 2. Buying shoes that do not fit now. People constantly try on shoes (especially when the heels are on sale), think that they feel a little tight, but convince themselves that they will stretch. Don’t buy a pair of heels with the hope that they’ll fit in the future! 3. Making impulsive purchases. Most women’s shoes are returned because the customer changed their mind. To be certain about your next purchase, we suggest holding off a week or two before buying the shoes. If you’re still dreaming about a certain pair a week later, it’s earned a spot in your closet.
Q How Are South African Women Different, Style Wise, To Women In Other Parts Of The World?
The majority of South Africans are quite conservative and price conscience, whereas Europeans are quite expressive and unique in their individual style. In the past, a lot of the European trends never made it to our shores because we weren’t a very fashion-conscious society. However, things are rapidly changing and I believe fashion is becoming an integral part of our lifestyles and communities.
Q: What Are Some Of Your Personal Attributes That Have Led Your Success In Business?
I’ve always been a hard worker; I got my first job at the age of 14. I understand clearly that there is no substitute for hard work. Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted. I am motivated by the fear of being average; every day I try to make a difference and create something unique within Castelo that makes me proud. But what’s most important to me is having the passion for what I do. Monetary success comes last. If you’re doing what you love, it’s not work.
WORDS: ZAMA NKOSI. IMAGE: ASANDA MAZWI.
Q: What Advice Would You Give To Other Women Who Would Like To Get Into The Fashion Business?
Be wise, be confident and be determined. The only way to the top, first and foremost, is to believe in yourself and your vision. Make sure your passion is what drives you and the beauty of success will always follow you. E
“Each day, we put on our shoes that do more than just cover our feet. We choose shoes that represent our personalities, our moods, the times we live in, our ambitions and our desires.”
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more inadequate. “She would always tell me that I needed to improve myself. If it wasn’t comments about my skin, it was about my body or how I didn’t have style,” Zanele admits. “All these things seem small, but they took their toll on me.” Her experience of the PR world was that looks came first, and Zanele felt she was lacking in that department. “I worked with lots of beautiful women and the culture of the company was that beauty was rewarded, because clients considered the better-looking staff to be more professional.,” she explains. “I was often excluded from certain events and meetings, but would be stuck doing the slog work at the office. It was never said out loud, but I believe it was because my appearance did not meet the criteria.” hen you look at Zanele (37), there are no obvious signs that she is a woman who lives with the heavy burden of hating her looks. This burden is an ever-present one, she says, no matter how much she tells herself to ignore it. “I didn’t always feel the way I do but at this point in my life,” she confesses, “I have had to admit that it’s been with me for half of my life.” For Zanele, the downward spiral to hating her own reflection started when she left university. “I had always been comfortable with myself. Looks were not a huge priority, but I was okay with myself. When I joined the workforce at the age of 22, my selfimage changed drastically and for the first time in my life, I felt inadequate.” Zanele says that she began to notice that her hair was not ‘good’; her skin was spotty and she did not have the ideal ‘yellow bone’ skin tone. “My stomach wasn’t flat, my hips were wide and my teeth were skew,” she adds. “The realisation was like a kick in my stomach.”
UNLUCKY IN LOVE
COMPETING UNFAIRLY
Zanele says that the feeling that your appearance is a hindrance in your life is something that she wouldn’t wish on anyone else. The pain it has caused her has been immeasurable. “Not liking how you look, which is a part of how you experience the world, is difficult,” she admits. “My sisters have lost patience with me because they always say, ‘if you don’t like it, change it’ but it’s not that simple for me. It’s not just one area I need fixed, it’s my whole mindset and I have tried,” Zanele says. Even though she says she’s more at peace with her looks than she has been in a long time, there are times when she feels this has stolen her joy. “I sometimes feel that my life could have been more colourful, more fun and full of more love and good memories if I could accept my looks and not feel like they are a prison,” she confesses. “I see women that I consider to be prettier than me and they are happier too. I also can’t help but envy women who are beautiful, with great bodies. I know their lives aren’t perfect, but at least they don’t live with hating everything about their appearance.” Zanele says what hurts most about how she feels is that she cannot speak openly about it. “People don’t want to hear that you feel ugly; it makes them uncomfortable. So I live with it quietly, pretending to be okay even though I want to cry when I walk past the mirror.” * Name has been changed.
Zanele joined a PR firm after graduation, where she thought her dreams would come true. Instead, she was met with a boss who was very critical of her looks and made her feel even
I HATE THE WAY I LOOK
Like many women, Zanele has kissed many frogs in her dating life but like in her career, she believes her looks have negatively affected her love life. “Men love beautiful women and I sometimes didn’t get the chance to be with some of the men I would have liked to be with because they did not see me that way,” she laments. There was a man that she didn’t get a chance with, whom she still believes could have been her one. “We were friends and could speak about everything under the sun. I was hopeful that one day he would open his eyes and that I was the right woman for him,” Zanele reveals. “Instead, over the years he would ask me to hook him up with my friends and family members. If I looked differently, would he have recognised that what we had went beyond friendship? I can’t be sure, but I think so.”
A HEAVY LOAD TO CARRY
We are always encouraged to get comfortable in our skin but for Zanele*, who has spent the last 15 years hating the way she looks, the journey has been an impossible one.
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HAVE YOU HEARD OF BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER? Mayo Clinic defines body dysmorphic disorder or body dysmorphobia (fear of deformity) as a type of chronic mental illness where a person obsesses itensely over their appearance or body image, often for many hours a day. They see flaws (real or imagined) which causes them significant distress, and this obsession impacts their ability
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to function in their daily life. In severe cases, people seek cosmetic procedures or excessively exercise to try to ‘fix’ your perceived flaw, but you’re never satisfied. Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy over your looks? How do you deal with it? Share your stories with us on Facebook at Essay Of Africa. E
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Channelling her inner
QUEEN Nandi Mngoma has many titles behind her name, including that of actress and singer, but beyond them lies a short-haired beauty with the desire to help others see the African queens within them rise.
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COVER STORY EOA he year 2015 has been a busy and successful one for Nandi Mngoma. The opportunities that have come her way have put her more in the public eye than ever, something that is a surefire win for people in the entertainment industry. “This year has been an incredible one. It started with the end of my Legit summer campaign, which was amazing!” she tells EOA. “We shot a music video for that campaign and introduced a bikini range – there were many firsts for both Legit and myself. I thought I was going to take a break because I was so busy with the campaign, but this year had other surprises for me.” Even though a lot of what would unfold was not in her plans, Mngoma has always had a clear idea of what she wants to do. “I’ve always cared about doing things properly and being professional in everything that I do,” she emphasises. “I think that and everything else I have been through prepared me for this year.”
IT’S A HIT
Mngoma is not a novice in the music industry, having released a self-titled album in 2012. When she was approached by rapper K.O. to do Skhanda Love, she admits to being a bit reluctant. “I was skeptical because I’m not a hip-hop artist and didn’t want to jump on the hype bandwagon, because that’s not who I am.” She adds, “I was advised to do the song by head of A&R at Sony Music, Zakes Bantwini. He said it was a good song that would suit me and I decided to follow that advice.”
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One can never tell whether or not a song will be a hit, so when Skhanda Love was charting around the country, Mngoma’s schedule filled up quickly again. “I was very busy with the song at the beginning of this year. I think essentially what it’s done is show my musical diversity. Because I’m a new artist, it showed that I’m a chameleon and am not limited to any one genre.” And that was not where it ended. Nandi also collaborated with Bantwini on a song called Dance, which was released on Freedom Day, 27 April 2015. The song had a strong message of African unity and was very relevant at the time after South Africa had just experienced another spate of xenophobic attacks. “I was very excited to do this song. It’s unique and I had synergy with the song,” Mngoma explains. “It is very musical, very African and I wanted to be a part of it. It’s about breaking boundaries and bringing something new to our exciting music scene.”
WEARING MANY HATS
Included in her busy schedule is working as a presenter on SuperSport during the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) and bagging a spot in the Woolworths ‘Are You With Us?’ campaign with international star Pharrell Williams. “Who wouldn’t say yes to this campaign? I love Pharrell!” Mngoma enthuses. “I grew up listening to his music. I always try to maintain individualism, so I can relate to him in many ways and I felt I could connect with him in that way,” she explains. This opportunity was deeper than just meeting a celebrity – it essentially meant meeting a man who helped guide Mngoma through her adolescence. “It was a reminder of how capable I am and how capable our country is. It was a reminder about how our talent can be global,” Mngoma emphasises.
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COVER STORY EOA
“My dad always told me to act naturally and be who I am. My life is not perfect, so I don’t want to pretend to be perfect 24/7. It’s a great life and it’s one that I love…”
Just when you think her plate couldn’t get any fuller, the beautiful entertainer has another project up her sleeve – this time as an actress on a new telenova on Mzansi Magic called The Road. “That was also a surprise!” she says with a laugh. “I got a call on my birthday (20 March) from Bomb Productions, asking me to audition for this role,” Mngoma explains. She admits to being a bit skeptical because she knew from her acting days in high school that it is a demanding skill, so she delayed the audition for as long as possible. After the auditions were over, Bomb Productions called her back to show them what she could really do with a role they thought would be great for her. And just like that, Mngoma landed the role of Zoe, a woman who has been through a lot in her young life, but is determined and hardworking. “The character is very different to me in the sense that we have lived very different lives,” she explains. “She is someone to whom many people will be able to relate and that’s something that really excites me about her character.” What makes The Road an even more special project for the talented Mngoma is that she worked with the production company when she moved to Johannesburg from Durban. “When I landed in Joburg, I got a call from my agency
at the time to audition for a commercial,” she explains. “That was my first time working with Teboho Mahlatsi and, 10 years later, I will be working with him again.”
SIMPLY THE BEST
Mngoma is working with some of the best in their fields, including Woolworths, SuperSport and Bomb Productions. “That makes me want to grow at every turn and also be at my best,” she says. “When I get into any new territory, I listen and learn and that’s what I’m doing now with The Road, as I work with legends like mam’ Nandi Nyembe and many others. They have been very kind and supportive of me and it really feels like we are a family.”
KEEPING IT REAL
When asked if there is any truth to the constant chatter that girls in the SA entertainment industry don’t get along well with each other, a relaxed Mngoma says, “If you are truly confident and know who you are, then there’s no need to be in competition.” She adds, “I feel like females in general have the unfortunate habit of being in competition with one another. Thankfully, I get along with the girls in the industry. I’m not saying there isn’t any cattiness – there is. But I don’t like being petty and don’t involve myself in it.”
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WORDS: ZAMA NKOSI. PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS. STYLIST: TUMI MDLULI. HAIR & MAKE-UP: LUCOH MHLOGO. FASHION: ROBOT TRADING.
With social media playing such an important role in celebrity branding and life, many fall into the trap of constant pressure to live the fabulous life. Mngoma says her father gave her good advice years ago in this regard. “My dad always told me to act naturally and be who I am. My life is not perfect, so I don’t want to pretend to be perfect 24/7. It’s a great life and it’s one that I love, but I never want to create a façade about it.” And as if to confirm her stance on rumour mongering, she gracefully refuses to add fuel to the fire when asked about the ones of her dating Zakes Bantwini. “I don’t talk about my relationships because nothing good can come out of that. It links to that pressure of creating facades, so I keep that private.” With the year coming to a rapid close, Mngoma admits how happy she is with how well it has turned out thus far. “I’m euphoric at this point in my life and humbled to be fulfilling all my expectations!” As she experiences her dreams come to life, she says, “To be able to do that without having to keep up and pretend to be someone else is a gift that I don’t take lightly.” E
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ITEM OR OUTFIT EOA
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YELLOW DRESS, R3 900, KAREN MILLEN. DUSTY GOLD EARRINGS, R349, LUCKY BRAND, EDGARS.
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Stay on top of your taxes
With the end of tax season fast approaching, make sure you’re on the right side of SARS.
“If you earn less than R350 000 for a full year and you’re not receiving any other income or don’t need to make any other claim, you don’t have to submit a tax return,” explains Ramathibela. “But if you’re claiming for petrol, a car allowance, or retirement and medical expenses, you will need to submit a return.” If you have a part-time job apart from your fulltime job, you need to declare this with SARS as additional income. And if you have more than one employer or income source, for example a late spouse or partner’s pension income or moonlighting income, you still need to file, even if the total is less than R350 000. Trusts are also required to submit an annual income tax return.
ctober has arrived, and with it that lastminute rush to get those tax returns filed in time. According to Head of Finance and Accounts of Clivera Inc., Lerato Ramathibela, it’s important to know the tax season’s opening and closing dates. The 2015 tax season started on 1 July for individuals and runs until November. Important dates to keep in mind for this year are 30 September, when manual/postal submissions are due, and 27 November for all submissions completed at a SARS branch or via eFiling. “Avoid late filing,” Ramathibela cautions. “File while there is time and don’t procrastinate so you don’t incur interest and penalties.” She says filing in time is key as SARS may require additional documentation or correspondence in order to complete your submission.
TOP TIPS FOR TAX SEASON
1. Don’t File A Tax Return If You Don’t Need To
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2. Keep Your Tax Number Safe Your income tax reference number is a unique 10-digit number issued by SARS when you register. “Always keep your tax number safe and know where you’ve kept it,” Ramathibela advises. “Most people forget where they’ve stored it as they only use it once a year.” If you’re registered, you can find your tax number on your notice of registration from SARS, employee tax certificate, or Income Tax Workpage on eFiling if you’re a registered eFiler. 3. Know The Ins And Outs Of Your Medical Claims According to Ramathibela, when claiming for medical expenses paid out of your own pocket, you can “only claim for prescribed medication and must be the principal member of your medical aid scheme.” Overstating the number of dependents for medical claims is a criminal offence. It’s also imperative not to overstate your out-of-pocket medical expenses, because SARS will ask for your receipts. 4. Don’t Play The Guessing Game If you’re not sure of something on your return, IRP5s or any other document in relation to filing for your taxes, phone the SARS helpline or go to the nearest branch, as the service consultants will give you the correct advice. Alternatively, consult with a tax practitioner.
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WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: ©ISTOCK.COM.
5. Tax Certificates Are Essential “You can only claim deductions for which you have a tax certificate,” explains Ramathibela. The figures that you submit on your return need to be the same as what appears on your contribution certificates from your retirement annuity fund, income protection scheme, medical aid, etc. To avoid penalties, make sure you have the correct documentation and proof for every claim you make. 6. Don’t Lie Ramathibela urges people not to fabricate information on their tax returns. This is a common trap with serious consequences. “If you were not charged for taxes or deductions made on your income, don’t claim the expense that doesn’t exist. SARS will pick up the discrepencies,” she warns. Declare all income received during the year of assessment, including rent, interest, and income from a part-time job.
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7. Don’t Overinflate Another trap people fall into with potentially negative ramifications is inflating the value of their vehicle. Ramathibela warns strongly against this. 8. Keep A Logbook “Don’t claim for petrol or travel expenses if you don’t keep a logbook. It is a requirement by SARS to keep one, and the kilometres travelled must be accurate and not fabricated,” says Ramathibela. She adds that it will be needed should there be an audit. 9. Be Careful Of Scams Be vigilant when it comes to scams. “Don’t give out your banking details to anyone, even if they claim they are a SARS agent or consultant,” Ramathibela cautions. “Be careful not to accept any links via e-mail
that will need you to verify your banking details. SARS will never ask you for this information via e-mail.” 10. Be Prepared According to the SARS website, you will need the following documents on hand to complete your tax return, where applicable: l IRP5 or IT3(a) certificates from your employer or pension fund. l Financial statements. l Medical aid certificates and receipts. l Retirement annuity fund contribution certificates. l Tax certificates for investment income. l Completed confirmation of diagnosis of disability form. l Information relating to capital gains transactions. l Travel logbook. E
For more tax advice, contact Clivera Inc on +27 (0)10 593 0460, e-mail info@clivera-inc.co.za or visit www.clivera-inc.co.za.
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POWER IN Women’s events and networking sessions are growing in popularity and for good reason; they have the ability to connect women in a unique way. We speak to two women who have pursued their passion for women’s events to find out how their journey has been. utting together events has always been a feasible career path for some, but for others it is something that grows on them with time. August saw thousands of women’s events pop up around the country in celebration of Women’s Month but there is always the question of what happens after the month ends? For some like Carol Mpawu and Masanda Peter, the journey continues, the conversations don’t cease, and the impact grows.
A PASSION FOR DIALOGUE Masanda Peter started off as a writer, focusing on women’s issues and parenting features – both topics she feels very strongly about. “I would write articles on hard-hitting issues that aren’t always easy to talk about. The response from those articles would always be great and people would invite me to come speak at their events. Initially the events were for the title that I was writing for and then some churches also started inviting me to talk about these issues that were, and still are, affecting women,” explains Peter. As Peter’s circle of influence grew and she was doing more talks, an idea came to her. “I realised that events was a great space for women to get together and speak about a variety of topics. I would often find that once we started discussing a difficult topic, others in the room would also open up about the fact that they are going through something similar.” Peter started a Facebook group called Yummy Moms. The idea was to create an online space where women could get together to freely discuss issues pertaining to their lives. “We discuss everything, including topics like how to get maintenance from your child’s father. The support has been so great that when women are in close proximity, some would even accompany a group member who needs to go to court to fight for maintenance,” says Peter with pride.
CREATING COMMUNITIES
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Peter’s group has grown in number to 1 300 women who are each other’s source of support. Their role in each other’s lives has transcended social media and is making a difference in their lives. “We organise dates where we take our kids to the movies, we do weekends away, and we help pick up each other’s kids from school, among other things,” she explains, adding, “Most people aren’t from
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WOMEN’S NETWORK EOA Johannesburg and that can easily make you feel like an island. It’s important to know that if I can’t fetch my child from school, I have other mothers that can help. Since there are no grandparents and aunts, we have created other means. It has worked so well that when someone has an issue, they inquire within the group first to see if we can’t find someone who can help.”
“The culture of living an isolated life where you go to work, come home and not share your burdens is taking its toll on all of us and prevents us from being our best selves.” Her initiative has grown to events as well. Her latest one was in August where over 100 women got together to talk openly and come up with solutions for the challenges in their lives. “One of the topics tackled at this event was how we, as the black middle class, seem to not cope with our finances while our parents, who had far less, seemed to make it work somehow,” Peter says. “That’s an important conversation because a lot of people feel under pressure to drive fancy cars and take their children to the best schools, when the reality is that they can’t afford it. The events allow us to try and come up with solutions that people can apply,” she says. “The culture of living an isolated life where you go to work, come home and not share your burdens is taking its toll on all of us and prevents us from being our best selves.”
WORDS: ZAMA NKOSI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY MASANDA PETER AND CAROL MPAWU.
DO IT YOURSELF Peter says she advises other women to create tribes for themselves, whether it is through events or online, as a means of making their lives better. “The advice I would give is that even though it seems hard, it is very doable. It helps to have people you can talk to and who support you. Find people who are similar to you in some ways,” she says. “One of the things we spoke about at our last event was how to balance being a corporate woman and being the child your parents expect you to be when you go back home. So many of us could relate.”
Her final word is that when women get together, it benefits not only themselves, but their families too. “Whether the women are married or single, they find solace and support in the group. As the generation of correction, it is up to us to correct some of the mistakes our parents made,” Peter admits. “How can we do things better so that as women we can raise balanced children. The only way to do such things is to do events that will open up platforms for important conversations to happen.”
PUTTING GOD INTO WOMEN’S EVENTS Carol Mpawu was working as a senior claims handler at the Road Accident Fund when she first got involved with women’s events. “I’m part of the generation that was politically involved in our country. I didn’t write my exams in 1985 alongside other students who were protesting against Afrikaans, so I have been very conscious of the role politics has had in our society. In 2011, after much thought, I got the idea to take the Women’s Day celebrations to the church. The idea was that we wanted to commemorate this day by thanking God for what He had done for us over the years,” explains Mpawu. Getting the event started was not an easy feat. Mpawu had to sacrifice a month’s salary, had her debit orders returned, and couldn’t pay her son’s school fees that month in order to be able to put the event together. “My cousin, Mesi Thusi, and I had very few people supporting the idea, so we had to make it work ourselves. That year we had 30 women who came to the event.”
BLOOMING BUSINESS In the second year, Mpawu’s event boasted 145 guests in attendance and Thami Ngubeni as one of the speakers. “We were getting positive feedback and growing. I was doing the marketing of the events myself. I would wake up early and hand out flyers in the Pretoria CBD to commuters. I would do it again during my lunch hour and on my way home. The process was not easy because it can be so hurtful when you see people throwing away your flyers and you know how much they have cost you in terms of money and effort. But there were also good moments when people would approach me for flyers and show interest in what I was trying to do,” says Mpawu.
To reach Masanda Peter, e-mail her at info@daderocommunications.com.
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She has since quit her job and is focusing on growing her territory in this field. “These events made such a difference to the people who came. It becomes like therapy because a lot of people are going through similar situations. We also develop very real relationships through these events,” she says. Even though religion is a big part of her events, Mpawu says the intention is not to exclude anyone. “I am a Christian and one of the outcomes I would like to see is people accepting Jesus Christ into their lives. But there are other outcomes as well, including networking and being able to share our stories. People who aren’t Christian are also welcome, which is why we call ourselves Godly women in service – united and inspired in our diversity.” Mpawu will be doing more events, including a mother and daughter event in November 2015. “We are growing bigger because there is a need for these events. We all come out of them better.” E
To reach Carol about her events, e-mail her on devineprerogative@ gmail.com or send her a request on Facebook under the name Carol Mpawu.
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SORRY, NOT SORRY Women are more likely than men to say “sorry”– even when we’ve done nothing wrong. Here’s why being apologetic could be a sign of a bigger problem, which may be setting you back at work and at home.
pend a few minutes thinking about your day. How often did you agree to do something, even though you might not have had the time? How often did you back down, even though you felt strongly against something? And, most importantly, how often did you say “sorry”, even though you didn’t feel apologetic? Chances are you filtered down your assertiveness more often than you realised at the time, and you’re not alone when it comes to this struggle. Studies show that women say “no” less than men do, and we’re more inclined to say “sorry”. In fact, it’s practically our goto response when we are questioned. But what many of us don’t realise is that using this kind of language perpetuates the idea that women are somehow weaker and, frankly, it won’t get you anywhere. We believe it is time to change the language women use in order to empower ourselves in all spheres of our lives.
WHAT’S WITH THE SORRIES? In 2014, Pantene released an ad entitled “Not sorry” that asked the question: “Why are women always apologising?” It highlighted situations in which women began sentences with an apology. Does, “Sorry, can I ask…” sound familiar? Spoiler alert: women apologised, even when they’d done nothing wrong, and
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perhaps this is because we’ve been programmed to do that. Relationship and family counsellor, Janet Winterbourne, says we have a need to explain ourselves. “It may stem from an outdated need by a woman to prove herself worthy or to be validated. We’ve inherited that gender supposition that it’s what we, as women, must do,” Winterbourne explains. We’re trained to believe we’re “less than”, and it results in submission. Psychologist and life coach, Claire Newton, says, “Women are taught to be submissive, not assertive. It involves avoiding any confrontation, not taking responsibility or making decisions, yielding to someone else’s preferences, and being inexpressive of her feelings and desires.” Also, and no surprises here, women are much quicker than men to think they’ve been offensive, and feel guilty about it. “Women have a lower threshold for what they consider offensive,” says clinical psychologist, Teboho Monyamane. “A study indicated that when men thought their actions were offensive to others, they would apologise for them, but women regarded more things as offensive than men did.” But, it’s not only the word “sorry” that makes women seem submissive. Another problematic word is “just”. In July, former Google and Apple executive, Ellen Petry Leanse, wrote on Business Insider that she’d noticed women often using the word “just” in
the workplace. Think along the lines of ‘I was just checking up on…’ She said, “It was a ‘permission’ word, in a way a warm-up to a request, [and] an apology for interrupting.” And, it certainly didn’t get female employees what they wanted, she concluded. “I realised that striking it from a phrase almost always clarified and strengthened the message,” wrote Leanse. The idea of women retreating and being quick to take on the blame is also linked to a more sinister behaviour in society; that women are there to be used, and keep quiet about it. You only need to look at the concept of victim blaming to know that women are attacked when they feel brave enough to speak up, so we usually don’t. “I think violence also plays a role,” says Newton. “In so many parts of the world, violence against women is seen as acceptable. So, women are too scared to say ‘no’.”
WHY CHANGE? So, we say“sorry” a lot, and don’t say “no” enough. What’s the big deal? It’s just a word, right? Sadly, that’s not the case. Saying sorry, and refusing to say no, isn’t about being polite. It sends a message of submission. “Constantly apologising when you have not done anything wrong creates and reinforces the belief that you are always guilty or in the wrong,” says Monyamane. “Apologising for the sake of keeping the peace or avoiding conflict creates a feeling of dissonance and takes away your power.”
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WORDS: KIM GARNER. IMAGES: ©ISTOCK.COM.
SELF-EMPOWERMENT EOA
This kind of language could be a sign of low self-confidence; women who view themselves as less than worthy are particularly used to apologising and it can also lead to you not feeling good enough. Winterbourne reminds us: “It stops people from seeing who we really are and can promote a negative image of someone without confidence.” And, if we’re constantly teaching people how to treat us, saying “sorry” all the time teaches others that we’re ‘wrong’, which is a one-way ticket to unhappiness. “Not asserting yourself properly can mean you’ll experience an increase in anxiety, stress, frustration, anger and depression,” says Newton. Learning to assert yourself, and being aware of how much time you spend apologising, or using submissive language can mean you’re more likely to excel at work, and at home. “There are many benefits to asserting yourself,” explains Newton. “You’ll be more clearly understood, and more effective, as you’ll have no need to resort to aggression, sarcasm or deviousness at work. Also, you’ll waste less energy on anger and frustration, which will lead to you being more productive.” And the more you learn to set limits on how much work you take on, without feeling guilty, the better your relationships will be. “You’ll be able to stand your ground when necessary, or be flexible when appropriate,” says Newton. And that’s the happy medium we should strive for to show that women are worthy equals, and by no means helpless and submissive. As Monyamane puts it: “Remember, being assertive takes you a step closer towards living authentically.”
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SAVE YOUR SORRIES FOR WHEN IT COUNTS Ditch the sorries and be more assertive with these tips from Claire Newton and Janet Winterbourne. Identify when you use the word in the wrong context and choose the right words for the situation. Stay calm: A calm yet assertive request carries much more weight with most people than an angry outburst. Look directly at the other person: Looking down or away conveys the message that you are not quite sure about asking for what you want. Maintain an open rather than closed posture: If you are sitting, do not cross your legs or arms. If standing, stand erect and on both feet. Face the person you are addressing directly rather than standing off to the side. Stand your ground: Do not back off or move away from the other person, but remember to respect the other person’s personal space. Keep your tone of voice firm but calm: Do not raise your voice and certainly do not shout. Understand and accept that you have certain basic rights: Know you have the right to your own needs, respect, and to not have to justify yourself to anyone. E
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The politics of changing your
SURNAME
It’s common practice for women to change their surnames when they get married. But what’s the significance of a surname and, more importantly, what options do women have when making this choice. partner at will is enshrined in the laws of most countries around the world. While the legal frameworks that govern how marriage happens have expanded significantly, our social conventions around it remain stubbornly conservative. Saying ‘I do’ presents a plethora of questions about whom women choose to be within a marriage and it seems society at large is eager to weigh in on our choices.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
he last 100 years have seen many changes in the social perceptions and legislation around the institution of marriage. Women have gone from being legal minors and extensions of property passed from one man to another, to autonomous beings whose right to choose, or not choose, a
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The distinctly English custom of marital surname changes is rooted in a history that most 21st century brides would find difficult to stomach. The notion of hereditary last names only gained favour amongst English society in the 14th century, a time when women were considered the property of their husbands and hence had no last name, except for ‘wife of so and so’.
Come the 15th century and Christianity had influenced the notion of the union so that husband and wife were now seen as ‘one flesh and blood’. Women began taking their husband’s last names as an indication of this spiritual oneness, and their husband’s legal claim to them. It wasn’t until the 19th century that women outside of the aristocracy were able to petition the courts to use their maiden names, but by then the custom of marital name changes had been exported and adopted throughout Europe and the British colonies and, in many cases, entrenched as law. In the United States, abolitionist and suffragist, Lucy Stone, was gaining notoriety as she challenged lawmakers who would not allow her to buy property if she didn’t sign her husband’s name, even though there was no law at the time requiring her to do so. She won that
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RELATIONSHIPS EOA battle and shortly after made a public announcement that she had not changed her name and would never do so. Stone is credited with galvanising American women around the issue and famously said, “My name is the symbol of my identity and must not be lost.” The debate intensified in the 1960s and 1970s as women’s roles within the larger society changed rapidly. Everincreasing numbers of young women in America and Britain were choosing to keep their family names, but the oftencontentious custom still holds appeal for many women.
WORDS: NDONI KHANYILE. IMAGE: ©ISTOCK.COM.
WHEN IN AFRICA… In Southern Africa, the norms that traditionally governed women’s identities before and after marriage had less to do with land and property rights, but more with the expression of complex social hierarchies and systems. Peter Magubane explains some of these systems in his book Vanishing Cultures Of South Africa: Changing Customs In A Changing World (St Martins Press, 1998). One’s identity came not only from one’s mother and father, but also from the larger clan your family was grouped in. Both men and women inherit their clan name from their father, and marriage within your clan was seen as a ‘heinous offence’, especially amongst Nguni people. Women would use their clan names from birth to death and were referred to as ‘Ma (insert clan name here)’ regardless of their marital status. Bloodlines were as important in South Africa as they were in 15th century England, but wealth was communally owned and not individually inherited, so communal belonging and being able to trace one’s ancestry and origins were of paramount importance. While both societies were organised according to patriarchy, African women at that time did not share their English compatriots’ struggle to affirm an identity that was separate from their husbands’.
A MODERN TWIST At the dawn of 21st century patriarchy, tradition, bureaucracy, and public perception have conspired to make the issue of surname changes contentious on both sides of the ideological spectrum. Internationally celebrated human rights lawyer, Amal Alamuddin, was
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heavily criticised after she married George Clooney and took on his last name recently. Actress Zoe Saldana and her new husband, Marco Perego, also made headlines after he chose to take on her last name. He was largely hailed as a feminist and Mrs Clooney was criticised for what was seen as an old-fashioned choice. Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, who holds a PhD in Feminist Oral Studies, conducted research with 44 married, divorced and widowed women to find out what drives South African women’s decision to keep or change their names after marriage. “What transpires from the discussion about this body of work is that marital names form and reflect ideas held about personal identities, children’s wellbeing, as well as underlying perceptions held by the general public about women,” Professor Meyiwa explains. The majority of women in her study chose to take on their husband’s name after marriage and most kept it after the union ended. Only five of the 44 women interviewed kept their maiden names and only one of those five women was a native South African. While the law allows all women freedom of choice in this matter, Professor Meyiwa’s study shows just how much social and public pressure women face when making decisions about their marriages – sometimes from the very people who are meant to enforce their legally protected rights. Many women from the study reported stipulating their name preference on their marriage documents, only to learn later that government institutions such as the Department of Home Affairs had changed their name to their husband’s, regardless of the preference stated. One of the women wanted to change her husband’s surname (which she took at marriage) to a double-barrel surname after her divorce. She describes the bureaucracy of the department as endless and seemingly punitive. “These accounts indicate that government systems and officials find marital name choices that defy social conventions confusing and thus insist on directing women’s choices,” Professor Meyiwa added. None of the five women who chose to keep their surnames expressed regret at their choice, but all described facing difficulty with the organisational attitudes of various banks, medical
aid schemes, schools, churches, etc. towards their choice.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE A MRS? While the final choice is up to the individual, it doesn’t mean that making the decision is always simple. Here are some factors to consider when weighing up your options.
1. Have The Talk Make time to discuss your preferences around changing your name with your fiancé. You can avoid confusion and resentment by being honest about your feelings, and considering any thoughts he or his family may have on the issue. You are signing up for a partnership, so why not get a jumpstart on open and honest communication.
2. Do Your Paperwork Decide what kind of marriage contract you are comfortable entering into, and make your choices clear to your marriage officer. You will automatically be married in community of property, as well as assume your future husband’s last name unless you provide an antenuptial contract and state your name preference on the marriage form that will be submitted to Home Affairs before the wedding day. Check www.dha.gov.za for the SMS number to verify your marital status with the department after the wedding.
3. Get Your Tech Right So much of our lives are lived online and it’s important that you give thought to how you would like to manage your online identity. If you’re planning to change your name, search your new surname and reserve the domain if it’s available. Decide if your name will be consistent across all platforms and start to reserve those profiles too, i.e. Gmail, Twitter, etc. Make sure you keep your avatar so people know it’s still you!
4. Make Peace With It Marriage is challenging regardless of race, religion or cultural background. Know that you will never be able to satisfy everyone, but if you make a decision based on your beliefs and value systems you will be better equipped to face any opinions that may come your way. You have to carry your name with you, so make sure it’s one you are at peace with. E
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WHAT’S YOUR CHOICE? Although there are a number of contraceptives available to women across the continent, most people aren’t aware of these options. EOA compiled this easy guide to help you pick the best contraception for your body.
omen are responsible for their own reproductive health and decisions, but for some their choices as to when and where they start or grow their families are often left to fate. Like cancer and circumcision, contraception is another big C-word that is seldom discussed openly. If preventing pregnancy is the aim, it is essential that every woman knows what her options are. A consultation with your doctor and a few tests are important to assess what kinds of contraceptives are best suited for your body. However, in addition to using condoms when engaging in intercourse, there are several easy indicators as to which birth control method may work best for you. Dr Ntlotleng Mabena of the Open House organisation says, “When people use contraceptives, they forget other good sexual practices. Condoms don’t only prevent pregnancy, but they also curb sexually transmitted diseases. None of these methods are one hundred percent effective, so female contraceptives can be your insurance policy when a condom breaks.” She also explains that the available contraceptive methods for women are divided into two categories: short-acting contraceptives (SAC) and long-term or long-acting contraceptives (LAC). SACs include oral contraceptives such as the pill, of which there are two types, and the patch. LAC include intrauterine devices (referred to as IUDs) and implants, while the contraceptive injection falls between the SAC and LAC options because one shot can last up to three months. Dr Mabena says sterilisation should also be considered a method of contraception. “The conversation about
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sterilisation is one we rarely want to have, but it’s a vital discussion because it’s a couple who conceive children, not women alone. Yes, sterilisation for men and women is irreversible, but we must remember that’s it’s important to make better informed decisions, as hormonal contraceptives can put women at risk for cancer, especially if relatives have had cancer before.” According to Dr Mabena diseases such as cancers are made more visible or accentuated by the hormones in contraceptives. “But it’s not the contraceptives that cause the problems, as we’ve seen people whose bodies go back into their normal cycles once they’ve stopped using contraceptives.” Here is more information about contraceptives that are available throughout the African continent, which will help you make an informed decision about this important step in your reproductive health.
FOR ON-THE-GO GUGU
Method: The Pill Suited for: The woman who has a sharp memory and wants to keep tabs on her fertility. Because: There are two kinds of pills. A combined pill that contains oestrogen and progestin, as well as the mini-pill that only contains progestin. Both these methods have to be administered at the same time every day, which means keeping strict tabs on your timetable. The Pill is also ideal for someone who prefers to continue to menstruate monthly.
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SEX & INTiMaCY INTIMACY EOA Pros: After a month of getting off the Pill, chances are good that you will be fertile again. Cons: Like all hormonal contraceptives, the Pill may increase your metabolism. This may cause women to indulge more and gain weight. Price: The Pill is free at public hospitals and clinics, but cost around R100, depending on the brand, in the private sector.
Method: The Patch Suited for: A woman who doesn’t want to ingest anything. Like with the pill, she should also not smoke or excessively drink, as these practices will thicken the blood which may cause strokes and heart attacks. Because: Similarly to the Pill, the patch is active for three weeks of the month, with the remaining week making allowance for menstruation to kick in. Pros: The effects of the patch are easily reversible. Cons: The patch may cause skin irritation in some users. SACs aren’t effective if one is on a course of antibiotics at the same time. Price: The patch is free at public hospitals and clinics, but costs between R300 and R500, depending on the brand, in the private sector.
WORDS: HELEN HERIMBI. IMAGES: ©ISTOCK.COM.
Method: The Injection.
Suited for: A person who only wants to think about birth control once every quarter of the year. A smoker may find this to be the best method for her. Because: Invented in the 1960s, the injection also contains the progestin hormone. It can be administered to last eight weeks or up to 12 weeks. Pros: Only one injection is needed in each threemonth cycle, which makes this contraceptive method convenient as it works 24 hours a day. Cons: Once the shot has been administered, it’s impossible to reverse the release of the hormone within that three-month period. Dr Mabena says: “Returning to fertility after being on the injection may take longer – between three and six months – than after using the pill. Note, there are cases where fertility is never achieved again.” Price: The injection is free at public hospitals and clinics, but costs around R100, depending on the brand, in the private sector.
Method: The Implant. Suited for: Women who don’t want the hassle of having to remember a specific time to ingest their contraceptive. Because: Like the Pill, the implant contains progestin and once implanted into the arm, this contraceptive releases this hormone slowly over three years. Pros: The implant gives you a secure window if you’ve decided to not have children for a period of three years. Cons: Says Dr Mabena, “Some people stop bleeding completely or have uncontrolled bleeding, which can happen for two or three months after insertion of the implant.” Price: The implant is free at public hospitals and clinics, but costs between R1 000 and R2 000 for the device and around R500 for insertion by a medical professional.
Method: Intrauterine Devices
Suited for: The woman who doesn’t easily remember to take birth control at a regulated time each day. Because: There are copper-based IUDs, as well as hormonal ones. These are inserted into the uterus through the vagina, and can be an effective form of birth control up to five years with the hormonal IUD and up to 10 years with the copper variety. Pros: Because IUDs are effective at all times during the respective timeframes, these, like all LACs, work even when a woman is taking antibiotics, unlike with oral contraceptives. Cons: With this and other contraceptives, some users have complained about a change in libido but Dr Mabena says, “Sex drive depends on the hormonal structure of the individual and some people only notice that they’re generally low once they are on a contraceptive.” Price: These devices are free at public hospitals and clinics, but costs between R1 000 and R2 000 and around R500 for insertion by a medical professional.
EVERLASTING EVA
Method: Sterilisation Suited for: This one-day procedure is ideal for “a couple who definitely know that they don’t want to have children or more offspring,” explains Dr Mabena. Because: A couple may opt for surgical or non-surgical sterilisation. In the former, an incision is made in order to reach the Fallopian tubes. In the latter, the medical practitioner will place scarring coils on the Fallopian tubes, entering through the vagina and uterus. Pros: One will only have to use condoms to protect against STDs, but there will be no concerns around falling pregnant in future. Cons: Sterilisation is irreversible and should only be considered if the individual or couple are absolutely certain this is the right decision for them. Price: Differs per medical practitioner. E
“… the available contraceptive methods for women are divided into two categories: short-acting contraceptives (SAC) and long-term or long-acting contraceptives (LAC).” E ssAY S of A f r i c a
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FORGETFUL FEMI
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YOUR EGGS in COLD STORAGE
If the time and circumstances to have a child are not quite right, have you thought about freezing your eggs? Dr Antonio Rodrigues of Medfem Fertility Clinic answers some of the more FAQs regarding cryopreservation for women.
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PARENTING EOA Q Who Would Benefit From Egg Freezing?
In the past, egg freezing was only performed for medical purposes, such as egg preservation before cancer treatment. However, egg freezing is becoming of increasing interest to women who: l May wish to delay building a family, have a demanding career path, or who may not be in a secure relationship and wish to wait until the time is right for them to have children. l Women suffering from endometriosis, a progressive disease that can impair ovarian function, can realise significant family-building options through egg freezing. l Women in the reproductive age group that are diagnosed with cancer who will need chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments that can typically lead to infertility by destroying the eggs are excellent candidates for egg freezing. l Finally, egg freezing can be useful for individuals with religious or moral objections to storing frozen embryos.
Q What Does The Process Involve?
Medfem’s treatment protocol involves the preparation of the ovaries for the production of mature eggs needed for the freezing process. Step 1: Involves waiting for a normal menstrual period to begin. Step 2: Involves the administration of fertility medications designed to allow the ovaries to begin the growth of several eggs that will be removed for subsequent freezing. Step 3: After the eggs have been determinedto have matured adequately, you will be scheduled for the surgical harvesting of your eggs. In nearly all instances, the procedure is carried out with a light sedative that allows a relatively pain-free procedure with a rapid recovery.
Step 4: T he eggs are prepared in ourcryopreservation laboratory by the embryologist. The vitrification technique uses a rapid two-stage process. Step 5: Following the freezing process, your eggs will be transferred to a liquid nitrogen storage chamber where they are stored in their frozen state.
Q Are There Many Facilities That Do This In SA?
Most large IVF units, including Medfem Clinic and Cape Fertility Clinic, offer cryopreservation.
Q Is It Costly And Is It Covered By Medical Aids?
The costs vary with different clinics. One cycle of egg freezing will cost an average of R35 000 to R38 000. Medical aids do not cover this process.
Q What Is The Success Rate Of Fertilisation Treatment Using Frozen Eggs And Ovarian Tissue?
IMAGE: ŠISTOCK.COM.
The following success rates are based on published peer-reviewed medical literature; an approximate overall 5 percent live-birth rate per oocyte thawed for cryopreservation using vitrification. For example, if 10 eggs are frozen, there will be 50 percent chance of a live birth. The success rate of freezing eggs can also be equated with the success rate of undergoing an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle at the same age. This correlates with age: <30 years = 50 percent; 30 to 36 years = 40 percent; 37 to 40 = 33 percent, and 40 to 42 = 20 percent.
For more information, contact Medfem Fertility Clinic on +27 (0)11 463 2244 or visit www.medfem.co.za. E
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PASTOR LILIAN RAMPHELE
DRUG MULES Pawns of the Underworld
“Vulnerable women throughout South Africa are increasingly targeted in the lucrative world of drug trafficking, often paying the ultimate price of lifelong prison sentences far away from their families and homeland.” ar from the quirky characters and dark comedy of the hit Netflix prison series Orange Is The New Black, the reality of international drug smuggling and the role women play in it is much darker than anyone could ever imagine. “The fear of being caught was overwhelming,” recalls 55-year-old Pastor Lillian Ramphele (in photograph above). We meet in the centre of bustling Pretoria on a weekday morning. Seated across from her in the crowded Wimpy restaurant, I hear her soft voice and notice her gentle demeanour – both characteristics are in sharp contrast to the harsh experiences she relates over coffee. “I drank to get through it, to numb the constant panic.” Born in Daveyton, a township in the east of Gauteng, Pastor Lillian was raised by her paternal grandparents after
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her parents’ marriage disintegrated. Her grandfather was a retired police officer and respected church elder in the community, while her grandmother worked as a domestic helper. She describes her teenage years as “quite wild”, filled with plenty of drinking, drugs and partying. Pastor Lillian met her husband when she turned 18. “He was a social worker at the time, and we immediately formed a close bond,” she remembers fondly. They soon married and he encouraged her to study further, although this changed when she became pregnant. “He felt it was important that I stay at home with our daughter, and I happily agreed.” The couple had moved to Polokwane where there were plenty of business opportunities, with her husband capitalising on the burgeoning growth of BEE initiatives. Pastor Lillian remembers those years as happy ones. She had a son a few years after the birth of her daughter, and
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“Although their stories differ, the common thread of vulnerable women being used as mules, and often as decoys for the real smugglers, draws a connection between drug smuggling and human trafficking…” enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. “Life was good,” she says. “My husband cashed in on Pepsi’s arrival in South Africa and his business was thriving.” Her children were sent to a top boarding school in Johannesburg, so that they could have access to good education. However, soon after Pepsi withdrew its business from South Africa, their life took a turn for the worse. “Everything we had built for our family was shattered as we struggled to make ends meet.” The subsequent years were increasingly painful, culminating in the death of Pastor Lillian’s husband. Although they had managed to somehow stay afloat, it was only after his passing that Lillian was told that he was insolvent. She recalls being 40 years old, with no experience or skills, and a mountain of debt to settle.
SITTING PREY Her children were taken out of their school and something inside her snapped. “I fell apart,” she remembers. Her husband had been her rock and without him there to support her she felt she had nothing. “I turned back to my old life of drinking all day to numb the pain.” With hindsight she realises that perhaps she had been a child all along, and that her husband had merely propped her up in the world of adulthood. Unable to support her children and battling alcoholism, Pastor Lillian became sitting prey for those more powerful than she. It was during this time that she became acquainted with a notorious drug lord in Johannesburg, introduced to her as the husband of a friend. “My friend seemed to be living well, with a lot of money and luxuries.” Curious and desperate, Pastor Lillian was brought into her friend’s circle and was soon given her first mission as a drug mule. “I was terrified, of course, but my friend assured me that it wasn’t that bad. She had been doing it for over a decade and said it was easy,” says Pastor Lillian bitterly. It is estimated that more than 1 500 South Africans serving time in foreign jails – although many believe the figure is much higher – mainly for drug-related offences, most of them having worked as drug mules. The majority of these prisoners are women. Indeed, South Africa has become a major
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transit point for the international drug trade and women are often recruited as smugglers. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, most drug mules are coerced or manipulated into carrying the contraband, with the dream of escaping poverty as their motivation. The past few years have seen a number of cases in the headlines, with women such as Thando Pendu and Babsie Nobanda – the so-called ‘dreadlock smuggler’ – imprisoned in Bangkok for drug trafficking, and Janice Linden who was executed in China for smuggling tik. Although their stories differ, the common thread of vulnerable women being used as mules, and often as decoys for the real smugglers, draws a connection between drug smuggling and human trafficking, as many human rights organisations have argued. Unlike Pendu and Nobanda, however, Pastor Lillian was not lured to a foreign country with the false promise of a job opportunity. She was desperate, but not duped.
BERMUDA HOLIDAY In March 2005, Ramphele boarded a flight to Bermuda, via London, with 100 pellets of heroin in her stomach and more stuffed inside her vagina. She was told the mission would take a week, sold to her almost as an ‘all-expenses-paid holiday’. She told her children that she would be out of town for a few days. Although warned not to consume any alcohol on the flight, she confessed to drinking the entire duration of the trip, clearly not wanting to face the fear and full horror of what she had undertaken. After arriving in Bermuda with the drugs undetected, the weeklong trip turned into a month. Her contact refused to pay the money owed, and her ‘friend’ – who had become her handler – disallowed her from returning to South Africa until she had received the payment. Eventually the dealer gave her around $40 000 (today about R515 000), and although this was far less than was due, she was allowed to return with the money. The trauma of the experience and leaving her children to fend for themselves for a month was somewhat assuaged by the R10 000 given to her upon her return – a pittance for the risks she had undertaken and the money involved in the deal, but a lot for
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a woman who had nothing. She managed to stretch it out for a couple of months, before embarking on the next mission. “The second I got the call about another trip to Bermuda, I knew something was wrong. It didn’t feel right,” Pastor Lillian recollects chillingly. This time she would be accompanied by the drug lord, as he would be collecting the remainder of the money owed from the previous trip, as well as the payment for the next shipment, which was stored in the soles of Pastor Lillian’s shoes. They were to travel as strangers. Upon arrival at Bermuda International Airport, Pastor Lillian and the drug lord were immediately pulled aside. “It was like they were expecting us,” she says. She was strip-searched and the heroin was found, amounting to a street value of over $3 million (today about R40 million). Although explicitly warned not to let on that she knew the drug lord, she immediately caved in and blamed him for the stash. After being questioned all night, she was thrown into jail as an awaiting-trial prisoner. The drug lord was released. “They said they had nothing on him; that there was no evidence to suggest he had been involved,” Pastor Lillian says. He denied knowing her and walked out as a free man. She suspects that her arrest on 30 June 2005 was due to a tipoff from the dealer whom she had met on her previous trip, not wanting to pay the rest of the money owed.
LOCKED UP This scenario is backed up by Locked Up, an NGO that advocates for the rights of South Africans in foreign prisons. According to the director of Locked Up, Patricia Gerber, those targeted as mules or decoys are used as pawns in the lucrative drug-trafficking trade, whilst the drug lords and recruiters walk free. Mules are the most disposable component in this multibillion-dollar industry, with the majority of arrests due to tipoffs from the syndicates, implicating everyone from airport security and police, to powerful government officials in what has become a murky web spanning the globe. “It is out of control,” says Gerber, whose
own son is currently serving prison time in Mauritius after being caught smuggling heroin into the country at the age of 20. “Our people are being recruited on a daily basis and authorities are doing nothing to stop it.” She has been ceaselessly fighting a system that protects powerful drug lords, while the ‘decoys’ are arrested.
MULED WITHOUT KNOWING Another woman who knows the cost of being used by the drug trade is former beauty queen Vanessa Goosen, whose highprofile return to South Africa after being locked up in Thailand for 16 years has been written about extensively. Although the experience of sharing her story in the book Drug Muled: Sixteen Years In A Thai Prison was deeply cathartic, it hasn’t stopped the recurring nightmares from her time in Bangkok’s notorious Lard Yao. “I still get panic attacks,” she admits. Aged 21 and pregnant, Goosen was arrested and tried on drug-trafficking charges after the books she had been “duped into carrying” were found to contain almost two kilograms
“It is estimated that more than 1 500 South Africans serving time in foreign jails – although many believe the figure is much higher – mainly for drug-related offences, most of them having worked as drug mules. The majority of these prisoners are women.” O C TO b e r 2 0 1 5
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“There are recruiters everywhere. They recruit you in varsity or at work, especially if you work for an airline. They target those who are desperate or in need of cash, or they lure you with fancy gifts.”
WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: ©ISTOCK.COM, THE MOUSIST.
of heroin. Her daughter, whom she had in prison, was taken away at the age of three, and Goosen fell into a deep depression. “I stopped eating and washing. I didn’t care what happened to me.” To be incarcerated so far from her daughter and the rest of her family was unbearable for Goosen, with no hope of her being able to serve the rest of her sentence closer to home. South Africa is one of only three countries without a prisonerexchange treaty, leaving its citizens to rot behind bars in the horrid conditions of Brazilian and Thai prisons. Her anger at the injustice of her situation took years to quell. Yet it was the thought of seeing her daughter again that gave Goosen the strength to survive the ordeal. Although it’s been over fours years since her release, it’s only recently that she started adjusting to normal life. “Little things like sleeping on a mattress again, going to the supermarket, using a cellphone, eating whenever I want… It’s taken a while not to be overwhelmed by life in the real world,” Goosen admits. The shame and trauma of her experience left her feeling rudderless at first. “I have to constantly remind myself that I deserve happiness and freedom, even though I’m haunted by the women who were with me in prison that are still locked up.” Goosen gives motivational talks around the country, and is continually faced with the sweeping reality of this dark underworld. “There are recruiters everywhere. They recruit you in varsity or at work, especially if you work for an airline. They target those who are desperate or in need of cash, or they lure you with fancy gifts.” Much of Goosen’s time is spent warning youth about the dangers of this world, where bright-eyed beauty queens can end up in overcrowded, decrepit cells based on one life-changing mistake.
BEHIND BARS Pastor Lillian’s time behind bars was quite rosy compared to Goosen’s. She had her own cell and access to healthcare – better healthcare than she had ever had as a free woman in South Africa, she jokes. Her prison community was like a mini United Nations, with women from all over the
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world incarcerated in Bermuda, mostly for drug trafficking. “There were women from Europe, Asia, North and South America...” Arrested on 30 June 2005, she awaited trial for eight months – again, better than most in other foreign jails. Life was certainly no picnic. “It was a living hell, especially as I was apart from my children.” Ramphele’s turning point came after she experienced a religious conversion. She describes the moment as a “spiritual awakening”, which provided her with immense comfort and hope. It also led to her taking responsibility for her part in the drug smuggling and changing her plea to “guilty”, which she believes saved her from a life sentence. “I began to talk to everyone about my experiences,” she says. “The more I talked, the more my life seemed to open up.” Pastor Lillian began counselling other women in the prison, sharing her painful memories of being molested by her grandfather and raped by older men as a teenager. Word of the ‘African lady’ spread, and she was asked to tell her story at numerous functions and events organised by the government.
TOWARDS GRACE After serving half of her sentence, Ramphele was granted a pardon by the Governor on 19 January 2012 and returned home to South Africa on 1 March 2012 – a ‘miracle’ she credits to her newfound path as a healer and motivational speaker. Relief and elation followed, as she soon found herself on a plane headed for home. Having left her son as a 14-year-old, she met him again as a young man of 21. Today, she works as a pastor and community leader in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria. She visits dozens of inmates incarcerated in the notorious Johannesburg Prison, also known as ‘Sun City’, as well as Leeuwkop Prison near Bryanston, where she works with female inmates to help them find healing of their own. She has written a play about an inmate’s journey and the road to redemption, which she hopes to perform with the incarcerated women. Like Goosen, Pastor Lillian continues to speak at every opportunity about her experiences, in the hope that it will inspire and touch upon the lives of others. E
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BEYOND THE PINK
Ribbon
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, EOA takes a look at the grim reality of this disease in women under the age of 40.
reast cancer kills over half a million women worldwide every year, with the majority of deaths occurring in developing countries where cases are diagnosed in late stages, making treatment challenging. Whilst widespread awareness has helped in reducing the stigma attached to this disease, the symbolic pink ribbon has traversed a controversial journey through campaigns in the fashion, sports, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, all in a bid to increase profits under the guise of ‘cause marketing’. What’s more, many of these campaigns are downright offensive – either equating the cancer to fluffy images of femininity or sexualising the disease through the male gaze, with cute slogans and innuendos that hone in on the fetishisation of breasts. Beyond the euphemisms and empty platitudes that go hand in hand with these campaigns, lies a grim reality. As captured by the Breast Cancer Action movement in Canada, who turned the ribbon upside down to represent the tears shed at diagnosis, and lined it with black to remember the women who have died, no amount of pink can distract from the pain and suffering wrought by this disease. In particular, there is one stark truth that is often left out of the conversation. Whilst it is less common, breast cancer is not confined to women over the age of 50, as still commonly believed. Indeed, many Western nations have reported a marked increase in the number of cases among much younger women.
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POOR PROGNOSIS In South Africa, there is an alarming paucity of data available when it comes to breast cancer. Professor Justus Apffelstaedt, Associate Professor at the University of Stellenbosch and Head of the Breast Clinic at Tygerberg Hospital, who runs a Multidisciplinary Breast Health Centre in Cape Town, says the incidence of breast cancer among young women is six percent in developed countries, while in South Africa the figure rises to around 16 percent. The lack of awareness among women in their 20s and 30s contributes to these high numbers, with many presenting with late-stage disease. This is compounded by the fact that cancer is far more aggressive in women under the age of 40. Indeed, younger women face a whole different set of obstacles to older women when diagnosed with the disease, and the insufficiency of information for this age group is telling. “Young women have an intrinsically poorer prognosis than older women,” says Professor Apffelstaedt. She references the depressingly low survival rate, according to one of the largest studies for women in developing nations, as evidence of this dismal reality: “Two years after diagnosis, only half of the young women were alive.” Breast cancer in younger women is more likely to be fast growing, higher-grade and hormonereceptor negative. Each of these factors makes the disease in these cases more aggressive and more likely to require chemotherapy. Diagnosis is also more challenging for younger women, as their breast tissue is denser, so that by the time a lump is felt the cancer is more often advanced. And even if a lump is found, young women often ignore it in
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health EOA the belief that breast cancer is a disease for older women. This is not helped by the fact that healthcare workers may dismiss breast lumps in young women as cysts, adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach. Unfortunately, not even mammograms can assist with diagnosis, as denser breast tissue renders them less effective. With such a bleak prognosis, it’s no wonder so little research and so few campaigns focus on the plight of young women.
UNIQUE CHALLENGES Upon diagnosis, younger women are also confronted with a host of difficult issues that are unique to their stage in life. These include concerns around the possibility of early menopause and questions about pregnancy after diagnosis. Treatments such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapies can have side effects on ovarian function, including menopausal symptoms or infertility. These effects may be permanent or temporary, with the risk increasing with age. Concerns about body image and financial stability are also more prevalent amongst younger women. Breast surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy may have a significant effect on a woman’s relationship with her body and sexuality. Younger women with breast cancer are also reported as having a higher risk for psychological distress, anxiety and depression.
WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: ©ISTOCK.COM.
HOME IN ON HIGH RISK As hopeless as it may seem, there are ways in which women in their 20s, 30s and early 40s can empower themselves. “It is of paramount importance that young women know their family history,” urges Professor Apffelstaedt. “Alarm bells should ring if there are close family members (mother, sister, father, etc.) with premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer or prostate cancer before the age of 50.” As witnessed by Angelina Jolie’s much-publicised decision to have a double mastectomy after losing her mother, grandmother and aunt to cancer, it is far better to take preventative steps should you fall into this high-risk category. Professor Apffelstaedt advises women who are high-risk candidates to get genetic counselling, as young women who develop breast cancer are more likely than older women to carry a heritable gene mutation. “Genetic testing should be performed only after that and preferably only if a disease-
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carrying family member has tested positive for a BRCA mutation.”
GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR BREASTS While there is much debate around the effectiveness of a breast self-exam, the majority of women younger than 40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer discovered the lump themselves. Thus, rather than the traditional monthly selfexam, many health professionals are now advising women to become familiar with their breasts year-round so that they can detect any changes from the norm. Clinical breast exams by a trained physician are essential for all women from the age of 20. If a mass in the breast is discovered, Professor Apffelstaedt urges women to consult a doctor immediately, and insists that they “not rest before a needle biopsy has confirmed the lesion to be benign”. In South Africa, it’s common practice to have a ‘double test’ performed that consists of a physical examination and a core biopsy, which removes more tissue than a fine needle aspiration, and is therefore more accurate. As with everything, women must be their own health advocates. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in South African women, and the world’s leading cause of cancer death among women under the age of 50. There’s no better reason to become intimate with your body and empowered with the knowledge to fight this disease.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in South African women, and the world’s leading cause of cancer death among women under the age of 50.”
KNOW YOUR BREASTS
Become familiar with your breasts: their shape, size and what they feel like. Sometimes your breasts may change throughout your monthly cycle, so learn what’s normal for your body. If you find any of the following, consult your doctor immediately and insist on a diagnosis: l A lump or abnormality in the shape or feel of the breast. l A lump in the underarm area. l A generalised swelling of all or a part of the breast. l An irritation or dimpling of the skin on the breast. l Nipple retraction (nipple turning inward). l Rash, redness or scaliness on the nipple or breast skin. l Spontaneous discharge from the nipple. E
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A MAN FOR all seasons
Aubrey Pooe (pronounced PawHaw), star of David Kramerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new musical, Orpheus in Africa, chats to EOA about his life on and off the stage. o c to be r 20 1 5
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MAN Q&A EOA Q What Attracted You To The Arts Industry? It was fate. Come the early 1990s, my mother searched for a Model C school for me and I landed up in an arts school. I was bitten by the performing arts bug and the rest is history.
Q What Has Your Experience As A Performer Been Like? Growing up, I always had the chance to be on stage, but the magic and excitement of it all only started dawning on me in high school, as drama and other artistic disciplines were part of the curriculum. It’s a continuous revelation to me with every project I do. Even after 15 years in the industry I still get excited and moved by things I discover onstage.
Q Is There One Creative Role To Which You Feel Most Drawn? The stage is my first artistic love. However, one can’t specialise in this country and, as a result, you find yourself wearing many hats. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in most mediums and even go as far as producing and directing, which has given me a more rounded perspective of my craft and the industry as a whole.
Q How Do You Find Time For All The Things You Do? I make time! As a freelancing actor, producer and director of my own company, I don’t have the luxury of dropping the ball at all. Every minute counts, as that translates to income. Also, as a typical Joburg resident, I get a thrill from the rat race and the satisfaction of accomplishment.
Q How Do You Recover From Career Setbacks And Challenges? By taking time to gain perspective and absorbing the lessons that they pose. The nature of the industry doesn’t allow you to wallow. You have to move on to start with the new from a clean slate.
WORDS: EUGENE YIGA. IMAGE: SUPPLIED BY DIVA PR, TAKEN BY JESSE KRAMER.
Q What Have You Learned From Your Difficulties? Often your talent is not the question; instead, politics and other business decisions may be the reasons. You have to keep your self-belief intact because you can only do your best if you believe in yourself.
Q What Did It Mean For You To Perform In Marikana The Musical?
It was my debut performance in my hometown of Pretoria and that was special. The process was challenging as this was new work, but we landed on a final product that was truly special.
Q Name Some Of Your Biggest Professional Highlight So Far Touring the US with Dream Girls tops the list, but I’ve enjoyed an amazing career thus far and have found every project to hold its own special memories and offer something to take away. From playing Nelson Mandela in Cape Town Opera’s Mandela Trilogy to playing on The Market Theatre John Kani stage after 13 years of being in the industry and yearning to do so. And, of course, playing the lead for David Kramer in Orpheus In Africa!
Q What is Orpheus In Africa about? It’s the incredible true story about an amazing group of African-American singers, The Virginia Jubilee Singers, and their leader, Orpheus McAdoo, who travelled across South Africa and achieved remarkable success, considering the era.
Q What’s It Been Like Working With David Kramer And The Rest Of The Team? The process has been amazing! We discover new music and magical moments daily, so much so that we look forward to coming to work every morning. David Kramer is a treasure trove of information about the story he wants to tell, the characters, and the period in time. That also comes in handy.
Q What Are The Broader Goals For Your Career? I’d like to start directing and producing mainstream theatre works – I’ve done both in corporate and industrial theatre. I’m still keen on playing Mufasa in The Lion King; we’ll see how that goes.
Q Tell Us More About Your Goal To Diversify The Country’s Theatre Offering? We need to change the demographic of theatre patrons in this country and that can only happen once we start telling stories, in all scales of production – small, medium, and large – that reflect all our people. There’s a place for Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, and the likes, but an equal place for Sarafina, Marikana, King Kong, and Orpheus In Africa. E
Orpheus In Africa is at Cape Town’s Fugard Theatre from 22 September to 31 October 2015. Book at Computicket.
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n r o p HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
When watched compulsively, pornography could have a negative effect on your relationship â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and sex life.
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MAN FEATURE EOA Consultant, Sorika de Swardt. “When the partner then finds out, they feel hurt and betrayed, which destroys the trust in the relationship.” Just ask Jessica* (31) who found out her boyfriend was sexting online. “I felt cheated,” she says. “I was also really confused – because it was all online and he hadn't physically done anything, I was confused as to whether it should be considered cheating or not.” When trust is gone, De Swardt says intimacy on emotional and sexual levels is affected negatively. arlier this year, hackers got into the Ashley Madison website, an online meeting place for married men and women who want to have an affair. The hackers wanted the site shut down and, when it wasn’t, they released the personal information of the site’s registered users – like Josh Dugger, of 19 Kids and Counting fame. His response? He’s sorry, but it’s pornography’s fault. In a statement, he said, “I have secretly been viewing pornography on the Internet and this became a secret addiction.” This led to him cheating on his wife. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the excuse that an addiction to pornography was to blame for relationship problems. Tiger Woods and David Duchovny both used the same excuse when they were caught cheating, even though science isn’t a hundred percent convinced yet that a ‘porn addiction’ is an actual neurological problem. Still, the hack and resulting excuses make one thing clear; porn is affecting people’s relationships – and it could be a silent cause of problems in the bedroom.
WORDS: KIM GARNER. IMAGE: ©ISTOCK.COM.
GIVE IT TO ME, BABY Porn is everywhere. One quick Google search will bring you thousands of sexual content results, from the slightly erotic to the sexually explicit. For some, it can quickly become all encompassing. “People who are predisposed to impulsivity, compulsivity, and addiction can quickly find themselves lost in an obsessive, escalating quest for sexual intensity,” writes Dr Robert Wiess, author of Always Turned on: Facing Sex Addiction in the Digital Age, in a newsletter. The problem is that the more porn one watches, the more impact it can have on their relationship. And, it’s not ‘just’ porn – it’s how it affects other aspects of a relationship that is the issue. “One of the biggest issues with porn is that it often happens in secrecy or hidden from the partner or spouse,” says Addiction
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BORING IN BED Porn is also a one-way street, which means it can affect one’s ability to relate to a reallife human. “Pornography is a virtual reality with no meaningful two-way interaction. It reduces a person’s ability to respond in real ways when faced with a real-life dynamic,” says Brian Blem, a counselling psychologist at the Lighthouse Therapy Centre in Johannesburg. Then there’s the problem of porn interfering with desire. Think of it like this; every time you watch porn, you become more and more familiar with the images you see. Over time, you become de-sensitised to sexual acts and are only able to gain sexual satisfaction or release from more and more obscene images. “The porn industry is a business. To keep their customers coming back for more, they always include new things, so it expands arousal templates (combination of things people find arousing),” Blem explains. “So the person who watched porn could become sexually charged by things that they did not previously find arousing, which may be against their value base, or even illegal.” Fast-forward to the ‘everyday’ sex one has with their partner, and it’s bound to feel unexciting when compared to the images they’ve just seen. Sipho* (31) a porn fan from Johannesburg, agrees that his porn
habit certainly affects his sex life. “I always want to try new things and keep it exciting and porn has probably played a part in that, because I don’t find the ‘normal’ sex as exciting anymore,” he confesses. De Swardt says this affects intimacy too. “When a person watches porn, they substitute sexual intimacy for sexual intensity, and if they do this repeatedly, the sexual intimacy with their real life partner appears watered down,” she says. This can lead to insecurities and uncomfortable feelings in the bedroom – especially if the other partner is on the receiving end of occasionally graphic acts the porn-fan wants to try out. “Pornography certainly contributes to ‘sleaze-ifying’ what is a sacred act between two people,” warns Blem. “It’s likely that hardcore images will contaminate the sexual act. For a partner who is not aware of the porn, it could create an unwelcome level of pressure.” There is also the issue of overmasturbating. “Men are often at risk of not approaching their partners for sex as frequently if they are relieving themselves through use of pornography and associated masturbation,” says Blem. “This is not a healthy situation for any relationship.” The strange thing is that porn could leave you unsatisfied too. “Some studies suggest that the more porn you watch the more sexually charged you become in the short term, but the less sexual pleasure you derive in the long run,” says De Swardt. However, certain erotic images or stories can be sexy and exciting – and they can be fun to look at with your partner. The problems arise when one partner becomes almost obsessive, watching hardcore pornography so frequently that it ends up interfering in a healthy relationship with their partner. So what is the best bet? Keep the lines of communication open so that you can catch any problems before they leave your sheets cold. E * Names have been changed.
“People who are predisposed to impulsivity, compulsivity, and addiction can quickly find themselves lost in an obsessive, escalating quest for sexual intensity.” If you suspect your partner may have a porn problem, you can seek help at www.lighthousetherapycentre.co.za or contact Elim Clinic on +27 (0)11 975 2951 or e-mail info@elimclin.co.za.
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ADRIAN DENIM JACKET, R1 999, PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND.
RAMON JACKET, R3 399, CALVIN KLEIN, EDGARS.
SUPER SLIM JEANS, R2 099, G-STAR RAW.
TAPER JEANS, R2 299, CALVIN KLEIN, EDGARS.
CAMOUFLAGE BAG, R4 999, TED BAKER.
STEP UP YOUR GAME Complete your timeless denim look with a pair of sneakers or sandals.
SAMSON SANDAL, R1 399, PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND.
WHITE EUPHO HIGHTOP SNEAKERS, R1 000, SUPERGA.
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WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS, PINTEREST.COM, TEEVEETEE.BLOGSPOT.COM.
MAN SHOPPING EOA
WHITE MARL LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRT, R629, RIVER ISLAND, EDGARS.
SAND DOUBLE-BREASTED JACKET, R8 995, CLOTH & LABEL.
Double-breasted blazers can be up-styled with chinos or relaxed with a favourite pair of jeans. ANTIQUE BRONZE CHINOS, R1 599, BEN SHERMAN. TAN BAG, R4 299, TED BAKER.
TAN LEATHER BELT, R699, EDGARS. TAN BRUMIE LEATHER SHOES, R1 599, DUNE LONDON, EDGARS.
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EOA BEAUTY
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Take care of your varying skin needs with these great selections.
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1. PLACÉCOL ILLUMINE SUN PROTECTION SPF 25 FOR MATURE SKIN, R350, PLACÉCOL CLINIC. Light cream with powerful anti-oxidants to protect the skin against ageing. 2. LANCÔME ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YOUTH ACTIVATING CONCENTRATION, R780 to R999, LANCÔME COUNTERS. Skin appears younger, radiant, even-toned and more refined. 3. KIEHL’S DERM PREPARATIONS ACTIVELY CORRECTING BB CREAM WITH VITAMIN C SPF50, R525, KIEHL’S STORES. Conceals imperfections, reeduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, while providing all-day hydration. Available in six shades. 4. JOHNSON’S EVEN COMPLEXION NIGHT CREAM, R34, RETAILERS NATIONWIDE. Soy and red berry extracts help enhance radiance, smoothness and brightness. 5. NEUTROGENA FAST ABSORBING HAND CREAM, R77.95, RETAILERS NATIONWIDE. Light non-greasy formula melts into the skin for an immediate feeling of comfort. 6. ELIZABETH ARDEN SUPERSTART SKIN RENEWAL BOOSTER (30ML), R720, ELIZABETH ARDEN COUNTERS AND SELECTED PRESTIGE PHARMACIES NATIONWIDE. Fight free radicals caused by environmental assaults, and improve skin’s renewal and retention of optimal lipid levels to reinforce the integrity of skin’s barrier. 7. SORBET AGE AFFECT EYE & LIP REPAIR SERUM, R154, CLICKS. Refines and plumps up the delicate skin around the eyes and lips.
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WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.
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SEXY
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Beyond the Blue C51101
new only at
Clicks
For more beauty tips visit www.clicks.co.za
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2015/05/13 4:29 PM 2015/09/09 9:15 AM
EOA looks at ways to combat the undesired effects that urban living has on your skin. o c to B ER 20 1 5
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main BEAUTY EOA he urban jungle is so named for the stress it brings to our lives. The peaceful pastures of country living are traded for the fast pace of stock exchanges, boardrooms and rush hour traffic. We breathe out the last of the fresh country air and inhale toxins from factories and car exhausts, forgetting that our skin is our body’s first defense. We go to gym, drink water, eat greens, try to get enough sleep, knowing that we need to stay healthy, forgetting that our skin faces the biggest onslaught from environmental pollutants. Hlengiwe Ochan, an aesthetician from OtDeyo Med Aesthetic Clinic in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, says, “City life can be harmful for skin due to environmental effects, which can cause premature ageing and sun damage. This is characterised by symptoms such as pigmentation, sunspots, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin, which is effectively a loss of structural integrity within the skin.”
CITY FACTORS THAT HARM THE SKIN
1. Pollution Exhausts and commercial heating systems emit pollutants into the air and tiny particles of nitrogen can cause uneven skin tone, accelerated ageing and skin cancer. 2. Stress City life and stress go together like tequila and lime. Demanding jobs, peak-hour traffic, public transport and unforgiving deadlines have always been the pay-off for career opportunities and retail fabulousness. But this high-stress living can affect our health and skin, says dermatologist Dr Claudia Ngobeni from Nelspruit. • Breakouts: If you have noticed that your skin breaks out more when you are stressed, it is because your body produces more cortisol and other hormones during this time, which causes your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. • Rashes: Your emotions have a powerful effect on your skin. Stress can worsen psoriasis rosacea (skin condition that causes rash) and eczema, as well as hives and other types of skin rashes can be caused. Cold sores or fever blisters may even flare up. 3. Disturbed Sleep There’s a reason it is called ‘beauty sleep’. City sounds like constant traffic, police sirens, party or club music and even the bright streetlights or flickering lights make for disturbed sleep, which
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MAIN BEAUTY EOA will have an effect your skin. No amount of massage can fix the damage to skin from a lack of rest. Skin cells divide and repair at night, so disrupted sleep or less than six hours can leave you with a sallow complexion and puffy eyes. Chronic sleep deprivation can result in lacklustre skin, fine lines and dark circles around the eyes. Cells divide and repair at night, so disrupted sleep could leave you looking sallow, with puffy eyes. If you are suffering from a lack of sleep, the body produces the hormone cortisol, which breaks down the collagen that keeps the skin smooth and elastic.
ROOIBOS & ANTI-OXIDANTS MAKE-UP REMOVER, R44, SKINCARE COLLECTION, CLICKS. GARNIER EVEN & MATTE GENTLE CLARIFYING FOAM, R49, RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE.
TREATMENT SOLUTIONS
If your life is in the city, relocation to a better climate isn’t an option. But there are ways that you can decrease the effects of pollution on your skin. 1. Day-To-Day Treatment: • Apply an antioxidant serum before you lather on SPF to create a shield against dirty air and other skin agers. • Wash your face before bed and repair daytime damage with a moisturising night cream. • Exfoliate skin once every week. Scrubs or microdermabrasion devices are particularly good for counteracting the effects of air pollution on skin. But if your skin type is particularly sensitive, choose a gentle acid peel to slough off the surface layer. 2. Once-A-Month Facial Having a monthly facial can help improve your skin health. There is new technology available, such as biosynthesis LED light therapy treatment (bio therapeutics), which is a complete aesthetic system that helps improve the appearance of the skin with specialised products and lightactivated technology. The benefits of LED light therapy include: • Diminished appearances of fine lines, wrinkles and sun-induced hyperpigmentation (age spots). • Increased circulation through the formation of new capillaries. • Improved collagen production for a plumper, more youthful looking skin. • Enhanced oxygen activity and restored natural cellular activity of the skin for renewed and fresh appearance. • Accelerated lymphatic drainage, which detoxifies the skin for a healthy look and younger feel. • Increased moisture retention. • Decreased inflammation and redness in
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NIVEA Q10 PLUS ANTIWRINKLE SERUM, R149.99, RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE.
CERAMIDE™ NIGHT CREAM (50ML), R660, ELIZABETH ARDEN COUNTERS IN EDGARS, RED SQUARE, FOSCHINI.
NIVEA Q10 PLUS ANTI-WRINKLE ENERGISING DAY CREAM, R149, RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE. JOHNSON’S DAILY ESSENTIALS REHYDRATING NIGHT CREAM, R64, RETAIL STORES. NATIONWIDE.
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DMK DEEP PORE FACIAL CLEANSER, R400, DMK.
skin conditions such as acne rosacea. • Reduced sebum by normalising the skin, helping control acne-related breakouts. • Minimised pore size. 3. Keep It Natural Regular salon treatments are not always affordable, but there are other more natural ways to combat problematic skin caused by city living. Ochan says, “Eating healthily, hydrating and supplementing with vitamins that are good for your skin, along with the right skincare treatment, can help reduce and prevent skin problems and protect against environmental damage.” She adds. “The skin vitamins, products and treatments mentioned here are beneficial for anyone who wants healthy, problem-free skin. City slicker or not, it is never too late to start caring for your skin.”
SUPERCHARGE YOUR CLEANSING ROUTINE You might remember moaning when your mother made you wash your face every day and night when you were a child. It turns out mom was right: regular skin cleansing is critical to maintaining healthy looking skin. When washing dishes, we don’t only use a detergent. We also use a cloth or a brush, and other items to make sure that the dishes are properly cleaned. Beauty experts suggest that we apply the same methodology to our skin on a daily basis and supercharging the effects of cleanser by using a tool, especially if you are exposed to hectic city life. Thorough cleansing is key if one lives in an urban environment. Aesthetician Hlengiwe Ochan advises, “It is important to follow a good skincare routine by cleansing your skin twice daily. It is important to double cleanse the skin as the first wash removes make-up, dirt, dust, pollution. The second wash deep cleanses and removes oily impurities. It is important to exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells, and lessen hyperpigmentation and dull, sallow skin.” E
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SORBET AGE AFFECT DÉCOLLETAGE & NECK CREAM, R189, CLICKS.
SORBET AGE AFFECT CREAM CLEANSER, R95, CLICKS.
NEUTROGENA® AGELESS INTENSIVES DEEP WRINKLE SERUM, R131, RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE.
EUCERIN® EVEN BRIGHTER DAY CREAM, R219, DIS-CHEM STORES.
ELIZABETH ARDEN PREVAGE® ANTI AGING + INTENSIVE REPAIR DAILY SERUM, R1 795, ELIZABETH ARDEN COUNTERS.
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WORDS: TUMI MDLULI. IMAGES: ©ISTOCK.COM AND SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.
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BRAIDED
bliss
After a long winter of growing out your natural hair, it doesn’t take much convincing to get you to consider braids again. Our advice? This isn’t something you want to rush into – take your time and get it right!
ou’ve let your hair grow au natural for quite some time and now it looks a bit too dry, or even over-processed? After researching your best options for strengthening your hair or getting it to grow longer, you have decided that the best protective style is braids. But don’t fool yourself into grabbing what little shampoo and conditioner you have lying around and getting started. Your dry, brittle hair is nowhere near ready to be
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braided yet. Avoid the common mistakes women make when braiding their hair by following these helpful tips:
1. Think Of The Different Styling Options The beauty about braids is that they’re so diverse. You can rock them in different colours, textures and styles! Go on social media sites like Pinterest and Tumblr and flip through examples of box braids, Marley twists, French braids and cornrows for a little inspiration.
2. Sort Out All Your PreExisting Issues It is important that when you braid your hair, it is in a good condition and strong, so that as time passes, your hair grows stronger and not weaker. Deep conditioning your hair helps to moisturise your natural hair before it is braided or twisted. So, if your hair is prone to breaking, use hair proteins to strengthen it; if your hair is dry, use a conditioning moisturiser – and only then start braiding.
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EOA BEAUTY & HEALTH NEWS Do you need a simple, cost-effective way to moisturise and strengthen your hair and encourage growth? Hair is made up of protein and a great way to replenish any protein loss or damage to your hair is by using raw eggs! Make a hair mask by mixing a tablespoon of olive oil with a raw egg. Smear the mask onto your hair and cover with a shower cap. Rinse off after 30 minutes and shampoo your hair as normal. The treatment will leave your hair feeling soft and silky, and if you do this two to three times a month, you will have the added bonus of a healthy boost of protein.
Cleaner nails for SUMMER SANDALS Cleaning your toenails can be tricky, but with the warmer season on its way, it’s time to show off your feet. If you struggle to turn your nasty nails into natural beauties, we have five steps for you to tackle those tootsies. All you’ll need is soap, a soft-bristle nailbrush, towel, nail clipper, nail file, a stainless steel curette and a tissue. 1. Wash your feet when taking a shower or bath to remove bacteria. Apply soap to your soft-bristle brush and gently scrub around the top of your entire nail area. Also brush under the toenail to remove dirt. 2. Use a clean towel to pat your feet dry. 3. Clip or cut your toenails regularly to keep them short. Trim each one straight across using a number of small cuts. 4. File each nail at the corner into a rounded curve. 5. Moisturise your nails and cuticles to keep your nails strong and prevent them from chipping and cracking.
Too much water is bad for you Are you an ’aquaholic’? Dr Graham Duncombe, a health expert registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, says it is possible to drink too much water. He says although the general rule is to consume two litres per day, you should try drink at least one litre of water for every 30kg’s of bodyweight you carry. However, if you’re an athlete it’s acceptable to drink a bit more water to replace what you lose due to the amount of activities you do. Try not to go completely overboard and drink too much water, as this weakens your electrolytes level and stomach acids, flushing your vitamins and minerals out of your system without letting them be properly absorbed. The results are cramps, pain, dizziness and poor nutrition. If this persists, it can lead to more serious issues such as poor gut health and impaired digestion, from which other problems such as fatigue, acne, and pigmentation can arise.
WORDS: HLULANI MASINGI. SOURCES AND IMAGES: STUTTAFORDS, SYMBIOTIC COMMUNICATIONS, TIPSCARE.COM, DR. GRAHAM DUNCOMBE, BEAUTYSOUTHAFRICA.COM, ©ISTOCK.COM
GIVE YOUR HAIR AN EGG MASK
FRAGRANCE BAR FOR MEN
The Men’s Fragrance Bar is a new concept that was recently launched at Stuttafords in Sandton City. Notable guests in attendance included Tbo Touch, Miss South Africa Liesl Laurie, Chad Saaiman, Cyprian Ndlovo, Jay Anstey, Sasha Martinengo, and many more. Liz Ferrett, the cosmetics executive of Stuttafords is elated with the bar concept, and says “they love making men feel uninhibited and comfortable within their metrosexuality.” She adds, “The Men’s Fragrance Bar is the perfect solution. We’ve created an environment where men can find what scent defines them with confidence with the assistance of our pleasant staff.” The trendy concept features top fragrance brands such as Tom Ford , MontBlanc, Bvlgari, Hugo Boss, Paco Rabanne and other premium brands, ensuring the modern man has a unique experience and the best selection of fragrances with which to define themselves. The fragrance bar is currently only available at Stuttafords in Sandton City. E
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COOKING CAPRESE TOWER
Layers of fresh Italian tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves and topped with basil pesto dressing.
Ingredients For the stack: 4 x 5mm thick slices mixed wild tomato 4 x 5mm thick slices mozzarella cheese 6 large basil leaves Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper For the dressing: 100g fresh basil 5g crushed garlic 30g pine nuts 30g grated Parmesan cheese 250ml olive oil Salt and pepper
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WITH FIRE & SPICE! Head Chef Genghis San of the new Protea Fire And Ice Menlyn in Pretoria relished the opportunity to showcase a variety of his signature banquet dishes that are both a feast for the eyes and treat for the taste buds.
Method
For the stack: With a cutter the same size as the tomato slices, cut out disks from the mozzarella cheese. Layer the tomato first then the mozzarella then four basil leaves and season with salt and pepper. The stack should consist of four layers. For the dressing: Add all the ingredients, except the oil, to a blender. Turn on the blender and gradually add the oil until a thick dressing is achieved. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle over stack.
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FOOD & Entertaining EOA
SALMONSATIONAL
Grilled Scottish salmon served with wasabi mashed potato, grilled fine beans and topped with lemon cream sauce
Ingredients For the salmon: Oil for frying 200g portion of Scottish salmon, skin on and bones removed Salt and pepper For the wasabi mash and grilled fine beans: 5ml wasabi powder 15ml water 100g mashed potato 50g green beans, finely sliced Oil for frying Salt and pepper For the lemon butter sauce: ½ onion, finely chopped 1 whole lemon 350ml cream Salt and pepper
Method
For the salmon: Season fish with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 3 minutes or until skin is golden brown, then turn over and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove and allow to rest. For the wasabi mash and grilled fine beans: Mix the wasabi powder in the water to make a thin paste and mix into the mashed potato. Fry the beans in a pan with a little oil until tender but still al dente and season with salt and pepper. For the lemon butter sauce: Fry the onions in a pan until soft, but not coloured. Add the zest and juice of the lemon to the pan and add the cream. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to reduce until sauce coats the back of a spoon and strain through a fine sieve.
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BRAISED OXTAIL WITH BUTTER BEANS
Served with cream spinach, samp, chakalaka and dombolo (steamed bread)
Ingredients For the oxtail: Oil for frying 1 onion, roughly chopped 1 carrot, roughly chopped 1 leek, roughly chopped ½ bunch celery, roughly chopped 5ml cardamom seeds 5ml star anise 10ml ground cumin 5ml crushed garlic 5ml crushed ginger 20g tomato paste 500g oxtail Salt and pepper 5g rosemary, chopped 5g thyme, chopped For the dombola: 500g bread flour 5g dry yeast 10g sugar 10g salt 20ml olive oil 100ml water For the samp: 100g samp, washed 50g sugar beans, washed Salt and pepper 20g butter 2 litres beef stock For the cream spinach: 1 bunch spinach, washed and deveined ½ onion, finely chopped 5ml crushed garlic 200ml white sauce 50ml cream Salt and pepper For the chakalaka: 1 carrot, grated 2 chillies, finely chopped ½ onion, finely chopped 1 green pepper finely chopped 5ml curry powder 5ml crushed garlic 200g baked beans
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Method
For the oxtail: In a large pot, fry off your roughly chopped onions, carrots, leek and celery in oil. Add the spices, garlic, ginger and chopped herbs and cook for 5 minutes. Braise the oxtail in the oven with salt and pepper and a little of the rosemary and thyme for 10 minutes. Add to the vegetables and spices. Add the tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes. Add the beef stock and enough water to cover. Cook for about 4 to 6 hours, topping up with water if needed or until meat is tender and sauce coats the back of a spoon. For the dombolo: Add all the dry ingredients into a dough mixer with the hook attachment. Mix the oil with the water. Add the water and oil gradually until the mixture comes together. Allow to kneed in the machine for 5 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place mixture in a large greased bowl and cover with a tea towel. Allow to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. Once it has doubled in size, wrap in cling film. Fill a large pot half way with boiling water, with another bowl at the bottom of the pot so the dough does not touch the water. Cover the pot with a lid and allow to steam for 30 to 45 minutes. For the samp: Place the washed samp and sugar beans in pot of boiling water and season with salt and pepper. Boil until the samp and beans are tender, straining any excess water if necessary. Add the butter into the samp and beans and mix well. For the cream spinach: Boil blanch the spinach in boiling water until tender, but still vibrant in colour. Strain from the water, squeeze out the excess and chop finely. Fry the onion in a pot until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the spinach and cook for another minute. Add the white sauce and the cream and season with salt and pepper. For the chakalaka: Fry the vegetables in a little oil in a pot with the spices and chillies. When the vegetables are cooked, add the baked beans and heat through.
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FOOD & Entertaining EOA
CHOCOLATE LOG
Chocolate log served with berry coulis and chocolate wings.
Ingredients For the chocolate sponge: 170g unsalted butter, softened, not melted 170g castor sugar 55g cocoa powder, not drinking chocolate 115g self-raising flour or plain flour Pinch of salt 3 large eggs 1 tsp. baking powder Milk as needed Chocolate mousse: Water as needed 150g semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 1 cup very cold heavy cream 3 large egg whites For the berry coolis: 100g mixed frozen berries 2 tsp. castor sugar 1 tsp. lemon juice For the ganache: ½ cup cream 125g dark chocolate For the chocolate wings: 100g tempered chocolate 1 sheet silicone paper For garnish: Crushed almonds Fresh strawberries Fresh mint
simmer over medium heat. Place chocolate and a quarter cup of the heavy cream in a large bowl. Nest the bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until smooth and combined with the cream. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and set aside to cool slightly. Place egg whites in a second large bowl and whisk vigorously until stiff peaks form (about 3 minutes) and set aside. Place the remaining three quarter cup of heavy cream in a third large bowl and whisk until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold half of the whipped cream into the melted chocolate, then gently stir in the rest. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate-cream mixture until there are no longer large blobs of whipped cream or egg white. Chill for 20 minutes. For the berry coolis: Place all ingredients into pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the berries are soft and a thin syrup is achieved. Allow to cool and then blend until smooth. For the ganache: Heat the cream, then pour over the chocolate and stir until smooth. For the chocolate wings, melt the chocolate over a double boiler then transfer into a disposable plastic piping bag with a small hole cut into the bottom. Pipe butterfly wings and allow to cool. To assemble: Place one of the rectangles on a baking tray and pipe over the chocolate mousse. Place the other rectangle on top. Pour the ganache over the log and allow to cool and set. Garnish with berry coolis, chocolate wings, crushed almonds, fresh strawberries and mint. E
RECIPES: GENGHIS SAN. PHOTOGRAPHER: LELETHU TOBI.
Method
For the sponge: Preheat the oven to 170°C. Grease and line two 20cm sandwich tins. Put the butter and sugar into a bowl and mix with a spoon until creamy and lighter in colour. Sieve the cocoa, flour and salt into a bowl and crack one of the eggs into a cup or ramekin. Stirring all the time, add the egg and a third of the flour mixture into the sugar and butter. Add the second egg and third of the flour and add the last egg and flour mixture in to the butter and sugar. You should have a smooth thick batter. If your batter is stiff, add a splash of milk and stir. Pour even amounts of the mixture into the tins and spread using a knife. Put into the oven and bake for 25 minutes until springy to touch. Take out of the oven and leave them in their tins for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the sponge into two 5cmx10cmx1cm rectangles. For the mousse: Fill a medium saucepan with two inches of water and bring to a
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EOA MAN Q&A
SOME LIKE IT HOT Executive Chef Genghis San has a flair for serving plate after plate too exquisite fare. EOA met him around the table, where he dished up the details on his life and passion.
I was born in Bosmont on the Westrand of Johannesburg. We are a close-knit family that enjoys doing things together. One of our main hobbies is cooking, thanks to my dad and his passion. We also have a family tradition of having a potjie cook-off every year where we compete against each other.
Q Who Influenced Your Passion For Cooking The Most And Why? My dad was my “Gordon Ramsey” and his passion for food is evident in any dish he creates. My passion was further nurtured once I started working in the kitchen and I was allowed the freedom to come up with my own dishes
Q How Did You Get Into The Professional Industry? I entered a cooking competition through a magazine and I was fortunate to make it through the finals and won the competition. I won a bursary to study at Capsicum Culinary School in Lonehill, Johannesburg, where I did my one-year Culinary Arts Diploma.
Q You Are Only 26. What Advice Do You Have For Other Young Chefs Looking To Establish Themselves? I would say it takes a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, and you need to love what you do in order for you to grow and establish a name for yourself in the industry.
Q Tell Us About The Different Places You Have Worked And Lessons You’ve Learned. I’ve worked at many places, but only two stand out as contributing factors to my skills. I started working at a Chinese
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restaurant in 2007 assisting my dad’s friend. We had a wide range of items on the menu and we only had two gas burners, which was a bit difficult to work with but we somehow managed to make it through busy days. I would say that this is where I learnt how to make use of what you’ve got. The second was at Protea Hotel OR Tambo, where I became an Executive Chef for the first time.
Q As The Head Chef At A Prominent Hotel Restaurant, How Do You See Yourself Bringing Your Influences To The Menu? I always try to bring in different flavours and styles of preparation, which I am proud to say have already influenced the menu, in particular the banquet menu.
Q Give Us An Idea Of What A Typical Day In Your Life Is Like? It begins at 5:30am when I go through my checklists, which include checking the equipment that we use to prepare meals, the fridges for temperature, orders, rosters, etc. I spend a lot of time handling paperwork and working with people than on food preparation. I have a team who implements my vision now and, of course, the day doesn’t end until long after the restaurant has closed.
Q Who Would You Consider To Be The Best Chef Currently In SA, And The World? I admire Jenny Morris, aka The Giggling Gourmet, because of her passion for food and presentation skills. Jenny has the ability to interact with her guests, which is also very important as a chef.
Q What Is The Best Advice Anyone Has Ever Given You When It Comes To Life: Without The Apron And Chef’s Hat?
CHEF GENGHIS SAN, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT THE PROTEA HOTEL MENLYN FIRE AND ICE.
Always stand strong and believe in yourself and abilities. In The Kitchen? If you don’t love it, don’t make it!
Q Tell Us About Your Proudest Moments. Being appointed as the Executive Chef of Protea Hotel Fire and Ice Menlyn when they opened meant that I would play a part in laying down the foundation. This was a great opportunity for my team and me, and the outcome of our hard work pre-opening was extremely rewarding. I have enjoyed forming a strong team structure in the kitchen and knowing that I have contributed towards their growth and knowledge makes me very proud. It is because of my team’s hard work and dedication that the restaurant at Fire and Ice! Menlyn is able to produce the quality of food that we do. Make a reservation for a unique dining experience at +27 (0)12 471 8600. E
COMPILED BY: TRACY MAHER. PHOTOGRAPHER: LELETHU TOBI.
Q Tell Us A Little Bit About Your Childhood And What It Was Like To Be Raised As One Of Eight Children?
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SOCIAL SCENE EOA
WORDS: CAROL MPAWU. IMAGES BY MACROCOSOM PHOTOGRAPHY.
WORDS: NYELETI MAKHUBELE. IMAGES:CLUB63-CONTEMPORARY BRAND SPACE.
LEFT TO RIGHT: ADELAIDE MATLEJOANE AND UNATHI BATYASHE-FILLIS
LEFT TO RIGHT: GUEST SPEAKER, MPHO MAHAYELE, AND HER DAUGHTER
K Fabulous Events in partnership with Thato Motebang Events, trading as Cherry on Top, hosted a Women’s Day event at the Villa Africa Boutique Hotel in Pretoria East. The aim of this prestigious event was to motivate women to take a lead in the economy, to set their own agenda for change in the country, and to see each challenge as an opportunity. Attended by prominent women, esteemed guest speakers included Angie Makwetla, Dr Mashadi Motlana and Unathi Batyashe-Fillis left the guests with food for thought, and ideas to help them change their mindset.
BLAQ HAIRCARE FOUNDER AND A HAPPY CLIENT, FLORENCE MABOBO
THE HOST, THATO MOTEBANG, GIVING THANKS AND DIMAKATSO CHOKOE.
CELEBRATE the woman in you
LEFT TO RIGHT: MC NYELETI MAKHUBELE, CHARLTON MORGAN AND THATO MOTEBANG, THE HOST
GODLY WOMEN in service PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, CAROL MPAWU
CRISELDA KANADA SHARING HER STORY
GUEST RECEIVING A GIFT
THABISO MOLOPO THULI MASHABA
odly Women In Services, founded by Carol Mpawu with the help of Pastor Anastacia Raisibe Makwakwa, hosted their fourth annual Women’s Day event in August at the Manhattan Hotel in Pretoria. Women who attended the event ranged from celebrity guest speakers, business people, entrepreneurs and academics to women of God from different backgrounds and church denominations. Speakers included the likes of Criselda Kananda (Metro FM), Thuli Mashaba, an entrepreneur from Mpumalanga, and Thabiso Molopo, a double amputee acting on e.tv’s Z’bondiwe. The programme comprised talks on business ideas, health and leading people to Christ, with the highlight of the event being Thabiso Molopo’s testimony of his life and how he survived his car accident. E
JOY DIVINE BAND
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EOA DÉCOR feature
LET’S TAKE IT
It’s time to start getting your outdoor space in shape for all those fun, summer days. South Africans are no strangers to outside living and when the sun’s out, we all want to feel more connected to nature.
Outside
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DÉCOR feature EOA f a beautiful outdoor space for chilling or entertaining, day and night, is what you want, there are things to keep in mind. It’s important to treat the planning and decorating of your exterior space as you would any interior space, with regard to furniture placement, the main function of the space, and position to make the most of the weather. Any living space has areas to lounge in, dine, and cook or prepare food. Bear this in mind as you set up your oasis.
SPACE FACTOR Do consider the physical space you are working with – your backyard receives sun and shade at certain times of the day. Think about what time of day you’re likely to do most of your entertaining – would you prefer shade instead of full sun, etc. Make use of the view if you have an amazing one. Consider comfort and ease of movement and then plan your space around that. Think about the equipment you’ll need to maximum the space. This rule applies regardless of how big or small your yard or patio is. Your next step is to define the various spaces – items such as potted plants in different sizes, screens to create walls of privacy, and ground covers including pebbles, synthetic lawn, pavers and small furniture pieces are ideal for this. The more intimate your spaces are, the more inviting it will be for your guests when you’re entertaining.
BEAUTY IN THE DETAILS
WORDS: RHODA DAVIDS. IMAGE: ©ISTOCK.COM.
Almost all our homes have a braai spot. To get really fired up make sure yours is positioned close to your actual kitchen, thus making food preparation easier and more convenient. Also consider a fire pit for those late-night laughs and catch-ups with your friends. If your budget allows, consider having a small woodfired pizza oven constructed – that way you’re sorted should load shedding strike. Outdoor furniture should be neutral, comfortable and oversized – ideal for lounging about and reading a book or sipping on your favourite cocktail. Complete your outdoor space with pops of bright colours to contrast your neutral furniture. For comfort, make sure you have ample plush scatters, the bigger the better. Use them on the furniture or on the ground for lazing about. Umbrellas and parasols are a must to keep guests shaded. For serving, opt for melamine plates, trays and even glasses. E
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EOA DÉCOR FEATURE
FOR A MODERN OUTSIDE SPACE, CHOOSE FURNITURE WITH LINEAR LINES. ALL PIECES OF THE JAMAICA SET (INCLUDING CORNER UNITS, ONE- AND TWO-SEATER OPTIONS, COFFEE TABLE, END TABLES AND FOOTSTOOLS) ARE SOLD SEPARATELY AND RANGES FROM R1 596 FOR THE FOOTSTOOL TO R3 695 FOR THE TWO-SEATER WITH ARMS. ALL CUSHIONS CAN BE CUSTOM-MADE AND VARY IN PRICE.
CREATE THE PERFECT MOOD WITH ADDITIONAL LIGHTING. GOLD LANTERNS FROM BOARDMANS FOR R399 (SMALL) AND R499 (BIG).
BUILD YOUR SUMMER OASIS WITH THESE ESSENTIAL PIECES GET COMFY WITH SCATTERS. LEOPARD PRINT AND PALM LEAF SCATTER CUSHION FROM BOARDMANS FOR R199 EACH.
ADD AN ECO-FRIENDLY TOUCH TO YOUR GROUND WITH SYNTHETIC LAWN. FOREVER LAWN COMES IN 35MM PILE HEIGHT, IS SOFT UNDERFOOT AND REQUIRES NO MAINTENANCE. THE TONE REPRESENTS THAT OF REAL GRASS, AS IT CONSISTS OF GREEN AND LIGHT BROWN YARNS. AVAILABLE FROM WUXI TRADING COMPANY SA FROM R299 PER M2, EXCLUDING INSTALLATION.
MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT WITH A SOFA THAT’S GUARANTEED TO TURN UP THE HEAT AT YOUR PARTY. GET THE CROISSANT SOFA DESIGNED BY KENNETH COBONPUE FROM WEYLANDTS FOR R58 495.
FOR A CHIC OUTDOOR SPACE, A PARASOL IS A MUST. GET THIS 2.8M2 CLASSIC PARASOL FROM TRADEWINDS PARASOL AND LEISURE, R6 254 (INCLUDING CONCRETE BASE AND BASE PLATE). KICK BACK AND SOAK UP THE SUN WITH THE VONDOM JUT SUN LOUNGER FROM ROBERT THOMSON.COM FOR R19 617.
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YES, YOU CAN LAYER YOUR GROUND COVERS FOR EXTRA PLUSHNESS UNDERFOOT. THE VONDOM KOI RUG FROM ROBERT THOMSON. COM IS AVAILABLE AT R22 885.
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SUBSCRIPTIONS EOA
ESSAYS A WOMAN’S JOURNEY
OF AFRICA
and save 35%
Offer ends 31 October 2015. 12 MONTHS PRINT @ 35% DISCOUNT = R234 ONLY! 12 MONTHS DIGITAL @ 35% DISCOUNT = R210 ONLY! To subscribe, visit www.essaysofafrica.com EOA terms and conditions apply. See www.essaysofafrica.com.
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ARCHITECTURAL SPLENDOUR IN THE WINELANDS
Louis Phillips is synonymous with Cape Winelands architecture – his internationally recognised and highly soughtafter contemporary designs are often the preferred choice for homeowners at some of South Africa’s most luxurious estates. Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate, recently named the Top Residential Estate in South Africa 2015 by New World Wealth, bears Phillips’ unique architectural stamp. “My approach is to craft a unique design for each client to fit their individual lifestyle needs, whether it’s a family with children, a business owner working from home or people who entertain regularly,” Phillips explains. Having grown up in Paarl, Phillips knows the region and is able to play to its natural beauty throughout the seasons. “We take connivance of these factors when we design. It’s also become increasingly important to consider orientation, which is known to impact energy efficiency, as homeowners have developed a greater awareness of and desire for energy-efficient solutions,” he said. Phillips’ open-plan style lends itself to incorporating outdoor living, whether overlooking a lake, the mountains or the fairway, the ultimate goal is to draw the outside in, bringing these stunning views to the fore and showcasing the natural surrounds in which the home is nestled. A strong trend is the move to warmer finishes and textures, with the combination of durable materials such as natural timbers, copper, granite and neutral porcelains with contrasting high-gloss surfaces. In 2013, Phillips and his partners’ simple yet elegant approach was rewarded when the firm achieved third place in the Grand Prix international architectural competition in the residential category. For more information, call +27 (0)21 418 2466.
Design
CREATIVITY Find out about what’s new in architecture, add new ramekins to your collection and get schooled on how to creatively revolutionise the way you work.
THE BUSINESS OF DESIGN
Business of Design, a two-day conference aimed at creatively revolutionising the way you work, returns to Cape Town and Johannesburg this October for its Spring 2015 edition. Laurence Brick, MD of Platform Creative Agency and Creative Director of 100% Design South Africa says, “We’re proud to already have had 69 of South Africa’s best minds speak on our stage during the previous two conferences in both cities. The networking between over 500 alumni delegates was invaluable.” According to co-founder Trevyn McGowan of Source, Southern Guild and GUILD, “Business of Design appeals to all industries as the programme is geared towards both business skills and design thinking, it bridges the divide between the two, encouraging new ways of going about one’s work.” The conference will be held in Cape Town at Inner City Ideas Cartel, 71 Waterkant Street on 7 and 8 October 2015 and in Johannesburg 21 and 22 October 2015 (venue TBC). For more information, visit businessofdesign.co.za.
BATHROOMS GET INTO SHAPE
The use of geometry welcomes a host of design opportunities into the home, and in Duravit’s latest additions, form inspires bathroom design. Washbasins with sharp 90-degree design meet contemporary square/circle combinations, uniting two highcontrast geometric forms. More and more objects are moving away from perfect symmetry. To take a closer look at the new products, visit www.duravit.com.
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DÉCOR NEWS EOA
Creative and clever
It is multipurpose and eco-friendly, so you’ll be saving the planet when you use Cleva Lapie. Launched by I Scream & Red, who aims to protect the environment and provide employment for the disadvantaged, the 100-percent organic fabric multifunctional cloth can be folded in various ways using the traditional Japanese folding technique known as Furoshiki. “It can be used as a bag, accessory and even gift wrap! Now you can look good, unleash your creativity and live a planet-friendly lifestyle,” the company boasts. According to I Scream & Red the printing on the Cleva Lapie embodies contemporary art with an occasional twist of South African culture and all prints are done with nontoxic paints. Its interactive design urges consumers to tap into their creative side by steering away from traditional plastic packaging, opting to ‘fold’ their own packaging with Cleva Lapie. It is sold at Threads project, a collaborative enterprise that assists up-andcoming designers around Cape Town to display their work without the hassle of red tape.
WORDS: RHODA DAVIDS. IMAGES: SUPPLIED UNLESS SPECIFIED, DESIGNINDABA.COM.
ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION
It’s time to serve up summer in style! Frozen treats, tapas, cheeseboards and more just got a brand new look with Le Creuset’s latest additions. The new stoneware ice cream bowl, with its footed design makes presentation a dream – great for cobblers, puddings and fresh fruit parfait, it is available from R290. • For your intimate dinner party, try the new centre beech wood cutting board – place your crackers or bread slices around it. You can also remove the cutting board to pour dips or salsas into the centre well. Beech wood is strong enough to resist cuts and gouges, but retains enough flexibility to be gentle on knives. From R1 799, it’s a must-have. • Lay out your perfect spread in tapas bowls – a variety of appetisers are shared among diners making the occasion more sociable. It’s available from R330. • The rainbow set of ramekins is perfect to bake mini casseroles, desserts, mousse or crème brûlée – it also makes a great gift at R450.
ELEGANT AND AIRY… PERFECT FOR SUMMER
As part of its new collection, Hertex introduces Shifting Sands, a collection that’s lightweight and neutral. Inspiration from nature is evident in the variety of designs, from soft linear patterns with overlapping detail to a desert flower motif and broad stripes, all in a neutral colour palette. With a solid backing, Shifting Sands is ideal for elegant curtaining in a relaxed setting. Go to Hertex.co.za.
SHUT IT!
For an instant elegant lift to your entire home and a touch of contemporary style, add shutters to your windows. Plantation Timber and Security Shutters are able to control the perfect amount of light and temperature for your space. Timber shutters are often utilised as window or door coverings and are also a practical solution as an internal divider, while the security shutters are designed to be the strongest adjustable louvre security shutters in South Africa and are suitable for both internal and external use. The adjustable louvres are ideal for controlling light and airflow, while providing privacy. All shutters come with a standard fiveyear guarantee. Go to Plantation.co.za for more information. E
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AKWAABA
Welcome to Ghana
Ghana is an exotic, colourful and challenging destination… offering the perfect holiday for type-A personalities and other stimulation junkies.
itting snugly between Togo and Côte d’Ivoire on the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is one of the most exciting destinations in West Africa. One arrives to a friendly welcome at the Kotoka International Airport. “Akwaaba!” is the standard greeting and the airport officials seem like a carefree bunch. However, arriving in Ghana is the easy part. Travelling around the place is another story altogether. Travelling around Accra and, for that matter, the rest of Ghana can be a hairraising experience. As they say, Africa is not for sissies! Once you accept the frenetic activity on the potholed roads and Accra’s famous peak-hour traffic jams, what you’ll witness from the window of your hired taxi is a sight to behold. Accra’s main streets are moving, thriving bazaars. Think nothing of buying underwear, fresh fish, children’s puzzles,
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wall maps, bathroom taps, hula-hoops and potato crisps from the car window while you wait for the traffic to sort itself out. For most people staying over in Accra for a night or two, the Labadi Beach area is the place of choice. Labadi boasts a number of excellent hotels and great beaches that are perfect for a lazy sundowner, while listening to a djembe orchestra in the background. Modest accommodation is also available further along the coast. The Next Door Beach Hotel and Restaurant along Beach Road in Teshie (not far from Labadi) is a great choice. Situated right on the ocean, this modest hotel/motel offers a comfy bed for the night, with hot running water and a decent sized en suite bathroom. The hotel’s restaurant is the perfect place to hang out and snack on fresh fish and plantain chips, as the waves crash dramatically on the rocks below. From here access to Accra’s city centre is pretty easy, as long as your timing is right – forget about moving anywhere during peak hour.
A good starting point is the Arts Centre Market, a.k.a. the Centre for National Culture. Here, beaded masks, kente cloth, African artworks and creative curios are all on sale. Haggling is the order of the day, so you had better get used to it quickly. The taxi drivers in Accra are also pretty clued up on showing people around their city, and for a few extra cedi (local currency) they will be happy to explore places, such as Independence Square and Osu Castle, Makola Market, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the WEB Du Bois Memorial Centre for African Culture. They’ll also know all the hot and happening live music venues and jazz bars on the main drag – definitely worth a visit after the sun goes down. It’s probably a good idea to spend two to three days in Accra because there is so much on the go. Exploring Ghana further should involve visiting places like the Cape Coast, the Ashanti region and even trips to the Lake Volta region. The Cape Coast is generally first on the itinerary – the famous slave forts are found along this coastline.
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TRAVEL EOA
WORDS: DENISE SLABBERT. IMAGES: DEPOSITPHOTOS.
different, then arrange a drumming and dancing weekend on the Gold Coast with Ghana’s only female master drummer. The Volta Lake Cruise is another exotic option, as is the Volta Eco Adventure tour, where you hike through the Agumata Forest Reserve to the Wli Water Falls (the highest waterfall in both Ghana and West Africa), followed by an early dawn visit to the monkey sanctuary at Tafi Atome. If you’re looking for an enlightening and holiday adventure, go and experience Ghana for yourself. As the Ashanti saying goes: “Only when you have crossed the river, can you say the crocodile has a lump on his snout.”
Getting away from the urban buzz of Accra opens up a whole new world. Tropical forests hug the main roads and there are little villages and rural dwellings everywhere. God is certainly alive and well in this part of the world: as you travel, you see a multitude of references to the Almighty and every second shop is named after something religious, i.e. Blood of the Lamb Carpet Cleaners, God is Good Textiles, Anointed Barber and Hairstylist. Along the Cape Coast, Kakum National Park, on the way to Elmina, is an exciting stopover for nature enthusiasts. The 350m rope and cable canopy walkway, about 30m above the forest floor, is one of only five in the world. Kakum is beautifully kept and the bird and animal life are abundant in this green lung. There are seven viewing platforms that are linked by swaying bridges. Visitors can also take a guided walk through Kakum National Forest, with the guided night walk being a major highlight. The area of Elmina, close to Kakum, is home to the notorious St George’s Castle and Fort St Jago (known to many as ‘Elmina Castle’). This melancholy monument to slavery offers breathtaking views of the harbour and town and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical value. The Gold Coast is a popular tourist area, with a growing market of African-Americans arriving in search of their ancestry, and there are a number of good hotels in the area. Ghana is recognising the value of Slave Trail Tourism and there are a number of packages available that retrace slave history in this part of the world. Tourism hasn’t really exploited Ghana, meaning that there are a number of beaches that are yours for the taking. Winneba Beach and Gomoa Fetteh Beach are some of the best beaches around. At Winneba, the beach stretches on for miles and miles, framed by clichéd palm trees stretching on beyond the horizon. A day trip to Kumasi, home of the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold, is another major highlight on any trip to Ghana. You may catch a glimpse of the King of Ashanti in all his golden regalia, as well as the Manhyia Palace Museum and National Cultural Centre in Kumasi. Ghana has really woken up to tourism in a big way and there is something for every traveller, from arts and crafts tours, to gourmet cuisine safaris (learn to cook fufu, fried yam balls and palava), slave tours and batik workshops. If you’re looking for something completely
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Ghana highlights at a glance: l Accra’s nightlife – particularly live music venues l Kakum National Park l Elmina and other slave trade sites l The Cape Coast l Ashanti Kingdom l Winneba Beach l Shopping up a storm at the local markets. l Learning to cook traditional Ghanaian fare l An upper Volta Cruise l Wildlife: visit the elephants at Mole National Park, the hippos at Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary and the monkeys at Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary l Tasting fufu for the first time… or not Accommodation Spoiled for choice, accommodation in Ghana ranges from B&Bs and guesthouses at very reasonable rates, to four- and five-star hotels. For information, visit: l Elmina Beach Resort on the Cape Coast, visit www. gbhghana.com. l Next Door Beach Hotel, visit www.next-door.com. l Ghana and all its offerings, visit its tourism website at www.ghanatourism.gov.gh. E
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BMW i8
Sexy. Luxurious. Powerful. Hardly words you’d associate with a ‘green car’, but BMW has proven that you don’t need to be a treehugging hippy to drive an electric car. Indeed, the i8 is where power and style meet innovation. Having won the prestigious World Green Car Award at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year – and placing as a finalist in the World Luxury
Car category – the i8 continues to impress with its groundbreaking combination of plug-in hybrid drive technology and lightweight construction together with its avant-garde design. Combining the performance of a sports car with the fuel consumption and emission figures of a subcompact vehicle, the i8 can be driven up to 37 kilometres on electric power alone. It accelerates in the style of a purebred sports car, reaching 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds.
CLEAN GREEN MACHINES Hop on the green express to a cleaner world and get behind the wheel of these dream machines…
NISSAN LEAF
Stunning South Africa and the world as the first mass-produced one hundred percent electric car, the Nissan LEAF has more than 200 000 drivers worldwide. It was named 2011 World Car of the Year and won similar titles in Europe and Asia, thanks to its class-leading range of 195 kilometres and regenerative braking. Since its introduction, all LEAF models have travelled more than a combined 1 billion fuel-free kilometres. The LEAF has been widely embraced in South Africa, with neighbourhoods such as Joburg’s trendy Parkhurst installing solar-powered electric car charging points throughout the village. And with fuel prices rising to astronomical heights, there’s never been a better time to go electric!
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MOTORING EOA
VOLVO XC90
Volvo recently launched the world’s most powerful and cleanest 7-seat premium SUV in South Africa. The XC90 is all that and a whole lot more. With its visually striking design, this SUV embodies elegance, space and well-being – it’ll make you want to live a healthier, more wholesome life just by driving it! Every detail of the XC90 is thought through, with some highly impressive safety and convenience features, even for the impeccable standards of a Volvo. It comes fully equipped with the IntelliSafe package, delivering
two world firsts – Run-off Road Protection and Auto Brake at Intersections. The SUV’s advanced driver interface is based on touch screen technology and an intuitively tiled menu system that takes the effort out of personalisation and interaction. Its cutting-edge Sensus control system delivers true connectivity with a range of useful Cloud-based applications and services that can be operated via the touchscreen, through steering wheel controls or via the advanced on-board voice control system. Now the wait begins for the ‘fully green’ T8 Plug-In Hybrid model to hit our shores… Watch this space!
MERCEDES-BENZ C 350 e
WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: QUICKPIC.
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz announced that they would be bringing out a total of 10 plugin hybrids in the run-up to 2017. Following the successful launch in Europe of the S 500 PlugIn Hybrid, the second model to feature the progressive drive concept is no less exciting. Available in a saloon or estate variant, the C 350 e offers extraordinary levels of efficiency, dynamism and comfort. It may drive like a sports car, yet it consumes just 2.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres and boasts an allelectric range of 31 kilometres – not bad! Let’s hope the wait isn’t too long for it to reach SA. E
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orn in Zimbabwe, Makho Ndlovu moved with her family to the United States at the age of 10. After working as a project manager at Sony for more than six years, she decided to follow her heart and become a celebrity reporter and blogger, entering the Global Grind competition to become their new video correspondent. After three rounds of voting, Makho was selected from 5 000 candidates, with the final decision being made by music mogul Russell Simmons. Recently married to a fellow Zimbo and loving life in NYC, Makho continues to raise the flag high for her home country and continent in all of her work, running a website and blog devoted to entertainment news with a special focus on Africa.
Q You’ve Managed To Build A Great Brand For Yourself In The US. To What Do You Attribute This Success? I consider myself a work in progress. I have achieved quite a bit but still have a long way to go. When I first started out I wasn’t thinking about building a brand, I was just doing something that I loved. That translated to success, but entertainment is just like breathing to me – I can’t do without it.
Q What Gave You The Courage To Leave A Stable Nine-To-Five Job In Pursuit Of Freelancing? I actually didn’t have the courage to leave my job. I was comfortable with a 9-to-5, but deep down inside I wasn’t happy with my career. I knew that it was time for a change but I wasn’t quite ready to act on it. It wasn’t until 2012, when I was laid off from my job, that I really decided to pursue my career as an entertainment correspondent.
Q Being Selected By Russell Simmons For Global Grind Must Have Been Thrilling! Was It Something You Always Wanted To Get Into? I entered the Russell Simmons contest on a whim, not expecting anything except perhaps a memorable experience. Winning the contest was a dream come true and just the nudge I needed to know that I was on the right track. To have someone like Russ handpick me as the
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THE LOVELY, TALENTED MAKHO NDLOVU
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ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEW EOA
Reaching for the stars
Entertainment correspondent, Makho Ndlovu, is making a name for herself in the bright lights of New York City. She spoke to EOA about some of the highs and lows of her career.
winner gave me that instant validation that would have taken years to build on my own.
Q How Has The Journey Been For You Since Taking That Leap? I am always honest with people about the level of sacrifice needed to work in this industry; it’s not always rosy. There have been moments of unbelievable highs – like signing my first contract, for example. Knowing that I worked hard enough to be noticed by someone and that they wanted to hire me for my skills was a great feeling. Of course, with the highs there are some unimaginable lows, like losing that same contract or clients not paying you for months on end. It’s been a journey full of hills and valleys, but I am grateful for every experience that has shaped me into the person I am today.
Q What Do You Love Most About Your Work As A Reporter For Global Grind, BET, YFM And Others?
WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY MAKHO NDLOVU.
I love that no two days are ever the same. It’s always an adventure and I love talking to people and engaging with them. My career now allows me to talk to people that I either admire or find interesting, so I don’t take that for granted.
Q Being From Zimbabwe, Does Your Passion Lie In African Lifestyle And Entertainment News? Absolutely! There are so many positive stories coming out of the continent so it’s important to me that we celebrate those who are representing us well. I am really passionate about Africa because regardless of where I am in the world, I am an African girl at heart.
Q There’s Been A Big Shift Towards Looking To African Countries For Inspiration In Western Media And Culture, Particularly In Fashion And
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Music. What Are Your Thoughts On This? It’s about time. Africa has always been at the forefront of music, fashion and art, so it’s only right that we see this shift. My only concern is that we make sure that we don’t seek validation from Western media and culture; we have to be aware that we are the curators of this whole movement. We have to own the African narrative.
Q What Is Your Ultimate Career Goal? I would love to own a production company that creates content for TV stations within the continent. When it’s all said and done, my passion is to create opportunities in film and media for young people in Africa.
Q What Advice Do You Have For Africans Wanting To Carve Out A Name For Themselves In The US And Achieve Success In The Entertainment Industry? My advice to young people across the continent is based on a quote by Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Meaning that if you are passionate about something then you should go for it. There may be naysayers or detractors, but those people should not stop you from achieving your goal. The key to success is zoning in on your strengths and understanding what makes you stand out. Couple that with hard work and perseverance, and you have a solid recipe for success.
Q What Do You Miss Most About Zimbabwe? Living in the US, I miss the little things about living in Zimbabwe. For instance, I love walking into a restaurant and hearing the local people speak my language. It’s so heartwarming to be surrounded by people from a similar background. African people have this spirit of Ubuntu that is innately programmed in us and it’s what makes us different. E
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EOA SOCIAL SCENE
CONVERSATION Women’s safety on the roads GUESTS WITH THE ORS TEAM
GAIL BESTER FROM SANRAL
Women’s safety on the roads should be a topic for open and serious discussion. As such, SANRAL and EOA provided the platform for an honest conversation.
MORONGWA MAKAKANE
KHULILE MASHABA–MTETWA, GUEST SPEAKER
SALEM DJAFTA
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very woman has a story to tell, and the guests who attended the SANRAL Women’s Conversation Brunch heard interesting stories shared by every speaker that took to the podium. By 9am everything was set and programme director, Nikiwe Bikitsha welcomed all the ladies who were dressed to the nines, with just a hint of yellow. The message of the day was Women’s Safety On The Road and the speakers on the programme all shared a little something that helped get the message across. Khulile Mashaba-Mtetwa opened the floor by sharing the story of her road accident; she was followed by Gail Bester from SANRAL, who elaborated more on the organisation. The speakers also touched on child road safety, which is every parent’s concern. Afrotraction provided light entertainment between the breaks before Morongwa Makakane ended the talks of the day. Her words were simple as she encouraged women to help each other and be the best they can be! E
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SOCIAL SCENE EOA
WORDS: KISSMEA CHARLES. PHOTOGRAPHS: RIZQAH DOWLIE HOUSE.
GUESTS ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION
GUESTS ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION
GUESTS MINGLING
NYELETI MAKHUBELE
EVENT REGISTRATION
LEFT TO RIGHT: GAIL BESTER, PEGGIE MARS AND NIKIWE BIKITSHA
EVELYN SAMBO
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AFROTRACTION PROVIDES THE ENTERTAINMENT
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EOA BOOKS TWO YEARS EIGHT MONTHS AND TWENTYEIGHT NIGHTS
Salman Rushdie R285, Random House UK Arguably the most accomplished writer of our generation, Rushdie has once again delivered a layered tale rooted in his typical magic-realist sensibility. Numerous storylines intertwine to reveal a world that has been plunged into an age of unreason, and in which the characters are either part of it or confounded. Contemporary satirical storytelling at its best.
Sebastian Faulks R285, Random House UK The narrative of Faulks’ latest sweeping romance takes us from the trenches of the Western Front to the hedonistic days of the swinging 60s, as we look back on the 20th century through the eyes of the protagonist, an English doctor compelled to reflect on his life and the events that shaped it.
THE FESTIVAL OF INSIGNIFICANCE
Milan Kundera R245, Faber & Faber The esteemed 86-year-old writer’s first novel in 15 years celebrates the mundanity of everyday life, and revels in it. The story hinges on a dinner party held by an old man, possibly a proxy for the writer himself. Readers looking for narrative over form might be a little disappointed, but those who are happy to watch the writer flex his literary muscles will read on eagerly.
500 SUPERFOOD DISHES
Beverley Glock R140, Struik Lifestyle We’ve all heard the term ‘superfood’ bandied around, but now you can discover exactly what they are and how to prepare them to control weight, curb hunger pangs and cravings, and boost your body’s natural immunity. Get ready for cleansing juices, hearty health meals, sleep-aiding snacks and detoxing desserts. Eating well has never been this easy, or tasted this good.
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TRIBE
Rahla Xenopoulos R230, Umuzi In her third book, the talented Capetonian writer explores ebbs and flows of a friendships formed through the shared reckless abandon among a group of young South Africans on holiday abroad. Their bond intensifies over time until a near-death experience disrupts the harmony and they go their separate ways, only to reunite 12 years later on home soil for an intense week at a luxury game lodge. But in the bush there’s nowhere to hide, and the euphoria of getting together soon subsides into confrontation as old faultlines crack open to reveal the fractures in their relationships. Tribe is a novel brimming with emotion without ever falling into sentimentality. Much like its main characters, it skirts the obvious, and by leaving certain things unsaid, says them the loudest, allowing them to settle in the reader’s mind to understand their full effect and, hopefully, give a glimmer of insight into the human condition and the gaps that exist in human connection. Xenopoulos’ characters are alive, detailed, richly textured, and full of pathos. Her second novel, Bubbles, received wide acclaim in national media, and it’s no surprise. Her latest is bound to as well. E
WORDS: ROBYN BLOCH. IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY UMUZI, RANDOM HOUSE UK, FABER & FABER, STRUIK LIFESTYLE.
WHERE MY HEART USED TO BEAT
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tech EOA
APPS & NEWS FROM THE TECH FRONT As the green movement grows, so do the apps that you can use to do your part for the environment.
WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: iTunes, google play store, quickpic.co.za, tesla motors.
GARDEN PLAN PRO
Selected as App of the Week in 2012 and 2014, this is the ultimate vegetable and herb gardening app. Combining expert plant knowledge with simple-to-use tools that adapt to your area, you can draw on an extensive library to scale-plan your garden through the seasons.
GO GREEN
How ‘Green’ are you? Get this app and become part of the solution, with collectible Green tips that are saved to your Green list. You get a new Green tip each time you visit the app, with your Green status changing as you earn more tips.
GREEN KITCHEN
Green Kitchen is an inspirational source of organic and tasty vegetarian food, with ingredients straight from nature, using a bare minimum of gluten, sugar and dairy. Whether you’re embracing a vegetarian lifestyle or just going meat-free one night a week, this is the perfect kitchen companion.
ESSENTIAL GARDEN GUIDE
Whether you’re a pro gardener or green thumb deficient, this is the perfect tool for planting fruits and vegetables. The app includes all the details you’ll need to plant, tend to and harvest your crops, including how deep to plant seeds and how much light each crop needs.
GREENMETER
This innovative app computes your car’s power and fuel usage, while evaluating your driving to increase efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and cost, and lower your environmental impact. Results are displayed in real time, while driving, to give instantaneous feedback.
CLEAN AND GREEN
Featuring an abundance of healthy and delicious recipes, this stylish app keeps things super simple, with fresh ingredients for a wholesome lifestyle.
GREEN TECH NEWS GREENER FUTURE FOR CARS
Honda, Nissan and Toyota are working together to get more fuel cell cars on the roads in a big push towards creating a hydrogen society. Fuel cell vehicles emit no pollution. They run on the power created when hydrogen stored as fuel combines with oxygen in the air to make water. Hydrogen fueling stations are needed in order to make the technology viable, so the automakers have pledged funds to build and maintain them. Green auto technology is critical in curbing global warming. E
BATTERY POWER
With 1.2 billion people having no access to electricity, batteries are due for a serious upgrade. Elon Musk’s Tesla may have the solution, with plans to build a massive factory in 2017 that would supply lithium-ion batteries for electric cars – up to 500 000 a year. The company also announced a new line of rechargeable batteries that would store solar energy to power homes and businesses.
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EOA MOVIES & THEATRE Starring Jaques de Silva, Barileng Malebye and Mlindeli Zondi, this inspiring production tells the story of what influenced the rural boy to become the global legend. It takes audiences on an imaginative journey through the childhood of Nelson Mandela, featuring colourful characters vividly portrayed in beautiful masks, with physical performances supported by bold sound design and theatrical styling. Running at the Theatre on the Square in Sandton until 3 October.
ALL THAT SIMMERS ON STAGE & SCREEN A roundup of the best entertainment Mzansi has to offer this month…
BLACK AND BLUE
Set in suburbia, this piece gently observes the complexities of South Africa’s ongoing master and servant relationships. Performed in a detailed, heightened style, every second of Mrs Swart’s existence is alarmingly magnified. Paranoid about life beyond the four walls of her blue house, the arrival of Jackson Siboiboi, who seeks to work as a gardener in her abandoned garden, initiates a relationship that blossoms through fragility and a change of heart. Running at Joburg’s Market Theatre until 1 November.
QAPHELA CAESAR
The inimitable Jay Pather has created a masterful contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Featuring Mwenya Kabwe along with artists from Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre, Jazzart and UCT Opera School, Pather’s production places Shakespeare’s masterpiece firmly in modern-day South Africa. Runs at the SA State Theatre in Pretoria from 14 to 31 October.
COMEDY HOUR
BESPOKE
Cape Town’s star entertainer, Stuart Taylor, returns to Joburg this month with his ninth one-man show. The popular comedian is renowned for his improvisational wit and takes this to new heights in his latest show, where you’ll feel like you’re in a comedy club rather than a theatre. Politics, load shedding, and the desperation of getting your kids to speak in a ‘St. Stithian’s accent’ all come under scrutiny in this laugh-a-minute show. Runs at Montecasino’s Studio Theatre from 2 October to 1 November.
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LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
Thenjiwe has become a social media sensation, with her razor sharp comedy skits going viral. Fresh from performing in Europe, the maestro of feel-good comedy brings her first solo show to her hometown. Don’t miss the hilarious antics of this KwaMashu-born comedian on stage for one night only. Live at Durban’s Playhouse Company on 17 October.
MASS HYSTERIA CAPE TOWN
If comedy had a government, this would be it. In a year that has been witness to some of the most extraordinary scenes of parliament disorder, SA’s top comedians are on hand to give their farcical take on our current state of affairs. At the Artscape Theatre from 14 to 25 October. E
WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: SA state theatre, THE MARKET THEATRE, SITES ON PRODUCTIONS, MONTE THEATRE, Sanmari Marais, ARTSCAPE THEATRE.
MAKING MANDELA
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MUSIC EOA
NINA REVISITED: A Tribute to Nina Simone (Sony Music) Undoubtedly one of the most important albums to come out this year, Nina Revisited takes on the mammoth task of paying tribute to the legend that is Nina Simone. With the ongoing spate of racist attacks in the US, this album couldn’t come at a better time; Simone was as much a freedom fighter and activist as she was a singer and performer. Indeed, there was no separation between her struggles as a black woman in America and her music: the former always shaped the latter. Thankfully, the only woman who could truly rise to the challenge of bringing Simone’s powerful, raw vocals to life in 2015 is the lead artist on the album, Lauryn Hill. Taking on standards like Feeling Good, Wild is the Wind and Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair, Hill’s husky voice oozes a defiance and boldness that epitomised Nina Simone. Her renditions are riveting, thrilling. Other standout tracks include Usher’s take on My Baby Just Cares for Me and Don’t Let Me Be Understood, sung by Mary J. Blige. Elsewhere, Common and Lalah Hathaway give a contemporary spin to We are Young, Gifted and Black, with reference to Ferguson.
musical MOMENTS Sounds to suit your every mood! LOCKDOWN
NO SWEAT
Roque (Sony Music) Hailing from Witbank, prolific house music producer Sibusiso Mtsweni, aka ‘Roque’, has released his debut album showcasing the vocal and underground shades of his dance floor style. The album features the vocal talents of local and international artists the likes of Jaidene Veda, Dineo and Kelly Allen.
WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGES: SONY MUSIC, UNIVERSAL MUSIC.
CARACAL
Disclosure (Universal Music) Disclosure has finally dropped their greatly anticipated sophomore album, with the premiere single Holding On featuring Grammywinning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter. The Grammy-nominated duo has established themselves as keen musical curators, with a striking lineup of guest vocalists on their new album, including Lion Babe, Nao, Kwabs and Sam Smith. In a bold and inventive move, the brothers unveiled a series of epic, futuristic videos to accompany songs from the album, coming together to create a short film.
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LeAnne Dlamini (Sony Music) Musician, fashionista and recent EOA cover girl, LeAnne Dlamini produced and recorded her new single in LA with Av of the Natives – most recently known for producing MC Lyte’s comeback single featuring Lil Mama. The single showcases LeAnne’s strong vocal talent, leaving you wanting more from this refreshing artist.
TWELVE
Miza (Sony Music) With the title of Miza Modibedi’s new album referring to his years in the industry as a musician, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Twelve manages to blend the variegated characteristics of this multi-talented artist. Having been nominated for various Metro FM Awards for his hit singles and collaborations, including Superhero featuring Flabba in 2010 and Feeling with former Idols contestant Noluthando Meje in 2013, Miza is ready to take Mzansi’s music scene by storm once again, fresh from playing the festival circuit in Europe. Packed with serene pop and sunshinedoused dance, the album’s first single How Do You Know features SAMA-nominated Kabomo. Other artists appearing on the album include Balinde, Maya Spector and Sbu Nkomo. E
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EOA HOROSCOPES
CANCER 22 June – 23 July A mix up with your living space or a communications hiccup may have unsettled you, but things can be put right now, as home and technology upgrades are the way to go. So too is unleashing your darkly romantic side, making it a good month to explore your secret passions.
GEMINI 22 May – 21 June Detox your thinking and exorcise some ideas that no longer hold true this month. Confused conversations may have put romance on hold, but harmony returns now. Focusing energy on your home will help, as a new sense of freedom, adventure and love starts with where you live.
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LIBRA 24 September – 23 October You can make all the right choices now, especially when it comes to romance and finance. You're also blessed with intuition so trust your hunches, as they’re likely to be uncannily spot on. Consider re-launching yourself with a new look to match your new outlook.
SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November If you’ve been letting others take the wheel lately, it’s time to get back in the driving seat. Re-evaluate a close business or personal relationship this month, as by gathering the right people around you now you could make some serious headway with ambitious plans.
Your month in the starS
Your birthstone is an opal. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May If life has been more endurance than enjoyment recently, it's time you had some help. It may take two to tango or two to get a creative project going, but either way, don’t go it alone. Your love life, well-being and career will all benefit from sharing the load now.
ARIES 21 March – 20 April If you’ve been unsure about where an important connection is heading, you’ll get your answer this month. At work, dealing with the grittier rather than glam aspects of your career is how to get ahead. Try it, as you might even form a helpful bond with an unexpected ally.
PISCES 20 February – 20 March Step outside your usual boundaries now as serendipity could put you in the right place at the right time for an encounter that could alter your love or work relationships. The upshot? You’ll be able to put recent fears about finance or intimacy firmly in the past.
SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 22 December Any holdups with grand schemes or simple hopes and dreams get unblocked now as the facts you need become available to you. There’s luck and love at work where you’re unstoppable, but beware of burnout. Pace yourself, as success is about being in it for the long haul. CAPRICORN 23 December – 20 January Your career may have felt like it’s been backtracking lately, so reinvent your work persona if you have to. Shift things into forward gear by arming yourself with extra skills and knowledge. It’s time to get serious, as playing at life or love is not an option now.
AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February Plans get back on course this month, especially any linked to travel, study, a legal issue, Internet fame or inner Zen. Negotiations could raise your power at work, and discretion and passion are the ingredients to make things happen. The same applies to your love life.
WORDS: STELLA NOVA. IMAGE: www.beaverbrooks.co.uk
LEO 24 July – 23 August Your social style and poise are back after a recent lull. Your career reaches a peak now too, so ensure your next move is into the fast lane and not a dead end. While the urge to splurge is strong, spend on home and health to bring you a better return on your investment.
VIRGO 24 August – 23 September You have the Midas touch now and you’re the golden girl when it comes to love. But while you’re blessed with bountiful luck, try not to push it. Make your comments clever rather than cutting, and avoid those who expect you to spend on them in order to befriend them.
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WORDS: WEZI MUYEMBE. IMAGES: CHELLAH RANCEN TUKUTA.
WORDS AND IMAGES: SUPPLIED BY CAPACITY RELATIONS.
SHASHI NAIDOO
lamour, style and sophistication filled the air as Joburg’s hottest celebrities, fashionistas and media gathered in Sandton recently for a firsthand experience of Elizabeth Arden’s latest innovation in the world of beauty. The iconic international beauty brand revealed a fresh new communication strategy inspired by its birthplace – New York City – and its founder’s empowering message to ‘Go Out and Make Your Mark, Today’. The brand had a triple treat for guests and unveiled a whole new product category in the world of beauty with SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster or optimiser; Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide skincare collection aimed at fighting the first signs of ageing due to stress; and the third reveal was Elizabeth Arden ALWAYS RED, a luxurious fragrance that celebrates the New York state of mind – boldly living out loud, making your own rules. Guests, including the likes of Terry Pheto, Louise Carver, Shashi Naidoo, Maps Maponyane, Penny Lebyane, Sophie Ndaba, Zuraida Jardine and Gerry Elsdon, were spoiled with great entertainment by The Shoowop Shop as they experienced the products, while sipping on bubbly and enjoying delectable treats. Products will be launched in South Africa on 14 September 2015.
SOPHIE NDABA
CYPRIAN NDLOVU
THREE-INONE REVEAL with Elizabeth Arden GINA MYERS
TERRY PHETO (LEFT), GUEST AND MAMPHO BRESCIA (RIGHT)
MAPS MAPONYANE
SHOOWOP SHOP ENTERTAINED THE GUESTS WITH POPULAR COVERS
THE INTERN ZAMBIA by David Tlale LEFT TO RIGHT: STEPHEN MWANSA AND DAVID TLALE IN CONVERSATION LEFT TO RIGHT: WEZI MUYEMBE AND DAVID TLALE
SEBONI MAKGAMATHA KAREN NAKAWALA, DIRECTOR OF ZAMBIA FASHION WEEK
MAKE-UP ARTIST, ISABELLE MWAMBA, APPLYING MAKE-UP ON MODELS
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ward-winning South African designer David Tlale in conjunction with the Zambia Fashion Week recently launched ‘The Intern Zambia by David Tlale’, which will give designers an opportunity to work be mentored by him. The competition will be held immediately after the Zambia Fashion Week scheduled for October 2015. The winner will be announced at a fashion gala dinner and will work under Tlale’s wing for a year, showcasing at fashion shows in SA. Tlale held a workshop for designers in the industry with the focus on how to build a cohesive collection and how African designers need to rise. The launch was attended by the Ministry of Tourism and Arts permanent secretary, Mr Stephen Mwansa, who pledged to support the fashion industry in Zambia, and also urged designers to form an association so that they speak as one voice. Karen Nakawala, the director of the Zambia Fashion Week thanked Tlale for recognising the potential in Zambia and promised to provide more opportunities to Zambians to reach greater heights in the fashion industry. E
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Photographer: Gareth Jacobs. MODEL: CLIFFORD PHALATSE. Hair & Make-Up Artist: Lucoh Mhlongo. Styled by: Tumi Mdluli. Accessories by: Robot Trading.
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E ssays of A frica
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