“Twenty years from now, you’ll be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones That you did do.” -Mark Twain
LE TTE R F ROM The editor Issue number 4 is well under way and this month we made sure to bring our usual positive vibe. As we continue to cope with the unknown (corona virus) pandemic, we boldly march on with faith that things will get better. They have to. I certainly hope that all our readers are keeping safe and healthy while following the safety regulations. We’re going to make it, I promise you. Limitless World Magazine will continue to do its part, bringing that ‘hot fire’ content for our readers. The best advice I can give is that, we should all take this lockdown period as an opportunity to reflect and strategize. Whatever business idea going through your head, now would be the perfect time to work on it. Whatever theme idea for a book, you might have had, now is the perfect time as ever, to start drafting it up! Get up, get out and do something! Wherever you are, I urge you to create a life and a world that is nothing but limitless. Health, happiness and wealth to all. Yours truly
KZ Chester Mbekela Instagram: @kz_ches @limitless_world_mag
TABLE OF C O N T E N T S 20 Questions with Thabisa Mjo -A world class designer
Technology talk: The rise of esports
Healthy eating habbits
Yukio HishikaClothing brand (Japan)
Train insane: A monster Kettle bell workout
Hip hop: A throwback Track of the month
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20 Questions with
Thabisa Mjo-A world class Designer
Question 1 Firstly, welcome to 20 questions. Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself. Hi there, my name is Thabisa Mjo and I am the founder of MashT Design Studios, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“My mom made me a tutu When I was young, so I’ve Always had a thing for tutus”
Question 2 Please share with us how you became a designer. Did you go to design school or was this a natural talent? To answer your question, my passion has always been in story telling. From back in the day since high school. After completing high school, I enrolled at AFDA film school where I majored in production design. While I was busy with my studies, I started noticing how all of my favourite restuaurants had these designs that fascinated me. It definitely sparked curiousity in me about the designing process.
Incredibly difficult to break into The interior design industry because of it being a very niche market. One that requires one to have connections. So what I did, was enter a Competition that required me to design a Pandent light. The winner would have 100 units bought by the company Sponsoring the competition. I didn’t think I would win. I just Wanted to be noticed. Question 3 What inspired your very first design and what was it?
My very first design was the Tutu 2.0 pandent light. I had to Once I graduated from film school, design that for the competition. I enrolled at Inscape and studied When designing it, I had to think interior design. It was about what’s in my world that had the form and shape that could work as a lamp shade. That’s when I thought about Xibelani, a traditional Tsonga dress. To me the design of that dress looks like a lamp shade. The reason behind the name is that my mom made a tutu for me when I was young, so I’ve always had a thing for tutus (laughs).
Question 4 When did you establish MashT Designs? I registered my company in 2013, but the business really took off in 2016. This happened, to my surprise, after wining the designing competition.
Question 5 What are the major challenges you’ve faced as an entrepreneur? I would say the challenges to being an entrepreneur, are having Access to the market. There is also no one to teach you certain skills sets. One only learns through experience. I constantly have to ask myself what problem am I solving? Who am I solving that problem for? Is the segment im serving, willing to pay for my product?
“I would say the challenges to being an entrepreneur, are having access to the market�.
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Question 6 Which design became your arrival moment? The Tutu 2.0 without a doubt. Reason being that it literally changed my life. Winning that competition made me realize that I had this gift which I didn’t know that I had. Looking back, the Tutu design didn’t only change my life, but also changed the business’ life as well. That’s when things really took off!
“Looking back, the Tutu design didn’t only change my life, but also changed the business’ life too”
Question 7
Question 8
How did your designs become internationally recognized?
So how did you feel when you saw your design being displayed abroad, for the first time?
Again, after the Tutu 2.0 received the vote for the ‘most beautiful design’ in SA, international media picked up on it and it got major exposure. I also did a lot of interviews which were instrumental in marketing my design and catalogue. Last year we went to Milan and exhibited at the Milan Desing Week. I would say that’s been our most significant break in getting international exposure. It’s the biggest design exhibition in the world. The best designers from all over the world attend this event.
To be honest, it isn’t about whether my pieces are seen in foreign countries or not. I actually enjoy people from South Africa seeing them, recognizing and identifying with the Tutu as part of their culture. That means more to me.
https://amzn.to/2YEZWLT Question 9 How many countries can your designs be found in? The Tutu is the product that has really travelled and can be found in the Middle East. In countries such as Oman, Dubai. We are also in countries such as Malaysia, Australia, United Kingdom, the USA and in Paris, France.
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Question 12
Question 10 We would love to know, how Do you get inspired when creating your designs?
Question 11
Has the Corona virus pandemic The philosophy of MashT designs Affected your business in is to use designs to share lived experiences terms and share my cultural Heritage. When of operations? designing a new piece, I always go back to my memory box and think about my lived Covid-19 definitely affected our experiences. business because the bulk of our clients are in the commercial For example, things I experienced sector, restaurants, game lodges in my childhood and cultural and hotels have all taken a hit. practices. My Hlabisa bench is the latest piece that I’ve done. The backrest Everything is on hold indefinitely. of the chair was inspired by the landscape of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. The rolling hills of Natal to be exact. I feel a connection with KZN because my mom is from there.
“When designing a new piece, I always go back to my memory box and think about my lived experiences.”
We heard through a source, that you gave a talk at a university in New York City. How did it feel to be in New York and to go hrough that experience? I love New York. It’s one of my favorite cities. Giving a speech at Columbia University was nerve wrecking, but felt like validation for the work we are doing. It taught us the importance of recording the work we are doing, so that It can one day become academic literature.
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“We want to own the entire value chain.”
Question 13
Question 14
Do you have any
So what have you enjoyed about your entrepreneurial journey?
expansion plans? We would love to expand. Currently all our elements are outsourced. Our plan is to own our means of production. We want to own the entire value chain. What I am also looking for is partners, instead of having my own stand alone store when expanding locally or internationally.
Entrepreneurship is definitely not for the faint-hearted. For me, it’s been enjoyable because I have a great support system in my family. I never bare the burden on my own, which helps a lot! I also get to experience the amazing accolades with my family which means a lot to me. Working with multi-talented crafts people has also been enjoyable, especially when we push and inspire them to new heights.
Question 15 Have you done any Collaborations with other Designers? Yes I have collaborated with a few designers. The most notable is Ms Beauty Nxongo who is a basket weaver. Her work is part of the permanent collection in meuseums in New York and London. She is incredible.
Ques tio n 17 What other business interests Catch your eye? Lifestyle brands are what catch my eye. A perfect example is Tory Burch, who started off by selling clothing. Now she sells a variety of products from perfume, to wall paper coverings. She also sells coffee table books.
Question 16 So when you’re away from being creative, what are your Hobbies? I like reading autobiographies. I watch Korean dramas which is sort of a new thing as well. I enjoy working out and surfing the internet too. I am always looking to learn something new, hence I’m always browsing through the net.
“I enjoy working out and surfing the internet too.”
Question 18 Where do you see MashT in 10 years? I want to make MashT into a lifestyle brand. I want to own every single part of the production chain. I would love to have distribution partners all over the world and maybe work on some projects with venecualr architects.
“They need to start,regardless of where they are.”
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Question 19
Question 20
What advice would you give a young lady, who is on similar path as you? The advice I would have for them is that, they can’t start where they would like to end up.
Thank you so much for joining us. Are there any social media pages or websites where people can see your work? Thank you for having me! People can follw us @mashtdesignstudio on Instagram.
They need to start, regardless of where they are. They need to just start.
Website: www.mashtdesignstudio.co.za
I would also encourage her about failure being part of the process. She should embrace failure and learn from it. When she needs help, she can’t be afraid to ask for it.
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Healthy eating habbits As human beings, I’m sure we often ask ourselves, “how important is eating healthy? Eating healthy influences so much of our daily lives. It has a direct influence on how we start our days off. Have you ever noticed how sharp you mind becomes afte a healthy meal? This could be a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Having the right amount of nutrients in the body does wonders for one’s level of productivity throughout the day. Yout energy levels soar through the roof.
Getting stuff done doesn’t become much of a chore anymore because you’re motivated. Healthy eating habbits also play a major role in how we think. The positive thoughts that run through our minds are the results of suffiecient vitamins and minerals, coming from the food we consume. Unhealthy food, such as junk food affects our away of thinking in a negative manner. Consuming too much junk food often leaves one feeling lousy and generally in negative head space. But hey, I’m not saying don’t indulge, just keep it moderate. Make the right choice and mostly fill your body up with nutrients that will put you in a positive head space, and make you feel good physically. your health is wealth! Remember that! https://amzn.to/2Bhlzce
Train insane: A monster kettle bell workout
Training the Eastern European way has often been overlooked by gym Enthusiasts. But it goes without Saying that, a kettle bell workout is one of the most intense training methods. When working out using kettle bells, one is able to get an aerobic as well as an anaerobic workout. It is a great way to build strength while getting some cardio in. More and more personal trainers are starting to include kettle bells in their workout routines, for their clients. The results are magnificent. The toning and muscle definition one achieves, is mind blowing! With information readily available online, people are welcome to do their own research when it comes to this method of training. Videos of proper trainng variations are available on YouTube for those who want to learn how to use kettle bells.
Kettle bell
Workout variations
Day 1 Bicyle warm up 7 x Kettle bell snatch 7x Kettle bell swings 7x Kettle bell shoulder press Core work Day 2 Treadmill (20 min) 10x Kettle bell squats 10x Kettle bell lunges 10x Kettle bell back rows
Day 3 Foam roll 7x swings 7x thrusters 7xl snatch
Day 4 10x Kettle chest press 10x Kettle bell back Rows 10x Kettle bell snatch Core work
Technology talk: The rise of Esports With the physical sporting world currently in limbo, there’s no better time for esports to take off, then now. Not that esports needed this gap as the industry has been popular for quite some time. It’s a massive industry with an estimated networth of around $1.8 billion by the year 2022. According to a report by Forbes, esports professional athletes have been increasing by 40% since the year 1998. This is a booming industry and yet, to some of us, its still seems like an underground culture. With the pandemic going on, there really is no telling when things will return to normal, or if they ever will. Physical sports is slowly making a come back but in reality, esports has an opportunity in eclipsing the net value of phycial sports as we know it.
Popular esports games played online include Dota 2, Fortnite, Counter strike 2: Global offensive. Other esports game are League of Legends, Heatherstone and Overwatch. FIBA baskeball also recently joined esports and the online tournaments proved to a resounding success.
Though esports benefits in having an online presence, they too, have been affected by the ‘no fans’ rule. Epsorts tounamaments usually bank on large crowds attending events, to watch the best gamers in the world play against one another. That’s the downside.
The upside to esports is that, youngsters are turning pro before their 16th birthday. These kids are literally making millions of dollars by being professionals at at playing video games!
Like any other pro sports setup, esports has major sponsors, stars, endorsements and dynasties. Their biggest advantage currently, is being able to be remote. Through esports, we’ve also witnessed the rise in popularity regarding the platform known as Twitch, where people can stream and watch the gamers play.
“The upside to esports is that youngsters are turning pro before their 16th birthday.”
YukioHishika- Clothing brand (Japan) Hishika clothing, a brand coming out of Tokyo, Japan, has to be the coolest thing we’ve seen in 2020. They’re like a combination of street culture meets skate culture. Fresh gear that caters for all seasons of the year. What we appreciate about this brand, is their old school flavor in their designs.
The brand’s authentic style in honoring its Japanese heritage and blending it with modern pop culture, is why this brand is so special.
With the gear being excessable in a physical store, for Japanese locals and as an online store for people outside of the country, the clothes are easily attainable for all! Shout out to the designers because those clothes are too sick!
https://yukiohishika.com/?ref Promo code: KZ10 And get 30% off any product Purchased!
RE’FUSION tee-shirt by Yukio Hishika
Hip hop: Throwback Track of the month Artist: Warren G ft Nate Dogg Song: Regulate Decade: 90s I think anyone who grew up in the 90s period, can relate when it comes to talking about this song. Warren G, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg were part of the chilled sound of G-funk. It was so unique and unheard of. It represented the west coast very well plus that sound wasn’t heard anywhere else, but in California. ‘Regualte’, takes us back to the mid-to-late 90s, when Cali was known for good weather and those ’64 Chevy Impalas. The chemistry between Warren G and Nate Dogg was just too ill. They brought that ‘laid back’ flow and Nate ‘killed’ the hook to the song. Sadly Nate Dogg passed away in 2011 but ‘Regualte’ will forever be a timeless classic.
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Limitless World Magazine Recommended books to read available on Amazon.com Click on link below
https://www.amazon.com/Playing-sport-studying-working-abroad/dp/1704485908/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0? cv_ct_cx=playing+sport%2C+studying+or+working+abroad&dchild=1&keywords=playing+sport %2C+studying+or+working+abroad&pd_rd_i=1704485908&pd_rd_r=501619a9-4243-446e-8f08123eabd46509&pd_rd_w=P8w3F&pd_rd_wg=40uNo&pf_rd_p=13bf9bc7-d68d-44c3-9d2e647020f56802&pf_rd_r=8ZWMJAZ4ET9JEZ2VQDYG&psc=1&qid=1596893072&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f