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05 06 21 G Q

THE COVER Photography by Austin Malema. All prices quoted in this issue are approximate and subject to change.

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DEPARTMENTS 06 Letter from the Editor FEATURES 74 Prince Kaybee needs no introduction 82 TV’s Ebuka ObiUchendu on his career and style 86 Inside the world’s most dangerous cults

The young South Africans leaving a lasting mark on our collective culture, p60

ESSENTIALS 13 Loungewear for anywhere.

Plus, your style questions answered 20 Woman We Love: Game-changing creatives 24 Essential grooming products 26 How to help your partner cope with depression 27 Introducing our new sex columnist 30 The African music giants you should be listening to 32 Bucket-list bars GEAR 37 Where to have your car customised 42 Five lust-worthy cars to drive in 2021

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y P H I L LY M O H L A L A

SPORT 45 Your get-rippedquick workout 48 Lukhanyo Am chats Sharks captaincy and more WEALTH 50 How to make your first million ST YLE 68 Tommy Hilfiger chats slow fashion 70 Playful accessories 94 Directory 96 Who’s got great personal style?

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 0 5

LET'S TALK BAFETHU A FEW M O NT HS AGO,

I sat across from a friend (I’ll call him Tonderai), who’s a well-paid executive for a prestigious bank and owns a thriving restaurant business. Almost in tears, he admitted he was tired of being seen as the best at what he does, a problemsolver by his employees and family.

‘I tend to be the one asking other people if they’re okay,’ he said. ‘And because I’ve always given people the impression

0 6 G Q . C O . Z A M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

I’m strong, no one ever bothers to ask me if I’m alright. Sometimes I resent my siblings for not asking me how I am. But I can’t blame them because I created this always-incontrol persona.’

Perhaps you can relate to Tonderai in the same way I could. As men, we learn to build walls around ourselves from an early age without even being aware of it – we make things work, provide, toughen up and don’t cry or show our emotions. The most progressive parents may have raised you, but in society, there’s an unspoken rule that even when you hang out with other men, you can’t talk about important things such as the nitty-gritty of feelings and mental health.

More often than not, men don’t ask each other how they really are.

According to WHO, the suicide rate for men in South Africa was four times higher than for women in 2019, which is a pretty good reason to talk more bafethu (gentlemen) to your partner, mates, brothers, fathers, and, if necessary, a professional.

As much as I’d seen many of my male friends and relatives erect these barriers, I’d always considered myself evolved enough to articulate my feelings until a recent argument I had with my partner.

She was fed up, and she said, ‘The last time we argued, I thanked you for having a heart-toheart with me. Do you know why?’ I admitted I didn’t, so she continued, ‘As loving as you are, you struggle to open up when it comes to your feelings.’

Her comment hit me like a ton of bricks. Before I had a chance to rebut,

she proceeded to give me examples of times when she’d had to threaten to leave the room to get me to open up. After our conversation had ended, I knew I had to find a new way of being.

As men, we need to open up about our feelings and not bottle things up.

But if you’re not used to doing that, it can seem like a mammoth task. As they say, practice makes perfect.

Our wellness feature, ‘60 Men Commit Suicide Every Hour’ (page 26), delves more into the topic.

On a lighter note, in this issue, we feature young creatives, with one of the music industry’s most talented creatives, producer Prince Kaybee, as our cover star. He features on dual covers, a first for any cover star in the magazine’s history. If you could pick two men who could converse for an entire day nonstop, it’d be Prince Kaybee and me.

From the first time we chatted on Instagram Live last May to the day of our cover shoot and interview, it was as if we’d known each other for years.

Another guy I could talk with forever, and who could teach me to be more open, is Stormers rugby player Seabelo Senatla.

His interview with Sharks captain and Springboks player Lukhanyo Am is pretty dope and introduces a new Sports Section to GQ. You can expect more chats with famous African sports stars.

Here’s to wishing you a safe winter and hoping you’re as pleased with this issue as we were when we were putting it together.

Until next time.

MOLIFE KUMONA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HENK KRUGER

EDITOR'S LETTER

PUBLISHED BY CONDÉ NAST

EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Molife Kumona EDITORIAL

Lesley Mathys Walter Hay ward

GROUP MANAGING AND SY NDICATION EDITOR MANAGING AND SY NDICATION EDITOR

FA SHION

Jason Alexander Basson Mira Leibowitz Tania Durand

GROUP FASHION DIRECTOR FASHION EDITOR FASHION AS SIS TANT

CONDÉ NAST ENTERTAINMENT

ART

Robyn Schaf fner Keenan Jeppe Nosipho Ngqula

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ROGER LYNCH GLOBAL CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER & PRESIDENT, U.S. REVENUE PAMELA DRUCKER MANN GLOBAL CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER ANNA WINTOUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (INTERIM) JASON MILES CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER DEIRDRE FINDLAY CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER STAN DUNCAN CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER DANIELLE CARRIG CHIEF OF STAFF SAMANTHA MORGAN CHIEF PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER SANJAY BHAKTA CHIEF DATA OFFICER KARTHIC BALA CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER JAMIE JOUNING CHIEF CONTENT OPERATIONS OFFICER CHRISTIANE MACK

CONTRIBU TING AR T DIRECTOR GR APHIC DESIGNER GR APHIC DESIGNER

PRESIDENT AGNES CHU

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD JONATHAN NEWHOUSE

COPY

Lisa Abdellah

SENIOR COP Y EDITOR

GROOMING

Jesé Lillienfeldt-Har tman

CONTENT PRODUCER

FE ATURE S

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SENIOR CONTENT PRODUCER CONTENT PRODUCER

C ONTRIBUTING EDITORS Dieter Losskarn (MOTORING) CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Jane Banahan, Patia Braithwaite, Marcel Grau, Nare Kekana, Dr Frans Korb PHOTO GR APHERS AND ILLUS TR ATORS Matt Alex Ginsburg, H.J. Bester, Steven Binotto, Willie Botes, Gordon Cowie, Justin de Villeneuve, Henk Kruger, Luke Kuisis, Austin Malema, Martin Meineirs, Sandile Mtambo, Philly Mohlala, Jamal Nxedlana, Terry O’Neill, Hayden Phipps, Michael Prewett, Peter Russell, Sallyhateswing, Joshua Scott, Masayoshi Sukita, Troy T, Judd van Rensburg, Karsten Winegeart C ONTENT NATION MEDIA (P T Y ) LTD CEO Mbuso Khoza HEAD OF FINANCE Paul Myburgh FINANCE CONTROLLER Marjorie Lotterie FINANCE CLERK Thabo Zaba GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER Jean Jacobs / PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Charné Phillips CIRCULATIONS MANAGER Frederick Smit / CIRCULATIONS CO-ORDINATOR Bertina Ellis PERSONAL ASSISTANT AND OFFICE MANAGER Karen Shields ADVER TIS ING HEAD OF SALES AND MONETISATION Tumi Moatshe ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS Lorraine Bradley, Jacqui Erasmus, Wendy Robinson, Millicent Mahlangu (JHB), Charlotte Nutman (CT) ADVERTISING LIAISON MANAGER Natasha O ’ Connor SALES REPRESENTATIVE ITALY Angelo Careddu (OBERON MEDIA) DIGITAL SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Arthur Mukhari SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Viné Lucas CONTENT PRODUCER Gugulethu Mkhabela CONTENT PRODUCER Amy Saunders CONTENT PRODUCER Luthando Vikilahle BR AND PROPERTIE S BRAND PROPERTIES MANAGER Desiree Kriel E VENT S EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR Lindiswa Putuma DIREC TORS CHAIRMAN Dr Iqbal Survé Takudzwa Hove CAPE TOWN HE AD OFFICE Content Nation Media (Pty) Ltd, 10th floor, Convention Towers, Heerengracht St, Cape Town City Centre, 8000. PO Box 16414, Vlaeberg, 8018. Tel: 021-344-0500; Email: gq @ condenast.co.za REPRODUCTION Studio Repro PRINTING Novus Print Montague Gardens DISTRIBUTION Allied Publishing, 32 Wepener Street, Booysens, Johannesburg RESEARCH Publisher Research Council PRODUCT MANAGER Soraya Pretorius, 011-248-2418 © 2020 Content Nation Media (Pty) Ltd. Copyright subsists in all work published in this magazine. Any reproduction or adaptation, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited and is an act of copyright infringement which may, in certain circumstances, constitute a criminal offence. ‘The paper used for this publication is a recyclable and renewable product. It has been produced using wood sourced from sustainably managed forests and elemental or total chlorine free bleached pulp. The producing mills have third-party management systems in place, applying standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This magazine can be recycled either through your kerbside collection or at a local recycling point. Log onto www.prasa.co.za to find your nearest sites.

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leather seat with bronze base is the stuff of legend. “Nwa-Mulamula” means guardian in Tsonga, and the designer pays homage to his late great-great-grandmother. (POR, southernguild.co.za) M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 1 1

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BELIEVE IT OR N OT, T H E H I S TO RY O F PYJA M A S I S D E E P LY R O OT E D

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

in style. While you can trace the formal concept of sleep garments back as far as the 17th century, it wasn’t until the late 1800s, under the Victorian rule, that wearing sleep- and loungewear became an act of fashionable defiance in pursuit of style and pleasure behind closed doors. »

LOUNGE

Counting sheep wasn’t considered stylish until local brands started breathing life into our lives under lockdown

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 1 3

PREVIOUS PAGE & ABOVE Loungewear Woodstock Laundry

The Victorians were famous for being drab, dark, depressed and buttoned up in public, which is why life at home was an explosion of colour, texture, print and loose-fitting sensuality. Due to the East India Company trade network, Europe saw an influx of exotic silks and beautiful fabrics in unusually bright colours and prints.

The word pyjama, originating from Persia and Hindu, describes a form of loose-fitting leisurewear, usually with a drawstring or waistband, worn by Indian Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.

Fast forward several decades, and we had to stay at and work from home for months.

The concept of being stylish at home became very pertinent

once more, and loungewear – not just for the bedroom – was trendy. Take Woodstock Laundry Co, a proudly local brand that emphasises local and sustainable craft. It has an array of bold, brightly coloured prints, many of which it developed in partnership with local artists who handpainted prints that feature across an assortment of styles, from lounge shirts to gowns and pyjamas.

Many of these pieces can and have been paired with daywear, giving you the option of wearing them at home or outdoors – and as a result, are popular among festival-goers.

The bottom line is that fashion or style no longer ends the second you close your bedroom door, and that those pieces can translate into the fashion we wear outdoors today. »

Loungewear Adore Couture SA

‘Life at home was an explosion of colour, texture, print and loose-fitting sensuality’

GUNME TAL MEDUS A CHAIN NECKL ACE R11 299 Versace

‘ RO M A ’ SUNGL A SSES IN HOT BLUE ‘ E DE N’ B E LT B A G

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S ILV E R C URB CHAIN NECKL ACE R11 799 Saint Laurent

R2 667, Retrosuperfuture

R1 790 Loading Bay

R10 675 Gucci

‘ WIP NE WEL ’ C ORDUROY PA N T S

COT TON B U C K E T H AT I N O AT M E A L R450 Artclub and Friends

‘ J OHANNE S ’ C OT TON L INEN S T RIP E T - SHIRT

R2 099 Carhartt

CL ASSIC LOGO SOCKS

‘G-SHOCK’ WAT C H R2 899 Casio

R25 Sol-Sol

DENIM JACKE T R1 999 Levi’s

SO YOU WANT TO BE (INSTA)NTLY FAMOUS? W H I L E T H E YO U T H S U B C U LT U R E A P P E A R S TO H AV E O R I G I N AT E D O N TikTok, the eboy vibe is a derivative of the egirl, which stems from the late-’90s-slashearly-noughties internet aesthetic. Think wide-cuffed trousers worn with socks and chunky sneakers, chains around your neck or draping from your belt loops, and DIY-coloured hair.

‘ AIR B ARR AGE ’ SNE AKERS R2 099 Nike

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 1 5

Few musical icons have surpassed David Bowie’s indelible impact on the world of style and fashion F R O M T H E T H I N W H I T E D U K E TO Z I G GY S TA R D U S T A N D B E YO N D, DAV I D B OW I E (R.I.P.) left behind a legacy of iconic looks that came to define several eras of style, each attached to a persona or character that embodied the zeitgeist, many of which were formed collaboratively with some of the world’s most influential designers, such as Vivienne Westwood and Kansai Yamamoto. Today, we celebrate his life and vision. (And for those who wish to explore it in further detail, we strongly recommend this large-format hard-cover tome of wonders, published by ACC Art Books: David Bowie: Icon)

David Bowie: Icon (ACC Art Books), R1 500, loot.co.za

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ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE This month, we asked you, the GQ reader, through our online platforms if you had any questions or struggles with style that we could help you with. GQ fashion director Jason Alexander Basson tackles your fashion woes

PHOTOGRAPHS BY WILLIE BOTES, TERRY O’NEILL/ICONIC IMAGES, J U S T I N D E V I L L E N E U V E , M A S AY O S H I S U K I TA , H . J . B E S T E R

GQ : What’s the most stylish gym wear?

Jason Alexander Basson: Currently, it’s ankle-length socks (plain white with a simple design detail such as a black stripe) worn with trainers, short shorts and either a bigger, boxier short-sleeved tee or a short-sleeved or sleeveless performance tee. Some people are still doing leggings layered underneath shorts, which is great for guys with skinny legs.

GQ : I love plain clothes without loud prints. How can I dress plainly and still look stylish, without trying too hard?

JAB: Two people can wear the same outfit, but one might look stylish while the other looks messy.

It all comes down to how you wear the clothes, i.e. styling. So, if you’re going to wear jeans and a white tee, start by making sure they’re perfectly ironed. You could tuck the tee into your jeans and let the fabric roll over a little or roll the sleeves.

Wear them with clean, white leather sneakers to dress it up a bit. It’s little considerations like that that make the difference.

Of course, if you don’t like print, you could try introducing colour.

It’s a very simple and effective way to make your look interesting without

having to invest in OTT fashion pieces. You could also play with one or two simple accessories to add interest, such as a cross-body bag, hat or socks to elevate your look. That said, when your look is simple, the most crucial thing to pay attention to is the cut. So, rather than go for your standard pair of jeans and tee, why not opt for a boxier, more oversized cut on both and see what happens.

However, if it’s style you’re afraid of, my recommendation to you is to stick to the classics. Preppy is a winning, timeless look that can be achieved easily and effortlessly.

GQ : What pants or jeans look best on skinny gents? Have you any brand suggestions?

JAB: It depends on the look you’re trying to achieve, and how skinny we’re talking. Generally speaking, the rule would be that if you’re super-skinny, avoid wearing super-tight-fitting clothing that’ll accentuate it. Go for bigger, boxier cuts that allow you to play proportions to your advantage.

JASON ALEXANDER BASSON

GQ’s best-dressed man dreams up the fashion pages of GQ. He’s an avid supporter of local fashion

ESSENTIALS

‘Two people can wear the same outfit, but one might look stylish while the other looks messy’

GQ : How can a skinny guy look good in a suit?

JAB: Tailoring is a skinny guy’s best friend. Whether you’re wearing a regular suit or a more dramatic, wide cut, it’s going attract the eye to at all the right places to make you look more robust where it counts (chest, shoulders and legs) and bring the line and waist in to make it seem like you’re broader in other places.

As with the previous question, I’d avoid skinny suits. Skinnier guys are blessed in terms of what they can get away with, but a skinny suit will make you look like a chip. If you’re looking to buy a suit for more fashion-forward occasions, go for the current trend, a bigger, broader shoulder with a wider lapel and a boxier-cut torso with a flared pant.

For everyday suiting, go for a more fitted suit, the emphasis being on fitted, not skinny. You want it to accentuate your figure without looking too tight or big. Go for something that gives you a bit of definition in the shoulders and chest and a bit of room on the leg.

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 1 7

GQ PROMOTION

An Epic Collaboration GQ partners with global tech giant Samsung to prove you can take magazine-quality images with a smartphone

WHAT D O YOU GE T WHEN

feature, capturing young people who’re leaders in creativity and innovation for our creative issue, which drops just in time for Youth Month.

Malema was impressed by the Galaxy S21 5G Ultra’s powerful quad-camera, which has a 108MP wide sensor and a 12MP ultrawide camera. ‘It’s armed with raw shooting skills and supports 12-bit raw files [used by photographers who want the utmost control over and quality from their images to capture a more dynamic range for detailed highlights and shadows],’ he says.

‘It’s armed with raw shooting skills and supports raw files’

We shot our cover story, main fashion feature and BTS videos for our digital platforms using the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y A U S T I N M A L E M A , P H I L LY M O H L A L A

the world-leading lifestyle brand GQ partners with global tech giant Samsung?

Magic, right?

GQ South Africa shot its cover and main fashion feature with a smartphone for the first time in the magazine’s history.

And not just any smartphone, but the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

‘Once I got my hands on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, I knew this collaboration was not only historic; it was a great fit,’ says GQ Editor-in-chief Molife Kumona.

‘The device takes GQ-quality images and videos, so from then on I was sold.’

Famed photographers Austin Malema and Philly Mohlala shot Prince Kaybee and our main fashion

T H E F U T U R E O F S W I S S WATC H M A K I N G S I N C E 18 6 5

T I M E T O R E AC H YO U R S TA R

CHRONOMASTER SPORT

ESSENTIALS

Woman We Love

CHANGING THE GAME From topping the charts and capturing the attention of global audiences to elevating the conversation from a content perspective on YouTube. These young creatives are occupying space in their respective industries and killing it Words by Thobeka Phanyeko

2 0 G Q . C O . Z A M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

A M A QA M ATA , AC T R E S S

GQ : You’re doing amazing work, and we enjoyed your interpretation of Puleng in Blood & Water. What do you enjoy most about being an actress?

Ama Qamata: There are many things, one being the fact that I’m living my dream. I’ve always wanted to be an actress since I was a kid, so to be doing something I said I would is pretty cool. Another thing I enjoy is the challenge of portraying different characters. Acting is such a beautiful craft and what we do isn’t easy. I’m learning to play more with my choices as a performer and also just have fun with the script.

GQ : How do you approach your craft?

AQ: I’m learning a lot as I go. I think I’ve outgrown some of my old methods.

Let me say they weren’t working for me anymore. My approach now is to have fun, let my intuition be my guide, and react to my fellow scene partner.

Preparation and a healthy lifestyle, though, will always be a large part of the work.

J E S S I CA VA N H E E R D E N , B E AU T Y, FA S H I O N & L I F E S T Y L E C O N T E N T C R E ATO R

GQ : What does it mean to be South African creative in 2021?

Jessica van Heerden: Being one of the first few creators in South Africa, especially on YouTube, I feel very proud to see the creator industry grow. Social media has become such a large part of our lives, especially since last year, and I can confidently say that local content creators are going places!

GQ : What’s your approach to content creation, and what do you enjoy most about being in the beauty space?

JVH: Beautiful, soft and clean content is what I strive for, but I need to be authentic and not be afraid to be vulnerable at times. Apart from being creative and working with incredible brands, what I most enjoy is having an honest relationship with my audience and connecting with different people – it gives me a sense of purpose!

GQ : What does it mean to you to be a young South African creative in 2021?

AQ: It’s exciting to see a surge of new talent.

I think our industry is being intentional about introducing and giving opportunities to young creatives. I’m honoured to be one of them.

GQ : You bagged an international nomination at the Series Brasil Awards for Actress Revelation of the Year. What does that mean to you?

AQ: I’m humbled and honoured to be recognised for my work. God is good.

GQ : South African creatives continue to capture the attention of global audiences. To what does that speak?

AQ: I’d say it’s the fact that, globally, there’s a thirst for African talent and content. We offer a certain uniqueness and rawness the world hasn’t seen before.

GQ : What’s your message to the youth of South Africa this Youth Month?

AQ: Be kind to yourself. We’re living under very unusual and uncertain times, and that comes with a lot of pressure, so don’t neglect yourself. Take care of your mind, body and soul.

GQ : What else can we expect from you this year?

AQ: We’ve just wrapped up Blood & Water season two!

GQ : From a personal brand perspective, what type of conversations do you gravitate towards?

JVH: Over the years, my personal brand has developed from being a beauty guru to someone who loves all that encompasses being a woman.

I enjoy sharing what I love with people who are striving to be the best version of themselves.

Obviously, I love talking about the aesthetic things that make you beautiful such as skincare, »

‘Be you! Embrace who you are and where you come from. Work on who and where you want to be every day’

ESSENTIALS

Woman We Love

makeup, hair care and fashion. But I particularly love touching on what’s below the surface and connecting on a deeper level with my audience.

GQ : Please share your top skincare tips for both men and women as we navigate winter.

JVH: Exfoliate. Exfoliate. Exfoliate. You don’t need a fancy product for that, but I believe in investing in high-quality sunscreen and using it every day — even in winter.

GQ : What’s your advice to the youth of South Africa this Youth Month?

JVH: Be you. Embrace who you are and where you come from. Work on who and where you want to be every day!

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messages every day where people show gratitude and tell me how it’s helped them in their lives reminds me how beautiful our gifts can be when unapologetically expressed’

A Z A N A M A SA N G O, S I N G E R

GQ : Let’s talk about your name?

Azana Masango: The name “Azana’’ comes from my real name “Makhosazana’’. When I decided I was going to pursue a career in music, I shortened it to separate my public from my private life. People who call me Makhosazana are usually the people I grew up with, such as my family. It’s always heartwarming to hear someone call me Makhosazana as it’s very sentimental to me.

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y J A M A L N X E D L A N A , S A N D I L E M TA M B O

GQ : Your sound is fresh and soulful.

How would you describe it, and what are your influences?

AM: I’m inspired by women such as Sade, Msaki, Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and even the younger ones such as Cleo Sol and Pip Millett. Not only do I enjoy listening to their music, but I’m interested in what they have to say outside their songs.

GQ : Talk us through your creative process.

AM: It begins with me living my life and experiencing people and different situations. The conversations I have with other people are also part of my creative process. I listen carefully to peoples’ views and emotions on specific topics.

Those simple things can help me write a song with which people can relate. Sometimes the feelings and experiences I write about are firsthand. I then head to the studio – a place where I think and reflect and jot those thoughts down on paper while being driven by a beat. I’m a lover of flow, so I enjoy putting a song together bit by bit.

GQ : Your album Ingoma features tracks such as “Uthando Langemphela”, “Okhokho”, and “Sikelela”. What are the central themes, and how long did it take to put it all together?

AM: My debut album consists of 14 tracks that speak of topics, such as love, betrayal, not giving up, spirituality and gratitude to our ancestors.

Putting together this masterpiece with my team

took a total of seven months. My team and I had to choose the songs that were suitable for the album carefully. We also mixed, mastered and made snippets to advertise the album before its release. Besides making the music itself, it involved a lot of planning.

GQ : How was your album received, and what are some of the conversations happening around it?

AM: Its reception was and continues to overwhelm me. I’ve realised my music is a service to the people and receiving messages every day where people show gratitude and tell me how it’s helped them in their lives reminds me how beautiful our gifts can be when unapologetically expressed.

GQ : What’s your personal favourite from the album, and what’s the story behind it?

AM: My personal favourite is “Uthando Lwangempela”. It’s a personal song as I express what true love means to me. In it I tell my significant other that I can’t survive without the love they give and that there’s no way we won’t tie the knot because this love is too true. Being in love feels amazing, so I wanted to make a feel-good song.

GQ : What does it mean to you to be a South African creative in 2021?

AM: It means being innovative. As an artist, the pandemic has affected my ability to promote my music in public spaces, so I had to find new ways to promote my work. Performing live on The RedBox Session on YouTube was great for digital entertainment, and a good way for my fans to see me in my soulful element.

GQ : What’s your advice to the youth of South Africa this Youth Month?

AM: Being young is so exciting. Don’t doubt your ideas. If you want to start something, start it now, and think of how good it’ll be in five to ten years.

Set goals, work towards them and invest in yourself. Always be aware of your worth.

ESSENTIALS

Grooming

The Grooming Guide

All the essentials you need to buy – and try – now!

Words by Jesé Lillienfeldt-Hartman

BEARD

MOISTURISE

Beard care’s the name of the game. These products will keep your beard and the skin underneath it healthy.

A tip-top, well-groomed beard looks professional.

If you look good, you feel good too.

Anti-ageing is not only for women; keeping your skin moisturised and protected helps you ward off premature skin ageing, which prevents wrinkles.

Wearing moisturiser allows for the alleviation of dry or tight skin after you wash it, and let’s not forget, it feels much softer too.

The Beard Shaper R135; Urban Men Aloe Vera & Tea Tree Beard Oil R89.95; BioMedical Emporium Shave-Relief Serum R686; The Bluebeards Revenge Vanguard Synthetic Bristle Shaving Brush R560; Clubman Shave Butter R209.95

Nuori Vital Facial Cream R1 300; Nivea Men Matte Finish Deep Moisturiser R150; The Bluebeards Revenge Cooling Moisturiser R305; Living Nature Sensitive Skin Moisturiser R499

CLEANSE

HAIR Haircare is vital, and it determines how you look.

Want to make sure your mane is always in the best condition? Try these now! label.men Grooming Cream R260; Jack Black Military Palm Brush R625; Bluebeard Evolve Styling Brush R99.95; Renpure Detoxifying Charcoal Shampoo R149.95; American Crew Forming Cream R215

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Let’s be honest: washing your face with water or wiping sweat off from time to time won’t cut it. You need to ensure you leave no bacterium on your face that could cause infection or a virus. For those with beards, not washing your face could lead to acne.

Sorbet Man Face Wash Charcoal R80; SVR Sebiaclear Gel Moussant R198; Diego Dalla Palma Professional Purifying Deep Cleansing Gel R395; The Body Shop Guarana & Coffee Cleanser R185

PROTECTION Come rain or shine, UVA and UVB rays are always there. So, protecting your face, body, and even hands and heads (for those bald ones out there), is vital.

More importantly, not wearing sunscreen could lead to skin cancer. Never leave the house without it.

Dermopal Sunscreen SPF30 R132; Neostrata Sheer Hydration SPF40 R685; Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream SPF50 R189.99; Heliocare 360 Water Gel R425; Pradiance SPF30 Sun Stick R355

TIP

RECOMMENDS

Try masking after you shave.

Anti-oxidants and moisturising ingredients leave your skin feeling softer and looking brighter.

T R E AT M E N T Whether you want to admit it or not, guys also experience the odd breakout or two. Especially now that you might be dealing with “maskne” (mask acne). It’s a good idea to treat it with one of these wonders before sebum takes over your skin.

GROOMING RADAR Black-owned grooming brands to follow now

Avéne Cleanance Comedomed R309; Gatineau Clear & Perfect SOS Spot Stick R410; Lamelle Clarity Active Control R130

reddane_man

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALLO/GETTY IMAGES

MASKS Skin problems are universal, especially if you shave regularly. Pamper time is required for your skin to feel supple, refreshed, nourished and moisturised. Masking once a week is a good idea (yes, that means men too).

Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant R1 290; NUXE Radiance Detox Mask R495; Red Dane Deep Pore Cleansing Clay Masque R450; Elemis Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Aqua Infusion Mask R2 565

afrakari

SERUMS Your skin always needs extra moisture. Consider this a vital step in your routine, especially if your skin is thirsty and needing extra TLC. Africology Renewing Facial Therapy Serum R690; Tree Of Life Facial Serum R359.95; BioMedical Emporium Anti-Acne Serum R728; The Natural Serum R588

brothersbeard

_marley.grey _

essentialsbytemi

Wellness Your encouragement and support can help your loved one cope with symptoms, and seek professional help and manage treatment if necessary.

T H E S O U T H A F R I CA N DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY G RO U P (SA DAG ) SAYS that

rates of depression among men in South Africa are at an all-time high. Men often don’t recognise depression in themselves.

It’s often a spouse or work colleague who first notices a difference.

H OW YO U CA N H E L P Tease out the talk: Talking is important, but men often suffer in silence or struggle to express their feelings. Encourage him to share his thoughts and feelings.

Help him exercise and eat well: A balanced diet and getting enough sleep and daily exercise help manage stress, anxiety and depression.

60 Men Commit Suicide Every Hour A clinical psychologist shares how to help your partner cope with depression

Less drinking: Alcohol may be a form of self-medication for men with depression. The trouble is, it makes symptoms worse, which in turn may encourage more drinking.

Seek out nurturing relationships: Men who are anxious or depressed may shy away from social situations.

Instead, encourage contact with people who are willing to listen and assist if necessary.

Suggest hobbies or other interests: Encourage your man to do things he enjoys. Does he play music, watch documentaries or play golf? Find something for him to do – or you can do together – that might take his mind off things and rekindle his enthusiasm.

Help him relax: Suggest

medication and psychotherapy is essential for people struggling with depression.

If depression goes on for a few weeks, affects his ability to function at work or in relationships with family and friends, or if he has thoughts about suicide or death, consult a medical professional as soon as possible. Feeling hopelessness, anger, apathy, an inability to concentrate and changes in sleep habits are also red flags.

Support your loved one

by Encouraging him to seek professional help: Psychotherapy or counselling sessions can help him explore worrying issues. A psychiatrist can help with advice and decisions around medication.

Reminding him to take his meds: Forgetting to take meds

a gentle walk or to go for a massage. Listening to music or meditating are also good ways to unwind.

can lead to relapse or worsening symptoms. If he has a prescription for medication, help him stay on track by reminding him to take his pills.

Understand his lack of interest in sex: Depression

YO U R LOV E M AT T E R S

itself can affect sex drive or ability to orgasm, which is also a possible side-effect of antidepressants.

Encourage him to discuss this with his doctor.

If the man in your life is struggling to cope, your love and support can play a crucial role in encouraging him to talk about it, take care of his emotional and mental health and get the professional help he needs.

PROFESSIONAL A DV I C E South African men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, says the World Health Organisation.

Proper treatment through

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‘If the man in your life is struggling to cope, your love can play a crucial role’

Depression is a serious condition that should be treated. For more information, visit sadag.org

WORDS BY DR FRANS KORB, PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX GREEN/PEXELS.COM

ESSENTIALS

Sex & Relationships Column

playing but can also offset small penis issues. Don’t be afraid to ask your lady friend what she likes, and where her favourite spots are that’ll make her welcome you inside.

My advice is to go slow, real slow.

Rushing will probably result in a loss of interest or at least sexual appetite, whereas if you get inside her mind, thoughts and fantasies, you’re most likely onto a winner.

Sex Shrink

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y M I C H A E L P R E W E T T/ U N S P L A S H . C O M

Sex expert and columnist Sarah Jane Banahan answers questions sent in by GQ readers

GQ : How can I turn my woman on for a morning glory without kissing her?

Sarah Jane Banahan: You might think kissing the most obvious way to initiate foreplay or sex, but understanding the female psyche is equally crucial. The brain can be a powerful sexual organ, so if you can get that right, you’ll grab her attention. A little imagination goes a long way when it comes to women. Once you stimulate her thoughts and fantasies, you can get her off, so defining joyous moments of teasing with a conversation, eye contact and gentle touch, without kissing, will immediately get her ramped up. The trick with foreplay is knowing when to pounce, speak her language and show you’re present.

Touch, tease and talk to her, but leave her erogenous zones till last.

GQ : What do you need to work on to improve your sex game if you don’t have a big penis?

SJB: It’s time those of you who believe your manhood is of the utmost importance learned a home truth. You could have one as big as King Kong, but it’s wasted if you don’t know how to use it. Whipping it out and relying solely on its phallic magnificence as you fly off the mark like Superman speeding towards her vagina won’t work because she won’t be ready for you. Trust me when I say a gentler approach works wonders. Use your fingers and tongue, be adventurous but gentle, because she doesn’t want you to play with her clit like a DJ high on drugs.

Experiment with massage oils and soft, loving strokes. Confidence and teasing are not only crucial when

GQ : My girlfriend gets a hot burning sensation when I come inside her. What could be causing this?

SJB: Around 75% of women experience pain during intercourse at some point in their life, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG). It’s a sign she’s not enjoying it, and it’s annoying, but it’s not uncommon. It could be happening for one of many reasons, each worth investigating.

A common cause is a yeast infection characterised by itchiness, soreness, and a burning sensation from the inflamed tissue – not the most comfortable of experiences.

Less common are vulvodynia (chronic pain at the opening of the vagina), vaginismus (an internal inflammatory reaction), or she could be in the early stages of

SARAH JANE BANAHAN

Sarah Jane Banahan is the founder of After Dark Parties, a professional model and entrepreneur Sarah Jane Banahan @sarahjaneinternational

ESSENTIALS

‘Whipping it out and relying solely on its phallic magnificence won’t work’

perimenopause or menopause.

Rather than jump to conclusions, tell her to consult her doctor. Quick and easy, my friend.

GQ : Is there a relationship between hair loss, testosterone and having an active sex life?

SJB: If sex and masturbation led to hair loss, almost everyone on the planet would be bald. One of the main theories of sexual activity and hair loss is that excessive ejection of seminal fluid may lead to a protein deficiency in the body. There are two components here, 90% water and 10% protein, which is why some believe hair loss is a contributing factor as you rely on that protein for hair growth and repair of many of the body’s tissues. Although protein plays many roles in the human body (structurally, metabolically and protecting the immune system), hair gets enough protein to maintain a healthy condition through proper nutrition.

Testosterone levels aren’t the root cause of potential hair loss either; it’s got more to do with your genes – and I’m not talking about how tight you wear them! Many men are genetically predisposed to hair loss, a common and hereditary condition passed down from either side of the family. Sex and masturbation increase testosterone levels, leading to the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which in turn causes hair loss. Thinning hair is caused by a genetic sensitivity of hair follicles toward DHT, not your enlarged libido!

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ESSENTIALS

Sex & Relationships

Is Your Rebound Relationship Actually Harmful?

It’s complicated

I F YO U ’ V E E V E R D E A LT W I T H A B R E A KU P, you’ve

probably heard the saying that when one door closes, another one opens. That platitude may be accurate, but it might contradict other post-breakup advice: take time for yourself before you get back out there.

In the middle of a pandemic, dating post-breakup might sound virtually impossible. But, despite the challenges (FaceTime first dates and swipe apps galore), you might find that you have options for moving on pretty quickly (and safely). Enter: the rebound relationship.

It’s not entirely clear where the term “rebound relationship” comes from, but think of your little heart as a football careening into a net of lasting love. You’re ready to send the ball sailing through the net when you suddenly hit the rim and bounce away from your last relationship.

These breakup conditions leave you ripe for a rebound.

Admittedly, the football metaphor is sort of dark, which

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might explain why rebounding has such a bad reputation. But it can also be pretty accurate.

Rebounding is a part of the postbreakup process where you might bounce around a bit. You might go on more dates than usual and hit what starts to feel like too many virtual happy hours.

You could fall in love with a new person before you’ve processed your past pain. But when romantic relationships end, the advice isn’t always to immediately run out and start something new, especially during a pandemic when dating comes with inherent risks. So how do you know when you’re “getting back out there” responsibly versus rebounding in a harmful way? We asked experts for their advice.

W H AT CA N G O W RO N G W I T H R E B O U N D R E L AT I O N S H I P S ?

As you can imagine, rebounding isn’t inherently harmful. ‘[Rebounding] gets a bad rap because a lot of people associate it with impulsive negative decisions, and that can be the case, but it’s

not always,’ says licensed marriage and family therapist Dr Emily Jamea. ‘When people are on the rebound, they might be looking for ways to feel good about themselves again. That may mean accepting more dates than one ordinarily would. It could mean being a little more impulsive, but that doesn’t always have to be a bad thing,’ she says, adding that it can be an opportunity to rediscover parts of yourself that you may have lost in your last relationship.

But, much like situationships, there’s room for misinterpretation and heartache. Why? When you’re fresh out of a relationship – or even a situationship – you might be in a good deal of pain. Your last romantic entanglement might have involved a fair amount of time, care, and attention. That means, whether you like it or not, you probably have some residual emotions to process. You might even be feeling anger, shame or grief.

So the new person, who’s probably lovely (hopefully), isn’t the inherent problem (and neither are you, BTW). The issue is that, under the veneer of a new and exciting relationship, your old unprocessed feelings might linger.

That could be a bad thing for your emotional health, but it could also be unfair for whoever you’re rebounding with if they think you’re all-in.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with finding distractions and healthy ways of keeping your spirits up post-breakup.

So, if you’re going on a bunch of Zoom dates and happy hours and genuinely feeling great and hopeful, then that’s great. But if you’re ignoring any lingering feelings you have post-breakup, things can get a bit more complicated – especially if you zero in on a new relationship.

H OW D O YO U K N OW I F YO U ’ R E R E B O U N D I N G ?

Sometimes, shortly after you end a relationship, you fall hard for a new person. As you’re reading this, you might be thinking of that couple you know who fell in love immediately after breaking up with other people and lived happily ever after.

That’s why – when you’re in the throes of something new and exciting – it can be hard to tell if you’re rebounding in a way that’s skewing your perception or you’re just fortunate. Still, there are a few signs.

‘If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t typically jump into relationships, but you find yourself doing so on the heels of

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALLO/GETTY IMAGES

‘It can be an opportunity to rediscover parts of yourself that you may have lost in your last relationship’

another one, then you may want to put your foot on the brake,” Dr Jamea says. Without automatically ending the relationship, you can take a second to make sure you’re in the right headspace for something new, he adds.

Another red flag? Any interactions that seem unhealthy or self-destructive (such as fighting, possessiveness or any abusive behaviours) are signs that you might be rebounding into a harmful situation. Dr Jamea also says that how you talk and feel about your ex is a good indicator of whether you’re as over things as you suspect. It’s OK to have residual anger and hurt around

a breakup, but ‘if you’re feeling more neutral about it, exploring other relationships is less likely to have a negative consequence,’ she says.

H OW D O YO U K N OW W H E N I T ’ S T I M E TO E N D A R E B O U N D?

Provided you’re not in an unsafe or unhealthy situation, you don’t have to break up with the person you like (but, we beg you, make sure you’re dating responsibly given Covid-19 transmission risks). Still, you should ‘assess whether or not you’re doing so with the right intentions,’ Dr Jamea says. Check-in with

yourself to understand how you feel about the past, how you think about your future, and, ultimately, how you feel about yourself.

(Pro-tip: if you’re focused on how jealous your ex would be if they saw you, you might be in a lessthan-healthy rebound situation.)

This might involve talking to friends for support, journaling about your feelings, or simply reflecting on what you want from the situation.

If your intentions are pure, but you’re moving more quickly than usual, acknowledge that past feelings might be a factor.

Once you admit that you’re not as far removed from the past as

you’d hoped, you can temper your expectations or adjust the pace of your relationship, if necessary, Dr Jamea explains.

It can also be a good idea to talk to your new partner about all of this. ‘Be open and honest that you’ve ended another relationship or that you don’t typically start dating so quickly,’ Dr Jamea says, adding that you can mention that you’d like to keep dating this new person. You don’t have to provide too much detail about your last relationship, Dr Jamea explains. If you have the urge to go on a long tirade about your ex, that might be another sign that you’re not as emotionally available as you think. However, calmly explaining your situation is a healthy way to foster intimacy with someone new.

Ultimately, rebounding isn’t inherently terrible. But bringing another person into your life amidst a pandemic is a major decision, so you want to respect your new partner as much as possible. Transparency and thoughtfulness don’t only benefit you. It shows your new partner that you value their autonomy.

If you speak openly about where you are, ‘they’re able to make an informed decision about whether or not to continue with you,’ Dr Jamea explains.

– PATIA BRAITHWAITE

Words by Thobeka Phanyeko

ALL

African music is taking over the world. All you have to do is look at the top playlists and soundtracks in other countries, and you’ll find everyone’s jamming to our songs. These artists have been instrumental in making African music dominate the global charts

THE BEST IN THE GAME

I L L U S T R AT I O N A N D P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y G A L L O / G E T T Y I M A G E S

K W E S TA

NASTY C

DAV I D O

WIZKID

An award-winning lyricist, Kwesta’s list of bangers include ‘Khetile Khetile’, ‘Spirit’, ‘Ngud’’ and ‘Vur Vai’. He’s been dominating the game since the release of his first album, Special Rekwest, and made history as the first local rapper to have seven singles on the radio charts in the first year after his debut.

Kwesta followed that with a second album, DaKAR (Da King of African Rap), which debuted at number three on the iTunes South Africa Hip-hop/Rap chart. His distinct voice and approach to his craft earned him the title Best Hip-hop Artist of the Year at the SA Hip-hop Awards in 2018. He also captured the attention of international artists and has collaborated with the likes of Wale and Rich Homie Quan. Most recently, he worked with multi-award-winning New York-based artist Rick Ross on the single ‘I came, I saw’. In the music video, Ross pulls up in a black Porsche in Kwesta’s hometown, Katlehong – that’s some iconic shit right there!

Dubbed the coolest kid in Africa, Nasty’s debut mixtape One Kid, A Thousand Coffins set him up for a successful music career. He was still in high school when he entered the music scene, and it was his ability to hold his own at such a young age that made him a worthy contender on the global stage. His debut album, C L.A.M.E and second mixtape Price City made his industry peers respect him. But it was his hit single ‘Hell Naw’ from his first studio album Bad Hair that put him on the map. Nasty bagged a string of awards for his body of work, including Song of the Year, Best Hip-hop Album and Best Male Album at the 2016 Metro FM Awards. He followed that album with an equally successful one, Strings and Bling, which was named one of the best hip-hop albums of 2018. Signing to American record label Def Jam Recordings to record his 20-track album Zulu Man With Some Power was a historic moment for the young rapper.

Born in Atlanta, awardwinning vocalist and producer, Davido is famous for his take on Afro-pop. The music giant discovered his love for music as a teen and relocated to Nigeria to pursue his career. He released his debut single ‘Back When’ in 2011, capturing music lovers and club goers’ attention, followed by his second single, ‘Dami Duro’, claiming the number one spot on Gold Myne’s top 10 songs of 2012.

Then, he dropped his much-anticipated debut album Omo Baba Olowo, featuring ‘Dami Duro’.

His global appeal has lead to international collabs with artists such as Meek Mill, Summer Walker and Gunner. His recent offering, A Better Time, features Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Young Thug and Tiwa Savage. The album, which dropped in 2020, has broken records on several local and international charts, affirming that it’s Africa’s time now.

Nigerian singersongwriter Wizkid has achieved international acclaim as one of Nigeria’s most successful R&B crossover artists. His debut album Superstar features the hit single, ‘Holla at Your Boy’, which elevated him to superstar status. His collaboration with hip-hop giant Drake on the track ‘One Dance’ saw him make history as the first Nigerian artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track also dominated many charts in 15 countries, including the UK, Canada and France.

Then, RCA Records/Sony International offered him a multi-album deal. He released his major-label debut album, Sounds from the Other Side, in 2017, ranked 107 on the US Billboard 200 and 58 on Canadian Albums charts.

The star also played an instrumental role in the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, and his latest album, Made in Lagos, is impactful and showcases a more mature side to the Prince of Afrobeat – we’re here for his evolution!

DIAMOND P L AT I N U M Z The Tanzanian megastar was the first African artist to reach one billion views on YouTube, making him one of the most influential artists on the continent.

The singing sensation has won numerous awards at major ceremonies including MTV Europe and MTV Africa. All his albums have gone triple-platinum in Africa, and some of his singles have topped the charts internationally. He’s worked with several music industry heavyweights, including AKA, Mafikizolo, Neyo, Rick Ross and Omarion. His collaboration with Alicia Keys on the track ‘Wasted Energy’ is one of our current favourite jams.

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T HE

Words by Nare Kekana

BAR

FIVE SOUTH AFRICAN WATERING HOLES YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING AT

A S D US K A P P ROAC H E S,

grabbing a cold one to phola with a group of friends at a bar over chuckles helps you wash off a tiring day at the office. Modern bars have sleek, modern fittings that complement a dimmed interior, creating a relaxed, exclusive experience that inspires good conversation and encourages you to return.

It’s in this spirit that we at GQ share with you the top five inner-city bars worth visiting.

Taste

ESSENTIALS

THE CHAIRMAN On the website of this Durbanbased bar, against a backdrop of images of various sections of the bar shot at night, is a caption: “A sophisticated worldclass jazz bar that stimulates the imagination and bends all rules and inventions.” It’s the place to be if you’re into luxury and finesse. (Book at least 24 hours in advance. An R150 admission fee is deducted from your bill, and there’s a strict dress code.)

For more information: 031 368 2133 or info@ thechairmanlive.com Address: 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Point thechairmandbn

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S I M O N A B R A N O W I C Z

THE ART OF DUPLICITY “It’s luxurious, glamorous, decadent and hush-hush.

Tempted?” asks its website when you make a booking. Having secured your spot, head over to its Instagram page, which will give you an idea of what to expect: jazz playing and waiters serving cocktails inside a vintage-cool former warehouse in Cape Town’s East City.

For more information: 170120.co.za Address: It’s a secret the_art_of_duplicity

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ESSENTIALS

Taste

SIN+TAX BAR The only bar on the African continent to make it into the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2019, thanks to having renowned mixologist Julian Short as its owner. Hidden on the corner of trendy and bustling Bolton and Jan Smuts Roads in Rosebank, this gem serves bespoke, readyto-serve cocktails mixed with the finest local spirits and botanicals.

For more information: sintaxbar.com Address: Corner of Bolton and Jan Smuts Roads, Rosebank sin_tax_bar

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AURUM On the seventh floor of Africa’s highest skyscraper, Aurum is one of the freshest outdoor experiences to grace the Sandton skyline. A revolutionary line-up of young chefs caters to lounge lovers’ fine-dining needs.

For more information: aurumrestaurant.co.za Address: 7th Floor, The Leonardo, 75 Maude Street, Sandton

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BENJAMIN REISNER, SUPPLIED

aurumrestaurantza

THE GIN BAR This haven for gin devotees has a sheltered courtyard reminiscent of that which you’d find in Italy, Spain or Greece. Summer nights spent sipping on signature G&Ts are sure to tie your heartstrings into a knot of pure ecstasy.

For more information: theginbar.co.za Address: 64A Wale Street, Cape Town theginbar

CUSTOMISED CARS

Custombuilt

Words by Walter Hayward

When it comes to personalisation, the automotive world is more than willing to cater to your needs. We’re not talking about early 2000s Pimp My Ride vibes (thanks, Xzibit), but more along the lines of custom colours, rare wraps and inviting interiors M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 3 7

IF YOU’RE THE T YPE OF VEHICLE OWNER WHO likes to stand out from the traffic crowd, there’s a cornucopia of individualisation choices to transform your pride and joy. Whether you drive a jalopy or a seven-figure luxobarge, there are customisation options that are tasteful without being kitsch

R A N G I N G F RO M I N E X P E N S I V E to priceless,

the lengths owners go to drive bespoke vehicles can sometimes be mind-boggling. Nonetheless, you don’t have to be a sheikh to turn heads.

Your car’s colour is the first impression people get, so make sure it’s a positive one. If you’re willing to spend that little bit extra, you can have any hue you

desire. Thanks to specialised programs such as Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and Bentley Mulliner, automakers will gladly paint your car to match just about anything – whether that’s your Gucci jacket or rose gold iPhone.

A slightly cheaper, less exclusive option than a custom paint job is a wrap. Professional wrappers use laminated plastics to make it look as if your car just came back from the paint shop, fooling even the sharpest eye.

Artists heat films of specially printed plastic wrap, then slowly stretch and mould it over any panel shape, from rear bumpers to wing mirrors. What’s even better is that this practice doesn’t

harm the original coat of paint, meaning you can wrap (and unwrap) your baby as many times as your heart desires. Confuse your friends by going from shiny metallic to a smooth matte finish in no time.

Lately, automakers and customisers have started playing with decals instead of a full wrap. These give a more modern and edgy appearance than an otherwise blank sheet of metal.

In 2019, Mini introduced the Modern African Gentlemen edition, whereby their popular Clubman model featured unique detailing on its roof and wing mirrors. The designs, inspired by local artists such as Baba Tjeko and Langa Mavuso, resulted in seriously exclusive and soughtafter models.

Considering you spend most of your time inside your car

Customised Cars

GEAR

‘Personalise your car in a way that says “exclusivity but make it tasteful”’

CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL CUSTOM SHOPS EXTERIORS Smoke’m Garage (CPT) smokemgarage.com 021 201 0310 Premium Wraps (DBN) premiumwraps.co.za 073 400 3476

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN BINOTTO/ U N S P L A S H . C O M , W I L L I E B O T E S , D H I VA KRISHNA/UNSPLASH.COM, DCJ ART STUDIO

Wrap Vehicles (JHB) wrapvehicles.co.za 011 794 4929

driving it, why not make it a nice place to be? When customising the interior of your ride, you’re spoiled for choice: leather, suede cloth, wood, metal, you name it.

(As long as you stay away from faux-sheepskin seat covers and fuzzy dice dangling from the rearview mirror – no judgement, though.)

Take a page out of RollsRoyce’s book by having a gander at what its team’s achieved. Last

year, R-R collaborated with Esther Mahlangu to create a bespoke one-off Phantom that featured her iconic artwork, the interior elements of the ultra-luxe limousine adorned with unique designs created exclusively for the Rolls.

Don’t fret if you missed out on that collab as Rolls Royce’s parent company, BMW, would be more than willing to assist in creating your bespoke creation. Luxury

INTERIORS Handel Street handelstreet.co.za 011 763 8068 (JHB) or 031 332 6025/9 (DBN) Ace Customs (JHB) acecustoms.co.za 010 593 4911 McCarthy’s Auto Trimmers (CPT) mccarthystrim.co.za 021 510 3531

Cape Town hotel Ellerman House recently asked the Bavarians to create a unique 7-Series intended as a courtesy car. Designed by BMW Individual in collaboration with South African artist and botanical sculptor Nic Bladen, plaster casts and liquid gold, silver or platinum were used to create detailed sculptures of leaves, flowers, roots and twigs, modelled on indigenous plants.

In 2002, having 12 screens and a popcorn machine in the boot would’ve been the height of custom culture, but in true GQ style, standing out today means customising with class. Most high-end car brands now offer specialised programs where you can personalise your ride in a way that says “exclusivity but make it tasteful”.

Want those sheepskin seat covers? Just make sure they’re sustainably sourced.

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Into the Blue For just a couple of thousand bucks more, you can upgrade the Audi Q3 to the attractive coupé version – perfect if you prefer extravagance to luggage space. GQ motoring editor Dieter Losskarn tests the gorgeous turbo-blue Bavarian

Audi Q3 Sportback

‘Combine a new bold, black grille design with 19-inch wheels and you’ve got the most delicious Bavavian eye candy’

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

BY AUDI MEDIACENTRE

WHETHER IT’S I N T H E Q 7, A 4 , A5, A7 OR S6, W H E N E V E R I’m

driving an Audi, I feel so much closer to Porsche than Volkswagen.

Isn’t it all in the same family? The sophistication, precise craftsmanship and build quality of an Audi is legendary, not to mention it’s good looking.

Once considered conservative, it’s now a trend-setting style statement.

When BMW surprised car nuts with the first-ever SAV (sports activity vehicle), the X6, a couple of years ago, there was nothing like it. But the niche

product caught on big time as other German car manufacturers followed the lead. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is now as successful as the Porsche Cayenne Sport Coupé. And then Audi nailed it with the mighty, full-size Q8, a rock star Coupé version of its Q7.

Audi has given its mid-sized Tiguan opponent, the Q3, a similar style treatment – and, boy, does it work magnificently. Especially with a mesmerising turbo-blue paint scheme.

The new Q3 Sportback is for people who prefer extravagance to luggage space (don’t worry, there’s still plenty) and street cred to rear visibility.

The front view is similar to the standard Q3 but with a new bold, black grille design.

Its resemblance to its big brother, the Q8, is uncanny. The rear side view resembles the Audi Avant. The Sportback is 16mm longer, 29mm lower, and 6mm thinner. Combine that with its 19-inch wheels and you’ve got the most delicious Bavarian eye candy.

It performs as well as it looks. There are two petrol engines for the Q3 available in South Africa: a 1.4-L. turbo-charged petrol with front-wheel drive, and the one I’m currently driving around the numerous bends of Clarence Drive, a coastal road of the Cape Peninsula. The car is in sport mode, and while

GEAR

I’d love some more power, 132kW is enough to have fun with this car.

But, to quote Audi: ‘performance is an attitude’. So, the Audi RS Q3 Sportback with its 2.5-L. 5 cyl. engine has an output of 294kW, 480Nm of torque and an acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds.

The Q3 Sportback features the latestgeneration hi-res all-digital instrument cluster, with MMI infotainment and razor-sharp map displays. The soothing sound in the lush cabin is by Bang & Olufsen.

This entrylevel Q8 is a style statement with tons of street cred.

AUDI Q3 SP ORTBACK 40 TFSI S LINE S -T R O N I C > > ENGINE 2.0-L. 4 cyl. turbo, paired with a 7-speed tiptronic auto > > POWER 132kW and 330Nm > > TOP SPEED 220km/h 0-100km/h 7.8 seconds > > PRICE R737 000 (as tested: R931 360)

AUDI.CO.ZA

COMPETITION: Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé, Volvo XC40, Jaguar E-Pace

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Forecast

MercedesBenz S-Class

GEAR

It’s the epitome of luxury and performance by the inventor of the automobile. Mercedes will launch the S-Class in the second quarter of 2021, with a range of different powerplants – yes, including an AMG. mercedes-benz.co.za

PHOTOGRAPHY: AUDI MEDIA CENTRE, DAIMLER, LANDROVER, MARTIN MEINERS

‘It’s the epitome of luxury and performance by the inventor of the automobile’

Audi RS Q8

Land Rover Defender 90

Volkswagen Golf 8 R

Late but not too late to launch, Audi’s ballistic RS Q8 makes even its flamboyant Italian cousin on the same platform, the Lamborghini Urus, look less spectacular. With a power output of 441kW and 800Nm, it reaches 100km/h in a mere 3.8 seconds, leaving most cars in the current market behind. audi.co.za

After the long-overdue launch of the highly anticipated new Defender 110, it’s more compact two-door version has (finally) hit South African dirt to continue the 4x4 legend’s success story. landrover.co.za

The fastest, most powerful seriesproduction Golf 8 R will arrive here towards the end of the year, and will feature all-wheel drive, and a power output of 235kW and 420Nm of torque, launching the hot hatch, which defined the segment, in 4.7 seconds from 0 to 100km/h. vw.co.za

Peugeot 2008 With its bold styling and new financial backing – through the Stellantis group, now the fourth-biggest car maker – Peugeot wants to penetrate the mid-size SUV segment with the 2008 and plans to launch more new models in 2021. peugeot.co.za

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FITNESS

Words by Lisa Abdellah

How to find the sweet spot between strength and endurance for bulk and definition

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SPORT

Fitness

I F B B P RO B O DY B U I L D E R

Sibusiso Kotelo’s muscles are more defined than his friend’s, powerlifter Matthew le Roux.

Why? He lifts a moderately difficult weight for 12 to 15 reps, known as hypertrophy training, compared with Le Roux, who picks up the heaviest he can manage for one rep.

Biokineticist David Leith defines hypertrophy as strain or stress that causes a muscle to grow in size. ‘Lifting weights causes it to lengthen and subsequently shorten under a load, which induces hormonal responses, such as the secretion of growth hormone (GH, which stimulates the growth of your muscle) and testosterone (promotes muscle mass).

‘It also “damages” your muscle, but that isn’t a cause for concern because micro-tearing is necessary to promote repair and develop new muscle fibres, increasing a muscle’s size.’

‘When you do short bursts of highintensity exercise, your body breaks

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down glycogen to produce adenosene triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that carries glucose within cells to provide immediate energy.’

Le Roux channels all his effort into lifting his heaviest weight over one rep because he’s training for a specific event.

If he puts all his effort into that one rep, chances are he’ll be too exhausted to do it again and he’ll stop producing ATP. Even if he were to place that much load on his muscle for more than one rep, his form would deteriorate close to failure, and he’d risk injury and possibly impair future training.

‘Hypertrophy doesn’t necessarily mean lifting your one-rep max.

Research has shown a safer and more effective way to train is within two to three reps of failure,’ adds Leith.

So, if you’re training for endurance, or aesthetics like Kotelo, lift a high enough intensity to build strength and power for long enough to train aerobically to reach the point of fatigue that induces hypertrophy but also stimulates your muscle to grow.

H OW

To start, aim for 10-12 reps at 70% of your one-rep max. Remember: heavy men aren’t

MEET THE EXPERTS SIBUSISO KOTELO

‘Lift a high enough intensity to build strength and power for long enough to stimulate your muscles to grow’

necessarily stronger than their lean counterparts, so it’s best to choose a weight based on your perception of effort, advises personal trainer Mziyanda Zuba. That should feel like around six to seven out of ten, and eight out of ten for your session overall.

Try a lighter weight first, advises Kotelo. ‘Picking up a heavy weight and managing two reps, known as “ego lifting”, has nothing to do with hypertrophy. If your technique suffers you won’t activate the muscle.

‘The thing about form is that it’s not just about injury prevention; you need to activate the muscle itself, or you won’t get ripped.

That’s why I advise training with an expert who knows the biomechanics the body goes through to recruit a specific muscle.’

Change one variable at a time, either weight or number of reps.

During a fourweek hypertrophy programme, Leith has his athletes start with a certain weight in the first week, aiming to increase it

IFBB Pro bodybuilder and trainer

DAVID LEITH

Biokineticist, Sports Science Institute of South Africa

MZIYANDA ZUBA

Personal trainer, Virgin Active

SIX GO-TO

EXERCISES

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y P E T E R R U S S E L L , K A R S T E N W I N E G E A R T/ UNSPLASH.COM, GALLO/GETTY IMAGES

by 5-10% provided that correlates with their effort level.

To avoid hammering the same muscle groups day in day out, do five sets of each of them twice per week. The idea is to train one part of your body while another rests.

One day, you might combine your quads and your back, and the next day rest those muscles to concentrate on your hamstrings and chest.

After you’ve warmed up, a typical session includes two primary 10- to 15-minute sets, focussing on two big muscle groups in each one. Then, you’d finish with one to two secondary sets of exercises for smaller muscles using lighter weights.

REST

‘Your muscles don’t grow at the gym; they grow when you feed them the right nutrition and rest,’ says Kotelo. ‘You need to replenish the energy you’ve consumed, and the best time to do that is to eat when your GH levels peak just after training.’

Kotelo eats complex carbs such as cream of

rice to top up the glycogen he uses during workouts and easy-to-digest whey protein powder for muscle repair.

He recommends consulting a registered dietician who’ll devise an eating plan based on your energy output and muscle mass.

It’s a well-known fact that the quickest way to burn fat is by doing strength training, not cardio, because it’s better at building muscle, and muscle burns more kilojoules than some other tissues, including fat – but that only happens at rest.

Homeostasis, the state of steady internal, physical and chemical conditions maintained by the body – hormones, hydration, energy – needs time to return to its pre-set levels.

Your central nervous system needs to recover from heavy lifting and your muscles from the damage caused by higher-rep training.

What happens if you don’t rest enough? Symptoms such as fatigue, illness and negative moods will stop you from producing the results you want at the gym.

4

LATERAL DUMBBELL RAISE POSITION: Retract shoulder blades, ensuring weight sits on shoulders, and you don’t recruit back muscles.

HOW: Lift arms at a 90-degree angle, imagining you’re trying to touch the walls of the gym, then lower dumbells to hips at a controlled pace.

5

BICEP DUMBBELL CURLS POSITION: Retracted shoulder blades, feet shoulder-width apart, pinky facing ceiling.

HOW: Lift dumbbell towards shoulder, lower at a controlled pace. Alternate between left and right, as opposed to lifting at the same time.

6

TRICEP EXTENSIONS POSITION: Retracted shoulder blades, feet shoulder-width apart.

HOW: Drive the machine from the top.

Elbows shouldn’t move, just triceps from the 90-degree mark to your hips and back.

The Anointed One In this interview by Stormers winger Seabelo Senatla, Lukhanyo Am chats about the Rugby World Cup, Sharks captaincy, fame and everything in between Words by Molife Kumona

Profile

SPORT

time I experience a setback, I make sure I come back stronger and perform at my best.

SS: How did it feel to have been instrumental in your team’s win at the 2019 Rugby World Cup? LA: Surreal. Winning was a huge moment as that marks the peak of rugby player’s career. It was an amazing feeling that left me in a state of disbelief, one of the best moments in my career.

‘ L I K E M E , YO U P RO BA B LY T H I N K O F LU K H A N YO A M

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y H O WA R D C L E L A N D , G A L L O / G E T T Y I M A G E S

gracefully passing the ball to Makazole Mapimpi, helping him score the opening try in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final, a defining moment that made South Africans happy for the next three months. Joy isn’t the only thing Am brings – he’s as much an inspiration as his attack on the rugby field is formidable.

People say the defender is ghost-like because he gives the impression he’s not even occupying a space. He gives people with big dreams hope. His life a recurring pattern of duality, may his fast ascent herald a slow exit from basking in glory. May it be everlasting.’ – Seabelo Senatla Seabelo Senatla: From the outside looking in, your journey appears to have boomed quickly and seamlessly. Is that how you’ve experienced it?

Lukhanyo Am: From the moment I started my career, my goal was to push myself to be the best I can be, and I’ve been doing that ever since. As with any journey, it wasn’t without its challenges. I got injured, so I couldn’t attend the U13 trials to play for Border, and it happened again when I was picked to play for the Springboks. I was deeply disappointed as I didn’t think I’d have that opportunity again.

Those are some of the things people didn’t see that happened behind the scenes of my outwardly ‘glorious’ career.

When I’d recovered from my injuries, new opportunities arose, and I played my heart out. Every

SS: Now you’re the captain of the Sharks. How do you handle the pressure?

LA: Sportspeople are resultsdriven, so there’s pressure to perform optimally, train consistently, rest and give it my all when I play – which is why my go-to energy drink is Red Bull.

I don’t want to disappoint my supporters by losing a game because that genuinely makes me sad, and every sportsperson can attest to that.

SS: You grew up in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape, where rugby is popular. Is that why you decided to pursue it?

LA: Believe it or not, getting into rugby wasn’t my intention at all – I used to play cricket. The school I went to, De Vos Malan, didn’t have enough players, so they asked me to join the team. That’s when I fell in love with the sport. My mom took a while to warm up to the idea because she was worried I’d get injured.

‘Focus. I don’t get swept up by anything that doesn’t align with that’

SS: As a sportsperson excels in their career and gains fame, they may be distracted by attention from fans who want more than to watch them from afar, their ego and, in this day and age, DMs. How do you handle that?

LA: Focus. My dream is to strive to play the best rugby, consistently and correctly. I don’t pay attention to or get swept up by anything that doesn’t align with that. I focus on working and performing.

SS: You inspire many people in and outside rugby.

What advice would you give to young men reading this about setting goals?

LA: As clichéd as it sounds, believe in yourself. That’s where it starts.

Once you believe you can make it, that changes how you approach everything. When you experience setbacks, you can pick yourself up because of that belief. Another key aspect is self-awareness. Taking the time to get to know yourself, your character and how you feel about things comes in handy because then you know what triggers you and how best to respond.

SS: You became captain of the Sharks last January, replacing retired Tendai Mtawarira. Had you anticipated that’d happen?

LA: I wasn’t expecting it, but when management identified me, I was happy. It also opened up my eyes to a higher responsibility.

SS: How did 2020 change you as a sportsperson and a man?

LA: The year 2020 showed us what’s truly important. It gave me a lasersharp focus and made me grateful for what I have. I’m more compassionate because of last year.

We’re all in shock, and it really changed all of us.

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W E A LT H P R O F I L E

WEALTH CREATE A MORE BANKABLE YOU

How I Made My First Million Most entrepreneurs want to be rich. Three of SA’s most successful businesspeople spill the beans on how they did it Words by Shannon Manuel

W E A LT H P R O F I L E

IN 2015, Theo Baloyi launched Bathu, which has since become one of Africa’s premium sneaker brands.

He was raised in Soshanguve, Pretoria, for the first 10 years of his life, where his father worked as a male nurse, then moved to a small village called Phake, outside Hammanskraal. Upon completing matric, he relocated to Alexandra, north of Joburg, to study a BCom in Accounting Sciences at the University of South Africa. After Baloyi graduated, he worked for PWC South Africa for two years, focussing on advisory, public sector, strategy consulting and auditing. He was temporarily transfered to the Middle East, where he spent three years working in audit management and consulting. Why did he decide to jack it all in to start his own business?

‘I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart; I used to sell oil-based perfumes doorto-door with my best friend, Andrew, to make an extra income,’ he says. ‘I missed our weekend entrepreneurial hustles when I went to work for PWC. I remember being stuck at the Dubai International Airport for an eight-hour layover, when a retail store attracting a lot of foot traffic in the duty-free section piqued my curiosity.

I was fortunate to meet the store’s owner, who sold

a brand with which the French could resonate. That got me thinking about where I come from, Africa,where you’d be hardpressed to find a local sneaker brand that could match the international ones.

‘What are we, as Africans, doing to tell our stories? And how are we incorporating those narratives into products while building our value chain?

I thought. I was a sneakerhead who owned a valuable sneaker collection, but none were from Africa. As the saying goes: “If you’re buying too much of something, why not own it?”

That’s where the idea for Bathu came from.’

He explains the meaning of the word bathu (shoes) is diverse and rich. Our brand promise honours diversity and inclusion.

We walk with anyone who wants to achieve great results on his or her journey.’

From his brand’s inception, Baloyi was intentional about how he wanted to build his business from the ground mechanics to the technicalities, and how he’d assemble various components to build its value chain, in the absence of a blueprint for what his business should look like.

Baloyi analysed what makes American brands powerful.

With no prior retail experience, he conducted 18 months of research development, quality control and assurance. He studied how the Americans elevated brands, built value chains, had companies listed on the stock exchange, or followed the Initial Public Offering (IPO) route, receiving funding from Silicon Valley.

‘Our vision is to build a proudly African sneaker brand that local people can affiliate with. I wanted to do things differently, from the way I raised my start-up capital and boot-strapped my savings

Theo Baloyi

Founder of premium sneaker brand Bathu

‘I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for the people with whom I work’

51

to use as seed capital to start the business to our mission to create sustainable jobs for our communities. I’m still intentional about how we run the business, invest, roll out strategy and use our capital expenditure and operating expenses projects.

‘The driving force behind Bathu was multifaceted. I had a decent job at PWC that offered growth and benefits, but going home to Alexandra reminded me not everyone is fortunate to have that privilege.

I wanted to restore hope by creating sustainable jobs. Today, we employ around 180 people in the business, most of whom are local.

‘Although I wouldn’t describe my background as poverty stricken, I had to work hard to get what I wanted. Of course, I wanted my business to be profitable, and I was ecstatic to make my first million, but the positive impact it had had on peoples’ lives was more important to me.’

Central to Bathu’s growth was re-investing in specific areas and growing the right components and mechanics to build its value chain and ensure the business could even operate in Baloyi’s absence.

One of the key lessons he learned was to appreciate the economic value of his workers’ experience and skills, known as human capital.

His approach to business and his manner are authentic.

‘I try to be transparent when leading my team. I don’t do anything that doesn’t align with my values, and I have a teachable spirit, so I love to learn new things. I also listen a lot, and I’m patient. Another of my traits is humility: I try to remain humble and stay grounded in everything I do.

I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for the people with whom I work.’ »

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W E A LT H P R O F I L E

AF TER SHE QUIT her corporate job at 26, Sibongile Manganyi-Rath established infrastructure and real estate development company Indigo Kulani Group (IKG).

Established in 2006, it’s now an industry leader.

‘I’ve always been passionate about social change, and infrastructure is the foundation for any country to empower its citizens to move out of poverty, starting with access to clean water, education, healthcare and affordable, safe housing.

I leveraged my academic background in architecture to start a multi-disciplinary business that could provide professional services to improve lives in our communities,’ says Manganyi-Rath.

‘It’s difficult to tell if you’re capable of starting your own business until you try.

Having come from a family of entrepreneurs, I already had experience working for my father’s business in Soweto,

Sibongile Manganyi-Rath

Founder of real estate and development company Indigo Kulani Group (IKG)

aged 12, gaining confidence and learning lessons that would further motivate me to pursue entrepreneurship versus a stable paycheque working for a corporation.

‘I considered my father the prime example of how to be an entrepreneur. I read books written by those I admired such as Sir Richard Branson. The most important advice I heard was to “never be too big to listen to your customers and your employees, the two carry levers that make or break a business no matter its size”.’

Manganyi-Rath says her tenacity and building relationships between clients, communities and her internal team were important.

‘At 26, I’d had little experience of leadership, yet I had strong leadership qualities and, when I think about it, I was already putting them into practice without realising it at the time.’

Her initial strategy was to provide design and management services. Challenges with cashflow management caused by delayed payments and project cancellations due to her clients’ budgetary constraints prompted her to expand her services into infrastructure-finance advisory services for the public sector.

That service transformed IKG into one of South Africa and West Africa’s leading infrastructure finance advisory firms. It was through this exposure that the Group could identify further challenges that existed in the health sector. It responded by creating a digital health business that offers medical services to low-income communities, Alma Clinics.

It’s a sprint-technology business to change how healthcare is delivered at the primary level using limited resources (for more information, visit alma-clinic.com).

‘When I started IKG, I wanted the freedom to decide my future without having to consult with corporate employers. I wanted to pursue projects with a positive socioeconomic impact on education,

‘I enjoy privileges that, as a girl growing up in Soweto, I thought I could only dream of’

health, water and affordable housing projects. The bigger the project, the higher the fee, offering me, a young woman who’d grown up poor, financial freedom’ she says.

‘Making money wasn’t my ultimate goal; it was to be free to innovate business models that benefit our society. That’s the reason I won’t pursue projects in Sandton because I’ve never been one to chase obvious opportunities. Money isn’t everything, although, it was great to make my first million at 28. I enjoy privileges that, as a girl growing up in Soweto, I thought I could only dream of.’

Her advice to entrepreneurs aiming high is to focus on revenue and cost management.

Take a short course in understanding financial statements, learn how to manage costs and expenses to avoid financial leakages, and build long-term relationships with your clients. Short-term solutions aren’t sustainable.

W E A LT H P R O F I L E

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALLO/GETTY IMAGES, SUPPLIED

OV E R T H E PA S T D ECA D E Douglas Hoernle has helped build several technology businesses for education.

‘I dreamed of starting a business from as early as my childhood. In the same way that some people are destined to become football players or movie stars, I think I was always meant to be an entrepreneur,’ he says.

‘I love building a business, developing the organism, warts and all. A combination of my attitude towards money and mentoring, and determination, drive, passion, insight and force of personality have led to my business’s doing well.

‘I define success as giving back more than you take, financially, emotionally and physically. I apply that to most challenges I undertake. If I can look at myself in the mirror and say I’ve given 100% to a task, I feel fulfilled.

‘I started my first business when I was 15, selling bracelets emblazoned with my school’s logo to my classmates. It proved lucrative because they all wanted one. I used the proceeds to build a house for a disadvantaged person living in Irene, a township outside Joburg.’

When Hoernle was 19, he started a business at university selling personalised, branded wine. Then, he founded Rethink Education, a mobile learning platform that, at its peak, helped over 500 000 students to learn maths and science via their cellphone. Two years later, he cofounded Bambisa and Juggle Communicator, a communication platform for schools to improve communication between teachers, parents and students.

Hoernle went on to found Karri, a platform for schools to collect funds from parents using a builtfor-purpose mobile app. Over 1 000 schools across South Africa use it to reach over onemillion parents.

He also cofounded Merriment and Co, a bespoke liquor distribution company

Douglas Hoernle

Helps build technology businesses for education.

Founder of the built-forpurpose mobile app Karri

that brought top-end spirits and champagnes into South Africa and retailed through big outlets.

Hoernle sold and consolidated the majority of his businesses to channel his efforts into Karri, now one of SA’s most-loved apps, which he has partnered with Nedbank.

‘I’m beyond proud of what Karri has become over the past four years,’ he says. ‘A team of rockstar teachers, parents, sales experts, engineers and financiers are working together to take the app onto the global stage and beyond.

‘There’s no such thing as an overnight success; a business does well as a result of years of hard work, risk-taking and dogged determination.

A core skill I’ve developed while building my various businesses is the ability to see around corners. I’m always looking ahead, watching market trends, reading about the latest innovations and trying to make sense of the direction in which the world’s moving.

That gives me an accurate view of the best way forward for our businesses.

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‘I’ve built a close network of highly experienced entrepreneurs who’ve guided and mentored me through the ups and downs of many of my businesses. I’ve also read business biographies and other books that have profoundly impacted how I manage and lead businesses. Some of my favourites are Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, Trillion Dollar Coach by Eric Schmidt, The Snowball by Alice Schroeder, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance and Principles

by Ray Dalio.

‘I’ve never stopped marketing myself and my businesses. Sales is a core component of any business, and I’ve always been incredibly passionate about sharing our story and products while making sure we remain laser-sharp focused on providing worldclass customer service.’

Hoernle says building longlasting relationships built on trust, coupled with worldclass ideas, is the secret to financial stability.

‘I’ve transformed privateinvestment funding into new opportunities through close networks with business partners who’ve walked a decade-long journey with me and my ventures. A friend who runs a successful investment business once advised: “Don’t ever worry about funding. We have more dumb money than we know what to do with. You have ideas.

Just ask for it.”

‘Courage is an oftunderestimated trait when it comes to entrepreneurship.

To quote Phil Knight, when he writes about The Oregon Trail: “The cowards never started, and the weak died along the way.

That leaves us us!”’

Hoernle values people too.

‘A business is nothing more than the people it serves and those who work within it. I’ve invested the majority of my time at Karri into building a team that nurtures it.

‘The only useful purpose of money is that it gives you the freedom to tackle bigger, more difficult things,’ he concludes.

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W E A LT H A D V I C E

The Business of Music If you’re considering venturing into the music industry, it’s important to read the small print and familiarise yourself with your rights. Entertainment lawyer Andrew Hewitt shares his tips for getting the most out of creative pursuits Words by Thobeka Phanyeko

W E A LT H A D V I C E

WHETHER YO U ’ V E SCORED A R EC O R D deal or are considering a music career, doing your research helps you ensure you’re treated fairly, and your rights as an artist are protected. You may even consult an entertainment lawyer before you sign on the dotted line.

‘That’s key to not only ensuring the artist knows their rights under copyright law and the developed case law, but also general commercial law, company formation and business practice,’ explains entertainment lawyer Andrew Hewitt.

Music and copyright is a complex area of law with aspects unique to South Africa, so it’s crucial to understand how we compare with other jurisdictions.

What services does an entertainment lawyer provide?

‘In the music space, I specialise in assisting with contracts, ensuring the proper recording of terms and legalities are observed, and my client’s interests are looked after. I bring perspective on

what’s appropriate and fair in an agreement, working alongside the artist or band or with the artist’s manager. There’s a synergy between what the manager or agent does and what the entertainment lawyer does. Yes, a lawyer focusses more on the legal affairs of the music business, but having good relationships with all parties involved helps.

How do you turn your talent into a business?

Andrew Hewitt

GQ: What does an artist need to know before recording their first track?

Andrew Hewitt: I think it’s crucial, from both a creative and legal perspective, to have a sense of direction for your career. That may be difficult to determine at first, so that’s where having professional support can help.

If you’re a recording artist who’s stepping into a studio for the first time, I think you need to know how you’re going to earn an income from the process. If you’ve signed a record deal, then you need to understand what

Andrew Hewitt is the principal director of Andrew Hewitt & Associates (Pty) Ltd, a specialist entertainment law consultancy focussing on film, television, music, and related digital media.

He represents a variety of clients both locally and abroad. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Law (LLB), which he studied at Rhodes University, and is both an admitted attorney (1999) with the Cape Law Society SA and a solicitor (2003) with the Law Society of England and Wales (he continues to fulfil a nonpractising role in both).

In 2018, Andrew revised the South African edition of the Butterworths Lexis Nexis Entertainment Law Volume as its general editor.

For more information, visit hewitts.co.za or email admin@hewitts.co.za

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your contract says about your entitlements, when you’ll be paid, and what you can and can’t do.

You must understand what your royalty entitlements are.

For example, the label, recording artist and all those who played a role in the master recording, big or small, share the public performance royalties (known as “Needletime Rights”).

That means you earn royalties every time your recording is played on the radio – and that income can sustain your career.

Or you may decide you want to record and release your music.

If you commission and pay for the recording, that makes you its copyright owner, which means you control the income and royalties that may arise should your sound recording be exploited. Once you have a master copy of your song, I recommend obtaining an International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), so you can track your song for usage and royalty purposes. Without it, you’ll lose out on royalty entitlements.

GQ: What’s the difference between copyright in a song vs copyright in a recording?

AH: Under the Copyright Act No 98 of 1978 (as amended), various works are listed as eligible for copyright, such as literary, musical and artistic works, cinematograph films, sound recordings, broadcasts and computer programmes. In the music industry, both musical work and sound recording are eligible for copyright.

Copyright in the song refers to the compositional copyright and includes aspects such as its melody, lyrics, and other creative contributions. The songwriting process often involves many creative contributions, with each contributor having a share of this particular copyright. At some point, shares (known as copyright splits) should be determined to ensure »

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W E A LT H A D V I C E

a lawyer, even if you have a manager. The most crucial aspect is for the artist to understand the deal the label is presenting. That often depends on whether the artist is a singersongwriter or just a singer (recording artist). A singersongwriter will probably receive a 360 deal, but that also comes in different forms, so you should seek advice on its terms.

GQ: How else can an artist make money besides record sales?

AH: You’re probably referring

copyright holders benefit from royalty entitlements for performing and mechanical rights.

Then there’s copyright in a sound recording, which, as its name suggests, pertains to the sound recording itself. The Copyright Act defines a sound recording, in legalese, as “any fixation or storage of sounds, or data or signals representing sounds, capable of being reproduced, but doesn’t include a soundtrack associated with a cinematograph film”. In terms of the Act, the person who commissions the making of a sound recording and pays for it is its copyright owner.

GQ: What should an artist look out for in a recording contract?

AH: Recording agreements are often complex and nuanced with long-term ramifications.

I recommend consulting with

Ask the Experts Andrew Hewitt says seeking advice from and maintaining contact with seasoned professionals from the outset is paramount.

He notes that cost is often a reason artists don’t seek specialist legal advice, ‘but when negotiating a complex agreement, you can be sure the other party has, and that puts you at a big disadvantage’.

In short, it’s worth the investment.

to the royalty entitlement you receive whenever the sound recording is performed in public, played in the background or broadcast.Then there’s Synchronisation Licence deals, whereby the sound recording is licensed for use in a film or commercial. These can be lucrative if the song features strongly, even more so if you hold both the composition and sound recording (master) copyright, which means you’re entitled to two sync license fees. Finally, there’s a royalty entitlement for use on jukeboxes and music videos.

GQ: How can an artist ensure they get what they’re due?

AH: That requires an appreciation of the specific issues and concerns in question.

There’s a lot an artist can do.

Asking questions, and speaking to Collection Management Organisations (CMOs) or the label, is one example. Register with with the applicable CMOs as they make distributions throughout the year so you can track payments. If you perform your song at an event, register that with The South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). If you’re with a label, read the reporting terms of your agreement to understand when you’ll be paid. Most agreements have a books and records clause, which allows you to have receipts specific to your music audited,

should you have doubts about the amount of money you’re receiving.

There’s also a point when legal assistance, and possibly litigation, may be required to ensure you get what’s due.

GQ: What are the most common aspects of an agreement with a record label artists overlook?

AH: How long will the agreement last, and what clauses favour the record label? If you’re successful, they’ll want a slice of that pie.

GQ: An artist wants to leave a contract that no longer serves them, knowing that if they do, the record label will own their songs. Is there a way around it?

AH: The reality is that it isn’t possible to acquire ownership or copyright without a written agreement, the terms of which determine what happens to your songs should you decide to end it. I don’t want to give you the impression that record labels aren’t willing to explore revised terms, but there must be a commercial rationale for a departure or amendment to terms.

That said, most songwriter publishing agreements with a label or publisher will provide for shared ownership so that royalty entitlements will continue to flow through to the artist, and in that way both parties will benefit.

Remember: there are two types of copyright, one for the song and another for the sound recording, and you must consider both when ending an agreement.

You can negotiate all these aspects, but there are often sound commercial reasons why some terms exist. It’s also about bargaining power; an emerging artist usually has very little compared with an established label. My advice is to songwriters is not to give up

W E A LT H A D V I C E

their songs without a fight – but I acknowledge that’s easier said than done.

GQ: How can you protect an artist who’s signed a contract without understanding it?

AH: Under South African law,

P H OTO G R A P H S B Y G A L L O / G E T T Y I M A G E S , T R OY T/ U N S P L A S H . C O M , G O R D O N COWIE/UNSPLASH.COM, SOUNDTRAP PICTURES/UNSPLASH.COM, SUPPLIED

there are requirements for a valid and binding contract to come into existence. For example, there must be consensus, a meeting of minds, to enter into an agreement – which must be legal, as in not prohibited under the law, against public policy or unconstitutional.

All parties must have the capacity to conclude the agreement.

Specific types of agreements come with their own set of formalities. They may be governed by legislation, such as an employment agreement, as an example. If the requirements mentioned above aren’t met, then you could challenge the

foundation of the contract and, possibly, have the contract upended.

If a contracting party says they didn’t understand what they were signing, they’re admitting they didn’t appreciate the full ramifications of the contract, meaning it isn’t grounds for escaping the terms of a valid agreement as per the requirements mentioned above.

The well-known Latin legal term Caveat Subscriptor, meaning “let the seller (or signer) beware”, refers to the notion that when signing an agreement, the signee agrees to its terms, regardless of whether he or she has read or understood them.

Don’t sign something you don’t fully understand, as you probably won’t escape its terms.

GQ: What’s your advice to people who want to pursue a music career?

‘It’s about bargaining power; an emerging artist has very little compared with an established label’

The views expressed in this article are for informational purposes only and don’t constitute legal advice

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AH: Don’t give up on your dream. Music is a multifaceted creative industry with multiple revenue streams and creative outlets. I’m perpetually surprised by the new ideas and business models I get to see.

The music business continues to change rapidly as technology and patterns of consumption evolve. That means there are more opportunities to make a career out of music, provided solid planning and strategies catered to your specific talents are in place. The music industry has many role players: agents, accountants, lawyers, managers, publishers, marketers, publicists, radio stations, music video producers, digital platforms and distributors. So, if you’re interested, I’d say give it a go.

The world will always be inspired and lifted by music, so a career as an artist is future-proof.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y P H I L LY M O H L A L A ; P H O T O G R A P H E R ’ S A S S I S T A N C E B Y X A B I S O M A N Q O Y I ; G R O O M I N G B Y L I Z VA N D E R M E R W E @ R E D H O T O P S ; G R O O M I N G A S S I S TA N C E B Y M I R I A M M A C H U C H A @ R E D H OT O P S

Tracksuit Jonsson Workwear; T-shirt Styla Gang Original Designs (S.G.O.D); shoes Nike; sunglasses Oakley necklace AliExpress

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 5 9

TAMMI MBAMBO Fine artist, influencer and content producer working with the body as a canvas via the medium of makeup

Handwoven pants UNI FORM x Barrydale Hand Weavers; shoes artist’s own

KEVI KEV Musical artist and style innovator

Tracksuit Jonsson Workwear; T-shirt Styla Gang Original Designs (S.G.O.D); shoes Nike Jordan 3; sunglasses Oakley

SHOT WITH THE SAMSUNG GALAXY 21 ULTRA 5G

Clash of the Creatives

Creative Direction by Jason Alexander Basson Photographs by Philly Mohlala

Meet the young South Africans forging new territories and leaving a lasting mark on our collective culture

GARETH VAN NIEKERK Interior style expert, curator and journalist

Coat Trenery; shirt Zara; glasses Yohji Yamamoto

AMY ZAMA A multi-disciplinary creative, contributing editor at Faculty Press, creative director, content producer and style curator

Full look Thebe Magugu; sunglasses Oakley

SHOT WITH THE SAMSUNG GALAXY 21 ULTRA 5G

SHOT WITH THE SAMSUNG GALAXY 21 ULTRA 5G

TSHEPO PITSO (A.K.A MATERIAL DONDADA) Influencer, content producer and Izikhothane Revivalist

Suit custom tailored; tribly hat Headmasters; earrings and rings Gift Inn Jewellers; sunglasses Arnette x Post Malone; gold hex tie Geometie; gold teeth grillz Mavella PTA

NKULEY ‘NKULULEKO’ MASEMOLA Non-binary model, influencer and performance artist coat Row-G; corset and undergarment both vintage

BRANDON SWANEPOEL Contemporary hairstylist and owner of Cellardoor Hair

FRANCOIS FERREIRA Award-winning commercial, editorial and celebrity stylist, creative director, ex-style overlord of Edcon, co-owner of The Source and coeditor of Gaschette magazine

Clothing Model’s Own; coat and headpiece Amen Interior Fashion; sunglasses Oakley; belt Row-G

P H OTO G R A P H E R ’ S A S S I S TA N C E B Y X A B I S O M A N Q OY I ; G R O O M I N G B Y L I Z VA N D E R M E R W E @ R E D H O T O P S ; G R O O M I N G A S S I S TA N C E B Y MIRIAM MACHUCHA @ RED HOT OPS

coat Row-G; T-shirt and belt both vintage; pants David Hutt; shoes Aldo; glasses Burberry

SHOT WITH THE SAMSUNG GALAXY 21 ULTRA 5G

We shot this editorial entirely with the new Samsung S21 Ultra 5G. Smartphone photography and digital upload allows for a more democratic approach to creating and sharing content.

We encourage you to share yours with us.

Meet the creatives at GQ.CO.ZA M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 6 7

As the world gravitates towards conscious living, the fashion industry is no exception.

Tommy Hilfiger shares his approach to slow fashion and leading with purpose

GQ : Your brand has evolved since its launch in 1985 and has moved towards sustainability. How can the industry at large step up the pace?

Tommy Hilfiger: I’ve always been committed to evolving the brand to meet the needs of future generations. Our journey toward sustainability began more than a decade ago, but there’s still – and always will be – a lot more to do because industry-wide change takes time; it can’t happen overnight, and one brand can’t do it alone. But we’ll get there faster by working together and committing to meaningful change at scale.

GQ : Tell us about the initiatives Tommy Hilfiger has launched including Adaptive, the Fashion Frontier Challenge and the Make it Possible and Peoples’ Place programs?

TH: A key pillar of our Make it Possible program is creating opportunities for all. The purpose of the Fashion Frontier Challenge and Peoples’ Place program is to shape a more inclusive workplace, champion workers’ rights and advance Black, indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) talent. We believe it’s our responsibility to foster inclusivity and support the underrepresented.

GQ : Could misconceptions about sustainability stop brands from embracing it?

TH: Some brands believe it’s too late to become sustainable, and others that it’s too expensive, both of which we’ve proven false and are keen to share what we’ve learned with the rest of the industry.

GQ : To what would you attribute the success of your campaigns? What response do you anticipate your just-launched Make it Possible program will receive?

TH: Success comes down to authenticity. Consumers are

more informed than ever before, demanding change and recognising ‘big talk and no walk’ from a mile away. Our campaigns resonate with them because we embed our values in everything we do.

Words by Thobeka Phanyeko

GQ : Tell us about Tommy Hilfiger’s slogan, “Waste Nothing and Welcome All”.

TH: It’s our north star and mission statement, what we believe a more sustainable industry and the rest of the world should strive to do.

For us, sustainability goes beyond focusing on the planet. We’re committed to contributing toward a more socially and environmentally sustainable future.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA SCOTT

‘We’ve made tangible social and environmental strides, and I’m excited to see how it inspires our fans’

GQ : What informs your approach to sustainability and inclusivity?

TH: We really listen to our consumers and internal teams.

Our associates were heavily involved in creating our sustainability targets.

We consistently encourage them and our fans to use their voices, hold us accountable and challenge our ideas.

GQ : Talk us through your Spring 2021 Campaigns, especially the elements Music Takes Us Further and Moving Forward Together?

TH: The world needs to find common ground now more than

ever. Music and social activism are potentially two of the greatest unifiers, and we wanted to channel them in our Spring 2021 campaigns.

It’s about inspiring consumers to build a better future.

GQ : You partnered with South African musician Dee Koala on your Music Takes Us Further campaign.

TH: I’ve always been obsessed with music. It inspired my journey into fashion – I see it as a powerful tool to move people – and has been part of our brand heritage ever since. Dee Koala is not only an incredible talent but someone who champions self-expression, progress and community.

She uses music as a way to drive positive change and bring people together.

GQ : Tommy Hilfiger continues to elevate the conversation about sustainability, among other themes such as creative expression, cultural diversity, inclusivity and representation. What conversations are people having about your campaigns, and how do they tie in with your Spring 2021 collection?

TH: Every season, we do more to deliver on our promise to ‘Waste

Nothing and Welcome All’. When we designed and planned our Spring 2021 collection, we worked hard to incorporate sustainability in every aspect. This season, we’ve made tangible social and environmental strides, and I’m excited to see how it inspires our fans.

GQ : Share your vision of fashion in the future.

TH: It’ll be mission-driven, meaning consumers will only buy from brands that align with the causes and values most important to them. As an industry, we need to lead with purpose and make a positive difference.

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 6 9

Photography by Sallyhateswing

T HE B O OM BUCKE T

Words by Jason Alexander Basson

A little comedic intervention never hurt anybody.

Try this comic-strip print bucket hat on for size.

DO THINGS A LIT TLE DIFFERENTLY THIS WINTER WITH BOLD, PLAYFUL, YOUTH-INSPIRED ACCESSORIES THAT SHOW YOU DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY

T HE RECYCL ED B ACKPACK A bag made from distressed and repurposed denim? We’re punk drunk and in love.

THIS PAGE Backpack R49 000 Dolce & Gabbana OPPOSITE PAGE Bucket hat POR Paul Smith

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 7 1

OPPOSITE PAGE Cross-body bag R1 700 Ted Baker

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S T Y L I N G B Y M A R C E L G R A U AT B L O S S O M M A N A G E M E N T, M A K E U P B Y N A D I N E T H O M A A T N I N A K L E I N A G E N C Y, M O D E L : S A R A H W E I N A T H E R M A N A G E M E N T

THIS PAGE Sneakers POR Paul Smith

The only tripping you’ll do in these shoes is all thanks to the psychedelic Paul Smith print.

THE T RIP DRIP

T HE B ODY B AG Wear safari print back-to-front with a cross-body bag that takes classic print and flips the script. Wild.

a cemented Words by Molife Kumona

Photographs by Austin Malema

Printed kimono and pants both Styled By Boogy

Prince Kaybee (real name Kabelo Motsamai) has spent his entire career making sure his name goes down in music history. His first-ever interview with GQ follows his fourth studio album, The 4th Republic, becoming the first African DJ to play on Tiny Desk Concerts and appearing on the soundtrack to Coming 2 America.

Here, the award-winning megastar explains why his wins matter to him, and he speaks out against gender-based violence, pushing for diversity in music, his relationship with his girlfriend, radio personality Zola Mhlongo, and what he really thinks about making it onto Barack Obama’s list of favourite songs in 2020

PRINCE KAYBEE AND I CAN COME ACROSS AS SOMEWHAT COCKY if you don’t know us, so when I agreed with his PR team to do my first virtual interview with him, I figured our chat would involve two large egos. Boy, was I wrong because it became one of my favourites and the longest Instagram Live interview I’ve ever conducted – our time ran out, and we had to start a new video. We connected over a dope, meaningful conversation.

When GQ and Samsung first discussed the idea of a collaboration that would see us shoot a cover using a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, we’d never done that before. We needed a prominent cover star to define this history-making moment, and Prince Kaybee was the right fit. He’s bagged numerous awards and secured number one hits with all his albums. With ardour, we present to you, Prince Kaybee, in an interview by me, with photographs shot by the inimitable Austin Malema through the lens of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. »

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 7 5

GQ : You’ve never been that guy who’s out there with relationships. Why now?

Prince Kaybee: I think I’ve found the one.

I also realised that, as you grow older, even if your relationships don’t work out, if you have a feeling that you should go out there and tell people about what you’re going through, then why not? If I wake up tomorrow and there’s no one in my life, and I get someone else, I’m going to post them.

There’s no holding back anymore ’cause I’m tired of that life.

GQ : How do you handle the stuff that comes with being a young, successful, attractive man, all those DMs? PK: Interestingly, I didn’t grow up like this.

I was the kid in the corner who had dreadlocks and wasn’t good-looking. I lived with my grandparents, who wanted me in the house at, like, 4pm, which meant I couldn’t date anyone.

So, the odds were against me.

I remember when I dropped my single ‘Charlotte’ when everything was mad crazy.

I couldn’t deal. Then there was the time I was living in Bloem, and a lot of girls were begging me, ‘Fly us up, we want to come through, you’re so hot.’

And I didn’t know what was going on. Back then, I was centred and grounded with God, which helped. I was deep and spiritual, and my girlfriend at the time would go to church with me. I’m not as close to Him right now, and I’m not proud of what I’m going through.

Most of the attention didn’t faze me. What happened with my life is that I grew into it.

I grew into the whole thing. I had flings. There was a time when I’d fly to Cape Town for a casual relationship. I guess you do that when you’re trying to find the one. That’s where I am right now: I’ve found my girl.

GQ : From What I gather, you’re the first South African artist to be on Tiny Desk Concerts.

PK: I’m the first of several as Black Coffee and Nasty C also appeared on it at the same time as me. The whole Tiny Desk situation was made possible by Def Jam Recordings, who compiled the Coming 2 America album. They must’ve thought, why not put these guys on Tiny Desk?

GQ : And how was that experience for you? Had you ever watched Tiny Desk Concerts?

PK: Yeah, I think all musicians watch it, ’cause people tend to watch what they like. Tiny Desk introduces new and varied talent all the time, but I’m more into the unknown female vocalists. I’d watched it, but I’d never seen a DJ on the show. It’s not something I’d envisaged, but we made it work.

I’m not the first South African artist to be on

7 6 G Q . C O . Z A M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

Tiny Desk, but I can proudly say I’m the first African DJ.

GQ : During the lockdown you collaborated with different artists on The 4th Republic. Why? PK: It’s so-called because it’s my fourth studio album and ‘Republic’ refers to my ‘republicans’, the fans who’ve been with me from day one, in the middle and at the end. I looked at that spectrum and was sort of, like, let’s fuse everyone to form a republic and engage through music. I compiled the album to their liking. I didn’t ask them what they wanted directly, but I was inspired by what my fans were doing.

Twitter can be both negative and positive.

There’s love, people helping each other.

I remember a couple got engaged at a KFC, and then people used the platform to raise funds for their wedding. I came up with my 24-track album when I was active on Twitter posting my thoughts and standpoint, and people got to know ‘Controversial Kaybee’.

GQ : Tell us about the artists you’ve worked with.

PK: Yes, I found artists on social media and via my initiative Project Hope (more about that on page 79). I discovered a lot on social media. It’s also amazing how it allows artists to engage and be creative. I don’t care how big you are; I prefer not to feature artists who are big for the sake of it. I’ve also noticed that when you’re really hot in the industry, you don’t take advice because you [think you’ve] got things on lock, and that’s understandable. If you say go this way or do this, they don’t really take that as a positive gesture; they believe you’re trying to direct them, rob them of their fame or be part of it.

I believe it’s far easier to work with developing artists. You’re not just developing them to put them in the spotlight. You’ve also got a better way of working, the energy is right, and they’re still humble and willing to listen. It’s simpler and more productive to work with them, so that’s what I’ve been doing for the past six years of my mainstream existence, not just for them but also to make myself feel better.

I’ve worked with many big names, which has been a great experience. Sometimes, there’s a clash of egos, and you have to step back to make them feel like the man in the room. But that can take a lot away from the creative process – you don’t get to fly your wings the way you’re supposed to. A few of them are genuinely there to work, but with others, it is what it is because a lot is going on with established artists.

GQ : Describe your creative process.

Do you dream about music?

‘I was the kid in the corner who had dreadlocks and wasn’t good-looking.

So, the odds were against me’

PK: OK, firstly, it’s different now than when I started. I was always in the studio, working very hard ’cause I thought that was gonna make me a millionaire, or whatever. Then, I started reading books and understanding that you shouldn’t only look busy, but you must have decent ideas you can execute. People may look busy, but when you check, they’re not actually doing anything.What I mean by that is that you need to manage your time as an artist and rest. That way, you’re wellrested for what little time you have in the studio, the energy is right, you’ve eaten well, and your mind’s in the right place, emotionally, spiritually and physically. You do the work, then get out.

The downside [of being an artist] is that overnights at the studio happen outside the standard nine-to-five, which I prefer not to do.

I don’t want to be in the studio [that late] for the sake of looking like I’m working because [by that time] I’m tired. I’m not about that life. Calling it a day, knowing when to rest when I’m tired, is part of the creative process – I don’t force it. »

Black coat Row-G; white jeans Diesel

‘I’m trying to find that thing about me distinct enough to stick with people so they won’t even need to be introduced to me’

White shirt Hugo Boss

7 8 G Q . C O . Z A M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

GQ : Tell us about the red glove.

PK: It’s a look with no specific or deep meaning attached to it. People ask questions, and I’m, like, ‘Nah, I just like red gloves; I like looking good.’

GQ : So, you saw it somewhere and thought, I need to buy that red glove?

PK: No, I didn’t see it anywhere, but I’m into drag racing, so it’s one of the gloves I wear for that.

I was using my phone, and I took off the one on the right, and I was, like, mmm, this looks nice, wearing one on the left but not the right. So, I was, like, OK, let me try this out.

GQ : You seem to have updated your look over the last year or so. Is that intentional?

PK: Yeah, but I’m really stubborn when it comes to my look – my girlfriend knows all about that.

I wouldn’t say I’m confused, but I’m still trying to find myself because I believe in keeping traditions.

For example, when I go to a restaurant, I want to find one and be there for, like, a year. I prefer not to hip-hop around restaurants, and have everyone in Sandton know me, so I want to find, like, one restaurant and be there for, like, an entire year.

The same goes for my look. I want to find something that I’m going to stick with. To find something like the slogan of a big brand, you need, like, a DG. The D and G was well-articulated to last longer. You want something that’s going to last, not something that’ll bore you tomorrow.

So, I’m going through a phase where I’m trying to find myself, the thing about me distinct enough to stick with people so they won’t even need to be introduced to me. They’ll be, like, ‘Yeah, that’s him.’ So, I think I’m gonna keep the gloves.

GQ : You’re passionate about Project Hope. How did it come about?

PK: It’s an initiative way beyond me. I decided to de-centre myself ’cause I believe that to leave a legacy, you must leave behind something people can grasp, not just money. Money paves the way and memories fade, so you must start a legacy someone can take over when you’re no longer around.

In the first season, I developed ten girls and helped them produce an album. They earn money and exposure from it, but I feel like it was a trial and error thing. But the thing about artists is that you can’t put them somewhere and leave. They’re literally going to drop back down if you don’t maintain them.

In the second season, I’ll try to take the best from the last season and see how far the artists can go, using what they’ve learned from last time to move forward. The Project mainly features

women at the moment ’cause if you were to ask which female vocalists or DJs are dominating right now, you’d have to think about it. If you can’t name any of them, then that means we need to develop some. With time, the real ones will start popping up, the names that’ll be there for a long time. Then, we’ll have a nice, diverse industry.

Right now, it’s not diverse – people are raping women for features, which is unbelievable.

GQ : You’re one of the few popular men to speak openly about gender-based violence. Have you always been like that? Guys tend to either shy away from it or pretend it’s not happening. Why do you think that is?

PK: My mother is very strong. If you think my character’s insane, Bro, my mom has ten times more. My mom’s always been like that, even with my dad. If he drops a plate, it’s a mess, a hoo-ha.

But my fear of my mother is positive. I’ve always known all she wants is order. One thing about women is that all they want is order.

Order isn’t cheating or raping. Yes, you can be untidy in the house as long as you carefully consider the main things in your life. There’s nothing orderly about raping, abusing or talking back to a woman and calling her a bitch. My main priority is order, which my mom taught me from a young age to shape who I am today.

GQ : Is that why you’re outspoken?

I remember when we were in talks with your team about this cover and interview, I said, ‘He must stop with his Twitter fights!’

PK: It was funny when my team told me you’d said that. I’d spend two to three hours on Twitter before I realised the less time I spend on the platform, the better. I’m easily triggered, and I think Twitter used to do that to me when I spent too much time on it.

I’m working on [my conduct on Twitter] for my business relationships. Like, if someone says something stupid or out of line in a meeting, I want to retaliate immediately, but I’ve learned to bite my tongue ’cause you never know what other people are going through. You don’t know what they’re thinking, so you must first investigate a problem to find a solution. That sort of business etiquette outside music is something I think I should try to grasp and implement back into my music as an artist. But that’ll take time.

The funny thing is that’s not the person I am; I didn’t grow up like that. A byproduct of your mother being strict is that someone strict, even a boss, doesn’t usually make a great leader ’cause they tend not to be open to new ideas or accept when they’re wrong. That’s the sort of person

I grew up with, so it’s part of my DNA, which I can’t change overnight.

GQ : One thing I’ve learned is that a leader must think before he or she reacts. Some arguments aren’t worth the fight.

PK: I always say that if you have an itch, scratch it. But sometimes, you must let it subside on its own. Some don’t require your attention.

GQ : You seem to be in a great relationship. What are five pearls of wisdom you’d share with the GQ guy to bag a healthy, happy relationship or to make an existing one more dope?

Tell us what you’ve learned from your experience.

PK: I always say that when it comes to relationships, no two people are the same.

Generally speaking, I think that if you’re a guy who wants to be in a stable, smooth relationship, you must take your girlfriend out ’cause women want to dine and look nice.

Secondly, you must be a good photographer.

(Luckily, I’m better at snapping pics than my girlfriend.)

Thirdly, listen to your partner when she talks.

Women are like incubators; they like to give you information, and then you must return it to them as if you got it out of the oven, which I find intriguing. Find a way to have a long discussion about your day, listening, responding and engaging.

Fourth, find out what your woman is into before you initiate things. She also wants to know what you’re into, so it’s a give-and-take situation.

Compromise is very important.

Lastly, have fun – it’s the least you can do. Many people think relationships are for adults, so they feel the need to be Mr Serious. Nah, Bro. Have fun with your person and enjoy each other.

GQ : Last year, yours was one of Time magazine’s top 20 songs of the year, and now you feature on the Coming 2 America soundtrack? And how did you find out your were on Barack Obama’s playlist?

PK: When he posted, I wasn’t in SA. I was in Zambia, I’d just got off stage and my Twitter was very busy. I was trending at number one. I was so nervous, but when I checked, it was good news for once. I texted my girlfriend, who’d been asleep, but I woke her.

When everything had died down, I still didn’t know what it meant ’cause I’m also calculative.

I revisited the streams weeks after Obama’s playlist to find it hadn’t done much for my »

record sales. Do you know how people received it?

I don’t. I’m still on the fence right now. It’s dope to know the world’s watching. At one stage, he was one of the most prominent people on Earth; so, I thought [his aknowledgement] would’ve given us more than an announcement on Twitter.

I don’t really know what it did [for me]. I believe in tangible progress, and I want to see what something does. If I go to a GQ shoot, I know it’ll open doors for other brand collaborations. Maybe it’ll activate a modelling career, if that’s what I want. But the Obama playlist thing? It’s just a good thing to know that people are watching South African music.

GQ : When we talked about your dreams during the lockdown, you said there was some business you couldn’t engage in due to restrictions at the time. What are your hopes for yourself as an artist and a man?

PK: Men want to have a stable family.

I was having a conversation with AKA, when interestingly, he asked me, ‘You really wanna be Beyoncé-famous?’ I thought about that for a while and concluded I don’t. Yes, I want success in other spheres of my life, but I don’t wanna go out and get so jampacked I can’t even walk. It’s a mess ’cause then you must stay indoors. As an artist, I’m fine where I am. If there’s another Obama playlist, accolade, award or best song, it can come, but it’s not something I’m gunning for – I want to invest in other kids and live a happy life. I don’t wanna be Beyoncé-famous. Honestly, I don’t.

GQ : Are you proud of yourself, looking at your career? How do you feel about its trajectory?

PK: I always separate being proud and being fulfilled. I’ve long been proud of myself. I’m over the stage when I released my first album and won my first award. I don’t set another goal and say, ‘Only when I get through that will I be proud of myself.’ But when it comes to fulfilment, as far as my goals are concerned, there’s quite a lot to do, so I don’t think I’m fulfilled yet as an artist. Am I proud of myself? Absolutely.

GQ : Your top-five favourite songs to listen to that aren’t your own.

PK: ‘Boss’ by Beyoncé ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’ by Eve ‘Morena Ke Rata Ho Hophelela’ by Isaac and the Mighty Messengers ‘Chasing Summer’ by Sun-El ‘Loading’ by Olamide GQ : With whom would you like to collaborate? Have you collaborated with Nigerian or West African artists?

PK: I prefer not to work with people because they’re popular. The energy needs to be right.

Unfortunately, there isn’t an established artist that I want to work with. Many Kenyan and Tanzanian artists are underground. I’d love to work with them and new artists from South Africa

8 0 G Q . C O . Z A M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1

and the African continent. I find new artists are more hungry and they have less of an ego [than more established ones]. There’s no one out there who I want to work with – unless you can call Rihanna!

GQ : How do you manage your ego?

PK: When I’m in my element, I’m stressed, and I don’t want people to mess with me, so I stay away from others. If I’m having that kind of day, I stay indoors. I won’t even go to the shops. Have your own thing there in your corner. If your girlfriend’s there, it’s easier because you’re in love, but I prefer not to be around other people.

GQ : How do you know if one of your songs is going to be a hit?

PK: I don’t. Take ‘Gugulethu’, for instance. It wasn’t even supposed to be on the album, I just played it for someone I was working with at the time. No one else in the world would’ve heard it had we not put it on the album. You can never really know. You make songs, and people tell you [whether they like it]. Sometimes, we think as artists we have it under control, like, Nah, this will be the next hit. But then it’s a flop that doesn’t work at all. Then, there are songs you don’t feel at all, but they’re big. So, you can never call it.

GQ : At what point is an artist satisfied with his or her work?

PK: First of all, it’s the sales, and secondly, it’s performing a song in front of a crowd that genuinely receives it and gives you love. I can literally see what my work is doing.

GQ : Are there any of your songs you don’t like?

PK: ‘Charlotte’. It’s just a song I don’t feel.

GQ : I’ve always wanted to know, who’s Charlotte?

PK: ‘Charlotte’ represents insecurity, not a real person. Imagine your phone rings when you’re with someone you shouldn’t be, and you don’t want to answer it because it could be Charlotte calling. That person could be anyone with whom you don’t want to speak. Lady Zamar wrote that song.

‘I want to invest in other kids and live a happy life.

I don’t wanna be Beyoncé-famous.

Honestly, I don’t’

Animal print jacket Amen Interior Fashion; shirt Dolce & Gabbana; jeans Diesel

The TV Personality Making Power Moves

EBUKA Words by Nare Kekana

OBIUCHENDU

POWER MOVES

Nigerian-born media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is respected and admired by his industry peers and fans. He shot to fame on the popular reality show Big Brother Naija, using it as a springboard for a career that saw him amass multiple award nominations and successes, all with style and flair. Obi-Uchendu chats to GQ about his personal life, career and enviable style.

I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S I M O N A B R A N O W I C Z

CHILDHOOD

‘Extremely shy, quiet, a loner, definitely not someone you’d imagine would be on TV as an adult.’

That’s how Obi-Uchendu describes himself as a child, and nothing’s changed. ‘I hate being seen or being the centre of attention as much now as I did then.’ Raised by two career-driven parents, the third of four children, he describes his childhood as happy, although, jokingly, he shares his dreams were many. ‘I remember wanting to be a pilot for a long time. Well, that didn’t work out as planned, did it?’ he laughs. ‘I also watched a lot of television, and I was in love with newscasters.

Something about those people, who sat at newsdesks speaking with perfect diction, always caught my attention.’ The innocent childhood pastime would prepare him for what he would become.

The bright-eyed youngster’s parents, who were traditional and conservative, would’ve preferred him to pursue a career at a law firm after he finished his studies, but never stopped their son, brimming with dreams, from hanging up his advocate’s gown and switching to media.

‘Let’s just say they’re full-on believers now,’ he adds.

CA R E E R

Most early evictees from the Big Brother house are easily forgotten; not this qualified lawyer, who cracks up laughing when we ask him about his decision to go into the house. ‘I was a lawyer looking for adventure. I had no plans to get into media and entertainment,’ recalls Obi-Uchendu. ‘I simply wanted to enjoy the ride and win some prize money to subsidise a master’s degree.’

He describes being on the show as a ‘weird’ experience, even though he’s grateful for the time he spent in the house, a ‘crack that brought me out of my shell slowly’. He admits he’d have never considered a career in media had he not appeared on the show. »

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 8 3

Luckily for him, despite the harsh reality of chasing opportunities in the entertainment industry, he knew what he wanted to do as soon as he left the Big Brother house. ‘I started attending auditions, and four months later landed my first TV job, a game show,’ he shares. ‘I also understood the importance of growth. It’s impractical to expect to be Ryan Seacrest or Larry King overnight.’ Knowing that inspired him to work harder.

Obi-Uchendu’s career ranges from TV presenting to hosting events. What’s his favourite? ‘It’s hard to say which of my jobs I enjoy the most,’ he says, as he talks us through his current and previous media gigs.

‘I talk passionately about current affairs and Nigeria on Rubbin Minds, and I suppose I get to put my law degree to good use on Judging matters.’ For a TV personality with a law degree, the courtroom-based show must awaken the legal counsel in him. He says Big Brother was the ultimate test of his presenting skills, as it’s a live show watched by viewers in over forty countries, which is mindblowing.

Talking to Obi-Uchendu, you can’t help but pick up on his irrefutable energy and willpower to thrive. My burning curiosity, however, is about the goals he still has left to achieve. A whole lot more, he’s eager and bold enough to tell me. He describes leaving his footprints in Nigeria and on the African continent as ‘humbling’. Powered by a master’s degree in intellectual property and entertainment law, there’s no limit to how far he could go. His hardworking, can-do attitude and talent mean he’s on his way to higher levels.

He bursts out laughing when I ask him what he deems a useless talent, but I won’t let him off that easily, pressing him to answer. ‘I don’t know if it’s “talent”, but I can watch and enjoy anything on television. I can watch Honey Boo Boo with the same intensity I watch the news on CNN or a documentary on giraffes,’ he reveals.

Our conversation shifts to a global hot topic: the holy trinity of being young, gifted and Black. ‘That means I’m part of a generation of people recognised for what they bring to the table instead of what they look like,’ he says.

‘It’s great to be alive at a time when the world is celebrating Black excellence. Even though the road ahead is long and challenging, the narrative is slowly changing.

What does Obi-Uchendu deem a success?

‘It varies, depending on who you ask. For some, it’s money, but for others, it’s reaching the pinnacle of their career. I measure success in terms of how happy I am,’ he says.

The global media industry has suffered due to Covid-19. Cancelled events have affected the people who operate in that space. I ask ObiUchendu about his experience. ‘A huge part of my work is hosting events: concerts, corporate gigs, awards ceremonies, and everything in between,’ he explains. It also involves travel.

While he agrees that saving lives is more important at the moment, he admits adjusting to the new normal and trying to make sense of it all hasn’t been easy.

ST YLE

Search Google Images for Obi-Uchendu, and you’ll find his style is sophisticated. It’s obvious he’s taken a leaf out of the books of the global icons he admires: David Beckham, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams.

‘I’m a fan of anyone who wears confidence better than they wear clothes, and I’ve grown into myself enough to wear whatever I want.’

He says that he’s always cared a lot about his looks, which is very evident as he continues enthusiastically, ‘I’ve been on best-dressed lists for as long as I’ve been on TV.’ Fifteen years, to be exact.

Looking good in clothes all boils down to your physique. “Ebuka’s just lucky that he has a good body,” he once responded to his social media followers’ remarks. He reveals he’s been working out consistently since 2010. ‘I hate the gym, so let’s not get it twisted, but I understand the importance of physical fitness and mental health. I also love a good suit, and I know nothing looks better than a good suit on a fit body. I always say that wearing one has worked better for my posture than any workout.’

A style icon in his own right, Obi-Uchendu believes the fashion industry realism that style is evolutionary. ‘It evolves so much that what’s a no-no today can be a fashion staple tomorrow.’ In the same breath, he says, ‘I’m all for people wearing something comfortable, as long as it’s not just to follow a trend.’

He’s an all-round well-groomed man, which could lead people to question the values his parents have instilled, other than the importance of looking good. ‘I’ve always believed kindness is the ultimate virtue,’ he shares. ‘The world would be a much better place for everyone if we lived knowing that being kind to someone else never hurt anyone.’

M A R R I AG E

Obi-Uchendu married his sweetheart, Cynthia Obianodo, in 2016. He says the most cliché and yet most crucial thing you’ll always hear people say is ‘marry your friend’. When I ask him what the best thing is about marriage,

POWER MOVES

‘I WASN’T THE FIRST TO DO IT, BUT I BECAME THE TEMPLATE’

marriage, not the wedding. He adds that it’s a long yet beautiful journey, but only if you want it to be.

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

P E RS O N A L L I F E

he says that cliché can never be overemphasised, and building a family is an indescribably joyous yet humbling experience. He jokes about his wife shooting him a sideways glare whenever he mentions his old crush on actress Scarlett Johansson. ‘But I’ve moved on now,’ he chirps.

Having two kids has taught him more about love. ‘You think you understand it until you have children and realise how much you have to put them before yourself. Nothing’s made me more human than having children and knowing what it means to have an open heart.’

Is he a good cook? ‘I’m only good at eating,’ he confesses. ‘I hate cooking.

Anything beyond boiling eggs and making coffee is not for me.’

When I quiz him further about marriage, his advice is to focus on the

On a lighter note, I explore his playful side.

Men are power-loving creatures, and when it comes to wanting to have superpowers, ObiUchendu is no exception. He’d love to be able to see into the future. ‘Knowing what decisions to make in life and what to avoid would be great. It’s complicated enough being human.’

We move onto the topic of fame and the often negative public perceptions that come with it. Obi-Uchendu finds peoples’ perceptions of him crazy, so he doesn’t pay them much attention. I ask him how he’d like people to remember him. ‘I wasn’t the first to do it, but I became the template.’

Hurdles are bound to present themselves on a journey such as Obi-Uchendu’s, especially as he’s a person of colour in a predominantly black nation where people seldom have conversations about colour. ‘Virtually everyone around me looks like me, so I’m thankful not to have to struggle when it comes to race. But I live in a global village, and it’s not lost on me how much harder it is for me to succeed here.’

He says prejudices will always exist and, unfortunately, the fight will never end. Things will only change if we continue to speak up and point out the need for fairness. There must be an inspiration to keep going amid all the fun and adversities. I casually ask Obi-Uchendu what fuels his will to push, and he reminds me that although he fell in love with media by chance, then money motivated him, that all changed when he realised the power the media has. ‘Knowing that by doing what I do, I touch lives or inspire someone in Abuja or Kigali or Jo’burg, I get even more inspired,’ he concludes.

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Cultic Curtain Behind the

Inside the world’s most secretive groups – and one woman’s cautionary tale

IN 2018, AMERICAN KEITH RANIERE WAS CONVICTED OF FEDERAL SEX TRAFFICKING, racketeering and possession of child pornography

for his role in the alleged sex cult NXIVM (pronounced nexium), marketed as a company offering self-improvement seminars and workshops with headquarters in New York. It was reported its members paid more than $7 500 (R112 000) for exhausting 12-hour “intensives” featuring NXIVM’s patented Executive Success Program (ESP) technology, a patchwork of various self-help programs, religious ideologies and hypnosis techniques.

Members could also take classes via smaller companies under the NXIVM umbrella: The Source, a workshop for actors; Delegates, a startup primarily staffed by younger, female members; and JNESS, a female empowerment group. At the head of these companies was Raniere, 59, a self-proclaimed former-child-prodigy-turned-guru.

Last year, he was sentenced to 120 years in prison for his role in an offshoot of the organisation in which women were treated as sex slaves and physically branded. According to court filings, Raniere, who went by the codename “Vanguard”, created by a sorority within NXIVM called “DOS” (an acronym for a Latin phrase meaning “lord or master of the obedient female companions”). DOS had female “slaves” owned by “masters”, according to the filings. Intimate details about DOS surfaced in a 2018 New York Times article. During initiation, female members were allegedly branded near their pelvic bone with Raniere’s initials. During his trial, several former members gave insight into the reality of how the group operated. The revelations shocked many people and made global headlines, which, once again, brought into the spotlight the phenomenon of cults and undue influence.

The word cult brings to mind the term “drinking the Kool-Aid”, a phrase that came to represent blind obedience following the tragic masskilling at Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978, arguably the most famous cult in history.

Jim Jones was a churchman who established the Peoples’ Temple, a Christian sect, in Indianapolis in 1955. He preached against racism, and his integrated congregation attracted many African Americans. In the ’70s, the media accused his church of financial fraud, physically abusing its members and mistreating children. Growing increasingly paranoid in

response to mounting criticism, Jones invited his congregation to move with him to Guyana, where he promised they’d build a socialist utopia. Three years earlier, a small group of his followers had travelled to the tiny nation to set up what’d become Jonestown on a tract of the jungle.

But it wasn’t the paradise he’d promised. Members worked long days in the fields and were subjected to harsh punishments if they questioned Jones’s authority. They had their passports confiscated, letters home censored, and were encouraged to inform one another and forced to attend lengthy, latenight meetings. Jones – whose mental health had declined and was addicted to drugs by then – believed the US government and others were out to destroy him. So, he asked members to participate in mock suicide drills in the middle of the night.

On 18 November 1978, Jones led over 900 of his followers in a mass murder-suicide, ordering them to ingest poison-laced punch. One-third of those who perished were children.

Harrowing images of the dead flooded the media, and while there’d been and still were many tragedies as a result of cults at the time, Jonestown was the poster child for how destructive and powerful they can be.

No country is safe from these groups, led by charismatic leaders with extreme beliefs and fanatic followers – not even South Africa.

The Mancoba Seven Angels Ministry Church was established in 1986 by Siphiwo Mancoba in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal. It was continued after his death by his seven sons and their mother at a church in Engcobo, Eastern Cape, which the CRL Rights Commission labelled a cult due to its bizarre practices. Its leaders forced its congregation to avoid “normal” social and legal practices, such as gaining formal employment and registering children’s births. Furthermore, reports say, they were required to relinquish cars, money and properties as gifts to the Angel Brothers.

Children living on the church premises weren’t allowed to attend school, and, allegedly, more than 100 women were sex slaves, some as young as 12 years old.

Kwasizabantu Mission (KSB), also in KwaZulu-Natal, was founded in 1970 by South African evangelical and revivalist preacher Erlo Stegen. Built on 540 hectares of land in a rural area, it’s one of Africa’s largest missions with thousands of worshipers. South Africa’s News24 alleged widespread misconduct by its members, including human rights violations such as rape and beatings. The network interviewed former members over seven months, and as the story unfolded, more victims came forward with tales of abuse, torture, sodomy, rape, virginity testing, money laundering and fraud. Witnesses claimed in court that the Kwasizabantu Mission had started as a good organisation, but had begun to show cult-like characteristics. Allegedly, the mission’s political connections and economic power had helped it avoid scrutiny by law.

Church Team Ministries International was under the spotlight almost a decade ago when allegations of brainwashing and sexual abuse emerged. Parents who’d lost children to the group formed the opposing Concerned Parents Group. For more than 11 years, these parents have been warning others about Church Team Ministries International. They call it a cult because it encourages young people to abandon their homes and studies to join the organisation’s head office in Mauritius, forces them into marriages and doesn’t allow them to contact their parents or read literature outside the Bible.

An extensive report by Mail & Guardian covering the longstanding feud, revealed its members had left lucrative jobs and turned their backs on family life. Mauritian nationals Miki and Audrey Hardy founded the church in 2001, which has local branches in Durban and Jo’burg.

There may be more just like it in South Africa. Last year, the CRL Rights Commission held a virtual hearing for experts in various fields share their thoughts and experiences as part of an investigation into the commercialisation of religion and the abuse of peoples’ belief systems. »

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Complaints about cult-like practices at some churches prompted the investigation, as well as videos that went viral on social media showing some pastors feeding their congregants snakes and grass.

DEFINING A CULT The three widely accepted criteria identified by psychologist Robert Jay Lifton on what constitutes a cult are: 1. An authoritarian leader becomes the defining element and driving force of a group.

2. You can identify a thought reform programme in the group’s process intended to manipulate people to gain influence over them.

3. If we’re to think of a group as a destructive cult, it’d be doing something to harm or exploit people. That varies amongst groups by degree.

Just because a group is cultic and its adherents follow unusual leaders or ideas, that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe or destructive. There are groups centred on seemingly strange spiritualists, radical political concepts, the supposed power of crystals, UFOs, witchcraft and Satanism, that may appear eccentric but most often don’t harm anyone. An unsafe or destructive group isn’t defined by its beliefs but by its actions, namely, behaviour that causes harm or injury to its members or society.

Most modern-day cults have dual ethics. Members have to tell the truth to other people in the group, but consider anyone outside as a lesser being, sinner or unenlightened – so they can just as easily be lied to. Another characteristic is that cults believe they’re better than other people, and that’s what leads to dual ethics.

Cults can revolve around pretty much any idea. Some have evolved into relatively mainstream sects or religions, such as the Seventh Day Adventists, once led by Ellen White. Others continue to be controversial due to unsafe or destructive practices. Anti-government extremists such as the so-called militias have an unreasonable fear of the outside world and may isolate themselves in remote settings.

Despite the common misconception that only crazy or odd people join cults, research has shown most members are intelligent, come from stable backgrounds, and don’t have a history of mental illness. Cult leaders and recruiters tend to capture the hearts, minds and souls of the best and brightest in our society. They look for active, productive, intelligent, energetic individuals who’ll perform for the cult by fund-raising, recruiting more followers, and operating cult-owned businesses or leading cult-related seminars.

In October 1994, Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret, along with 51 of their followers in the Order of the Solar Temple, an apocalyptic cult founded in Europe in 1984, committed suicide or were murdered in Switzerland and Quebec, Canada. The deaths of Di Mambro and Jouret didn’t bring an end to the violence: in December 1995, 16 more members took their own lives or were killed in France, while an additional five committed suicide in March 1997 in Quebec.

The Manson Family was a commune and cult created by Charles Manson in California in the ’60s, and most of its followers were young women. They believed he was a reincarnation of Jesus, who encouraged his followers to kill people because he prophesied the murders would incite a race war. The group murdered nine people in several separate attacks.

On 26 March 1997, Marshall Applewhite and 38 other members of a cult called Heaven’s Gate were found dead in a mass suicide at a rented mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California. The group members, who killed themselves by eating applesauce and pudding mixed with drugs, believed that a spaceship following the Hale-Bopp comet (which made its closest approach to Earth on 22 March 1997) would pick them up and take them to a higher plane of existence.

In 1993, David Koresh and more than 70 of his followers, known as Branch Davidians, were found dead after a blaze at their Waco, Texas, compound following a 51-day standoff with federal law enforcement agents.

Koresh, who claimed to be a messiah, preached that the end of the world was nigh, stockpiled weapons, fathered multiple children with sect members and had sex with underage Davidian girls.

Electus Per Deus (Chosen by God) made headlines a few years ago when six key members went on a killing spree between 2012 and 2016, murdering 11 people, mainly in the Krugersdorp area. Cecilia Steyn led the cult, which was a breakaway from a church group called Overcomers Through Christ. According to a report by the Sunday Times, the group converted Satanists to Christianity. People labelled it a religious scam, masterminded by a pathological liar and a master manipulator. Cecilia Steyn (also known as the Bride of Satan) was able to convince members of her group they were doing God’s work by raising money for orphans and victims of the Satanic Church. These are but a few

HOW TO SPOT A LEADER Throughout history, individuals have led mass groups of followers to do their bidding with troubling consequences. On 20 March 1995, members of Aum Shinrikyo (meaning supreme truth), founded by Shoko Asahara in the ’80s, released the poisonous nerve gas Sarin on five crowded subway trains during a morning rush hour in Tokyo. They killed 13 people and sickened thousands more as part of what they thought would be an apocalyptic battle with the government. Asahara, real name Chizuo Matsumoto, established a religious organisation that promoted Buddhist and Hindu concepts, elements of the Bible and prophecies of Nostradamus. Eventually, Asahara began claiming he could read minds and levitate. By the early ’90s, Aum Shinrikyo, which attracted members from some of Japan’s top universities, was stockpiling chemical weapons. When the 1995 subway attack took place, the group was estimated to have 10 000 members in Japan and more than 30 000 globally.

‘KORESH STOCKPILED WEAPONS, FATHERED MULTIPLE CHILDREN WITH SECT MEMBERS AND HAD SEX WITH UNDERAGE GIRLS’

‘EVEN AS CULT LEADERS DE-HUMANISE AND OBJECTIFY PEOPLE, THEY DO SO WITH A HUMAN FACE’

examples of figureheads studied by experts to determine how one person could have such an impact on those capable of their own free will, many having concluded they’re malignant narcissists.

‘Narcissistic leaders tend to feel highly entitled to adulation and special treatment from their followers. Anyone who deviates from rules, as set out by a selfentitled leader, is punished. He or she enforces discipline, adherence to his teachings and common goals.

The less accomplished he is in the real world, the more stringent his mastery, the more outlandish and incredible his mission and message, and the more pervasive his brainwashing,’ says Cape Townbased clinical psychologist Dr Carin-Lee Masters, who specialises in narcissistic personality disorder.

‘Cults are person-centred organisations compared to other impersonal bureaucracies. That’s the ironic paradox at the heart of them: even as cult leaders de-humanise and objectify people, they do so with a human face, that of the cult’s charismatic founder and chieftain.

It can appear benign and goodintentioned, but with time, the malignancy becomes more apparent.’

Dr Masters explains cult leaders are often narcissists who failed in their quest to be wellknown, admired, important or famous. Such disgruntled people withdraw into their pathological make-believe reality and create a dogma with hallmarks of a cult.

Members, voluntary or involuntary, inhabit a dreamy, seductive zone.

This may include the imposition of an exclusionary or inclusionary shared psychosis, replete with persecutory delusions of enemies, mythical-grandiose narratives, and apocalyptic scenarios should members mock or disregard the leader.

‘Narcissists are experts in becoming their victims’ comfort zone where – devoid of all responsibilities and withdrawn from life’s demands – they feel calm and assured of their master’s unconditional acceptance and love.

Many followers seek a sense of belonging and to feel more safe and secure, making them easy targets.

His or her thinking is dogmatic, rigid and doctrinaire, against free thought, pluralism or free speech, and doesn’t brook criticism and disagreement.

He or she demands – and often receives – complete trust and expects to make all the decisions.

In extreme cases, the narcissist feels above the law – any law.

This haughty conviction leads to criminal acts, incestuous or polygamous relationships and recurrent friction with the authorities.

Hence the narcissist’s panicky and sometimes violent reactions to dropouts from his or her cult. He or she wants things kept under wraps as there’s much to hide from detection. Moreover, the narcissist stabilises his or her fluctuating sense of self-worth by deriving narcissistic supply from the cult’s victims. Abandonment threatens the narcissist’s precariously balanced personality. Recent documentaries on cult leaders such as Bikram Choudhury, the yogi, is an example.

Many cult leaders also fit the profile of psychopath and display an antisocial personality disorder. »

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 8 9

‘Antisocial personality disorder (APD) is an ingrained pattern of behaviour in individuals who consistently disregard and violate the rights of other people.

Best understood within the context of the broader category of personality disorders, often APD happens alongside a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and/or prominent narcissistic traits. Symptoms of APD can vary in severity, but more shocking, harmful or dangerous behaviour patterns are known as sociopathic or psychopathic. There’s been much debate as to the distinction between the two descriptions. A sociopath’s key characteristic is a severely impaired conscience, whereas a psychopath shows a complete lack of conscience towards others,’ explains Dr Masters.

Psychologists have treated many former members of cults who’ve shown the aftereffects of life with a narcissistic, paranoid and/or antisocial charismatic cult leader. These cult leaders have unleashed their worst impulses on members and society at large. Seduced by their leaders, members may be antisocial toward other cult members and other people, themselves becoming victimisers.

A NEW WAY OF THINKING Thought reform is an umbrella term for any number of manipulative techniques used to get people to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do – some people call it mind control. It involves the systematic breakdown of a person’s sense of self. The concept of thought reform itself is controversial; some say it’s propaganda designed to deter people from new religions and political movements. Most psychologists believe cult brainwashing techniques, similar to those used in prisoner interrogation, can change thought processes.

‘Members see their leader as the prototype for the perfect person, which makes it easy to persuade them to emulate his or her image. They lose their spontaneity and sense of how they express themselves as they enter a group program. The term deprogramming describes unravelling that program,’ says cult expert Rick Alan Ross.

‘What you see with many of these groups, particularly the most extreme ones, is that members act the same, emulating their leader and even using the same catchphrases, slogans and mantras. You increasingly lose yourself, your themes of expression, and the group encourages you to replace that with their jargon and way of being.

‘Many people who’ve been subjected to psychological manipulation and control selectively deny aspects of their experience. Some become angry and resistant at the mention of mind control, thought reform or brainwashing, thinking that couldn’t possibly have happened to them. It’s threatening to a person’s sense of self to contemplate having been controlled. Even the terms themselves sound harsh and unreal. Yet only by confronting the reality of psychological manipulation can someone who’s had such an experience overcome its effects.’

It’s said thought reform is a long process. Members are continually subjected to these techniques – it’s part of daily life in a cult. Some adjust over time, embracing their new role as a group member and casting aside their old sense of independence. For others, it’s a stressful existence.

Lifton identified eight psychological themes, now widely used as the criteria for evaluating whether a particular group uses thought reform. The more these themes are present, the more restrictive the group or system and the more successful the thought-reform program. These themes, which form part of many cult recruitment techniques, include: į Love bombing: Consistently flattering, complimenting and seducing someone with low self-esteem to train their brain to associate a cult with love and acceptance. į Deception: Cults ask recruits to commit to a cause or lifestyle they don’t fully understand. They also mislead them about the actual expectations and activities of the group. Cults may hide signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until they feel they can trust the recruit. į Self-incrimination: A favourite tactic of the infamous cult leader Jim Jones, this requires cult members to provide their leader

with written statements detailing their fears and mistakes. The leader can then use these statements to shame the individual publicly. į Induced dependency: Cults demand unquestioning devotion, loyalty and submission, using criticism, guilt and alienation to punish members for having doubts, remaining ties to the outside world or being assertive. The doubter feels wrong, worthless or evil and that the only way he or she can win back the group’s love is to renounce doubts and submit to his or her leader’s will. į Dread: Dependant on the group, a member must remain in the leader’s good favour, lest they be punished through physical or emotional trauma. He or she believes only members of their cult are saved and that they face eternal damnation should they leave. į Public humiliation: New members may be love bombed shortly after their arrival, but once they’re full members, their leaders often maintain emotional control through public humiliation. į Paranoia: To maintain a false sense of comfort, cults often rely on paranoia tactics. Leaders convince their victims that a group, their families and/or the government is out to get them, and that the cult can provide safety. į Isolation: Members are each other’s only social contact and feedback mechanism. Cults may not allow unsupervised contact with the outside world. That way, there’s no chance for a reality check or for a new member to validate their concerns about the group.

THE ORIGINS OF DEPROGRAMMING Founder of The Cult Awareness Network Ted Patrick is considered the father of deprogramming. He was among the first to develop deprogramming techniques and coined the term. Patrick, who was self-taught, first developed his techniques when he was convinced his son had been brainwashed by a cult. He established himself as a rogue cult deprogrammer, shirking conventional laws to abide by his conception of right and wrong.

Starting in the early ’70s and working for fees as high as $25 000 (around R375 000), he would hire muscular men to kidnap targets and bring them to an isolated location. There, he would deprive them of sleep, berate them endlessly with questions and accusations, bring in relatives to question and shout at them, and tell them that all this would continue until they recanted their unacceptable beliefs and practices. In some cases, he resorted to physical violence.

Such was the fear of cults in the ’70s and ’80s that parents could apply for a conservatorship, which would grant them and, by extension, the deprogrammers they hired, legal authority over their adult children. Typically, conservatorships are granted only in cases when a person has severe mental health issues. But conservatorships were often granted without assessing the mental state of the adult child in question. For civil libertarians, that was a breach of rights. Fortunately, deprogramming has evolved.

Author and mental health counsellor Steven Hassan developed deprogramming methods through his own experiences of escaping the famous Moonies cult, led by

Sun Myung Moon. He spent more than two years completely cut off from family and friends, convinced that Moon was the messiah and his only true parent. Hassan pioneered an approach to helping victims of mind control (undue influence), the Strategic Interactive Approach (SIA), an ethical counter-influence campaign. Instead of brainwashing a person to be dependent and obedient, it empowers them to think and feel for themselves.

The SIA encourages a positive, warm relationship between cult members and their families while helping to raise essential questions. It’s non-coercive and empowers individuals by giving them the tools they need to detect and remove undue influence from their minds. It relies on a dual identity model: the cult and the authentic identity. It liberates and then integrates the parts of the authentic identity that the cult identity co-opted. The goal is to restore the creative, interdependent, authentic self, enabling the individual to digest and integrate their experience, and become stronger.

ONE WOMAN’S STORY It was the early ’80s, and South African Lesley Smailes, the author of best seller Cult Sister, took a gap year to America, where she ended up spending a decade in one of the country’s most secretive religious cults. Ironically, her mother’s parting words had been, ‘Don’t join a cult or get married.’

At the time, the Moonies was a big movement in America. Moon was dynamic, and was conducting mass marriages and recruiting like crazy, so Smailes says her mother had been right to warn her.

‘I was a tourist with enough money for a thirty-day adventure. At the time, there were no cellphones, so I was on my own. I went on a Greyhound bus journey, living out of my backpack.

‘I was cocky and self-confident in my youth, and I thought I knew everything. I wasn’t gullible, but I’d come from a religious background, and I was familiar with the Bible and scriptures, so I was drawn to that. I don’t think that I lacked confidence; if anything, I was overconfident.

‘Sociological studies have revealed people who’re drawn into cults tend to be aged between 18 and 28, are well-educated and come from a decent background. They’ve usually experienced trauma and are questioning, so, not your run-of-the-mill kind of gullible. I fit all those categories.

‘I’d had a traumatic experience that had taken its toll. My father, a political activist, had been shot in a park close to where I lived. I was a rebellious teenager and had meddled with drugs and alcohol. And then, right after my father’s death, I was raped. Later in my matric year, I fell pregnant, and because of my past, I was told I was emotionally unfit to be a mother. I was taken to a provincial hospital where I had an abortion.

‘I first came across one of the members in Washington Square Park. His attire was plain, but he stood talking to a heavily made-up woman – the contrast was so marked. We exchanged a few words, but I returned to the park later because I wanted to find out more about him. It was then I met another brother, Thomas, who would later become my husband. I spoke to him briefly, and I found him stern. He told me how I dressed, did my hair and lived my life were wrong and started laying down the law, using scripture. That affected me because I’d never seen that in the bible before.

‘He told me he’d prefer me to talk to one of his sisters instead, so I returned the following day. The woman in question was stunningly beautiful, dignified and graceful. I don’t recall the conversation we had, but she invited me back to their camp for a meal. I was intrigued, and my money was about to run out, so I said yes. An adventurous 19-year-old, I gathered my things and went with them to the camp. I would travel with that group for the next decade, across America. Some of the brothers would go to Canada and others to Mexico, but most of the time, we crisscrossed the US. ‘The group didn’t give themselves a name. They called themselves “the brothers and sisters”, “the church”and “the brethren” – I think that’s how most outsiders referred to them. They fashioned themselves according to the early church described in the Book of Acts.

‘I WASN’T GULLIBLE, BUT I’D COME FROM A RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND, SO I WAS DRAWN TO THAT’

It contains a scripture about being a pilgrim and a stranger on Earth that they took literally; they were very strict about it, and their standards of holiness were high. There was probably never more than a hundred of us, but we were a church, and we had a leader, Jim Roberts. He went by the pseudonym Brother Evangelist. They’re the most radical group I’ve ever met, still doing its thing in the US, although,

I think, on a smaller scale.

Brother Evangelist was a tall, dignified gentleman we held in high regard, but he was also austere, and he expected us to adhere to his high standards of holiness. He was a mystical character who controlled everything we did as a group. His father was a preacher, and he’d joined the marines. He wrote the rules; we followed them to the letter. »

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 9 1

‘When I got to the church, I was given “proper” clothes; a maroon skirt as the women didn’t wear pants. I was entering a new kind of life, and I was willing to embrace it.

Regardless of all the other stuff, I thought their intention came from a pure place. There was an order to the church. We lived communally, waking up, bedding down and eating at a specific time.

Brother Evangelist organised our gatherings. Brothers would sit in an inner circle, sisters on the outside and married women behind their husbands. Sisters spoke very little, and the brothers did the scriptures.

There wasn’t freedom of movement.

We couldn’t ask a friend over for supper as we weren’t allowed to associate with those outside the church.

‘We believed we were literally the elect, the true Christians. We travelled across America, mainly by hitchhiking and in drive-away cars.

We often followed our dreams. For example, if a brother had a dream that someone was in a particular city, they would tell Brother Evangelist about it, and then he would send him there, either to join others if there was a “camp” there or to find housing.

‘In the early years of the church, the brothers had had odd jobs, such as picking fruit in Florida, until Brother Evangelist and some of the other brothers had decided the gospel was more important. So, by the time I joined the church, that was the only work they were doing.

We lived off America’s waste and sold things we found on the street for money. We preached the gospel, and that we were to live by faith and trust God to provide for us as opposed to working for money.

Although, today I read one member’s confession to doing private work for money and odd jobs posted on one of the ex-Brethren Facebook sites.

‘The work the sisters did was mostly domestic. I found washing nappies was full-on because I was up to my elbows in dirty nappy water for seven years without a break. I was either pregnant or breastfeeding. I made nappies.

‘We were encouraged to work with our hands. I became

a seamstress, as we made everything ourselves: sleeping bags, backpacks, clothing. It was the sisters’ job to clean the house and make the meals, while the brothers were responsible for pontificating the scriptures and gathering more followers. So, we worked hard, just not for financial gain.

‘While we dressed the same and functioned as a group, I believe we were individuals. Some sisters would be stricter than others, and the brothers were also different.

‘I don’t believe we were brainwashed zombies following an egocentric man: we were following Jesus. We were encouraged to have a relationship with the Lord and devote ourselves to prayer and reading the holy word. They took the scripture seriously, and we based our lives around being Jesus’s disciples.

‘If you didn’t follow the rules, Brother Evangelist would send you to a city and leave you there, cutting off all contact. Being cut off from a group that’s become your only family is traumatising. There were and still are ex-members with mental health issues due to that extreme rejection. You weren’t physically punished, just isolated.

I don’t recall anyone who’d been sent away ever returning.

‘A few times, I had a feeling it wasn’t a healthy place to be. One day, I was happily skipping on a street in Brooklyn, New York, in front of the man I’d married, and he reprimanded me for not walking behind him because, according to him, it wasn’t right for me to be in front of him. I don’t think he wanted to control me, but he was afraid of what the older brothers would think of him.

‘I hated being cut off from my family and friends, and I didn’t have free choice. I had to ask a brother for permission for certain things but, most of the time, the answer was no, and I had to accept it. I stayed the course despite resenting not being in control of my life. It was a combination of my devotion to the church and Brother Evangelist and youthful arrogance.

Once I’d done what I’d done, I couldn’t go back because I was too proud. I’d also married

‘THERE WERE AND STILL ARE EX-MEMBERS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. I DON’T RECALL ANYONE WHO’D BEEN SENT AWAY EVER RETURNING’

Cult Sister (Tafelberg Publishers), available on amazon.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALLO/GETTY IMAGES, SUPPLIED

someone in the group, so I couldn’t just leave.

‘Life wasn’t easy, but my husband would tell me to “endure the hardness as a good soldier”.

I complied because I believed in my mission to spread the gospel and walk on an enlightened path. We often lived in the woods with no running water and food was scarce, which wasn’t great.

‘A sister in the church was raped by someone who picked her up when she was hitchhiking, and was left traumatised. On another occasion, a group of men pushed a couple out of their car and stole their gear. That situation could’ve turned out a lot nastier.

‘So, I had to be streetwise when hitchhiking. I remember not feeling safe when we in Boston. We were in Roxbury, which at the time was referred to as “Black Harlem”. We were the only white people living there, residing in an abandoned, boarded-up house. I remember hearing these guys making a fire on the porch. There was a lot of racial tension in the area.

‘I didn’t receive medical help during childbirth due to our faith, which was a bone of contention between my husband and me.

I miscarried the twin of my youngest son, and then, over two months, I miscarried quadruplets without medical assistance – I could’ve bled to death! I sat on a bucket with a toilet seat in my room. It was like someone had turned on a tap; there was so much blood gushing out of me.

I felt myself dying, and I remember recommending a sister who’d make a good wife and mother to my husband should I not survive.

He gathered with his brothers, laid his hands on me and prayed the bleeding would stop. I had blind faith in God to heal me and look after me. In reality, it was a miracle I survived. There were times when I felt depressed, lonely and abandoned by God, especially when I was pregnant because it was a struggle.

‘The church didn’t expect us to have children, but they wouldn’t let us use contraceptives. If all of them were alive today, including the one

I lost during the abortion, there would be nine.

‘Nothing happened within our group to make us feel unsafe, but we weren’t unaware of what was happening in the others, some of it horrific. I’d heard of another cult called David Moses, who’d nominate “sisters of the month” with whom brothers could have sexual relations. And other groups were abusing children. Ours was tame compared with those. Cults are usually involved in arms, money laundering, drugs, weapons or sexual abuse.

‘We had no weapons; we were pacifists. We weren’t violent, didn’t launder money, and lived by our faith and off the waste of America.

But we stopped communicating with our families.

‘My mother was traumatised by not knowing where I was. We wrote letters to our parents, telling them we were forsaking them and leaving our lives behind to follow Jesus.

Most parents would receive that and never see their offspring again.

‘It’d been almost three months, and I thought I’d have to leave the group because my visa was about to expire. But I didn’t want to return home; I thought i would turn back to my old ways if I left the group.

‘So, Thomas and I arranged to marry to keep me in the country and stay with the group. I was 19 at the time, and I remember phoning my mother to tell her I was getting married and wasn’t coming home. I found being married to him challenging. He was older, we weren’t equal on a sociological level, and the only thing we really had in common was the Bible. He felt more like a brother to me than a husband. He was a difficult man to love. I only did so because we were part of a group, but I wasn’t in love with him. We had children, and we lived together for 17 years before I divorced him when we returned to South Africa. Then, he went back to America.

‘My mother was allowed to visit, which was out of the ordinary.

I think that was because she was a widow, and the Bible contains scripture that says, “If any of you have widows amongst you, let me care for them”. There’s a slant on

looking after widows, so she visited a few times. When my eldest son was born, so did my grandmother.

My family found everything about the group and my way of life strange.

I tried to convince my mother then that I was happy and meant to be there and endeavoured to keep her out of the raw difficulties to which I’d exposed myself.

‘What eventually prompted our return to South Africa was that my husband and I met a chap that had joined the church. His father was a military man who’d accused us of kidnapping his son and said he’d stop at nothing to take our children away. He got immigration, social services and even the military involved. We hadn’t kidnapped his son, of course; he was 23 and had dropped out of university and joined us of his free will. But his father’s threat to take our children away from us was real, so for a while, we went into hiding.

‘I was rebellious, even within the group. I would question authority, which didn’t go down well, and I believe that, as I result, I became marked and that caused a division. Thomas was also controversial. He’d stand up to Brother Evangelist, questioning his preachings. So, we were ostracised.

When we in danger of losing our children, Brother Evangelist and the church refused to give us a place to stay. Feeling threatened, we sought outside help, which meant we had begun the process of leaving.

‘We came to South Africa with our children. My husband, entrenched in the group’s mentality, struggled to fit back into society. It also took me a few years to adapt to “normal” life. I found it difficult to talk about our lifestyle, so I had to reinvent myself to ease back into society.

‘I don’t regret my time with the church, nor do I think it bad luck to have come across the church – I wouldn’t have my stories and knowledge of the scriptures if I hadn’t. Looking back, being married to a man I wasn’t in love with was challenging, and we led a difficult life, but I wouldn’t have had my children if we hadn’t been. I regret some of my actions while I was with the church – and that’s part of the reason I wrote Cult Sister, to apologise for my role in the pain it caused.’

‘I FELT MYSELF DYING, AND I REMEMBER RECOMMENDING A SISTER WHO’D MAKE A GOOD WIFE AND MOTHER SHOULD I NOT SURVIVE’

M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 1 G Q . C O . Z A 9 3

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