January 2022 Edition

Happy New Year fellow humans – making it to next page have never been this hectic and tiring, but hey who dwells on challenges instead of embracing the little light that still shines whenever it feels like shining?!!

My word for you to kickstart this year and while continuing with this fast lane life we are at every day. Mine is REST, not the “REST bafethu REST” but the rest we need in between hustle and in between chasing bags. Yes, it is so vital to create as many income streams as possible these days, though that “ as many as possible” can damage one ’ s mind, body and soul. And the reality it’s not about greediness but people are now becoming more scared and bored in doing nothing, and that leads to people swamped by things that eat up their inner strength – and yes if you do not know how to use your time when you have nothing it feels like death (if death can be felt), but okusalayo we need rest in between these studies, hustles and 8 to 5’s.

One of the best ways to find REST in this fast lane life is give yourself 60% rest every moment time allows. Remember the world and all these opportunities you ’ re chasing needs you to show up ready, healthy and sober regardless of what you ' re going through as an individual. Learn, and learn hard to take care of yourself – play games that do not require your mind sometimes, also listen to music with no message sometimes to lessen mind conversations. Lastly, I am not going to mention healthy food, water and exercise cause we all know and try to make time for those, but now the more faster the world continues the more REST we need – because great thinking, great solutions and great ideas comes after real REST.

Born in a small farming community called Seven Fountains in Mandisa Magwaxaza grew up in Gqeberha and is the CEO and found Relations. She is also a director at PMG Germ Guard, a compan Guest Houses, Hotels, and Tour Operators adhere to the Covid-19 S Tourism by providing branded PPE travel packs for their guests.

Mandisa is a travelpreneur who is fantastic at what she doe understanding of the travel sector which she gained while wo tourism and hospitality companies over a 15-year career. She star luxury game lodges in the Eastern Cape and worked her way to phenomenal businesswoman. Mandisa's dream is to introduce ord travel world, especially in their local towns. At the same tim introduce more tourists to elevated township and rural tourism e p her company. Mandisa is also the Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Chap South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA). She is also an officer Access, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee. Her work in this organisation on her passion for transformation in tourism and the Eastern Cape to be prominent.

"We need a political environment that enables young people to build thriving businesses."

When did you start Molo Mhambi Relations, and what services do you offer? "I started the business during the pandemic – amid all the challenges that faces the hospitality and tourism industry. I started helping clients re-write their brand stories and keep up communications with their clients. Some of my clients asked me to re-write entire websites. The pandemic was the perfect time to invest in digital assets. I realised that there is still a gap in how South African Tourism businesses market to South Africans. Molo Mhambi Relations was launched in September 2021. Our aim is to help tourism and hospitality businesses to greet more South African and African travellers at their doors. We help companies manage offline and online relationships with other brands and direct customers to increase arrivals and enhance travellers' experiences".

Mandisa started her career in luxury hospitality during her vacations while a student at Rhodes University. Her storytelling and particular service style made it easy for her to build a good report with guests and get hired for a full-time position. She now understands the importance of the customer experience and wants to help companies create and communicate it well. "I landed my dream job in one of the most iconic hotels in Cape Town; the Cape Grace Hotel. It was there that I got to understand attention to detail in communications and how to derive what a customer needs. The experience at Cape Grace inspired me to pursue a career in tourism marketing.

Highlights in your journey thus far? "One of the highlights of my journey is my time at one of the world's

biggest online booking agents - Booking.com. My job was to onboard hotels onto their platform; I worked with hotels all over Africa. I learned the value of creating content for digital distribution, and I was promoted to be a content editor for Booking.com. I got to travel internationally for the first time while working for the company. I wish young people could take advantage of the jobs and opportunities in the tourism industry because you could travel and experience the world while working or studying".

Why did you decide to come back home? "I came back to the Eastern Cape to contribute to my community and use my experience to strengthen the tourism industry and this province. The Eastern Cape has some of the best-educated and most-talented individuals scattered all over the country and the world. These skills and talents can be harnessed to create a breakthrough in our economy. I wish fully skilled people could come back or invest in building our beautiful Eastern Cape into a thriving destination. We also need a political environment that enables young people to build thriving businesses."

To wrap it up, Mandisa described Molo Mhambi's diamond process: Digging, polishing, and displaying what makes a product authentically South African and keeps it relevant to travellers. Molo Mhambi Relations accomplishes this for hospitality and tourism companies through P.R. tactics, content management, marketing strategy, and more. Molo Mhambi Relations invites tourism and hospitality businesses to contact them for a free consultation to dig for what makes your product authentic, polish your brand story, or strategise how you could better display your business.

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TOSH Detergents company is the brainchild of Lufuno Rasoesoe, who is also the company ' s Managing Director. Lufuno was born in Venda, Limpopo province, in a small town called Makwarela. She now lives in Pretoria, which has been her home since leaving home to further her studies.

"I was raised in a loving family, and I have always been passionate about how to achieve success and make an impact. I loved participating in Science Expo projects in my junior years, which led me to work on a community project teaching youngsters about the perils of HAIV/AIDS. I won 3rd runner up in the Young Community Builder of the Year competition with SABC and Take 5; acquiring T.V. coverage at school, computers for the high school and me as well as money to kickstart my tertiary education".

Please share when you commenced with Tosh Detergents and what inspired you to go for it? "TOSH Detergents was launched on the 5th March 2021. I love clean and fresh-smelling spaces. I even smell every product I encounter. What inspired me was that COVID-19 centered around hygiene and, secondly, the devastating rate at which people were losing their jobs. This was a wake-up call to say I can reignite hope in someone ' s life by creating employment for them. This encouraged me to build a brand that can scale up and have a positive impact on society".

Lufuno Rasoesoe

Owner of TOSH Detergents

Challenges you faced when you started and how did you tackle those? "One of the major challenges we faced was accumulating enough capital. This is what led to a delay in the launch. I quickly realized that if I wanted to bring life to my dream, I had to grovel no matter what. And I made a conscious decision to start selling something as a way of raising capital. I sold weight loss tea that had great commission and sales were booming from my side. I researched how much it would cost me to start up a website, buy packaging, raw materials, etc and with every profit I made, I would buy or pay what required the business to launch and essentially grow " .

What make your Detergents stand out from those that are in the market already? "Our products are environmentally friendly, ultraconcentrated and efficacy. Meaning you use less and still acquire maximum results. They are locally produced and certified proudly South African. Our beautiful packaging was picked out with the consumer in mind, because we believe our customers deserve the absolute best that is also well packaged".

“Everything you ’ ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear”

How have your products been received thus far, what is motivating you to keep pushing, and are there any other products you offer? "The products have been received very well. We are growing in numbers daily. We have managed to retain customers, and we have received lots of orders from customers that were referred to us by an existing customer and convinced to buy because of the amazing reviews."

"What motivates me is how much society has received us and keeps supporting us. Africa is ready to embrace its own, and this is a great encouragement to know that there are people right behind you who are cheering you on, supporting you, and spreading the word for you. We ought to keep pushing".

Lastly, share the buying process? "You can buy our products directly off of our website and you can also order via WhatsApp and Instagram". Our products are also available at SPAR Mall@55, Centurion. We have recently launched our first store in Venda, Shop 21 at Hubyeni Shopping Centre in Elim. Come straight to the store where you can get all our products at affordable prices".

Koba Craft Gin is a Gqeberha distilled gin by Maurice Oduor Nyerere, a Kenyan from Nakuru. This serial entrepreneur grew up in Nairobi, currently residing in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, South Africa – and his roots stem from Ugenya in Siaya County, Kenya. "Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be allowed to venture into different activities, be it extracurricular activities from drama clubs, school-driven enterprises, or sports. I have always been a go-getter, and I am notorious for not settling down, always busy doing something. If anything makes me glad right now, it's the fact that my parents allowed me to redirect all that energy into the activities mentioned above, thus curbing a naughty nature", he added. When did you commence with KOBA CRAFT, and what inspired you to go for it? "We started during the lockdown in 2020,

ba Craft

N“Reserved and Revolutionary”

inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and a surge in DIY brewing. We wanted to do it better and under conditions approved by the liquor license boards. We started researching the different distilling methods and how we could make a Craft Gin that was soothing to the consumer. It was time to play around with different tastes, investigate what elements of alcohol have certain effects and what could be improved while still striking a balance of flavours to excite the consumer ' s taste buds. We wanted a gin that stood out and was different from what was already in the market without vying off the fundamentals of gin."

Challenges you faced while trying to get KOBA CRAFT off the ground? "The first challenge was trying to get the necessary registration to do research and development work required to develop Koba CRAFT from conceptual idea to final product. This is the most rigorous stage when getting into the liquor industry. The second challenge: it is difficult to almost impossible for a business to be funded if it is a start-up that is less than a year in operation or not owned by a South African citizen. KOBA CRAFT could fulfill all other requirements for funding but would still be ruled out because it did not have a South African citizen owning 51% share. We learned to understand this rule is to safeguard the economy and the citizens of South Africa, and we have accepted it. Lastly, the major hurdle we are facing now is that the demand has surpassed what we can supply. Liquor is a fast-moving product, and we need more resources to keep up with the demand as this will grow our business".

So, what make your GIN stand out from those that are in the market already? "Our gin is carefully crafted from beginning to end. We have tended to the detail that delivers the smooth and lingering flavoured taste to the taste buds. We wanted to make a gin that is easy for everyone to partake in without dialling down on the juniper but adding a " wow " factor in terms of scent, the taste of the first drop, and subsequent sips. So far, it is going well, and our Nectareous Cardamom gin seems to be a bit more popular".

Highlights for your business thus far? "Winning a Single Gold Medal at the S.A Craft Gin Awards 2021 as a new kid on the block. Voted amongst the top 12 Gins on @instaeatscapetown by consumers and invited to showcase our gin at the Mantra Café in Camps Bay. We have also managed to get to East Africa in both Uganda and Kenya and received a welcoming response and orders being discussed".

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The man behind

COLD BREWGinger

The Founder of Cold Brew ginger is the phenomenal Lwanda Bana, East London-born and grew up in King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape. Lwanda is one of five siblings in a family with one sister and four brothers. Sadly, Lwanda's eldest brother passed away in 2019. The young entrepreneur and creative grew up a sports fanatic who loved cricket and football and was intrigued by the world of entertainment, which led him to study Media, Communication & Culture at NMU, majoring in Public Relations. "In my first business, I Brand-managed some of the biggest artists in the country from Okmalumkoolkat, Jub Jub, Stilo Magolide, KO, Elle, JSmash. In 2019, I moved back to the Eastern Cape and decided to open a second business venture outside entertainment to diversify my income streams", he said.

When did you commence with CB Ginger? What made you choose to go for this product, and what makes your ginger different from those in the market already? "I started making ginger in 2020 after I established a Fruit and Veg business because of retrenchment due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Oyama Nazo coined the name Cold Brew while assisting me with branding for my ginger product. I chose to fully invest my energy in this product because of how people responded. My customers were blown away by the taste of the ginger, which lasts longer and quenches the ultimate thirst".

As you started, what were your challenges, and how did you overcome them? "Branding was a big challenge when I started, but Oyama Nazo helped simplify things. I am grateful that he always believed in my vision and work ethic. I need larger premises to make Cold Brew Ginger. SABS registration is a another challenge that I am determined to overcome because I want to see my product on the shelves of top retailers".

Since you commenced, please share the highlights of your business? "The fact that two stores are selling my ginger in King Williams Town is a highlight for me as that resulted in sales being multiplied by almost six times over. "

Where can people get CB Ginger? "CB Ginger is available at The Nest Cafe in King Williams Town. We will soon announce another popular store in King Williams Town that will be stocking CB Ginger very soon. Please follow me on social media for more information".

Lastly, when you are not pushing CB Ginger, what do you do to keep sane? "I am a Media & P.R. person, so I am always on the Internet trying to find new ideas for the next milestone to accomplish. I also use my PlayStation 4 to relax and take my mind off things by playing the FIFA22 game " .

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Consistency is everything!

We chat to Phila Mbengu, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Stutterheim - a small town in the Eastern Cape. Phila was born in Rustenburg, North West province but his family decided to relocate to Stutterheim which is his dad's home town. “I grew up in a christian household and I was a very creative child, I could draw, sing and write a lot, and I think all of that came from my crazy colourful imagination that I always had”, he said.

After his grade 10 Phila moved to Gqeberha to further high school education, from there he joined PE TVET College where his love for business kicked in, where he was completing his Marketing Management Course.

When did you commence with Canzi Creations and what inspired you to go for a perfume business? “In December the 12th 2017, I officially opened for business and sold my first perfume. And the inspiration to go into this type of business is I wanted something rare and I had never heard of a person from eKasi with his or her own perfume brand back then so I saw an opportunity and went for it”.

In starting, what were your challenges and how did you overcome them? “Just like any other business I had challenges and one of the major ones was lack of capital as I had so many ways to better my brand but lack of recourses limited me especially the financial side of things stood on the way but I came up with creative ways to curve all that, I was able to start small and grew as people get to know about my brand”.

Since you have commenced, what has been the highlight/s of your business? “Since I ventured to this business there has been encouraging growth and having customers in almost every province has been a high for me. There's also a documentary that was done by Sibabalwe Mhluzi about my work, and recently I was on a radio show at Kumnkani FM talking about Canzi Creations”.

Canzi Creations currently offers the below;

Canzi Creations 60ml Oil based perfume for Her - R200

Canzi Creations 80ml Oil based perfume for Him R250 We deliver around SA for only R100.

When you are not busy pushing your Canzi Creations products, what do you do to keep sane? “When I'm not working on Canzi Creations, I'm either painting or doing photography. But what I do to keep sane is meditation”.

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“Wisdom is wealth.” Inga Mtshintsho

Born in Tsholomnqa just outside East London and currently residing in Gqebera Inga Mtshintsho is a model under Wolfpack Model Management. He grew up in a village and did most of the fun things young boys do in the villages, “of all the fun and games I enjoyed most playing cricket and rugby”, he added. When did you decide you want to do modelling and what inspired to go for modelling? “My modelling journey started in 2018, when I participated in a pageant in one of the student residences. My love for fashion and how I can get to express myself through it inspired me to be a model. Modelling gives me the platform to express my inner self through fashion”.

What are the highlights of your modelling journey thus far? “My highlight in my modelling journey thus far was getting an opportunity to work with Wolfpack Model Management. I have learned a lot from my manager/trainer Lwethu Tenge”.

Given an opportunity to travel what places would you like to visit and why? “Given an opportunity to travel the world I would travel to Paris, New York or London, just to model in the fashion weeks that take place in those cities – that’s my why”.

When not doing modelling, what do you do to keep sane? “I’m also an intern Real Estate agent for one of the property companies in Gqebera. I also love working out and reading a good book in my spare time”.

Lastly, what has been your most important lesson in 2021? And why? “In 2021 I have learnt to find a lesson in every mistake that I make in this life journey of life. Everyday is an opportunity for me to get better”.

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Images by: Blk.eye.vision & signaturefilmandphoto

Safe space for GBV victims

Claim Your Throne started early March 2019 by Jennifer Ndlovu who holds a Diploma of Business Management, Phathiswa Flepu a Bachelor of Social work graduate and Siphokazi Rafani who has a Diploma of Travel and Tourism.

Bucwa Street

The initial purpose of the organization is to create a safe space and be a connection of help for all battered and exhausted victims who ’ ve disconnected with their true identity.

One of their programs to activate the work that we are doing is "Claim Your Throne Thetha Awareness- where we will host regular talk shows tapping in provocative conversations that are hardly spoken about and unpack the “ you can’t talk about it” conversations to protect the so called dignity of the perpetrator, family and society.

In a set of a Talk Show we will have 2 or 3 survivors (depending to the topic at hand) to share their story.

To bring solutions, then we invite different companies and professional speakers from public or private organizations who ’ll give best advice and best solutions towards the topic at hand and best assist survivors, victims and followers who are in need of such information.

Phindy Phindela

Entrepreneur, Inspirational speaker and Author

Meet Phindy Phindela - an entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and author. She is the founder and CEO of Motivated nation, born in a small town called Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, and sadly her mother passed on during her birth. Shen then grew up in different provinces of South Africa with different families who raised her in challenging circumstances. She holds an IT Diploma, PC Engineering Diploma and a Financial Management Higher certificate, obtained all these different studies in different learning institutes in and out of the country. When did you commence with your book and what inspired you to write the book? Started the book a while ago, as I grew up in disadvantage backgrounds it always crossed my mind that all the obstacles that I went through during my childhood will never stop me from -

- being great, because from a very young age I always believed that one is capable of whatever they put their mind on in this life. So basically, I got inspired by life challenges though some were rough and was not always easy but within me I knew I had a strong fighting spirit to challenge life every day, and those life experiences led to my book”.

As an author – what can you say it’s the most challenging thing when writing a book? “Being an author comes with its own difficulties, especially when you are determined to inspire and change a reader’s mindset. But mostly, it’s sticking to your opinion with hope to answer/solve readers personal issues, other than that being an author is really a great skill that assists the author to exercise their thinking all the time”.

Briefly share the title of your book and a short brief about what the book is about?

"My book titled Future Billionaire “Self-Made Entrepreneur” teaches about financial literacy and it also assists in developing human mindset, everyone can read it. This is one of those books that is so empowering, more special if one aims high and looking for internal and financial growth”. You also have your own perfume – briefly share its name, why perfume of all businesses and price? “Yes, at the beginning of 2021 during COVID19 I managed to have my own perfume called Future Billionaire Phindilicious Smelling. I have chosen the perfume business, because it’s global, profitable and expanding my business network unlike Future Billionaire Clothing. Next year our perfumes will be available in stores, but for now we sell it online for R250”.

Lastly, When not busy with your entrepreneurship life, what do you do to keep sane? “I usually visit orphanage home playing games with kids. Sharing love with them it’s one of the precious things that I enjoy the most”.

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Prescription for the Pain

Kobonyane Collen Mashishi (born in September 23, 1996) known as C-Killer Mash, is an independent South African rapper, songwriter and record producer, born and bred in Mokopane, Limpopo. “The music industry has taught me to have patience, hard work, investing lot more into myself, more especially my career and to allow myself to learn other things outside the music industry. And in all of those lessons, I’ve been using each one of them to keep me always motivated and consistence in what I do”, he said.

So, when did you start doing music, and what inspired you to ever start doing music? “I started my music career back in 2010, at the age of 14. Music has always been one of my inspirations as I grew up.

“I come from a neighbourhood where different types of music or instruments have been played around. But then I got more involved in the hip-hop culture by listening to top musicians such as Lil Wayne, Drake, and J.Cole etc. Yes, I could say I was inspired by American rapper Meek Mill to become a dream chaser and to start writing my own music”.

How has the pandemic affected your music, and how did you keep sane during these lockdowns levels as an artist? “It was very hard during the pandemic, I couldn’t get gigs or make any income as there were no events to perform to".

-

C-Killer Mash

"The sales of my music and gig slots got affected. But still during that impact, I have never stopped making lots of music; in fact, I even recorded some of the tracks from my new album during the pandemic. So, I have held on to my faith and kept going”. Your new album – tell us what the album is about, how is it received by your fans thus far, and who have you worked with? “My new album named Prescription for the Pain, it’s all about my journey, my reality and more especially where I come from and where I am going. I write my music about my life, my struggle, how I grew up and I also write about love and my pain, and everything that I have been through or what I am going through. On this album I have worked with Elson Blues which is the main producer that I have always worked with since from college, together with the following musician: JayOnetime, Khebest, Drimkid and DannyDaVilla. I can confidently say the album was well received by most of my fans and all the feedback was and still is positive and amazing”.

Please share few of your favourite highlights this far in your music career and why that one? “One of my favourite highlights was on the 1st of September 2018, -

Click here to listen to NEW album

- when I set to drop my first mixtape titled “96 The Story”. Before that, I got featured on Germiston City News (newspaper Article) in August 27, 2018. And followed by two City Awards Nominees of The New Comer of the Year, the first nominee it was on 2020 and followed by the second one on 2021”.

Lastly, when you are not doing music – what do you normally get up to? “When I am not doing my music I normally get up to do my side hustle and also spending some of my time reading, writing and learning new things”.

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