MOM FIRST, ICON ALWAYS
does it all!
This digital powerhouse proves that success and family can go hand in hand
words by Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
photography Zhann Solomons
styling Mia-Tess Smith
You will never succeed if you’re afraid of failure. Take a leap of faith and push yourself and just do it. That burning desire is there for a reason, and it won’t go away until you do it.
Unlocking the secrets of at-home beauty with simple ingredients
by Leah Dennis
Beauty secrets are often passed down from generation to generation as cherished rituals that hold timeless wisdom. These natural remedies are more than just tips and tricks – they’re a connection to the past, offering simple yet effective ways to enhance your beauty routine.
Whether you’re looking to nourish dry skin, tame frizzy hair or treat the occasional breakout, DIY face and hair masks bring a touch of time-honoured tradition to your self-care routine. Homemade treatments give skin and hair the extra alove they deserve, and don’t cost much. Here’s your guide to the best DIY mask, inspired by the power of natural ingredients.
Why DIY masks?
From hydrating avocado to soothing honey, these 100% natural ingredients are packed with vitamins and minerals that benefi t your skin and hair without any added toxins or chemicals. Making them yourself also means you can tailor the recipe to suit your needs, whether you have dry skin, oily hair or want to add more shine to your locks. And then there’s the satisfaction of creating your own spa experience in the comfort of your own home, without breaking the bank. No expensive salon visits – just the soothing joy of natural skin and haircare that you can whip up in minutes.
FROM HEAD TO TOE Glow
DIY Face Masks for Glowing Skin
1 Avocado & Honey Hydration Mask
If you’re struggling with dry skin, this creamy mask will become your new best friend. Avocado, rich in fatty acids and vitamins, hydrates deeply, while honey acts as a natural humectant, drawing moisture into your skin. The result? Soft, nourished skin that feels as good as it looks.
Recipe: Mash half an avocado and mix it with a tablespoon of honey. Apply to your face and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. There you have it – instant hydration!
2 Oatmeal & Honey Purifying Mask
Oily and acne-prone skin needs a gentle but effective cleanse. Oatmeal is an anti-infl ammatory but skin-soothing ingredient that absorbs excess oils without causing irritation. Paired with honey’s natural antibacterial properties, this mask helps reduce redness and calm the skin.
Recipe: Combine half a cup of cooked oatmeal with a tablespoon of honey. Apply to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off .
3
Cucumber & Aloe Vera Cooling Mask
For sensitive or sunburnt skin, a refreshing mask is essential. Aloe vera and cucumber are both known for their cooling and calming properties, providing instant relief to irritated skin while locking in moisture.
Recipe: Blend half a cucumber with a tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel (you can buy this or get it direct from the plant’s fleshy leaves – slit it open, drain any latex, scoop out the gel and wash it before using or storing). Apply it to your face for a soothing 10-minute treatment and rinse off with cool water.
What’s got to culture with it? do
Intercultural romance can be enriching and enlightening – and not without its challenges. How can you make sure your blended relationship is more melting pot than meltdown?
by Robyn MacLarty
While South Africa is not the most ethnically diverse country in the world (that title belongs to Papua New Guinea, which has thousands of ethnic groups, each with their own languages and customs), we’re near the top of the list. The World Atlas ranks South Africa as the eighth most ethnically diverse country, which makes us one of the most culturally rich and vibrant nations on the planet.
Of course, this diversity means every one of us has to navigate cross-cultural relationships of one kind or another, whether it’s a colleague, friend, your GP or your taxi driver. And some of us fall in love across cultures, which presents its own unique challenges.
“We often underestimate how much our cultural beliefs and upbringing inform how we engage with the world around us,” says clinical psychologist Monique Mostert. “Our cultural socialisation determines how we interpret and respond to social stimuli. It is almost automatic, and we therefore run the risk of assuming that other people use the same ‘blueprint’ to make sense of the world.”
When two people from different cultural or racial backgrounds are in a romantic relationship, she adds, it is logical that these cultural differences might cause challenges. “They might be using two different proverbial ‘maps’ to navigate social interactions and relationships.”
Having different mother tongues (first languages) is one of the most common factors associated with cultural differences, says Monique. “This can be a barrier, as couples might find it hard to express their true feelings in a language that is not their native language.”
Another common challenge is a lack of support from family or friends, who may disapprove of romantic relationships outside of perceived cultural boundaries.
“Couples don’t function in isolated silos but engage with society and the people around them. Friends and family (due to their own cultural socialisation) might not be very supportive of your cross-cultural relationship. This can put strain on any relationship.”
MAKE LAST
Monique shares four tips to give your inter-cultural love affair the best chance of lasting:
1
BE REALISTIC
It is helpful to gain an understanding of some of the dynamics and challenges cross-cultural couples might experience. Should you be confronted by such challenges, you will then interpret it as a predictable hurdle rather than an insurmountable obstacle.
2
LISTEN WITH HUMILITY
Acknowledge that you might not fully understand your partner’s experience of the world, and that’s okay. If something is not within your frame of reference it does not mean it is not real for your partner.
3
BE OPEN TO LEARNING
Gaining an in-depth understanding of each other’s cultural practices will help you develop true appreciation of their significance and meaning, and demystify possible misconceptions. So be open to learning about each other’s customs and traditions.
4
DON’T
NEGLECT YOUR OWN CULTURE
Being in a cross-cultural relationship often requires compromise. However, that does not mean that you need to give up all of your own cultural traditions.
LIKE MOMmakes IT
We’re stirring up the comfort flavours of home in honour of mothers all around South Africa for Mother’s Day
Vetkoek
Butter buns
ways with bread dough
We've used our favourite dough recipe to create three delicious, nostalgic breads.
Ingredients:
3 cups cake flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp white sugar
1 sachet dry yeast
2¼ cups warm water
Method:
1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add just enough water to make a sticky but not wet dough.
3. Knead dough for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise for an hour or until doubled in size.
5. Knock back dough (releasing the air bubbles) by kneading.
Butter buns
Makes 12
Ingredients:
1 x portion fresh bread dough Melted butter, for brushing
Method:
1. Once bread dough has risen for an hour and been knocked back, divide into 12 portions.
2. Shape each one into a ball, cover with a cloth and set aside to rise for 15 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 180°C.
4. Place dough balls on a baking tray and brush generously with butter.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes, remove from oven, brush again with melted butter and bake for 8–10 minutes more, or until cooked through.
6. Remove from oven and brush immediately with more melted butter.
7. Set aside to cool, then serve with chutney or a spicy atchar (see below).
QUICK SPICY CARROT ATCHAR
Makes 1 cup
Heat a glug of oil in a pan and fry 4–5 peeled and chopped carrots, 2 chopped garlic cloves and 1 tsp each grated fresh ginger and mustard seeds for 3–5 minutes.
Add ½ tsp fresh turmeric and 1 tsp each ground coriander, ground cumin and paprika. Cook for 3–5 minutes. Add ⅓ cup chutney and juice of 1 lemon. Cook for 2–3 minutes. Season well and set aside to cool.
Vetkoek
Makes 6
Ingredients:
1 x portion fresh bread dough Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
Method:
1. Once bread dough has risen for an hour and been knocked back, divide into 6 portions.
2. Shape each one into a ball, cover with a cloth and set aside to rise for 15 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a large pot for deep-frying.
4. Fry vetkoek in batches for 6–8 minutes, until cooked and golden. Drain on kitchen paper.
5. Serve while still hot with butter or your favourite filling.
Steamed herb bread
Makes 2
Ingredients:
1 x portion fresh bread dough
3 Tbsp chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, coriander or thyme) Oil, for greasing
Method:
1. Once bread dough has risen for an hour and been knocked back, knead in fresh herbs.
2. Cover dough with a cloth and set aside to rise again for 15 minutes.
3. Divide dough in half and shape each portion into a ball.
4. Place one dough ball into a medium-sized greased metal bowl.
5. Place bowl in a large pot of simmering water (the water should not come more than halfway up the side of the bowl).
6. Repeat with the other portion of dough using another bowl and pot.
7. Cover pots with lids and steam bread for 1 hour, until cooked through.
8. Serve warm with butter.
Steamed herb bread
