Exclusive times issue 8

Issue 8

BEAUTY PAGEANTS All Things Pageants With Lerato Ngobe

NURTURE YOUR CROWN Entrepreneur In The Hair Industry

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT Nutritional Diet For Your Health

“Love Nwantiti”

Exclusive Times EDITOR-IN-CHIEF REABETSWE MALATA

WRITERS

DESIGNER SOCIAL MEDIA CREATIVE DIRECTOR COVER STORY PHOTOGRAPHY PUBLISHER

ZINHLE DUBE REABETSWE MALATA ANTONY MAKATU SEBONGILE MOLOI BONGEKILE QULU GAVIN MENYATSO NDZALAMA MAHLAULE REABETSWE MALATA BLADE MODUKANELE ANTONY MAKATU @Zek.Snaps & @walterbanks_ FHUMULINA BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

EDITORIAL OFFICE 124 Van Beek street Johannesburg Athletic Stadium New Doornfontein 2094

contents 04 05 10 15 17 20 23 24 26

Editor's Note Introduction

Cover Story CKay

Up Close Njabulo Mabanga & Quinton Tembo

Hotspots Alexandra Heritage Centre

Business Profiles Mrs Hairfidence

Style Winter Warmth

Chef Recipe Lamb Knuckles

Wellness Corner Health & Nutrition

Exclusive Q&A Lerato Nogabe

Editor’s Note

EDITOR'S NOTE HOLDING ON

Hello There, We're halfway through the year, and you've survived.

We often feel left behind when we see how far other people have come, but it's important to remember that our journeys are not the same.

We forget that we can only be inspired by people we admire, but we can't write our stories exactly like theirs.

Each creative, artist, writer, and entrepreneur featured this month has a unique story to tell; the only thing they have in common is a fighting spirit and admirable resilience in the face of adversity.

I hope each story inspires you to keep going; I hope it inspires you to write and own your own story. And when things get tough, I hope you remember why you started and stay focused on that goal.

Reabetswe Malata Editor-In-Chief

COVER STORY

TAKING IT TO THE TOP WITH CKAY Research by Sebongile Moloi Written by Reabetswe Malata

COVER STORY

Afrobeats are quickly becoming our most favorite sounds to jam to; not only are the artists who create afrobeats music talented but they're also astoundingly versatile with their admirable abilities to infuse their music and sounds with other music genres.

CKay, born Chukwa Ekweani (26) is the hitmaker of one of the most played and loved singles, "Love Nwantiti," which has since become a favourite of Tik Tok creators and Afrobeat fans on all music streaming platforms. We learned more about CKay and the talent that has left many in awe of his impeccable grind and work ethic in the industry.

THE ORIGINATION CKay is a songwriter, singer, and recording producer from Kadun, Nigeria. His musical journey, like that of most artists, was influenced by his Christian family background; his father, Mr Ekweani, was the Choir Conductor at the church that the family religiously attended. The path to developing his talent and realising his capabilities was paved when he challenged himself to learn how to work the musical instruments at church; it was at that moment of instinct that whatever instrument he touched turned into a musical sensation, earning him a seat as the church's bandman.

CKay was later introduced to Fruity Loops by a friend, a sound production software that he used to produce beats after working tirelessly to teach himself how to use and master the software. This marked the start of his professional music career.

COVER STORY

“IF I LIVE IN FANTASY…”

LOOPY MUSIC TO CHOCOLATE CITY In 2014, CKay was signed to Loopy Music to further pursue his career. However, Loopy Music was eventually merged with the three-men-owned popular Nigerian record label, Chocolate City, where majority of his music was born.

CKay released his first project, CKay The First EP, in 2019, which featured the infamous Love Nwantiti single. The track quickly gained a global following, including a featured placement on Diddy's massively successful 2020 virtual dance-a-thon fundraiser on Instagram Live. A popular series of global remixes followed, as did a milestone feture and co-production credit on Nigerian superstar Davido's hit "La La (Ft. CKay.)" This was followed by a key track from Amaarae's acclaimed 2020 LP, The Angel You Don't Know, by GhanaianAmerican Afrobeats star Amaarae.

CKay returned in February 2021 with his highly anticipated sophomore EP, Boyfriend, which featured guest appearances from Amaarae, Bianca Costa, Oxlade and KiDi. The lead single, Felony, debuted at number one on a slew of major African charts and playlists and is expected to go platinum in Nigeria.

“MUSIC CAN CHANGE THE WORLD”

COVER STORY

WARNER MUSIC SOUTH AFRICA As of 2022, CKay is signed Warner Music South Africa, an African division of the Warner Music Group (WMG), an American multinational entertainment and record label conglomerate headquartered in New York City. Warner is a home to many well-known artists such as Bruno Mars, Nickelback, Linkin Park and James Blunt, to name a few.

ACHIEVEMENTS CKay has been reaping the benefits of his hardwork and dedication to his craft.

The music charts have timelessly proven that the masses love CKay's music. CKay became the first African artist to reach 20 million Spotify Listeners in 2021, with over 21 million monthly Spotify listeners.

He also received his first YouTube plaque for reaching 100k subscribers.

In 2020, Love Nwantiti (with Joeboy & Kuami Eugene) was nominated for the Best Collabo of the Year at the 2020 City People Music Awards. His smash hit was recently nominated for Best International Song of the Year at the 2022 BRIT Awards.

WHAT’S NEXT? CKay is currently in the studio working on his first full-length studio album,which will push his already omnivorous sound and style to new heights of creativity. He is determined to reach his rapidly growing global audience, which is eagerly anticipating his next exciting release. It is safe to say that there's more to come from our beloved CKay!

Issue 27 | 234

UPCLOSE

"If you love something, you will do it wholeheartedly"

PUSHING P WITH QUINTON TEMBO

BY REABETSWE MALATA Quinton Arthur Tembo is a budding musician who was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and raised in Johannesburg South, South Africa. Quinton grew up in a house full of music lovers, including his parents, siblings, uncles, and aunties; he grew up listening to nearly every genre imaginable.

He began making music in January of 2020. He balanced his music career with his first year of college, where he studied Information Technology and Communication, also known as Software Development. "It wasn't really difficult for me to do the two at the same time because of my passion for both music and technology," he says. People frequently ask him how he manages to do two things at once, and his response is always, "If you love something, you will do it wholeheartedly," which he is currently doing.

"I am half of a production duo called Astrobeatz (stylized a$tro.b3atz) with my partner, Karabo Ndebele, and we formed a record label called Losersonly Entertainment together," he explains. According to them, the name "Losersonly" means "a winner is a loser who tried one more time," and it should serve as motivation for everyone to never give up.

UPCLOSE

Quinton's music career has progressed significantly since he began; he has ventured into Sound Engineering and now assists with mixing and mastering music that they record at their studio.

The duo also organizes events and collaborate with local artists in Johannesburg South to help them and others gain exposure.

His goal and aim in his music career is to connect people from all over the world through music and share the joy they feel as artists when they make music. "I'll be much happier if it's the entire world." "I'm grateful for the people I work with; they've become more like family to me, and I hope those who are supporting us don't stop," Q says.

UPCLOSE

“The Writers Are Gonna Write” In following the youth who are actively working towards their dreams and goals, we caught up with Njabulo Mabanga who took us through his journey of being a writer and self-published author.

Sebongile Moloi Njabulo Mabanga is a nonfiction author from Daveyton in the East Rand. Njabulo's journey began with humble beginnings, limited resources, and an impoverished background.

He realized that the only way for him to change his life was through education, and he was fortunate to receive an NSFAS study loan, which provided him with the only chance he had to do so.

He went on to study Audiovisual Communications at the University of Johannesburg, where he majored in Television Production, Psychology, and Philosophy. He had no idea that his majoring in Psychology and Philosophy would lead him to his destiny of writing nonfiction books.

He excelled at scriptwriting while studying TV production, which was one of the signs pointing him in the right direction. Since 2012, he has written numerous TV scripts. He was a television production assistant on shows like Jika Majika, Step Up or Step Out, Relate, and Gospel Gold. He also worked for major television networks such as 1KZN TV, 1Gospel TV, Bay TV, and Soweto TV, as well as ETV eKasi Stories production "Izikhothane" as a broadcast scheduler and content coordinator for all of the aforementioned channels.

When he wrote his first book, "Black Child Leave The Township," in 2018, he revealed his desire to be a writer and publisher. That book laid the groundwork for what would become a genuine enlightenment for him.

UPCLOSE

Following the success of that book, he wrote his second book, "Stop Being A Nice Guy," which has been his most successful to date. He realized the power of independence and the blessing that the internet has brought to all of us as a self-published author. The ability to have direct access to the consumer, whether as an artist or a business owner.

He encourages all young people to see and use the resources made available to us by the digital age. As a book writer, he could not have published a book without the help of a major publisher, but thanks to the internet and the platforms available, he can now publish his own content and be in control of his creativity, sharing it with the world without being stymied by red tape and gate keepers. He exhorts all young people not to be deterred from pursuing their dreams by anyone or anything.

“We should not wait for anyone to come and save us," he says, "because no one will." The youth has the resources to produce and share their art, businesses, interests, and passions with the rest of the world, and thus make a living.

The industrial age, in which we had to go to firms, work, and rely on large corporations to achieve our goals, has come to an end. The rate of youth unemployment is skyrocketing. Waiting for someone to give you a job or an opportunity is no longer as feasible as it once was.

Every young person has the ability to do something on their own and have direct access to the consumer or customer, and we should all take advantage of this opportunity. That is, after all, where the world is headed.

We are on our way to a world in which we will be trading with one another. Whether you trade your skills, sell food, clothes, art, and so on, that is how we will make a living in the coming years. Every young person should discover their passion and purpose, and then use the internet to share it with the rest of the world. Let us take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the digital age, particularly web 3.0.

The internet's ability to allow anyone to write, publish, and promote their own books enabled Njabulo to do so.

As a result, he encourages everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and build their own empires and legacies so that people who come after us can look back and be proud, and to go even further.

UPCLOSE

His exposure to psychology and philosophical literature has inspired Njabulo's key influence on the type of content he writes about. And it sparked his interest in epistemology, as evidenced by his next book, "Too Smart To Stay Broke," which tackles the subjects that concern him the most. His works are used to educate, promote positivism, and disseminate information. He's also the founder of the "Read & Grow Rich Foundation," a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging reading and writing in underserved regions.

All his books and other content can be found on his website: www.njabulomabanga.com

HOTSPOTS

HOTSPOTS: ALEXANDRA HERITAGE CENTRE

BY NDZALAMA MAHLAULE Alexandra Heritage Centre is located in the heart of Alex and houses significant historical information about the township. It began operations in 2018.

It has about seven professional members who run the heritage center, and many tourists flock to Alexandra to learn about the township's history because it has a rich historical background.

"THERE ARE NO FOREIGN LANDS. IT IS THE TRAVELER ONLY WHO IS FOREIGN."

HOTSPOTS

"I TRAVEL NOT TO GO ANYWHERE, BUT TO GO. I TRAVEL FOR TRAVEL’S SAKE" Robert Louis Stevenson

According to Thabo Mopasi, a historian at Alexandra Heritage Centre, "visitors engage with locals, they have a sense of the township's unique texture, styles, and cuisines, and hopefully, they also hear about the area's folklore and myths of mermaids, man eating snakes of the Jukskei river, and gorilla owners."

This Heritage Center is unlike most traditional museums in that it has a high proportion of "hands-on" exhibits.

Tourists appear to be more interested in Alexandra's history, as the heritage center attracts more visitors, particularly during the holiday season, and it also has tour guides to show tourists around Alexandra.

BUSINESS PROFILE

HEALTHY HAIR, BIGGER CROWN

BY BONGEKILE QULU

A Queen Crowned In Her Own Curls

BUSINESS PROFILE

Nontsikelelo Magwaza (37) is the owner of Mrs Hairfidence, a business that manufactures Luxury natural hair products. It is a home for African natural hair, a one stop shop for all things natural hair ranging from products, treatments, hair accessories, detangling brushes, heating caps, bonnets and wooden combs. Her dislike of putting chemicals in her hair inspired her to think outside the box and explore ways to handle, maintain and embrace her natural hair.

The business was established in February 2018. The ambitious Nontsikelelo says her main aim and vision is to give African women the confidence to walk around with their hair in its natural state. “I want to see African hair everywhere.I want to cancel all the negative issues about hair. I want women to choose their natural hair any day.”

She says they are targeting modern African women and young girls. "I don't want our girls to ever suffer from hairline issues. We are giving them all the knowledge and building confidence in their hair. As always, prevention is better than cure." She also believes that black women do love their natural hair, but they are challenged with maintaining it.

Despite the fact that people continue to give positive feedback and the company has grown from strength to strength over the years, the road hasn't always been easy.

People did not trust her in the business industry because she is a black woman trying to build and grow her brand; she struggled to find employees because people preferred being employed by whites; and she struggled to fund her business because she lacked capital.

She advises people this winter to wear protective styles to keep their heads warm and healthy in the cold weather. "Knotless braids are so in style right now, and you can wear them up or down. I love them for the fact that you can wash them and moisturize, so when the spring comes you won't cry "hair breakage, hair falling off".

However, Nontsikelelo didn’t allow the odds to defeat her; her passion and burning desire continued to drive her to success.

It becomes more difficult for entrepreneurs, but the rewards are greater. "Always strive to improve yourself, and remember that punctuality and dedication will always set you apart," she adds.

BUSINESS PROFILE

my hair is My Crown

STYLE

THE BEST STYLE IN WINTER IS WARMTH

By Bongekile Qulu Pictures By Pinterest

The chilly weather doesn’t mean we should give up on style, it simply means it’s time to be creative and unleash the snow goddesses within ourselves and become the winter fashionistas that we were meant to be Feeling like you are running out of cute and trendy warm outfits? Well, here's how you can spice up your winter looks:

LAYER UP

BE BOLD

Take time to learn layering your winter clothes so that you are still as stylish and warm. The trick is to make sure that your base layers fit close to your body. You can try lightweight sweatshirts and fleece that can be paired over sweaters and under jackets. Make sure your outer layer is wind and waterproof like a puffer jacket, down coat, hoodie or shacket.

Winter is usually not considered as the most stylish of seasons as we tend to be stuck into a pattern of dark colors. However, we shouldn’t be afraid of being bold in our winter looks. Try adding a bit of something that commands attention to your outfits. Make a statement with bold colors such as red, lime green and bright yellow. You can wear a dark jean and add a dash of hot pink sweater on top.

STYLE

KNITWEAR

STYLE

INVEST IN KNITWEAR

KEEP IT TIGHT

Woolen clothes have fine pores filled with air. Upgrade to a trendy winter look by adding some comfy and warm woolen clothes to your style. Go for turtlenecks and stylish cardigans. Switch things up and accessorize with a variety of woolen scarves, hats and gloves or mittens.

Try skinny tight jeans as they prevent wind chill. Wear fitting leggings under your skirts to keep warm. You can also rock your kneehigh boots with skinny jeans, skirts, dresses that are just above your knee.

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. Let your outfit make a statement without you having to utter a word even during the darkest days of winter. And remember people are always staring so make it worth their while.

RECIPE

Chef Tendani’s Lamb Knuckles Antony Makatu Tendani Mashila was born and raised in Hakhakhu makuleni but later moved to Thohoyandou, Maniini.

Her passion for cooking started when she was 8 years old; it all started with helping her mom and grandmother to cut vegetables when they were about to cook food for their family of nine. As time went by, Tendani was taught how to cook using fire wood. She was inspired by how food could tell a story and convey cultural ideas, while bringing people together over a mouthwatering dish.

Her current position as a chef at the Paris Cafe Restaurant (United States) reflects her dedication to Michelin star food and healthy eating.

INGREDIENTS 20M L 1KG 15ML

15ML

5ML

Oil

1

Cup of Pickled Onion

Lamb Knuckles

1

Cup of Hot Water

Barbecue Spice

1

Canned Tomatoes

Lamb & Chops Spice

Paprika

1 1

Handful Fresh Cilantro for Garnish

Robot Peppers

DIRECTIONS • Heat oil, sauté rosemary and remove from oil.

• Add the lamb knuckles until browned & season with barbecue spice and paprika.

• Add onion, carrots & cubes potatoes cook for 5 minutes.

• Mix well pour in the stock and add tomatoes.

• Let it cook for 1 hour on low heat, add rosemary and cook for another 10-15

WELLNESS CORNER

HEALTH & NUTRITION GOOD NUTRITION IS A CRITICAL PART OF HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT. BETTER NUTRITION IS RELATED TO IMPROVED HEALTH AT ALL AGES, A LOWER RISK OF DISEASES, AND LONGEVITY. ZINHLE DUBE

Food and nutrition are the sources of fuel and energy for our bodies. Every day, we must replenish the nutrients in our bodies.

Understanding good nutrition and paying attention to what you eat can help lower your cholesterol, improve your brain function, improve your mood and energy levels, and aid in the healing of your body.

Fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are red, orange, or dark green, should make up a significant portion of a healthy diet.

NUTRIENTS NEEDED BY OUR BODIES EVERYDAY CARBOHYDRATES

PROTEINS

Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy and the brain's sole source of fuel. Your body converts carbohydrates into glucose, which your cells use to generate energy. Whole grains and foods made from those grains, such as whole-wheat bread, bulgur, barley, oatmeal, brown rice, and cornmeal, are the best sources of carbohydrates.

Protein is made up of amino acids, which serve as the body's primary building blocks for tissues like muscle, skin, bone, and hair. Proteins also play a role in many bodily reactions, such as the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. Lean meats, poultry, and seafood, beans and peas, nuts and seeds, eggs, and soy products are the best protein sources.

WELLNESS CORNER FATS When carbohydrates are unavailable, the body turns to fat for energy. Fats are also required for insulation, to aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and to protect your organs. Olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados are high in healthy fats, as are fatty fish high in omega-3 fatty acids.

WATER Water is a necessary nutrient. It is involved in many vital functions of the body and distributes other essential nutrients to your cells. 20% of the water your body requires daily comes from foods, with the remaining 80% coming from drinking water, which should be 12 cups per day for men and 8.8 cups for women.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS They're necessary for normal growth and development, and each one plays a distinct role in promoting overall health, including your mental health. Fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and lean protein sources are all good sources of vitamins and minerals.

BALANCE YOUR NUTRIENTS INTAKE A well-balanced diet should contain 6070 percent of total calories from carbohydrates, 10-12 percent from proteins, and 20-25 percent from fat. In order to provide bioactive phytochemicals such as dietary fiber, antioxidants, and nutraceuticals with health benefits.

EXCLUSIVE Q&A

E X C L U S I V E Q & A f e a t u r i n g

L e r a t o

N o g a b e

By Gavin Menyatso

EXCLUSIVE Q&A

When you see Lerato Nogabe, even from a distance, you get the impression that she is a big bundle of good energy. She was born in the small township of Embalenhle in the Govan Mbeki Municipality. She is a young woman who has chosen to forge her own path in life and has done exceptionally well thus far.

What happened next shook Mpumalanga and put her fellow competitors on notice as she worked her way up by winning Miss Teen Ekasi and entering more pageants such as Miss Mzanzi Africa (Cape Town), but what really kept everyone's jaw open was when she became Miss Mpumalanga Finalist 2022.

Lerato is well-known for her modeling career. In fact, she is frequently referred to as Mpumalanga's Pageant Queen. She began her career in 2015 and finished first in her first beauty pageant, but that did not satisfy her. And I quote, "When I walk on stage, I feel more alive than ever. Every step I take brings me closer to being the woman who will change the world."

"What I have on my body has nothing to do with what I have to offer." We're all waiting to see what comes next for Lerato Nogabe after such a bold statement, but she was kind enough to give us a glimpse of what the future holds, and that's winning the Miss SA beauty pageant.

That alone was more than enough reason for her to keep trying and not give up on her dreams.

EXCLUSIVE Q&A

THE Q&A ●

● What effects does being a model have on you

The world is changing, and people must adapt. The world would be a much better place if we allowed women to be themselves.

It is mentally draining because people constantly express their frustrations. Personally, I go to the gym to improve my mental state, and spiritually, I pray and meditate.

●

● What distinguishes Lerato Nogabe from other

I am at peace with myself and love myself a lot, but most importantly, I understand that my job is to spread love.

Lerato Nogabe is the most authentic person you'll find in any group of models. She is authenticity at its best.

● What other passions do you have?

●

Are women who model and show too much skin still obstinate in changing the world?

How do you ensure that you never become inebriated as a model?

I enjoy both film and radio. I had the opportunity to host the breakfast show, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

mentally, physically, and spiritually? & how do you handle it?

models?

I am “LeratoNogabe” on social media platforms. For donations on ‘Lerato Nogabe Foundation’ - 078 083 9603