Essays Of Africa March/April 2017 by Kwenta Media

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Inside ESSAYS a woman’s journey

of africa

march/april 2017

cover stories 30/80 Main FASHION & BEAUTY: Bold designs and metallic confidence. 48 PROFILE: Nigeria’s Lilian O. Ajayi threads global unity among women. 52 NEWS REPORT: Hope and hostility: human rights in Africa. 62 RELATIONSHIPS: 10 signs your relationship is already over. 65 SEX: 50 shades of pleasure.

people 14 REAL LIFE: Raising a child with Down syndrome. 46 MY JOURNEY: Wadi Ben-Hirki is scripting a positive African story. 50 WOMEN’S NETWORK: LeAnne Dlamini’s Women 4 Women 84 ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEW: The Pro in the (entertainment) game.

columns 13 UNCOVERED: Power to the people. 15 READERS’ CORNER: Thandolwethu Ruth Ngobese celebrates second chances. 16 GUEST BLOG: Cara-Lisa explains what it means to find yourself. 64 INNERMAN: The Rev. TK Khumalo talks about why men feel emasculated.

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COVER STORY Simphiwe Dana, a music maestro on a mission.

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contents EOA

fashion

lifestyle

18 FASHION NEWS

86 FOOD & ENTERTAINING: Unforgettable desserts.

19 SHOPPING: A touch of class. 20 SEXY 7: The best fashion products of the month. 21 SHOPPING: Over-the-top chunky accessories. 22 SHOP LIKE AN EDITOR: Work up a sweat.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS.STYLIST: KWENA BALOYI. MAKEUP: VUYO VAROYI. DRESSED BY: David Tlale & Pichulik X Chulaap.

97 DÉCOR NEWS: Stay on trend. 100 TRAVEL: Life’s a cruise. 102 MOTORING: Is it time to move on?

24 SHOPPING: Shimmer and shine in metallics.

104 MUSIC

27 SHOPPING: Pretty in nudes. 28

features

96 DÉCOR SHOPPING: Timeless pieces.

23 SHOPPING: Down-to-earth tones.

25 FASHION INTERVIEW: Kenyan fashion designer Kate Mayeye lets us into her world of glamour.

92 DÉCOR STYLE: Now and forever.

REAL WOMAN: Plus Fab.

70 MEN’S SHOPPING: Natural in neutral.

44 SELF-EMPOWERMENT: The art of letting go.

56 CAREER: How to get paid what you are worth. 58 MONEY: Avoid insurance mishaps.

105 BOOKS 106 TECH NEWS & APPS 107 MOVIES & THEATRE

regulars 07

CONTRIBUTORS’ PAGE

EDITOR’S LETTER

ONLINE UPDATE

LETTERS’ PAGE

ON LOCATION

SUBSCRIPTIONS

108 SOCIAL SCENE: Red Mic Xperience.

60 HEALTH REPORT: Hayfever is nothing to sneeze at.

109 SOCIAL SCENE: #MANth.

67 PARENTING: When learning doesn’t come easily.

110 HOROSCOPES 112 STOCKISTS PAGE

72 Man Q&A: Founder and head designer of Relevance For Men (RFM) Tshepo Mashego is passionate about fashion.

beauty 74 SEXY 7: The best beauty products of the month.

76 BEAUTY NEWS 78 HAIR: Relax!

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80 MAIN BEAUTY: Hot makeup for the cooler months.

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Editor of Essays Of Africa Deputy Managing Editor Features Writers Fashion & Beauty Editor Fashion & Beauty Interns DĂŠcor Writer

Tumi Mdluli Kati Dijane Caryn Thandi Petersen, Christy Chilimigras, Fatima Asmal, Hlulani Masingi, Loren Stow, Melissa Jane Cook, Peta Daniel, Thina Mthembu Tumi Mdluli Palesa Sethlapelo, Lauren Matthews Rhoda Davids

Contributors

Ndoni Khanyile, The Rev. TK Khumalo, Stella Nova

Sub-Editor Proofreader

Tracy Maher Nuraan Motlekar

Online Editor Online Features Writers Senior Designer Junior Designer Digital & Web Specialist Marketing & Sales Team Business Development & Production Manager Brand Strategist Business Development Marketing Intern Operations & Finance Operations & Finance Manager Admin Assistant Office Drivers Advisory Board

Publisher Physical Address Postal Address Websites Advertising Editorial Information & Enquiries Subscription Queries Printers Distribution

Hlulani Masingi Lauren Matthews, Thina Mthembu Lelethu Tobi Prince Ngwenya Lekeke Mahlo Nuraan Motlekar Akhona Gushman Wezi Njovu Kholiwe Nkambule Mpho Phaswana Netsianda Kelly Moyo Palesa Sethlapelo Gabriel Mashishi, Kamohelo Mokoena, Yusuf Msinyi Dr Salifou Siddo, Busisiwe Mahlaba, Fazila Bizor, Lindelwa Isabelle, Lindsay Breytenbach, Moeketsi Mosola, Ndoni Khanyile, Nthabe Zondo, Sen Mdhluli, Sonto Ndlovu Kwenta Media (Pty) Ltd. 19 Weaver Street, Fourways, 2191 Tel: 0861 873 689, Fax: 086 416 1529 Kwenta Media, Essays of Africa: P.O. Box 4437, Dainfern, 2055 www.essaysofsafrica.com / www.kwentamedia.com advertising@essaysofafrica.com / advertising@kwentamedia.com editorial@essaysofafrica.com info@essaysofafrica.com / info@kwentamedia.com subs@essaysofafrica.com CTP Printers Cape Town RNA

Essays Of Africa Magazine, Website and Webzine are 100% owned and published by Kwenta Media (Pty) Ltd. The editor and publisher reserve the right to alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary. Copyright by Kwenta Media (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. BBBEE Level 1

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CONTRIBUTORS EOA

The art of

letting go

Autumn reminds us of the importance of shedding what does not serve our best life. Our contributors share what they are letting go of this year…

Kelly Moyo, Operations and Finance Manager I don’t have anything to let go of and I don’t really do resolutions. I always strive to do better every day and become a better person – no grudges, just speed bumps.

Thina Mthembu, Features Writer I want to let go of the belief that I have to have everything figured out right NOW. I also want to let go of the fear of starting something new and big. I know I can do it, I’m just afraid. Lastly, I want to let go of people who always have something negative to say. They’re draining and just messing up the happiness that surrounds me. Christy Chilimigras, Features Writer 2017 will see me letting go of the belief that supporting my friends means listening to them complain constantly without them ever taking action. You are not a tree! Move! I’m letting go of trying to befriend exes. They’re either a bit too friendly or just genuinely want nothing to do with you. I’m also letting go of people in my life whose behaviours I feel I have to justify to others. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY CONTRIBUTORS.

Wezi Njovu, Business Development This year I aim to let go of buying things I don’t need. Having new things may always be exciting, but I would like to spend my money on things that get me closer to my personal goals. I want to let go of procrastination. Certain parts of business and life may not be fun, but I have to understand that in order to get things done, every single step is important to drive me towards meeting targets and reaching the goals that have been set. I also have to let go of negativity. Not only is it exhausting to be around negativity, but it also turns off people who might have otherwise wanted to help.

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March-ingon! EOA ED’S LETTER

On 8 March we observe International Women’s Day and our Afro-soul superstar Simphiwe Dana is the perfect person to join us in this celebration. From standing out on stage to making a stand against the abuse of women, Dana is a shining light on our journey of women activism. On that note, I wish all women out there a blessed International Women’s Day. However, let’s not leave it to appointed days to honour each other. Every woman should be celebrated every day and that is what we strive to do with our heartfelt, uplifting content. We hope you enjoy this combined issue and share the love by passing it on to a friend or sister. That way we are reaching as many women as possible in the hope of changing lives for the better.

Tumi M and Team EOA

Share your journey with me at tumi@kwentamedia.com or on Facebook:

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IMAGE: KWENTA MEDIA.

became so excited when I logged onto my social media pages on 14 February. So many women were posting their partners, wishing them a super Valentine’s Day and expressing their love. I was in awe of the many gifts of roses, chocolates, lingerie and dinner dates that were shared. As we bid farewell to the month of love and greet the new month, and new season, I hope that your significant other continues to treat you like the queen that you are and spoilt you to a date night to watch Fifty Shades Darker which, I believe, is the couples movie to watch to add a little spark between the sheets. In keeping with Christian Grey’s favourite pastime, we give you the lowdown on BDSM and how you can incorporate the erotic practices of bondage, discipline, dominance and submission into your love-making – not to forget some edgy role play (page 65). On page 62, read about the 10 signs to know when your relationship is over. We don’t mean “over” because your man forgot about Valentine’s Day, but rather the subtle changes in behaviour that have given you that “something is just not OK!” feeling. Trust your intuition and know when it is time to walk away.

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ESSAYS OF AFRICA

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EOA ONLINE UPDATE

Click away

EOA is a CONTACT US!

We are always happy to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to contact us! Write to us at letters@essaysofafrica.com, or pop in for a chat at 19 Weaver Street in Fourways, Johannesburg. Call us on +27 (0)11 467 5859. For more information, visit essaysofafrica.com/contact-us/.

GET EOA DAILY NEWSLETTER

Looking for tips and advice on how you can do your own mani and pedi at home? Stop searching endless sites and wait for us to send you these straight to your inbox! That’s right! Subscribe to our EOA Daily Newsletter and receive lifestyle features from beauty to fashion to exercise tips. Follow the easy steps at essaysofafrica.com.

You don’t need to miss out on the newest articles on our EOA website just because you’re away from your emails – you can always check our Twitter timeline. We’ll keep you in the loop by tweeting our daily features. Visit twitter.com/essaysofafrica, log in and follow us to check and retweet our posts to your tweeps.

OUR IG HANDLE IS @ESSAYSOFSAFRICA

We understand you might not be on all social media platforms, but we are and we would like you to find us on Instagram! Yes! Even women of so many words love taking beautiful and creative pictures. Go to instagram.com and follow us on @ essaysofafrica to “heart” and repost.

SUBSCRIBE and save!

DIGITAL MAGAZINE just R15 per issue! To subscribe, visit www.essaysofafrica.com EOA terms and conditions apply. See www.essaysofafrica.com.

WORDS: HLULANI MASINGI.

SUBSCRIBE TO EOA DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Why not subscribe online to the digital magazine? This will not only save you the hassle of having to queue, but will also save you time and money. We suggest you visit our website to download EOA digital magazine and get 35% off! SOCIAL NETWORK: Find Essays Of Africa on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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LETTERS EOA

YOUR VOICES have your say.. JUST STARTED MY JOURNEY WITH EOA!

I purchased my first copy of Essays Of Africa magazine in December 2016 and can’t think of a time I have put it down since that day. I believe as women we go through a lot and at times it feels as if we don’t have a platform where we can share our stories and experiences to inspire and keep each other strong. However, I think EOA does just that! It makes you feel that you’re not alone and that you shouldn’t be. I would like to say thanks to EOA for not letting me feel like no one cares. I look forward to starting a new journey with EOA magazine. Khensani Ndlovu, Bushbuckridge

I just want to commend the Essays Of Africa team for the great work. Your work continues to inspire young women like myself to pursue greatness. I love how the content is authentic and so relevant to current affairs. Bongeka, South Africa

PLUS SIZE MATTERS

It is not every day that you find a magazine that makes plus-size women feel good about their bodies and gives them fashion tips. For that, I’ll always appreciate EOA magazine. As a plus-size woman, ‘The Real Women’ pages always give me life, from the fashion to the inspiring stories of the women you profile. Please keep it up because we need this! Lethu Zungu, Eastern Cape

How judgmental are we when they go on with their lives as soon as their spouses pass on? The profile of sis’ Sibongile Sarah NonyaneMphilo was another of my favourite this month; what a successful and inspiring story. Anything is possible in this day and age and your success is definitely measured by your passion and drive for succeeding. I trust that 2017 will be a great year for us all as we share our stories. Naledi Khumalo, Hartbeespoort

I absolutely love my journey with the Essays Of Africa magazine. I particularly loved reading the Dec 2016/Jan 2017 issue’s article ‘Do African Men Mourn Their Wives?”

I love the EOA daily newsletters! They keep me glued to my screen and I really don’t have to go around looking for tips on other websites! I love it! Coco Mahlangu, Kwa-Mashu I love going through the ‘Contributors’ Page’ because I realise the EOA team

is just as human as me! I learn so much from what they have to say and it makes me appreciate that they are real people who might be going through what I am going through. Which, at the end of the day, makes me feel stronger each day. Matimu Shingange, Tzaneen

We would love to hear your views, news and especially your feedback on the magazine. Visit www.essaysofafricamagazine.com or follow us on social media. We reserve the right to edit all letters for publishing purposes. letters@essaysofafrica.com

E SSAYS O F A F R I C A

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Facebook.com/essayofafrica

@EssaysOfAfrica

@essaysofafrica

MARCH/APRIL 2017

2017/02/23 3:53 PM

EOA ON LOCATION

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Simply

VUYO VAROYI DOING WHAT HE DOES BESTâ&#x20AC;¦ MAKEUP!

Simphiwe Simphiwe Dana reveals the soul behind the musical genius

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS A PAIR OF SEXY SHOES

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SIMPHIWE DANA DABS A LITTLE BOLD COLOUR ON HER LIPS

WORDS: TUMI M. PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS.

TUMI M DOES THE FINAL TOUCHES

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR, KATI DIJANE POSES WITH SIMPHIWE

TUMI M SHOWS SIMPHIWE AND HER PERSONAL STYLIST, KWENA BALOYI, A LITTLE COVER SHOOT INSPIRATION

ESSAYS OF AFRICA

2017/02/23 3:54 PM

UNCOVERED EOA

Power to the people

IMAGE: Daniel Manners.

Ndoni Khanyile shares why social power should belong to all mandla is the South African version of the call to action that affirms that the ultimate power in society should lie in the hands of the people and not an elite minority. While many have given considerable efforts to make this call a reality, the fact remains that across the world power continues to rest in the hands of the politically connected and extremely wealthy. International advocacy group Oxfam says that South Africa is emblematic of the current global inequality crisis. In 2016 the group stated that 62 of the world’s richest billionaires own the same amount of wealth as the bottom 50 percent of the human race. This was later adjusted to account for growing inequality, with just eight billionaires’ wealth equalling the bottom 50 percent. In South Africa, the picture is even direr, with three billionaires reportedly owning the same amount of wealth as 42 percent of the population. While this situation may benefit the very few around the world, evidence shows that many are tired of the status quo and are ready and willing to demand a change. At home the student protests calling for free education for all were criticised by some who thought them unrealistic and irresponsible, but one can hardly say that they are unique. Countries across Europe have had to face students taking to the streets, and at times destroying property, to demand free education, and US politician Bernie Sanders’ popularity was initially buoyed by young people who supported his call for tuition free colleges. Students around the world are leveraging their stake in the democratic process by demanding the system work for them as well as the very wealthy. It is easy to give in to cynicism when you look at the statistics and wealth gap reports, but I am increasingly optimistic about the growing awareness and willingness to act on the ‘big issues’. The environment, education, criminal justice reform and ending corruption in politics are all issues that have galvanised major support both at home and abroad.

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So next time you see a news report on protests in Brazil, France, Washington DC or downtown Johannesburg consider the fact that the voices demanding change are actually acting on all our behalf. The first step in creating a fairer society is people standing up en masse and saying ‘enough!’ to business as usual. We have to dare to imagine that a system that benefits us all is within our reach and act boldly to achieve it. In South Africa it means us, the all too comfortable middle class, seeking solidarity with the plight of the poor and adding our voices to ‘their’ causes as well as ‘ours’. It means an activism that is less about social media shares and likes and more about organising, getting involved and putting our money where our politics is. Government and business would have no choice but to take note. Maybe then we will begin to create a society where power truly does belong to all the people. E

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Raising a child

with down syndrome

LEFT TO RIGHT: BROTHERS HARLAN AND MALAKAI STOW

Loren Stow is a mother of one in 500 children born with Down syndrome in South Africa. She shares her journey. have two sons, Malakai and Harlan, aged eight and seven respectively. Malakai was suspected of having Down syndrome at birth because he had certain signs. Our pediatrician noticed that he had almond-shaped eyes, low-set ears, a single palmer crease (on his hands) and a sandal gap (on his feet). She took a blood test called a karyotype to confirm that my son had extra 21 chromosomes, meaning he did have Down syndrome.

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“My husband Daryll and I didn’t want to believe it, but all the signs were there. Fortunately our relationship didn’t change at all, but I think our parenting journey changed forever. Since Malakai was our first child, we started parenting off on a different note. Our challenge at first was that we didn’t really know what to expect, and we did spend time mourning the loss of the baby that we thought we were going to have. But pretty soon we realised that Malakai was perfect just as he was. He was an angel of a baby, so good and happy. “We decided to live day by day and not worry too much about the distant future. To be honest, I think our son’s diagnosis taught us many things. Firstly, that nothing is guaranteed and you cannot predict the future, no matter how much you’d like to think you can. Secondly, we discovered that perfection comes in many shapes and sizes, and we wouldn’t change a thing. Thirdly, we learned to enjoy our children and not push them to achieve and perform to our expectations. “Our family has been fortunate enough to not experience too many prejudices regarding our son. We have a certain attitude – that he is a little boy, just like his brother. We treat him as such and expect everyone else to as well. I do not hesitate to stand up for my son when needed. “There were many doctors who questioned whether we knew that our son had Down syndrome before he was born,

with an undertone of ‘well, if you knew you certainly would have ended the pregnancy...’ and this is hurtful. But we have also experienced positive moments. “In fact, our son is so wonderful that most people who meet him and get to know him fall in love with him instantly. He is the most popular kid at school and everyone knows his name because he knows everyone’s names and greets them every day. He lights up a room and gives everyone a reason to smile. “The physical features make Down syndrome recognisable from the outside, and many people with Down syndrome have higher risks of certain health issues such as heart defects, thyroid function and vision issues, but these are mostly treatable through operations and/or medication. “Early intervention therapies are important to help young children with Down syndrome reach their full potential. We did it with our son and it has paid off more than we could have ever imagined. “I find it magical to witness Malakai and his brother’s inseparable relationship. Like most siblings they fight over any little thing, but they are also there for each other. Because they are so close in age, their relationship is very close and while it was very challenging to have two babies so close together (especially when one has special needs), it has been the best thing in the long run. “I am less active than I used to be in spreading awareness about Down syndrome, simply because life is life. We don’t spend all day thinking about Down syndrome; we just get on with it. Having two young boys means our lives are busy with school, play dates and sport. I have made lifelong friends and, of course, where there is another child with Down syndrome, there is a special link like a thread that joins our families together. “Both our children are very different and we parent them in different ways, giving them what they need. We have also learned that life is not a race, but rather a journey to be enjoyed and savoured. Malakai’s condition means that our family is different from others. It isn’t bad or horrible, just different. “I want my children to grow up to be happy, well-balanced, positive and hardworking individuals. I want them to be accepted within their community and kind in all their relationships. I also want them to be independent, find love and get married – and we will do whatever it takes for them to get there, one day at a time.” E

WORDS: AS TOLD TO KATI DIJANE. IMAGE: SUPPLIED BY LOREN STOW.

EOA REAL LIFE

ESSAYS OF AFRICA

2017/02/23 3:57 PM

READERS’ CORNER EOA

The power of second chances

WORDS AND IMAGE SUPPLIED BY THANDOLWETHU RUTH NGOBESE.

Twenty-one-year-old Thandolwethu Ruth Ngobese is slowly picking up the pieces of her life after circumstances led her astray

grew up in a small village in KwaZuluNatal called Ncome. I don’t come from a wealthy family. My dad was a bus driver, but he made sure we never went to sleep hungry. I was an indoor child and hardly knew what went on around me outside my home. “This kind of affected me because I didn’t know how to handle social things. My mother never had those girl talks with me, so whenever I was going through something I had to face it on my own and that led me to make wrong choices in life. “The only way I overcame some of the challenges I faced was to down alcohol until I was wasted in clubs. I hung around with wrong crowd, people The money paid the who were older than me, the rent, bought food and I even dated guys who and I was able to were older than me. time passed my life send it home to my was“As a mess and my parents child, but it didn’t buy didn’t want anything to do me the happiness or with me. I lived with one my boyfriends and things self-worth I knew I had of got out of control when he traded away.” started beating me up and demeaning me. He also used to kick me out of his place at night and that led to a point where I got gang raped.

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“I remember that moment vividly: It was 01h00 when he kicked me out of the flat we stayed in. On my way to my friend’s place three men dragged me to a playground and raped me. Although they took away my dignity, I am thankful they didn’t kill me. “To an extent this changed my life and led me to desperately look for a job in another province. I ended up having sex with older men in exchange for money. The money paid the rent, bought food and I was able to send it home to my child, but it didn’t buy me the happiness or self-worth I knew I had traded away. “I woke up one morning wondering why I was throwing away my future. Last year July, after a long prayer and tears had cleansed my heart, I packed my bags and headed back home like the prodigal ‘son’. “I went back to my parents and asked for their forgiveness. As a mother myself, I know the deep love parents have for their children and I experienced it when they welcomed me back home. My mother takes care of my child while I am trying to get back on my feet and since my return I have never touched alcohol or gotten involved with a man. I have gone back to school and am now doing grade 11. I want to complete my matric. “I am also pursuing modelling not only to rebuild my self-esteem, but to pursue one of my passions. If there is anything I have learned and that I want to share it’s that tough times never last, but tough people do. “I know and believe that I will make a change not only in my life, but in the lives of other young women out there who are going through challenges…one day at a time.” E

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What it really means to find yourself Health and wellness blogger, Cara-Lisa Sham reflects on the importance of self-discovery in this life’s journey his new season allows us the time to contemplate. I think it’s important to get a bit philosophical sometimes, and to gain new perspectives. This is a very healthy part of holistic wellbeing, as it enables us to define, create and determine our own ideas, concepts and beliefs that reign true for us personally. I particularly enjoy using this time to reflect on norms, ideals and the many things we take as the standard truths of life. One in particular that I have been deliberating recently is the notion of self…and the importance of finding it. UNDERSTANDING THE SELF There is so much hype around the idea of finding ourselves that we have to go on great journeys of selfexploration. If you actually think about it, the self isn’t something that can be really found, can it? The self doesn’t exist ahead of us in time; it is not tangible in any way, and it wasn’t really missing to begin with. So many of us spend our whole lives searching for, fixating on and obsessing over finding ourselves, but what are we really searching for if who we are exists already? In order to grab onto something or find it, it would have to be stationary, static and unchanging. Yet as humans we are constantly changing, shaping, moulding, improving and re-inventing ourselves through the new experiences, thoughts and ideas to which we are exposed daily. If we break this down into its component parts, the self is simply a constellation of experiences, impressions, actions, interactions, ideas and thoughts that have synergistically combined over time.

Follow Cara-Lisa’s blog at caralishious.com or connect with her on:

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The self also adjusts according to situations. Our ability to adapt and be fluid throughout different spheres of life is what enables us to be so well adjusted to our environment. It is these very parts of ourselves that in essence define us, or rather, define this notion of the self. WHY WE WORK SO HARD TO FIND IT What then are we really looking to find if we already have access to the very parts that make us who we are? We don’t always have control of the contents of our experiences and impressions, but we can control the thoughts and ideas that form around them, and how we fashion these outcomes in building onto our future. Our journey then is not so much about finding the self; rather, it is about creating ourselves. Think about how much more Think about how power we have when we much more power are in a position to create. we have when in a In finding ourselves we are passive and we have no position to create.” input into the formation of that which we seek. But in creation there is huge power! Creating the self is active; it requires innovation and thought! Creating ourselves means that we can determine what affects us and what doesn’t, through the vehicle of our very own thoughts and actions. For creativity to be sustained it must adapt, grow, improve and assimilate new learning with every new design. We are the sole determinants of who we are – there is nothing left to find, there is everything to create. E

@caralishious

Caralishious

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WORDS AND IMAGE SUPPLIED BY CARA-LISA SHAM.

GUEST BLOG EOA

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MARCH/APRIL 2017

2017/02/23 4:01 PM

EOA FASHION NEWS

MISSIBABA’S RAMONA LEATHER JACKET

The team behind the design chose to name the leather jacket ‘Ramona’ because it conjures up feelings of a women who is strong, confident and most importantly, Rock ’n Roll. The one-of-a-kind designs are available at the Bree Street store in Cape Town and the TRUMPET, Keyes Art Mile store in Johannesburg for R25 000 each.

This past summer, Bronx partnered with four stylish influencers who embody the essence of a Bronx wearer to create a campaign that brings life to the brand’s bold pieces. Kim Jayde Robinson, Anelisa Mangcu, Minky Mothabela and Lerato Kgamanyane brought flare and passion to the Bronx summer campaign with their unique take on styling their favourite designs from the season’s offering. The Bronx S16 collection is dynamic and versatile, and caters for every moment and occasion, be it a sophisticated heel for a cocktail party, a relaxed thong for an afternoon picnic or a statement shoe for a night out. Hurry and visit bronxwoman. com to locate your nearest stockist and browse the S16 range before autumn sets in.

On thefashion front LOVED UP IN PRETTY BALLERINAS

Step out in classic, elegant flats. The Ella Love Heart Ballerina Pump incorporates the long-established chic designs of the Pretty Ballerinas brand with a contemporary valentine theme to ensure any outfit is on trend this season. With a high-fronted pointed toe and a luxe embroidered heart and love logo available in soft, black or red suede, the quirky feminine element and pop of colour let your personality shine! The Pretty Ballerinas Ella Love Heart styles are available at the Pretty Ballerinas flagship store in Hyde Park Corner from R3 800. E

WORDS: THINA MTHEMBU. SOURCE: GIRL ABOUT TOWN, JK PUBLIC RELATIONS, STYLING CONCEPTS.

THE BRONX LADIES

SEE THE RUNNING BEAR

‘The Running Bear’ is the brainchild of mother Lisa K, wife of Danny K. The range is fun, trendy and playful with a contemporary bohemian undertone that will make your little one stand out in a crowd. Every pair of moccasins comes with a complimentary, personalised book called The Story of Running Bear, exclusively conceptualised and dreamed up by Lisa herself. The book makes for perfect nighttime reading and will have the little ones looking forward to putting on their Running Bear moccasins every day. Running Bear is available at select boutique stores nationwide and online at runningbear.co.za.

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Shopping

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BLACK EARRINGS WITH TASSELS, R149, H&M.

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WORDS: TUMI M. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.

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BLACK LEATHER COURT SHOES, R899, H&M.

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EOA FASHION

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GET A JUMP ON STYLE WITH THIS MONTH’S SELECTION OF MUST-HAVE ITEMS

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METAL PLAITED CHAIN NECKLACE, R219.50, COLETTE.

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GOLD STUDS “AFRICA ORNAMENTS”, R4 950, THOMAS SABO.

7 WORDS: PALESA SETLHAPELO. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.

BLACK STUDDED CUFF, R219.50, COLETTE.

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Over thetop

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WIDE-BRIM FLOPPY HAT, R399, FOREVER NEW.

BLACK, ROUND SUNGLASSES, R59.99, MRP. GREEN AND GOLD CLUTCH WITH CHAIN, R399, ZARA.

BROWN, RED AND TURQUOISE POWER BRACELET, R2 450, THOMAS SABO.

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WORDS: TUMI M. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.

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3X SOUK CHARM BANGLE, R299, ACCESSORIZE.

CHOOSE CHUNKY ACCESSORIES FOR A BOLD LOOK

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shopeditor like an

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TUMI M

WANT TO LOOK FABULOUS WHILE WORKING UP A SWEAT? TUMI Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOT YOU COVERED.

PAINT SPATTER CAP, R266.64, ZARA.

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SILVER DIGITAL WATCH, R299, H&M.

WORDS: TUMI M. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.

RED SLEEVELESS BODYSUIT, R79.99, MRP.

MELINDA ZIPTOP BACKPACK, R599, FOREVER NEW.

GREY-ANDBLACK ACTIVE LEGGINGS, R139, MRP.

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WHITE BRAIDED JUTE TRIM TRAINERS, R429, H&M.

On more on how to show like an editor, follow us on instagram.

@essaysofafrica

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Shopping

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WORDS: TUMI M. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.

FRINGE EARRINGS, R149, H&M.

PHILIPPA SOFT-STRAP WATCH, R499, FOREVER NEW.

SUNGLASSES, R59.99, MRP.

BROWN GLADIATOR SANDAL, R899, H&M.

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FOUR-PACK BRACELETS, R79.99, H&M.

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GOLD BUCKET BAG, R399, ZARA. GOLD CHAIN, R149, H&M.

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MULTICOLOUR BRACELET, R249, ACCESSORIZE.

WORDS: TUMI M. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.

ROSE GOLD LOAFERS, R199.99, MRP.

METALLIC PENCIL SKIRT, R529, H&M.

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FASHION INTERVIEW EOA

Kenyan fashion designer and founder of African Fabric & Designs Kenya Ltd, Kate Mayeye lets us into her world of glamour

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Q. Tell us a little about your professional background. I am a marketer by profession. My first formal job was with Radio Africa group in the sales department, but when I was in school I did a lot of event hosting and glamorous modelling jobs.

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EOA FASHION INTERVIEW

Q. Why did you decide to venture into the fashion industry? I have always loved fashion and grew up surrounded by it through my momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tailoring business. Q. What were the challenges you faced when starting your fashion line? One of the challenges of starting my own fashion line that stands out the most was finding a good tailor who understood my vision. Q. What is the story behind the African Fabric & Designs Kenya Ltd brand and who is your key market? I wanted to build a brand that resonates with what makes us unique as Africans. My products are mostly Africaninspired and produced solely in Africa. Our key markets are mostly in southern Africa and Sudan.

Q. What type of woman does your brand target? I dress all types of women who crave to stand out and be unique.

Q. What are the perks of being in your line of business and what are some of your milestones? There are no perks yet apart from media interest, but my biggest milestone so far has been surviving a year in business despite all the challenges I faced.

Q. What are your keys to success in the fashion industry? Passion (a major key), focus and drive. Q. What are your goals for your fashion line? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to own a bigger warehouse and have a variety of products representing different African countries. I also want to focus on learning more about African cultures to incorporate in my designs, as I strive to understand fashion influence and what makes us stand out as a brand. Q. Do you have advice for up-andcoming fashion designers? Commit to your work when you start, set a goal and do a lot of research. E

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WORDS: KATI DIJANE. IMAGE SUPPLIED BY KATE MAYEYE, SHELEADSAFRICA.ORG.

Q. How many people do you employ? At the moment I have three permanent employees and two casuals.

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Shopping

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GOLD WIDE ELASTIC METAL BRACELET, BRACELET, R129, H&M.

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DEEP PEACH CROSSBODY BAG, R129, MRP.

BLACK SKINNY JEANS,, R3 599, TIGER OF SWEDEN.

WORDS: TUMI M. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY STOCKISTS.

SCARF, R2 199, DAY BIRGEN.

BEIGE LEATHER COURT HEELS, R899, H&M.

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PRECIOUS RELOADED DRESS, R865, PLUS FAB

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REAL WOMAN EOA

SHIRLEY DRESS, R765, PLUS FAB

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GET SIMPHIWEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LOOK

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YELLOW SHELL NECKLACE, R890, THE SPACE. ILISA SKIRT, R950,KISUA. MALISA SHIRT, R700, KISUA.

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FASHION main EOA

BLUE PANTS, R400, DAVID TLALE. GEOMETRIC JERSEY, R2 750, MAXHOSA BY LADUMA. BLUE JACKET WITH FERN DETAIL, R2 200, KISUA.

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BLACK AND GOLD PEGGY DRESS, R5 499, AND BLACK AND GOLD BOMBER, R3 599, THULA SINDI.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS. SHOOT DIRECTED BY: TUMI M. STYLED BY: KWENA BALOYI. MAKEUP: VUYO VAROYI.

FASHION main EOA

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FASHION main EOA

The 22nd Annual Vukani! Fashion Awards were held in November 2016, offering South Africa’s premier platform for the empowerment of young and emerging designers. For the “Democracy” theme, designers were tasked to create designs incorporating elements of the country’s background along with African culture.

he designers’ storyboards brought to life by professional models and the top three designers were chosen in the categories of: Most Innovative Designer, Best High Fashion Design/National Costume and Best Collection/Ready to Wear. The overall national winner took home the prestigious Best Collection/Ready to Wear title. The prizes for the top three winners included cash and bursaries to help new and emerging designers on the path to success. E

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(opposite page) MODELS LEFT TO RIGHT: NANDI MBUQE. STRETCH CHIFFON DRESS, R800. KHANYA MJOLI. THAI SILK CROP TOP, R450, AND BEADED SKORTS, R600. FRANSCENA MUTALE. PLEATED STRETCH CHIFFON crop top, R500, AND GEORGETTE PANTS, R450. (this page) KANYA MJOLI. THAI SILK BEADED CROP TOP, R450 AND BEADED SKORTS, R600.

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(LEFT TO RIGHT) FRANSCENA MUTALE. DUCHESS SATIN BOW TOP, R800, AND PENCIL SKIRT, R550. NANDI MBUQE. DUCHESS SATIN AND LACE BEADED CROP TOP AND TAFETTA AND LACE skirt, R2 500 (sold as an outfit). KHANYA MJOLI. DUCHESS SATIN AND LACE top, R450, AND TULLE SKIRT, R720.

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SOURCE AND IMAGES: PUBLIC RELATIONS INSTITUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA (PRISA).

FASHION MAIN EOA

Items from pages 36 to 39 are available from Mechero online store at mechero.co.za and The Space in Bay West Mall, PE.

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COVER STORY EOA

Mission of a music maestro Simphiwe Dana’s powerful voice and soulful sounds captured the attention and hearts of people when she burst onto the music industry 13 years ago and she’s never looked back. She shares her journey from the rural Eastern Cape to performing on international stages.

nown for her social activism and fiercely guarding her privacy, an interview with the talented Simphiwe Dana was exciting. Her home is an extension of her passion for the arts, especially music, and she nonchalantly took me down her memory lane of paintings on her red walls and a stand of trophies she has won thus far. The Rising Star Award in Europe in 2006, which she got along side Elton John (who received a lifetime achievement award) stands on her mantle, along with the Feather, Metro FM and SAMA awards trophies. Dana is welcoming and down to earth as we sit down to have our conversation. “I grew up in a musical environment,” she begins. “My mother’s side of the family is musical. Mommy was a respected singer in the Eastern Cape and in my church.”

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Born in Butterworth in rural Eastern Cape, the singer is the firstborn of three sisters. Her life was centred on school and church, where she was fully active in the choir. “It’s funny that for a long time no one, even some of my family members, knew I could sing because I was scared I didn’t have that ‘conventional’ voice that my peers had,” she shares. “I felt like my voice was a bit strange. Even at school choirs my teacher used to put me at the back when I stood in front and that really used to hurt me. I only found out later in my adult life from my teacher that my voice was powerful and people would hear only me had I stood in front.” Since she didn’t have a mentor as a child, Dana thought her dreams of making a living from singing were far-fetched and she thought she would get a ‘normal’ job to help support her family. “Living off a nurse’s salary with four children to raise wasn’t easy for my mom and as the firstborn I was expected to help at home.”

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Dana only discovered that she could actually make a career with her voice when she was in matric. “A friend of mine convinced me to sing a farewell song in our matric farewell with her. After the performance our deputy principal said, ‘You know you can do this for a living’.” “Those words affirmed that I could turn my dreams into reality,” Dana says. “This is one of the reasons I believe strongly in affirming people – because my deputy principal changed my life with his words.”

“We heard about a poetry session and, as usual, I tagged along. The club we went to hosted an open mic session and when I walked into that place I saw poets, other singers and break-dancers. I knew I had found my tribe of people and felt at home, so much so that I did something I hadn’t done before – I sang solo on stage, which earned me a standing ovation,” the musician reveals. Dana’s name blew up overnight and she became friends with the likes of Shaka Sisulu and the poet, Lebo Mashile. The following week her performance was showcased on a television show called Studio Mix. “To be honest, when I discovered that club I was happy Oskido hadn’t signed me up,” Dana admits. But the pressure was on as people expected more songs from her.

LEAP OF FAITH Dana recalls how challenging her first year of university was. Armed with little cash and a lot of faith to make something of herself the singer took a bus to Port Elizabeth to further her studies in IT at PE Technikon (now known as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University). “I feel the universe works in your favour when you decide to follow your dreams. I met someone at school who took me in. My mom soldiered on, keeping me through school and worse. I didn’t even know how BEHIND THE SUCCESS to work on a computer. I had thrown When a close friend of Dana’s myself in the deep end and I had to “I felt like my voice was a introduced her to Marabi music work hard to make it.” bit strange. I only found out (South African township jazz) she Things got better for Dana the immediately fell in love with it and following year when she was awarded later in my adult life from felt connected to the refreshing a bursary. “I even worked at the my teacher that my voice sound so different to the kind of company that provided my bursary. At was powerful and people dance genre that was trending when the end of that year I decided to move she started out. to Johannesburg to pursue my calling would hear only me had I A personal tragedy triggered as a musician.” stood in front.” ‘thwel' ubunzima’, the first song of her When she moved to Johannesburg award-winning debut album, Zandisile. she was able to finish her IT course and “When I heard what had happened, I work for three years, while searching came back from work, went straight to my friend’s house for the kind of sounds she wanted to make. “With my poor and told them to just press record and the song flowed background I had to be smart about turning music into a through me. That experience showed me that I write songs business and since I worked from home, I had time to work from emotion and experiences, and not what is trending.” on my music,” she explains. After recording her album Dana was sceptical of being The award-winning singer could not pinpoint what manipulated by unscrupulous record labels. “When I was genre she wanted to sing, so she sought people to help her eight months pregnant, a poet friend of mine asked me tap into her creative side. Since she was good friends and to collaborate with him at a show. In that audience there neighbours with Oscar Mdlongwa (DJ Oskido) she begged was a promoter who wanted to book me for her shows,” him to sign her up in his music label, but they both knew Dana explains. that she wasn’t the right fit for him at that stage. “She convinced me to sign up to a label and release an A loner, Dana would tag along with her friend when she album before she booked me. For some reason I trusted her went out, but mostly spent time sleeping in the car as she and gave her my demo. Five months later I got a call from waited for her friend to return. “There was one time my Gallo and they offered me a premier artist deal, which was friend really wanted to go out, but there wasn’t anything also offered to Nana and Thandiswa.” happening that evening,” recalls Dana. Dana continues, “I was given the best budget to record and promote my album, bearing in mind that I was an unknown artist at that time. Even though I worried if my music would be well received, the process of getting into the industry was quite easy for me.” Her international career took off immediately as well. She was the second African artist who had a full audience at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, after the late Miriam Makeba, and that caught a lot of international media.

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COVER STORY EOA

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COVER STORY EOA

WORDS: KATI DIJANE. PHOTOGRAPHER: GARETH JACOBS. SHOOT DIRECTED BY: TUMI M. STYLED BY: KWENA BALOYI. MAKEUP: VUYO VAROYI. DRESSED BY: DAVID TLALE & PICHULIK X CHULAAP.

“It took me almost two years to get my full band to perform on international stages,” Dana says. “The money wasn’t much but there were great achievements. I have been in magazines, including Vogue Italia (with Youssou N’Dour, Patty Smith and others in 2010); my album was number one in Germany and number three in Europe.” The only thing that stopped her international career was the money and the fact that she didn’t want to be an absent mother to her two children, now 14 and 12. STICKS AND STONES EXPERIENCING SIMPHIWE DANA “Being in the music industry is very challenging, Simphiwe Dana offered her fans an unforgettable especially when you are a woman,” says Dana. “It’s hard performance on 26 November 2016, with her Simphiwe being treated like you don’t know what you want as an Dana Symphony Experience. It took her eight years to artist, and when you stand up for yourself you offend realise her dream, largely due to the challenge of those who think they know better than you. I wouldn’t securing funds. be where I am as a musician and a brand had I not had “The show was a huge success and my two guests, a backbone and fighting spirit!” Nigerian singer Asa and Concha Buika from Equitorial None of her albums have been inspired by happy Guinea, were a magical part of the event. If all goes experiences, but this has added to their soulfulness. “I well I want this show to be an annual event hosted in am not a trendy artist and I feel people relate to my other African countries as I strive to work with likealbums because of the human condition and what I go minded artists to heal the social ills of the world,” through inspires my music,” Dana shares. she says excitedly. “We live in a fast-food culture that Her humble childhood also planted the seed of leaves one feeling empty and I want empathy in her, which sparked her to help change that.” social activism. “I have gone against Like many phenomenal women, all odds and faced challenges to get to “When I walked into the singer juggles her career with where I am, so I try to use my voice being a single parent, which she to bring about change where I can.” that place I saw poets, admits is not easy. “Growing up Not immune to the backlash other singers and breakin an unhappy home made me that comes with standing up for the dancers. I knew I had protective of my children. I strongly rights of the voiceless, Dana says, believe that it’s better for parents to “As a feminist, women’s issues are found my tribe of people be apart than to let children live very close to my heart and since and felt at home, so much in a toxic environment. My ex and education made a difference in my so that I did something I decided to end things because I life, in many ways that’s where my wasn’t prepared to relive my past,” activism also lies.” I hadn’t done before – I says Dana. “At first I was scared to admit sang solo on stage.” She states somberly, “Our society that I am a feminist because of sees women as objects. I think we its misconception. I have been have been grooming men to think asked many times whether I am a it’s okay to ‘own’ women’s bodies and then we are musician or a politician. At times I felt attacked for shocked when we hear cries of rape. Unless we uproot using my voice beyond the studio and stages, and it the cause of this behaviour, 16 days of activism and hurts,” she admits. marches are not enough,” she urges. “This is the reason I have withdrawn from social “I wish society could create an environment where media. But having people, even those in leadership women can be safe from sexism and patriarchy. I hate positions, thanking me for voicing my opinions on it when society says women must protect themselves certain issues makes it worthwhile.” against perpetrators of violence instead of putting measures in place to prevent the violence.” As an advocate for women, Dana advises women to push for success and to love themselves. The soulful singer does believe in love and would like to have a life partner one day, but it really would take a special man to win her heart. E

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The art of letting go EOA shows you why you should stop seeing ‘letting go’ as ‘giving up’

hile life, thankfully, has its simple pleasures such as sandwiches, the feeling of sea sand between your toes, or a mischievous smile exchanged with a stranger, there are certain things that are imperative to a person’s wellbeing. Health, companionship, friendship, and a sense of purpose are only some of them. It is no mean feat trying to keep our heads above water and maintaining a sincere smile while we do so. So what happens when one of our many joys begins to feel like a burden? What happens when somebody or something that used to fill your life with positivity now leaves you feeling weighed down? Perhaps it’s time to let go. Johannesburg-based psychologist Steven Kaplan believes that if you’re trying to identify whether or not it’s time to let go of something, be it a romantic partner or a job, you will need to answer certain questions with brutal honesty. Does time spent in their company make you tired or aggravated, or do you find ways to avoid them or the situation altogether. Have you forgotten why you prioritised this part of your life in the first place? Even if the answer to these is a resounding yes, many people resist cutting certain things out of their life for fear that they are giving up, and haven’t tried hard enough.

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Registered counsellor Andy Nossel from Johannesburg suggests taking your time while addressing the situation, and consciously doing an assessment of sorts. “If a relationship is causing more stress and pain than happiness, it’s time to move on. Make a point of noting in your diary which days are good and which are bad in relation to your specific concern. When the bad days outweigh the good, it’s time to let go,” she says. However, it might not be a good idea for your testing period to go on for too long because, try as we might to ignore the signs, holding onto something that is no longer contributing to your well being has both short- and long-term negative effects. “Your self-esteem can take a huge knock if you’re in a negative relationship, either personally or professionally. If you feel vulnerable or sensitive in an unhealthy or abusive environment, you almost start believing what someone else is telling you what you’re worth.” The trick is to trust in your feelings. If you suspect something is fundamentally dysfunctional, it probably is. “When you hold onto something that’s harming you, you forget that although life is often hard, it’s really never complicated,” Kaplan explains. “Most people who come to me with this particular question are already aware that their feelings of anger, depression, anxiety

“We all have a tendency to remember only the good times. If you’re struggling with having left a job or a relationship or a place behind, you need to continually remember why you made that decision.”

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SELF-EMPOWERMENT EOA

WORDS: CHRISTY CHILIMIGRAS. IMAGE: THEPRAYINGWOMAN.COM.

“Sometimes we have to walk away from something to find out who we are.”

and despair are completely connected to something that is in fact, already dead. Their confusion about themselves is really just a consequence of their denial.” Why is it then that we are still so resistant of letting things go of things that aren’t working anymore? Kaplan says that when it comes to letting someone go in a personal capacity, it is often due to the fear of change and of losing a person which, in itself, can be as hard to cope with as an actual death. “When the time comes to let go, the best approach is probably still that of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the founder of Hospice. Her work with the terminally ill showed us that all loss is the same, whether it is a literal death or just a figurative one. Letting go is a process that follows the same five steps as dying,” Kaplan explains. And while going through the process of denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance, it is important to take note of

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your feelings and to understand that they are normal. “Everyone has different ways of expressing these, and there are no right or wrong ways, but it is very important to acknowledge that everyone will experience a version of these five steps,” says Kaplan. In the space between denial and acceptance, it is so important to stand strong in your decision despite how tempting it can be to go back to something familiar. A way in which to prevent that regression is to look at the situation for what it is and not for what you’d hoped it had been, suggests Nossel. “We all have a tendency to remember only the good times. If you’re struggling with having left a job or a relationship or a place behind, you need to continually remember why you made that decision. Keep weighing these things up and doing those reality checks.” As lonely and as scary as the process of letting go can feel, the reality of being

weighed down by something that is not meant for you will hurt infinitely more than fear of the unknown. The purpose of living is to continue to move forward, and that means understanding that change is more inevitable and necessary than it is hard. “Things end and new things begin. It will be difficult dealing with the emptiness you may feel after letting go, but let yourself feel empty for a while if you can. Don’t rush to replace it as soon as possible. There is always a very good reason why we held on in the first place. Respect that for what it was, even if it’s no longer necessary,” Kaplan says. There’s no use fighting it, and it will always hurt, but you’ll find yourself there waiting at the end of it. “Sometimes we have to walk away from something to find out who we are. And that means letting go. We probably never really want to because it hurts; but it’s always necessary.” E

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SCRIPTING A POSITIVE AFRICAN STORY orn in Lagos, Nigeria and relocated to Kaduna with her family, Wadi Ben-Hirki always had a close relationship with her family. But hers was also a journey that wasn’t immune to challenges. When she was just two years old, her family’s housekeeper poured boiling water on her body, which led to severe injuries and scarring. That incident birthed her surviving spirit, which saw her through other painful experiences she endured with her family. The third-born of five children, Wadi displayed a strength that assured her parents that she would do great things, not only for her family but also for her community. CHANGING LIVES At the age of 18 and armed with faith and a burning passion to help her community, Wadi established Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation in June 2015. The NGO helps the less-privileged, victimised and disabled children in society through its three projects. “I started my foundation at a young age because I believe a lot of people need my help. Waiting until I build a career or grow much older would only mean wasting more time, while many children in my society that I have helped may have not been empowered at all,” says the passionate founder.

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Twenty-year-old Wadi Ben-Hirki is slowly fulfilling her dream of making Africa a better place to live

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CHANGING THE FACE OF NIGERIA One of the major challenges her organisation faces is that of insufficient funds. “The fact that there were a lot of things I wanted to do but couldn’t was always devastating,” she says. Since the organisation did not have its own corporate account at its infant stage, it was unable to organise fund-raising events. “Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation is now fully registered under Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria and can now have its corporate account, so I believe generating funds through events and online platforms won’t be as difficult as before.” Their current major source is in the form of donations from friends, family, unknown donors and organisations. In July 2016, she also launched Sapphire by WBHF, a social enterprise that raises funds for Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation through the sales of her branded merchandise, including clothes, shoes, bags, purses and key holders. This social entrepreneur feels fortunate to have a lot of people working for her, especially on a voluntary basis. Wadi aims to inspire and motivate people through her positive story and the books she plans to write and publish. She also plans to go into public speaking and ministry. “One of my hopes is to change the perception of my home country,” she says. “I think the world’s view about Nigeria mostly has to do with corruption and terrorism. These are major issues we face as a country, but I believe there is hope,” Wadi continues. “I am working tirelessly towards ensuring that Nigeria gains her respect and position back, both in Africa and the world at large. I hope many other Nigerian youths will also work towards rebuilding Nigeria.”

WORDS: KATI DIJANE. IMAGE SUPPLIED BY WADI BEN-HIRKI.

“I started my foundation at a young age because I believe a lot of people need my help.”

Wadi explains the three pillars of the organisation: #Street2School project takes as many children as possible off the streets and sends them back to school to educate them both formally and informally. The foundation is responsible for the payment of their fees, provision of stationary and lunch food at school to name a few. #GirlsNotWives is a platform to fight against female genital mutilation and girl-child marriage, which is prevalent in rural areas. We also support gender equality and girl-child education through our campaigns and seminars. #LITMOW (Love In The Midst Of War) is targeted towards helping children in war-stricken areas in Northern Nigeria which have been greatly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

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PAVING A BRIGHTER FUTURE The young dreamer is grounded in her relationship with God, which she says keeps her going through tough times. “I am working really hard every day to ensure I achieve all my goals. My dream for my organisation is that it will be internationally recognised and that we expand to different countries to touch more lives.” She also hopes to meet her role model, Oprah Winfrey one day and to spread her foundation to the rest of the world through online presence and publicity, partnerships and affiliations with other organisations. If the world was her stage, Wadi believes she would give its audience this message of hope: “We are all capable of doing great things but our major setback is listening to the voices of others. Learn to listen to yourself and dare to do!” E

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Award-winning philanthropist, founder and executive director of the Global Connections for Women Foundation, Lilian O. Ajayi aims to uplift women and young people, one country at a time

Threading global unity among women aughter of US-based Nigerian activist, Chief Amina Temitope Ajayi (also known as Mama Diaspora), Lilian O. Ajayi says that her mother is among the many inspirational individuals she watched growing up. “My mom was a community leader who earned the name ‘Mama Diaspora’ because of her leadership and contributions to the African diaspora throughout the world. I was fortunate to see her in action. Through her I saw the importance of creating pathways for empowerment and opportunities for those who needed them the most,” says Lilian. The International Relations graduate from Harvard University had the opportunity to work as the global policy negotiator for the permanent mission of Nigeria to

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the United Nations (UN), serving on the social economic committee. There, she learned firsthand the importance of partnerships and diplomacy for the greater good. THE BIRTH OF A GLOBAL COMMUNITY While with the UN, Ajayi developed a desire to not only help the people of Nigeria flourish, but to also contribute to the global community at large. After working at the UN, she took the decision to start an NGO that would support both women and girls better domestically and internationally – especially in underserved communities in Africa. “My decision to start the Global Connections for Women Foundation (GC4W) created a way for me to make a difference in the world as a young global leader, while inspiring the next generation,” she adds. Through

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PROFILE EOA

her NGO she had the opportunity to speak at the UN on a number of occasions, and she has given several keynote addresses at various universities including Trinity College, University of Dublin, Columbia University and New York University. One of her personal highlights was being invited by the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to give an address on designing a sustainable development model for youth empowerment.

COMPILED BY KATI DIJANE. IMAGES: GC4WOMEN.ORG.

MISSION STATEMENT The GC4W strongly believes in women and girls and their rights to create new opportunities for themselves and their communities and was created in response to the third goal of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in reaction to the collective outcry of women and girls in underserved communities around the world. The third goal of the MDGs aims to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. “We marked our third anniversary in 2015, and our organisation has quickly grown into one of the leading international non-profits of the millennium in the areas of gender equality, women empowerment and youth empowerment. We were also named the ‘2015 Best of Manhattan’ Charity Organisation from the Manhattan Award Program,” Lilian states with some measure of pride. “I am truly grateful to God for all the accolades that have been presented to us for our global commitment, and for our endeavour in such meaningful work.” “Our goals in 2017 and beyond are to extensively expand the opportunities for youth empowerment and employment, to serve as a gateway to higher education, and to connect women and communities to global health resources. It is our hope that we can continue to count on everyone’s support to meet our new global commitments,” says the founder.

“Our goals are to extensively expand the opportunities for youth empowerment and employment.” 2017 GC4W EVENTS

Some of the GC4W’s events for this year include:  GC4W International Women’s Day Awards are scheduled for Saturday, 18 March 2017. These will honour outstanding individuals for their contributions to humanity including Mayor Bill de Blascio (Mayor of New York City), Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Executive Direcor of UN Women), Tariq Farid (Founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements) and Microsoft Skype.  GC4W is scheduled to launch the ‘Diabetes Health Education Program’ on the Skype Classroom Platform in June 2017, in partnership with Microsoft, Skype Classroom and the Global Educational Diabetes Group.  GC4W Health and Beauty Expo in Los Angeles is scheduled for October 2017.

CONNECTING THE WORLD Through her passion for African women and youth, Lilian’s NGO has impacted the lives of over 3.5 million people globally. The major highlights of her career have been working in both the public and private sectors, and she believes that both experiences have attributed to the success of her NGO. Serving as a global policy advisor at the UN under the Nigerian mission, she learned diplomacy and developed an understanding on how to deal with the problems of the world through prioritisation and collaboration. In the private sector she learned firsthand how to create a global marketing strategy, and assess the market intelligence to meet the goals of the organisation. The driving force behind Lilian’s passion is a need she couldn’t ignore and she advises other women to not turn a blind eye. “The truth is that the world needs to continue to see more women, especially African women, making bold moves in their careers.” E Connect with GC4Women at gc4women.org or hit them up on social media at:

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GUEST HOSTS FARAI GUNDAN AND SHANNON LANIER WITH LILIAN O. AJAYI

“The truth is the world needs to continue to see more women, especially African women, making bold moves in their careers.” GC4Women

GC4Women

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WOMEN WOMEN

LeAnne Dlamini takes a stand on ending girl hate

eAnne Dlamini is all about living a positive life filled with love, hope and inspiration for others. Tired of the negativity, jealousy and competition happening among women in almost every field, she decided to take a step towards forming an initiative that focuses on ending girl hate. What started as her passion project has turned into something bigger than she had ever imagined.

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Dlamini says her two young daughters inspired her to start the #EndGirlHate movement. She told us that she needed to be the change that she wanted to see in the world, even if it was just for her children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I needed them to have a different mindset and a positive way of how they treated other girls.â&#x20AC;? With the school bullying epidemic, this mother couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sit back and let this behaviour become a norm, so she used her voice through social media to impact people rather than impress them.

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WOMEN’S NETWORK EOA

THE START OF A MOVEMENT Every women is faced with some sort of challenge and rather than facing it alone, initiatives like #EndGirlHate allow and encourage women and girls from all walks of life to come together and support each other every step of the way. “Having compassion for others makes the world a better place,” adds Dlamini. She started by hosting four small, intimate Women 4 Women breakfasts in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where women got together to network, encourage and give each other support. In August 2016 she decided to step it up a notch and hosted her first Sisterhood conference, which Dlamini describes as “incredible!” With this movement Dlamini hopes that women and girls will be more supportive of each other and that they’ll start cheering each other on, and above all else, being kind to one another.

“I decided to use my voice through social media to impact people rather than impress them.”

Dlamini wants to see the sisterhood grow beyond South African borders and the team is already planning their first #EndGirlHate Botswana event. This year will see many more breakfasts, conferences, seminars and workshops. “I am a true believer in women and I want us to win life!” For women planning on starting similar initiatives, Dlamini says, “Stop thinking and just do it already!” Taking on such projects is not easy and things won’t always be perfect, but sisterhood needs us now more than ever. It’s impossible for an initiative like #EndGirlHate to be everywhere all the time, so Dlamini encourages women to “bloom where you are planted and continue to spread the sisterhood message of kindness, love and support for one another.”

COMPILED BY THINA MTHEMBU. IMAGES: END GIRL HATE.

REACHING MORE WOMEN With #EndGirlHate piquing the interest of groups in the USA and Canada, the movement has been set on a course for greatness and slowly, but surely, women are uniting everywhere. Dlamini has already started speaking to girls in high schools, as she feels that they too need guidance and love more than anything else. She believes strongly that young girls and women are hungry for mentorship programmes.

A MESSAGE TO THE UNIVERSE “I want everyone, woman and girl, out there to know that no matter what your circumstances are, you matter, you are valuable and you are worthy of your dreams. And as women, we need to keep reminding each other that!” When asked why it was important that this message reaches everyone who’s willing to listen, Dlamini says, “We have lost our sense of hope and I want that sparkle in their eye to come back. Nothing in life comes easy but you need to fight, believe in yourself and work hard at becoming the best you can be.” E

“Bloom where you are planted and continue to spread the sisterhood message of kindness, love and support for one another.” E SSAYS O F A F R I C A

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Visit endgirlhate.com or follow the movement on social media:

End Girl Hate

@endgirlhate

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1976 UPRISING IN SOWETO

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NEWS REPORT EOA

Hope and hostility Human rights in Africa

As South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day in honour of those killed in 1960 during a peaceful antiapartheid protest in Sharpeville, EOA looks to the rest of the continent in an investigation of human rights in Africa

cenes of jubilation broke out across The Gambia in January 2017, as former president Yahya Jammeh finally agreed to step down following 22 years of rule. The tiny west African nation had been beset by enforced disappearances, torture, intimidation and arbitrary arrests at the hands of security forces in Jammeh’s increasingly desperate bid to preserve his grip on power. The former army officer ruled with an iron fist since taking office in a 1994 coup, creating a climate of fear that suppressed opposition. Events came to a head in April 2016, thanks to the brave actions of opposition activist Solo Sandeng, who led a rare public protest calling for electoral reform. Sandeng was arrested by The Gambian police and taken to the headquarters of the National Intelligence Agency, where he was brutally beaten to death. Other protestors were arrested and tortured alongside Sandeng in a wave of mounting repression, with Jammeh issuing an ominous threat to those standing up against his reign of fear: “Let me warn those evil vermin called opposition,” he said in May 2016. “If you want to destabilise this country, I will bury you ninefeet deep.”

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On 1 December 2016, Jammeh was defeated in the country’s elections, losing out to Adama Barrow. The path to victory for Barrow was not a smooth one though, with Jammeh rejecting the results and declaring a state of emergency that saw more crackdowns on opposition members. An estimated 46 000 people fled The Gambia for Senegal at the onset of the crisis. It was the diplomatic efforts of regional leadership that brought the crisis to a halt, led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). ECOWAS refused to compromise and pushed for enforcing the outcome of the December elections. Finally, amidst firm pressure from West African leaders, the dictator Jammeh left the Presidential Palace on 22 January. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in the capital city of Banjul as his plane whisked him off to exile in Equatorial Guinea. Jammeh’s departure heralds the first democratic transition of power The Gambia has ever seen. A founder member of the #Gambiahasdecided movement, Salieu Taal, stated: “It will be a new dawn for human rights and civil society in Gambia.” Indeed, Adama Barrow has promised to dramatically improve the country’s human rights record, calling for a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the crimes of the country’s former leader.

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The actions of west African leaders and activists have set a precedent of human rights for the continent, which saw widespread violations due to government repressions, torture and civil war throughout 2016. As noted by Human Rights Watch in their 2017 World Report, a disconcerting number of leaders have removed or extended term limits to stay in office, while others have used violent methods to suppress protests over unfair elections or corrupt rule. From Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980, to Omar al-Bashir, who seized power in Sudan in 1989, autocratic leaders facing charges of human rights abuses hold sway in many regions. Africa’s longest-serving ruler, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, has been accused of kidnappings, torture and unlawful killings. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been in power since 1986 and is facing mounting accusations of cracking down on dissent. Burundi descended into a state of lawlessness in April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid for a disputed third term, despite the two-term limit set forth in the Arusha Accords. Members of the ruling party’s youth league, the Imbonerakure, have savagely killed, tortured and severely beaten scores of people across the country. According to human rights organisations in the region, the Imbonerakure cracked down on protesters and members of opposition groups, clubbing to death a 15-year-old boy and blinding others. More than 325 000 people have fled the country since the start of the crisis, with hundreds of women reporting gang rapes by members of the Imbonerakure. “Attackers from Burundi’s ruling party youth league tied up, brutally beat, and gang-raped women, often with their children nearby,” reports Skye Wheeler from the Human Rights Watch. Due to highly restrictive abortion laws, women pregnant as a result of rape are forced to have the children. Burundi’s government has vehemently denied the allegations, in spite of increasingly high profile acts of violence. The crisis has reversed the country’s efforts to recover from its bloody civil war that came to an end in 2005, with the fractures of the past resurfacing.

A REGION IN REVOLT East Africa has witnessed some of the most pernicious human rights violations in recent months, with the governments of Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda clamping down on peaceful protests and free expression. A wave of protests broke out in Ethiopia in November 2015, after the government proposed to expand the boundaries of the capital city Addis Ababa into the Oromia regional state. Many farmers feared they could lose their farmlands as citizens accused the state of seizing land in return for minimal compensation, before selling it on to foreign investors at inflated prices. The country plunged into a human rights crisis last year, with a state of emergency leading to arbitrary detention, restriction of social media access and banning of communications with foreign groups.

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Security forces killed hundreds and detained tens of thousands of protesters in the Oromia and Amhara regions during 2016; many were reportedly tortured behind bars. Those detained include journalists, bloggers, musicians, teachers, and health workers. Moderates like the opposition leader Bekele Gerba have been charged with terrorism and remain behind bars. Although the Ethiopian government announced the release of 9 800 people detained for their participation in antigovernment protests in January 2017, they represent fewer than half of those arrested since the state of emergency began in October last year.

POLITICS OF HOPE Africa has an ancient history of protecting human rights, with many scholars pointing out that the Manden Charter, established at the founding of the Mali Empire in the 1200s, likely predates the West’s Magna Carta. The spoken document speaks on social peace, the sanctity of human life, women’s rights, the right to an education, food security, and even to self-expression. Since independence from colonial rule, the continent has seen triumphs and failures in its human rights record, which has not been helped by interference from Western powers through neocolonial policies and enforced ‘third-world’ debt. This has been compounded by the foreign policy of the US administration, which fostered greater instability in Africa with the destruction of Libya and the Africa has an partitioning of Sudan. The situation is not likely to ancient history of improve in 2017 following the protecting human inauguration of Donald Trump rights, with many as president of the United States, who has praised more than one scholars pointing African leader for displaying out that the Manden little interest in promoting Charter, established at human rights. Indeed, as noted by human rights organisations the founding of the Mali and activists, the rise of populist Empire in the 1200s, leaders in the US and Europe likely predates the poses a dangerous threat to basic rights protections while West’s Magna Carta.” encouraging abuse by autocrats around the world. The scenes of celebration in The Gambia represent a challenge to neo-imperial powers and the rule of despots. The voices of dissent that speak out against government repression have sparked a new politics of hope, as witnessed by the global women’s marches following Trump’s inauguration, the student protests across South Africa and the myriad brave activists risking their lives in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and throughout the continent. The crux of their cry for change is articulated best by Frantz Fanon, who wrote: “we revolt simply because, for many reasons, we can no longer breathe.” E

WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGE: unisahistory.ac.za.

AFRICA’S “STRONG MEN”

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HOW TO GET PAID WHAT YOU ARE WORTH Landing your dream job is one thing, but are you paid a salary that matches your skills and contribution to the company? fter two years of being unemployed I was desperate to get into the job market and happy with the meager salary my previous company offered me,” says 31-yearold marketing consultant, Thandi*. “A year later, I researched the actual marketrelated salary and saw that I was paid much less, despite the effort I had put into the company.” “I feared expressing my concern to my manager and felt demotivated for a while, but with the assurance of my best friend, who mentioned that my boss wasn’t a mind reader, I set up a meeting with her,” Thandi continues. “It was really frightening talking about money issues with her in that boardroom, but I had all the resources to prove that I was worth a certain salary. Unfortunately, my pay was only increased by a few hundred rand.”

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With statistics showing that the gender pay gap between men and women remains at 35 percent, women are more likely to hesitate negotiating what goes into their bank account at the end of the month.

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career EOA

“I loved this job but when another opportunity arose, I made sure I negotiated a salary I was happy with during that interview. When I showed my previous employer the offer I received, they couldn’t match it, which for a fairly big company that is doing well in the market, leads me to wonder if they really couldn’t afford to increase my salary – or if they just didn’t want to.” DIARIES OF UNDERPAID EMPLOYEES Few of us would be shocked to learn that many of our colleagues in the same industry are paid more than others. Whether our schooling or our upbringing has anything to do with it, it appears that we have not been equipped with adequate negotiation skills or given the opportunity to prove our financial worth at work. With statistics showing that the gender pay gap between men and women remains at 35 percent, women are more likely to hesitate negotiating what goes into their bank account at the end of the month. According to career experts, employees make the mistake of thinking that the only way to get a pay increase is to move to another job but this is not the case, especially if your company considers you to be an asset. That being said, it is important that you evaluate the perks your company offers, as well as the role they play in ensuring your overall job satisfaction beyond your pay slip. Do the medical and retirement benefits make up for your lower net income (cost to company), or do they offer free courses to upskill or assist with study fees? This can help put things into perspective before you go to the drawing board. If your company offers you neither a competitive package or provides benefits beyond just a salary, do a little research to find out what you are worth.

 Have I been in my field of industry long enough to warrant my desired salary?  What skills have I acquired over the years that have contributed to the company or industry I am in?  What measurable success have I made during my time in the company? A m I worth the money I request? If you are true to yourself it will be easier to negotiate a better pay with your boss. There are other factors that you also need to consider before you schedule that meeting, such as the size of the company and if it can afford the salary you want. Sometimes it is better for your overall health and wellbeing to work for a company that tries to keep its employees happy, rather than one that offers a higher salary. People have different reasons and goals when it comes to their careers; if money is your goal and you truly believe that you’re underpaid, then you should be ready and willing to leave if you don’t get what you’re asking for.

WORDS: KATI DIJANE. IMAGE: bigstock.

If you are true to yourself it will be easier to negotiate a better pay with your boss.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Your first point of reference is to find out the market-related salary for your field and position, which you can do at salaryscale. com or payscale.com. As you do this, it is important to be honest with yourself when answering the following questions:

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HOW TO NEGOTIATE A PAY INCREASE  Prepare your boss by scheduling a meeting through the proper channels and give them an idea of what it is about. This will give both of you time to prepare adequately for a meaningful discussion.  Ask for the increase. Back it up with your strengths, skills and known contributions.  Consider non-financial benefits if the company can’t increase your pay. You can negotiate more flexible work hours, leave days and benefit packages (if these are offered) – or even a job title.  Be prepared for a no. As long as you don’t threaten to leave and sound confrontational, the worst you will hear is a no. Prepare yourself emotionally for this, ask for the best time to revisit the issue and follow up closer to the time. E

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Avoid insurance mishaps Every car, home and business owner is dependant on insurance to avoid more financial headaches during unforeseen events. Shopping for the right policy is important to prevent frustration and save money. m a rc h/ a p r i l 2 0 1 7

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nsurance is often met with mixed reactions and many people make the mistake of cancelling or avoiding insurance when trying to cut costs. The truth is you need insurance to protect your loved ones and valuable assets from financial risks should anything go wrong. Being underinsured can also leave you in a dire financial situation when you suffer loss, as you will have to dig deeper into your pockets to cover repair, health and even funeral costs. However, you also donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to waste money every year on high premiums through overinsurance. Having insurance is just as important as investing money for long-term financial goals, such as retirement. Looking for the right insurance requires a lot of research and not buying into sales agents selling you peace of mind. Be careful when shopping around for insurance policies that suit your unique needs and while you are at it, ask insurance brokers about their terms and conditions to avoid cases of being over- or underinsured.

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WORDS: KATI DIJANE. IMAGE: pixabay.

Be careful when shopping around for insurance policies that suit your unique needs and while you are at it, ask insurance brokers about their terms and conditions to avoid cases of being over- or underinsured. THE BIG DEAL Knowing what both terms mean is vital when looking for the right insurance policy. Being underinsured, for instance, for your house (a valuable asset) and your car (which loses market value daily) would mean that if you claim after a natural disaster or robbery, the insurer will assess the value of that property as part of the claims processing routine. If your insurance company discovers that you are underinsured they may, if there is a clause in the contract, ‘apply average’ to the policy. Simply put this means that your insurance company is allowed to Most people are at risk reduce their payout in of being underinsured the event of the claim in due to negligence proportion to the amount underinsured. Before and rising inflation agreeing to any policy, look rates that create a out for an ‘apply average’ huge gap between clause and find out how this could affect your policy. the market value for Insurance companies which you insured your should explain to you how goods and its real they calculate a claim amount that will guarantee replacement value. value for your money, especially when it comes to the replacement value of your insured items. According to South African insurance blog Insurance chat, the replacement value of goods is what it would cost you at the time of a claim to replace all your belongings with similar new ones. When you submit a claim, your insurer will calculate the replacement value for which you are insured and if you insured your belongings for less than that, your insurer will only pay a portion of your claim. Most people are at risk of being underinsured due to negligence and rising inflation rates that create a huge gap between the market value for which you insured your goods and its real replacement value.

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Overinsurance is just as financially taxing, as you have coverage for more than the value of your insured possessions. With overinsurance you run the risk of paying too much in premiums from the moment that the market value of your insured goods is less than the amount insured. This means that, depending on your policy, when you claim you will only receive money for the replacement value of the insured item, and not necessarily all the excessive premiums you paid. Overinsurance poses a moral risk, as well as a risk to the insurance industry, especially when it comes to insurance fraud by the consumer. In 2014 in South Africa, 7 360 fraudulent insurance claims worth over R400 million were blocked, a significant increase from 2 093 cases the previous year, while irregular claims for deaths tripled between 2013 and 2014. Being either under- or overinsured has the potential of even further financial strain for you, and possibly even legal disaster. E

HOW TO AVOID BEING UNDERINSURED:  Keep in mind that the replacement value of goods changes over time.  If the policy is not reviewed and the higher replacement value not taken into account, cover becomes inadequate.  You or an expert need to make a realistic estimate of the true replacement value of your insurable assets.  Insure an item for its replacement value.  Update your household inventory list or other list of assets on a regular basis to ensure that any new items are included, and remove items that you no longer have. AVOID BEING OVERINSURED:  Be proactive with your insurance and financial needs.  Study the terms and conditions of your policy to gain an understanding of what your insurer regards as ‘overinsurance’.  Review your insurance coverage annually and ask your broker or insurance company to ensure that property is not insured for more than its market value.  The aim should be to purchase the right cover at the right price. POLICIES YOU NEED TO HAVE:  Long-term disability insurance: While we would prefer not to think about it, you need to choose a disability policy that provides enough coverage to allow you to continue your current lifestyle should anything unforeseen happen.  Life insurance: This policy protects the people that are financially dependent on you in the event of your death.  Home and vehicle insurance: The right policies will give you peace of mind when it comes to repairing or replacing your possessions.  Health insurance: The sky-rocketing cost of quality medical care neccessitates this policy. E

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easonal allergies are also known as ‘hay fever’ or seasonal allergic rhinitis, and are allergy symptoms that occur during certain times of the year, usually when the air is filled with fungal spores or pollen particles from trees, grasses and weeds. WHAT CAUSES SEASONAL ALLERGIES? Seasonal allergies are caused when the body triggers an immune response to small particles of animal or plant proteins, such as pollens, pet dander and foreign substances in the air. The body considers these substances to be invaders and releases histamines and other chemicals, which inflame the nose and airways, to fight off the invasion. Seasonal hay fever occurs at specific times of the year and perennial hay fever occurs all year round.

NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT! You may know it as hay fever, but the truth is that this irritating condition has very little to do with hay and more to do with warm, dry weather and pollen M A RC H/ A P R I L 2 0 1 7

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THE SYMPTOMS OF HAY FEVER The symptoms of hay fever may start at different times of the year depending on what you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to pollen, then your symptoms will be worse when the pollen count is highest. Symptoms include:  Frequent bouts of sneezing.  Intense itching of the nose and of the palate and even the ear canals.  Runny nose.  Stuffy nose all the time or during specific seasons.  Red, itchy, swollen and watery eyes.  Eyes sensitive to light.  Reddened, pebbly lining in the lower eyelids.  Blocked nose (either one or both nostrils).  Frequent throat clearing and snoring. If left untreated, hay fever can cause serious complications such as:  Sleep disturbances  Daytime tiredness  Headaches  Poor concentration  Recurrent ear infections in children  Recurrent sinus infections in adults  Asthma, which is more difficult to control.

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HEALTH EOA

WORDS: THINA MTHEMBU. IMAGES: ISTOCK.

ALLERGY TESTING The doctor will perform or order allergy tests to determine what you are allergic to. These involve pricking the surface of your skin with a drop of different liquid allergens. After 15 to 20 minutes, the doctor or allergist will look for bumps or welts, like small mosquito bites, which indicate an allergy. Sometimes, when the allergist needs to be sure of certain allergens, they may request a second level of testing, called intradermal testing, in which a lower concentration of allergen is injected deeper into the skin with a fine needle. If you have a rash or the number of suspected allergens is small, a blood test can check for antibodies specific to those particular allergens.

Seasonal hay fever occurs at specific times of the year and perennial hay fever occurs all year round.

WILL AVOIDING POLLEN HELP?

HOW DO YOU TREAT HAY FEVER?

It is impossible to completely avoid pollen; however, symptoms tend to be less severe if you reduce your exposure to pollen.  Stay indoors as much as possible and keep the windows and doors shut.  Avoid cutting grass, large grass places and camping.  Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors.  Wear wrap-around sunglasses when you go out.  Keep car windows closed and check if you have pollen filters for the air vents in your car. These should be changed at every service.

Hay fever cannot be cured and preventative measures need to be employed such as avoiding exposure to any identified allergens. In severe or recurring cases, your doctor may suggest using medication to help your symptoms such as:  Non-sedating antihistamines  Decongestants  Eye drops  Steroid nasal sprays for older children.

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In typical seasonal cases, your doctor or pharmacist can give you advice on a course of action. However, it is important that you consult a specialist if you are concerned that the allergies are having a negative impact on your quality of life. E

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10 SIGNS YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS ALREADY OVER When your heart and certain actions tell you that your relationship is already over, simply let it go he saying, ‘life is what you make of it’ proves that life isn’t really a mystery to be solved but a simple journey that offers abundant lessons. The same applies to relationships. Being in love is another aspect of your life that helps bring out attributes you didn’t know you already had.

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Although wedding bells may ring in your head from the moment you meet your partner, some relationships are not meant to last. Yes, it hurts when you didn’t see a break-up coming, especially if you thought everything was going well or when you gave it your all. But many women hang on to the thread of a breaking relationship because of the time and energy they have invested into it.

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WORDS: KATI DIJANE. IMAGE: ISTOCK.

RELATIONSHIPS EOA

Mandisa Ndlovu* knows this all too well. She says that the future of her relationship was blurry from the moment she started dating her ex-boyfriend. “Our relationship didn’t start off on a bed of roses,” says Ndlovu. “After he showed interest in me, I gave in but he immediately told me we wouldn’t work. As I had fallen for him, I persisted, hoping I’d see the side of him I’d seen in the few weeks we were together.” She continues, “After giving the relationship another try, I don’t recall beautiful memories,” she continues. “He would cancel on me countless times; I would be the only one presenting him with gifts or showing commitment.” “Those were the worst seven months of my life,” Ndlovu admits. “When I eventually broke ties with him I was so drained and hurt by the fact that I had known our relationship was over before it had even begun.” Pyschologist, Dr Marie HartwellWalker says that there are various reasons women hold on to dead relationships, including low self-esteem and believing that they can change their men. “Because the relationship started out wonderfully and because he can be so terrific after a fight, you hold onto the idea that you can bring out the best in him. All you have to do is find the right words and behave in the right way, and you’ll have the man of your dreams,” she says. “No one can make another person be anything,” Hartwell-Walker advises. “He has to want to change because it will make him a better person, not because he made an insincere promise to make up after a fight.” Letting go of a failing or toxic relationship is the best thing you can do for yourself, because as a wise person once said: “Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it’s better to leave them broken than hurt yourself trying to put them back together.” * Name changed for privacy

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‘It hurts when you didn’t see a breakup coming, especially if you thought everything was going well or when you gave it your all.’

SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME TO LET GO 1. You are distant: Physical distance might or might not make the heart grow fonder, depending on your perspective, but we are talking about emotional disconnection here. If you find you are the only one who cares about how his day was, or you are the only one calling or texting and organising dates, it’s time to re-evaluate the future of your relationship. 2. Fuzzy future: Do you remember the times you talked about your hopes about the future? Your plans of building a family and achieving your dreams together? Do your conservations still follow these paths? If not, it might be that he no longer sees a future with you. 3. Body language: This is one of the clearest signs of communication you will get from your partner, from his smile and warm gaze to public displays of affection. If this has changed and you feel a lack of intimacy between you, it is definitely time to reassess your relationship. 4. Constant fights: It’s normal to express your differences, but if you are fighting over just about everything, head for the door and don’t look back. 5. He belittles you: You deserve to be treated like the queen that you are. If your man puts you down, embarrasses you, swears at you or becomes aggressive with you, it is time to count your losses and leave. 6. You are glad he cancels on you: If you dread the dates you have organised and breathe a sigh of relief when something else comes up, your relationship has run its course. 7. Your best friends and family just tolerate him: Those who love you want what’s best for you and care about your happiness, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Take their comments and advice to heart because you might be too close to the situation to see the truth. 8. He is not apologetic: If your man used to make it up to you after a disagreement or disappointment, but now shifts the blame squarely onto your shoulders, or doesn’t apologise at all, let him go. 9. You don’t trust him anymore: If he constantly breaks your trust, by not keeping his promises or, worse, by cheating on you, what is there to hold on to? 10. Your gut says it’s over: Many women would avoid a dangerous situation or heartache if they listened to and trusted their intuition. Graciously walk away if you sense he is not really the one for you. E

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EOA innerman

EMASCULATED eunuch is a man whose reproductive organs have been removed against his will. His function in society is to provide for and guard the woman without being able to partake in her pleasure. Reproductive men send him on errands to perform both meaningful and menial tasks, which he performs with absolute loyalty because, after all, he is harmless. In essence, a eunuch is an impotent but hardworking and useful man. There are many men, of all races and social strata, that have been castrated – maybe not physically – but have been enslaved somehow to work hard, provide for, love and support others because they feel powerless to do otherwise. One way in which a man can be emasculated is straight-up witchcraft. This is witchcraft that enslaves a man to the will of another – usually a woman. His money belongs to her, his strength, his focus – he runs around at her every whim and caprice, and is unable to rise above this and pursue his own vision and purpose in life. Through witchery, his purpose is redefined to be the slave of the enslaving woman. And, yes, believe me, Most men lead witchcraft is very real! Enslavement could also lives of quiet result from manipulative abuse desperation. Some of a man. I know a man who men become men got involved with a woman he without ever having considered his social, economic aesthetic superior. Because been boys because and he was so grateful just to be circumstances forced in her life, he did whatever them to grow up it took to remain there. the woman realised before their time." When his desperation, she began to leverage it to her advantage. She eventually got so seduced by the power she had over him that she just kept milking him dry financially, emotionally and psychologically – until one day he snapped and took his own life, after taking hers. A man is supposed to leave his father and his mother’s house and be with his wife. But at times, a man can fall into abuse by his own biological

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family. I have seen men being made to feel guilty for being successful when the rest of their family is not, and being made to support them when he can barely make ends meet. These are times when things fall apart; the centre cannot hold because the best lack conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity. Most men lead lives of quiet desperation. Some become men without ever have enjoyed being boys because circumstances forced them to grow up before their time. Imagine being a boy but being made into a woman against your will by another man, never to see yourself as a man – ever; or growing up poor while surrounded by a sea of abundance, feeling disenfranchised, giving rise to anger and murderous intent – living angry, feeding the demons of rebellion – enduring all of this in absolute silence. Healing comes to a man once he is able to separate the traumatic event from his experience of the event. It is not the witchcraft; nor the woman; nor the family; and circumstances of his life. He is not powerless to survive this – in fact he is more powerful than he has ever imagined. He needs to first separate the event from his experience of it, regain his power and self-worth and then begin to heal and find his way forward. I guess the man has to believe he is the solution to his own problems and allow those who love to help him out of a dark situation. E

WORDS AND IMAGE: REVEREND THEMBA KHUMALO.

The Reverend Themba Khumalo questions whether society would also stand up against some men’s experiences often swept under the carpet: abuse

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SEX & INTIMACY EOA

SHADES OF PLEASURE

THE LOWDOWN ON BDSM You may have seen the movie and even read the book…but how much do you actually know about the world of BDSM? EOA gives you the kinky lowdown on all things ‘deviant’.

icture the steamiest, raunchiest sex you’ve ever had – whether in your head or with a lover. The chances are it includes an element of BDSM. Although most of us don’t own whips and paddles, we’ve all had erotic experiences or fantasies that involve some form of role-play. Whether you like it on top or from behind, sexual play is all about dominance and submission, which often varies from moment to moment. You may think of yourself as more of a vanilla gal between the sheets, but you don’t need a ‘Red Room of Pain’ to engage in the risqué pleasures of BDSM. BDSM encompasses myriad different acts, fetishes, fantasies and mentalities. It includes bondage and discipline (BD), which involves restraint, power play or dominationsubmission (D/s); and sadomasochism (SM), which involves spanking, flogging or other types of intense sensation. Essentially, BDSM is all about the erotic and sexual acts and mind-sets of dominating and relinquishing control. Most who engage in it do not necessarily embrace all of its forms. Maybe the thought of being tied up excites you, or you enjoy spanking or being spanked. Or maybe you’re more interested in acting out fantasies of control and submission. All of that – and a whole lot more – is within the realm of BDSM.

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EOA SEX & INTIMACY

THROW OUT THE RULEBOOK “BDSM doesn’t have to follow any pattern, and there is no one model for what a BDSM relationship can be,” writes Thorn. It is not necessarily hardcore sadomasochism; it can be remarkably subtle, sensual and soft. Pinning your lover to the bed and running silk or ice cubes over their body qualifies as BDSM. Taking the reins can increase your sexual confidence and sense of agency, while giving your partner a break from having to be on top, psychologically as well as physically. The trick is to have an open mind to sexuality; exploring different parts of yourself and discovering new things that turn you on can be hugely beneficial in a relationship. ARE YOU A DOM OR A SUB? In BDSM, the submissive agrees to submit to the dominant; or, alternately, one person agrees to receive some sort of sensation, such as spanking, from another. Some people like to be submissive all the time, others like to be dominant all the time; some people like to switch, being submissive one day and dominant the next. There’s no rule that says you can’t be both dominant and submissive in different situations. In fact, it can be extremely liberating to experiment in different roles within power play. The power exchange can be benign and formal, like a schoolteacher making a student behave, or it can take more intense forms depending on where your imagination takes you. Whether you are dominating or submitting, be confident about your body and desires – it’s the ultimate aphrodisiac. Try telling your lover that you won’t touch them until they pleasure you with their fingers or tongue, exactly as you like it. It’ll have you both panting with desire.

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CONSENT IS KEY BDSM challenges partners to explicitly communicate their desires prior to sexual activity. As noted by sex researcher and neuroscientist Dr Debra Soh, “Consent is the critical element that separates healthy sexual encounters from assault.” In BDSM, lovers arrange things in advance with clear, intimate communication, which creates a special erotic bond. This requires selfacceptance and a willingness to be completely vulnerable. Everything hinges on the trust between partners. You need to be able to trust your partner to respect your need to slow down or stop, and they need to be able to trust you to let them know when you’ve had enough. BDSM is a mutual activity that is primarily driven by the desires of the submissive. The submissive sets the limits, decides what places can and cannot be explored, and can call a halt to the fantasy at any time. The dominant, in many ways, is simply a facilitator.

S&M S&M is whips and chains, it’s spanking, and it’s bruises and welts. The term comes from the names of two European aristocrats, the Marquis de Sade and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, who both wrote extensively about the pleasure to be found in the giving and receiving of pain as part of sexual play – sadism and masochism respectively. If you’ve ever enjoyed pulling someone’s hair, smacking someone’s bottom during sex, or revelled in a sharp bite from a lover, you’ve taken at least a tentative first step into S&M. SAFE WORDS “Safe words are probably one of the most important norms that have spread across the community,” says Soh. “They can essentially be anything you want, as long as it’s something that you wouldn’t normally say during sex.” Any person in a dominant role who fails to honour pre-arranged safe words violates the other’s trust and destroys the relationship. A ‘Dom’ may act dominant, but they must also be caring and nurturing, taking their lover to an agreedupon limit, but never beyond it. In this way, BDSM provides an opportunity for everyone to experiment with taking and surrendering power, while always feeling safe and cared for.

The basic principles of BDSM can be extremely liberating, where lovers act out a fantasy that involves taking or relinquishing power.

GET BONDED If you’ve ever put a blindfold on a partner, tied their hands with scarves or even used furry handcuffs, you’ve dabbled in B&D. Bondage is the use of restraints to enhance sexual pleasure and discipline is the use of rules or punishment to control or reward behavior in a sexual context. Either can be as innocuous as mild foreplay – a prelude to less exotic sex – or it can be an activity in its own right. For many, it involves more than just physical sensation. A simple blindfold can be a powerful sexual stimulant: any time one of our five senses is taken away, our remaining senses become heightened. It creates anticipation and puts your lover entirely in your hands, allowing you to play writer, director and producer of your wildest fantasy. Similarly, being handcuffed forces our bodies to do what our minds want them to do – nothing. Restraint leaves our bodies with no other option than to fully enjoy the intensity of sex.

AFTERCARE In BDSM, aftercare is the time you and your partner take after sex or ‘play time’ to recover and see to each other’s emotional and physical needs. While we may want our partner to dress as a demanding authoritarian who exacts punishment on us during kinky play, that’s not how we want them to treat us during the normal course of our relationship. Aftercare functions as a recalibration for the normalcy of your relationship. Trust, intimacy and open, honest communication are hallmarks of the BDSM lifestyle. Whether you’re into kinky sex or not, these are critical aspects of any healthy sexual relationship. E

WORDS: CARYN THANDI PETERSEN. IMAGE: masaze-reiky-martina.cz.

FORGET CHRISTIAN GREY According to writer and educator Clarisse Thorn, author of the blog book The S&M Feminist (CreateSpace, 2012), BDSM isn’t something that emerges from abuse or domestic violence, and engaging in it does not mean that you enjoy abuse or abusing. The basic principles of BDSM can be extremely liberating, where lovers act out a fantasy that involves taking or relinquishing power. Role-playing provides a framework for self-discovery and exploration and allows you to exercise your imagination in a fun, safe and fulfilling way.

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PARENTING EOA

When learning doesn’t come easily We look at the most common learning disabilities and how parents can get the best help for their children

earning disabilities are far more common than most people believe, with one Pretoria-based research study finding that at least 51 percent of all students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 had some form of learning disability. Educationalist and psychologist Dr Shirley Kokot from Cape Town specialises in integrated learning therapy (ilt.co.za)

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and explains that these learning disabilities may prevent children from realising their true potential at school. Broadly speaking, she describes four common difficulties that students face in learning: 1. A ttention and focusing difficulties. 2. Difficulty in completing tasks in the time allowed. 3. R eading difficulties.

4. D ifficulty in writing despite good verbal skills. “These difficulties all affect a child’s ability to learn, engage and express themselves, especially since all access to formal schooling takes the form of being able to pay attention, focus, complete tasks such as homework and tests, and to read and write well,” says Dr Kokot. COMMON LEARNING DISABILITIES DEFINED 1. Auditory Processing Disorder This condition affects how all sounds are processed by the brain, so a child with this learning disability (LD) may not notice subtle differences between similar words,

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EOA

PARENTING

Most learning disabilities can be diagnosed and treated. At the very least, the way in which your child is taught can be modified so that they learn in the best way for them.

2. Language Processing Disorder This is a specific form of auditory processing disorder that relates only to the processing of language, and it may affect reception and/or expressive language. In other words, it affects how you express yourself and/or how you understand what others are saying to you. Signs: difficulty in understanding spoken language; struggles with written language; poor reading comprehension; difficulty in labelling objects; frustration with inability to find words, and ability to draw an object but not describe it. 3. Dyslexia Experienced on a continuum from mild to severe, dyslexia affects a person’s ability to read fluently, understand or remember written words, write, spell and sometimes even struggle with speech. Signs: reading very slowly and not well at all; clearly understanding what is being said but not what is written down; struggling to spell or with forming letters, and also possibly struggling with speech. 4. Dyscalculia Children struggle to understand numbers and learn math facts and mathematical symbols, as well as memorising or putting numbers in order; they may also struggle to tell the time. Signs: difficulty understanding number values, quantity, and whether something is more or less; difficulty working with word problems, sequencing events or information, struggling to recognise patterns, and understanding days of the weeks or months of the year.

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5. Dysgraphia The child struggles to write and use their hands for fine motor skills. Signs: poor and inconsistent handwriting; missing words and letters within words; difficulty in sitting properly or holding a pen properly when writing; holding a pen in an unusual way; complaints of a sore hand; real difficulty in thinking and writing at the same time, for example when writing notes or doing creative writing. 6. Visual Perceptual or Visual Motor Deficit The ability to understand what they see or the ability to copy or draw what they see or hear is challenged. It is often seen alongside dysgraphia or non-verbal LD, and it means that subtle differences between certain letters are missed, or the difference between a circle or an oval are unclear. Signs: confusing ‘b’ and ‘d’ or ‘i’ and ‘j’ and so on; complaints of itching and sore eyes; closing one eye while working; poor copying; often losing their place; holding pencils or crayons too tightly, and struggling with cutting and pasting. 7. Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities These children usually have excellent verbal skills but poorer motor, visual-spatial and social skills. Signs: struggling to understand expressions or body language; apparent clumsiness; trouble with fine motor skills, such as tying shoelaces or doing up zippers; constant verbal labelling of things in order to understand them; trouble with changes in routine or transitioning from one activity to the next; difficulty with tasks that involve multiple steps, and the asking of many questions with interruptions. RELATED DISORDERS ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition that makes it very difficult to focus, pay attention, and control behaviour. ADHD is not actually considered a learning disability, but it commonly occurs alongside

other learning disabilities. Signs: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Dyspraxia Characterised by difficulty with muscle control, which affects movement, coordination, language and speech, this disorder often occurs alongside dyscalculia, dyslexia or ADHD. Signs: clumsiness; difficulty with motor planning; poor hand-eye-coordination; difficulty with being organised; sensitivity to touch; becoming distressed by loud noise or constant noise (such as a clock ticking); often breaking things; poor ability to colour in the lines, put puzzle pieces together or cutting. Irritated by scratchy, tight, rough or heavy clothing. DOES YOUR CHILD STRUGGLE WITH LEARNING? It is important that you do not delay in getting your child the help they need. Years of research show that the earlier your child receives intervention, the better their long-term outcomes will be. Learning disabilities are not the same as cognitive disabilities; in other words, children with learning disabilities are not intellectually inferior, in fact they often have higher than average intelligence. Most learning disabilities can be diagnosed and treated. At the very least, the way in which your child is taught can be modified so that they learn in the best way for them. This ensures that they learn well, become confident and enjoy the process of education. If you suspect that your child has a learning disability, speak to someone who can help you to help your child; a paediatrician, family doctor, school teacher, headmaster, or community leader can point you in the right direction to find an educational psychologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist or speech therapist who can work with your child and ensure that they meet their full potential. E

WORDS: LOREN STOW. IMAGE: shutterstock.

even when they are loud enough to be heard clearly. They may also struggle to identify where sounds are coming from, to make sense of the order of sounds and also to block out background noises. Signs: difficulty understanding, remembering and acting on verbal requests; difficulty processing thoughts and sounds and expressing themselves; misspelling and mispronouncing words; often distracted by background noises; may seem to ignore people and ask ‘what?’ often.

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Making men

fashionably relevant Born and raised in Kanyamazane just outside of Nelspruit, founder and head designer of Relevance For Men (RFM) Tshepo Mashego is just passionate about menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion

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Q. Where does your love for tailoring and fashion come from? My mother started dressing me up from a very young age and this somehow spurred my interest. My parents are very stylish, which influenced my approach to dressing. In 2011, I began collecting suits off the shelves and this is where my love for suits began.

Q. Tell us how your earlier professional career opened up opportunities for you in the fashion world. It has given me an opportunity to travel the world, sit around the boardroom table and negotiate business deals. The opportunity to set trends is just electrifying. The biggest opportunity I was given was transitioning from strategy execution at junior level to being able to create my own strategies from scratch.

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MAN Q&A EOA

Q. What has your work in the banking, science and research industries taught you? In banking it’s about managing money, whereas in an organisation like CSIR, it’s about keeping your cash flow afloat and going out to get more business and clients. The skills I acquired in these industries come in handy and I cherish the time I’ve spent with both these organisations.

Q. How does your BComm Accounting Degree support your work in fashion? Cash flow is the king and queen for any business and this is an important lesson I’ve learnt, which I’m currently implementing in the daily operations of RFM. I also strive to grow our assets, as it is the cornerstone of our company’s liquidity. The statement of income and expenditure is not always a true reflection of a company’s liquidity.

Q. Tell us about ‘Relevance For Men’ (RFM).

Q. What challenges did you face when pursuing your career and passion and how did you overcome them?

Q. Why do think men should always look good?

Tenacity and persistence! Juggling my fulltime job and RFM was a challenge. Although I had learnt to plan and utilize my time, it was demanding. Also, trying to find well known shoemakers to work with a young brand like RFM was also a hurdle, I had to knock on their doors until they comprehended my vision and objective of the brand.

Being well dressed gives you confidence; you walk with your shoulders higher when you feel and look good.

Q. Name three things that keep you going especially when you’re feeling down?

RFM is a brand that tailor-makes suits using the finest wool and cashmere fabrics available on the market. It also boasts its own range of shoes, shirts and chinos. It was founded in 2015 and it’s based at The Station Lounge (Gautrain Station Pretoria).

COMPILED BY: HLULANI MASINGI. IMAGES SUPPLIED BY TSHEPO MASHEGO.

his brand identity. The man once lost everything and managed to work himself up to prominence again – he is inspiring.

Q. How has your role model contributed to who you are and what you’re doing today? Ozwald Boateng makes me believe that it is possible for a dream to manifest. For a black man to have his own flagship store at Savile Row in London is a massive and inspirational achievement, because as designers we aspire to have our ranges listed on Savile Row. I also admire Mararo, an Italian-based suit maker who carved his own path with regards to

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My clients. Whenever I think of them I automatically find myself on my two feet even on a bad day. My daughter and my family are very close and during bad times they give me a pat on the back to remind me that I’ve come thus far and cannot turn back now. I also have friends who are extremely supportive.

Q. Is it ever too early to pursue what you like? What’s your advice to the youth? It’s possible to carve your own path in life but you should be willing to learn. I’ve realised, as people we want instant results, be under someone’s wing if you have to. Grasp as much as you can in order to equip yourself for the journey you want to embark on. E

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EOA

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7 ESSAYS OF AFRICA

2017/02/24 9:06 AM

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2017/01/12 4:43 PM 2017/02/24 9:06 AM

BEAUTY & HEALTH NEWS EOA

PURIFIED WATER STRAIGHT OUT OF YOUR TAP

DIP YOUR FEET IN CHAMPAGNE

Show us a woman who would never let a drop of champagne go to waste and we’ll show you SOHO! The nail and beauty salon opened its luxurious Champagne Signature Pedicure at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and you can now soak your feet in bubbly. Why, you may ask? Champagne works as a natural exfoliator during a pedicure and it also improves blood circulation. How’s that for a healthy beauty treat? This walk-in unisex salon is a one-stop shop for beauty and grooming, with at least six manicure and 10 pedicure stations, as well as threading, eyelash enhancements, waxing and massage treatments. For more info, visit SOHOnycsalon.com.

If you’re always stocking up bottled water rather than using water from the tap, the natural water filter, KURO-Bo Activated Charcoal (recently launched in South Africa) allows you to revive an ancient Japanese water purifying technique in your home. It easily and economically transforms tap water through a 100-percent natural purification process, giving you delicious and refreshing naturally purified water that is enriched with minerals. KURO-Bo Activated Charcoal comes in hand-cut sticks that can last for three months. Boil a stick for 10 minutes to activate it before adding it to a minimum of two litres of tap water daily. The purified water can be kept in the fridge or on the kitchen counter for three hours or more to enable the filter to do its purifying work. RSP: R190 per pack. For more info visit kuro-bo.com.

On thebeauty front

GIVE YOUR FACE A BATH

If you’ve been looking for a facial cleanser that not only removes impurities, makeup residue and excessive oil, but also gives you a great feeling of comfort and freshness, then RVB SKINLAB diego dalla palma Detoxifying Cleansing Mousse was made for you. The cleansing facial bath is suitable for grey and dull, normal, mixed or oily skin, with blemishes and pores or skin spots, and will leave your skin looking clear and bright. This cleanser is available at skincare clinics and spas nationwide.

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NAIL POLISH FOR JET-SETTERS

If you’re an all-year-round traveller, taking care of your nails might be the last thing on your mind. If you don’t have the time or can’t afford the luxury of going for a mani or pedi before your trip, ORLY is the answer. Not only is it a long-lasting nail polish that gives perfect results, but there are also some great ‘travel-friendly’ sized nail lacquers that will easily fit into your handbag or toiletry bag:  For a clean, clear and hastle-free look that will complement all your outfits, ORLY Color Care BB Crème for nails (R158 for 11ml) is the perfect choice. This BB Crème for nails is perfect for an effortless natural look.  The ORLY Color Blast range (R110 for 11ml each) will instantly glam up your look while travelling. Choose from brights and neons to crèmes, shimmering colours and glamorous nail glitters.  The ORLY Color Care Bottom Plus Top (R157.50 for 11ml) two-in-one basecoat and topcoat will keep your manicure fresh and glossy if applied every two days. To order your nail travel kit, visit indiglow.co.za. E

ESSAYS OF AFRICA

2017/02/24 9:28 AM