SKY Magazine Issue 23

may 2019

Free Copy

ur, Colo s, nes Bold est b r u o Being

gs, n i h T n Plai ing, k o m S tion Inhibi

THE ISSUE

WHAT IS SKY? SKY is a sisterhood of

teenage girls all across Botswana.

Becoming a SKY girl means taking the

pledge

to define your

Sures - things you love)and

Shapos -(things you

don't need

in your life.

super simple. – just send a message

It's

to our Facebook inbox

@skygirlsbw and we will get right back to you.)

What sets

SKY girls

apart is that we stay true to ourselves, and we are not swayed by peer pressure.

Whatever

our Sures and Shapos are,

we

stand by them, because those choices define us, and make each one of us unique.

SKY PLEDGE I pledge to be true to myself and what I believe in. To be who I am, not who someone else thinks I should be.

I will say Sure Ka Yone to the things that I am all about – like standing up for my friends and following my dreams.

I will say Shapo Ka Yone to the things I am good without – like smoking and backstabbing.

I will make choices that are true to me.

I will follow my skyline.

I pledge to find my SKY.

SKY

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BRIGHT! Cover feature

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Fashion

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Guys of SKYChella

How to rock bright colours

Rising Above: True Stories

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Your inbox Questions Answered

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Samantha’s Letter

Top 5: SKY Guys

Colour Quiz & Puzzles

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SKY

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Mag •A• zine

Hey SKY Nation, I am sure you have all been anticipating this year’s first magazine as much as I have. I am stoked to be this edition’s guest editor, and I bet y’all can guess why. It is a huge honour especially with the inspirational focus chosen for this publication. The theme for this edition is BRIGHT, which for me is an acronym for: Beautiful, Really funny, Inventive, Graceful, Happy and Truthful!

The theme is a mouthful of positive things we aspire to be. It is a depiction of how we should stay true to ourselves. The sky is the limit for us to be BRIGHT, don’t you think?

Beauty comes from the inside out, gracefulness is a product of that same beauty and humour and a good smile make you a charmer. Truthfulness is

substance and happiness is worth the pursuit. I sure hope we all are or will be on the bright side of life soon.

Besides the great theme, this edition includes the regular but in no way boring stuff that makes the magazine all the rage. These pages feature great advice and insight through celeb interviews, short stories (including one authored by yours truly), puzzles, games, fab fashion tips (which I have been particularly excited for) and more! I am positive that this edition will be as inspiring, helpful, and full of advice as all the ones before it. I hope you will enjoy the magazine as much as I know I will.

Lots of love, Tutsi

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follow us on Insta gram!

@skygirlsbw

Sures & The Tren Re sure ka...

THE PIXIE CUT

Short hair has always been a win for us so re sure ka the pixie cut. A lot of influencers both local and international have been rocking it and who can hate?

ABSOLUTELY NO ONE! Especially in our hot country, rocking the pixie is the way to go. Whether you choose to dye your hair or not, this look is a win from us!

LITTLE WAYS TO APPRECIATE OUR SKY SISTERS

We all love each other and support one another but re sure ka appreciating our sisters with the ‘small things’ that actually have a huge impact. A handmade card or a picnic goes a long way in showing our sisters that we love them.

NEON – IT’S BACK!

Re sure ka all the bright colours in the rainbow and beyond! The bright colours that seem to make all the gloomy days go away are perfect for your nail colour, makeup, shoes, clothes or even hair band. We are totally loving this.

PATTERNS, PATTERNS AND MORE PATTERNS

This goes beyond just the floral and tribal patterns... clashing colours, spots and stripes and geometric shapes are a trend we are sure about.

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& Shapos nding List Re shapo ka..

FIGURE BELTS

This trend was big years ago but we should all do without it. Belts will always be a cool accessory but only when needed... re shapo ka di-figure belt and dress tops.

BIGGER (IT’S NOT ALWAYS BETTER) This applies to the trend of wearing super large clothes, which some of us used to rock. This means for example using oversized T-shirts as dresses. Re shapo ka this trend, it is 2019 and this year we are dressing our size.

TRACKSUITS AS A FASHION STATEMENT

SKY fam, can we all wear our training gear only when we are doing exercise PLEASE? Yes, it may seem cool that you have designer training clothing or tracksuits but pairing them with a pair of sunglasses is a look that we are shapo with.

WINTER BLUES

We all know that in a few months it will be super cold… right? Some of us re shapo ka winter but the truth is that it is inevitable. What we need to do is prepare ourselves and make sure this winter is the “coolest”- get it? Haha. Re shapo ka the winter blues and one way to fight them is by rocking our bright colours and staying as POSITIVE as we are BRIGHT :)

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SKY

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For this issue’s cover, we asked you to tell us why the word B-R-I-G-H-T represents you :) our winner is 15-year-old Kaylan Seane. Read her entry here!

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From an early age, I had to face judgement and emotional bullying. Words like “you are black”, “you are ugly” were like a song with unforgettable lyrics. I tried ignoring these remarks but they had a negative impact on how I perceived myself. I started viewing myself as inferior to others without actually accepting myself for who I am. I find myself brave because at one stage of life, I told myself that enough was enough. I expelled the negativity and remained with the positivity. I learnt to stand up for myself, a lioness is what I became.

Now that my self-esteem was improving, with positivity in my life I felt like the inner me was unleashed. I am now free to talk and express who I truly am. I am able to pass my fresh ideas publicly without fearing judgement. Creativity has now made its spot. A refreshing mind is what I have.

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SKY

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I grew up in a family that emphasized hard work and even now I still remember my late great grandfather’s words “if you want to be successful, work hard and be independent”. His words still motivate me to work hard each and every day to pave my way to success.

Unlike most teens, I prefer saving up the little that I have so that during those times when I want something or want to go somewhere, I just take some of my savings instead of bothering my parents. And trust me, nothing feels better than being independent.

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I am one person who never hesitates to socialize. I can enter a place full of people I don’t know but end up with a friend. People who actually know me say I am way too friendly! I am able to make friends quickly and that is why am gregarious.

I always try my best to be a blissful soul and a cheerful spirit. My best friends, Faith and Kaelo, always tell me that there’s never a dull moment when I’m around. They say I have a bubbly personality and no word explains that better than hearty

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SKY

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Together with a loud and cheerful personality, I bet there’s no one who is as talkative as me. I spend most of my time talking and that’s one of the reasons I’m able to socialize well

@bbykaybelle

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Guys of

Profiling SKYGuys performing at SKY’s 27 April event ‘SKYChella’

Ke sure ka…

• Bad music • Fake clothing • Negative energy Ke shapo ka…

• Good music • Reciprocal relationships • Trust

What is your favourite colour?

Red

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SKY

Mag •A• zine

What were you like in school?

I was always the jokester in class, but again I knew when it was time to be serious and actually focus on my studies.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?

I would be an athlete Which Motswana musician do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from SevenDaysOfSummer…

SummerSeven is all about raw emotion. I believe you have to connect to an artist at all times, regardless of the genre it may be, and that’s what S ummer does.

Whatever the world throws at him, he kills it and owns it. That’s an artist, a complete artist who has found his sound.

Who is your celebrity crush?

IAMDBB.

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SKY

Mag •A• zine

Legato Ke sure ka…

• Music • Food • Laughter Ke sure ka…

• Jealous friends • Smoking • Following what other people do What is your favourite colour?

Green What were you like in school?

In school I was the jock, did all the sports, captained my football and basketball teams, talked to everyone in the school!

Which Motswana musician do you draw inspiration from?

Prez Beats. The producer behind Vee’s early albums, Scar’s Happy Hour album, Mosako’s first album and more. His longevity and passion for his craft is inspiring.

Of all the songs you’ve worked on, which is your ultimate favourite & why?

Kgwanyape. Has to be. The performances are always lit!

What is your favourite weird food combination?

I don’t know if this is weird but spinach & peanut butter.

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SKY

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Ke sure ka…

• Jesus • Adventure • Helping and inspiring people Ke shapo ka…

• Doing an imperfect job • Pride • Bad manners What is your favourite colour?

Blue

What would you do if you could spend one day as a girl?

I’d ask the other girls to be confident, and would try to give them advice. They shouldn’t feel insecure about themselves. They should know that they’re perfect the way God made them. They should always wait for the right time in terms of love and the right man, because sometimes they get impatient and get hurt.

They should stay happy and loyal. They shouldn’t depend on guys, and they should be independent!

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SKY

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Ke sure ka…

• Happiness • Positivity • My music career Ke shapo ka…

• Jealousy • Greed • Fake friends What is your favourite colour?

This is kind of a trick question…

I’ve had a new ‘favourite colour’ every time I change my hair colour. Let’s say black.

What were you like in school?

I definitely was not the coolest kid. I was probably that kid who just existed. For all my years in school I’ve been ‘the short Kgosi’.

What piece of advice would you give to your 14-year-old self?

Love what you do and it will take you far. Don’t doubt yourself, that doubt will be your only setback.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?

I’d be an accountant.

I love money.

I’d like to know what happens with money. Definitely an accountant.

Of all the songs you’ve worked on, which is your ultimate favourite & why?

Chit Chats ft. RVY & Frost Legato. It came at a point I was going through some girl drama and both vocalists just told my story for me.

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FASHI Every SKY Girl is unique, and so is her style! This issue we profile 3 girls showing us some of their favourite outfits

JASMINE 3 words to describe your style Laid-back, baggy, old school Favourite places to shop BBS thrifting, and I like to get things made for me Favourite current fashion trend Washed out baggy jeans, big vintage shirts

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SKY

ION

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Mag •A• zine

Celeb fashion icons Yara Shahidi, Ariana Grande, Bebe Angel Sures 1. Writing lyrics & singing 2. Spreading love 3. Good company Shapos 1. Smoking 2. Drinking 3. Ignorant people

Jasmine Ashley Jasmine Ashley jazzy_ley

FASHIO SARONA 3 words to describe your style Fun, colourful, bold Favourite places to shop Cotton On, Legit, Mr Price Favourite current fashion trend Vintage shirts and mum jeans (baggy)

Sarona Oroslover Molefi @bootylikesasa

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SKY

ON

Mag •A• zine

Celeb fashion icons Beyonce, Rihanna, Ariana Grande Sures 1. Good vibes 2. Intellectual conversations 3. Success Shapos 1. Fake friends 2. Small talk 3. Average standards

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FASHI PRETTY 3 words to describe your style Glittery, attitude, eye-catching Favourite places to shop Mr Price @ Rail Park, Legit Favourite current fashion trend Colour blocking, pink

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SKY

ION

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Mag •A• zine

Celeb fashion icon Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj Sures 1. Reading novels 2. Beauty pageants 3. Singing Shapos 1. Smoking 2. Bad company 3. Partying

Pretty Balozwi

It’s still summer and although we wish the temperatures would be merciful, we thought we would also turn up the heat!! In this issue we explore the coolest ways to be BRIGHT and BOLD!! Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure you look bright without blinding your friends.

Bright Eyeshadow If you are going to try bright eyeshadow, go for it! However, be sure to add dark colours such as brown to the outer circle of your crease. This draws more attention to your inner bright eyeshadow while balancing it with your skin tone. Playing around with more than one bright colour is the best way to go around rocking this look. Finally, a nude or subtle lipstick or lipgloss is the perfect finishing touch. The subtle lip colour brings just the right amount of attention to you without overwhelming others.

2 Bright Lipstick Contrary to popular belief, EVERYONE can rock bright lips. Be brave, be bold & be bright! All you have to do is practise and then you got it!

Rocking bright lip colours is maybe not as easy for some of us because we think it is so noticeable, but that can be fixed by a few affirmations whenever we look in the mirror.

Telling yourself that “You rocking it girl” can do a lot more for you that you think.

Also, we can guarantee that you actually look great! Secondly, spend time to explore and right the right hue for you. Try different shades of pink, red or purple until you find the one that complements your skin’s undertones. You will know it when you see it, trust us :)

SKY

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Mag •A• zine

Bright nail colour Sometimes going too bright can sound scary.

We think the best way to beat this fear is to add variations of the same colour on your nails. It could be a fun way to explore which bright colours you are most comfortable with.

For example, instead of going to bright yellow nails, you can paint only one nail with that colour, then have shades such as mustard and lighter shades of neon yellow on other nails on the same hand! How cool right? It is both a way to play with colours while easing yourself into brightness.

Bright Hair We have been loving this trend and it is amazing to see so many of our SKY sisters rocking bright colours. You are almost certain that people will look and ask you questions but BE BOLD and keep rocking your hair. After all, our hair is the only accessory that we always have with us and can change whenever we like. Try mixing it up by testing out matching and contrasting – you can choose clothes and makeup in the same colours or opposite colours to your hair. Both can look great! And of course, the biggest tip is remaining confident as we rock our bright hair.

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Samantha Mogwe is an awardwinning singer songwriter, radio presenter and vocal coach.

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YearOld-Self

Dear 14-year-old Samantha...

The world is a scary place and you are afraid....

You are afraid to stand out because standing out means being noticed.

And when you are noticed, it’s easier for people to see your flaws.

Because of this, you continue to sing in the bathroom, too afraid that the world won’t think your voice is good enough. Too afraid that your dream to travel the world and sing on the world stage will be met by complete failure and disappointment.

You are afraid...

You are afraid to desire to one day marry the love of your life. You have seen too many failed marriages, including your own parents’ marriage that ended up in divorce. You have seen bitter married couples that can’t even stand being near each other.

You have seen children being brought up in this dysfunction, who don’t even

deserve to be a part of this. You too have been part of this pain.

You are afraid...

You are afraid that your life won’t be meaningful, that you won’t do anything of significance, that you won’t change lives, or move hearts.

I just wanted to take a few moments to let you know that YES, the world is a scary place and IT’S OKAY TO BE AFRAID! But don’t forget that the world is also a very beautiful place, once you remember to never allow fear to stop you from becoming all that you can be. Love as hard as you can! Live as loud as you can! Be ready to try it all, even if it means failing, because failure means lessons will be learnt.

With love, 30-year-old Samantha XXX

Hello there, my name is Tlotlo Pule, a girl aged the big 18. I have a condition called endometriosis, which is a female health challenge. Some call it chronic period pains, a struggle I know, but for me it’s much more about frequent hospital visits and taking pills just to reduce the pain, but the pain does not go anywhere.

I went public about my condition sometime last year, and I got amazing support from my school, family and also the amazing people from social networks.

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SKY

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Mag •A• zine

A gn

e v ob

Y B S S E L I R GIR O ST KY S E G U N TR RO ST

i s iR

Taking a step like telling the world about a condition that only a few people knew about is quite challenging, you never know if they’ll be supportive or not, and surprisingly Batswana stood by me, they were patient enough to try and understand. The boys did such an amazing job by supporting the ladies emotionally. I chose to share my story because I believe God didn’t put me in this situation just to be silent, I had to speak up because people were just normalizing period pains, but some of those pains are the reason why some of our ladies can’t bear children.

I went through a full 4 years of trying to find out what my problem was with my severe period pains, and on the 5th year in February I got diagnosed with it. It broke me but I put myself back together and I said God can never give me a challenge he knows I can never overcome. For that I am very radiant, I am glowing very brightly with my strength. I am such a warrior, I am fighting and nothing can stop me! I am talented in sports but I stopped due to the condition… but now I’m back on scale.

Even on my bad days with these pains I try to be glamorous and I do take a few pictures. Through sickness I still feel pretty, it’s rare but it really helps… try it someday with a bad flu, you’ll laugh the sickness away!

I am very goofy, ask my friends (The News) they say I am forever smiling and laughing, literally I’m just a whooole mood.

All in all, I own this life, ‘My Life’, and despite the negativity I will forever look forward to the positive vibes.

This endometriosis pain - I didn’t cause it, I can’t control it, there’s no cure for it, but I STAND STRONG ANYWAY. I would be honored for my story to appear on the SKY Magazine. It’s not for me, but it’s for you. Thank you Nation.

Tlotlo Pule x_tlotlo.pule

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Tlotlo Lilian Moilwa is my name, but for now call me Bold and Brave as you get to find out why. Grab a seat and allow me to take you through my journey as a young adult who has been HIV positive for as long as she has lived. Not only have I been living with HIV, but I went public about it. At only 17, I shared my status (we do not ‘disclose’ like people always say… say it with me “WE SHARE”).

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Tlotlo Lilian Moilwa @tlotlo_lilian_moilwa

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Well, I put a correction on that because to me, ‘DISCLOSURE’ on its own encourages the stigma and discrimination that we are still fighting against.

Ohhh, talking about that, I am writing this in March which is Month of Youth Against AIDS, a month to be bold and bright as we fight against HIV/AIDS. Going back to my story, when I shared my status, I did it through a Facebook post which attracted so many people. Lol, did I tell you I lost friends to sharing my HIV status??? But trust me, not even on a single day have I regretted ever sharing my HIV status.

After that post, I went on my very first radio Interview with Aunty Kgomotso Tshwenyego (I know you remember her from My Star). So many interviews followed, both on radio and on screen. OMG, the most amazing thing ever came into my life. I got a call from Sentebale. Why is it amazing? You won’t know it but so many children are being saved.

Sentebale is a charity organization founded by The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) together with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. I still work with them on so many occasions. When they called, I was done with senior school, maybe a month before, and

getting ready to go into varsity. So yeah, now I’m able to do so many things which I couldn’t do before. I never got tired. I’ve lost, I’ve gained and all that doesn’t matter because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

I’ve lost my parents to HIV/AIDS and hey, that shouldn’t happen to anyone for as long as I’m living. Nobody’s parent should be shy enough not to go get their ARVs because a neighbour will see them, because they will make it a talk of the city/ village. No!!! I failed myself when I witnessed a person 1 year older than me die because of HIV/AIDS. I wasn’t sure about it at the time, but at least I should have done something... though I wasn’t old enough. That on its own still gives me motivation.

I believe I have saved numerous people though, and it makes me happy. I’m at a stage where nothing touches me, nothing drags me down, negative energy does nothing to me, it doesn’t matter where it comes from, because I know what I’m doing.

I’ve lost the most important things in my life but I also have something I love so much, ACTIVISM and ADVOCACY. Today I’m 20, and hey celebrating 3 years into this, and I’m still growing. 3 years doing what I love.

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A creative work of fiction by our guest editor Tutsirai

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I looked up from my beat up Danielle Steele novel and strained my ears. “Mama!”

I sighed. “There goes my me time.” I jumped from the couch in our tiny living room and rushed to the bathroom. My footsteps thudded on the floor. “What’s the matter my princess?” I asked my five year old daughter as I cautiously opened the door. I was greeted by a most outrageous sight. Andile was covered in bubbles and sitting in a puddle of water, the tub was filled with bubbles as much as I could see and the sections of wall within Andi’s reach were part of the bubble-covered ensemble. I chuckled and pinched the bridge of my nose out of amusement. “Oh! Let’s get you cleaned up.” I laughed.

Up until I was seventeen, I was the model student and daughter. My mother’s pride and joy. I was always on the prizewinner’s list, an allround overachiever. I wanted to be a neurosurgeon, and still do. Even though I grew up in a small village, money was never going to be a problem because I was sure to get a scholarship. I had been offered several in advance. I was on the path to greatness. Nothing could stop me, right? Reality unfortunately decided to give me a cold hard slap in the face. I never thought I would be a

statistic, especially not one of teenage pregnancy. To make matters worse, as soon as the father found out, he tried to weasel his way out of his responsibility.

He almost refrained from coming during her birth. It took a lot of influence from his parents, the chief, and my parents, pretty much everyone. It was all worth it though. I was not going to let my baby grow up like I did. They video call at least once a day. Per the norm, I had to put my schooling on hold. Fortunately when I found out I was pregnant, I had just finished form 5. I passed with flying colours which enabled me to apply for more scholarships abroad. Of course my mother was devastated. She thought it was the end for me. It almost was.

Without my laudable marks I would not be finishing my medicine course in London.

Life was kind to me in that regard I suppose. It only slapped me.

Others have been whipped beyond functionality, beyond recognition. Who knows? They say life is a race. Maybe I had such good momentum from my previous victories that when life tried to keep me down I could not do anything but keep moving. Gain momentum. Do not stop for anything, not your blunders or anyone else’s. Keep moving. Be bright.

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TOP 5

We asked YOU over on the SKY socials ‘who features in your celebrity crush list?’

The votes are in, ladies, and here are the SKY Top 5…

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SKY

Michael B Jordan is an American actor from Santa Ana, California but resides in Los Angeles. He is still single!!

Oohhhhh!! He is known for his films including Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015) and most famously Black Panther (2018). He has recently won awards such as MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance. He is such a nice, humble, talented man. We sure do enjoy watching him on our screens at home and at the cinemas.

Michaelbjordan

Shawn Peter Raul Mendes born August 8, 1998 is a Canadian singer, songwriter and model.

He gained a following in 2013, after posting song covers on Vine. He is actually the thirdyoungest artist to achieve three number one albums, and has won SO many awards. We love him because of the feeling behind his songs. Shawn says “I want to create anthems for big moments in people’s lives... I don’t want my music to play for a few months and then go away forever.”

Shawnmendes

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Mjamaica is a local comedian who became an overnight sensation through one of his videos that reached 5 million views on Facebook. This video was the jumpstart to his flourishing career which created more opportunities for him to branch out into acting, singing, entertaining, MCing, voice-overs and being a brand ambassador. We love that he is a self-made man, who found fame through his talent and hard work. He has been nominated for various YAMA awards throughout his career. We are excited to see what he will do next.

Mjamaica_bw

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You might recognise Tino from commercials on billboards and television, or from his television appearances on Channel O. Zimbabwean-born Tinotenda ‘Tino’ Chinyani moved to South Africa in 2012 to study for a degree in Marketing Management from Monash University. But his Instagram profile found him fame in the entertainment industry, when he was scouted and signed by Boss Models. Now famous as a ‘Zim Slay King’, we think Tino’s confidence and friendly personality means he is a real SKY Guy. @tino_chinyani263

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Tremaine Aldon Neverson, known professionally as Trey Songz, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and actor. Growing up, Trey loved singing his favourite songs in the shower, but never imagined he could turn singing into a career, because his family could not afford music lessons. But he persevered, winning school talent shows and performing at local parties with his friends. His hard work paid off and now he’s a superstar. We love Trey for his music, but also because he’s loyal to his family and works with young people in his community as well. Cute!! @treysongz

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Matswak Lerato

Our bestie is doing pretty good right now. She’s got a circle of friends who help her through thick and thin. She’s been dating George for a couple of years, W and despite a few ups and downs, their relationship some new is stronger than ever. But will this last through the The upcomin challenges of Form 5, and will Lerato get the grades favourite teen she wants to get the life she has always dreamt of? Bae will be the

:) The character finishing up th pass, and who challenges

Chedza

Before the fin let’s catc Matswak girls

Matswaka Bae’s straight-talking singer is also doing incredibly well. She and Thabang perform together all the time and they’re getting really popular… will this relationship transform into something more? Her grades are high and her home life is pretty good – but what will she do after school ends? There are some shocks in store for Chedza this season…

Mimi Our Queen Bee hasn’t had it easy these past few years… she was in a toxic relationship, her parents divorced and she went from being wealthy to struggling for money. But all these challenges made Mimi a better person. Now we find she is independent, fiercely protective of her friends, and able to work hard to get what she wants in life. Will this be enough to bring her to success in Form 5 and beyond?

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We have ws SKY Nation. ng season of your n drama Matswaka LAST SEASON EVER rs are grown and are heir form 5. Who will o will face shocking s along the way?

nal season starts, ch up with the ka Bae guys and s quickly

SKY

ka Bae

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Mag •A• zine

Tshidi

After failing her Form 3, the show’s ‘naughty girl’ found she was capable of more than she ever thought when she found a job while waiting to retake. Her social skills and can-do attitude won her a raise and the position of assistant manager at her restaurant. Now she’s back in school and in Form 4. Will things be awkward between her and her besties, now they are in different years?

Thabang The show’s joker has started getting serious… he is doing well in his music career with Chedza, but is he interested in her the same way she likes him? And can he realistically have a career in music, or is that dream out of reach?

George Lerato’s love of her life has been supporting her for years… but what about his own goals? He also wants an unusual career, just like his best friend Thabang. George wants to be a soccer star, but is it achievable, and is it compatible with what Lerato wants too?

WHERE TO LISTEN TO SEASON 6: SKY Live on RB2, Saturdays 12.30 - 1pm (Season 6 starts May 2019) Dial 124 from any Orange number for Season 4, 5 and 6 audio files On Facebook, under the skygirlsbw videos section

Every day SKY receives DMs with all kinds of questions. Here we pick 4 interesting questions, along with expert advice from Katleho and Tsamma, your 2018 SKY Live presenters!

Hi SKY, please advise me. Well, I have a weird situation, I don’t know how to dress for my body size. All the fashion trends don’t help coz they never suit me. I don’t know what to wear for different events. I don’t like revealing a lot of skin (I’m a bit reserved) and I am petite.

So how do I identify my own style that suits me and that I can be confident in? How do I look stylish without breaking the bank?

Hi beautiful.

Firstly, you need to bear in mind that you’re an adolescent and it’s normal for you to feel insecure about your body and how you look. Your body is going through changes, some of which you may admire and unfortunately some of which you may not like.

But trust me sweetheart, you’re beautiful.

If you feel utterly uncomfortable about how you think you look in the public eye, try to do a bit of

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research on your body type. Magazines often have a section where they promote certain styles for certain body types as well as the patterns that suit them best. You could also look at what people with a similar body type to yours wear. You said you’re petite, so baggy Ts and boyfriend jeans or flowy pants in general often do the trick. Body-hugging dresses also look especially good on petite people.

And of course we have the internet, you could simply research on styles that suit petite bodies. You don’t have to buy from expensive shops or purchase expensive brands for the limelight, whatever you can afford will do the trick babes. Remember that you’re beautiful whatever shape you are. And you need to believe it! <3

SKY

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I’m in a 7 month relationship now and I’ve invested almost everything into it. I got too attached forgetting that at some point in time he’s going to leave to go study somewhere else. Lately he’s been distant, he doesn’t reply me even though he’s online and doesn’t show up when we decide to meet up. We recently had an argument and when we decided to fix things, he now wants the relationship to be really lowkey, like only between him and I. Sometimes I find it hard to focus because this is really affecting me, and I cry a lot over this. I know a relationship has its ups and downs but I’m wondering if what I’m going through is worth it.

Hey sweetheart My heart bleeds for everything that you’re going through right now. I can imagine what it must be like to suddenly have a relationship with someone who you thought was in for a long haul go south. You’re still young, you’re still growing and it’s normal to go through what you’re going through. You probably don’t want to hear this but you’re going to meet more people that will give you butterflies in your stomach and make you feel the way you’re feeling now. Please don’t let this one boy take away your focus from yourself sweetheart. You’re a queen and that’s exactly what you need to treat yourself like. If he does not make an effort to make you happy, then he is most probably not interested in the relationship anymore and the best thing for you is to leave. Like I said

you’re a queen, why be with someone who doesn’t want to show you off?

I know you’re in pain and you’re finding it hard to focus but you need to do what’s right for you and leave.

Sometimes holding on only causes more pain than letting go. Cry and write in a journal if you must. Write letters to express how you’re feeling and tear them up afterwards. Delete any memories of him on your phone and block him if you have to, so that moving on is easier. You’re not being petty by doing this, but simply retaining your peace of mind. This is only a phase babes. I know its tough right now but a few months from today you’re going to look back at this time and be shocked that you were once in such a state. It only gets better love. I hope you heal and grow from this xoxo

Hi, I need advice. I am a shy person and I find it difficult to confront people about the things that I deserve. This bothers me coz I know how much I’m worth, but I’m scared to say it. How do I build my confidence to stand up for myself and confidently let people know how much I am worth? I don’t know If that makes sense but do try to advise.

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Hey, the first step towards building your confidence, is realizing your worth! Take time and learn to learn who you are and love yourself for the good and the bad. Identifying what you deserve, then if anything doesn’t fit what you deserve, you can say NO to it because it’s not up to your standards. And now that you know your worth, take a leap of faith and start by letting people know what you deserve by telling them how to treat you and make sure you’re treating yourself the same way - and that’ll gradually build your confidence to let the next person know, and the one after that! If you are scared to start, practice telling yourself in the mirror first, then practice on a friend, before moving onto strangers. It will get easier each time you try.

Just like how we study for school, you can also study for social situations by practicing how you would respond in such a situation, it will honestly help you.

SKY

Mag •A• zine

Hi SKY please don’t share my name. I am 16 and I had a baby last year, the father is denying it and my family is helping me to raise the baby. My question is how can I build my future because everything had to slow down to accommodate the baby. I had to leave school and now I don’t know if I can go back but if I don’t go back then how can I have a good future and get all the things I have wanted since I was young like a nice house and car and job?

Hey babes. Having a baby should never stop you from securing a good future. If anything, it should be encouraging because now you have a blessing to provide for :) There are a lot of doctors, engineers and scientists who had children at your age and if they could achieve their dreams, so can you! So ask for support if you need it, go back to school and focus on securing the bag! SKY believes in you, you should believe in yourself too :) As for the father, he chose to accept the BIG responsibility of looking after a child when he made the decision to be intimate with you, and he can’t back out now just because things turned out the way they did. Legally he has to provide for the child, please don’t let him get away with running away from his responsibilities. Ask your parents to speak to his parents, or speak to the police or a lawyer to help you get support from him. Yes you are facing more challenges than most 16-year-old girls but don’t let the challenges crush you. You are still a SKY Girl and you can still have everything you want in life. Funny enough, this issue of SKY Mag features a short story on the very topic you are facing. Read it and see if it can help in any way <3

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r u o l o t c our y? iz a t u Wh is y nali e the qut! o Tak nd o s r e o fi t p

When you deadline, y CALM

What gift would you choose for your friend’s birthday?

Something homemade and meaningful

How ambitious are you?

I just take things as they come

Yellow Mellow yellow, you’re a sweet, loyal and refreshing presence and you make friends wherever you go :) Your optimism, joy and easygoing nature help people naturally trust you.

Something trending

You wou spend an a

I plan my goals and work `towards them

Relaxing in nature

Green

Blue

Green girl, you have a laid back personality but there is still a lot of energy behind everything you do! You make people feel safe, and create a harmonious atmosphere wherever you go.

Baby blue, you are loyal and wise, and that’s why people appreciate you.

You are a stable presence who exudes intelligence, but most importantly you are your own person, who is never swayed.

SKY

u have a you are…

Mag •A• zine

STRESSED When someone asks you for a favour, you…

Do it straight away

uld rather afternoon…

Painting your nails

Pink Pretty in pink, you are a sweet and loving friend who is always in style. You are playful and funny, and always know the right thing to say to cheer someone up. You love those around you, and you also practice self-love <3

Think ‘what’s in it for me?’ first!

Your favourite subjects are…

Maths and sciences

Languages and social studies

Red

Purple

Adventurous red, you are certainly a strong personality. You dance to the beat of your own drum, and never let anyone tell you what to do. You know who you are, and you’re OK with that because you are powerful and determined.

Powerful purple, you are something of a mystery. You’re creative and dignified, but also fiercely independent. Your wisdom also means that people around you seek out your opinions.

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Colour Puzzles!

Optical illusions An optical illusion is when your eyes trick your brain into seeing something differently to how it actually is. Check out these illusions about colour and BRIGHTness, that will have your head spinning.

You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe it, but the surfaces labelled A and B are actually the same colour! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe us? Just put your finger over the line where the 2 surfaces meet, and you will see they are the same shade of grey. Crazy!

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Stare at the grey cross in the middle for 30 seconds. Then quickly look at something white (like a piece of paper, or a plain wall). You will see an illusion of the flag of Botswana, for a quick second!

See this list of words below? Read out the colour of each word (so instead of saying ‘red, blue, orange’, say ‘black, white, yellow’. See if you can say the whole list (quickly) without getting one wrong!

BLACK | YELLOW | WHITE | PINK | GREEN

effects

Wordsearch

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RED | BLUE | ORANGE | BROWN | PURPLE

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CAN YOU FIND ALL 10 WORDS? BLACK BLUE BROWN GREEN GREY ORANGE PINK PURPLE RED WHITE YELLOW

JAN 20 - FEB 18 As generous as you are, take time to put yourself first. This goes beyond taking yourself out for a treat, but also means putting your happiness before that of others. You will experience more people giving back the same generosity you have given them. This is your season to reap what you have sown.

PISCES

AQUARIUS

CAPRICORN

DEC 22 - JAN 19 You are the communicator among your friends and loved ones. Although sometimes this may overwhelm you, it will translate into your school ethic. You will be the voice of reason in solving important matters in your life. Embrace this because not everyone is gifted at being a communicator!

FEB 19 - MAR 20 Girl, this is the perfect time to get into your element! Focus on achieving the goals you have set for yourself and you will find that opportunities present themselves! All you need to do is prepare because your time to shine is upon you. Yaaas!!

SK SCOP

TAURUS

APR 20 - MAY 20 You need to know that your SKY fam is here for you and you are not alone.

You may feel like you are losing confidence in yourself but always remember that you are a SKY Girl and you exude confidence in all you do. Nothing and no one can take your power away so EMBRACE IT and slay!

GEMINI

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 19 You are in the perfect space to finally walk away from any situation that no longer give you peace. This could mean searching for new hobbies, or simply choosing to stay away from negative vibes. You need to focus on being happy and remaining positive.

MAY 21 - JUN 20 This is the best time for you try out something new! If it is a question of trying a new hair colour we have great tips in this magazine to help you. It is important to know that this is the time for you to take a chance at whatever you want to. You got this, girl!!

JUL 23 - AUG 22 A few words or a change in other people’s behaviour should not make a huge impact on you. You are who you are because you are special and not because of other people. As you go through daily struggles, remember not to allow other people to define who you are. You are awesome just the way you are!!

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Mag •A• zine

LEO

CANCER

SKY

JUN 21 - JUL 22 Girl, relax! Everything will be just alright and you are on the right track. If you feel like you need some assurance, there you have it. Always remember that you are capable of achieving all your goals and nothing is impossible - all dreams are valid. Relax, drink some water and know that you are great!

VIRGO

AUG 23 - SEPT 21 Be positive because you are just about to receive great news. You don’t need to worry because every day is another opportunity to achieve and dream again. Yes, you have big dreams but all you need to do is work hard and remain positive because they surely will come true.

Y PES

LIBRA

SCORPIO

S U I R A T T I G A S

SEPT 22 - OCT 23 You will have an important conversation that will put a lot into perspective for you.

Don’t doubt anything because everything is aligned with your destiny. Refrain from listening to external voices, but listen to that inner voice because it will lead you in the right direction.

OCT 24 - NOV 21 We encourage you to stay close to your loved ones and continue doing what you love. A lot of people gravitate towards you and love telling you their problems, because you are not just a great listener but a problem-solver too. Keep being yourself and you will like the opportunities that are presented.

NOV 22 - DEC 21 You are strong and independent, but always remember that you have people who love you around you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and you will see how much calmer and happier you are. Continue working hard, as you already are. The SKY fam is here for you <3 keep slaying babes!!

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SKY

Mag •A• zine

Check out all the awesome people we spotted rocking SKY gear :D

If you spot yourself on this page, you WIN a SKY

T-shirt!

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