Sowetan 'S Mag' June 2016

s S Mag

Style and substance June 2016 | www.sowetanlive.co.za

Nandi Mngoma We talk muses and music with the anti-’It Girl’

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There’s more than one way to make a first impression.

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S upfront

editor’s portrait DAMON FOURIE

E DITOR’S LET TER

W

hat an exciting moment it is for us to finally reveal to you our new addition to the Sowetan family: Sowetan S Mag! In your hands is the first edition of our brand new quarterly lifestyle magazine, mainly aimed at our female readership. Over the past couple of days (ok, weeks) I have been mulling over my computer, wondering how best to summarise what lies in store in this gem of a read, but I think ultimately, letting the magazine speak for itself is best.

Many people have poured hours of work into these pages but a special thanks must go to Nandi Mngoma, who believed in our vision enough to grace our first cover. We speak to her about

life, love and everything else on page 16. Thanks must also go to acclaimed local fashion designer, Thula Sindi, who kindly allowed me to be dressed in his artistry for my ed’s picture. Thula also shares some of his magic with you on page 10, giving tips on how best to wear leopard print – a wild but classic fashion favourite.

On page 14, make-up artist to the stars Muzi Zuma shows us how to get the perfect brows, and those in the market for a new car can get some great financial advice on page 25. Also take a walk through Soweto with the King of Kwaito as he reminisces in our Kasi Memories feature.

I hope that with each coming edition, we become your go-to guide for beauty, fashion, culture and lots more – that you look forward to each issue as much as we do. This is your magazine, valued Sowetan readers, and we would love to hear from you, so do send us your thoughts to smag@ sowetan.co.za. The winning letter stands a chance to win a fantastic Nivea hamper, along with a Samsonite beauty case (see entry details below). Until next time!

GIVEAWAY Grab your smartphone and send us an e-mail or write us a letter, and you could stand a chance to win NIVEA (South Africa’s No. 1 body care brand*) Rich Nourishing products to last you a whole year**, in addition to a stylish Samsonite Cosmolite beauty case, all valued at R6 150. Send us your full name and daytime contact details to smag@sowetan.co.za or our postal address: PO Box 1746, Saxonwold, 2132, Gauteng, South Africa. Please address your letter to the editor of Sowetan S Mag. * Nielsen, Trade Desk, H&B, Value Share, FY 2015 ** 12 x NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Lotion 400ml and 12 x NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream 400ml

Cover Shirt, R699, Country Road; skirt, R569, TopShop; coat, R2 599; earrings, R199, both Mango

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CONTENTS Inspire Nandi Mngoma chats to us about feminism and sports the hottest looks for autumn/winter 2016

22

Conversations

26

Food

30

Kasi Memories

On escaping abusive relationships and forging a new future

Mogau Seshoene gives new wives a crash course in cooking

Arthur Mafokate guides us around his Soweto

JUNE 2016

ISSUE 1

EDITOR THEMBALETHU ZULU (SMAG@SOWETAN.CO.ZA) CREATIVE DIRECTOR MEGAN GUYT MANAGING EDITOR MATTHEW MCCLURE 011 280 5605 (MCCLUREM@ BDFM.CO.ZA) FASHION DIRECTOR SHARON BECKER FASHION EDITOR KHOMOTSO MOLOTO BEAUTY EDITOR NTOMBENHLE SHEZI DESIGNER LYDIA WESSELS SUB-EDITOR YVONNE FONTYN FINAL EYE WENDY PRETORIUS SOWETAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PHILANI MGWABA SOWETAN DEPUTY EDITOR MAPULA NKOSI PUBLISHER ASPASIA KARRAS BUSINESS MANAGER YVONNE SHAFF 082 903 5641

The competition starts at 8am on Friday June 24 and ends at 8am on July 8. The winner’s name will be published in the second issue of Sowetan S Mag. The prize must be taken up (or rejected) as awarded and cannot be transferred to any other person, sold or converted to cash. The competition is open to all residents of SA over 18 years of age, except employees and their families of Times Media Pty Limited, or Beiersdorf or Beiersdorf agencies. Your contact details will be kept private and not used for any marketing purposes.

(SHAFFY@TIMESMEDIA.CO.ZA) SALES EXECUTIVE Johannesburg Wesley Peter 084 371 1155 (PETERW@TIMESMEDIA.CO.ZA) SALES EXECUTIVE Johannesburg FAITH THOMAS 082 852 8997 FAITH@FASHIONEDIT.CO.ZA) SALES EXECUTIVE Cape Town CHARLOTTE NUTMAN 078 358 6154 (NUTMANC@TIMESMEDIA.CO.ZA) S Mag is available with all copies of Sowetan newspaper, on a quarterly basis.

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PRINTED by Paarl Media for Times Media Pty Ltd, 4 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

advertorial

portrait photography DAMON FOURIE

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Sowetan S Mag’s stylish and informed fashion and beauty team are our go-to guide for what’s hot and happening this season. Our Fashion Editor Khomotso Moloto and Beauty Editor Ntombenhle Shezi visited Eastgate Mall and arrived back at the office with their top lists of trending fashion and beauty items, just for you

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FOR THE GENTS WIN WITH EASTGATE MALL

One lucky guy and girl stands the chance of winning a R5 000 gift voucher to spend at Eastgate Mall by telling us what the trendiest one-stop shopping destination is in Bedfordview. E-mail or send us a letter with your answer, your full name and daytime contact details to smag@sowetan.co.za, or PO Box 1746, Saxonwold, 2132, Gauteng, South Africa

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The competition starts at 8am on Friday June 24 and ends at 8am on July 8. The winner’s name will be published in the second issue of Sowetan S Mag. The prize must be taken up (or rejected) as awarded and cannot be transferred to any other person, sold or converted to cash. The competition is open to all residents of SA over 18 years of age, except employees and their families of Times Media Pty Limited, Excellerate Brand Management or employees of Eastgate Mall and their families. Your contact details will be kept private and not used for any marketing purposes. *LIMITED AVAILABILITY

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fashion

FELINE FEELING

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Leopard print can be tricky to get right but these top tips will help you get the look in style

Mango waistcoat, R1 499, Spree; trousers, R599, H&M; bag, R950, Dune London; belt, R199, H&M; shoes, R1 199, House Of Cinnamon

'This is a classic that will never fade – it can give any outfit a feminine feel, it still remains edgy and current.

Actress Eartha Kitt was always fashion-forward in taking an African aesthetic and giving it an international appeal, which was very evident in how she wore leopard print' – Thula Sindi

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THULA SINDI’S TOP THREE TIPS * Leopard print is about having fun, whether you wear it head to toe or just as a statement piece. If you are a conservative fashionista, try one piece at a time, like a pair of shoes or a bag. * Amp up the glam factor by complementing leopard print with accents of gold or earthy tones. * Add a pop of colour to give your look a bold and unexpected twist.

Country Road woolworths.co.za | Dune London, 011 685 7055 | H&M hm.com/za | House Of Cinnamon houseofcinnamon.com | Jigsaw Edgars.co.za | Mango 011 783 7907 | Mimco woolworths.co.za | River Island 011 214 7781 | Trenery woolworths.co.za | Witchery woolworths.co.za

text KHOMOTSO MOLOTO photography GALLO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES / MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES / STRINGER

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AU NATUREL Keep it natural with a nude colour that suits dark skin tones. Our top picks come from the Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color collection, R315

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EYE OPENERS Create the perfect cat eye or brighten up tired-looking eyes with our pick of the best liners

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TOP TIP Remember, the perfect nude should not look like your foundation has been wiped across your lips; rather it should brighten them up

TREAT YOUR HAIR Give your hair extra care and protection with Dove’s Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Treatment with African macadamia oil, R180

With the cold season in full swing, make sure you are not only gorgeous but also nourished and protected with these beauty essentials text NTOMBENHLE SHEZI photography AUBREY JONSSON / MAC

PERFECT YOUR SHADE Having trouble finding the right foundation? The Body Shop has created innovative Shade Adjusting Drops. By adding just one drop to your own foundation, the drops allow you to create a shade more suitable for your skin tone. R300

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beauty

RESIGN FROM BAD BROWS! Make-up artist to the stars Muzi Zuma believes eyebrows are a powerful tool for perfectly framing the face. With clients like Bonang Matheba, Terry Phetho and Nomzamo Mbatha, he knows a thing or two about crafting the perfect arch illustrations GINA JEANZ

“As women, your greatest power lies in your brows,” says foremost makeup artist Muzi Zuma.

“With the right brow, you can give your stance and feeling without saying a word.”

Shaping, says Zuma, is the most important thing. “Achieving the desired shape is the first step, and threading works wonders for me.

Waxing is a no-no because it can induce early wrinkles.”

Practice makes perfect, he adds: “It took me many attempts to master

and be confident in doing my brows.

Don’t give up! Wipes exist for a reason,” says the self-taught make-up artist, who is on a crusade to end what he calls “eyebrow murder”.

“We need to get rid of the straight line, the geometric shape and other unmentionables which have sadly replaced many beautiful brows and ruined stunning faces out there.”

Zuma believes there are several types of brows one can create. Here are his tips for what he calls his favourite, “the clean, graphic, striking brow”.

MUZI’S TIPS Don’t be too hard on yourself. The gospel with brows, as any honest make-up artist will tell you, is they aren’t and never will be identical twins. But they must be sisters and bear a strong resemblance to each other.

To find the perfect eyebrow pencil colour, try to match it with the darkest part of your hair, or as a safer option, go for what looks most natural. This of course depends on you. If, like myself, you are bold and daring, there’s no colour that’s too dark!

6 STEPS TO MASTERING THE PERFECT BROW

1.

Comb out your brows using MAC clear Brow Set gel to keep them in place.

4. Repeat the process with the same brush, but using a concealer that is your skin tone to clean and define the top of your brow (only if necessary)

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2. Draw a line at the bottom and

3. I am a great fan of natural

top of your brow and fill in between those lines, adding intensity of colour from roughly the middle to the tail. MAC eyebrow pencils are my go-to products as they are precise and give instant gratification.

highlights under the brow – using a concealer that’s a tone lighter than your foundation works magic.

Use an angled brush to clean and further define the brow.

5.

To achieve a natural element, use a spoodle brush to create a soft fade that blends, builds and marries the point at which you started intensifying the brow colour.

6. Take a final look, edit where necessary and you’re done!

TomatoWatchesSA

fashion

Top, R90, Mr Price; trousers, R1Â 199, TopShop; earring, R199, Mango; necklace, R350, Fabrosanz; faux fur scarf, R999, Witchery; belt, R599, Mango

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IN HER OWN TIME The antithesis of the ‘It Girl’, Nandi Mngoma is a young muse building a solid career text NTOMBENHLE SHEZI photography STEVE TANCHEL / RED HOT OPS fashion editor KHOMOTSO MOLOTO

Top, R349; shorts, R229, both H&M; earring, R199, Mango; bag, R90, Mr Price

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interview

Shirt, R699, Country Road; jumpsuit, R1Â 249, TopShop; scarf, R599, Trenery; earring, R199, Mango

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t’s a chilly Wednesday morning and we are in studio shooting the petite Nandi Mngoma for the cover of the first issue of Sowetan S Mag. She’s had an early start, 6am, but she exudes energy and her enthusiasm is infectious. Our conversation takes place in between takes as she tries on rails of clothing and rows of shoes and makes touch-ups to the hairstyle she has become famous for: the hairstyle her fans fondly call is’Nandi.

“When people meet me they are never ready,” says Mngoma, describing herself as a super-crazy, hyped person.

“Everyone always expects me to be all poised.”

If you follow the actress and musician on social media, you will understand how she’s amassed so many fans. Although she has endorsements with big names like adidas and last year featured alongside Pharrell Williams in the Woolworths spring/summer campaign, Mngoma has sort of projected herself as the anti-“It Girl”.

“More than anything I strongly believe that you will automatically be interesting and appealing if you stay true to yourself,” she says. Ironically, it’s this laid-back sense of self that’s earned her a top spot on everyone’s radar.

Mngoma attributes her confidence to encouragement from her parents, who raised her and her siblings in the northern suburbs of Durban. She had, she says, a very fortunate and pleasurable childhood. She also spent time at her grandparents’ place in rural KwaZulu-Natal, a combination which helped her to feel grounded.

Her introduction to the spotlight came at the age of six, when she competed in a beauty pageant and won. At 14 she found herself performing in her hometown at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping before landing her first presenting gig at 15 for a children’s television show. That was the moment she realised she loved being in entertainment.

Mngoma has an earnest desire to create longevity in her career, as opposed to being in it for the fame, and she takes her time on individual projects. Working at her own pace keeps her sane in an industry where there is constant pressure to churn out hits.

“I get tired of myself,” she says, remembering a time when she would hear her hit single with KO, Skhanda Love, being played constantly on the radio. At that time she was also on The Road and her face was almost everywhere as part of the Woolworths campaign.

“Rushing things means you make a lot of errors. I have seen it happen, then later you look back and think to yourself, ‘That really wasn’t for me’,” she says.

It took a lot of convincing for the 28-year-old to accept the role of Nokuthula “Zoe” Dhlomo, her breakout role as an actress on The Road. It was produced by award-winning film and television production company Bomb Productions, but was canned after only a few months due to a dramatic drop in ratings.

Mngoma says viewers likely didn’t warm to the production because it was too experimental and ahead of its time, but she believes The Road will set the trend for other productions in years to come.

‘When people meet me they are never ready’

Looking past her acting endeavours, she has decided now is the perfect time to recommit herself to music. She cannot mention much, but talks about a big recording deal that will see her travelling between here and the US with exciting collaborations including one with Wits Students’ Representative Council president Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, who rose to fame during the #FeesMustFall protests, on an intro anthem to the album titled Sisters.

The musician has shared teasers of the song via her social media platforms, however, the full single will only be available when she releases the album later this year.

In light of all the controversy and conflict around the constant focus on Mkhatshwa as spearheading the movement, Mngoma says: “I understand she is not the only one leading the movement. I love her ethics and that she is a young female leader who is selfless, and that she is breaking boundaries as a female.”

She says her upcoming album will include collaborations with a number of strong women from home and abroad. I ask her if she is a feminist. She sees herself as more of a humanist.

“I just want equal rights for all humans. When you label it, it comes off as if you want to fight when these things should be the norm. You want to see everyone winning.”

Mngoma talks about being inspired by African queens like Nzinga and Nefertiti. Her hair is reminiscent of another muse, Grace Jones, and she’s also inspired by Miriam Makeba. “I love powerful females who shake the game and change it up.”

Her style has been closely observed and it has become more refined over the years, yet still has a seemingly effortless African aesthetic.

For many of her fans, her hairstyle is a key attraction and has solidified her position as bit of a muse. “I have had short hair ever since I came into the industry. It was more about me just being me than a fad,” she says.

With so much going on in her career, she acknowledges the importance of slowing down. She loves painting and playing the piano with her partner, musician and producer Zakes Bantwini. They’ve been together for three years, but neither likes to put their relationship on show. Unlike many famous couples, they don’t want to make a career out of their relationship.

So what’s next for the unassuming It Girl? While focusing on her music career and expanding her production company, Nandi Mngoma Media, she has other projects on the go, although she didn’t want to go into detail: “I am working on something that will specifically encourage sisters to share their personal stories, and we are also looking at establishing a programme that will encourage girls, specifically in the townships and emakhaya, to lead a healthy lifestyle – which is why being an ambassador for adidas is important for me.”

At the recent South African Music Awards, Mngoma was nominated for Song of the Year, but unfortunately lost out to Nathi’s Nomvula. With a new song on high rotation, DJ Kent’s Fly Away, on which she lends her vocals, and a recently launched website, it looks like this anti-It Girl will be on our radar for a while.

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fashion

Shirt, R130, Mr Price; top, R449, Mango; skirt, R499, H&M; earring, R199, Mango

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Shirt dress, R160, Mr Price; kimono, R899, H&M

stockists Country Road woolworths.co.za Fabrosanz fabrosanz.com H&M hm.com/za Karen Millen 011 784 2937 Mango 011 783 7907 Mr Price mrp.co.za TopShop 011 685 7070 Trenery woolworths.co.za photographer | STEVE TANCHEL / RED HOT OPS | fashion editor KHOMOTSO MOLOTO | make-up ALEX BOTHA USING DERMOLOGICA | model NANDI MNGOMA | photographer’s assistant BLESSING SPHIWO NDLOVU | fashion intern RANAA PATEL

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conversations

BREAKING FREE Priscilla Malinga was trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage but found the strength to break free for good. This is her story illustrations Gina Jeanz

“D

ivorce is emotionally draining, but for me it felt like coming out of prison after years and years of being locked up.

Billy* was a handsome, well-built guy in his 20s when I met him back in 2000. He was also very loving and would often buy me flowers and gifts and bring them to my work. But even though he had lots of charisma and potential, Billy had no real career. As an aspiring salesman, he made an income from selling security devices for different companies. At first he seemed to worship the ground I walked on, and we broke a lot of hearts when we got married after just months of dating.

A few weeks before our wedding day, we got some good news when my fiancé landed himself a good job at one of the big security companies.

As a good wife I supported all his decisions and encouraged him to start his own company. Our lifestyle improved and we moved into a beautiful new house in the suburbs.

Billy had always been possessive and controlling, but I took this to be a sign of his love. After our marriage, he became worse, even pushing me to quit my promising job as a human resources officer in a major security company. My job involved day trips to different branches with the boss but my husband insinuated I was having an affair with him, and that he wanted to sleep with me. Jealousy clouded his judgment and he came to my workplace some days, standing at the window behind my desk so he could listen in on my phone conversations. This happened on numerous occasions and for no reason he would accuse me of flirting with other men. Billy became so controlling that he started deciding who my friends should and shouldn’t be. He even forbade my male cousin, whom I’d grown up with, from coming near me as he was also suspected of having a sexual interest in me. Even though this displayed the signs of being in an abusive relationship, I overlooked them as just a pure display of affection.

My decision to quit my job made me very unhappy as I was now financially dependent on him. Luckily for us, as his business grew and he earned his first tender, the life of battling to make ends meet became a thing of the past. At first, we discussed and shared everything, but as time went on he reminded me it was his money.

That was when I realised he was cheating on me with a businesswoman. It was the second time – the first one was when we were still trying to find our feet, soon after our marriage. At first we answered each other’s 22

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cellphones but his behaviour suddenly changed. I got curious and, one day, when he was sleeping, I went through his phone messages. His cellphone had a pin code all of a sudden, but I managed to crack it. What I found there broke my heart. I retaliated by cheating back.

Deep down I knew that my marriage was over. He found out I was cheating and confronted the person I was having an affair with, ending his marriage. I blamed myself for this for a long time.

After my brief affair, we worked things out, but the reconciliation was short-lived. Being cheated on is painful. The pain is real and deep. After cheating, the marriage changes, whether we choose to accept it or not.

The trust, the passion and excitement go. He became more suspicious of everything. He confiscated my cellphone and people had to call me on his.

The final straw came when one day he locked me and my six-year-old daughter from a previous relationship in the house, taking the keys and cellphone with him. He left us stranded with no food and disappeared for the weekend. I remember one day, waking up to my daughter’s desperate sounds as she searched for money to buy bread. It was that moment that brought me to my senses. I hated who I had become. Hearing my daughter say, “Mom, we were never short of food before you were married,” upset me terribly but ironically, gave me the strength to walk away.

Nothing in this world could have done more to jolt me into reality. It was enough to make me finally get help. Through our lounge window facing the gate, I spotted a lady who was parked nearby. I called her over and asked to use her phone. I called my brother, who learnt of my problems for the first time.

The problem for most black people is that when we get married, we get a lecture from the elders of the family about how sacred our marriage should be, and that as a wife it is your responsibility to keep your marriage together. Disclosing marital problems, especially to family members, is taboo, as they hold this against you even if the two of you have mended your differences.

I had decided though that it was finally time for me to leave. My daughter had been right: I had lost myself in this marriage. I had no money, no job and no friends. Not even my relatives could come through for me.

Sometimes the idea of being married overshadows the reality of what it really means to be married. I realised that when I got married I had been

‘When we get married we get a lecture from the elders of the family about how sacred our marriage should be’

in love with the idea of having a committed matrimonial relationship and stability. I believe most women marry for these reasons.

When you are about to leave your marriage, so many things race through your mind, causing you to doubt your decision. But I felt I needed to escape the trap. Looking back, I was lucky we had not had children of our own. But I still felt like a failure, I worried a lot about what people were going to say. I didn’t even have the strength to tell my family that I had decided to leave as it would have subjected me to emotionally draining family meetings. When you get married as a black person, the whole family gets involved. Getting divorced involves the same. I left my beautiful house while my husband was at work, with nothing but the clothes on my back, a few belongings I acquired before we got married and the wedding gifts from my friends and family. I went to stay with a friend who lived with her family in a shack behind her grandmother’s house because I feared for my life and thought it was a place he wouldn’t think to look for me.

I was scared and cried most of the time, but going back was never an option. I struggled and lived on the kindness of friends for a while. For some people in my community, I became a laughing stock and a gossip topic. I was called a “return soldier” among other things – a term used to name a woman whose marriage has failed. It affected my daughter too.

After the divorce I felt confused about where to start getting my life back on track – it is not for the faint-hearted or the timid. It is not just the heartache you have to deal with, but also criticism and mockery from the same people who celebrated your wedding with you. It’s the questions you don’t want to answer, like “what went wrong?” “Where is your husband?”

“Why couldn’t/didn’t you work it out?”

It confuses me how people view you as a failure when you walk away from something that doesn’t serve you anymore. I don’t view divorce as a failure – I view it as the most powerful step one can take in an unhappy marriage, true strength. It’s very liberating. It’s OK to leave and start afresh.

I did it and lived to tell the tale – and I have found love again.” * Not his real name If you need help with an emotional problem, these organisations offer phone and face-to-face counselling: Lifeline Southern Africa 0861 322 322 The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) 0800 20 50 26 or 011 234 4837

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leadership

ZANELE LUVUNO MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRANSCEND TALENT MANAGEMENT

Zanele Luvuno is shaking up the corporate world as the MD of a transformation recruitment and leadership consultancy firm that is 51% black female-owned. She opens up about her rise to the top and reveals what it’s like to be calling the shots in a male-dominated industry text EMMANUEL TJIYA

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ho is Zanele Luvuno? Zanele Luvuno is the MD of Transcend Talent Management. We are focused on creating opportunities for exceptional black people and high-calibre individuals in the South African context. What does your role as MD entail? I went into business with a corporate finance house that does ownership solutions for BEE transactions for multinationals. So the multinationals come to them to ask ‘how do we tackle this BEE thing?’ Everybody says ‘there are no black people and we can’t find them’. I put my hand up and say, ‘Oh hell no, there are, and we are going to show you where they are.’ What are some of the struggles that you have faced over the years working in corporate SA? There is an assumption that if you are black it somehow compromises on quality. That is not the case. Then, I’m a woman – when I wake up in the morning I pick my battles. Am I fighting the gender battle today or the race battle? What’s harder to fight, the gender or the race battle? The gender battle. The race battle we can stand in solidarity with our brothers. But as women we are often told to stay in our lane and that happens from men across all colour lines. So, you most definitely play hardball?

I’m outspoken, I have an opinion and I’m pushing down barriers.

But it’s great if we say we are fighting as black people. If you are a woman you are told that you are a big mouth, you are opinionated, and you think you are a man. What advice would you offer to up-and-coming businesswomen hoping to take over the corporate world? Be serious about yourself.

Be clear and understand who you are. Understand the environment you are going into. People always say, “Oh Zan, you have such a great network, you know everybody across the continent.” My little black book is quite impressive, even if I say so myself.

What have been some of your notable achievements over the years? I have made some very notable placements in the industry. We have just taken over the Little Black Book with the Financial Mail. In taking over that book, we are saying there is black business excellence, even though I don’t like the term. For lack of a better term, what does ‘black business excellence’ mean to you? I think the first wave of individuals who personified black business excellence, a lot of them were people who came with political connectivity. Those guys have moved on and they have paved the way. We have a different wave of black business excellence. These are individuals who have done well without the political connectivity. Social media is a huge factor in today’s world. What’s your advice to young people on the content they put on their various social media platforms? Remember that you are a brand at all times and what you do speaks to your brand. If you are converting those ‘likes’ into currency, then it means you are serious about your brand. ‘Likes’ for the sake of ‘likes’? I don’t know. And getting into the job market, especially corporate SA, how influential is social media? More of our clients hire off social media now more than ever before. Our clients go to LinkedIn. So, anything you put on social media that is not reflective of you in a positive light is going to put you at a disadvantage. To someone new to the job market, what are the five tools they need to arm themselves with to break into corporate SA? Education needs to be a big thing. Then, a mentor, a great CV, and a great LinkedIn profile and network. By network, I don’t mean nightclubs (Laughs). Having a ‘blesser’ seems to be the latest trend, especially among the millennials. What’s your view on that? Is it a trend? Sugar-daddies have always been around. We live in a patriarchal system and a patriarchal economy, where men have always used their financial access to dominate women. To conclude, how do you plan on effecting change in the next couple of years? I think transformation in SA is top of the list for me, so we don’t have a narrative about blessers. Economic transformation and tangible transformation.

MOTORING

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE HATCH Go sporty and graceful or sensual and stylish with these recommendations from motoring writer Vuyi Mpofu

RENAULT CLIO 4 One of my favourite hatchbacks is the Renault Clio 4. With its sensual exterior styling, innovative interior features and excellent safety features, the Clio 4 has just about everything you would want from a city runaround. The five-door hatch features concealed rear doors and is lower than the previous model, which makes it more athletic looking. It also has a somewhat seductive vibe about it, thanks to its curves and sporty rear shoulders (trust the French to fuse athleticism and sex appeal!).

The Clio 4 comes packed with smart technology, creature comforts and fitments as standard.

Its sleek, aeroplane wing-styled dashboard with central control panel, digital speedometer for ease of readability, height-adjustable driver’s seat (70mm range), height and reach-adjustable steering column all work in unison to make everyday driving a breeze.

The Renault Clio was the first car in its class to obtain a four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating with

the Clio 2 model back in 2000.

After that, the Clio 3 became the first car in the AB segment to secure the maximum Euro NCAP score of five stars. The Clio 4 has continued the safety achievements by securing another five-star crash test rating involving even more stringent requirements.

It is available in two specifications: the new Clio Expression - 88KW turbo engine with EDC and new Clio Blaze - 66kW Limited Edition Turbo.

Both Clio models come standard with a five-year/150 000km mechanical warranty and a threeyear/45 000km service plan.

The prices are: Clio Blaze Limited Edition Turbo: R179 900 (metallic paint R2 500 extra). Clio Expression 88kW Turbo EDC: R234 900 (metallic paint R2 500 extra).

MONEY MATTERS WHEN BUYING A CAR, says Dineo Tsamela Buying a car can be both exciting and stressful, particularly if you are not financially prepared. Ensure that your vehicle doesn’t become a purchase you regret by following these tips: • Budget, budget, budget: Will you be able to afford the car you want in the long run? Remember, a car isn’t just the instalment and insurance. You’ll have to think about fuel, wear and tear and general maintenance. Before signing on the dotted line, draw up a budget and look at your other expenses carefully. Do not let your car take up more than 30%-35% of your salary. If you already have a considerable amount of debt, look into settling that before buying your car.

• Have a large deposit: Aim to have a deposit that is higher than 10% of the value of your car as this will reduce your monthly payments or the repayment term.

One way to save up for your deposit (and prepare yourself for car ownership) is to open a savings account over a few months where you deposit the amount you

MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS The new-generation MercedesBenz A-Class range epitomises how athletic hatchbacks ought to look and drive by reconciling sporty and graceful performance with enhanced comfort. The model I had on test, the A200d, was a delight to drive. With 100kW and 300Nm at the ready, the 7G-DCT auto-driven A200d hauled from 0km-100km in 9.3 seconds, which isn’t too shabby for a diesel engine. Of course, my loan car was kitted out with myriad optional extras, ranging from the AMG Sport Package to a mirror package, panoramic sunroof and (much-appreciated) heated front

seats. The car also has LED static headlamps and Distronic Plus, all of which made for a pleasant week of taking the longest route possible to just about anywhere!

Offered in two diesel (A200d and A220d) and three petrol variants (A200, A250 Sport and MercedesAMG 45 4Matic), the exterior of the A-Class range boasts dramatically curved surfaces and coupé-like window lines. It also has a distinctive diamond grille and newly designed tail pipes that fuse perfectly into the rear bumper.

The A-Class is the embodiment of confidence, on-road authority and grace in motion. Interior-wise, it is a little more demure than its exterior but without detracting from its sporty ethos. All models come standard with packages for seat comfort, stowage space and anti-theft as well as media interface, tyre pressure monitoring system, run-flat tyres, ECO start/stop, multifunction steering wheel and Pre-Safe system.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class starting price: R419 000.

can afford for repayments. When you are ready, you’ll have a deposit set aside and you will have prepared yourself for the monthly payments too.

• Fixed or variable interest: Financing options are critical, so think about whether you want to go with a fixed or variable interest rate. With a variable interest rate, economic conditions play a big part and rising interest rates will affect the value of your monthly payment. A fixed rate offers more stability, although it will be slightly higher than a variable rate. The current prime lending rate is 10.5%, but banks determine the rate you pay according to your credit profile.

• Be assured and insured: Insurance is a must-have for any car owner, but cheaper isn’t always better. Be honest about the kind of driver you are and choose adequate insurance cover. You don’t want to be underinsured in the event of an accident.

FOLLOW DINEO on @DeeOnMoneyZA

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food

LABOUR OF LOVE The Lazy Makoti shows you how to take the stress out of cooking for in-laws text THEMBALETHU ZULU photography ANNALIZE NEL

B

eyond pulling off the perfect wedding, with the right cake, dress and flowers, lies an even greater fear for many an African bride – the period of ukukotiza. The age-old tradition, where the new bride takes part in a customary stay at the in-laws, includes the tasks of cleaning and cooking for the extended family, a seemingly straightforward task – unless you can’t cook.

Enter Mogau Seshoene, who has made a living for the past two years from helping damsels in distress who haven’t quite mastered the difference between their pots and pans. The Limpopo native is the owner of The Lazy Makoti, a mobile cooking class that helps women fine-tune their cooking skills and improve their ability to produce perfect African cuisine.

Three years ago, Seshoene was an intern auditor but gave it all up to follow her passion. “At The Lazy Makoti we give cooking lessons, something I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember,” she said. “It’s also something I’m trained in and have a great passion for.”

When Seshoene’s friend, Latticia Tsotetsi, got married a few years ago, she called on her more kitchen-savvy friend’s help. “My husband knew I couldn’t cook and he was okay with that. But you can’t say that to your in-laws,” said Tsotetsi, a traffic officer. Faced with the challenge of cooking for 14 people in rural KwaZulu-Natal, she knew she needed help and so enlisted the services of her childhood friend.

“We did a few successful sessions that ended with her learning to prepare traditional food and then recommending my services to others,” said Seshoene. The casual cooking classes sparked an idea and The Lazy Makoti was born.

A few years on and the consumer science graduate has added locally manufactured merchandise to her repertoire, selling branded aprons, chopping boards and kitchen accessories. She has also had a taste of the silver screen with a cooking show on a pop-up channel on DStv. On the show, Seshoene dished up African cuisine with a healthy twist. “The aim is to go healthier and to ‘spice up’ the food.”

Seshoene does not believe that African cuisine has fallen out of favour. “In the big city, African food is maybe not as big. As Africans we have a habit of adopting other people’s cultures and embracing them as our own over ours. But the taste of home can never be forgotten. We all still long for the taste of ting and gemmer.”

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Recipes

HEARTY BEEF STEW

STEAMED BREAD

Serves 4-6 1kg stewing beef 100ml flour 25ml BBQ spice 30ml oil 2 onions, chopped 10ml garlic, chopped 400g can of chopped tomatoes (I prefer the can as it saves time – already peeled and chopped, but you can use 3-4 tomatoes if you prefer) 15ml tomato paste 500ml beef stock 1 bay leaf Vegetable mix: baby marrow, sweetcorn, baby potatoes, carrots, peeled and chopped.

Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 4-6 4½ cups cake flour 500ml warm water 10ml instant dry yeast 10ml salt 20ml sugar

Grease an enamel bowl with butter or margarine. Sift the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and mix with the remainder of the ingredients. Knead until the dough is combined and does not stick to the hands. Transfer the dough to the greased bowl. Cover it with cling wrap and let it rise. Fill a big pot with water and place greased bowl inside. Steam for at least an hour or until cooked.

Toss the meat in the flour and spice (the flour helps to thicken the stew later but for now it helps create a dry surface for when we brown the meat). Heat the oil in a saucepan and brown the meat in batches.

(Browning the meat helps create a crust and keep the meat intact during the long stewing process but most importantly, it brings out the natural flavour of the meat.)

Add more oil to the pan and fry the onion and garlic until soft. Return the meat to the pot and let it simmer for 45 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, paste, bay leaf and vegetables and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20 minutes or until meat is tender.

Serve with steamed bread.

FOUR-INGREDIENT BISCUITS Makes 30 My favourite cookies, very quick and easy, and perfect for tea with the inlaws.

1¼ cup self-raising flour ¾ cup sugar 1 beaten egg 125g melted butter Sift flour and combine with the sugar. Mix the melted butter and egg together. Add to the flour and sugar mixture and mix well. Roll into balls and place on a greased oven tray. Use the back of a glass or fork to flatten the cookies. Bake at 220° for 10 minutes or until light brown. Allow to cool, and enjoy!

The Lazy Makoti’s kitchen tips 1. Potatoes If you oversalt a dish – say, a soup or stew – add a peeled potato.

It will absorb all the excess salt.

To keep potatoes from sprouting in the bag, store with an apple.

2. Smelly problems Lemon juice will help neutralise odours from pungent foods, like onions and garlic. After handling items that leave your hands stinky, wash them with a mixture of lemon juice and water.

3. Check if eggs are fresh To check if an egg is still edible, gently place it in a bowl of cold water.

If the egg sinks to the bottom, it’s A-Ok. If it floats, it has seen better days.

Over time, the liquid inside eggs evaporates through the shell, leaving a gas bubble inside. The floatier it is, the older it is.

4. Random kitchen hacks * Prevent a chopping board from slipping or moving by placing a damp cloth underneath it. * Prevent a pot from boiling over by placing a wooden spoon over the top. * Disinfect and sanitise sponges by soaking them in water and microwaving for two minutes.

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spirit

“I

knew nothing about yoga when I started. I mean, not a single thing,” says yoga instructor Phumla Shongwe. “My sister invited me to a class because I had tried jogging and that was a joke – I was huffing and puffing when I could still see the gate to my house.”

Gym also failed. “I couldn’t stand the smell or the overly competitive vibes.”

But yoga struck a chord. “The instructor started with breathing exercises. Something in my being began to rejoice!

I had never just sat and ‘Something in breathed. I didn’t know that my being began something so simple could be so powerful,” says Shongwe, 34. to rejoice! I had Ten years on, she runs her never just sat and own classes at various venues breathed’ in Johannesburg.

“All my classes open with breathing and becoming present, then we work into the physical body through poses, finally completing the practice with breathing and meditation.”

The practice of yoga, a physical, mental and spiritual exercise, started in India and spread across the world.

“By learning to be kind, compassionate and at peace with ourselves, we learn to practise ubuntu in our lives.

“Yoga improves passion and desire. When we work into our physical body we are also working into our energy body (chakras). When we open and balance our chakras we are turning up our energy levels and you’ll find your passion for love, life and sex on the rise. You’ll not only have a deeper level of desire but a higher level of satisfaction as well,” she says.

“When we teach the body the balance between stamina and flexibility in poses, we also teach the mind the balance between determination and flexibility in work and relationships.”

TRY THIS SIMPLE MEDITATION In meditation we want to support the mind to find ways to work best. Repetition will be your biggest tool in the beginning. It doesn’t matter how many times you get distracted, simply take yourself back into the meditation without judgment.

1. Get comfortable.

If the physical body can’t settle, the mind won’t settle. Use a chair, a cushion, pillows, anything you need to be comfortable. But sit upright so you don’t fall asleep.

2. Release expectations. You are not suddenly going to have a quiet mind.

If you hold yourself to that expectation, you will be disappointed.

3. Allow yourself to naturally deepen the breath (without forcing it) and stay

with this deep breathing for a while.

Don’t fight thoughts, acknowledge them. Instead of punishing ourselves when thoughts come up, thank yourself every time for this moment of mindfulness, then release the thought.

4. Don’t check the time during meditation. Put your phone on flight mode, then set the alarm for 10 minutes.

Set the alarm tone to be a soothing or a motivational tune.

Remember If sitting for 10 minutes doesn’t work for you, try something else – walking in your garden silently for 10 minutes, drawing, singing or dancing. Anything expressive or creative will do, but no writing, planning or organising. You can even slip it into your daily chores, like while washing the dishes or jogging, as long as it is quiet and repetitive. Meditate twice a week and then choose a consistent place and time.

JOURNEY OF THE MIND Yoga and meditation changed Phumla Shongwe’s life

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text THEMBALETHU ZULU photography ANNALIZE NEL

real wedding

‘I DO, ME TOO’ A blind date led to romantic nuptials in the Winelands text HARSHA GORDHAN

W

hen Nomagcisa Ndinisa went on a blind date with Lozmah Dukumbane, she had no idea that five years later she’d be saying “I do” in the Cape Winelands. “I was a bit nervous, but willing to see how this was going to turn out,” she says.

The pair met at Cubana in Greenpoint, Cape Town, for their first date, which was set up by a mutual friend. Dukumbane at the time was working for Emirates Airlines and living in Dubai. “When I came to SA to holiday for a month, I thought it would just be relaxation time with family and friends. I never expected to meet my future wife,” he says.

Afterwards they Skyped every week, and as their love for each other grew, so did their phone

bills. That’s when he decided to move back to SA, two years after dating long-distance.

“He was very warm and charming and that’s what drew me to him,” says Ndinisa, 36.

When Dukumbane decided to pop the question, things didn’t quite go as planned. He’d made a reservation at an exclusive restaurant in Mouille Point, but a table mix-up left them in the lurch. So, instead, a stop for coffee at McDonald’s on the way home led to an impromptu proposal.

Ndinisa laughed all the way back home. “It was my method to relax and calm down.”

Then, on their wedding day, the groom’s hotel had no water, but he quickly made use of two bottles of

water from the fridge, some cologne and was good to go. “I told myself, come rain or shine, water or no water, nothing will stop me from making this a special day as I’d been looking forward to it from the day I met my Noma,” he says.

Meanwhile, as the bride was getting ready, her neckpiece broke, “So I borrowed my friend’s.”

As a distinct stamp on their day, they inscribed a special message for their guests to see when they knelt down. The soles of their shoes read “I do” for the bride, and “Me too” for the groom.

Guests attending the reception at the Nitida Wine Estate in Durbanville received handmade fans, designed by St Clair Flowers.

WEDDING BY NUMBERS 6 408km the groom travelled back and forth to SA 300 minutes it took the bride to get ready 110 was the number of guests 60 bottles of Champagne and wine were consumed

Photography ADEL KLOPPERS ADELEKLOPPERS.CO.ZA Bridal gown BRIDE&CO BRIDEANDCO.CO.ZA Shoes CHARLES & KEITH CHARLESKEITH.COM Wedding bands IMBOKODO JEWELLERS Cake CAKE COUTURE BY JUSTINE CAKECOUTUREBYJUSTINE.CO.ZA

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kasi memories

LOOKING BACK WITH THE KWAITO KING

I

t doesn’t matter which township you were raised in, as black children who grew up in the 1980s and '90s, we all had similar experiences. With this realisation in mind, a social media page called Kasi Memories was formed on Facebook two years ago.

The community page has since grown to have 11 000 active fans and reaches about 20 000 people a week. More than anything else, the Kasi Memories community page is a nostalgic trip for its avid fans. The memories shared are similar to the vivid memories brought about by a conversation with Arthur Mafokate.

Raised in Soweto, the King of Kwaito – as he is affectionately known – speaks candidly about his memories of different parts of SA’s most famous township. “I rate the Chiawelo Community Centre, which is where I mastered my art of hosting events and performing both as a dancer and 30

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From Pimville to Chiawelo, Arthur Mafokate knows Soweto like the back of his hand text NOMFUNDO XULU-LENTSOANE illustration ANDREA BURGENER

artist, very highly,” says the former Mr Soweto, who also became a runner-up for the Mr SA title in the 1990s.

During his career, which spans nearly three decades, Mafokate has made a revered name for himself and many other entertainers – who could forget the likes of Abashante, Purity and groundbreaking dance moves such as the twalatsa or mnike? Of the early parts of his career, Mafokate says Dobsonville holds a special place in his heart.

“Dobsi is where I think the term ‘kwaito’ was created and brought to life.

Many memories of my dancing days and reminiscences of my introduction to the music industry are from there.”

He also considers Maponya Mall one of Soweto’s important points of interest.

“In Klipspruit, around the area where Maponya Mall is, a lot of IFP and ANC fights happened. It’s unbelievable that I was nearly attacked twice but escaped unscathed. To see a big monument like the Maponya Mall there makes one smile,” says the father of three.

'In Klipspruit, around the area where Maponya Mall is, a lot of IFP and ANC fights happened. I was nearly attacked twice'

It’s not often that you find successful personalities, many of whom left the township as soon as they were financially better off, still visiting regularly. Mafokate, however, is no stranger to Soweto.

“I’m a regular at Orlando Stadium.

That is where I go to watch big soccer matches,” the staunch Orlando Pirates fan explains.

“Soweto has a very rich history everywhere you go. You will find a good story no matter where you take a visitor. But as we all know, the most common areas to visit include: • Vilakazi Street; • Orlando Stadium; and • The Power Park Towers.

I would also definitely insist they visit Enos Mafokate’s horse-riding school.

The Olympic equestrian is my father and his horse-riding school in Moroka (commonly known as Rockville) is the only one in the whole of SA that is owned and run by a black person.”

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