On 24 June 2016 , the first issue of the quarterly SMag hit the streets, exploring a wider-world gaze through the lens of local fashion, culture, and lifestyle. Fresh-faced ingénue Nandi Madida (still using her maiden name, Mngoma) marked the beginning of a magical fashion era, fronting the cover while sporting a Grace Jones-esque Afro — one of her hair muses, readers learnt inside. Then 28, the singer and actor was all the buzz thanks to the rapturous success of Skhanda Love, the smash hit featuring rapper KO. Madida had also just wrapped filming of her acting turn in the local drama The Road. She spoke about being inspired by African
queens Nzinga and Nefertiti. A lot can happen in 10 years — she has since married megastar Zakes Bantwini and is a mother of two, son Shaka and daughter Nefertiti (the power of manifestation).
Over the years, we have name-checked superstars on the cover of SMag: Connie Ferguson, Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, Pearl Thusi, Nomzamo Mbatha, Lerato Kganyago, Bonang Matheba, Sho Madjozi, Zozibini Tunzi, Mmabatho Montsho, Lamiez Holworthy, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Kgomotso Christopher, Denetric and Lebo Malope, Shudufhadzo Musida, Somizi Mhlongo, Ponahalo Mojapelo, the list is practically endless (RIP to former SMag cover stars the late Connie Chiume, Riky Rick, and Xolani Gwala).
Beyond challenging the mainstream lens of representation through edgy content, becoming Mzansi’s fashion Bible through cinematic photography, and giving voice to youth culture, SMag has always been about making dreams come true. In June 2016, I was a novice reporter in my second year in the newsroom. I had always wanted to work in magazines, so imagine my joy when in that first issue I landed a feature on page 24 — a business profile of entrepreneur Zanele Luvuno. An even bigger dream came true when I was appointed SMag’s editor in October 2021.
THE EDITOR From
Swimming cap, R3 000, Viviers; sunglasses, model’s own; T-shirt, model’s own; “The Second Drive” structured jacket, R5 000, Anunes; O -Grid Spiderweb trousers, R2 100, Black Co ee; shoes, model’s own
Through nostalgic demand from our print, digital, and social media networks, SMag continues to revive magazines in a challenging era for legacy media with the help of past and present contributors like Steve Tanchel, Khomotso Moloto, Thembalethu Zulu, Londiwe Dlomo, Palesa Buyeye, Ray Manzana, Aart Verrips, Ntombenhle Shezi, Yvonne Shaff, Karabo Ledwaba, Shingai Darangwa, Thobeka Mbane, Nao Serati, Craig Jacobs, Themba Mokase, Aspasia Karras, Celeste Khumalo, and Felipe Mazibuko. Veteran journalist Dr Lesley Mofokeng is one of those prominent figures; he’s turning 50 (he’s going to kill me) this month — help me wish him happy birthday. Turn to pp. 30-31 to read about his European summer in Provence. The commercial collaborations we have had with countless brands have made it all possible, and we look forward to further challenging the status quo.
This issue coincides with the 50th anniversary of the June 16 Soweto uprising. In commemoration, we are throwing it forward by handpicking four of the hottest young stars we have billed the “Class of 2026”. Leading the pack is the class prefect, Tyla, who is set to drop her long-awaited second album, A*Pop, in a month. Before she became a global pop star, SMag was the first to put Tyla on a magazine cover, in June 2023. She now returns as a global megastar in an SMag exclusive, joined by fresh-faced local talent: Rapper K.Keed is shaping hip hop’s next 10 years, while Scandal! actor Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane is already a South African Film and Television Award winner at 16. His former Scandal! co-star, Zekhethelo Zondi, is lighting up the big screen as a lead in the local film Laundry. Together, they are the bright next-gen stars to watch.
S.Mag is published five times a year PRINTED by CTP Printers, Cape Town, for Arena Holdings, Hill on Empire, 16 Empire Road (cnr Empire and Hillside roads), Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193
Usher in the 2016 revival with ultra-glossed, muted lips that lay the “clean-girl-balm-only” aesthetic to rest. Borrowing from the 2000s’ stark, concealer-like lips, pouts at Philipp Plein looked one with the skin but with a glossy treatment, topped with brown or caramel. Tap concealer or foundation over lips to “cancel” them out, then bring them into the now with a neutral lip liner for a crisp edge and a generous, drip-worthy layer of gloss.
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Take your cue from Beyoncé’s Renaissance and Cowboy Carter videos and cowboycoremerge with disco sparkle for a disco/ cowgirl twist on arches. From pierced brows at Simone Rocha to feathered brows at Giuseppe Di Morabito, brows are the runways’ most exciting facial real estate. At Peet Dullaert, models were sent out with brows brushed into place and encrusted with crystal gems or silver rhinestones, paired with nothing else, to create a modern disco feel.
Desert Burn:
Rosy, cheekschill-flushed take a backseat to skin that looks sun-kissed with a natural warmth. At Alberto Zambelli, models’ cheeks seemed touched by the elements with an orange, terracotta, or flush.pomegranate Make blush look balmy and melted in with a cream blush or an orange-undertoned lipstick used as blush, tapped high along the cheeks, temples, and nose. Layer with a glossy balm or bronzer applied with a brush to add a satin glow.
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The runways of Etro and Luisa Spagnoli gave us the perfect example of what you get when you mix an outlaw with indie rock — smudged-up, messy liner with a Western rock-nroll twist. inspirationTaking from indie sleaze (the late 1990s and early 2000s post-punk revival) and the “bandit eyes” of raccoons, models were sent out with black, rich brown, or deep navy kohl liner tucked into the waterlines and slightly smudged to feather at the lash line.
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01.
This is not Billy Ray Cyrus’s “achy breaky heart” mullet or Michael Jackson’s 1980s Jheri curl, but their more refined cousin, blending country with 1980s rock-glam. Seen at Roberto Cavalli and Erdem, the curly wolf cut is one of the season’s most wanted looks and the coolest way to showcase curly texture with heavy, all-over layers that carry more length at the back. It’s like a mullet, just cooler.
02.
There’s nothing little about these undone waves with their prairie-house vibes. At Etro and Roberto Cavalli, hair was whimsically soft and imperfect, with waves you’d get naturally after taking braids down. Think brushed-out bends and windblown texture with an undone softness. Make natural texture the star with luxurious lengths and a fluffy, cloud-like finish, while curls and waves are left to their own devices.
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03.
Nothing says country quite like a wide-brimmed hat, so take your cue from Beyoncé circa her Lemonade and Cowboy Carter eras for a fashionable excuse for sun protection. Ditch the classic Stetson in favour of a glamorous, Mae West twist, as seen at Erdem. Models were sent out wearing extra-large, wide-brimmed hats atop voluminous head scarves, tied with a bow low on the neck.
Cowboy copper
Western wolf cut Prairie waves Rodeo braids
04.
Take inspiration from desert tones, worn leather, and sun-faded Western palettes for this season’s most sought-after hair colour. A warm, sun-kissed red, cowboy copper is a more wearable option than true red, as seen at Luisa Spagnoli and John Richmond. Enter your cowboy copper era with wavy curls, bouncy dyed wigs, or box braids using copper-toned extensions.
05.
Return to 2016 with this refresh of Beyoncé’s extra-length braids from her Formation video, as seen at Christian Dior and Erdem and on British musician Maeve. Lasso-like braids were dramatic in extra-long, butt-grazing lengths starting low on the nape. Whether worn as pigtails or a single braid, section and braid hair from the lengths to the ends, adding hair extensions to create two extra-long, jumbo braids.
Tonic Institute Gro-Tonic Treatment Spray 125ml, R170 4. Nilotiqa Shea & Coco Collection Anti-Itch Hair & Scalp Spray 250ml, R90 5. Billie Bolero Paper Panama Hat, R1 550, Crystal Birch, therealcrystalbirch.com
TYLA A*
text : EMMANUEL TJIYA
photography : CATHERINE A LOMEDICO
TYLA
ERA
Pap and wors with spicy tomato relish, the lekker South African dish, is my homemade meal of choice for my planned Saturday night virtual rendezvous with megastar Tyla. There is an electric tension and euphoria in the air — the world is buzzing after Paris Saint-Germain emerges victorious over Arsenal in a nail-biting final to win the Uefa Champions League.
Our long-distance digital check-in is at 9pm in Joburg and noon in LA. Tyla is running 30 minutes late. A member of her management team texts me that her last appointment ran over. As I wait, I indulge in my scrumptious dinner and re-watch the viral British Vogue video of Tyla in February 2025 cooking her favourite childhood meal, pap — the creamy, buttery, delicious Mzansi family staple rooted in memory, heritage, culture, and identity. When we eventually connect, it takes her signature “Yoh” to leave me transfixed; she’s as smooth as melt-inyour-mouth pap.
Tyla had “goated” pap and was much amused midway through our tête-à-tête when I praised her for it.
“I was just being honest. That’s something I would make in my kitchen, so I wanted to make it in that kitchen. Vogue and pap don’t go in the same sentence,” she laughs. “It doesn’t make sense, and that’s why I wanted to do it even more. I would have loved as a child to see someone make pap on Vogue.”
That authenticity, paired with her idiosyncratic influence and finished with her hypnotic Coloured accent, is what makes Tyla relatable. She has all the right “Gs” — goofy, grounded, and genuine.
Aside from pap, what else does she miss about Mzansi? Top of her list is her family in Edenvale. She talks of staying grounded by remaining in close contact with her best friends, Bokamoso and Thato, from Edenglen High School, where she had matriculated in 2019. “I never had a big circle … the tight circle that I had, I still have. Boka and Thato have been with me since school. I grew up around a lot of my siblings’ friends because our house was the party house … they became like family.”
Tyla has come a long way since she first caught the world’s attention in early 2023 with sleeper hits Getting Late, Girl Next Door, and Been Thinking. After sitting front row at the Dolce & Gabbana show in Milan next to Kim Kardashian and then opening for Chris Brown during his European tour, she graced the cover of SMag’s June 2023 Youth issue.
At the time, we billed her “the one to watch”. Then, in July 2023, she released her smash single Water and the world was watching. Three years later, Tyla is the name on everyone’s lips. Other mega hits — Chanel, Art, Truth or Dare, Jump and Push 2 Start — have catapulted her into global superstardom. Dubbed the “Queen of Popiano” (a fusion of amapiano, pop, and R&B) by her fans — affectionately called Tygers — the 24-yearold has worked with big names, including Cardi B, Gunna, Future, Zara Larsson, Lisa, Sean Paul, Tems, Becky G, Wizkid, and Travis Scott.
“I could never have imagined this. It feels like it’s being written as I’m living it,” Tyla says. “It’s insane, it’s exciting, I’m 24, young, and I’m living this life that feels like it only happens on TV. When you are the person behind it, it doesn’t always feel the way it does for people who experience it from the outside. People on the outside see it as bigger than the person experiencing it … I don’t sit over here and go, ‘Hey, I’m a megastar’.”
On 24 July, Tyla enters a new era with the release of her much-anticipated second album A*Pop, following the success of her self-titled debut album in 2024. Chanel, She Did It
it is now. It was effortless and almost like a diary entry. While making the album, I was going out a lot. I was listening to a lot of music playing in clubs in all the different countries I was in. I would also go to karaoke. I would be singing so many songs that I enjoyed as a child and connected with that again.”
One of the collaborators on the album is her BFF and Swedish counterpart, Larsson, who appears on the song She Did It Again. Their bond has captivated the world. “Zara is such a pop star, and working with her on A*Pop was not something that was intentional; it fell into place on its own. That’s how I enjoy collaborating the most,
that I wear. But not everything. There are some looks where I’m like, ‘Yoh! I wish I’d never worn that,’” she chuckles. “I have always enjoyed being some sort of a muse … channelling what I want in a specific moment, depending on how I feel. In my personal style, I have been enjoying how I would dress if I weren’t a pop star. As a 24-yearold girl, what would I want to wear? So, I’ve been wearing a lot of jeans and white tops. Simple clothing, but customising it like I used to when I was growing up. I’ve been cutting out tank tops and making them into different types of tank tops. Just making up outfits in my room as if I were normal Tyla.”
“I’M LIVING THIS LIFE”
when it feels honest and genuine. It doesn’t feel like a business transaction,” she says. “It’s refreshing having someone in the industry who is honest, and you can show up as a human before a pop star. It’s not easy to find people in the industry whom you can be a person with. We do get along; we laugh a lot, and we don’t take life as seriously.”
Again, and Is It offer a taste of the music she recorded mostly while on tour, performing in cities like Cape Town, London, Pretoria, New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.
“A*Pop is different because I’m a different person than I was when I made Tyla. A*Pop is made through the experiences that I’ve had living as someone who is in the limelight,” she shares. “Last year was a year of a lot of growth. I was doing everything and anything, experiencing so many different things. It felt exciting to make it and watch it become what
Tyla is a two-time Grammy winner, first scooping Best African Music Performance in 2024 for Water. In February, she collected her second Grammy for Push 2 Start in the same category, looking breathtaking in a crystal-embellished archival DSquared2 number. “Yoh! That day was very hectic,” she recalls. “I was obsessed with my dress. I was excited to attend, and there were so many interviews. We lost track of time, and then they announced the award before I got to the ceremony. So, I was running, trying to make it. We ended up celebrating it in the venue’s lobby. Not a lot of people get that, especially with one album, two Grammys.”
The fashion world also can’t get enough of Tyla, who is becoming a regular, attending runway shows by Valentino, Jacquemus, Miu Miu, Jean Paul Gaultier,and Chanel. Her favourite style moment so far? Turning up the thermostat in a cleavage-forward seashell crop jacket by George Troch at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
“I like certain things about everything
Her Met Gala looks have been polarising over the past three years, first transforming into a Balmain sand sculpture in 2024, showing her stripes in Jacquemus last year, and, last month, going full peacock in Valentino. “I loved the sand dress because I’ve never seen anything like that, and I could never have expected it to become what it became,” she replies, choosing her favourite Met look. “It felt like a full performance without us planning anything. This recent one [Valentino] is also a favourite because I had a good night. Going into it was so easy, and no-one was stressed. It felt like an outfit I would naturally wear when going out. It didn’t feel like I was trying to be a ‘whole Met Gala’. Then the after-party was so nice. I went with my team, we had the best time, and there were no phones. It really felt like a moment you had to live out and tell stories about.”
Away from the limelight, what does a normal day look like in Tyla’s life? “I love to laugh and have a good time. When my siblings are around, we do anything. My friends too. I enjoy going out, listening to music and karaoke. Just experiencing things. I like a theme park. I like to chill at home and just vibe. Just lie around, lie in the sun. I like to lie on the grass. I like to listen to my album [A*Pop], and I’ve been listening to it over and over.”
IT FEELS BEING WRITTEN
“I COULD
NEVER HAVE IMAGINED
LAUNDRYACTRESS ZEKHETHELOZONDIIS
THEUNDER-THE-RADAR STANDOUT FILMSTARTO WATCH
production : LISO CEZA
A
t 15 , Zekhethelo Zondi is lighting up the silver screen as the lead in the local film Laundry. The breakout star has already captured South Africans in Scandal!, Shadow, Isifiso, and Collision — and she’s only warming up. How did you get into acting? My mom (Nosimilo Zondi) registered me with an agency when I was six. I used to steal her clothes and then imitate the actors I saw on TV — specifically on Scandal!, which foreshadowed the future. What was your breakout role? Scandal! in 2023. That is the role [Nqobile Mdletshe] for which most people know me. It has brought me many opportunities. I have met a lot of people who have become influential in my career. Working with actors I looked up to has been special, like Melusi Mbele and Lerato Nxumalo. I’ve learnt a lot from them. What has been your biggest role? Laundry [playing Ntombenhle]. That film screened internationally and I was one of the leads. That was amazing. It has been to Canada, Switzerland, Italy, the US, and the UK. What
was it like working on the film? I played opposite Ntobeko Sishi, Siyabonga Shibe, and Bukamina Cebekhulu. That felt like my family. Ntobeko and I had a lot of fun. We’d sneak sweets on set, and my mother would scold us behind the scenes. He made it comfortable for me to play his younger sister. Siyabonga Shibe, as my father in the film, was also very protective. What is it like to be young in 2026? There is a lot of pressure. There is worry about whether you are going to find a good job, because of the unemployment rate. There is also this thing of choosing a stable job as opposed to choosing something you are passionate about, so you can earn a steady income. The cost of living keeps rising. It means having to sacrifice many of the things you love. It means having to educate yourself on current affairs, so that when things happen, you know why. A lot of us are liberating ourselves by embracing our blackness, our youth, and the fact that we have freedom of speech. If we don’t like something, trust that Gen Z will say something about it.
What kind of career do you want? A career that inspires people to do more. I want to work in cinematography and inspire people through it. I want to inspire people to tell more stories. Someone who inspires me to pursue my passion is Frank Ocean. His music tells a story. That’s how I want to make people feel. How do you balance school [she’s in grade 10] and acting? Time management. My parents do not play around with my education. I prioritise my education over my career. To be educated is important and a gift that not a lot of people have. Normally, if I’m required on set, weekdays from 7am to 3pm the focus is on my schoolwork. I will shoot after that. It’s different when writing exams. How have your parents supported you? I would love to thank my mom for supporting me throughout my career, for accompanying me on set, for waiting for me until I’m done shooting at 2am, for sitting with me until I’ve finished studying after coming home from set, for doing my chores when I’m stressed out, for waiting in the car while I’m at hockey practice, and for packing my food so that when I’m done shooting I can have something to eat. I want to thank my father (Mancinza Zondi) for treating her like a queen, and for supporting me and making big sacrifices so that I can pursue this career. What would you like yourself, reading this story in 10 years, to know about this moment? That I love myself now more than ever. I’m comfortable with myself. I’m embracing myself, and I hope it never changes. I hope future me never stops pursuing what she loves and never shuts up about her opinions.
cover:
Stockists
Europa Art europaart.co.za
H&M
superbalist.com
MRP
mrp.com/en_za
Puma za.puma.com
Viviers viviersstudio.com
Button-up shirt, R900; bow skirt, R699, both H&M; chunky mixed metal rings, R50, MRP; stockings, stylist’s own; Mary Jane court heels, R3 695, Europa Art
Earrings, stylist’s own; satin bubble dress, R429, H&M; chunky mixed metal rings, R50; gold bracelets, R50, both MRP; socks, stylist’s own; Mary Jane court heels, R3 695, Europa Art
text : NOMBUSO KUMALO
photography : STEVE TANCHEL
production : LISO CEZA
t 24 , Gugulethu-born rapper K.Keed, real name Mihali Konyana, is in the frontlines of SA hip-hop with township swag and a genre-bending sound that’s impossible to ignore. How does it feel to be part of the Class of 2026? It feels phenomenal. I feel privileged and blessed to be young and able to make an impact, to chase my dreams and see them come true. There is also a sense of responsibility, and that this thing is bigger than me, and that I’m doing it for the other people who would love to be in this position. I’m currently the chosen one and feel it’s my obligation to make sure I have a positive impact and inspire others to do the same. What has been the biggest career highlight? I should have been confident in myself sooner, trusted the process, and not been afraid to fail. That’s one of the things I learned the hard way, but I’m grateful for everything that has happened and would not have had it any other way. The highlight has been performing at Rocking the Daisies in 2022. The Daisies is one of the biggest festivals, so when we got the email, I lost my mind. It was incredible performing my music for a crowd who might not even know me. After the breakout success of Umgaranto 1 in 2023, tell us about Umgaranto 2, the sequel with creative collaborator Orish? Umgaranto loosely translates to “advertisements” in isiXhosa, and for the concept, we drew inspiration from old South African TV adverts, the culture, and childhood memories, like watching SABC 1 shows, especially the music shows. I was also inspired by the township of Gugulethu: the project is heavily Gugscoded, from the music and swag to the styling. We also have cool local artists from Cape Town featuring; the sound is so cool, and we’re making Xhosa sound good. Which track best captures who you are as an artist? The song called Pinnacle is the intro to my project AlterEgo. I talk about where I want to be, which is here right now. I talk about craving and desiring to be the best and bend the game to my will. Being and staying on top of my game, being consistent, having confidence in anything I do, and trusting my gut.
A BLOCK BLOCK
NEW KEED ON BLOCK THE
For those discovering your music for the first time, how would you describe your sound? Oh, man, the thing is, I’m all over the place, and I love it that way. My music will boost your selfesteem and make you feel alive. I talk about my experiences in my music, so its personal and intentional too. What are today’s young artists doing differently that’s shifting the culture and changing the game? Young artists are no longer waiting for validation. Artists have a lot of gumption to do what they want to do, regardless of whether they have backing from any OG or anyone in the game. You’re going to do it because you believe in yourself, and with the freedom we have today, we can experiment. I’ll start recording on my phone, and I’ll promote it on TikTok, tapping my homie with a camera to take videos and another friend with a mic. What gives you hope about the youth? We’re bringing back passion. I love passionate people because I’m a passionate person too. I believe that with anything you do, even if it’s waking up or cutting grass, just be passionate about it. Passion gives me hope and keeps me alive. The kids of today are bringing passion back, and not just in music. I see it, you know, in various artistic forms and creations, which is cool and empowering. It’s pure and intentional, and when you do that, people will feel and receive it.
SAFTA WINNERLITLHONOLOFATSO LITLHAKANYANE IS THE FUTURE OF TV
The 16-year-old Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane’s masterful portrayal of precocious Tebello (aka Tibi) in daily drama Scandal! earned him a coveted SA Film and Television Award (Safta) in March. Since 2020, he has held his own acting opposite established actors such as Kgomotso Christopher and Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha. With “I’m not just taking this award home, I’m taking the title for the best kid actor in SA” (met with roaring applause ), Litlhakanyane’s acceptance speech sealed his status. What is it like to win a Safta at 16? When I watch that clip of my acceptable speech, I go back to that moment. I get this feeling I can’t explain. It feels surreal. I expected a Safta win, but not this soon. Getting nominated was enough at this stage of my career. What was going through your mind when your name was called? I blacked out when they announced the winner. My sister had to wake me up. All I heard was her saying, “Let’s go.” I remember asking, “What’s going on?” I then looked at the big screen, and my name was listed there as “Winner”. What helped calm the nerves on stage was that the lights were very bright, and I couldn’t see the audience. It felt like there was a fourth wall. How does it feel to be the best kid actor in SA? It feels good. I can’t believe we are here. I intend to keep that title. The standards are high, and we are going to keep going higher. How does it feel to be a young person in 2026? I feel good. Yet [it’s] hard and easy at the same time. Social media is taking over, and TV is slowly dying. Social media benefits us, this new generation. But there is also a disadvantage. Influencers are being booked for acting jobs, hired for their large followings. I’m not
against influencers getting acting jobs, but let’s balance it out with the craft. How has playing Tibi changed your life? I was on Scandal! for about six years. It became home and opened many doors — God also contributed. After Scandal! I got more jobs, and I begged for two international films [Safari Detective, Bird Boy]. That will forever be home, even though the show is ending this month. How did you get into acting? My mother and brother were the actors in the family. My brother is now into soccer and doesn’t do it anymore. He used to do commercials. We were in the same school, and when he went to auditions, I would cry and join him. So, they would allow me to audition. I accidentally landed my first gig after they mixed us up because our names are similar. They tried to sign me with an agency afterwards, but I was told I don’t have an “acting face”. That was my first rejection. Then there was a Facebook post about the Scandal! gig. My sister pressured my mother to take my brother and me because we thought it might be a scam. We both got callbacks, and I ended up getting the role. What is the biggest misconception about you? Google got my birthday wrong. I’m still 16; I only turn 17 on August 23. What kind of career do you want to have? I might stay in the industry for a while. If it goes well, that’s great. But I want to get a pilot licence after high school [he’s in grade 11]. What would you like yourself, reading this story in 10 years, to know about this moment? What I want 26-year-old Litlhonolofatso to know is that I’m proud to be myself. I’m proud of my circle because I keep it close. I can’t believe I’ve gotten this far in my career. I’m here, I’ve made it, and I’m proud. Hopefully, that 26-yearold Litlhonolofatso makes the 16year-old me very proud.
KIDACTORMZANSI
text : EMMANUEL TJIYA
photography
: STEVE TANCHEL production
LISO CEZA
TikTok is the new Tinder.
Prince Mampofu , the sibling of actors Oros and Lunathi Mampofu, and his Madagascan bride
Koloin Ida , are proof that love knows no borders
THE MEETING
Prince: We met on TikTok in June 2024. I had been single for three years, and she had been single for abo t two and a alf ears t first, we were friends talking online. We bonded over our faith because we were both very active in ministry and shared a love for God. She was curious about my spiritual journey, and I was curious about hers. She would watch me preach online, and I would watch her content too. What drew me to her was her relationship with Christ. Koloin: Meeting someone online was not something I believed in. I always thought it was a waste of time. With Prince, I felt somet ing di erent I new in m s irit t at he was a serious man of God.
THE ATTRACTION
Prince: What attracted me to her was her love for the Lord. I admired how involved she was in church and how seriously she took her faith. When I finally met her in person, I was struck by how shy she was. She met me at the airport and was hiding behind her hands because she was so nervous. It was beautiful to witness. There was something genuine and innocent about her reaction that stood out to me. Of course, she’s also beautiful. She’s gorgeous, and she’s shorter than I am, which I was very happy about. Koloin: There were many things that attracted me to Prince. Spiritually, he was everything I had prayed for. Physically, my husband is handsome. But what stood out most was the way he loved me. Not everyone would make the sacrifices he made. He travelled all the way from South Africa to Madagascar to meet me. He spent his time, money, and energy pursuing me.
text : MASEGO SEEMELA
DATING LIFE
Koloin: We became friends in June 2024, and by November that year, we had already told one another we loved each other. For more than a year, we spoke every day. We talked about our goals, faith, and future. By the time we met physically, we already knew each other deeply. Prince: The funny thing is, for a long time we thought we were just friends. Our friendship became more romantic, and we both felt it was important to meet. I flew to Madagascar in December 2025 and spent time with her pastors and spiritual family. She took me around Madagascar. We spent a lot of time talking.
THE LIGHTBULB MOMENT
Prince: I knew from the beginning. There were moments when I questioned things because of past relationships, but in my spirit, I knew. As believers, we rely heavily on God’s guidance. There were many confirmations from God, our families, and our spiritual leaders.
THE LOBOLA
Prince: In Madagascar, they don’t call it lobola. The equivalent ceremony is called vodiondry , but the principle is similar. The day before our white wedding, we held the traditional ceremony with her family. There was an exchange of gifts and discussions between the families. It was a way of formally honouring her family before the marriage. Everything happened quickly, and my family couldn’t travel to Madagascar. Fortunately, I have a spiritual family there. They represented my family during the negotiations and stood with me throughout the process. It was a beautiful experience. It was exciting, nerve-wracking, and completely new to me. I was learning new customs, wearing traditional Malagasy attire, and meeting people I’d never met before. Koloin: The traditional ceremony took place on 2 May in Madagascar, a day before our white wedding. It was important that both our cultures and families were honoured.
THE PROPOSAL
Prince: I proposed on 28 February this year at a restaurant called On The Rocks in Bloubergstrand. I had invited my parents, siblings, and close family members under the ruse that it was simply a welcome dinner for Koloin. She had no idea what was coming. During dinner, I went down on one knee and asked her to marry me. Koloin: I cried the entire time. It wasn’t just about the ring. It was the fact that he had planned everything so carefully. His family was there, the venue was beautiful, there were lights everywhere, and he had thought about every detail.
THE WEDDING
Koloin: Walking down the aisle felt surreal. For years, we had trusted God to guide our relationship. Standing together in front of our families and making that commitment was very emotional. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter that God had been preparing for us all along.
ONEZWA MBOLA’S TO HOME love letter
photographer : TOBY MURPHY
TO MARK SMAG’S 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, MBOLA CURATED A THREE-
Starter:
UBUBAZI (STINGING NETTLE) AND FENNEL SOUP WITH BUTTER BEANS
“ If this dish weren’t in the book, I don’t know, we’d have to cancel the whole thing. It uses a wild green that is widely available in most people’s backyards. When cooked, it’s rich and mild, and we se it in mfino air it wit fennel, w ic is a meat vegetable wit a brig t, lemon avo r e dis as com le avo rs and is a good, eart so ”
The self-taught home cook, renowned for her viral videos, launches her cookbook
text : NOMBUSO KUMALO
Onezwa Mbola held up the first copy of her cookbook on video, then broke the good news to her 1.2 million TikTok followers. Her comment section was flooded with congratulatory messages, validating the strength of the culinary community she has built. A Food Love Story has since become a local bestseller, with Mbola doing a three-city book tour to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. “I am a published author now. It’s such a beautiful book, and now people are going to have my story — it was an emotional and proud moment.”
The 31-year-old food content creator and MasterChef SA Season 4 alumna had made a life-changing decision to uproot her life in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and return to her roots in Willowvale, a seaside village in the Eastern Cape. Mbola began documenting her new lifestyle online, inviting the world into it. “In my YouTube videos four years ago, I would say that I wanted to document all of these recipes — this was when I had moved back home and realised how many people seemed to have forgotten this rich and deep knowledge about our culture and food. I felt like I had a story to tell because I’d left my job to move into this rural life, and now I’m living this life and showing people that this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Mbola recalls the ebbs and flows during the writing process. “I love notebooks and have three or four in my kitchen because I’m always
taking notes of the things I want to try out. I’m always writing down recipes. I’ve wanted to write a book for about five years — I want to pass this knowledge on to my child because it was passed down to me. I began taking notes and curating how I would like the book to look,” she says.
A year into her book deal, self-doubt crept in, and the writing process, she confesses, became challenging, as it was emotional. The voyage forced her to look inward, but this was also where she found clarity. “I hesitated at first, but had to confront my ego. This is not just a project about me; it’s also about my mother and for my son. The process became smoother, and I became more confident in my voice,” she says.
The 80-plus recipes in the cookbook form an intricate tale woven through connection, communication, and deep care, in which Mbola invites people to create love stories of their own using the language of food. “I want this to be a book that people use, with creased pages. It felt like I was writing a love story from my mother, but also for the people; it isn’t just about recipes but also about community, and I want them to go out and build communities using this book as a cornerstone.”
COURSE MENU DRAWN FROM THE PAGES OF HER COOKBOOK
Mains: ( top left )
SPICY GARLIC PRAWNS WITH CREAMY MILLET
“ Millet is an indigenous grain in Africa and here is used to make a silky risotto paired with spicy prawns, perfect for winter. Through this pairing, I wanted to bring in indigenous African grains and the food that I grew up on, which is seafood.”
Dessert:
UMTHUBI GRANADILLA LAYERED CAKE
“ Umthubi is colostrum, the very first milk you get from a cow after it gives birth. Once cooked, it becomes so creamy and delicious. The cake is silky smooth with a lovely sponge infused with granadilla, which grows abundantly in o r village In t e boo , it signifies a new birt I onl started baking when I moved back home, which was a new beginning for me.”
The French Riviera may dazzle with celebrity sparkle, but drive a little west and a different side of Provence reveals itself. It is slower, warmer, and richer in story. This is the south of France at its most evocative, with honey-coloured villages, shaded squares, fields of lavender, olive groves, and markets where the scent of herbs hangs in the air.
For South Africans looking for a European summer that blends beauty, history, food, fragrance, and art, the inland parts of Provence are not merely an alternative to the French Riviera — they may be the better choice.
I was recently based in Salon-deProvence, and the region made immediate sense. It is a town with an old soul and a practical pulse. Church bells mark the day, market stalls spill over with clothes, jewellery, antiques, and street food, and the lanes of the old quarter lead you past fountains, churches, and stone facades.
Salon’s most famous resident was Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, the legendary astrologer, physician, and apothecary. Born in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in 1503, he later settled in Salon, where he wrote the works that made him legendary.
The town leans into that legacy with confidence. His house now operates as the municipal museum at the foot of the Château de l’Empéri, and visitors can trace his story through the old centre and the collegiate church of Saint-Laurent de Salon, where his remains are buried. The museum’s audio-guided visit, set across a series of atmospheric displays, explores not just the myth but also the Renaissance mind behind it.
A summer in Provence
But Provence has more than just picturesque scenery. It comes with texture. There is a sense that every village square has witnessed processions, painters, traders, pilgrims, and dreamers. Nostradamus is part of that texture. He studied pharmacy and medicine, earned the attention of Catherine de’ Medici, and published The Prophecies in 1555, securing a fame that has never quite faded. In Salon, though, he feels less like a myth and more like a thread woven into the town’s identity.
Just above the old town rises the Château de l’Empéri, a grand historic landmark. Once a fortress and later a princely residence, it anchors Salon’s skyline and reminds you of the layers of power, faith, and culture in this corner of France. Walk the surrounding streets and Provence shows off a history that does not sit behind glass but lives in the urban fabric, in courtyards, façades, and church masonry glowing in the afternoon light.
Provence is also the birthplace of brands and artists that have become shorthand for French refinement. In nearby Manosque, L’Occitane en Provence invites visitors into its world with guided tours of its plant, a Mediterranean garden, and an immersive boutique experience that turns the region’s flora into the story of scent and skincare.
text
: LESLEY
MOFOKENG
Eglise
Saint-Michel
Experience France at its most seductive
Back in Salon, the narrative continues in suds and olive oil at the Marius Fabre soap factory, where the family has been making traditional Marseille soap since 1900. A visit here is absorbing. You move from museum pieces such as old stamps, packaging, and tools to the workshops, where age-old methods are still used to produce the famed Savon de Marseille.
For South Africans accustomed to seeking authenticity on our travels, this is exactly the kind of stop that transforms a holiday.
Then there is Aix-en-Provence, elegant and cerebral. It is forever linked to the post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, who was born here. To walk Aix is to understand why artists are still drawn south — the mineral light, the ochre walls, and the shifting blues of the sky.
Cézanne is not Provence’s only artistic lodestar. Vincent van Gogh found revelation in Arles, while Pablo Picasso also left his imprint on the region.
What makes Provence particularly appealing for South African holidaymakers is its range. One day might take you through medieval churches and museums; the next, past vineyards, olive estates, and hill towns where lunch stretches into late afternoon. Families, couples, solo travellers, and seasoned Francophiles can all find their version of Provence. It may be boutique shopping, art pilgrimages, market mornings, heritage trails or scenic drives through villages framed by cypress and stone.
There is also a practical appeal. Provence comes with excellent food, a strong local identity, beautiful weather, memorable shopping, and layered history, but it is less performative than some of the continent’s more overexposed destinations. Even its glamour feels grounded.
To walk where Nostradamus once wrote, to breathe in the botanicals that inspired L’Occitane, to watch soap being made the old way at Marius Fabre, and to follow Cézanne’s light through Aix, is to discover a region that still feels intimate despite its fame. For South Africans dreaming of a holiday with romance, culture, and substance, Provence is the destination.
Salon-de-Provence
IN
LNeo-Western
eave the leather chaps at home and take a cool, non-performative approach to cowboycore with undone grooming. Rugged Ranger: The beard gang is taking some time off from perfection as facial hair becomes fuller and more rugged, with razor-sharp lines and precisely coiffed beards taking a back seat to more natural-looking beards. Think full beards with rugged edges, disconnected goatees and moustaches, or patchy growth without beard powder to fill the gaps. But this is no excuse to look unkempt — edges along the neck and cheeks are still neatened. Frontier Smoke: If you can imagine a cowboy’s eyes after a day riding through dusty terrain or an evening sitting by a bonfire, then you can see the inspiration for eyeliner with a little “rough-and-tumble” treatment. At John Richmond and Jean-Paul Gaultier, models’ eyes were adorned with a generous smudging of black liner. Apply black kohl to the lower waterline and smudge it, allowing the pigment to bleed and feather into the under-eye area. Nomadic Skin: As seen at Acne Studios Men, skin treatment stepped away from the unattainable and glass-like and leaned towards a more naturaltextured, weathered look that says you spend time outdoors. Taking inspiration from nomadic peoples whose skin has been tested by the elements, natural freckles, texture, and blemishes are left unconcealed while the skin still looks luminously matte, healthy, and undone. Spur Moment: Take inspiration from boot buckles and metal cowboy or horse spurs for a cool take on cowboy-inspired makeup embellishments. At Dior Homme, models were sent out with glints from silver hardware applied singly to the inner eye corner or along the lower lash line.
ACT LIKE THIS ISN’T YOUR FIRST RODEO BY DONNING THE COOLEST FORM OF SUN PROTECTION AND REACHING PEAK COWBOY STATUS
Don’t settle for a regular Stetson in a neutral shade — go for bold colours such as cobalt blue, green or even pink. Add some rock ’n’ roll energy by pairing a cowboy hat with silver accents and accessories such as chains and metal-framed sunglasses with spiky or ornate details. Looking to keep things low-key but not boring? Go the minimalist route with a white cowboy hat paired with an all-white outfit or a headto-toe monochromatic palette. Not a fan of the classic cowboy hat? Take your cue from Shaboozey and go for a shape that’s more abstract but has the same statement, wide-brimmed qualities.
text : NOKUBONGA THUSI
Rugged Ranger
Nomadic Skin
Frontier Smoke
Spur Moment
FIND YOUR ULTIMATE RING
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