The first time I met Avumile Qongqo — our 2025 Woman of the Year in Fashion & Beauty and the star of the Oscar-nominated The Last Ranger — on the set of her SMag cover shoot, I knew immediately that I had met a true kindred creative spirit.
On a freezing winter’s day at the beginning of July, she hardly said a word to me, but she brought threads of small warmth — a soft, comfy delight. A woman of few words, she expresses herself without needing to say much.
Almost a week later, on the phone, over my morning cup of coffee (with a toasted peanut-butter and apricotjam sandwich) we reconnect for a lengthy, passionate conversation focused on her being a master of reinvention.
That serene charm and warmth emerge once again and leave my nervous system completely at ease. At the end, Qongqo offers me wise words filled with gems of insight, inspiration, and observation.
“Thank you for having an eye and being intentional about observing the industry and being curious about people,” Qongqo tells me, before we wrap it up almost an hour later. Wry and luminous in my response, I try to use humour to mask my discomfort.
“I’m not necessarily in the spotlight,” Qongqo continues, not falling for my digression. “I like that you are curious enough to say, ‘What is she about? What does she do?’ And then you go so far as to read and understand what she is about. So I do appreciate that your involvement in the industry really isn’t about putting yourself on the pedestal but more about growing the industry, enriching it, and seeing value in things people might easily pass over. I like that you have the type of curiosity that has depth and your curiosity then leads to other people having access to information or to people they would not have cared about. The fact that you care and are curious is an invitation to my world.”
Extremely touched by her words, I fight back thug tears. “I’m not going to lose my street cred,” goes that little voice at the back of my head. I feel seen, heard, and valued.
It’s been a tough few months. Mid-year fatigue combined with winter blues and personal tragedy left me in a funk. Qongqo restored my flow and our fourth annual Women of the Year issue revealed itself to me.
THE EDITORFrom
Qongqo serves as a great reminder that over the past 36 years extraordinary women have shaped me through soft power — kindness, intuition, empathy, and compassion.
Beret, stylist’s own; The March tufted coat with elephant mascots, POR, Gert-Johan Coetzee shopgert.com; Speedcat OG sneakers, R1 999, Puma, za.puma.com
She awakened the realisation that, to me, fashion has aways served as a canvas for self-expression, storytelling, and cultural identity. That intersection between manifesting artistic expression, communicating feelings, and conveying impactful stories is what breathes life into SMag, issue after issue. Beyond telling these stories in an entertaining manner, the power lies in ensuring that through our pages we form strong emotional connections with our readers across Mzansi, in turn enriching, empowering, and inspiring them. The secret to narrating moving, lyrically told, and transcendent stories that capture both the heart and head is embedding them in everyday lives.
This year’s Women of the Year portfolio does exactly that. Qongqo is joined by five sensational women who continue to shape the way we work and live. They are Nthabiseng Mathole (food), Kgomotso Christopher (entertainment), Mary Vilakazi (business), Mahtaab Hayat (science), and Charlotte Maserumule (health & education).
This issue is dedicated to the memory of the late Pearl Sebolao, Sowetan’s executive editor — a superwoman who embodied soft power, editorial excellence, and fearless journalism in her leadership.
NETFLIX’S FATAL SEDUCTION IS BACK TO HEAT UP THE SCREENS
Dark moves ahead
SMag cover star and Woman of the Year in Entertainment Kgomotso Christopher returns as Nandi in the anticipated second season of Netflix’s Fatal Seduction on 15 August.
The provocative 10-episode series gets even more twisted with the introduction of Minister Vilikazi, played by the always sublime Warren Masemola, described as a ruthless, cunning police minister gunning to be SA’s next deputy president.
By his side is his devoted wife Delisiwe, brought to life by Xolile Tshabalala, while Nqobile Khumalo slips into character as Precious, the minister’s assistant. Prince Grootboom (Jacob), Thapelo Mokoena (Leonard), Nat Ramabulana (Vuyo), Ngele Ramulondi (Zinhle), and Frances Sholto-Douglas (Laura) are all back, while Tina Redman and Daanyaal Ally add to the suspense with new characters.
And what about the plot? The falsely imprisoned Nandi will stop at nothing to protect her family from the man who has ruined so many lives.
Robbie Thorpe and Stan Joseph are executive producers for the Ochre Media series, with Harold Hölscher, Rolie Nikiwe, and Craig Freimond as directors. Portia Gumede, Paul S Rowlston, Sydney Dire, and Nonzi Bogatsu are the screenwriters with Kate Lush the intimacy coordinator.
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
Charlotte Maserumule Woman of the Year: Health & Education
Mary Vilakazi
Woman of the Year: Business Wedding Locked up Food Pasta rules
Fitness Defend yourself
SCORING WITH THE SAVINGS COACH
Absa has done the impossible: it’s made budgeting fun
SAVING JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT EASIER FOR ME!
Growing up, saving wasn’t something we really talked about at home. My parents did the best they could, living from month to month. The only real way they saved was through a stokvel, mostly to have a little extra at Christmas. Everything I know about budgeting and saving is what I’ve had to teach myself.
The problem is, it’s been very stop-start. I’ve learned how to make a budget and I try to stick to it, but life throws curveballs, like when my car battery suddenly died. I had no idea how to plan for unexpected costs like that. And let’s not even talk about luxuries like a holiday; they’ve always felt way out of reach. Honestly, trying to plan beyond just getting by gives me anxiety. I always thought saving and investing were for people with izaka, big bucks, not for someone like me, living pay cheque to pay cheque.
LERATO’S BIG SECRET
Then last week, I was chatting with my girl Lerato, and she shared her secret: “Ntokozo, umngani, check out Absa Savings Coach, it’s the best place to start!”
She explained that if you have a transactional account with Absa, you already have access to this feature. I already use my Absa current account for my salary, but if you don’t have one, you can easily apply online.
All I had to do was log into my Absa banking app, go to Offers, click on the Tools tab, then select Absa Savings Coach. That’s it, I was in!
HOW SAVINGS COACH WORKS
Savings Coach helps you set personal savings goals, which makes saving feel real. You decide what you’re saving for and then work out how to get
there. It’s kind of like a game and, honestly, it makes saving fun. I set two goals: a small one and a bigger one. I’m a massive Chiefs fan, so I’m saving up for a season ticket, that’s my smaller goal. My big dream? A proper beach holiday: hotel, good food, ocean views. That’s what I’m working towards!
AUTO SAVERS ARE THE TRICK
Once my goals were in place, I could set up auto savers. This means money automatically goes toward my goals whenever something specific happens. For example, every time Chiefs score a goal, money goes into my season-ticket fund. And when I skip buying coffee, that money goes into my holiday savings.
The amounts aren’t huge, but it’s part of my daily life and builds the habit. Best of all, if something unexpected happens, like car trouble, I can still access my savings when I need them. No pressure, no stress.
SAVING MADE SIMPLE
Now I know saving isn’t only possible, it’s simple. With the Savings Coach, I’ve learned to save for special things in life without feeling overwhelmed. I can even set money aside for emergencies without cutting too deep into my budget.
Back in school, there was a coach for everything — soccer, netball, even maths. But never one for saving. Now, I’ve got my very own Savings Coach, and that makes all the difference.
IT’S A GOAL!
To find out more about Absa Savings Coach, go to absa.co.za/offers/ absa-savings-coach/ or stop in at your nearest Absa branch.
TRY:
CELEBRATING THE JOY OF BEING A WOMAN WITH THESE STANDOUT TRENDS Girl code
SOFT GIRL:
01.
In a world where everything from waistlines to cheekbones must be “snatched”, there has been a quiet return to softer features. At Sophie Webster and Luisa Spagnoli, a strong case was made for ditching lifted blush placements in favour of emphasising rounder, more youthful features. Focus blush application on the apples of the cheeks and diffuse downwards into the jawline.
02.
Dare we say it … the Instagram brow of 2016 could be seeing a resurgence. As the girlies call for an end to the minimal cleangirl aesthetic in favour of full glam makeup, brows are becoming sharper and more defined. At Iceberg, models sported a blocky, super-sculpted brow with a razorsharp tail.
TRY: Benefit Gimme Brow + Volumizing Pencil in 375, R460
TRY:
03
FEMALE GLAZE:
04.
03.
From décolletagesglistening to glossy shoulders, lacquered- up limbs take centre stage. At Max Mara, Andreadamo, and Ermanno Scervino, models were sent out with gleamingdeliciously skin. Slather on a rich body lotion to hydrate and layer with a body shimmer oil to add shine. Finish off with a pearlescent liquid highlighter on shoulders, collarbones, arms, and legs.
TRY: Fenty Skin Buff Ryder Exfoliating Body Scrub 170ml, R790; Sol De Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Oil in Copacabana Bronze 75ml, R815
This season, lips are doing a solo act as the mood calls for bold, sultry shades – paired with nothing else. From burgundy, black cherry, and oxblood to true red shades, darkened lips are getting the job done without a lick of mascara, eyeshadow or even blush. At Max Mara, models sported deep-oxblood lips that were slightly blurred along edges,the set against clean, glowing skin.
TRY: MAC Lip Pencil in Vino, R385; WBeauty Matte Lipstick in Stepping Out, R139; Yardley
Intense Matte Velvet Wear in Iconic, R170
BOMB:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown, R450
Wtext : EMMANUEL TJIYA
production : LISO CEZA
as there a time Kgomotso Christopher was not relevant? The answer is simple — not in the past two decades. Petite but powerful, she melts hearts and lights up every room she enters, first with her beaming smile and then with her star power. She has crushed every TV role she has played — Katlego Sibeko (Isidingo), Yvonne “YV” Thebe (Scandal!), Dineo Price (Legacy), Keabetswe Moloi (Generations: The Legacy), and Nandi Mahlati (Fatal Seduction). Her acting career, paced with fearless choices, is what has made her the greatest and most versatile TV icon of our generation.
“I’ve played a drug addict, housewife, gambling hustler, investigative policewoman, lecturer. In theatre I’ve done everything from Shakespeare to Molière and Chekhov. There’s nothing I’ve not done and there’s nothing that I can’t do and can’t wait to play,” she says.
When I challenge her to offer me a guide to her professional life in a three-act structure, she doesn’t hesitate. “First Act: The struggle … the rejection. Second Act: A chance meeting. A chance given … serendipity. Third Act: Patience is a virtue,” Christopher quips. No matter the act, Christopher’s greatest power in the industry is that she will always be the “why” kind of performer. “Why are you an artist? Why do you choose, still, to be an artist in a very unstable industry, in a country that’s battling economically? Why?” she challenges. “It’s in the moments when you don’t have work, when you want to give up, when you don’t know what your future looks like, especially financially in this industry because it impacts your family and children. The challenge is to find a way to remind yourself why you still choose the path and journey.”
On 15 August, Christopher reprises her role as Nandi in the muchanticipated second season of Fatal Seduction on Netflix. The last time I spoke to her was six years ago, on the eve of her winning her first South African Film and Television Award (Safta) for playing the feisty YV in 2019. A year later, she notched her second win for the same character. She got the nod once again last year for playing Nandi, losing out to Shannon Esra for Lioness. Christopher notes a common thread between playing Nandi and YV — both characters demanded that she immerse herself in linguistic nuance to drive a stellar performance.
photography : STEVE TANCHEL
“I didn’t come from a family that took international trips — the first time I was on a plane [to Durban], I was 14 … My circumstances didn’t deter me. I always told myself that my parents took me as far as they could and the rest was on me. I had big dreams to study and to have the same chances as my mother, who had studied internationally and graduated from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania — an Ivy League institution,” she says. “So to arrive from Tembisa at Columbia University, also an Ivy League university, and to read for my master’s degree was a dream realised and fulfilled, not only for myself but also for my family. To return to South Africa and apply the skills and experience was another dream come true. I’d always been interested in being part of academia, and having the opportunity to impart my knowledge and impact a new generation of artists was life changing. Many of my former Wits students are South Africa’s most sought-after actors today.”
Now in her 40s, Christopher says that after a certain age women are underrepresented in the acting world. “Male actors are still alpha males, ageing gracefully on our screens without worrying about their changing looks. The strategy is to pair an older male actor with a much younger female co-star in order to bring youth to that screen presence and male co-actor,” she observes. “I’ve been portraying characters that are 40plus since my early 30s; now that I’m in my 40s, I’m vying for roles that a veteran actress should be getting. Mathematically it doesn’t compute; there should be strong, rich, interesting characters across the board, regardless of age or gender.”
Renaissance woman & our eras perfect icon
“Katlego Sibeko on Isidingo introduced me to a wider audience who had not necessarily known my work. It made me a household name,” she says. “My creative gods weren’t done, as I was then gifted a role that I’d initially turned down, YV on Scandal!. I’d always been in primarily English-medium shows and delighted in playing a role that allowed me to perform in Sesotho, although I’m not a Mosotho. I had to work daily on the language aspect, but audiences were also able to see me in a comedic light. With Nandi, I again worked in a language that’s not my home language, IsiZulu. I love our languages and, if necessary for a character, will do my best to honour that.”
Christopher made her first acting mark in Backstage at age 20. Before long she packed her bags and jetted off to New York to obtain her master’s degree in acting at Columbia University. Returning home after six years, in 2008, she became a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand’s drama department. Her lead role in the drama series 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls in 2010 cemented her comeback.
p. 8: Earrings, model’s own; Labyrinth Spectacular dress, R8 800, David Tlale
She is married to Calvin Christopher, with whom she has two kids, Larona Lehakwe and Lesika Leatile.
“I’ve always tried to make sure my children don’t grow up in the shadow of a ‘famous’ mom and ensured that my partner’s career isn’t infringed upon, especially given that he’s a lawyer. He has allowed me to thrive in my chosen path, giving me the space and support to follow my dreams. As a family we’ve chosen to raise our children in different countries — the UK, South Africa, the US, Dubai. Who knows what’s next?” she says. “I’ve done my best to keep my family life out of social media. I was nursing my youngest child when I got my first lead role and would take my toddler to set at the time. My son was two when I became the ‘person people ask for pictures’ and now he’s 16, my daughter 18. I’m glad I gave them the space to define their identity outside of my career and my life in the spotlight.”
& BEA U TY
Avumile Qongqo:
The
queen of indie films
photography : STEVE TANCHEL
production : LISO CEZA
Avumile Qongqo is basking in the glory of the success of The Last Ranger — Mzansi’s first Oscar-nominated film since Tsotsi won almost 20 years ago.
Nobody saw the gritty Cindy Lee-directed short film coming until it became an Oscars sleeper when the 97th annual Academy Award nominations were announced on 23 January. Just like that, lead star Qongqo’s career took a turn, with her making waves as the queen of local indie films.
Qongqo is no newbie, although she humbly refers to herself as a “film novice”. Much like her indie film’s sleeper-hit status, she has had a long and quiet showbiz career, making a number of U-turns on her way to the Oscars. In the early 2000s, she was a model muse and mannequin strutting the runway for top SA designers. She quickly found Miss SA fame, as first princess in 2005 (Nokuthula Sithole won) and again in 2007 (Tansey Coetzee won). Then, in the early 2010s, she ventured into broadcast journalism as news anchor on ANN7.
Stepping onto the set of her cover shoot, the statuesque actor commands attention, towering over everyone. The crew gushes about her after she wrapped. Yes, she’s a surreal vision frame after frame, but it’s her professionalism and poise that leave a long-lasting impression. It becomes apparent that Qongqo has had such a long career because of her strong work ethic and remarkable discipline.
“Before my modelling background, I started with drama at school and we had a very strict teacher who expected nothing but perfection. So when you come to set you come prepared,” she says when we reconnect on the phone almost a week later, after I praise her professionalism.
“When I get on any set, I like to be treated as a professional and in order for me to experience that I have to give others the same professionalism that I anticipate from them. If there are going to be challenges, I would rather they be technical and not because I wasn’t prepared or didn’t honour the moment.”
The Cape Town-based star launched her acting career in 2017 with cameo roles in international productions Raised by Wolves, Deep Blue Sea 3, Deep State, and Outlander. Qongqo admits that being in an Oscar-nominated film so early in her acting career was not on her bingo card. Yet, as fate would have it, on 2 March, she was at the hightech home of the Oscars, the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, walking the same red carpet as A-listers Halle Berry, Demi Moore, Timothée Chalamet, Cynthia Erivo, Adrian Brody, and Zoe Saldaña. Qongqo was a golden beauty in a draped Julian Mendez gown.
“That moment is difficult to put into words because it’s incomparable. Sometimes you feel it’s too soon to dream this way because I only got into film in 2017 and still consider myself a novice,” she says. “So I was waiting for a couple more years before I was going to dream about
going to the Oscars. For this to come the way it did and with a film for which none of us had been expecting accolades [is amazing]. The biggest stars in the world were there; I was in the same room as them and suddenly they became so human. It made that stage accessible. That’s breaking the ceiling, to me at least. A village girl who could not conceive the possibilities of this thing happening, there she was at the pinnacle of an industry that she loves. Suddenly, it all felt possible.”
Produced by Darwin Shaw and Will Hawkes, the 28-minute-long film depicting rhino poaching and conservation during the Covid-19 pandemic was filmed in 2021 over a period of four days in the Amakhala Game Reserve and Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. Premiering at the Pan African Film Festival on 7 January 2024, it had a successful film-festival run, winning multiple awards.
“The crew was not even half of what a crew is on a film set — it was a quarter,” she says. “We were shooting with wildlife around, so — they later told me — at one point there was a roaming lion and we had to be on the lookout. Because we were shooting with live animals, we had to shoot over 20 minutes and had to get our shot in that time. So these were the nuances on this set — being dictated to by the animals. But then there is also the pressure of the sun going down and you have to get the shot.”
After leaving broadcast journalism in 2015, Qongqo decided to commit to her acting dreams. She went to drama school for six months and then did film acting for about “a year or two”. But the acting bug bit in high school. “The only reason I took speech and drama in high school was because the other option was biology. I had an incredible drama teacher,” she says. “At one point I thought he was targeting me and he then set me straight to say he thought I had so much potential, so he needed to push me. It was a saving grace for me; my confidence started to build from there and it pulled me out of my shell.”
Modelling started when she was in Grade 10, when her mother, aunt, and cousin took her to audition for M-Net reality TV show Face of Africa in 2001. She was 15 and made the final two. After high school, the Queenstown-born performer moved to Cape Town to further her studies. According to the internet, Qongqo studied law, but this is incorrect, she quickly stops me. “No, I don’t know where this comes from; when I was doing the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival [in March] they kept saying that I’m a lawyer. I studied retail business management and marketing management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology,” she says. “Modelling was fantastic. I was young. In SA, you would realise that as a model they preferred for you to have less of a voice, especially as a Black model. Just show up and if you have a voice, you are problematic. But this is also the same space that accepted my otherness. I’m very tall and I was conscious about that, but in that space it’s praised and desired.”
She notes that Miss SA gave her more of that voice.
“All of it was unearthing me, because at the centre of it is storytelling. Miss SA is not a competition I would have entered. I was doing fashion week as a model and I was encouraged to enter, but I thought I’m not a beauty queen,” she explains. “When I entered Miss SA, I wanted to start sharpening my voice and honing it. But these are not dreams that you announce to others because you are insecure. I wanted to get into acting and wasn’t telling anyone. So I continued with modelling, which is a form of performance because I could get in front of the camera for auditions and commercials. But there was a limitation — I wanted more.”
Since coming back from the Oscars, Qongqo has been taking creative-writing classes.
p. 12: Earrings, stylist’s own; necklace, R199, H&M; T-Lerya tank top, R6 999, Diesel; belted pleat-front midi skirt, R599; snaffle buckle belt, R199; both Woolworths; socks, stylist’s own; pointed stilettos, R4 990, Europa Art
p. 13: Earrings, stylist’s own; embellished mesh dress, R799; pleated tulle bandeau top, R799; rib-knit arm warmers, R100, all H&M; knee-high stiletto boots, R6 990, Europa Art
p. 14-15: Necklace, R199, H&M; layered snake chain necklace, R189, Woolworths; D-iamante dress, R9 799, Diesel; stockings, stylist’s own
p. 16: Rib-knit arm warmers, R100, H&M; earrings, stylist’s own; Oaklyn waistcoat, R1 299; Oaklyn pleat wide-leg trousers, R1 299, both Forever New
p. 17: Earrings, stylist’s own; custom purge harness, R450, Punk Pixie; Archival polo neck, POR, Gert-Johan Coetzee; Petroleum miniskirt, R4 400, The Bam Collective; stockings, stylist’s own; studded slingback kitten heels, R499, Foschini
cover & contents: Earrings, stylist’s own; Scorched minidress, R4 200, The Bam Collective; knee-high stiletto boots, R6 990, Europa Art
Stockists
Diesel diesel.co.za
Europa Art europaart.co.za
Forever New forevernew.co.za Foschini bash.com
Gert-Johan Coetzee shopgert.com
H&M superbalist.com
Punk Pixie punkpixie.com
Viviers viviersstudio.com
Woolworths woolworths.co.za
The Bam Collective thebamcollective.com
Nthabiseng Mathole :
Recipe for FoodTok success
photography : STEVE TANCHEL
production : LISO CEZA
Whiffs of lamb meatballs and gnocchi pasta smothered in a creamy tomato sauce permeate the kitchen as Nthabiseng Mathole lifts the lid to reveal the delicious dish. What follows is pure magic, with Mathole’s culinary pizzazz becoming the linchpin as she takes SMag editor-in-chief Emmanuel Tjiya through three delicious pasta dishes she has prepared for a FoodTok video series.
A week earlier, I met the pint-sized 33-year-old digital-content creator and homemaker on the set of her debut magazine cover shoot at Glow Hire studio in Riviera, Joburg. Mathole’s soft-glam makeup is instantly energised with a fierce cat eye, sleeked-back hair, and teased ponytail, accentuating her high cheekbones and natural beauty. “I was telling Bomzi [hairstylist Ntombomzi Lekgoro] that it only dawned on me what I’m doing today on my drive to the studio. It’s a huge opportunity and something that I never would have dreamed up for myself. I’m super-grateful,” she says, getting teary-eyed. Her career in content creation kicked into high gear in 2021 when she resigned from a lucrative corporate career. “I worked in risk management for 10 years until 2021, when I decided I wanted to go into content creation full-time. It wasn’t easy coming to that decision and I didn’t take it lightly,” she says. “I’m a spiritual person and God told me it was time to leave my corporate job, as He had an assignment for me to fulfil. God even told me the date I needed to leave my job, which was 4 November. So, on that day, I handed in my resignation. I didn’t have any full-time job waiting for me but I was just trusting God’s voice. My husband knew I wasn’t happy at my job anymore and [that I wanted to] go into content creation. Fortunately, he’s also a believer and was supportive. He said he took my word for it because he knows me as somebody who has a good head on her shoulders.”
Mathole’s viral homemaker Instagram page Dipitsa Stofong (loosely translating to “pots on the stove” in Sesotho), is the “Tradwife” tagline for her Sunday cooking videos. “Growing up, I used to wake up on Sunday mornings to the smell of Sunday seven colours on the stove,” she says. “My mom would be cooking and playing gospel music, and we would be getting ready to go to church. This is a tradition I want to keep for my family and found myself sharing that with my followers on my account. It soon began to gain traction and people just hopped on every Sunday. I would say, ‘Ladies, wake up. Let’s put the pots on the stove’ and people just started doing it. I would get DMs of dishes people made with the hashtag Dipitsa Stofong, and that’s what inspired the name.”
Mathole officially launched the Dipitsa Stofong page in 2024, a pilgrimage to rediscover the joy of homemaking and family. She denotes that the pursuit of homemaking is a ministry, not a trend, and other women should understand what will be required of them beforehand.
“It’s great if women want to do it, but they must know what will be required because it’s not just a trend. I fully believe homemaking is a ministry and I believe that it is my calling to be doing what I’m doing right now — that’s why I had to leave my corporate job to step into this role,” Mathole says. “Through the platform, I’m simply sharing my love for homemaking and teaching ladies the things that my mom taught me growing up and how I’ve implemented them in my home, which has made my life much easier.”
Mathole grew up in Evaton West, in Emfuleni local municipality. She honours her mother for equipping her with kitchen skills and preparing her to teach other women.
“My mother is an amazing woman,” says Mathole, her eyes brimming with tears. “We grew up in a family that was not well off, but I grew up around a mom who was hard working and made sure every single day that there was food on the table. She would wake up in the morning and cook. Sometimes, you were asked to come peel vegetables and help, especially on Sunday, and at the time as a young girl you believed it was such a chore but, in hindsight, it prepared me for what I’m doing right now. So it’s small things such as how to peel a potato and make sure the dishes are washed and packed away after every meal. It’s funny though because, looking back, I don’t think my mom was intentional about making me a homemaker, it was me watching her.”
Mathole believes the lessons she learned from her mother was to live an ordered life, which enables her to pour into her cup and to take care of her family and the household.
“I noticed how organised her life was. If you’re cooking dinner in the morning, then the rest of the day you can relax and do other things. So, when I think about that, I’m like, ah, it makes sense. That’s how she ran her life, and it gave her order, and it also created routine within the house. She was neat and had things done in a particular way. Thinking back on those things, I can see how they shaped who I am today and why I run my life the way I do.”
Dr Mahtaab Hayat’s first name means “light of the moon” in Farsi. A glimmer of hope in the darkness, it’s a fitting metaphor for the 31-yearold scientist whose work lights overlooked spaces in African women’s health.
Leading the first genome-wide study of breast cancer in subSaharan Africa, the Rustenburg-born scientist uncovered risk factors thus far unexplored. Her research, done through the University of the Witwatersrand, revealed two genetic variants that increase the risk of breast cancer in Black South African women. The discovery marked a foundational step in African-led genetic research and brought attention to the urgent need for population-specific health data on the continent. “My sister had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer [closely related to breast cancer] a couple of years earlier, so it was still fresh in my mind. It felt deeply personal — like the universe was saying, ‘Your family has just faced this. Now here’s your chance to understand it better.’”
FOR HER URGENT ATTENTION TO AFRICAN-LED GENETIC RESEARCH, DR MAHTAAB HAYAT IS OUR WOMAN OF THE YEAR IN
The study Hayat did is well established in Western populations for breast cancer but not in Africa, and certainly not for Black African women. “It’s important, because you can’t just take results from nonAfrican populations and apply them to African ones. Our genetics are different. African genomes are much older, and that affects how genetic risks show up. So what works in or applies to one population may not hold true in another — even within sub-Saharan Africa. It’s not onesize-fits-all,” she explains.
text : SANAA MAJA
The findings, based on a study of women in Soweto, are just the beginning, but they offer a critical foundation. Hayat hopes they will one day contribute to genetic screening tools that can detect high-risk individuals early, helping to save lives through personalised prevention strategies. “Imagine being able to walk into a clinic, do a simple blood test, and get a risk score for breast cancer based on your genetics,” she says. “That’s the dream. That’s the future we’re working towards and I hope I am still alive to see that come to fruition.”
Inherited breast cancer makes up only 5-7% of cases, with most linked to other genetic factors. This study focused on those lesserknown risks, highlighting the need for wider, Africa-focused research.
Hayat grew up with three sisters and was the kind of child who never missed an assignment, always raised her hand, and often annoyed her classmates with her diligence. “I was that kid,” she laughs. “The one who said, ‘Yes ma’am, here’s my homework,’ when everyone else had forgotten it existed.”
But while science fascinated her, so did drama, which she took as a subject alongside biology, chemistry, and mathematics. “I think people underestimate how much art and science overlap,” she says. “They’re both about creativity, about seeing the world in new ways and telling stories.”
It’s a perspective that helped her later in life — particularly when navigating the often-intimidating world of academic presentations and public science communication. “Scientists aren’t trained to speak to the public. But we have to. If the work stays in journals, it’s not helping anyone,” she notes.
Hayat’s academic journey began with a BSc at Wits, where she majored in genetics and microbiology. An honours degree in human genetics followed, then a master’s focused on hyperlipidaemia and finally a PhD in breast cancer genetics — all under the banner of the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience.
At each step, she stayed rooted in public health, working specifically with African data for African people.
“We’re looking to expand the breast cancer study through a project
called Confluence — a much larger genome-wide association study that includes many more individuals from Southern Africa. It will help us validate our initial findings and potentially uncover new genetic variants linked to breast cancer,” she says.
Today, Hayat is also a lecturer at Wits, in the same department where she was once a wide-eyed undergrad. She teaches bioinformatics and genomics, helping a new generation of students understand the power of data and the stories written in our DNA.
While her journey has been filled with milestones, Hayat is honest about the challenges, particularly as a woman navigating science spaces that are still dominated by men. “I’ve been lucky in many ways — my departments have been supportive and diverse — but once you step out into the broader academic world, it’s different,” she says. “You walk into a conference room and sometimes you’re the only woman. You’re the only person of colour. And people don’t expect you to be the expert.”
But she has found strength in her roots, drawing resilience from her family, her sisters, and her cousins, but most especially her mother and father. “My mom has always been our biggest champion, for me and my sisters. She’s pushed us not just to study but to excel, to go beyond just getting a degree. She’s always encouraged us to be strong, independent women and that’s been a huge driving force in my life,” says Hayat.
She adds that her father was adamant that his children do work that benefits the community. “For a long time, I didn’t think that was possible in science — I thought it was all about research and publishing papers. But I’ve been so fortunate to lecture and engage with young minds every year and that’s given my work a much deeper purpose.”
For Hayat, the journey has never been just about science — it’s been about belonging, representation, and impact. As a visible Muslim woman in academic spaces, where few look like her, she’s had to confront ignorance and bias head-on. “I’ve been asked if I’m allowed to study, why I’m not married at a certain age, or why I don’t drink,” she says. “And often, I felt as though I was an imposter, because I was always scared that I didn’t know enough. Although I had really supportive friends around me, I sometimes felt as though maybe I was not meant to be here, because I didn’t often see women in hijab in the spaces I used to frequent.”
But she has also witnessed small tides of change. “Of late, it has become much better and I see all kinds of women at talks and conferences. And I hope to maybe be someone a young scientist could relate to,” she adds.
In a world still catching up to the brilliance of women like her, Hayat’s flame continues to burn — a steady glow in science, in sisterhood, and in spaces once kept in the dark.
When Dr Charlotte Maserumule walked the halls of Cambridge University for the first time, she thought of her late parents and their dream for her to attend one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Tired from travelling, she found serenity in her dorm room, a twohour journey from London Heathrow Airport. Inside was a single piece of paper bearing the word they believed captured who she truly was — “conqueror”. “It floored me,” Maserumule says. In that moment, memories of her parents and the values they had lovingly instilled — rooted deeply in their home in Mohlalaotwane village near Marble Hall in Limpopo — came rushing back. It was a deeply emotional reminder of how their presence continues to guide her journey, especially her father, whose favourite authors had walked the halls of Oxford and Cambridge.
Maserumule, now 40, lost her mother when she was just a year old and her father at the age of seven. She says their memory has been her greatest inspiration in becoming one of the country’s most respected health diagnostic innovators.
“Losing both my parents at a young age made me want to understand disease: how it works, where it comes from, and what we can do about it. For me, it became about finding ways to buy more time for other people’s parents, other people’s loved ones,” Maserumule says.
And that is exactly what she did. Maserumule graduated from Cambridge with a PhD in medicine (non-clinical). She also attended SA’s University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, and University of Pretoria.
But the innovator’s inspiration did not only stem from heartbreak. “When I was a kid, there was a doctor’s practice directly opposite our home and the doctor was a Black man. That shaped the way I thought about the world and influenced the conversations I had with my father,” she says.
Today, she is a powerful voice in the world of medical diagnostics, where she has worked to advance African-led innovation in biotechnology, diagnostics, and public-health strategy. Her focus is on ensuring that homegrown solutions are brought to market to solve local health challenges while contributing to global impact and employment opportunities.
“One of the key projects I worked on during my time at Mintek was developing an HIV rapid-diagnostic test kit in partnership with a Cape Town company. From initial development to the World Health Organization pre-qualification submission, the process took about two years,” explains Maserumule. She has also been involved in developing diagnostic tests for tuberculosis and diabetes.
It is not easy to keep up with her accolades. She was recently appointed senior manager: biotech innovation and commercialisation at Market Access Africa and was chief scientist: health platform at Mintek and a researcher at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
A lot happened during her time at the CSIR that shaped Maserumule’s career. She became deeply engaged with science — exploring molecular medicine and delving into the possibilities of optical technology. Another pivotal moment in her journey was winning the South African Women in Science Awards’ (SAWISA) master’s fellowship. This recognition validated her work and commitment to advancing science and innovation.
In her current role as senior manager for biotech innovation and commercialisation at Market Access Africa, Maserumule leads the organisation’s biotech technical advisory arm. She guides the design,
evaluation, and scale-up of biotech innovations that align with regional public health priorities while driving strategies to accelerate the commercialisation and uptake of diagnostics, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and other essential health products across African markets.
“I’m also focused on strengthening the health biotech ecosystem by fostering collaboration across science, policy, and industry,” she explains. “It’s about building networks that improve health systems and patient outcomes across the continent.”
Although she no longer develops diagnostics directly, Maserumule remains actively involved in research by co-supervising MSc and PhD students whose projects pursue innovative diagnostics. These are initiatives she helped conceive and support through funding and, through her advisory role, she engages with clients at early project stages to provide technical guidance.
Reflecting on her journey as a woman in science, Maserumule speaks candidly about the challenges faced by many researchers, regardless of gender, especially when balancing demanding careers with relationships and family life. “Science research is tough on relationships — family, friends, romance — for everyone,” she notes. “But historically, societal expectations have made it harder for women. It’s important to recognise that reality, while also fostering kindness and support.”
She notes the resilience of women she grew up around, from family to teachers, who modelled perseverance through difficult circumstances. However, she also acknowledges the complexity within professional spaces. “There are fewer women in certain scientific fields, and sometimes those who have made it have had to harden themselves to survive. That can make finding compassionate mentorship a challenge,” she says.
Maserumule points out that many women are enrolling in undergraduate science programmes — at universities such as UCT, for example, there are often more female students than male. However, as students progress to honours, masters, and PhD levels, the number of women steadily declines. This isn’t because women lack ambition — often they get married, have children, or choose different career paths, sometimes stepping back to support their families.
Her advice to young women entering science is encouraging and practical: “Go for it and stick with it. There are many support systems now, including funding that accommodates life breaks like maternity leave. You don’t have to do it all at once; take your path at your own pace, and seek out the networks that will support your goals.”
Maserumule also highlights the crucial role women play in shaping scientific research to address issues that disproportionately affect women, such as breast cancer and maternal health. But beyond subject-matter expertise, she stresses the importance of women developing the social presence and confidence to navigate predominantly male spaces — from conferences to boardrooms — to ensure their voices are heard.
“We want to encourage more women to not just show up as technical experts but also to have the social presence and acumen to navigate different spaces,” says Maserumule. “Whether you’re dealing with a deputy ambassador of Iran or you’re at a conference in Egypt full of men who don’t know what you’re doing there by yourself, it’s about holding your own in those moments.”
Making the most of opportunities has been an important stepping stone for Mary Vilakazi, the CEO of FirstRand — South Africa’s biggest banking group.
FirstRand, boasting a R400-billion market capitalisation, is a leading financial services group whose divisions include First National Bank (FNB), Wesbank, and Rand Merchant Bank, employing around 50 000 people globally.
“Growing up, I would not have thought I would be CEO of the largest bank in South Africa, but it is [the outcome of] a series of opportunities I was fortunate to have. I got opportunities along the way and that is what made all the difference,” Vilakazi says. “I always say I wasn’t the brightest or the most gifted, but I managed to get those opportunities, whether a bursary or someone offering me vacation work or a school programme — all of those things are important because without access to them I would not be here.”
Vilakazi joined FirstRand in 2018 as group chief operating officer and took over as CEO in April 2024, becoming the first woman to serve at the helm of the group. Her track record speaks for itself: she previously served as the deputy CEO of MMI Holdings and chief financial officer of the Mineral Services Group.
Growing up in Alexandra, north of Joburg, Vilakazi developed a knack for business at a young age. “My mother wanted me to earn money when I was very young; it was a helpful skill. Instead of giving me pocket money, she gave me a packet of sweets to sell and said I could keep the profits,” Vilakazi says.
She describes her tenure as CEO as both challenging, owing to a unique micro-economic environment resulting from FirstRand’s diverse geographic footprint, and rewarding, owing to the progress that has been made to address some of South Africa’s structural challenges.
“The micro-economic environment has not been great. It doesn’t help that the global challenges most countries are navigating [create] an environment that is going to have higher inflation. We are seeing that coming through in the US now. I think the [US] tariffs are going to bite,” says Vilakazi. In July, US president Donald Trump imposed 30% tariffs on South African goods and produce, effective from 1 August 2025. The tariffs, if implemented, are likely to hit jobs in sectors such as vehicles, wine, manufacturing, metals, and agriculture.
At the same time, South Africa’s rail industry is undergoing a structural shift with the government introducing third-party access to the country’s 21 000km rail infrastructure. While South Africa faces a barrage of problems, including unemployment and slow growth,
she believes making it easier for people to start businesses and even establishing a credit-guarantee scheme for youth could help reduce the unemployment rate.
“There are several business opportunities that did not exist years ago, such as influencers. If you look at how much influencers are making in the US, there is a big business model there and it resonates with a lot of people,” she observes. “If there is a concerted effort to help young people, there should be a guarantee scheme put in place to help people borrow money and build their own businesses.”
Credit-ratings agency S&P Global Ratings said in July that the economic risk for SA banks has reduced and that the sector has entered an expansion phase, signalling an improvement on last year. Commenting on the S&P Global Ratings report, Vilakazi says the outlook for banks is positive. She adds that while there has been an improvement in household balance sheets and incomes following a reduction in inflation, interest rates are still not at a level that will necessarily boost household incomes.
According to Vilakazi, FNB is the leading bank for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and is working hard to make it the “go-to bank” for solving customers’ problems.
“In SMEs in particular we have done pretty well; competition is rife. If I look at how we are placed in the small-business banking sector I would say FNB has a lot to lose because we have a big market share — we are the largest lender to SMEs and we are fighting pretty hard when it comes to competition,” she says.
In the UK, MotoNovo Finance, FirstRand’s motor-finance business, was part of an industry-wide probe into practices related to commissions paid to car dealers. MotoNovo is appealing the UK court of appeal rulings in favour of consumers who had taken out loans through dealerships not knowing that those dealers were receiving undisclosed commissions from MotoNovo. She says MotoNovo is awaiting the judgment, which will hopefully be made in the next month. “We believe we have a strong case,” she says.
Vilakazi, a wife and mother, says she would tell her younger self not to be so hard on herself. “I would say mistakes are part of growth — all the mistakes I have made have enriched my experience. I have learnt a lot from them and I think that is where innovation begins.” She adds, “I think when you start off as a young professional the stakes are high, and you think, ‘Oh, I can’t fail.’ It is a lot of stress. I don’t think it’s that stress that helps you succeed — you could travel the road with an easier load.”
She looks forward to one day coaching young people to reach their full potential. “I enjoy working with young people. I believe it’s the secret sauce to staying young.
“I enjoy focusing on people’s strengths — that is a passion of mine. I get to do a bit of it in leadership, but there you are directing and shaping outcomes for a business. I think coaching is about the people and helping them succeed and grow.”
THE MEETING
Lungani: It was in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. She was walking around in the Joburg CBD to buy groceries. I followed her, without her knowledge, and then waited at the door to her apartment. When she came back, she greeted me and my friend. I even said to him, “You see, she greets.” I asked her if I could help her carry some of her bags and she said no. [Taken aback], I went to go chill with my friend. When she refused, I remember going back to my room and praying to God, asking him if she was the woman for me. Mihle: I had just moved to Joburg after finishing my degree at Rhodes University. I was only three months into my internship. It felt as though the world had closed down on me. That day, I felt like going shopping, and when I came back I saw a cute guy waiting by my apartment door. I refused because, as a girl, you don’t just say “Yes” the minute a guy gives you attention. So, the next day the same thing happened; however, he looked nice, he was all dressed up. When I came back from the shops, he asked to carry my bags and I said yes. I told him my name and the rest is history.
THE DATING LIFE
Mihle: Our dating life started in 2020. We went on a lot of dates and boom, we had a child; a beautiful baby girl came into our lives two years into our dating life. Because we had to focus on our child, things became more about how we were going to navigate and it all. Lungani: Our first date was a picnic setup on the floor of my living room, because we were living in the same building. I sent her a text asking if she could come at a specific time. When she arrived, the lights were off and I had a sheet throw-over type of vibe with candles all around it. I made her something yummy and we just sat there.
THE LIGHTBULB MOMENT
Lungani: The first time we prayed together, I knew this was the one. I felt like I didn’t need to be someone other than myself around her.
THE PROPOSAL
Mihle: Culturally, men aren’t allowed to propose before they lobola. So, two weeks before the proposal we had our first lobola negotiations, on 2 June 2022. Fast-forward to 16 June, when Lunga proposes. It was a Saturday and we were meant to go on a date. I just had a child six months prior; I felt heavy body-wise and didn’t know what to wear. [At the time] I wasn’t thinking of an engagement because everything seemed done and official. Lunga loves big surprises — he did that for my baby shower and the way he was acting, that day, made me
ForMihlenewlyweds and LunganieverythingNkomo, was cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic – except for love
text : MASEGO SEEMELA
suspicious. We had a reservation at Mike’s Kitchen in Parktown. When we went to drop off our daughter at her grandparents’, everyone was super smiley. When we walked in, there were flower petals on the floor and Musa’s song Ngivumele was playing in the background. I remember laughing as he got down on one knee. Our friends, who had been hiding, came out and started ululating. I was so excited, I just remembered him putting a ring on fingers and screaming, “Yes.”
LOBOLA NEGOTIATIONS
Mihle: We had our lobola in June 2022 and the day before we got married, on 21 December, we completed the traditional umembeso.
THE WEDDING
Lungani: The initial date was in August or September last year but the money wasn’t right. After a Durban trip on 9 August to attend my aunt’s birthday, she and I found ourselves hellbent on getting married on 21 December 2024. Another reason for this day is because our savings was only going to be released on 20 December. There was nothing significant [about the date], just our finances had to align with our plans — but on this day, our family and friends’ vibe and support at our wedding made it feel perfect.
THE DRESS
Mihle: Finding my wedding gown was such an easy process. I wasn’t a bridezilla. I did one internet search and found a boutique in Bryanston called Bridal Tux and Boutiques. I booked my appointment on the Friday and went in on the Saturday. I fitted three dresses and found the one I liked. I went back for two more fittings and was happy; it even fit my budget. I wanted a princess moment but with a little bit of cleavage and a tight waist.
TIPS FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Mihle: Find your team and rely on them. Also, you need to do away with the narrative of “It’s my wedding, things need to go a certain way” — this type of thinking will stress you out. I was able to let go of a lot of things because I knew my mom or cousins had things under control. I just had to be a bride and be happy.
SMag’s Woman of the Year in Food,
Nthabiseng Mathole , invites editorin-chief Emmanuel Tjiya into her kitchen and plates up
her favouritefamily’spasta dishes, finished with Knorrox
What’s the secret ingredient in landing an SMag cover?
Cooking for the editor, of course! Nthabiseng Mathole, much loved for her online home-cooking series Dipitsa Stofong, dished up three forkswirling pasta dishes using flavourful Knorrox stock powder. “The secret to pasta is how everything comes together. Every step adds to the next — adding salt to your boiling water, making sure the pasta is tender and not overcooked, and putting the cooked pasta back into your sauce to properly absorb the flavours,” she says.
text : NOMBUSO KUMALO
photographer : RAY MANZANA
“I’m a mom of two and my kids love pasta — it’s the quickest dish to whip up for them when I lack inspiration and want full tummies. Pasta always wins. The lamb-meatball dish is our favourite. It has the three elements we all love — lamb, pasta, and tomato gravy. I go a step further by adding the beef-flavour Knorrox stock powder for a richer, meaty taste. No-one can resist a warm, hearty meal, especially during the cold weather.”
AL DENTE PASTA!
LAMB MEATBALLS WITH GNOCCHI PASTA SHELLS
Ingredients:
600g prepared lamb frikkadels
1 tbsp oil
½ onion, chopped
1 tbsp crushed garlic
1 tin diced tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp lamb & chops spice
salt and pepper
1 tbsp Knorrox beef stock
powder
500g gnocchi pasta shells
salted water for boiling fresh parsley for garnish
Method:
1. To make the meatballs, fry lamb frikkadels in oil until browned and cooked through and set aside. 2. Sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft.
3. Add tomatoes, paste, sugar, lamb & chops spice, salt, pepper, and Knorrox stock powder. 4. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened.
5. Return frikkadels to the sauce and stir well. 6. Bring to the boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente (6-10 minutes) 7. Drain and set aside. 8. Once drained, mix pasta with frikkadels and sauce. 9. Plate and garnish with fresh parsley. 01.
MZANSI TOMATO
PASTA
Ingredients:
300g spaghetti or pasta of choice
salted water for boiling
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp crushed garlic
4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
(or 1 tin diced tomatoes)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp Knorrox vegetable
curry stock powder
salt & pepper to taste
½ cup grated cheddar or Parmesan (optional) fresh basil for garnish
CREAMY CHICKEN ALFREDO & BROCCOLI BAKE
Ingredients:
300g penne pasta
salted water for boiling
500g chicken breast, cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
200g broccoli florets, chopped
1 tbsp crushed garlic
1 tbsp chicken spice
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup fresh cream
1 tbsp Knorrox garlic and onion stock powder
½ cup grated Parmesan or mature cheddar fresh parsley for garnish
Method:
Method:
1. To prepare the pasta, bring to the boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente (8–10 minutes). 2. Drain and set aside, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta water. 3. To make the tomato sauce, heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion until soft.
4. Add garlic and cook for a further minute. 5. Stir in chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, stock powder, salt, and pepper.
6. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened — pour in the reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and mix well. Serve hot and top with grated cheese and fresh basil. 02.
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 deg C. 2. To prepare the pasta, bring to the boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente (8–10 minutes).
3. Drain and set aside. 4. Sear the chicken in a hot pan with olive oil and butter. 5. Add the broccoli and garlic to the chicken cubes and season with chicken spice, salt, and pepper.
6. Cook until chicken is golden and cooked through. Set aside in a bowl. 7. In the same pan, make the alfredo sauce by pouring in cream and bringing it to a gentle simmer. 8. Stir in the Knorrox stock powder and add two-thirds of the cheese.
9. Simmer until the sauce has thickened and add the cooked chicken. 10. Transfer the pasta and chicken mix to an oven-bake dish. 11. Top with remaining cheese and bake until golden. 12. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Your guide to taking safety into your own hands
Self-
defence
“We try to make it as holistic as possible; it’s not just about you boxing and leaving. We want to address every layer of it. Speaking about GBV, you feel it physically. You are no longer relaxed, so the physical aspect of it allows you to release, similar to when you go to gym. We then bring in the psychological aspect that provides support,” adds Uhuru, emphasising that their intention is to help individuals regain autonomy over their lives.
The key to using fitness for safety is not just about learning how to fight but also taking back control and voice. Another form of exercise that many women — including entertainment personality and GBV activist Ashleigh Ogle — have turned to is traditional boxing, known for its anti-anxiety benefits. “I couldn’t think of a better way to release tension,” says Ogle. “As women we are often put in situations where we are vulnerable and can’t fight. Boxing not only teaches you how to fight but is also a real confidence booster, and confidence is something that is robbed from you when you experience GBV.”
Ogle credits boxing with having saved her life after trauma, including a GBV experience with an ex-partner that played out publicly. “It helped me fight for myself. Boxing is more than just selfdefence. Self-defence happens when the person is already close to you and you are trapped. Boxing prevents them from getting close to you. The mental work needed for boxing allows you to learn things like instinct and body language. You are able to sense an attack before it happens and throw a punch, kick or block.”
text : PALESA BUYEYE
for beginner’s
training
Being a woman in South Africa is scary. It is an experience that forces one into intense moments of hypervigilance and dread. Every day we are confronted with alarming femicide reports, reminding us of our reality. Now, more than ever, women are taking matters into their own hands by keeping fit for safety and healing.
Actress Lunathi Mampofu and her sister Uhuru are the founders of My Defense, an organisation that uses heath, wellness, and self-defence workshops to empower and heal, with a focus on survivors and all those affected by gender-based violence (GBV). “I had just come back from the US and was held at gunpoint at a junction in Braamfontein. It was one of the experiences that made me want to start
this initiative. It got me passionate about GBV and fighting against it,” says Lunathi.
The Inimba star then invested in mixed-martialarts (MMA) classes as a way of protecting herself.
“I encountered so many personal stories that it became a norm. Uyinene’s [Mrwetyana] experience, however, at the post office hit home because she was my husband’s cousin. That was a turning point that made me want to establish My Defense,” adds Uhuru.
The workshops often consist of a HIIT workout as warm-up, yoga, nutrition talks, and a self-defence class that teaches people to get themselves out of dangerous situations. As these movements can trigger built-up emotions, they have psychologists present to assist those affected, even after sessions.
What started off as a daily personal exercise has turned her into a celebrity boxer fighting for GBVaffiliated charities. Although she encourages all women to take up the sport, doing it professionally requires a lot of discipline. “Even if you are doing it as a workout, if you eat a burger the day before you feel heavy in training; it’s terrible. You end up eating ‘clean’ because you want to perform better,” adds Ogle, saying she sticks to basics such as Jungle Oats and natural electrolytes that do not cause chemical imbalances.
If you are looking for something more intense, BJMMA coach Jeni Karagiannidis recommends Brazilian kickboxing, Muay Thai or MMA.
“The biggest misconception about these disciplines is that you will become bulky. The truth is that you lose fat and gain muscle, which is what toning is all about. You also learn a new skill,” says Karagiannidis, who has trained for over 30 years. “Brazilian kickboxing is when you are on your feet and the focus is on kicking and punching. Your focus is on throwing knees and elbows, but the majority of striking is on your feet. It is similar to Muay Thai. MMA is taking it from standing to the ground. The philosophy of all these practices is learning how to use your body to protect yourself.”
TO THE WOMEN WHO SPARKLEGlass RAISE A
DRINK RESPONSIBLY. NOT FOR PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
Where partnerships and storytelling becomes a catalyst for conservation.
Nedbank proudly supports The Last Ranger, an Academy Award–nominated #TheLastRanger #WWFNedbankGreenTrust
