/
Text
OCT/NOV 2023
Nadia Jaftha
On her journey towards a new
era of entertainment and how the
HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 fits
into these exciting times
Contents
LOOK
LIVE
Shades of Summer
The sunglasses that
are making waves
20 Effortlessly refined
Timeless pieces for
that classic style
28 Get the look
With our shopping
pages
34 Pan-African fashion
OMÔL blends African
identity and women
empowerment
62
FEEL
Melting Point
Our main beauty spread
44 Hair Tools
Getting that salon
styling experience
at home
48 On the spot
Managing adult acne
50 Beauty Read
How Ectoin can protect
your skin
38
Time to shine
Nadia Jaftha on her
latest journey into
the entertainment
world
78 Long-distance
relationships
How to keep smiles
between the miles
84 Women’s wellness
Tapping into your
feminine energy
THINK
Magical Mauritius
A journey to the jewel
of the Indian Ocean
98 Changing the game
A spotlight of women
in professional sport
106 AI in perspective
Will this
groundbreaking
tech change
our lives?
94
28
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Franco Kellerman
NADIA WEARS:
dress: Lukhanyo Mdingi;
bangles: Phillipa Green;
watch: HUAWEI WATCH GT 4
38
44
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALENA SAZ, FRANCO KELLERMAN, LAUNCHMETRICS, SUPPLIED
14
Ceramide Water Cream
ED’S LETTER
6
“This Spring issue is
bursting at the seams with
all the essenals you will
need to step into the new
season with confidence”
Nadia has not only entertained and
engaged her audience with her fun and
humorous content, but she has also built
an impressive digital business empire.
In an exclusive interview, we dive deep
into her remarkable journey; exploring
the highs, lows, and pivotal moments
that have shaped her path to becoming
an entrepreneur.
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
Grab a cup or glass of your favourite
beverage, find a cosy spot and prepare
to be transported into the world
of GLAMOUR as we embark on a
wholesome journey to finding renewal
this Spring.
Enjoy the issue!
Nontando Mposo,
Editor-in-Chief
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
S WE BID FAREWELL
to the cold winter months, it’s time to
welcome a blooming season of growth
and renewal that comes with Spring.
In this issue of GLAMOUR, we have
proudly put together an enriching
edition that promises to prepare you for
the warm and exciting months ahead.
Whether you are seeking the latest
hair tools must-haves to revitalise your
hair, or looking for fashion’s shoppable
trends to update your wardrobe, this
Spring issue is bursting at the seams
with all the essentials you will need
to step into the new season with
confidence. Furthermore, the team and
I have curated a selection of articles
and interviews that will inspire and
rejuvenate you for the last stretch
of the year.
We’re also counting down to our
most-awaited event of the year:
GLAMOUR’s Women of the Year
(#WOTY). Taking place at the end of
November, this momentous occasion
shines a spotlight on extraordinary
women who are excelling in their
respective fields. Serving as beacons of
hope, they remind us that with passion,
determination and resilience, we too
can achieve greatness. Our phenomenal
2022 awards winners are featured on
pages 96 and 97.
On the cover of this issue is awardwinning content creator Nadia Jaftha,
whose journey from content creator to
CEO has been nothing short of inspiring.
Throughout her rise to success,
Editor-in-Chief
NONTANDO MPOSO
EDI TORI A L
Managing and Syndication Editor Walter Hayward
Managing Editor Gareth Dean
FAS HI ON
Fashion Director Tania Durand
BEAU T Y
Earrings
POR
Gucci
Beauty Editor Jesé Lillienfeldt-Hartman
Beauty Intern Simone Smith
A RT
Art Director Andrea Kühn
Graphic Designer Nosipho Ngqula
FEAT U RE S
Features Editor Thobeka Phanyeko
Content Producer (Print and Digital) Farah Khalfe
DI GI TA L
Digital Campaign Manager Viné Lucas
Junior Digital Designer Andisiwe Bulawa
GlamourSouthAfrica
glamour_sa
glamour_sa
C O N T E N T N A T I O N M E D I A ( P T Y ) LT D
CEO Samantha Subrayen
Office Manager Trishana Naicker
FI N A N C E
Operations General Manager Paul Myburgh Senior Finance Controller Marjorie Lotterie
Finance Controller Abigail Okkers
PROD U CT I ON
Group Production Manager Jean Jacobs Production Co-ordinator Charné Phillips
CI RCULAT I ON
Circulations Co-ordinator Bertina Ellis
ADVERT I S I N G
JOHANNESBURG
Head of Sales Shana Rahaman
Account Managers Wendy Robinson, Nolusindiso Mbambo, Sylvia Ditabe
CAPE TOWN
Head of Sales Charlotte Nutman
Account Managers Samantha Peel
Advertising Liaison Manager Nadean Mcbride
Sponsorship Account Manager Colleen Salmon
SALES R EPRES E N TAT I VE I TA LY
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BR AND PROPERT I E S A N D E VE N T S
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Any reproduction or adaptation, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited
and is an act of copyright infringement which may, in certain circumstances, constitute a criminal offence. ISSNs 1728 8770
A LOOK INSIDE
THE LAUNCH OF
Glamour South Africa recently launched its first ever
Book Club at the opulent Taj Hotel in Cape Town.
The auspicious occasion was one for the books.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
LAUNCHED DURING WOMEN’S MONTH, in partnership
with FNB, Loot, Valdo Prosecco and Victoria Gin, the
Glamour Book Club brought together avid readers in an
intimate setting at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town. The venue was
transformed into a book lovers dream, inviting guests to lean
in and explore. Catrice was on standby with a make-up touchup station to ensure that the ladies were picture ready for the
pink carpet. Like-minded women showed up and revelled
in the safe space, connected over good music, scrumptious
treats, gin and champagne courtesy of Victoria Gin and Valdo
Prosecco. Hosted by Glamour’s Feature Editor, Thobeka
Phanyeko who is the founder of this empowering initiative,
she says the intimate launch exceeded her expectations. “I am
thrilled with the turnout and optimistic about the future of the
Glamour Book Club. The calibre of guests affirmed that there’s
a place for women who value community and literature. The
Glamour brand prides itself in being inclusive, authentic and
bold. We are passionate about female empowerment, so a
platform like the Glamour Book Club speaks to our approach
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
to impact. I am eternally grateful to our CEO, Samantha
Subrayen and Glamour’s Editor-in-Chief, Nontando Mposo
for trusting my vision and allowing me to run with this
project.” Another event highlight was the inspirational lineup of speakers, including Intergrative Nutrition Health
Coach, Certified Meditation Practitioner, and Founder of
Melissa Lainn Wellness; Melissa Lainn, Human Behaviour
Specialist, Natalie Louw, Anthropologist & Author of the Soft
Life, Lebohang Masango, Founder of Soji skincare products,
Sebastine Pepler, and Business Development Head for SME
Funding, Palesa Mabasa. Guests were also afforded the
opportunity to engage Lebohang Masango, who shared her
take on literature in the context of women empowerment.
The articulate author also unpacked the creative process
behind her offering, The Soft Life, encouraging women to raise
the bar and own their lifestyle choices. Book Club members
walked away with signed copies of her book, self-care goodie
bags, life-changing nuggets, a sense of community and
memories that will last a lifetime.
PHOTOGRAPHY: TSHEPO RANCHO
LOOK
OPPOSITE PAGE Glamour Editor-in-Chief, Nontando Mposo and Author of Soft Life, Lebohang Masango; Glamour’s Features
Editor and Founder of the Glamour Book Club, Thobeka Phanyeko with Glamour Book Club member, Noludwe Wolfkop
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Glamour Book Club Members at the Taj Hotel; Conde Nast CEO, Samantha Subrayen and her guests;
Noludwe Wolfkop at the Victoria Gin Station; Thobeka Phanyeko at the Glamour Arch; CN Sponsorship Account Manager, Colleen
Salmon at the Catrice touch-up station; Lebohang Masango in the photo booth; Valdo Prosecco champagne station
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
11
PHOTOGRAPHY: BRIANA GREENIDGE
A FA S H I O N F O C U S
Throwing shade with the latest looks in sunglasses
P26 Effortlessly refined in timeless classics
P40 A cultural shift with Cameroon’s hottest new fashion brand
P20
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
13
LOOK
Acly Cool
Oakley frames are commonly known
as a sports eyewear brand, but
thanks to Dior and Balenciaga (they
released similar-looking frames) it
has become the cool kid sunnies of
choice. No longer confined to fitness
gear – you can style these with your
fave street-style looks, like a cute
crop top and long denim skirt
and sneakers.
From R2 450
One of the best parts of summer is wearing your favourite pair
of sunnies to complete your look. Not sure which pair to buy?
These are the styles making waves.
WORDS BY TANIA DURAND
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
15
LOOK
LOOK
Sha Shifter
Our favourite ‘It’ girls have been
wearing these rectangular frames on
the daily. Remember Kendall Jenner
rocking a tortoiseshell pair of these?
They are flattering and complement
most face shapes. From classic black
to bold white, whichever you choose
you’ll be the ‘It’ girl of your group.
THIS PAGE Oakley, From R2 450; OPPOSITE PAGE H&M, R199
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
17
THIS PAGE Dolce & Gabbana, R3 570; OPPOSITE PAGE Versace, POR
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
PHOTOGRAPHY: RVIDERUM QUATIS
LOOK
Upda Classics
Classic aviator-style frames will always
be cool but this season it’s all about the
bold neon colours for a fresh update of
PHOTOGRAPHY: FRANCO KELLERMAN; HAIR & MAKEUP: CANDICE FRANCES KUIT;
COMPILED BY: TANIA DURAND
an icon. Have fun styling these!
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
19
LOOK
Efftlessly
Expressing yourself in statement pieces that
are classic, fresh and timelessly in vogue.
WORDS BY TANIA DURAND
PHOTOGRAPHY/STYLIST BRIANA GREENIDGE
Dress
House of Jewell
Earrings
HALEIA
Necklace
Vivienne Westwood
Shoes
Lhambi
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
21
Dress
Anicy Manuguian
Earrings
Territory Six
Shoes
Territory Six
LOOK
Suit
HALEIA
Earrings
Samantha Siu
Shoes
Lhambi
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
23
LOOK
Dress
House of Jewell
Earrings
Samantha Siu
Shoes
Lhambi
24
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
25
LOOK
I looked there was so much inspiration
for me to feed off. I was naturally
always into fashion, and then being in
Manhattan I met people who did things
like visit art galleries and go thrifting.
They introduced me to unique fashion
pieces, new, archived, vintage etc. and
I was always intrigued. Naturally my
love for photography intertwined with
my interest in fashion and my journey
into fashion photography jump started
itself very quickly. I started interning
for a fashion event company in 2013 and
within a few months I sent my work out
to more people and ended up getting the
opportunity to shoot a few big shows
during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week,
such as Jeremy Scott, BCBG Maxazria
and Project Runway. From there it
became a constant thing for me to shoot
Fashion Week for years.
Ever since then, I’ve loved shooting
anything fashion related in any capacity
– from shows to editorial publication
shoots to clothing brand shoots.
15 or 16 years old. Playing around with my mother’s digital camera at home, I was
always thinking of different visuals in my head that I wanted to bring to life. So, I
would just set the camera up at different angles on my floor, set the timer and create
anything I could. I delved more into the fashion side of photography once I started
college because my school was based in Manhattan, New York City, and everywhere
G: What do you attribute to your
success?
BG: I definitely attribute my persistence
and my desire to improve to my success.
BRIANAGEE_
Briana Greenidge: My love for photography in general started when I was about
G: Your work has been featured
in L’Officiel India & Singapore,
Elle,Grazia, etc. What has been
your career highlight so far and
what dream do you still want
to realise?
BG: Being able to have my work
published in well-known magazines
such as these has definitely been a
highlight of my career. Seeing my work
in print brings about a different feeling
for me, it being tangible and knowing
that it will be seen by so many different
people around the world who can
purchase it and possibly gain inspiration
from it is what makes me happy. A
dream that I do still want to accomplish
is to curate a photography exhibition in
either New York or London showcasing
some of my all time favorite photos that
I’ve taken for people to be able to come
in and view.
Bria Greenidge
NYC-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER
Briana G, photographer and stylist, shares her journey to success, her
experiences in the industry as a black woman and what it takes to make
it in the world of fashion photography.
Glamour: Can you describe your journey into the world of fashion
photography?
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
LOOK
For me, whenever I get a no, I say to myself maybe that wasn’t
for me and then I keep going until I get a yes somewhere else
– even if it takes weeks, months or years. I also always feel
like I can improve in everything that I do and so I tell myself
that I can do better, and then I do. I’ve always taken pride in
wanting the best for myself and never stopping until I get it.
In addition, I make sure to never set a time frame for myself
when it comes to my goals because you can’t put a timestamp
on success. I always say to myself “Whenever I get it done,
I get it done. As long as at the end of the day, I can say that I
did it.”
ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER: MUSA JOHNSON; HAIR STY;IST: ALANA KELLEY; MAKEUP: RYANN CARTER;
MODEL: NAKAI AT STATE MODEL MANAGEMENT
G: With the development of the newer phones that
have exceptional technology and filters that help you
take beautiful pictures, what are your thoughts on
social media making people believe they are/can be
photographers?
BG: I don’t think much about that to be honest. I believe
that it takes much more than a few clicks and a filter to be a
photographer. You have to have the vision, the passion, the gift
of being able to envision a moment and story in your head and
then bring it to life. No filter or any amount of new technology
can do that. That’s something organic and natural that comes
from pure creativity within and from a true visionary.
G: You have been in the industry for over 10 years.
What do you believe are the necessary skills to be a
successful photographer?
BG: I sometimes get the impression that people feel you have
to know all of the technical terminology when it comes to
photography and learn how to use every single feature on a
camera to be successful. However, I think it’s all about your
creativity and your eye. As long as you know how to capture
people’s attention with your actual art and make them feel
something, you can succeed.
certain amount of looks that needed to be shot for an editorial
and we had to work on a time crunch. I’ve learned from those
experiences, however, because it has taught me how to work
under pressure. Although I do not recommend it all the time,
of course.
G: Do you have any self-care practices to help you
manage your hectic work life?
BG: I mainly just try to get as much sleep as I can when I have
a busy day or week ahead of me. I also make sure not to think
too much about the shoot the day before because it sometimes
tends to make me anxious. A little meditation, music and sleep
does the trick for me every time.
G: What do you love about what you do?
BG: I love the freedom of it. There’s always something or
someone new that I get to experience every day that I’m on set.
From my team to the models that I photograph, I love that I
can leave a shoot feeling more cultured and inspired than I did
when I walked in.
G: As a woman of colour in this industry, has this
been a hindrance to you becoming a success or would
you say it has been an asset that you’ve utilised on
your journey?
BG: I would say that it’s half and half. At times I have felt like
I was the underdog in such a very male-dominated industry
and that I had to work harder to prove myself and show that
my skin was just as thick as theirs. But in the same token, we
are also in a time where people of colour are being given their
moment to shine way more than they used to years ago. I’ve
definitely utilised this on my journey and used it as a way to
show just what we have to offer in this industry – which is a lot.
G: Which do you enjoy more, photography
or styling?
BG: Photography is my first love, so I will aways enjoy taking
photos more because I feel a sense of freedom being behind the
lens and bringing what I see to life exactly how I want to. I am
somewhat of a shy person, so my camera allows me to kind of
hide behind it in a way and just create and be free. While styling is
very daring and expressive, nothing brings me more satisfaction
than being able to capture moments that someone can look back
on for the rest of their life.
G: Do you feel a certain responsibility in ensuring a
seat at the table for the next generation of black
female photographers?
BG: Absolutely. I want to be able to represent black female
photographers in a very strong and dominant light.
The goal is essentially to not be categorised as a “female
photographer” but as just a photographer, so people know
the title is for everyone, both male and female. I do however
still want to be able to represent proudly for black female
photographers. My goal is to show that I too can create photos
with a broader set of intentions – which is to move away from
the expected and showcase a wider variety of beauty and art.
G: Can you share a particular harrowing experience
on set?
BG: Luckily, in all of my 10+ years of shooting I can’t say that
I’ve experienced any harrowing experiences on set. A few nerve
wracking moments, maybe. Those moments usually happened
when my team and I would be pressed for time and had a
G: Which celebrity/model do you dream of working
with one day?
BG: Rihanna is at the very top of my list when it comes to a
celebrity I’d like to work with one day. As for a model with
whom I’d like to eventually work, Adut Akech would be right
up there.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
27
LOOK
4
1. 501 Tote bag Levi’s
R699; 2. Green croissant
bag The Fix R299.99;
3. Woven handbag Guess
R2 699; 4. Natural fibre
shopper bag Mango
R1 699; 5. Quilted XL tote
Karl Lagerfeld R6 990;
6. Patterned tote Luella
POR; 7. Natural straw bag
Exact R259.99; 8. Large
leather shopper Karl
Lagerfeld R6 990
1
5
6
2
7
3
8
Bigger the er
Practical yet trendy; oversized bags are the perfect foil to those
lipstick-only micro handbags as they can effortlessly cope with
all your essentials.
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
LOOK
1
2
1. Square toe mesh mules
Bash.com R650; 2.
Leather-trimmed mesh
pumps Bottega Veneta
POR; 3. Fishnet pumps
Gianvito Rossi Alisia
POR; 4. Mesh knee-high
boots Saint Laurent POR;
5. Green mesh mules
Superbalist R239; 6. Mesh
ankle boot Truworths
R850; 7. Fishnet pumps
Dolce & Gabbana POR
3
4
7
6
5
Foot Fesh
It’s all about fishnet heels adding another level of sex appeal to your look.
Gracing the runways of Bottega and Magda Butrym, this latest trend has
seen our favourite celebrities rocking them.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
29
LOOK
2
3
5
1
4
8
6
1. Maxi dress Mango R2 999;
2. Halterneck mini dress
Roberta Einer POR; 3. Wool
mini dress Magda Butrym
POR; 4. Bodycon dress The
Fix R149.99; 5. Layered satin
dress Zara R1 199; 6. Longsleeve dress Desigual POR;
7. Draped mini dress Zara
R1 079; 8. Strappy mini dress
Y&G R299; 9. Strapless print
dress Poetry R1 299
7
Cool Sumr
Chic summer dresses for every occasion. Whether it’s a date at the
wine farm or dinner with the girls, we’ve got you covered.
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
PHOTOGRAPHY: PEXELS, ZIMMERMAN, SUPPLIED
9
LOOK
WHAT’S ON OUR
FASHION
RADAR
CREATIVE. COLLECTIVE.
CONNECTED
FASHION MEETS ART
Blackstories and experiences are no longer ignored or sidelined
but rather celebrated and heard. Hence, The Museum of Modern
Arts(MoMA) in New York is hosting an exhibition with a focus on
Black culture and experiences across the diaspora this November.
Acclaimed British fashion designer, Grace Wales Bonner, will be
curating the series titled Spirit Movers which is the latest entry in the
institution’s Artist’s Choice series. Grace will select 50 artworks in
MoMA’s collection from the likes of Terry Adkins, Moustapha Dimé,
Agnes Martin, Man Ray, Betye Saar, and David Hammons, amongst
many. “I hope the exhibition and associated publication resound with
the spirit of the contributing artists and continue to conjure new
dreams and new visions,” said Bonner in a statement.
The exhibition will run between November and April 2024
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
AFRICAN STREET CULTURE
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Adidas continues its legacy of highlighting
creatives and trailblazers through their brand.
For their Adidas originals “Home of Classics”
campaign they’ve profiled Johannesburg
based, Happyville founder and fashion designer
Lebohang Serame. According to Hypebeast,
he is known for crafting “minimalist outerwear
that carefully blends traditional forms with bold
colour palettes and sleek materials”. Lebohang
understands that in order to create for the future
we need to recognise the classics of what came
before. His desire has always been to change
lives through fashion and he continues his mission
with unrelenting passion.
GLAMOUR
WOTY WINNER
DESIREE ELLIS
TELLS HER
STORY
The darling of Women’s
soccer, coach Desiree Ellis, has
released her autobiography
MAGIC, which details her youth
and rise to become our most
successful Banyana coach. Her
aim is to inspire other young
women of colour to pursue
their dreams, regardless of
whether it fits the gender
norms or their economic status.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
31
PHOTOGRAPHY: CREATED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
This image was generated
using Text-to-Image AI,
which is an example of
how AI can be utilised in
the fashion industry to
allow designers to push the
boundaries of their craft
LOOK
AI IN FASHION:
FRIEND OR FOE?
AI in fashion is a reality that cannot be denied, but with any
new development there are some concerns that need
to be addressed and resolved.
WORDS BY TANIA DURAND
TECHNOLOGY HAS ALWAYS BROUGHT WITH IT
GREAT BENEFITS. We see the integration of it in our
daily lives; like the cellphone which performs as a computer,
camera and media player. The improvements made in the
medical field, in the transport sector, agriculture and many
more. We cannot deny the indelible impact it has made and
the necessity for it. We now see the explosion of the digital
age, which seeks to provide us with an alternate universe in
which to live. This, to me – who fully embraces the actual
world I live in – is slightly alarming, and dare I say silly?
Remember the NFT craze? The newest kid on the tech block
is Generative AI.
Fashion brands have always been early adopters of
technological advances and have all been clamouring to
utilise the latest offering. Not sure what Generative AI is?
This is Artificial Intelligence capable of generating text,
images, or other media, using generative models. Generative
AI models learn the patterns and structure of their input
training data and then generate new data that has similar
characteristics. This means the speed at which analysing
data and receiving said results from input data is remarkable.
The game-changer, according to Mckinsy, is that AI tools can
analyse real-time data, like videos on social media or model
trends from various consumer data, and perform sentiment
analysis quickly. Efficiency is another key component of
fashion embracing AI.
The ability to accurately predict market trends more
effectively ensures a more profitable bottom line. The use
of AI in the design process is another contributing factor
to why brands would want to invest in the technology.
According to Beyond Talent Recruitment, “Generative AI
programs create countless variations based on specified
parameters, and algorithms can identify which fabrics,
materials and trends are best for certain
designs. These almost-instantaneous options
save designers a lot of time.” This nascent
technology has the potential to evolve
and will do so at a rapid pace, especially
with the buy-in of the multi-billion-dollar
fashion industry. Having considered all of the above, the
dilemma I face with this developing technology is the fact
that all of this boils down to profitability and a loss of privacy.
Don’t get me wrong, we live in a capitalist world where making
money is essential and in no way am I against this. But if Covid
taught us anything, it’s that the constant striving for the next
best thing adds no real value to our lives. The need to market
more effectively to the public means that our privacy is being
compromised. Especially when you consider that the data is
gathered from sites that we visit, the purchases we make, as
well as conversations we have. All of this is being obsessively
monitored and we get bombarded with the same type of
information based on all of the relevant data gathered. Ever
had a conversation with a friend with your phone nearby only
to later scroll through Instagram to find the very thing you
discussed pops up on your feed? This is no coincidence.
Almost every website I researched stated that one of the
biggest threats of all lies within our privacy being breached.
A question to ask ourselves is what happens if/when it falls
into the wrong hands? How well is all of this new tech being
regulated by our governments? There are also valid concerns
around AI replacing the human workforce. According to Forbes
“One of the biggest concerns is the potential for AI to replace
human labour. With AI algorithms capable of doing the jobs of
designers, marketers and other fashion professionals, there is a
risk that some jobs will be lost. This is a valid concern, and it’s
important for businesses to approach AI in a responsible and
ethical manner.”
We cannot deny that the development of AI is already at an
advanced stage and will continue to evolve. It is up to all of us
to be aware of the world around us and ensure it does so in a
controlled manner that’s beneficial for both technological and
societal growth.
“AI wl evolve at a rapid pace,
especially wh buy-in from
the fashion industry”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
33
LOOK
Cameroonian-based fashion brand
OMÔL weaves a blend of tradition,
African identity and women
empowerment into every garment.
WORDS BY FARAH KHALFE
CULTURAL
Nathalie
Chebou
Designer
WEAREOMOL
CAMEROONIAN-BASED fashion brand
OMÔL, is a juxtaposition of fierceness and
femininity. Founded by designer Nathalie
Chebou Moth in 2020, the brand offers
culturally-rich
contemporary
garments
infused with an ethos of eco-consciousness and
community upliftment. African identity and
craftsmanship is woven into the fabric of OMOL,
and their aim is to spark a Pan-African fashion
movement on the continent and beyond. We
chatted to Nathalie about her journey with the
brand and her aspirations for the future.
What led you to founding the
OMÔL brand?
I am self-taught and I have always been
passionate about fashion and craftsmanship.
The brand emerged from my desire to create
differently and showcase the country and
continent where I’m from in a different light – an
Africa that is creative and able to overcome the
challenges imposed by the fashion industry.
What does OMÔL stand for as
a brand?
OMÔL means Mademoiselle in my father
tongue, Banen. This represents my cultural
34
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
heritage and the idea of unapologetic femininity. We want
OMOL to represent strong African women who know their
worth and inspire others. We want to represent women outside
of any male prism.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
How does OMÔL champion
sustainability in both its production
and clothing?
Sustainability is embedded within our brand. We try to limit
our impact on the environment by upcycling during our
production process. We also don’t subscribe to the notion
of having seasonal collections. As the brand was founded in
Cameroon, seasonal dressing is irrelevant to us. Thus, all of our
pieces are transeasonal, which reduces waste and allows for a
more circular product cycle. Since 2022, Omôl has partnered
with a Spanish textile platform that focuses on circular fashion.
This collaboration helps us tackle the issue of transparency,
traceability and assessment of our impact on the planet. We also
aim to bring about social change through our brand. We work
with local craftspeople and each of our garments are signed
by the artisan who created it. This humanises our pieces and
highlights the skills of our team.
What does ‘Made in Africa’ encompass
and how does OMOL represent this?
‘Made in Africa’ represents luxury. It is a stamp of
identification that represents the creative talents, design and
vision of people from Africa. When a project bears this African
DNA, it transmits human, historical, and environmental
values that make it undeniably richer. It comforts me that
‘Made in Africa’ is starting a new Pan-African movement that
fosters support and collaborations between brands.
Is there an item or collection that you’re
particularly proud of ?
I’m obviously proud of everything we’ve created so far, but the
collection I’m most proud of is definitely our 2023 collection:
“OMÔL Means Mademoiselle”. Not only did it allow us to
reintroduce ourselves, but this collection is a labour of love
from so many African minds. The team we put together to
deliver this collection is so eclectic that it shows in everything
from the clothes to the music and visuals. Through this drop,
we managed to bring together Congolese, Cameroonians and
Ivorians on three continents.
Who is the ideal OMOL woman?
The OMÔL woman is irreverent and she forges her own path.
Her lifestyle is rich and inspiring and she shares her wealth
with the world.
What are your aspirations for OMÔL?
My aspiration for OMÔL is to keep carrying our African DNA
and telling African narratives through fashion. We would love
to create synergies and collaborate more with other creatives
and brands. We do have a few upcoming projects that will go
in this direction.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
35
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known for its bold designs and commitment to sustainability,
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Just in time for the spring and summer seasons, this highly
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The centrepiece of this collection is a two-piece ensemble,
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PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
B E A U T Y, I N S I D E A N D O U T
All that shimmers - adding sparkle to your style
P47 On the spot - adult acne and how to manage it.
P54 The 15 beauty sins you need to avoid.
P38
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
37
FEEL
38
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
We’re living for
bold eyes and
overly glossed lips
that give us all the
Saturday night fever
we need – get your
inspiration here!
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
jeled
Who says rhinestones and jewels are only meant
for festivals and our eyelids? We’re spreading
the bedazzled love all over our body.
Use eye glue and wait for it to get tacky before
sticking them down. Hold for 10 seconds to
ensure they are secure.
FEEL
FEEL
drippin’
The secret to full, succulent and
high-pigmented glossed lips?
Applying layers and layers
of clear gloss on top of your
favourite lipstick.
PS. There’s no such thing
as too much!
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
41
FEEL
bng’d
Any good eye makeup look has to start out with
a simple base. Sweep a light-coloured shadow
into the crease of your eye. Then, using a darker
shade of the crease colour, go in with as well
as dusting the colour all over your eyelids. Now
for the best part – sweep the glitter colour over
your eyelids. Using a flat, dense brush make
sure the glitter doesn’t just dust off your eyelid
within a few minutes of application. Also, you
know the deal – the more glitter the better!
PHOTOGRAPHY: LUCILE LEBER (@LUCILE_LEBER); MAKEUP: NOMAS (@NOMAS_MAKEUP); MODEL: STACI @ ENJOYMODELSAGENCY
FEEL
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
43
FEEL
HAIR TOO
Check out the best must-have styling tools for flawless
looks this season.
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
1
5
6
2
1. ghd helios™
Professional Hair
Dryer In Pink Peach
R3 400
2. Safeway Salon
Series Foldable Hair
Dryer R369
3. BaBylissPro Black
Star Ionic Hair Dryer
R1 535
4. Safeway Salon
Series Softhood
Hairdryer
Attachment R159
5.BHE Air Dryer
R4 158
6. Xiaomi Water
Ionic Hair Dryer
R1 199
7. Dyson Hairdryer
Hd07 Supersonic
Black R 7 999
3
ZIMMERMANN BACKSTAGE S23
4
AT HOME TIPS
Before semi-drying your hair, make
sure you always detangle prior to
your actual blow-dry.
To achieve a smooth finish and
shine, point the nozzle downwards.
REMEMBER: High heat
manipulates your hair’s shape,
and cool air sets a style.
44
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
7
AKRIS BACKSTAGE F23
2
1
MAKE THINGS EASIER
- Make sure you’re using the
correct barrel size for the length
of your hair. If it’s too big it’ll
become a pain to use.
- Adjust your heat setting for
your hair. For fine hair, use a
lower setting and for thicker hair
3
use a higher setting.
- For more volume hold your
wand horizontally. for less volume
go vertical.
KOMA BACKSTAGE S23
4
6
5
7
8
1. Silver Bullet
WonderCurl Triple
Barrel Curler R1 239
2. Beauty Works
Jumbo Waver R2 450
3. Beauty Works
x Molly-Mae
Waver Kit R3 150
4. Moyoko Curl
Master 32mm R1 495
5. Sorbet Drybar
Curling Wand R399
6. BaByliss Airbrush
Midnight Luxe R799
7. Toni & Guy
Curl Squad Spiral
Wand R479
8. Dyson Airwrap
Multi Style Short
Nickel & Copper
R11 999
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
45
FEEL
1
4
2
3
5
SALON READY
Go for styling tools that are designed to
ensure your hair is volumised, healthy
and tangle-free all at one. It needs to
only serve a salon-style blowout at your
convenience, every time!
ROKH BACKSTAGE S23
6
7
8
9
1. Clicks Cushion
5. Safeway Salon
Brush R46.99
Series 4 in 1 Multi
2. Moyoko Professional
Styler R649
Magnitude Blowbrush
6. Beurer HT 60
R1 599
Multi-Functional
3. Moyoko Detangling
Styler R1 099
Hailo Brush R350
7. Beauty Works
4. Revlon Pro
Professional
Collection Onestep
Straightener
Hairdryer & Styler
R1 920.50
R799
8. ghd Platinum+ Hair
46
Straightener R3 900
9. Dyson Corrale
Hair Straightener
Hs03 Copper R9 999
10. Babyliss Hair
Straightener Berry
Crush R1 199
11. Toni & Guy
Wide Plate
Hair Straightener
XXL R799
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED, LAUNCHMETRICS
11
CHET LO BACKSTAGE F23
10
FEEL
De
ADULT
ACNE
It’s time we learn everything we
need to know about how to
approach, tackle and keep these
bad boys at bay once and for all,
thanks to our amazing skin experts!
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
LET’S JUST BE REAL FOR A HOT SECOND – adult acne
is a real thing and we can’t even try to deny, or disguise it. I know
many of us were hoping that oozy, red, blunt and terribly painful
pimples were something we’d left behind in our teen years, or
those that were lucky enough to have missed the hectic pimple
stage thought they were in the clear for life, right? Well - if you
feel that you might be struggling with it now, you best listen up
and hear what the experts have to say to ensure that you know
exactly how to deal with these bad boys and get them under
control, ASAP!
LET’S GET DEEP
Adult acne, like teenage acne, is primarily caused by the
combination of several factors that contribute to the clogging
of hair follicles (pores) causing inflammation. Here are some of
the main factors that can contribute to adult acne:
Hormonal Fluctuations:
Hormonal
changes,
especially fluctuations in androgens (male hormones) such as
testosterone, can trigger increased oil production in the skin.
This excess oil can mix with dead skin cells and lead to clogged
pores, which are a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
Excess Oil Production: Excessive sebum (oil) production
is a common contributor to acne. This can be influenced by
genetics, hormonal imbalances, and even certain medications.
Clogged Pores: When dead skin cells and excess oil
accumulate in the hair follicles, they can clog the pores and
create an environment where acne-causing bacteria thrive.
Bacteria: The skin naturally harbours a type of bacteria called
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). When the pores are clogged,
this bacteria can multiply and contribute to the development of
inflammatory acne.
Inflammation: Inflammation is a key component of acne.
When the immune system responds to the presence of bacteria
and clogged pores, it can cause redness, swelling, and the
formation of pus-filled pimples.
Stress: Chronic stress can trigger hormonal fluctuations,
leading to increased oil production and inflammation, both of
which are associated with acne.
Diet: While the relationship between diet and acne is complex
and varies from person to person, some studies suggest that
diets high in refined sugars, dairy products, and certain highglycemic foods might contribute to acne in some individuals.
Cosmetics and Skincare Products: Certain makeup
and skincare products, especially those that are comedogenic
(tend to clog pores), can contribute to the development of acne.
Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids,
anticonvulsants, and certain birth control pills, can influence
hormone levels and contribute to acne development.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to pollutants, humidity,
and other environmental factors can impact the skin’s balance
and potentially contribute to acne.
It’s important to note that adult acne can be influenced by a
combination of these factors, and what triggers acne in one
person might not be the same for another.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
47
FEEL
5
2
3
4
6
1
1
8
1
7
1. Mesoestetic
Acne One R1 090
2. Dr. Hauschka
Clarifying Toner R735
3.Eucerin Sun GelCream Oil Control
SPF 50+ R299.99
4. AQ Skin Solutions
Active Serum R2 398
5. PHformula A.C
Resurfacing Kit R2 080
6. Eco Diva Natural Acne
Mini Solution Set R940
7. Yearn Acne and Oil
Control Mask R425
8. Nivea Clear Up Deep
Pore Cleanser R160
9.Vitaderm Enzymatic
Exfoliator from R497
9
THE IMBALANCE
“When the gut is not functioning as it should (constipation,
bloating, pain or tenderness), it can cause havoc with our
skin in the form of acne, cystic eruptions and skin irritations.
A diet high in sugar, gluten and dairy can cause yeast to grow
in unhealthy quantities throughout your digestive system.
Antibiotics to treat acne-prone skin could also be contributing
to the problem: High-sugar diets, antibiotic use and certain
diseases such as diabetes can make the gut flora more ‘yeasty’
than it can handle. Acne is a very common symptom of a yeast
imbalance which can manifest in skin eruptions, bloating,
digestive issues, constipation, lethargy, and foggy head – plus,
this is the same type of yeast infection that could present as
vaginal thrush.” – Nicole Sherwin Eco Diva
YOUR NEXT STEP
If you’re struggling with adult acne, it’s advisable to consult a
dermatologist. They can help determine the underlying causes
48
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
and recommend appropriate treatments, which might include
topical treatments, oral medications, lifestyle changes, and
skincare routines tailored to your specific needs.
Salicylic acid, especially, is considered a good ingredient for
treating adult acne, as well as acne in general. Salicylic acid is
a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that is well known for its ability to
exfoliate the skin’s surface and inside the pores. Here’s why
salicylic acid is beneficial for treating acne:
Exfoliation: Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can
penetrate into the pores and help to dissolve excess oil, dead
skin cells, and other debris that can contribute to clogged pores.
By exfoliating the inside of the pores, it can help prevent and
treat comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) and reduce the
formation of new acne lesions.
Unclogging Pores: One of the primary causes of acne is the
clogging of hair follicles, leading to the development of pimples.
Salicylic acid’s ability to unclog pores makes it effective in
addressing this root cause.
FEEL
Anti-Inflammatory: Salicylic acid also has mild antiinflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and
inflammation associated with acne.
Blackhead and Whitehead Treatment: Salicylic acid’s
exfoliating properties make it particularly effective for treating
non-inflammatory acne, such as blackheads and whiteheads.
Oil Control: Since it can help reduce excess oil production on
the skin, salicylic acid can be beneficial for individuals with oily
or combination skin types that are prone to acne. – Ruan Winter
from Vitaderm
THE CHECKLIST
Skincare products that contain mineral
oil and petroleum can clog pores
and give one blackhead and pimples.
Hormonal imbalance can affect the
sebaceous secretions by increasing
sebum production. If one has the
predisposition towards acne, then it
may manifest in such a way. Digestive
sensitivity to gluten and/or dairy may
cause the skin to respond with cystic or
pustular pimples. When the colon is not
working correctly, this can also cause
toxic build-up which may contribute to
pimple formation – Caroline Copeland,
Tocara Skin & Body
PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES, SUPPLIED
WHAT YOU NEED
TO AVOID
inflammation, and potentially lead to scarring.
Abrasive Scrubs: Physical exfoliants with harsh
particles can irritate your skin and worsen acne.
Instead, opt for gentle exfoliation methods like chemical
exfoliants (e.g. salicylic acid) or soft cleansing brushes.
Skipping Moisturiser: Even if you have oily skin,
moisturising is important to maintain your skin’s balance.
Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser to prevent
over-drying.
Using Multiple Active Ingredients: Overloading your
skin with multiple active ingredients (such as benzoyl peroxide,
salicylic acid, and retinoids) can lead to excessive dryness and
irritation. Introduce new products
slowly and use them as directed.
High-Glycaemic Diets: While
the relationship between diet and acne
is complex, some studies suggest that
diets high in sugary and processed foods
might contribute to acne. A balanced
diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, and lean proteins is generally
GUT HEALTH
recommended.
CLEANSE JUICE DIY
Stress:
While avoiding stress
RECIPE
altogether might be challenging,
Courtesy of Eco Diva
managing stress through techniques
like exercise, meditation, and relaxation
1.500ml purified or
can help prevent flare-ups.
filtered water
2. 3 leaves of Spinach
3. 5 stalks of Celery
4. 1 green Apple
5. 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
6. Half a lemon, squeezed
Ignoring Professional Advice:
If you’re struggling with persistent
or severe adult acne, it’s important
to consult a skin care professional.
They can provide a tailored treatment
plan and guide you on the best course
of action.
Wearing Tight Clothing: Tight
clothing, especially around areas prone
to acne (such as the back and chest),
can trap sweat and bacteria, potentially
exacerbating breakouts.
Using Hot Water: Washing your
face with excessively hot water can
strip your skin’s natural oils and worsen
inflammation. Stick to lukewarm water
for cleansing.
Mineral oil and petroleum-based
skincare products, makeup and
sunscreen. Dietary – possibly stay off
dairy. When dealing with adult acne,
DIRECTIONS:
there are certain things you should avoid
Wash all fruits and veggies
to prevent exacerbating the condition
first. Place all ingredients into a
and to help manage it effectively:
blender and blend together until
Harsh Cleansers: Avoid using
smooth. Drink throughout the
harsh, abrasive cleansers that can strip
day, every day for 30 days. Once
your skin of its natural oils. Opt for
you see and feel the difference,
gentle, non-comedogenic cleansers that
this will become your daily ritual.
won’t further irritate your skin.
Over-washing: Washing your face
excessively can strip away natural oils
and disrupt your skin’s barrier, leading
GUT CLEANSE
to more breakouts. Stick to washing your face twice a day
Turn your health around by being conscious of what you are
(morning and night) and after sweating.
Heavy, Comedogenic Products: Avoid using heavy
eating. Let food be your medicine and it will heal your skin,
makeup or skincare products that are likely to clog your pores
your gut and your life.
(comedogenic). Look for products labelled “non-comedogenic”
Try a 30-Day diet shift and gut cleanse. This will have your
or “oil-free”.
skin and your health glowing in just a couple of weeks, setting
Picking and Popping: Avoid touching, picking, or
you well on your journey to lasting pH balance. A consistent
popping your acne lesions. This can introduce bacteria, cause
pH balance means no acne or breakouts.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
49
FEEL
WHEN I FIRST READ UP ABOUT
THIS NEW ACTIVE INGREDIENT,
the first promise was that it ‘might just
be the new niacinamide’. Now if you’re
a skincare expert you’ll know that’s
a big statement to make. Curious, I
continued to scroll, watch videos and
research everything I could. When they
say meet your skin’s new bodyguard,
they are not playing! Here’s what you
need to know.
ECTOIN EXPLAINED
Ectoin is a natural, water-binding
molecule that is produced by microorganisms as a protective mechanism
against environmental stressors, such
as high salinity, extreme temperatures,
and UV radiation. It was first discovered
in extremophilic microorganisms – ones
that thrive in extreme environments like
deserts, salt flats and hot springs.
THE BENEFITS
Ectoin has gained attention in various
industries due to its potential benefits for
protecting the skin from environmental
stressors and reducing the effects of
dryness and ageing. It’s believed to have
hydrating and soothing properties that
can help maintain skin moisture and
barrier function.
WORKING ECTOIN
INTO YOUR
SKINCARE ROUTINE
In skincare products, ectoin is often used
as an active ingredient in creams, lotions,
serums, and sunscreens, with claims that
it can help alleviate skin conditions like
eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
However, it’s important to note that
while there is some scientific research
supporting these benefits, more studies
are needed to fully understand the extent
of ectoin’s effects on the skin and its longterm safety.
THE NEW NIACINAMIDE
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a well-
50
researched and established ingredient
in skincare. It’s known for its
various benefits that include helping
improve the skin’s barrier function,
reducing inflammation, regulating oil
production, and addressing issues like
hyperpigmentation.
Niacinamide’s
effectiveness is supported by a
substantial body of scientific research
and its inclusion in many skincare
products across different brands. Ectoin,
on the other hand, is relatively newer in
terms of its popularity in skincare. While
it does show promise in hydrating and
protecting the skin, whether ectoin will
become a “new niacinamide” depends
on several factors, including continued
research into its benefits, long-term
safety, and its ability to address a wide
range of skincare concerns. Ectoin might
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
become a popular ingredient in certain
skincare products, but if it will achieve
the same level of ubiquity and scientific
validation remains to be seen.
HERE’S WHY ECTOIN
IS SET TO BECOME
A NOTEWORTHY
INGREDIENT:
01
Novelty and
innovation:
Ectoin is a relatively newer
ingredient in the skincare market
compared to niacinamide. The skincare
industry is always seeking innovative
and effective ingredients, and ectoin’s
unique origin and potential benefits
could pique interest.
FEEL
YOUR
skin
s
'
BODYGUARD
There are claims that ectoin (pronounced
ek-toe-win) is the new niacinamide. One way
to think of this active ingredient is like a shield
for your skin’s moisture barrier. Let’s unpack
all you need to know.
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTY IMAGES
02
Environmental
protection:
Ectoin is known for its
ability to protect microorganisms from
extreme
environmental
stressors.
If research shows that this property
translates to skincare by protecting
skin cells from environmental damage,
it could be a sought-after ingredient
for those looking to shield their skin
from pollution, UV radiation, and
other harsh stressors.
positioned as an ingredient for calming
sensitive or redness-prone skin.
03
Hydration and
barrier support:
05
Natural and
bioactive:
04
Sensitive skin and
redness reduction:
06
Combination with
other ingredients:
Ectoin’s water-binding
properties might make it an appealing
ingredient for maintaining skin
hydration and barrier function. If
it proves to be effective in reducing
moisture loss and improving the skin’s
overall health, it could gain attention as
a hydrating ingredient.
Some early research
suggests that ectoin might have
anti-inflammatory
properties.
If
substantiated, it could potentially be
“Ectoin’s water-binding
properties might make it
an appealing ingredient for
maintaining skin hydration.”
Consumers are often
interested in natural and bioactive
ingredients. Ectoin’s origin from
extremophilic microorganisms aligns
with this trend, potentially making it
an appealing option for those seeking
natural skincare solutions.
Ectoin could potentially
be combined with other proven
ingredients,
like
niacinamide,
hyaluronic acid, or antioxidants,
to create multifunctional skincare
products.
07
Scientific
validation:
For ectoin to become
a significant player in skincare like
niacinamide, it would need robust
scientific research to support its efficacy,
safety, and versatility in addressing
various skincare concerns.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
51
WHAT’S ON OUR
BEAUTY
RADAR?
We’re trying new things
to celebrate different
ways of feeling good
from within!
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
& SIMONE SMITH
SPARKLE SEASON
I am a lover of all things that shimmer! I always add a
little bit of glitter or shimmer to any part of my outfit
or makeup look. Incorporating a touch of shimmer
or glitter into your makeup regimen can truly elevate
your look without requiring an expensive, flashy outfit.
A couple of favourites that I’ve been reaching for the
most are MAC Woodwinked and Amber Lights – both
offer subtle shimmer and gorgeous hues of gold and
bronze that suit all skin tones. For a night-time look,
I love rocking this with a thick black winged liner for
that extra DRAMA! A bonus is that these shimmers
last all night. For that ultimate JLO body glow, I
always go for the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Gold
Deposit and apply it to my collarbones and shoulders.
Myoko Professional
Magnitude Blowbrush
R1599
BLOWN OUT
1
2
I’m always keen to try new things when it comes to experimenting
with my hair. Just some benefits: the angle-free combination
bristles allow the blow brush to smoothly glide through the hair,
whilst giving you maximum control – making detangling and
styling effortless, and it’s no secret that my hair is thick and can
be unruly and difficult to manage at times. I try avoiding blowdrying my hair because my arms can’t handle it, and honestly
the end product is not giving that in-salon experience. But wow,
after trying this blowbrush, which despite how big it looked, was
quite kind to my wrist and arm and was really a breeze to use
thanks to the ergonomic, lightweight handle. My hair dried so
easily (smooth after three passes) and I had no frizz! That was
already a game-changer for me. I love the shine my hair was left
with – all without using a flat iron! The Aerodynamically designed
air vents and oval barrel allows optimum airflow, for quick and
thorough styling and ensures a bouncy, healthy and shiny salon
blowout in 35 minutes. SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!
52
MAC
Mineralize
Skinfinish in
Gold Deposit
R660
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
SKIN FOOD
Weleda Skin Food
Moisturiser R220
For all my ladies who suffer
from dry, flaky skin, I might
have the product for you!
Lately, I’ve been using the
Weleda Skin Food moisturiser,
and although I might be late to
the hype that it gained years
ago, this product has truly
been a lifesaver. I love that
it keeps my skin moisturised
and hydrated, and the active
ingredients penetrate deeply,
offering hydration and essential
protection to the skin barrier.
This gem has kept the
flakiness at bay while also
giving that glow. I’m lovin’ it!
FEEL
COMFORT WINS
Living up to the standards of their garments being light
yet substantial, warm but breathable, and cool but
timeless already has me sold. These cute handmade
pj’s are artisinally hand-crafted with the environment
in mind and each bespoke item is designed in-house to
be as comfortable as humanly possible. I love that I can
wear them in the house on a relaxed day in, and not feel
like I’m wearing sleeping clothes. The fresh designs add
just the amount of quirk you need to uplift your spirits.
5
Woodstock
Laundry Women
Short Pajamas
R895
INOAR AThe Ordinary
Range From R130
NOTHING ORDINARY
The Ordinary’s arrival on SA soil was probably one of the
most exciting things for the skin care industry in 2023.
It’s no secret that the serums are a disruptor in the game
and it’s officially become a cult favourite for me. I love the
minimal packaging that makes it easily Instagrammable
and the single-ingredient products that are surprisingly
reasonably affordable have been my go-to, especially
during earlier transitional months. I’ve been loving the
Squalane cleanser as well as the niacinamide + zinc, and
the hyaluronic acid serum. I mean, what’s not to love?
PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTY IMAGES; SUPPLIED
Revlon PhotoReady Primer R279.95
PERFECTING
THE PRIME
SCENTFUL
Q By Dolce&Gabbana
R2415
I will be first to admit that I have
my signature scent that I tend to
always go back to - but there’s
something about layering scents
(which had me in a chokehold
in the cooler months) that I just
can’t seem to kick. I’ve been
reaching for this as of late,
especially for rendezvous on
weekend nights as the notes
of cherry, musk and jasmine
scream summer in a bottle.
7
In my opinion, using a good primer makes a
significant difference in makeup application and in
achieving that flawless base. The Revlon PhotoReady
Prime collection offers three different primers that
cater to various skin types and skin concerns. If
you’re looking for something that offers hydration,
or something that’ll brighten dull skin, then this
might be the collection for you. These primers are
infused with amazing skincare ingredients such as
Vitamin B5 & C, Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid and
many other fantastic elements; all while providing
a smooth, flawless base. It’s a perfect product that
seamlessly incorporates skincare into your makeup
routine in just one step.
FEEL
1
SLEEPING WITH
MAKEUP ON
Leaving makeup on overnight can clog pores,
lead to breakouts, and accelerate ageing.
Always cleanse your face before bed.
2
USING DIRTY MAKEUP
BRUSHES
Dirty brushes can harbour bacteria and lead
to breakouts. Regularly clean your brushes to
prevent this. They’re teeming with bacteria.
Need we say more?
3
IGNORING DIET AND
HYDRATION NEEDS
A balanced diet and staying hydrated
contribute to healthy skin. Processed foods
and dehydration can affect your skin’s
appearance.
4
SKIPPING SUNSCREEN
5
OVER-LOADING
PRODUCTS
Not wearing sunscreen daily can lead
to sun damage, premature aging, and an
increased risk of skin cancer. Going out in the
sun without SPF is an open invitation to dark
spots, pigmentation and we’ll say it again…
skin cancer. Still aren’t wearing any?
Using too many active ingredients at once
can lead to irritation and worsen skin issues.
6
USING EXPIRED
PRODUCTS
Expired products can be less effective and
even cause skin reactions. Regularly check
expiration dates. Holding on to out-dated
makeup like it’s an heirloom? If you haven’t
used it in the last six months, you’re not going
to use it at all. Out with the old then, and in
with the (user-friendly) new.
7
PICKING OR
POPPING PIMPLES
Picking at acne lesions can introduce
bacteria, cause inflammation, and potentially
result in scarring. One of the worst things you
can do to your skin is pop your pimples. Not
only can you spread infection under the skin,
causing more pimples to come to the surface,
but you can also create scars. When you pop
a pimple, it stops being a regular pimple
54
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
FEEL
beauty
There are many things that you can get away with
when it comes to beauty! But these are the ultimate
15 beauty sins you should definitely avoid!
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
and becomes an open wound, which makes it more
susceptible to germs and breakouts.
8
USING PRODUCTS WITH
HARSH INGREDIENTS
Harsh ingredients can strip your skin and cause
irritation. Opt for products with gentle formulations.
9
SHARING MAKEUP
Sharing makeup can transfer bacteria and cause
infections. Make sure to use disposable applicators
when testing products.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTY IMAGES
PROFESSIONAL
10 IGNORING
SKINCARE ADVICE
If you’re struggling with specific skin issues, seek
advice from a dermatologist or skincare professional.
HOT WATER TO
11 USING
WASH YOUR SKIN
Washing your face with hot water can strip your skin’s
natural oils. Instead, opt for lukewarm water when
cleansing.
is an easy way to minimize wrinkles. This one’s a bit of
a doozy, but unless you have a silk pillowcase, sleeping
face-down pulls and tugs at your skin and will lead to
wrinkles.
SHAVING EVERY DAY
13 Too
many people make the mistake of shaving
their sensitive skin over and over, particularly areas
such as legs, underarm, and the bikini area. It may
seem like a quick fix for stubbly hair, but shaving
only removes hair at skin level, so it reappears in one
to four days, and over time the skin itself becomes
coarse. Worse still, by continually cutting the hair, you
are, in fact, stimulating its growth; encouraging the
hair to grow back faster, thicker, coarser, and fuller.
This can result in more hair growing from each pore.
Even worse, the daily risk of nicks, cuts, ingrown hairs,
and razor burn further aggravates the skin.
14 OVER-EXFOLIATING
Excessive exfoliation can disrupt the skin’s
barrier, leading to irritation, redness, and sensitivity.
Stick to a gentle exfoliation routine.
FACE DOWN
PATCH TESTS
12 SLEEPING
15 IGNORING
Sleeping on your side or stomach creates a
Always perform patch tests for new skincare
furrow on one side of your face. Sleeping on your back
products to avoid adverse reactions or allergies.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
55
FEEL
A TREAT
OF NOTE
It’s time to give your skin
and body all the attention
it needs and deserves!
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
WE’RE ALL ABOUT SKIN AND
BODY THIS SEASON - I mean, very
little has changed since last season.
IYKYK, glowing, dewy skin is always
in and we’re hookin’ the girlies up with
the best facials in town. Let’s not even
forget lathering your body with all the
goodness it deserves, as we share a few
body-care must-haves. Let’s go!
F a ythful reset
Essential Youth Reset facial helps
soften the appearance of fine lines,
sun damage and sagging skin with this
peptide and vitamin-packed treatment
for a more youthful appearance. The
pioneering Environ Ionzyme® DF
Machine combines two sophisticated
56
technologies - low-frequency
Sonophoresis (sound waves) and
pulsed ionophoresis (electric current).
Dual electro-sonic technology creates
tiny pathways in the skin to assist in
delivering more essential nutrients to
where they are needed most, ensuring
beautiful, healthy-looking skin for life.
Disclaimer: The Environ Ionzyme®
DF machine is manufactured in
compliance with regulations for a global
professional skincare market and may
therefore not be available in all markets.
DF Youth Reset Treatment 60min @
R850 and 90min @R1 060. Available at
the Environ Skin Care Institute on Bree
Street, Cape Town and participating
skin centres or salons.
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
F exrience
Experience a customised skin rewilding
treatments that incorporate advanced
pre-and probiotics, along with the
application of live probiotics in the
bespoke Live Probiotic Experience
Treatment. Providng their benefits
through probiotic and organic
ingredients, which deeply hydrate,
soothe, and renew the skin. This process
not only rewilds the skin, restoring its
natural microbiome but also reduces
inflammation and slows the ageing
process. Esse Experience treatments
range in price from R450 to R995 and
are available at leading spas: Amani Spa
V&A Waterfront, Woodlands Spa, and
Lyftaal Esse.
FEEL
3
F a treat
1
2
5
4
F the ce
6
This unique anti-ageing ritual is ideal
for photodamaged and mature skin,
as well as any skin type that desires a
more youthful, radiant appearance.
This treatment is designed with highperformance ingredients that are
known to exfoliate, hydrate, and target
skin’s natural collagen. Exuviance
SKINspiration Radiance Recovery RX
from R530. Available at Sorbet salons.
BODY CARE
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
Prioritise your body care
this season with a few of
our fave indulgences!
1. Elizabeth Arden Eight
Hour Cream®
All-Over Miracle Oil R545
2. LeNaturel Natural
Lotion R220
3. Nivea Radiant & Beauty
Even Glow Body Cream
R120
4. Tree Hut
Tropic Glow Moisturizing
Shaving Oil R399.67
5. Gatineau AHA
Body Lotion R750
6. Tree Hut
Bikini Reef Suagr Scrub
R285
7. That’s so
Glowy Gold Dry Oil R560
8. Nuxe reve de
Granular Scrub R525
9. Biolsculpture Pot Pourri
Aqua Soak R200
Suitable for all skin types, this is the
recommended facial to introduce your
skin to Vitaderm and kick-start your
journey to healthy skin. Following a
skin analysis, you are treated to an
aromatic facial experience that includes
an exfoliation and masque specially
selected for your unique skin type. This
60-minute treatment includes a relaxing
face, neck and décolleté massage, and
will leave your skin feeling revitalized
and healthy. The result? A hydrated,
conditioned and glowy complexion. It
contains phyto actives such as Volcanic
Ash, Rose Geranium, Rosemary, Papain
and Bromelain Enzymes, Aloe Vera and
Tea Tree. Vitaderm Aromatic Treatment
R625. Available at Vitaderm Sorbet
stockists and independent salons.
F glow
7
8
9
This is a triple exfoliating, medical
treatment. 1. Lactic Acid 10% - exfoliates,
encourages skin cell turnover and helps
reduce fine lines and discolouration.
2. Mandelic Acid 10% - a natural
skin brightener, that helps to target
blemishes, discolouration and wrinkles
while minimizing irritation. 3. Salicylic
Acid 10% - resurfaces skin texture and
prevents future blemishes and clogged
pores. Supercharge your results with
a pressure point massage, alternating
cryo and thermo therapy, LED therapy,
healing rose quartz treatment and more.
The Laser Beautique Advanced Pro Peel
Treatment R 950. Available at TLB.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
57
FEEL
SELF-CARE
FAVOURITES
Olwethu
Leshaban
CEO of Art of Superwoman
OLWE2LESH
Olwethu Leshabane unveils her new
self-care range and chats about
what inspires her journey.
WORDS BY JESÉ LILLIENFELDT-HARTMAN
THE NEW SELF-CARE RANGE Coco Jane Home and Spa
was created by award-winning media entrepreneur, founder
and CEO of Art of Superwoman Olwethu Leshabane as a
tribute to her late maternal grandmother. As someone who
valued self-care, she created a loving and welcoming home
for all. We journey with Olwethu as she shares how the range
celebrates some of her favourite items.
Glamour: What inspired your business idea?
Olwethu Leshabane: I have always been the mom that baths
her babies. I enjoy guiltless self-care that involves skin-to-skin
bonding. So I sought out products that would bring all these
elements together but also look after the well-being of both me
and my children. As well as being sustainable, of course.
G: What sets your products apart?
OL: All the products are non-irritable, not tested on animals
and are free from hormone disruptors (chemicals that
interfere with or disrupt the endocrine system), so they are
safe for the whole family to use.
G: What was the biggest challenges you experienced
along the way?
OL: I think with any vision you want to bring to life, funding
has to be the biggest challenge.
G: The most rewarding part of your business?
OL: At the heart of Art of Superwoman and Coco Jane are
women. When I am serving women and sharing knowledge
and solutions, I feel rewarded.
58
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
G: What goals have you set for your business?
OL: To expand into retail, hopefully soon.
G: What percentage of your products are organic?
OL: With the exception of the diffuser, as this has ethanol in it
for diffusing purposes, all the products are organic.
G: And best sellers so far?
OL: The Coco Jane Luxury Candles and Diffusers.
The Luxury Soy Candle is crafted with pure soy wax
(hydrogenated soybean oil) and coconut oil and contains
fragrance oils. The candles come in vanilla (suitable for pregnant
women) and cinnamon and are available in different sizes with
two wick options, cotton and wooden and what’s amazing is that
the candle can be used as a luxurious massage oil too.
The Wooden Top Cinnamon and Vanilla diffuser is an easy,
environmentally friendly, effective and safe way to diffuse
fragrance throughout a home and space.
G: What inspires you to be successful?
OL: Being motivated by the aspiration to evoke a sense of
FEEL
pride in the younger version of Olwethu is what truly propels me forward. The
yearnings of my younger self, who ardently sought achievement and success,
continue to serve as a wellspring of inspiration for me. Furthermore, I am driven not
only by the personal pursuit of success but also by the aspiration to become a beacon
of inspiration for future generations. My intention is to kindle a resolute spark
within the hearts of young people, calling on them to safeguard their dreams with
unwavering determination. It is my belief that dreams are not frivolous luxuries but
rather the very essence of human potential, deserving of nurturing and fulfilment.
I aspire to guide young dreamers, empowering them to move past the confines of
doubt and insecurity, and manifest their aspirations and dreams into reality.
G: Why was embarking on this business journey so important to you?
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
OL: So many of us are juggling work, parenting pressures and life in general, a lot
of things are bound to fall through the cracks. But there are certainly a few key
secrets to finding balance between
things that matter. For me, lighting
a candle and enjoying a soak in the
bath is a simple way to unwind and
treat ‘me’. If Coco Jane can be part
of those moments for any woman, I
am grateful.
G: What innovations can we
expect from Coco Jane in the
near future?
OL: A greater variety of non-irritable
and non-hormonal disruptor scents
and variations in our ranges of home
fragrances, candles, diffusers, skincare
and bath oils.
G: What would you tell your
18-year-old self ?
OL: No matter the season you’re in,
don’t change who you are in response
to that particular season.
“Dres e not frivols luxuries but
rather the very essence of hum
potenal, deserng of nurturing
d fulfnt”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
59
PHOTOGRAPHY: FRANCO KELLERMAN
T H I S I S T H E F U N PA R T
Nadia Jaftha’s journey into a new era of entertainment.
P82 Exercise - can working out before bed affect your sleep?
P84 The benefits of tapping into your feminine energy.
P62
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
61
N A D I A
J A F T H A
It’s
It all started with a prank for award-winning content creator and
businesswoman, Nadia Jaftha. But things got serious when her
authentic approach to storytelling captured the attention of South
Africans and global brands – most recently an ambassadorship on
the HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 campaign.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO PHOTOGRAPHY FRANCO KELLERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTION & STYLING TANIA DURAND
LIVE
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
63
LIVE
RONICALLY, I’VE BEEN REFLECTING
ON THE CONCEPT OF TIME for a while
now, and today is no different as I make my way
to Camps Bay Retreat; a lush gem nestled in
the heart of the leafy suburb. The first person
I see is our fashion director, Tania Durand,
who greets me warmly and shares that our
cover star, Nadia Jaftha is a bit nervous about
the interview, and I
immediately affirm
to her that I’ll be
approaching it as a
conversation.
Nadia is on the make-up
chair when I walk into the cosy
suite. With the formalities out
of the way, she seems more
relaxed. Considering that she
shares intimate parts of her
life with her 617 000 followers
on Instagram and over 55 000
subscribers on YouTube, she
feels somewhat familiar but
I’m curious about all the elements that went into the
makings of this dynamic woman. So where did it all begin
for the award-winning content creator?
“I was born in Cape Town to very supportive parents.
My mom has always been a hard worker so she passed on
her work ethic to me.” As her biggest cheerleader it comes
as no surprise that it’s a prank video featuring her mom
that catapulted her career.
Having engaged with her fun content, I ask her to let
us in on her creative process. “I’m a natural born content
creator, even when we had to do presentations at school,
I would do it in video format whenever I could. I still have
the old handheld VHS camera and the little cassettes that
go in there. I love creating content, not necessarily of
myself but of other people and showing their stories. Now
that it translates into my work and I can do it for clients
and brands, I can help other creators and influencers
by showing them how to do it for themselves. That’s the
ultimate goal for me.” Her contribution to social impact
is also visible in the work she does through Ace Labs; a
platform she co-founded to help creators grow their brands
while building sustainable businesses in the process.
It’s commendable that in a society where content
is heavily curated, Nadia’s feed showcases her life in
its authentic form. “You have to be intentional about
everything because you can easily get lost in this industry,
until you’re in it, you’ll have no way of knowing when
you’re lost. There was a point where I lost myself for a
bit, because I felt the pressure of people only wanting to
see comedy content or they only
like me when my mother is in the
video. And when they see me in
public, they’ll ask me where she
is. You get all these comments,
but after a while you become
immune to them.” With this in
mind, Nadia has steadily solidified
her presence in the digital space.
Apart from her authenticity, she’s
not afraid to use her voice. So
how does drown out the noise?
“You have to ask yourself, what is
my truth? And then you have to
go soul searching and find out.”
Affirming that it’s a beautiful position to be in, “although
it breaks you down, you also put yourself together again.
You realise what you actually stand for. You have to stand
for something!”
As someone who expresses herself in different forms,
she shares that her fans initially struggled with this, as
they knew her as a content creator, so the thought of her
venturing into music made them feel uncomfortable.
“I ke to fight
back by elevang
instead of fuelng
ne dra. My
progressi is
my payback”
64
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
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Tongoro
Jumpsuit
Merchants
on Long
earrings
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at closet
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“The first song I did came off the back of me
slowly showing that I’m singing on Instagram.
I posted random videos of myself singing,
and I hadn’t been exposed to the dark side of
social media at the time. I was doing it with
good intentions on my phone, alone in my
room, forgetting that there were thousands of
people on the other side of the screen. I didn’t
think there was a possibility of getting hate for
something I genuinely love doing. I had people
saying I can’t sing, I’m just an influencer,
asking who I think I am; but how would they
know if I grew up singing at family functions?
Something I was actually forced to do and I’d
make everyone close their eyes. People don’t
know that though, they just assume your
values based on how they view themselves.”
This didn’t deter her though, as she went on
to record her debut single, Paradise, which
topped the charts for a few weeks. “I like to
“fight back” by elevating instead of fuelling
online drama. My progression is my payback.”
This also speaks to setting boundaries in the
digital space, “there’s so much access that
the public feels entitled to certain decisions
I make in my life, it’s important to set those
boundaries the same you would in any other
relationship you have in your life.”
Considering that social media is a doubleedged sword, how does she navigate it in its
duality? “I don’t think I can safely say I’m
at a point where I know how to deal with
everything because there are new elements
and variables that come into play daily. When
I go to an event for example, I don’t know if
there’ll be that one person who’ll try to get a
reaction out of me. So it’s important to always
be grounded and to do the things that’ll keep
me on the straight path.” From a mental
health perspective, she says she tries to have
practices in place that keep her mental health
in check, “this includes Pilates, meditation
or walking my dog. Those are the habits that
ultimately give you a fulfilling life in the end.”
With her makeup done, she makes her
way to the hair chair, I’m cognizant of the
time, and I notice that she’s sporting a gold
pendant on her wrist. “This is my HUAWEI
WATCH GT 4 and it’s a big part of my
lifestyle; as someone who is health, fitness and fashion forward,
my watch complements all my looks; from the red carpet to
my workouts. I simply change the straps or the face to suit the
occasion, and it tracks my heart rate while I work out.” This also
speaks to the heart of the campaign, which fuses fashion and
fitness. “I move between roles and I don’t always have time to
change devices, so the all-in-one watch is perfect for me because
it connects to any phone.”
What’s striking about the watch is that one would expect it to
look like a fitness or tech watch but the fashion-forward aesthetic
gives it a luxe appearance. “This also shows the innovation
behind technology and fashion, and that’s what positions
HUAWEI as a trendsetter in wearable technology.” Affirming
that the brand, which boasts a decade-long presence in the field,
has been part of her life for years, making the partnership was an
easy yes!
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
67
LIVE
She’s moving closer and closer to the
water and I’m wondering if her pendant
is water resistant, “it is!” she says, when
we find each other again between her
different looks.
Her attitude on set is an extension
of her general outlook on life as she
shares that her motto is “dive in and
figure it out later! I don’t know what
my next looks like because if you try to
plan every single step perfectly, and you
want to wait until you’re ready, you’ll
find that you’re never actually ready.” Reflecting on how her
life has unfolded, she says it also speaks to her faith, “I believe
in my maker and move with faith and good intentions. I believe
that if you move with good intentions, even if the people
around you have ill intentions, you’ll end up where you’re
supposed to, just keep your faith.”
So how would she define her current era? “I’m in my
elevation era, and looking forward to it, I don’t know what my
next era looks like. I think if I knew, I wouldn’t be as excited
but I do know that it won’t be the same version of me that
people are used to, and the cover will definitely reflect that.
The energy of it is powerful. Last year on my vision board, I
put ‘makings of an icon’ and that’s what I’m leaning towards
in my respective field and encouraging others that they can be
the same.” Nadia shares that going into 2024, her short-term
goals include a lot more decisiveness and going after what she
set out to do.
“This year was a lot of reconstructing and moving pieces but
I think next year I’m laying the foundation and look forward
to reaping what I sow. The biggest thing for me is making sure
that my family is sorted and that my mother is happy. That’s
the most important thing for me.” As the sun begins to set
on this picturesque location, and our time on set draws to an
end, I ask her what she knows for sure? “When all is said and
done, I know for sure that I’ll always have my supporters. I feel
like they’ve grown up with me and I’ve grown up in front of a
lens, they’ve been through so much with me and there’s still a
lot that I want to explore, and so many adventures I still want
to take them on. I wouldn’t be here without them. I think this
cover is for everyone who has supported me through the years,
even my haters.”
“I’m in my
eleva e, d
loo fwd
to , I d’t know
what my xt
e looks ke”
Even more striking is Nadia’s aura;
she has a calmness about her, which
becomes more noticeable as she moves
across the room to slip into a sheer
Lukhanyo Mdingi original. She throws
on a purple coat, which elevates the
look before making her way down to the
scenic landscape. Her first look is set
against the backdrop of the ocean to the
sound of waves crashing.
She’s a force of nature, and the birds
chirp in agreement. Nadia’s feeling at
home in her own skin as she works her
angles effortlessly. When I catch up
with her between takes I ask if she’s
always been this confident? “I’ve had
moments of imposter syndrome so
I’ve had to push through feelings of
inadequacy. Sharing that she’s come a
long way from her varsity days when
she felt she didn’t belong. “I felt it
was a big ask for my parents to put me
through UCT considering that I had
three other siblings at the time.” It’s
hard to imagine her as anything but
unapologetically taking up space but
it’s also her ability to be vulnerable
that makes her relatable. “I never want
people to feel that I’m untouchable, I
don’t want to distance myself in that
way. In real time, she’s almost ethereal
in her cover look; donning a sheer
purple and green Lukhanyo Mdingi
dress from his Burkina collection. Her
commitment is notable as she explores
different angles to get the perfect shot.
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
CREATIVE DIRECTION AND STYLING: TANIA DURAND; ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER: RAPHAEL BLUE BROMILOW;
HAIR: JAMIE PILLAY; MAKEUP: RAINE TAUBER; ART DIRECTOR: ANDREA KÜHN
Coat Ntwana
Crop top
and skirt
H&M studio
collection
Earrings
Phillipa Green
Jewellery
Eyewear
CHIMI
Watch
HUAWEI
WATCH GT 4
LIVE
UTERINE
FIBROIDS
UTERINE FIBROIDS AFFECT UP TO
80% OF PEOPLE WITH A UTERUS
(and are two to three times more likely
to occur in Black women) – and uterine
fibroids symptoms tend to be “loud and
obnoxious,” says Dr Ruth Arumala, an OBGYN and fibroid specialist in Texas. While
it’s possible to have asymptomatic fibroids,
“they make their presence known if they’re
symptomatic,” Dr Arumala says.
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas
or myomas, are non-cancerous growths
found in or on the uterus which can be
as small as a pea or as big as a grapefruit.
Depending on their size and location, they
could be wreaking havoc or you might not
even know you have them. “Some women
have ginormous fibroids and don’t know,
or they do know, but it doesn’t necessarily
bother them,” says Dr Jessica Shepherd, a
board-certified OB-GYN and fibroid expert.
Your gynaecologist may catch asymptomatic fibroids
during a routine pelvic exam but typically, uterine fibroids
go unnoticed unless they start causing symptoms, the most
common of which is heavy menstrual bleeding. Uterine
fibroid symptoms can range from “being a nuisance to being
life-threatening,” says Dr Arumala, so it’s wise to know the
signs you might have fibroids and keep an eye on any existing
growths. Here’s everything you need to know.
SYMPTOMS YOU DON’T
HAVE TO LIVE WITH
Fibroids can be “loud and obnoxious.”
But the good news is they’re treatable.
Types of fibroids
Uterine fibroids are classified by their location. Depending on
where they are located, they can cause different symptoms.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) there are
three main types of fibroids: subserosal fibroids, which occur
outside of the uterus; intramural fibroids, which grow within
the uterine lining; and submucosal fibroids, which live inside
the uterine cavity.
WORDS BY MACAELA MACKENZIE
As a general rule of thumb, if you’re changing your pad
or tampon every two hours during your menstrual cycle,
most gynaecologists would agree that’s heavy bleeding. If
you’re bleeding for longer than normal during your period
or bleeding non-stop, those are also symptoms of uterine
fibroids you should flag to your doctor right away. In rare
cases, fibroid-related bleeding is heavy enough that it can
cause anaemia, a condition that occurs when your body
produces lower-than-normal amounts of red blood cells,
according to the NIH. Symptoms of anaemia include fatigue,
a racing heart, and craving ice.
Bulk symptoms
“Bulk symptoms” occur when “the fibroids are so big that they
cause a space issue,” explains Dr Arumala. This can manifest
in a few ways:
Pain during sex
Uterine fibroids symptoms
The most common symptoms of fibroids can be sorted into
three categories, says Dr Arumala: bleeding, bulk symptoms,
and reproductive symptoms.
Bleeding
Heavy periods are often a sign of fibroids. “The American
College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists used to define
[heavy bleeding] by millilitres or number of pads,” says
Dr Somi Javaid, a board-certified OB-GYN and founder of
HerMD. But recently, there’s been a push towards a more
subjective understanding of heavy bleeding, she says. “If a
woman’s perception is that her bleeding is heavy, it’s heavy.”
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
“Fibroids can cause a lot of pain, particularly if they’re near
the cervix because there can be contact if you’re talking about
penetrative intercourse,” says Dr Javaid.
You might also experience pain during orgasm. Large fibroids
growing in the wall of the uterus or in the uterine cavity can
feel like boulders, Dr Javaid explains, so when the uterus
contracts during an orgasm, it can feel uncomfortable, like
squeezing a rock.
Depending on the location of the fibroids, you might also
experience a “rocking pain” during sex as certain positions or
thrusting can cause your uterus to rock back and forth, adds
Dr Arumala. If you’re experiencing any pelvic pain or lower
back pain, flag it to your doctor.
LIVE
“Uterine fibrd sympts c
nge fr being a nuisce
to being fe-threatening”
Arumala. As the pregnancy begins taking
more blood flow from the uterus, any
fibroids, which need a healthy blood supply to
live, may begin to die, she explains. “Anything
dying, like a tooth, is going to cause pain,” Dr
Arumala says. Fibroids can also increase your
risk of having a caesarean delivery.
Bladder and bowel issues
PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES
If a fibroid is pressing on your bladder, it can cause frequent
urination and incontinence, says Dr Arumala. The same goes
for fibroids pressing on your bowels. “Sometimes patients
have an alternative of constipation and diarrhoea, or just
constipation,” she says. “If the fibroid is on the back of the uterus
and it’s pressing on your rectum or part of your intestine, you’ll
have an inability to poop. If the poop gets past that blockage, it
rushes out. So you’ll have constipation, diarrhoea, constipation,
diarrhoea.” Bulk symptoms can occur even if you don’t have
bleeding issues due to fibroids. “A lot of women will not realise
that and they may end up with the wrong doctor,” says Dr Javaid.
Fertility symptoms
Fibroids can be a cause of infertility. Depending on their
location, they can literally block the fallopian tube, preventing
an egg from being fertilised. Fibroids in the lining of the uterus
can also prevent a fertilised egg from implanting. (For years,
fibroids have also been linked to the fear of early miscarriage.
Though recent research suggests there’s not enough evidence
to support an increased risk, according to the NIH.) During
pregnancy, “fibroids can cause excruciating pain,” says Dr
When to talk to your doctor
If you have asymptomatic fibroids, your gynaecologist will likely
manage them without treatment. Eventually, most fibroids
will shrink and because they need oestrogen to grow, the risk
of developing any new fibroids drops dramatically during
menopause. If you’re experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding
or any of the other symptoms above, talk to your gynaecologist.
“Any one of these should warrant some type of conversation
with your doctor. It’s always better to start the conversation
when things might be not as frequent or not as severe so that
if there is something that starts to increase the frequency or
severity that you have a baseline,” says Dr Shepherd. “Then
it can start to generate a conversation of potentially looking
at fibroids as the cause.” The good news? There are plenty of
treatment options. Fibroid treatments range from a procedure
called a myomectomy to remove the fibroids, to the use of
birth control (either an IUD or the pill which can limit fibroid
growth by increasing your body’s levels of progesterone) or,
depending on where you are in your reproductive journey, even
a hysterectomy. If you’re dealing with symptoms, talk to your
healthcare provider about what’s best for you.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
71
LIVE
WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT there’s a cost-of-living crisis,
and as we try to stay afloat, it’s important to understand how
inflation affects living standards. FNB Senior Economist,
Koketso Mano enlightens that the world has suffered from a
post-lockdown cost-of-living crisis driven initially by supplydemand misalignment and exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
“Supply chain bottlenecks have since subsided, but inflationary
headwinds persist. These headwinds include tight labour
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
markets in advanced economies like the US, climate change,
as well as the reconfiguration of investments and business
operations in attempts to strengthen post-pandemic supply
chains and in response to escalated geopolitical tensions.”
Furthermore, these global factors have spilled over to South
Africa’s inflation dynamics through the ports and have been
compounded by a weaker rand. Tighter global financial
conditions and rising debt vulnerabilities have generally lifted
LIVE
THE RISING COST OF
We’re all feeling the impact of inflation, so we’ve roped in the experts to offer
us some insight, tips and advice as we navigate these trying financial times.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
the risk associated with emerging markets assets, weighing on
currencies. “In addition, the rand has suffered from political
risks and stunted growth given crippling infrastructure
constraints. As a result, the rand has underperformed relative
to peer currencies. The weaker rand, failing infrastructure, and
poor service delivery has lifted the cost of operating and living in
South Africa, worsening SA’s inflation trajectory,” she says.
Glamour: In light of this, what are the three main
factors that contribute to inflation?
Koketso Mano: Generally speaking, supply-demand
misalignment (supply shortages or excess demand) across
the globe, a weak exchange rate, and poor service delivery that
pushes businesses and households to procure or augment basic
services privately.
In terms of the Consumer Price Index, the initial uplift in
fuel inflation has now unwound and its steep deceleration (in
deflation in June 2023) has supported lower headline inflation.
Unfortunately, food and core inflation are expected to be more
stubborn but do not undo the slowing in headline inflation,
which is expected to ease from 6.9% in 2022 to 6.0% this year.
G: Can you please explain the
relationship between inflation and
interest rates?
Koketso: By moving the repo rate,
monetary policy affects other market
interest rates, the exchange rate, liquidity
in markets, asset prices as well as inflation
expectations. With a transmission lag
of around 12-24 months, the impact
of policy moves eventually influence
spending and investment decisions. The current hiking cycle
would have resulted in tighter lending standards, less liquidity
in markets, less credit demand and extension. This eventually
dampens household consumption and investments, albeit the
current cycle will be different as investments will be driven by
critical energy-related spending. As household consumption
slows, the pricing power of business (including the power to pass
through prevailing cost pressures) is limited, arresting inflation.
Also, higher interest rates tend to attract capital inflows, after
adjusting for the risk associated with local assets, and supports
a stronger currency which reinforces lower inflation. That said,
monetary policy is more productive in addressing demanddriven inflation. Given that current inflation is more supplydriven, monetary policy has had to focus on second-round
effects instead – the passthrough of initial supply shocks to the
broader basket of goods and services. For example, when fuel
inflation spikes, the cost of transport rises and lifts input costs
for business which is often passed to the consumer. To avoid
price and wage setters planning for and embedding what could
be temporarily excessive inflation, the central bank has had to
be credible, convincing these agents that the target of 4.5% will
be achieved over a two-year horizon.
“The aker rd d po
serce dery has fted the
cost of operang d ng in
Sth Africa ”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
73
LIVE
G: Would you say SA is
experiencing spiralling inflation
at the moment?
Koketso: No. Although we anticipate
G: With consumers losing
purchasing power, how can the
economy be sustained?
Koketso: We expect virtually no
that a third of the inflation basket will
average above the 6% upper target limit
this year, and 83% is rising relative to
2022, we predict that those proportions
will fall to around 25% and 42% next
year. In any event, headline inflation
has already softened from a peak of 7.8%
in July 2022 to 5.4% in June 2023 and
is expected to slow from an average of
6.0% this year to around 5.0% next year.
Furthermore, while average surveyed
inflation expectations across business,
trade unions and analysts to the year
2025 remain above the reserve bank’s
inflation target of 4.5%, wage growth
expectations have slowed. This is in line
with weak growth and employment
prospects, indicating the reduced risk of
a wage spiral that would have maintained
upward pressure on interest rates.
growth this year, with the most
support coming from investment
into energy supply. Export growth
will be constrained by lower global
demand and local logistical issues,
while household spending growth will
be weighed down by a higher cost of
living. It is important to note that some
households would have benefitted from
the higher interest earned on savings
and investments, but these households
usually have a lower propensity to
consume. Some households will still be
taking up consumption-related credit
like credit cards, but these will be more
expensive lines of credit and may delay
the recovery in household spending
while credit standings are being
repaired. Ultimately, the importance of
structural reforms is highlighted by the
outlook over the next 3 to 5 years.
With more traction on these reforms,
more private-sector participation,
improved
competition
and
productivity, greater investment in
human capital as well as lower inflation
can be generated over time.
G: Low-income households are
greatly affected by inflation, is
there a way around it?
Koketso: The central bank contends
that price stability is in the interest
of the purchasing power of the poor
or low-income households. Without
low
and
predictable
inflation,
budgeting, and the ability to optimise
spending would be impaired, making
price stability a key contributor to
sustainable growth. Inflation was
anchored around the 6% upper target
limit from the time that the inflationtargeting framework was adopted in SA
in the year 2000 until 2017, when the
Monetary Policy Committee started
speaking to their preferred 4.5% anchor.
Since then, and apart from lockdown
effects, inflation has been better
anchored around 4.5% and interest
rates have also been lower. While there
is a case of having to endure the higher
inflation at this stage, there are ways
that one can get through the tough times.
Included in this are some small tricks
that one can do, such as looking at where
74
ESTER’S
5 TOP TIPS
for surviving the current
economic climate
1
Draw up a budget
and track your spend
2
Use loyalty programmes
to free up cash
3
Do meal planning
to reduce unconscious
spending on frequent
trips to grocery stores
4
Don’t cancel
insurance policies
5
Stay the course with
your savings and
investment journey
despite market volatility
spending is going currently and if there is
a way to reduce spending on wants and
redirect to needs and looking for specials
when shopping.
If you are struggling with your debt
position, chat to your service provider
to see if they can assist in potential
restructuring the debt which could free
up some cash flow which could be used to
pay off the debt sooner.
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
G: Lastly, what would you like
South Africans to know from
an economic perspective as we
navigate these trying times?
Koketso: We are navigating a time of
weak growth, elevated inflation, and
high interest rates. Unfortunately,
geopolitical tensions and climate change
mean inflationary pressures stay will
with us for some time and interest rates
will likely remain higher for longer as
a result. In line with monetary policy,
fiscal policy is encouraged to stay the
course of consolidation and avoid
adding upward pressure to interest
rates. Should political weight remain
behind structural reforms, South Africa
can build a more productive economy
with robust growth and an inclusive
labour market.
LIVE
Product Head of FNB
Integted Adce,
Ester Ose ighs in…
ILLUSTRATION: ADOBE STOCK, GALLO/GETTY IMAGES
G: How else can ordinary South
Africans manage the impact of it?
Ester Ochse: There is a huge impact
on ordinary consumers with the rising
interest rates as well as inflation. The
best way that one can get around it is to
get back to basics. Check what they are
spending the money on, the best way to
do this is to track spend for a period of
one month. Every time money is spent,
be it cash, credit or debit order, make
a note of it or use an app like Track my
Spend on the FNB App. Then one can
see where exactly their money is going.
After that look if there is a way that
one can reduce on certain spending
categories and redirect to the important
or needs spend. For example, if you are
spending on eating out and treats, can
you reduce that and put towards paying
off expensive credit. Paying off expensive
credit quicker will free up more cash
flow, which can in turn be used to save
or invest. Also leveraging off loyalty
programmes which will free up cash as
well that can be used towards paying off
expensive debt. The good side to a higher
interest rate environment is that savings
earn more interest, so extra funds in
a savings account should earn more
interest.
G: Is it realistic to encourage
people to save when salaries aren’t
keeping up with the inflation rate?
Or is it possible?
Ester: As mentioned above, with the
higher interest rate environment,
money in a savings account will earn
more interest. So, it’s a good time to
build up an emergency fund. There is
also a common misconception that one
needs to have lots of money to save,
but that is not true, even putting away
R50 a week (the price of a hamburger)
will make a difference. That is why it is
critical to look at where one’s money is
going and look at where one can free up
cash by reducing spend on “want spend”
(treats, eating out, clothing, grooming)
and then using that feed up cash to put
towards savings.
“Pang off expensive cret
quicker wl free up more cash
flow to save or invest”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
75
LIVE
How to
actually
f
yrself
No matter what you did,
you can move past it.
WORDS BY PATIA BRAITHWAITE & SAMANTHA VINCENTY
FORGIVING OTHERS isn’t always easy. When someone
hurts you, it can require major strength (and maturity) to take
a deep breath, put your ego aside, and accept a sincere apology.
But what happens if the person you need to let off the hook is
yourself? Many of us are too self-critical and it can be really,
really difficult to forgive yourself for making a mistake or
hurting someone. Whether you made a few careless comments
at a wedding and now you’re on the wrong end of a possible
friend breakup, or you’re tired of never sticking up for yourself,
it can feel downright impossible to end the self-condemnation
and let those things go. You may not even understand why it’s
so hard to forgive yourself for past mistakes, no matter how
ready you are (or think you are) to shed the burden of carrying
these guilty feelings with you. Often, “the reason why it can be
challenging for some people to move into forgiveness is because it’s not just about that
one event,” says Courtney Cope, a principle manager of clinical operations at online
therapy platform BetterHelp. Whether the misstep is forgetting a friend’s birthday, say,
or a bigger transgression like cheating on a partner, “the event triggers other negative
emotions, and the person will then begin to recall all of the things they’ve done wrong,”
she says. Cope adds that resorting to shame, blame, or anger when you make a mistake
can all feed into the struggle to self-forgive. No matter what thoughts or feelings have
you stuck, we hope the expert advice below will help you forgive yourself and move on
(because you deserve it).
1
Affirm your ability to forgive yourself.
If you can barely even think about what you did without quickly needing to focus
on literally anything else – or if it’s sending you into a spiral of unhelpful, repetitive
thoughts about the situation – that’s totally normal, Cope says. As a result, “people
wrestling with self-forgiveness can feel depression, anxiety, or insomnia, and in more
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
extreme examples, it might culminate
in self-harm or self-medicating with
substances.”
When whatever you did (or didn’t do)
is weighing heavily on your mind, selfforgiveness might feel unachievable,
which is why telling yourself you can
move past this is an important step in
the healing process, says Fanny Tristan,
a New York City–based therapist.
“Start by asking yourself, Do I believe
in my ability to get better? To change
and improve, while recognising that
I’m flawed just like everybody else?”,
Tristan recommends. Even if your
LIVE
brain responds with a resounding “NO,”
challenging your negative thoughts in
this way can help you begin to see the
possibility of forgiving yourself.
2
Treat yourself like you
would a best friend.
“When we’ve done something
that is outside our moral comfort zone,
often we start beating ourselves up about
it, which doesn’t really help. So we have
to practise a lot of self-compassion,” says
Dr Emily Jamea. How do you actually do
that? Asking what it would look like to
address yourself as if you were talking
to a friend can make you feel a bit better.
“That question alone can help create a
little bit of perspective and soften the
negative feelings we may have toward
ourselves,” Dr Jamea says. If you’re
infamously hard on your friends (under
the guise of “being honest”), this tip
might not work as well for you. Instead,
try looking at yourself as if you’re an
innocent child or even a rambunctious
puppy. The idea is to soften your heart
toward your mistakes, says Dr Robert
Allan, assistant professor of couple
and family therapy at the University
of Colorado, Denver. You should try to
remember that “making mistakes is
human. We’re all going to make them,”
he says. Maybe you really did mess up but
that doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTY IMAGES
3
Write (or talk) the
facts out.
Often, when you do something
wrong, you might feel an overwhelming
rush of guilt. That can make it tempting
to view the interaction through a hazy
mix of self-loathing and catastrophic
thinking. In these cases, it might help
to write down what happened, even
if it wasn’t pretty, to say it out loud to
yourself (maybe in a video or voice note),
or to discuss it with a non-judgemental
person you trust. This can help you stop
ruminating and see the situation as a
learning experience. “You have to be able
to say, ‘This is something that I do or this
is something that I have done, and it has
had an impact on me or others in ways
that I don’t want it to,’” Dr Allan says,
adding that if you can’t be honest with
yourself about the source of your guilt,
it’s harder to move forward and change
your behaviour in the future.
4
Ask yourself, “What
was my expectation?”
Another way to spark a
perspective shift: Identify the selfimposed standard that you think you
failed to meet when you did (or said)
the thing you regret. “What was the
expectation, in your mind, of what you
should have done in this situation?”
Tristan asks. “Is this expectation
grounded in reality, or in an idea of
perfectionism, in which you’re expecting
yourself to mind-read or never make
mistakes?” The point of this exercise isn’t
to shift blame or shake off accountability,
absolving you of any need to take action
to remedy the situation. What these
questions can do, though, is clarify
whether you’re punishing yourself to an
unreasonable degree.
5
Try to make amends.
6
Try a mantra… and repeat.
REMEMBER THAT
FORGIVENESS IS
A PROCESS
Part of the reason self-forgiveness
can feel so nebulous is that it often
isn’t a one-time affair. It doesn’t
always automatically happen after
you’ve said “I’m sorry” in the mirror
(or in your head). “Forgiveness is an
active process, and it can require
repetition,” Dr Allan says.
It might take more than a mantra or
quick inner chat to release the grudge
you’re holding against yourself. Maybe
you need to work with a therapist
or other mental health professional
to guide you in the self-forgiveness
process. Regardless, you’ll likely need
to grant yourself some patience.
“Forgiveness isn’t a doorway,” Dr
Allan says, “consider it something that
you engage with over time.”
Once you’ve looked at your
situation through a more compassionate lens and reflected on what really
happened (and how you feel about it), you can ask yourself how you’d like to make
amends. Let’s say you’re angry at yourself for letting another week go by without
cleaning your apartment. You might take a look at your calendar and figure out a
realistic day to get it done. If your transgression is something like yelling at a loved one
during a drunken party, you might brainstorm ways to keep yourself from drinking
too much in the future. The idea isn’t to punish yourself but use your regret as an
opportunity for personal growth. “An amends takes an apology one step further,” Dr
Jamea says. “It’s accountability for what you did and commitment to doing differently
in the future.”
Cope suggests “training” your brain to let go of mistakes by saying this to
yourself as often as you need to: “I did the best I could at the time with the
knowledge that I had. Now, I’ll do better.” This reminder can challenge your inner critic
and remind you that you’re worthy of forgiveness.
Or, she adds, maybe try this four-sentence mantra popularised by therapist Dr
Ihaleakala Hew Len, inspired by the traditional Hawaiian reconciliation practice of
ho’oponopono (roughly translated to “make things right”): “I’m sorry. Please forgive
me. Thank you. I love you.”
“It’s a kind of repentance or way to acknowledge the mistake you’ve made,” Cope
says. “It’s something that you can say to another person, if you’re having a reparative
conversation – but you can also say it to yourself or write it in a journal, as a way to give
yourself peace.”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
77
How to Keep Your Lo
Distce Relaonship
HEALTHY,
HAPPY
& HOT
It does take work, but it can
absolutely be worth it.
WORDS BY SAMANTHA VINCENTY
AS ANYONE WHO’S EVER BEEN IN ONE CAN ATTEST,
making a long-distance relationship (LDR) work is challenging
– yes, even if you’re super into each other. But despite what a
sceptical friend, family member, or coworker may try to tell
you, LDRs can last (thrive, even!) when the people involved
are excited about being together and willing to put in the effort
required. The core ingredients of a healthy long-distance
relationship are the same as in-person relationships, says Dr
Rachel Hoffman, a therapist and the chief clinical officer at
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
mental health support platform Real. “You still need the same
foundational pillars: trust, communication, and commitment,”
Dr Hoffman says. “The challenge is, you need them tenfold
in a long-distance relationship.” When you first start dating
someone who you can see and touch any time you want, a natural
rhythm of date nights, sex frequency, and leisurely Saturday
morning rituals often develops organically; from there, things
either evolve into something more serious, or they don’t. “We
typically do a lot of relationship building unintentionally,”
LIVE
Make a pl y both feel
good abt
“Your levels of uncertainty and insecurity can rise when you
don’t have your person next to you on a daily or weekly basis,”
Dr Hoffman says. Without the constant reassurance you get
from regular in-person intimacy – hugs, hangouts, sex, etc. –
it’s harder to build trust and feel secure in your relationship.
To feel more connected to your partner from afar, Dr Hoffman
recommends “making a plan and getting very clear on the
schedule and the habits of your relationship.”
It might take some compromise to agree on these LDR plans,
but once you’ve started to put them into practice, Dr Hoffman
recommends a regular state-of-the-union conversation (once
a month, say) to talk about which habits need tweaking. Maybe
trying to squeeze in pre-work Skype chats is more stressful than
you anticipated, or the phone sex is getting a little boring. This is
an ongoing, collaborative process, Dr Hoffman says. Discussing
how you’re each feeling about your communication habits,
sex life, and IRL plans can keep you feeling close, despite the
physical distance.
Discuss yr endge, too
says Moraya Seeger DeGeare, in-house relationships expert
for couples app Paired. “But with long distance, every single
action is very much a choice.” Maybe you’re hoping to take
your relationship from LDR to IRL romance within a year. Or
perhaps you or your partner has to temporarily relocate for a
new job, and you’re determined to make it work. No matter your
circumstances, these expert long-distance relationship tips will
help you navigate this tricky new frontier with clear eyes and an
open heart.
Does every successful long-distance relationship end with one
half of the couple deciding to move for love? Not necessarily;
both DeGeare and Dr Hoffman have clients in LDRs who are
happy to dwell in separate cities with no defined end point.
While DeGeare believes that couples do need a certain amount
of time and shared experience together to maintain the
emotional connection and keep a relationship going strong,
“that amount can vary depending on what season of life you’re
in,” she says. That said, expecting to wind up reunited for good
is far more common, particularly if having kids someday is
among your goals. If your relationship is just a few months old
or you’re even starting off as long distance, it may feel too soon
to ask the other person to commit to an in-person life together
down the line. The point isn’t to pressure anyone into a set-instone plan, but to gauge whether you’re generally on the same
page. You might ask your long-distance partner something like,
“If this goes well, do you hope we’ll make a life together in the
same place one day?” “It just can’t be a situation in which one
person assumes you’ll end up living together while the other
person thinks living separate lives is ideal,” Dr Hoffman says.
It’s also possible that one of you will change your mind down
the road. In a healthy long-distance relationship, Dr Hoffman
adds, you’ll feel comfortable telling your partner if your desired
endgame changes over time. That way you can revisit the plans
you’d discussed previously and decide together if you’re both
still game for this vision of the future.
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LONG-DISTANCE
BUT LIKE-MINDED
Here’s a starter list of questions Hoffman
and DeGeare recommend for getting on
the same page at the outset:
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“Does ery
successful
lg-stce
relaonship end
wh e half
of the cple
decing to mo
for lo? Not
cessy”
Voice yr jealousy
d insecuries
You and your significant other’s schedules have felt
impossible lately – you can’t even remember your last great
late-night talk. Meanwhile, they keep going on about Rory,
their awesome research partner who gets to eat lunch with
them in person and looks hot in the tagged social media
photos you just found. AND Rory plays the drums?! You’re
officially spiralling. The problem is not Rory, Dr Hoffman
says, but a lack of trust and security in your relationship.
The solution is to share those feelings as soon and as clearly
as possible: I feel jealous of Rory. “By looping your partner
in, it doesn’t turn into, ‘I’m not going to text them for the
next 48 hours because I want them to feel what I’m feeling,’
or, ‘I’m gonna find my own Rory,’” Dr Hoffman says. “When
things play out in these passive-aggressive ways, long distance
becomes problematic quickly – because you don’t have the
ability to say, ‘Let’s talk this over face-to-face.’” Sharing your
feelings, instead of bottling them up and developing your own
bad-faith narratives about what might be going on, can head
off unnecessary arguments. “When people don’t find a way to
communicate that they’re feeling insecure, they tend to blame
their partner instead,” Dr Hoffman says. “It becomes, ‘You’re
avoiding me,’ or ‘You’re not answering my calls,’ instead of
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
identifying what the real issue is.” It’s your partner’s job to
help you figure out what will make you feel reassured (up to
a reasonable point). “One of the most important questions in
any relationship is, ‘When I need you, are you able to respond
in a way that says you understand me, that you care about
me?’” DeGeare says. You might require deeper conversations
or more sexual connection going forward in order to feel
secure, for example. Words of affirmation from your partner,
such as “you’re the only one that I want to be with,” can
help, says DeGeare, who also suggests repeating mantras to
yourself that reinforce those feelings of trust and security
(“We’re in this relationship because we want to be”).
Make sure you’re not
over cpromising
Sacrificing your own needs can happen in any relationship, but
Dr Hoffman sees this play out much faster with long-distance
LIVE
D’t stay just use
y made that
aforemened pl
When one of you has crossed agreed-upon boundaries –
cheating, not talking to the other for days on end – that’s
obviously a sign that things aren’t working. But DeGeare says
she’s seen many LDRs meet a quieter death that both partners
are reluctant to acknowledge. “It’s very easy to drag out a longdistance relationship, especially if you’re not fighting,” she
says. Letting a stagnant relationship continue happens within
in-person relationships, too. But in DeGeare’s experience, it’s
much easier to do when you’re not in each other’s faces every
day, and you may not have realised how easy it’s become to put
the other person out of mind when you’re not on the phone
together. You may still enjoy the abstract idea that you’ve got
someone waiting at the end of this long-distance period –
but do you still actively want that, and with this person? “It’s
tempting to avoid a heartbreak and just power through because
you’ve got a vacation in Mexico planned,” says DeGeare, who
recommends periodically evaluating whether you’re still all-in.
Similar to Dr Hoffman’s state-of-the-union recommendation,
DeGeare says it’s a good idea to regularly check in with yourself
about how your relationship makes you feel – like in a journal
entry or during a long walk.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES
Try to enjoy the ride
couples because people are eager to agree to whatever it
might take to make it work. “You’ll start to say stuff like, ‘I said
I needed to talk before bed – but it’s okay that they don’t call
me back at night,’” she says. Again, the ability to compromise
is a relationship green flag, but there’s a difference between
meeting the other person halfway and giving up on the things
you value entirely. Ceding your needs little by little can bring
on anxiety symptoms like insomnia, tightness in your chest,
and intrusive thoughts, Dr Hoffman says. Left unaddressed,
she adds, this anxiety can spur an insatiable need for
reassurance that no affirmation or amount of phone calls will
satisfy, which in turn leads to tension and arguments. If you
find that the compromises you’ve made have slowly led you
to feel physical symptoms of anxiety, or you simply feel more
bad feelings than good ones when you’re talking with your
significant other or thinking about your relationship, you may
need to consider breaking up. There’s no shame in saying, “I
love you, but a long-distance relationship isn’t working for
me,” DeGeare says.
Figuring out how to be there for each other on a consistent
basis when you’re in different cities, time zones, or even
countries demands planning, vulnerability, and no small
amount of faith. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a slog. Longdistance love comes with lots of opportunities to get to know
each other better through late-night conversations that wind
into the wee hours as your phone gets hot on your ear. You can
cultivate a deep curiosity for the other person’s life as they send
you pictures of the people and places they love. And, as you
support each other while you pursue goals on separate paths
that’ll one day (hopefully) converge, your love may grow even
deeper. “You might create such a secure base that, ten years
down the road, you’ll say to each other, ‘We didn’t just make it
through; we learned how to communicate in a way that might
have taken a couple years in person – and we chose to do it. I
love us for that,’” DeGeare says. DeGeare knows firsthand that
a long-distance relationship can “end” well: like me, she was
in an LDR that ultimately turned into a marriage and, today, a
happy family. If you and your partner are able to talk through
the rough patches – when it’s been too long since the last visit,
when you haven’t quite hammered out where you’ll both end
up – I’ll be the first to tell you that a successful long-distance
relationship isn’t just possible; it’s worth it.
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81
Is it okay to work
out at night, or does
it affect your sleep?
Here’s what you
should know if you
prefer to exercise
before bed.
WORDS BY ASHLEY MATEO
IF YOU’VE BEEN STRUGGLING TO DRIFT OFF, you’ve probably tried
all sorts of strategies to fall asleep faster; put your phone away at a decent
hour, make your bedroom relaxing, and stop exercising before bed. Does
working out at night really mess with your sleep? It’s a valid question if you
don’t have tons of free time to exercise during the day; for a lot of people,
evenings may be the only option to squeeze in a session. But many folks are
reluctant to sweat before they sleep because they think a workout might
make it hard to wind down.
Rest assured; a 2019 review published in the journal Sports Medicine
concluded that the science does not support the idea that exercise before bed
revs you up – “rather the opposite,” the researchers wrote. A separate 2022
review published in Nature and Science of Sleep supported that statement
and added that some moderate-intensity evening routines helped people
sleep better. There’s no “magic hour” for fitness, and “working out at night
is better than no exercise at all,” says Thom Manning, a sleep and recovery
coach with the fitness app Future. That said, some routines – mainly, super
intense exercise done very close to bedtime – can make getting quality sleep
a little trickier. Here’s what you should know.
YES, CERTAIN NIGHTTIME
WORKOUTS CAN HINDER
YOUR SLEEP
Doing intense workouts – say, Peloton’s latest HIIT cycling
class or a sprint-heavy running session – too close to bedtime (within
an hour or so) can mess with your body’s thermoregulation, a process
that’s key to good sleep because it affects your core temperature, says Dr
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LIVE
bands, says Ellen Thompson, a NASM-certified
personal trainer at Blink Fitness. Yoga in particular
can be super helpful before bed; it’s been shown to
improve sleep quality by reducing the number of
times people woke up at night, according to 2022
research published in BMC Psychiatry.
But you don’t have to reserve more vigorous
exercise (which ranks at a 7 to 8 effort level
out of 10) for the daytime if you don’t want to.
Doing high-intensity exercise two to four hours before bed is unlikely to disrupt
your sleep, according to a 2021 study published in Sleep Medicine Review.
That means if you have a later bedtime, you may be able to squeeze in a HIIT
routine after work and still have enough time to get your body back to baseline
before you start to wind down for bed. If you are going to do a harder routine in
the evening, pay attention to how you structure your session, too. “Starting [your
workout] with more intense or challenging exercises will stimulate your body and
increase your heart rate,” Thompson says. For instance, if you’re strength training,
you may want to do your plyometric exercises or compound lifts before less
strenuous ones. Then you can transition into a movement that’s more chill, such
as easy aerobic activity, to gradually bring your heart rate down, before going into
a cooldown. Regardless of which kind of activity you choose, “you should strive to
finish any kind of workout at least one to two hours before bed,” says Dr Kilkenny.
“There’s no ‘mic hr’
f fss - w t
at night is er th no
exercise at all”
Thomas Kilkenny, the director of Staten
Island University Hospital’s Institute of Sleep
Medicine. “The brain falls asleep better on a
decreasing temperature curve,” he explains.
That drop in body temperature naturally
starts about two hours before you doze off.
So if you raise your internal temperature
through vigorous physical activity – whether
you were lifting heavy or doing cardio –
without giving yourself enough cooldown
time, your sleep quality may suffer. Doing
these high-intensity workouts before bed
also may make it harder to fall asleep to begin
with, likely because they increase your heart
rate, as a small 2014 study in the European
Journal of Applied Physiology suggests. The
effects of intense exercise continue even after
you nod off, too. Bouts of hard exercise before
bed can lead to less REM sleep, a stage that’s
crucial for processing emotions, memory
consolidation, brain development, and more.
PHOTOGRAPHY: UNSPLASH
SO… WHAT’S THE
BEST TYPE OF
WORKOUT TO
DO AT NIGHT?
You don’t have to stop exercising before bed
if that’s the time that works best with your
schedule. You may just need to tweak your
workouts if you’re not sleeping well after
them. Based on the research we have, Dr
Kilkenny recommends trying moderateintensity exercise if you prefer to work out at
night. According to the 2022 review in Nature
and Science of Sleep, this type of activity may
support more restorative sleep – which is
important for the repair and regeneration of
tissues throughout your body. A moderately
intense workout has you breathing a bit hard,
though you’d still likely be able to talk during
it – think about a 5 to 6 on an effort scale of 1
to 10, with 10 being absolute, all-out exertion.
This can look like brisk walking, easy cycling,
Pilates, yoga, or resistance training with
WHAT YOU DO BEFORE AND
AFTER YOUR NIGHTTIME
WORKOUT MATTERS, TOO.
A good night’s sleep isn’t just about what you do before your eyes
get heavy. Practising solid sleep hygiene all day will make a huge difference in the
quality of rest you get. Some tried-and-true recs include seeking bright daylight
early in the morning, cutting down on caffeine at least eight hours before sleep,
sticking to consistent bedtime and wake-up times, dimming bright lights at
night, and creating a relaxing environment (i.e., cool temps, little light and noise,
comfortable bedding, and calming scents).
Even if you need to wait until evening for your actual workout, taking a walk
or two throughout the day can be beneficial. The more steps you walk in a day,
the higher your quality of sleep may be, a 2019 study published in Sleep Health
suggests. Of course, managing stress earlier in the day is also key. “Activities like
meditation, deep breathing exercises, and spending time in nature help calm your
mind and prepare you for better sleep later on,” Thompson says.
As for what to do after your workout: It’s important to “turn down” that state of
physiological excitement you just induced via movement, Manning says. That
means you absolutely should not skip your post-workout cooldown.
“A quality, effective cooldown is essential to transition the body into a state
where we can achieve quality sleep,” he says.
Your post-workout shower can make a big difference too. A warm one actually
helps your body cool down because it stimulates your blood vessels to open.
“[This] allows more blood to be pumped to the superficial tissues of the body
[like your skin], which releases a lot of internal heat, thus lowering our internal
temperature,” Manning says.
Again, it’s that drop in body temperature that helps promote solid sleep.
Remember, the best time of day to work out is whatever time you can get it done.
If that happens to be at night, just make sure you’re planning ahead to set
yourself up for successful shut-eye as soon as you crush those last few reps.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
83
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LIVE
TA P I N T O YO U R
Do you lead with your masculine energy and find yourself low-key
wondering how it would feel to take a step back and lean into your feminine
energy? Wellness Coach, Melisa Lainn affirms that not only is it possible,
but there are also benefits to pulling from both energies.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
FIRST, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE LAW OF POLARITY, that everything
has both masculine and feminine energy within it, regardless of sex or orientation,
asserts Melissa. “Nature requires both masculine and feminine energies in equal
amounts to thrive. Our world, and our feeling of fulfilment, require us to pull from both
energies in any given situation,” she says. Further noting that we have the potential for
the full spectrum of energies to manifest; both light and shadow, wanted and unwanted,
creative or destructive, think of the yin & yang symbol.
Glamour: How would you define feminine energy?
Melissa: Personally, I would describe the feminine principle as the spark that brings
life. It often manifests as (but is not limited to) the cycles and rhythms, nurturing,
creativity, intuition, compassion, and the knowing of the interconnectedness of
all things. I have found feminine energy is not passive but dynamic and life-giving.
Feminine energy tends to have a dynamic nature, being both gentle and fierce, tapping
into their instinct and also allowing life to flow. I think this dynamic nature of the
feminine principle tends to confuse most of us, as we forget that it’s the reason many
traditions associate the Moon with the feminine principle, due to its natural rhythms
and cycles. Feminine energy, in the context of
holistic wellness, represents qualities such as
nurturing, intuition, empathy, creativity, and
receptivity. It’s about being in tune with all
of your emotions, embracing vulnerability,
and fostering deep and real connections. This
energy is not exclusive to women; it exists in
all individuals regardless of gender identity.
G: How do I tap into it?
M: Tapping into feminine energy is
natural for all of us, we do it many
times throughout the day but just lack
awareness. Firstly, be aware of the
differences between the two energies
then start cultivating self-awareness
and allowing yourself to be in touch
with the more feminine aspects such as
your creativity, your natural rhythms,
your emotions, your intuition, your
inner world, and receptivity. Begin to
allow yourself to include fewer “doing”
activities and more “being” activities
such as mindfulness, meditation,
spending time in nature, creating for
the sake of play or having fun, dancing,
“Feminine energy is abt being
in tune wh yr emoons,
embracing vulneraby d
fostering deep connecs”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
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mindful eating, spending time in or
around water, daydreaming and future
visioning, etc. Spending time in nature
can also aid in connecting with your
feminine essence. One of my favorite
ways to tap into my feminine essence is
by being aware of my body. Is my body
stiff or relaxed, are my muscles pulled
tight, making me stiff, or are they relaxed
and soft? Is my body language open and
receptive or guarded and closed off ? Is
my brow furrowed and tense, or am I
relaxed, trusting, allowing?
G: How do I know when I’m in my
feminine energy?
M: You know you’re in your feminine
energy when you feel a sense of flow,
ease, and openness. Your actions are
guided by intuition and compassion, and
you are receptive to both your emotions
and the emotions of others. You may
also find yourself engaging in activities
that allow you to express your creativity freely. You embrace
diversity and are aware of the oneness of all things.
G: Is it possible for alpha females to lean into their
feminine energy? What does this look like?
M: Absolutely! But I will start off by saying that the concept
of alpha females is not necessary anymore. Females have a
wide array of energy to tap into and it’s simply someone in
a leadership position. Embracing feminine energy doesn’t
mean compromising strength or ambition. For women who
are in what used to be deemed more “masculine” roles such
as leadership, high-powered, etc. it involves finding a balance
between assertiveness and receptivity. It’s about understanding
that creativity, vulnerability, and empathy are powerful tools
in leadership. Embracing feminine energy allows all women to
create more meaningful connections, allow for diversity, foster
creativity, understand the rhythms and cycles of life, and lead
with compassion.
G: From a relationship perspective, with regard to
“alpha females” who struggle with beta male energy.
Would you recommend avoiding this dynamic
altogether or is there a way around it?
M: As for the notion of Alpha females struggling with Beta male
energy, it’s important not to limit individuals based on such
terms. When it comes to attraction and a spark, we need tension
and we need opposing masculine and feminine energies, no
matter what the gender identity is. When two people have
different sexual energies, like one being more masculine and
the other more feminine, it can create a strong attraction
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
between them. It’s not just about physical attraction; there’s
something deeper here! This contrast in energies allows for a
beautiful dance of connection and a strong bond. Embracing
this unique polarity can bring a special spark to the relationship,
making it more fulfilling and harmonious for both partners.
So, celebrating the differences in energies can truly ignite
the passion and intimacy in a relationship! But it is up to the
individual to decide what is the foundation of their relationship
dynamic and what works for them. In my opinion, there is no
right or wrong, simply what brings two people the most healing
and harmony.
G: What are the benefits of leading with feminine
energy?
M: Leading with feminine energy can bring a sense of
harmony and understanding in relationships, be it personal or
professional. It fosters better communication, and emotional
intelligence, and promotes a more nurturing and inclusive
environment. By incorporating more feminine energy,
individuals can experience greater creativity, tap into ‘flow state’
more often, reduce stress and tension due to rigid demands
and improve overall well-being. Knowing when each energy is
needed is key!
G: What are the factors that make it difficult for some
women to tap into their feminine energy?
M: Social conditioning, cultural expectations, and traditional
gender roles can make it challenging for some women to
connect with their feminine energy. Pressure to adopt more
masculine traits in certain environments to ensure their own
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safety, success, and progress can lead to a
disconnection from one’s authentic self.
Additionally, past experiences of trauma
or emotional pain might create barriers
to embracing vulnerability. Personally,
I had to adopt a more masculine role
from a young age, growing up without a
father in the home. I wasn’t taught the
strength and creative power that lies
within the feminine and believed that
being stronger and looking after myself
meant being hard, rigid, and frankly
more masculine. I now understand
that I needed both, and that both are
beautiful and welcome to exist within
me.
G: Is it possible to lead with both
the masculine and feminine?
M: Absolutely! True holistic wellness
comes from embracing both energies
within ourselves. It’s not about choosing
one over the other but integrating both
in a balanced way. By acknowledging
and honouring both aspects, we become
more whole and authentic in our
approach to life.
G: Please list some practical ways
ILLUSTRATIONS: ADOBE STOCK
to help women tap into their
feminine energy?
M: It’s fantastic to discover what helps
you as an individual activate (remember
it’s already within you) your feminine
energy, but some of my personal
favourite activations are:
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belly breathing, or yoga to foster selfawareness, and a deeper connection to
your body (because that’s where your
emotions and intuition communicate
with you) and let old, stuck energies and
emotions flow from your body.
ƀLJ , .#0 LJ 2*, --#)(LJ #-LJ % 3ƂLJ 2*&), LJ
making art, singing, dancing, and moving
your body in joyful ways, journaling or
creative writing, and doing all of this
for fun, play, and simply because you’re
a creator. No goal or bigger purpose is
required, just create!
ƀLJ* ( #(!LJ.#' LJ#(LJ(./, ŻLJ -* #&&3LJ#(LJ
or near water to ground yourself and feel
a deeper connection to the world around
you is so powerful. Nature embraces
diversity, yet is very aware of the oneness
that is everything in existence, Nature
flows, follows rhythms and cycles, and
takes great care of all the creatures. She is
still the shining example of the feminine.
ƀLJ, ŻLJ *&3źLJ .LJ#-LJ-)LJ -3LJ.)LJ &&LJ#(.)LJ." LJ
trap of “me, myself, and I” but allowing
yourself to care deeply about things,
other people, nature, life, and the planet
and then allowing that energy to flow out
from you is a great way to activate your
feminine energy.
ƀLJ #0 źLJ " LJ '#(#( LJ #-LJ , *.#0 źLJ
Feminine energy is open to receive the
good life has to offer, help from others,
love from their partners, etc. So much
of the time we live as givers alone, the
feminine energy within all of us allows
energy in so that we can fill up with what
we need to be able to give again. It’s a
beautiful synergy, like breathing. Learn
how to allow yourself to receive and
watch how your world shifts through this
feminine principle..
G: What situations require a more
masculine approach? Do you
recommend this?
M: That will absolutely depend on
MELISSA’S
TOP 5 TIP S FOR
TAPPING INTO YOUR
FEMININE ENERGY
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the individual and how you choose
to show up in the world. But, you
may want to be aware that if you’re
consistently struggling with things
like executing your goals and dreams,
getting and staying motivated in tasks,
making decisions, not having a stable
relationship with money, not being
able to set and keep boundaries; or you
become completely overcome with the
emotions of others, you might need to
tap into your masculine energy more.
It’s also worth noting that if you believe
you’re wired a certain way because of your gender, Melissa asserts that masculine and
feminine energies are not limited to gender. “Embracing both energies allows us to
experience greater wholeness and spiritual growth. The key is to find harmony and
balance within ourselves and our interactions with others, so there is no ‘right way’ to
go about activating your feminine or masculine energy, it’s an individual and unique
journey and should be seen as such,” she concludes.
Women Who Run With The WolvesLj 3Lj &,#--LJ #(%)&LJ -.-LJ #-LJ LJ /- /&LJ , -)/, źLJ
Melissa recommends it as a captivating and empowering book that draws on myth,
fairy tales, and cultural stories to explore the innate wildness and instinctual nature
of women in its most authentic and unbridled form.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
87
LIVE
Trends, memes, and feel-good content we’re loving
TIKTOK IS FLOODED with people
sharing ‘beige flags’ – weird, yet slightly
cute and wholesome habits about
ourselves, partners or loved ones we
can’t help but laugh at. Here are some of
our favourites.
@EMMAGERARD
“My boyfriend’s beige flag is
that he can remember every
single detail from every single
thing that’s ever happened but
can’t remember something I told
him four times because he has
‘memory issues’.”
@CAT.ELIZABETH
“My boyfriend’s beige flag is that
he gets impatient at restaurants
and helps the waitress bring the
plates to our table.”
“My best
friend’s beige
fl is that her
favre ac
is gng home.”
@THELIFEOFANNAANDMICHAEL
“My fiancé’s beige flag is that
she’s never at 100% health. She’s
either got a slight headache, is
kind of tired, has a little tickle in
her throat, feels a bit nauseous, or
has a random pain somewhere on
her body for no apparent reason.”
88
@ZOEFRIED_
“My boyfriend’s beige flag is that
he gets impatient at restaurants
and helps the waitress bring the
plates to our table.”
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
“My best friend’s beige flag
is that her favourite activity
is going home. She invited
me to the bar? Oh look, she’s
going home. It’s 2 hours into a
sleepover? Nah, she needs her
own bed, time to go home. It’s
almost midnight on New Year’s?
See ya! She’s going home.”
ILLUSTRATION:
GALLO/GETTY IMAGES
@BROWNHAIREDBADDY
THE PALERMO IS BACK
IN FRESH, FRUITY
COLOURS. As a tribute to
the shoe’s Sicilian namesake,
the latest styles feature
vibrant colourways inspired
by the iconic scenery of the
coastal capital of the island
of Sicily.
The Palermo was
originally part of a special
series of sneakers created
by PUMA that paid homage
to some of Europe’s most
famous cities, including
London and Oslo.
This kick made its debut
in football stadiums in the
80s, where it was a staple
among the terrace crowd.
Today, this icon of football
culture makes its return
to the streetwear world,
complete with its signature
tag on the upper, a T-toe
construction, and a classic
terrace gum sole.
Part of PUMA’s storied
history, to this day, the
Palermo’s unmistakable
DNA evokes a deep sense
of football nostalgia.
After being teased by
PUMA collaborator and
ambassador Dua Lipa earlier
this year, the Palermo OG
made an official return in
the original navy and white
colourway with PUMA
lettering in gold. This was
followed by the drop of
two new PUMA Palermo
colourways of Light Mint –
Orchid Shadow – Gum and
Silver Sky – Cayenne Pepper
– Gum. Keep an eye out for
further Palermo drops taking
place in November!
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
The classic
is back!
Priced at R1 899 each, the
PUMA Palermo is available
from PUMA.com and
PUMA retail stores.
What’s
NEW
ONLINE
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be wearing
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This month on
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the better
The benefits
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Six colour trends
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E L E VAT I N G T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N
The future of aviation - local air travel is taking off.
P104 What makes the perfect cake? We open the oven door.
P106 Demystifying the complex world of Artificial Intelligence.
P100
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
91
THINK
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN, where we’re set to host
our annual GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards (WOTY). This
prestigious event is known for celebrating women who are leaders
in their chosen fields. These are people who inspire us, who are
steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, and are unafraid to awaken
to their full potential. Last year, after a two-year hiatus, WOTY
returned for a very special Game Changer’s Edition. This edition
honoured pioneers, trendsetters and innovators, and focused on
women who are pushing boundaries and rewriting the narrative for
the next generation. In partnership with Tresemmé as a headline
sponsor, the awards spanned across 12 categories, including an
all new Next Gen Game-changer award - representing our everchanging social landscape and the power of digital storytelling.
Some of our winners included Shudu Musida as our Mental Health
Game-changer, Thuso Mbedu as our Game-changing Actress, and
DBN Gogo as our Game-changer in Music. In honour of this year’s
event, here’s a look back at our winners from WOTY 2022.
92
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
THINK
OPPOSITE PAGE
Game-changing
Entrepreneur Siba Mtongana;
Game-changing Actress
Thuso Mbedu; Gamechanger in Music DBN Gogo;
International Game-changer
Peace Hyde; Sustainability
Game-changer Jackie May;
Beauty Game-changer
Dr Vanessa Lapiner
THIS PAGE
Next Gen Game-changer
Rabia Ghoor; Mental Health
Game-changer Shudufhadzo
Musida; Icon Award
Anele Mdoda; Sports Gamechanger Janine van Wyk; Tech
Game-changer Tashline Jooste;
Fashion Game-changer
Yoliswa Mqoco
A LOOK BACK AT
2022
Reminiscing on our special Game
Changers Edition honouring
women who are shifting the
narrative for generations to come.
WORDS BY FARAH KHALFE
Situated in the
Indian Ocean, off the
eastern coast of
Africa, the tropical
island lends itself to
both exploration and
leisure. From breathtaking views to
scenic destinations,
Mauritius is a gift
that keeps on giving.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
Gersly
WHEN I TEXTED THE WORDS “I’m just finna be on an island
sipping on cocktails” to a friend on a chilly winter’s morning in
the Mother City, little did I know that the universe was listening.
Just a week into Spring, I’m boarding an Air Mauritius flight,
looking forward to exchanging the cold weather for warmer
climate in Paradise. It’s hard to contain my excitement as I
wonder whether it looks as enticing in real life as it does in the
images I’ve seen on the internet.
I also imagine myself in a bikini, living without a care in the
world. The screen in front of me shows our exact location and
three hours into our flight, we’re 4 000 feet above sea level; I’m
in awe…
My dream of chasing sunsets with sundowners in hand is fast
becoming a reality when a cabin crew member announces that
we’ll be landing in Mauritius at 19h35. We touch down on cue
at Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolan International Airport, just 48km
of the south-east of the capital city, Port Louis. We disembark,
make our way to baggage reclaim, and navigate through the
massive airport. The atmosphere is electric as Mauritian fans
have come out in numbers in support of their football team after
participating in the 2023 Men’s Indian Ocean Island Games
Football Tournament. The cheers become more audible as we
94
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
ABOVE Cocktail
at Avec Amour, Le
Méridien
RIGHT Perfect
bikini weather on
the Indian Ocean
BELOW Kayaking
at Le Méridien
THINK
ABOVE Le Méridien
Barbecue Soiree
LEFT Azure seas and
coral reefs surround
the JW Marriott
Mauritius Resort
desert seals the dinner with
a chef’s kiss! We share a
toast and reluctantly call
it a night. Just when I thought
Mauritius couldn’t get any
sweeter, I step into a sanctuary
fit for a queen. The room is an
extension of the thoughtfully
designed exterior, and the
colour palette makes the space feel even more comfortable.
I particularly love the neutral creams and whites with pops
of blue. And the fluffy carpets are a love letter to my feet after
a day of travelling. Within minutes, I doze off peacefully to the
soothing sound of waves.
My alarm plunges me into the day prematurely, considering
we’re two hours ahead of SA time. I’m tempted to hit the
snooze button but I grudgingly get out of bed, and take in my
surroundings. The breathtaking view of the glistening Indian
Ocean wins me over and any ideas of going back to bed are
replaced with an eagerness to lean into the day. Suddenly I’m
filled with gratitude when I realise that I’ll be present for my
first Mauritian sunrise. The picture I had envisioned starts to
take shape, so I move closer to the ocean with my phone in hand
to capture the moment. A memory I plan
to revisit whenever I need to locate joy in
the moment. I lose track of time as I try
to find the perfect shot to share with our
almost 100k Instagram followers. I start to
wonder if it’s at all possible to capture the
essence of this magical island. It’s a call from
our host for the trip, SA’s representative on
behalf of Mauritius Tourism Promotion
Authority, Hermina Sennelo that gives me
perspective…you have to experience it! So I
dive right in…
“Just when
I thought
Maurius
cldn’t get
y sweeter,
I step into a
nctuary f
f a queen.”
approach the crowd to get to our shuttle.
We exchange glances as if to say, “what an
epic welcome!” An industry colleague on
the media trip asks if I’m taking a video,
I nod. Our driver welcomes us warmly,
and in just a few minutes we embark on
a two-hour scenic drive to Le Meridian
Le Maurice.
We finally arrive at the perfectly located
five–star luxury resort, set against the shore of the Indian Ocean.
It’s night time, so we only get a glimpse of paradise as we drive in.
Our hosts receive us warmly, and the friendly staff offer to carry
our bags to our rooms while we check in. The live performance
sets the tone for a magical stay. Shortly after, we’re treated to a
three-course meal at Le Meridian; our first experience of the
“Generously Mauritius” promise that runs through the DNA of
the Marriott International offerings. The passion for hospitality
can also be seen in the generous meal portions, which become
a regular talking point during our stay. We’re blown away, not
only by the gourmet experience but by the colourful nature
of the people. Our waiter remains in sight to keep our glasses
full as a we get acquainted over the scrumptious meal. The
ambience is enchanting, the conversation’s flowing, and the
A snapshot of r
Mauri adnture
Day 1:
We drove to Bain de Rosnay and enjoyed a Sea Kayaking
experience at Ile d’Ambres. Tackling the kayaking adventure in
pairs, my partner Andrew Thomspon and I took turns to keep
the boat afloat as we covered a long/significant distance; it was a
fun and memorable experience. A 45 minute drive to Le Château
de Labourdonnais allowed us to revel in the experience and dig
into to a three-course meal at the Château de Labourdonnais. We
transferred back to Le Meridian, kicked back with sundowners
in hand and watched the sun set resort before dressing up for a
wholesome dinner.
Day 2:
Our day started with breakfast at hotel Le Meridien before
checking out. The excursion, which was steeped in history
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
95
included a visit to the Interpretation Centre and a walking tour
of Port Louis and the market before heading to lunch at Eureka
Restaurant. We later transferred to the JW Marriott Mauritius
Resort; a five-star luxury haven surrounded by protected coral
reefs and lush vegetation. Situated on the south-western side of
the island, it’s set against the backdrop of the majestic, unspoilt
Le Morne Brabant - a UNESCO World Heritage Site known
locally as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’. We were treated to a
sea food-inspired five-course dinner, which was definitely one
of the trip’s highlights.
Day 3:
We welcomed the day with breakfast at JW Mariott before
embarking on a site visit to Le Morne Heritage. A scenic
drive led us to Chamarel La Terre Couleurs and we immersed
ourselves in nature at the Waterfall + Geo Park. Here we spotted
turtles and marvelled at the waterfall before making our way
to La Rhumerie de Chamarel. We had the opportunity to taste
Rhum during the guided tour and lunch was served at the lush
location before transferring back to the resort for some leisure
time before dinner.
Day 4:
We started our day with a buffet breakfast and mimosas before
transferring to La Balaise Marina where we spent the day
aboard the JPH Catamaran on the west coast of the Island. We
enjoyed sundowners before heading back to the resort for a
scrumptious three-course dinner.
Day 5:
We were served breakfast in our rooms before checking out at
06h30 Mauritian time. Did I mention that the five-star luxury
hotel offers a butler service and we were ferried to and from
our rooms to the restaurant for the duration of our stay? The
Maurituian adventure is definitely one for the books. Beyond
sipping cocktails in Bikinis (which I absolutely loved) you’ll be
pleased to discover that there’s more to this majestic gem…here’s
to uncovering the layers and chasing sunsets in Mauritius!
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
ABOVE
Exclusive spoils
at Le Méridien
LEFT After lunch
at La Rhumerie
de Chamarel
RIGHT Papaya
Bar, Le Méridien
THINK
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
ABOVE Air Mauritius
LEFT Sunset JW
Marriott Mauritius
Resort
FAR LEFT Grand
Beachfront Villa
Suite JW Marriott
Mauritius Resort
ABOUT AIR MAURITIUS
Air Mauritius was incorporated on 14 June 1967, a
few months before Mauritius gained independence.
Over more than 50 years, Air Mauritius has fully
played its role as the national airline of Mauritius,
providing air connectivity that has been crucial
for the Republic’s development. However, in April
2020, travel restrictions arising from the COVID-19
pandemic culminated in the closure of borders in
all its markets and the cessation of all international
and domestic flights. This led to a complete erosion
of the company’s revenue base with the uncertainty
as to when international air traffic would pick up. In
these circumstances, the company was not esteemed
to be in a position to meet its financial obligations in
the foreseeable future. The board, therefore, took
the decision to place the company under voluntary
administration in order to safeguard its interests
and those of its stakeholders. Air Mauritius exited
voluntary administration on 01 October 2021 with
the support of the Government of Mauritius which
injected MUR 12 billion (USD 280 million) into the
airline through its parent company Airport Holdings
Ltd. Air Mauritius has come a long way over the
last 50 years as the national airline from its humble
beginning with the Piper Navajo to the latest
generation aircraft, the Airbus A350-900 XWB
and the A330-900neo. Today, the Air Mauritius
serves points in Europe, India, Africa, and the Indian
Ocean islands and other points in Asia and Australia.
Over the last half-century, the airline has forged its
reputation as a true national ‘icon’ connecting with
the people of Mauritius as a symbol of pride and flying
the Mauritian flag in leading airports of the world. Air
Mauritius operates from its base at SSR International
Airport in Mauritius. SSR International Airport was
designated Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport 2021 for
the third year in a row by the World Travel Awards.
Air Mauritius Communications and
Corporate Affairs – March 2023
The Red-tailed tropic bird Phaeton Rubricauda,
commonly known as the Paille-en-Queue, inspired the
Air Mauritius logo. It is a large seabird with long red
tail streamers and a red bill. The Phaeton Rubricauda
is commonly seen on the northern islets of Mauritius
and in other parts of the Mascarenes, where it nests in
undisturbed cliffs.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
97
THINK
WOMEN IN
Women bloom wherever
they’re planted and it’s
no different on the pitch.
Here, we profile two
women who are changing
the game and winning.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
Ayabonga Khaka
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL
CRICKET PLAYER
have shown resilience in breaking new
grounds and discharging their expected
responsibilities. This has made fans view
women’s sport from a different angle.
Glamour: For 29 years, South
G: Last year you made history as
the fifth South African woman to
take 100 one-day international
wickets as part of the cricket team
that participated in the Women’s
T20 Cricket World Cup. What
does this achievement mean to
you as a young black woman?
AK: It is every bowler’s dream to achieve
been some positive reforms, especially
now that women can sign contracts
and be financially rewarded for their
achievements. Having said that, there
is still a huge room for improvement,
especially with greater media exposure .
such milestones. I was very humbled by
such an achievement which spoke to my
determination and hard work.
Africa has committed to the
promotion of gender equality
within the South African sporting
landscape. Based on your
experience, would you say that
there has been reformation and
what does that look like?
Ayabonga Khaka: Yes, there have
G: Have you always wanted to
pursue a career in sports?
AK: Having started playing at a very
young age, a career in sport was not on
my mind. I then realised that there is a
career in sport that I can follow.
G: Cricket is still a male-dominated
sport. Please share what it means
to be part of a female team that
plays at an international level?
AK: I am very proud, honoured and
blessed to be part of the women’s team
that plays at the highest level. Women
98
G: How do you encourage other
young women to pursue a career
in sport?
AK: I come from humble beginnings and
have achieved international milestones
through determination and diligence,
so I strive to be a role model by showing
young women that anything is possible.
G: What are some of the challenges
that you’ve had to overcome in
your career?
AK: A lack of resources and
sponsorships, coupled with the concern
of being injured and missing time to train
and sharpen required skills are among
the challenges.
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
THINK
Akhona Makalima
ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL
REFEREE
Glamour: What does being the first
certified female football referee in
South Africa mean to you?
Akhona Makalima: Being the first
person to ever do something comes with
a lot of responsibility; you want to open
doors for other people, bring change,
redefine a previously male-dominated
industry. You also want to give hope to
young girls; inspire them by what you do.
It carries a lot of weight and pressure.
G:What does your role entail?
AM: My job is mainly about decision
making and game management, as well
as the interpretation, application and
enforcement of the laws of the games.
G: Please talk us through your
journey and kindly share some of
your career highlights?
AM: I started playing football at a young
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
age, and later transitioned into being
a match official. I was a very active
child, in addition to football, I was also
involved in athletics. I come from a rugby
background in the Eastern Cape. My
family is sports orientated; my mother
used to play netball, and my father played
rugby. Due to the lack of infrastructural
resources back home, I realised that I
wouldn’t make it far as a football player,
so I made the decision to transition. I was
fortunate to be given an opportunity by
The South African Football Association
(SAFA) who were looking to promote
female match officials at the time. I ran
with the opportunity and here I am.
G: What sort of challenges have
you been faced with and how did
you overcome them?
AM: Mainly, the stereotypes regarding
women in football, people saying we
don’t belong in this space. They would
look at me and ask why I didn’t play
netball rather? It’s the negativity more
than anything, I recall one coach telling
me I belong in the kitchen. Constantly
having to prove yourself, and having to
assert yourself in certain spaces. People
doubt your abilities and decisions simply
because you’re a woman; they assume
that your decisions in the field of play
are influenced by your gender, or they’ll
say you’re too harsh because you want to
prove yourself or too soft because you’re
a woman. And constantly having to prove
yourself in the industry, no matter how
hard you work.
G: As a women’s sports pioneer,
why is it important for you to
encourage women to occupy
space in the sports fraternity?
AM: I encourage each and every woman
to not only join football but what they
love. I have a feeling that I’m no longer
inspiring or encouraging only women
in sports but women in general. I
encourage women to take up space, and
to be deliberate and honest with what
they want to be. And when they sit at that
table, they should ensure that they are
heard, and open more doors for others.
I’ve always been aware of the goals I set
for myself and what I intend to achieve
in this space. I was also honest about the
steps I needed to take to get there. My
advice to women is, do not be intimidated
by race, gender or landscape. Know who
you are, what you want, and focus on
yourself and your goals.
G: Female football is starting
to gain traction, what does this
speak to? And would you say it’s
about time?
AM: It’s about time women’s sports
started getting noticed, celebrated and
advertised and out there. Women are
doing amazingly well, and for every
woman interested in sports, this is the
time to be inspired, motivated and
encouraged by the successes of other
women. With all the women’s world
cups taking place, they should plug
themselves into these spaces. There’s a
beautiful platform in SA called The Juice
Sport; keep an eye on such platforms
that elevate women, and you’ll also get
to know other women in sports, and be
inspired by what they’ve achieved.
“I encge ea d ery
w to not ly jn
football, but what they lo”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
99
THINK
THE FUTURE OF
With the post-pandemic emergence
of new airlines the aviation industry is
on a steady incline, so we’ve roped in
cofounder and CEO of LIFT Arlines,
Jonathan Ayache, to give us a bird’seye view and unpack this shift.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
Glamour: How would you describe the current aviation landscape?
Jonathan Ayache: The recovery of the airline industry is underway but we’re not
there yet and global consensus is that we won’t see a full recovery until the end of 2023.
The domestic market has still only recovered to ±75% of pre-pandemic passenger
volumes as compared with 2019. We are expecting the industry to recover further this
year and we’re keeping a close eye on growth opportunities but are very responsible in
how we approach that, as building a sustainable airline industry is crucial.
G: How are you responding to the dramatic shift in the aviation industry
post-pandemic?
JA: Passenger volumes in South Africa have been flat over the last 12 months at
±75% of pre-pandemic levels. On top of that, the South African market is seasonal
with supply and demand dynamics shifting throughout the year. We have built our
business on a demand-driven model with flexible capacity which we believe is a far
more responsible way of operating an airline. This allows us to increase flights during
peaks without having an overcapacity which damages the industry in the off-peaks. i.e.
between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban which account for ±75% of domestic
passenger volumes. This model is crucial to the sustainability of the airline industry.
G: What sort of travel trends do you see emerging?
JA: There is a mix of Business and Leisure travel, very much impacted by seasonality,
with a 50/50 mix across the two sets of travellers. We are seeing business travel across
all segments; from both large and small businesses, as well as individual business
travellers. We have also seen an equal recovery across all these segments, and
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GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
G: LIFT is fast positioning itself
as a disruptor in the aviation
space, let’s talk about some of the
features that make the airline a
genuine game changer?
JA: Despite challenges such as the cost
of jet fuel, high inflation, low economic
growth and infrastructural deficiencies,
LIFT has done exceptionally well
and entrenched itself as a favourite
and preferred airline for many South
Africans due to its focus on the customer
experience and complete flexibility.
G: What
are some of the
conversations
that
have
emanated from taking such an
unconventional approach?
JA: At LIFT, we approach everything
specifically in the leisure segment, we see a lot of VFR Travellers
(Visiting friends and relatives). Travel between Johannesburg
and Cape Town remains the route with the strongest demand
for both business and leisure travellers. When it comes to
trends in customer loyalty, we’ve seen that airline reliability
and consistent product and service offering is key in consumer
decision making. Travellers want an airline that sticks to its
promised experience offering, and they evaluate whether the
actual service meets or exceeds expectations. The South African
market is one of the markets with the latest booking curve in the
world. While many travellers in other markets book in advance,
South Africans tend to leave local flight bookings to the last
minute, as close as 24 to 48 hours before a departure. The SA
Leisure Market, specifically, is price sensitive, which plays a part
in their decision making, however, the SA Corporate Market
tends to be more brand loyal, subject to the airline delivering
the product and experience that fits with the requirements or
expectation of its customers.
with a customer lens. We hope to
provide our passengers with a valueadded experience. We’ve taken a look
at the industry and have provided
solutions to challenges the airline
space has had for some time. From our
focus on flexibility - allowing travellers
the flexibility to change or cancel their
flights up to 24 hours before departure
with no change or cancellation fees - to
the ability to process instant refunds to
passengers through the LIFT Wallet,
we aim to make flying simpler and
more enjoyable. We’re always seeking
new ways to make the experience more
enjoyable for our passengers - from
our complimentary onboard beverage
and snack service to in-air music
performances, dog-friendly options and
outdoor activity travel packages.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
101
G: We’ve noticed that the ladies at LIFT wear
comfortable clothes. What does this unusual trend
speak to?
JA: Yes, gone are the days of high-heels, stockings and ties! Our
crew are sporting fresh new footwear, thanks to the airline’s
exciting partnership with Veldskoen Shoes. All cabin crew
and ground team members wear comfortable jeans and tops.
We believe that if our staff are comfortable, our travellers
are immediately put at ease. As a business that’s passionate
about South African brands, LIFT is delighted to be able to
play its part in supporting local businesses. This is not the first
time we have partnered with a brand that has a place in South
Africans’ hearts; with everything from coffee to wine and food
crafted and inspired by South Africans, this is a brand that aims
to celebrate everything our country has to offer. We love being
able to delight our customers with the excellent offerings this
country is capable of producing. But more than that, supporting
local producers means supporting the local economy, too. This
partnership means we can keep our crew looking stylish while
bringing together two iconic local brands
G: Do you see more women taking up space in the
aviation space? What sort of opportunities are
available for women in the industry?
JA: The aviation sector is growing globally, and we continue
to see a recovery in the local market as we move back toward
pre-pandemic levels of air travel. It is a sector that offers such
a great variety of opportunities for everyone and we see more
and more women entering this sector and growing careers in
102
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
this industry. Whether as ground or cabin crew, or in some of
the more technical roles, including pilots and engineers, there
is no role today that cannot be fulfilled by a woman with the
right skills.
G: The ‘Unaccompanied Minors’ service is a boon,
especially for single moms. Please tell us more about
this offering – from the booking process to landing and what makes it a winner with the kids.
JA: LIFT loves our little travellers, and that’s why even our
youngest flyers get benefits such as;
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We also understand that sometimes, little ones need to travel
alone. In cases like these, parents can book an unaccompanied
THINK
PHOTOGRAPHY: PEXELS; UNSPLASH
INTERESTED IN THE
UNACCOMPANIED
MINORS SERVICE?
minor ticket. The feedback we hear from the parents that
have used the service, is how safe and relaxed their child felt
throughout their journey. It’s that warm, personal sense of care
that we bring to the process that stands out for parents, and
gives them real peace of mind to use this service.
Our crew really goes the extra mile to chat to our unaccompanied
LIFT Littles, making them feel secure and happy throughout
their journey. Bookings for unaccompanied minors cannot be
booked online. Instead, you can contact our Customer Support
Desk at support@lift.co.za to assist with a booking.
G: What is the future of aviation?
JA: Flexibility and the building of a sustainable airline industry,
where both airlines and passengers thrive, in a marketplace
in which responsibility balances supply and demand while
providing real value to travellers.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
103
THINK
LEFT
Lemon Butter
Cake with
zesty glaze
BELOW
Moist Date
Cake
WHAT’S IN A
FOUNDED IN 2019, Chef Sumi
Engelbrecht shares that her thriving
cake business, Sassy Bakes, started as
a hobby. “I was experimenting with
different flavours and unusual designs as
I wanted to offer the people something
different, and I started thinking out of
the box,” she says. She came up with
the concept of creating mini cakes and
tested the market. “The response was
overwhelming, like many have stated,
after your first bite of Sassy Bakes you
are hooked!”
It takes more than your usual ingredients
to bake the perfect cake. For Gateau
Queen, Chef Sumi Engelbrecht, the key
ingredient is always love.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
Glamour: What do you love most
G: What’s your secret to baking
about baking?
Sumi: I literally love everything about
baking, from sifting the flour to seeing
the end product, but what really offers
complete joy to my soul is when I create
something unique and the end result is
awesome; nothing beats that feeling.
the perfect cake?
Sumi: My top secret is never use
inferior products, as the quality
of your product is very important.
Always ensure that your flour is sifted
and that all your products are at room
temperature when baking. The key
ingredient is do it with love – trust me,
it will affect the outcome.
G: What are the top baking trends
to look out for at the moment?
Sumi: There are so many cake trends at
the moment, but I usually don’t follow
trends as I feel the need to create my
own trend.
104
G: What’s in a cake?
Sumi: A cake can be a combination of
so many things, but it mainly consists
of flour, eggs, sugar, butter, oil and a
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
raising agent. My personal opinion is
that a cake should be moist, flavourful,
and not overly sweet. It should just
be a perfect bite that makes you want
more.
G: Do you follow a recipe to the
tee or do you follow your heart?
Sumi: I create with my recipes by
heart, but once I have ironed out all the
imperfections I follow it to the tee. This
offers consistency in baking, and in this
business consistency is key. I always
remind my staff you are only as good as
your last performance.
THINK
Chef Sumi’s Fave Cake Recipes
Sumi
Engelbrecht
Chef at Queen Gateau
SASSY_BAKES
LEMON BUTTER CAKE
juice or add more icing sugar for a
INGREDIENTS
sweeter version.
For the Cake
2 Pour your warm glaze onto your
170g salted butter
slightly cooled bundt, decorate with
170g castor sugar
fresh raspberries, mint and dust with
170 self raising flour
icing sugar.
1 ½ tsps baking powder
3 extra-large eggs
2 tbsps milk
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
MOIST DATE CAKE
1 tbsp lemon zest
INGREDIENTS
220g pitted dates
G: Who would you like to invite
over for cake and tea and what’s
the topic of conversation?
Sumi: I would definitely invite our
President, Cyril Ramaphosa, over
for cake and tea. I will offer him a
complete “sassyfying” experience.
Then, after his sweet experience, we
can the discuss politics – one of my
favourite topics.
G: What are the options for
people who love cake but are also
health-conscious?
Sumi: I will definitely say there are so
many options on the market currently.
Gluten-free cakes, vegan cake or sugarfree cakes are becoming more popular.
These options allow you get to enjoy
your cake without stressing about how
it will affect your health.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
G: What’s your advice to people
who would like to try baking but
are intimidated?
Sumi: Stop, stop, stop; never feel
intimidated, start with something easy,
even if it means you start with a ready
mix off the shelf, then do it. Just follow
the instructions to the tee, and once
you put it in the oven, just pray, hahaha.
Once you have accomplished that first
bake, you will feel more confident to
try it again. I still stress about baking
sometimes, your oven plays a huge role
in the consistency of your baking.
For the Zesty Glaze
280ml boiling water
250g full-fat cream cheese
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
100g salted butter
155g unsalted butter
1 ½ cups icing sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 extra large eggs
2 tbsp water
1 ½ tsps vanilla essence
175g self raising flour
METHOD
For the Cake
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 180º C.
1 Chop dates into small pieces and
2 Place all your dry ingredients into
place in a heatproof dish. Sprinkle
your mixing bowl and slowly mix for
bicarbonate of soda over the dates
one minute using your hand held mixer
and pour boiling water over. Stir the
or a stand mixer.
mixture and use the back of your
3 Add eggs and milk and blend on
spoon to smooth out any lumps. Allow
medium to low speed for 1 minute.
it to cool completely.
4 Scrape the sides of your mixing bowl
2 Preheat your oven to 175º C.
using a rubber spatula, add lemon
3 Using an electric or hand mixer, beat
juice and lemon zest, and mix for an
butter and sugar on medium to high
additional 3 minutes on low speed.
speed for 5 minutes until creamy.
5 Fold the batter using your rubber
4 Add eggs one at a time, ensure
spatula to ensure the butter is smooth
that each egg is well blended before
and lump-free.
adding the next.
6 Pour your batter into a well greased
5 Add vanilla essence and cooled date
bundt mould and bake for 30-35
mixture and blend for 1 minute.
minutes, check for doneness.
6 Slowly spoon in your flour while your
7 Allow your cake to cool slightly on a
mixer is running on low speed, use a
cooling rack before unmolding it on a
rubber spatula to ensure your cake
cake stand, or desired plate.
batter is properly mixed.
7 Pour your batter into a well-greased,
For the Zesty Glaze
lined baking pan, 35x21cm and bake
1 Blend all ingredients besides your
for 30-35 minutes.
butter together until smooth.
8 Allow the cake to cool before
In a saucepan, on a low heat setting,
cutting. Enjoy it as is, drizzle with
add your butter and your blended
custard or caramel and fresh cream,
ingredients and heat. Test your glaze:
or your desired cream cheese or
for a zestier glaze, add more lemon
butter cream topping.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
105
The introduction of AI has
sparked interesting debates,
evoking different emotions
ranging from excitement to
fear. What’s undisputable
however is that this smart
technology is causing a
digital revolution.
WORDS BY THOBEKA PHANYEKO
106
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
THINK
in perspective
THERE ARE NEW ROLES EMERGING IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY,
particularly in the AI space. And as co-founder of Spatialedge, Pierre le Roux explains
that there are two aspects to his role in relation to AI. “On the one hand, as a cofounder of Spatialedge, we are developing cutting edge AI models, systems and tools
to help enterprises improve decision making, save money or create business value. On
the other hand I wear many hats and use AI technologies to expedite and automate
marketing and sales.” Below he explains further.
AI at Spaaledge
The AI that we develop at Spatialedge is called “enterprise” AI. This means we don’t
develop AI apps for the general public, but models to solve specific problems in big
organisations. Typical solutions include sales forecasting, demand forecasting (how
much stock should you order for the next season? ), markdown optimisation (how
much should you decrease the price to sell the stock faster while maintaining a high
profit margin), personalised marketing, recommendation systems, etc.
AI in my role
AI tools have streamlined our workflows and helped us create content with a small
marketing team. In one example, we use a podcasting tool that automatically identifies
and switches between different speakers to reduce the editing time per video by hours.
We use an AI word editing software called Wordtune to improve our writing, finding
alternate ways to express ourselves. Last but not least, we use Midjourney to generate
images for presentations and marketing materials.
Glamour: What is spatial artificial intelligence?
Pierre le Roux: At Spatialedge we play in the enterprise AI space. Our organisation is
called “Spatialedge” because when we started in 2015, we explored leveraging various
sources of geospatial data to add value to the insurance, banking and retail sectors.
In 2017, after multiple products and multiple iterations, we couldn’t find a viable
business, so we turned to developing bespoke solutions for enterprises. Our growth
trajectory shifted completely as a result of that. By solving problems in this way for the
industry, we have become a major player in the South African market while gaining
a deep understanding of what organisations value most and how to unlock value in
these markets. Therefore, we have built a highly competent, high performance team of
almost 90 specialists (data scientists, machine learning engineers, and data engineers)
and develop cutting-edge solutions as a result.
As to “spatial” AI, it likely refers to the
development of machine learning models
that make use of spatial data, or properties
in spatial data to solve real-world problems.
Examples could include detecting air quality
from historical air quality datasets or object
identification on maps.
G: There are mixed reactions to AI,
what would you attribute this to?
PL: The first reason is that people
are afraid of the unknown and that
which they do not understand. Our
imaginations run wild when a machine
or computer performs tasks previously
performed solely by humans. There is a
tendency for us to imagine a dystopian
future in which we are replaced. These
kinds of stories spread through fear
mongering. This is more a matter of
human psychology than anything else.
There is also a lot of hype around what
AI can do. More than the hype, there are
countless examples of people achieving
real-world results and companies
benefiting from AI investments. I
suggest viewing this wave of AI as
another improvement in technology in
general. This new technology has real
benefits and solves real problems. For
example, I would not be able to easily
navigate in unfamiliar towns, or even
find existing addresses without Google
Maps or Waze. Using these technologies,
you can access real-time traffic
information combined with some of the
most advanced AI available. Yet, with
an improvement in technology, there
will always be people using it to commit
crimes. For example, deep fakes can be
used for positive purposes in the case of
a celebrity creating an AI music avatar.
However, it can be misused for bad,
“This new tenology has
real benefs d is capable
of solng real problems”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
107
THINK
“Augmenng d improng
hum tput d crea
e key to successful solus;
I d’t beeve AI alone wl be
able to replace my jobs”
when thieves impersonate a CEO and convince employees to
pay large sums of money.
G: What are some of the biggest misconceptions
about AI?
PL: Augmentation and improvement, not replacement.
Augmenting and improving human output and creativity are
key to successful solutions. I do not believe AI alone will be able
to replace many jobs. Every time we develop an “enterprise AI”
solution, we put a “human in the loop”, that is someone who can
access the predictions and insights to make a more informed
decision. Or use the tool to perform their job better.
G: Can you please bust some of the biggest myths
around AI that are rooted in fear?
PL: MYTH: AI is going to replace our jobs. This may or may
not happen, but the point is to rather focus on how you can
apply the available tools and technologies to your life and
industry. Jobs and value is based on the principles of supply and
demand. If you can supply something no one else can or better
than other people due to AI, then you will make money. If you
supply something that is done better by others using AI, then
you are in danger of losing. But I would
not say that is unique to AI, that is how
industries work.
MYTH: AI will take over the world.
Science fiction writers love this narrative.
They create an abnormal, non-human
entity that poses some great threat for
us. From what I have seen and with what
we build, I don’t believe this will happen.
It is also not productive to worry about
this. Bias has been an important topic within AI for quite some
time. A machine learning model learns patterns within data, so
if data is biased, then the model will learn that pattern and also
behave in a biased way. For example, in a well known case study,
Amazon used a model to automate its hiring process to expedite
the selection of candidates. The model was “sexist” in that it
favoured males over females. But the real issue was that in the
dataset, the model had a much higher percentage of male than
females working for Amazon, which caused the bias. That being
said, all competent data scientists will be aware of biases and be
on the lookout for them when building and testing models.
G: What are some of the benefits of embracing AI?
PL: It depends on which tool you use and what you use it for.
For businesses it generally results in streamlined workflows,
enabling improved competitiveness, higher quality delivery for
lower effort and opening up new ways of working. For example,
Midjourney allows us to quickly create images that we can
use within presentations or marketing materials. Instead of
designing new elements for hours, we can generate them in
minutes (although getting it the way you want it can take time).
AI solves problems that previously were unfeasible to solve and
provides them with a competitive advantage.
G: What’s your message to people with genuine fears
of being replaced by AI?
PL: It won’t happen. Rather fear someone who is able to
G: What sort of opportunities are available in this fastgrowing space?
PL: At the moment there is a big need for data science, machine
learning engineers, data engineering and software developers.
Technical skills that can help companies solve big problems.
G: What in your opinion, is the future of technology?
PL: Combining different technologies to get new outcomes and
solve more problems. The future of technology depends on how
well people can integrate technology with their imaginations
and their practical problem solving skills.
108
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
ILLUSTRATIONS: ADOBE STOCK
leverage new technology to compete better than you, deliver
better results and get more clients. In that case, learn to use the
technologies and get better skills to deliver.
Sustnaby
r looked
this good
THE FIX’S “LOCAL IS LEKA”
initiative focuses on showcasing local
manufacturing and employment, while
uplifting communities and supporting
local skills development. They’re seeking
to provide opportunities to empower
youth whilst being a proudly South
African brand and #DoWhatsRight.
The FIX has embarked on a journey
to re-use and repurpose their window
The FIX’s
latest locallydriven initiative
explores their
journey towards
sustainability
banners (made out of Polyknit Fabrics)
that have been used from previous
marketing campaigns in stores. The
objective is to align with the United
Nations’ Sustainable Development
Goals (UNSDGs), supported by TFG,
and create awareness around the brand’s
reusing, upcycling and repurposing
initiatives, through a fashion lens.
The FIX has been on this journey
for a couple of seasons now; exploring
and finding its feet in the world of
sustainability – having realised these
matters are just as important to their
consumers. A few seasons ago, they
launched a sub-brand called Changes*,
which speaks to using recycled fabrics
and locally-produced products.
The initiative has also evolved
into collabs with local illustrators to
interpret sustainability within the
Changes* catalogue. Their range is 100%
sustainable – made from 60% fabric
waste and 40% plastic waste.
An avenue the brand is actively
exploring is repurposing and upcycling.
One of these exciting projects is The
FIX Upcycling Designer Showcase.
The brand has scouted eight designers
from national accredited tertiary
institutions, to create their own unique
collections through repurposing of the
window banners.
With this project, the aim is to
provide designers with an opportunity
to showcase their talent and enable
access to new markets. Additionally,
it aligns them with learnerships and
developmental programmes within
The Foschini Group (TFG) and Small
Enterprise Development Agency (Seda)
to help them scale their talents and grow
their businesses.
The FIX recently hosted the first
Upcycling Designer Showcase in Cape
Town at Rooftop on Bree. It was a
fabulously fashionable evening that left
a lasting impact.
For more information about
The FIX, visit their website, or head to
Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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SCAR HAIR
021 422 5900
ELIZABETH ARDEN
EDGARS.CO.ZA
SISLEY
SISLEY-PARIS.COM
FILGORA
ABSOLUTESKIN.CO.ZA
SKIN PROUD
ARCSTORE.CO.ZA
GUCCI
021 200 0774
SKIN FUNCTIONAL
SKINFUNCTIONAL.COM
H&M
0860 690 707
SOIL
FAITHFUL-TO-NATURE.
CO.ZA
ILIA
REVOLVE.COM
LANEIGE
TAKEALOT.COM
SOTHYS
ORLEANSCOSMETICS.CO.ZA
THE BODY SHOP
THEBODYSHOP.CO.ZA
CHARLOTTE RHYS
CHARLOTTERHYS.CO.ZA
LITCHI + TITCH
LITCHIANDTITCH NATURALS.
COM
WESTMAN ATELIER
SKINS.CO.ZA
COACH
021 418 2492
LUMI GLO
LUMIGLOSKIN.COM
WOOLWORTHS
021 415 3411
DESIGUAL
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LOUIS VUITTON
011 784 9854
YANDG
BASH.COM
DERMACEUTIC
DERMASTORE.CO.ZA
NOVEXPERT
FUTURETHIS.CO.ZA
ZARA
080 066 8420
DIESEL
NUXE
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023 GLAMOUR.CO.ZA
111
THINK
Meet the
What do you love most about
your job?
I enjoy storytelling and connecting with different
people – from personalities, clients, brands and
the awesome people I meet at events and on
the streets.
Your greatest career achievement
thus far?
I’m particularly excited about the launch of the
Our Features Editor,
Thobeka Phanyeko, shares some
of her favourite things
Glamour Book Club, a project close to my heart.
I thought about it for a while before pitching
it, and seeing it come to life has been surreal.
Additionally, securing a cover collaboration for
Glamour and project managing it is still
a ‘pinch me’ moment.
What do you still wish to accomplish?
I stand for social impact and I’m proud of the
work we’ve done as a brand to champion
inclusivity and representation. I find myself being
drawn to conversations around conservation and
sustainability as there’s still a lot of work to be
done in this space. In my personal capacity,
I’m excited about my personal development
journey and look forward to meeting the woman
I’m becoming.
A hidden talent you might have?
I’m a singer (not so hidden anymore). On that
note, please stream and download my single,
‘Where Are You?’ on all digital platforms.
Miss Aquilla is the name, thank you!
A perfect day for you would include?
A mimosa, of course!
A song that’s currently on repeat
on your playlist?
‘Mnike’ by Tumelo.za and Tyler ICU has me
in a chokehold.
Top 3 things you can’t live without?
A book that changed your life?
There are so many! Most recently Discipline
is Destiny by Ryan Holiday and How Are You
Really? by Jenner Kutcher
Something you love to indulge in?
A pampering self-care moment.
112
GLAMOUR.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
God, my daughter, and money.
The Millennium® Iconic by Design
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