Onezwa Mbola is a young content creator, chef and mom who makes meals using items that she’s grown, raised or foraged for – going back to the basics is how she’s differentiating herself in a sea of content creators.
Popularly known as The Wholesome Chef Lady by her followers and subscribers on YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram and Twitter, Onezwa’s content is just that – wholesome. She captures and shares her life of living a simple life in a rural area, where she grows and prepares some of the most delicious and traditional meals.
Whether you want to expose yourself to a life that is different to the hustle and bustle of the city life or learn how to prepare mouthwatering meals with the simplest ingredients and the simplest methods, Onezwa will be right up your ally.
She’s also a businesswoman – she owns and runs eMandulo (How it used to be), a company that produces homegrown and handmade condiments and seasonings.
If you don’t know who Banele Christopher is, what social media are you using?! When Banele is not being a Strategic Communications in Marketing Comms. expert, you can easily find him looking absolutely stylish on social media.
Whether it’s a pair of brown shorts to perfect a casual look, or a suit that fits like a glove, Banele embodies it all. So, if you’re looking to revamp your closet, it’s safe to take a page out of Banele’s fashion book, you won’t be led astray.
South Africa has come a long way from Apartheid, but the effects are still felt almost thirty years later, especially by the poor. Many young women and girls still don’t have access to sanitary towels when they go through their monthly menstrual cycle. For little girls in school, this issue not only affects their confidence and social life, but it directly affects their studies too – as many of them tend to skip school for as long as a week every month, because of the lack of proper sanitary towels.
Menstrual coach, author and motivational speaker from UMthatha in the Eastern Cape, Babalwa Mbuku couldn’t fold her arms when she noticed this. In 2017, Babalwa sold her car to start her business, Ntombam Sanitary Towels.
Ntombam Sanitary Towels is a 100% woman owned company, based in East London in the Eastern Cape. Ntombam has achieved levels of success over the years in operation. Their core mission is to restore the dignity of a vulnerable girl child and reduce the high rate of school absenteeism by providing quality and affordable sanitary towels which they believe are a basic need.
Passionate about the girl child’s education, health and confidence, Babalwa often has pad drives and visits some disadvantaged schools in the Eastern Cape province.
She was inspired by a young girl who once said she preferred to get free sanitary pads from government instead of a free education, she has received some support for her business, having partnered with Vodacom in a CSI project in the Eastern Cape and being part of an incubator programme by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
Babalwa was in the top 25 of the 100 Most Influential Young South Africans of 2019 for social enterprise and philanthropy.
Esinako Ndabeni wrote her debut book, “Born to Kwaito: Reflections on the Kwaito Generation,” with co-author Sihle Mthembu while still an undergraduate student at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
The young author started a blog about kwaito and met Sihle via the internet and the pair collaborated on a podcast and from there decided to write the book. “Born to Kwaito” explores the birth of kwaito music and culture during South Africa’s Post-Apartheid era, focusing on how the political backdrop informed the music and vice versa. The book was announced as part of the longlist for the Sunday Times Literary Awards’ Alan Paton Non-Fiction Prize shortly after its release.
Image: Twitter
Kwaito can be described as an experimentation and evolution of house music with elements of disco and dancehall.
Esinako is interested in and hopes more people write about the ways in which popular culture influences people’s everyday lives and how it encourages and normalizes ideas and behaviors about race, class and gender.
She sees this as the simplest way to engage with complex issues. Esinako is working on a children’s book that she hopes will empower little Black girls to see themselves beyond the limitations that western media places on them.
The 8th of March is officially International Women’s Day – a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
International Women’s Day has occurred for well over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, International Women’s Day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. It is not country, group or organization specific.
Living as a woman in South Africa is tough, with all the gender-based violence and discriminations against women, it’s easy to throw in the towel and become a victim of circumstance. However, the women of this country continually show a spirit of resilience and manage to do the most amazing, inspirational things.
Although there are countless, The Fuse – Stories from South Africa has taken the time to recognize and celebrate 7 inspirational women:
Divya Vasant – Co-founder of AMAZI, a social impact brand by women for women.
On this International Women’s Day, we take the time to recognize and celebrate Sejako Mtolo who is currently the Head of Facility Engineering at Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA).
Necsa is responsible for processing source material, including uranium enrichment, and co-operating with other institutions, locally and abroad, on nuclear and related matters for the promotion of socio-economic development in South Africa as well as R&D in the field of nuclear energy and radiation sciences.
Apart from its main activities at Pelindaba, which include operation and utilization of the SAFARI-1 research reactor, NECSA also manages and operates the Vaalputs National Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility in the Northern Cape on behalf of the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI).
Sejako is a professionally registered engineer who holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town (UCT), Masters in Nuclear Engineering from the North West University (NWU), a certificate in Executive Development Program from Wits Business School (WBS), as well as a certificate in Corporate Governance.
She has worked in the engineering industry for more than 17 years and her experience varies from power plants, mining, and nuclear.
CJ, as she is affectionately known, is also a sought-after speaker who delivers high-energy keynotes presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most in the engineering and energy space.
CJ’s down-to-earth humor compels audiences to laugh while they learn. She engages groups from the moment she steps in front of them and leaves them with empowering tools and proof points that they will use long after the lights have gone out on the event.
Sejako has been serving as a council member at Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) since 2016. She is extensively involved in ECSA accreditation on mechanical engineering programs for higher education institutions.
Local actress and businesswoman, Omuhle Gela is hosting her famous Mom’s Day Off Luncheon at a secret location in Johannesburg on the first of April 2023, and she’s going bigger and better! Omuhle envisaged creating something where moms from all walks of life – young and old – could spend the day together without their little ones, and at the beginning of 2021 she founded Mom’s Day Off.
Speaking to us last year about motherhood and the luncheon, the mother-of-one said, “We gather as moms and just have good food, play fun games, interact as moms, and advise each other, uplift each other, and empower each other as women who have experienced a lot of body and mind changes that most likely birthed some insecurities.”
Because many moms often feel the pressure of constantly having to be the perfect mother, Omuhle, as a mom herself, is passionate about making sure the moms that attend her luncheon feel comfortable and pampered (as they should!).
And thanks to two of her sponsors, Easy Waves and Lifestyle Home, she will do exactly that. When these brands heard of the actress’ initiative, they couldn’t help but get involved. “I’m excited and very grateful that these brands share my vision and passion. All we want is for the mothers to have a day for themselves, be celebrated for all the work they do, and walk away feeling lighter, happier even more equipped to be the best moms to their little ones,” Omuhle tells The Fuse.
Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Londy Ngcobo is Africa’s first female Dredge Master and is making giant strides across the maritime industry as a Businesswoman, Speaker, Conference Facilitator, Women and Youth Activist.
Londy has over 13 years of experience in the industry; her background includes Maritime Studies, International Merchant shipping experience, and Advanced dredging from the Netherlands IHC. She is currently Maritime Compliance Manager for Transnet National Ports Authority, Founder of Global Maritime Youth and Chief Executive of Womaritime Experts, a consulting firm in the shipping industry, which earned her the title – The Black Mermaid.
The award winning navigator in Scarce Skills serves various maritime business boards and influential organizations within women, youth and leadership spheres in efforts in ensuring continuous development of Africa’s maritime professions through advocacy, education and awareness .
Londy is passionate about Women and Youth Empowerment. As a mother and wife, Londy’s experiences inspired her to start her organization called Mamas Escape Club – an award-winning Best Support Group providing tools for mothers to thrive through life challenges.
Londy was born in Durban and grew up in Clermont Township, at the age of 18, she delved into the maritime world and has since been reaping the rewards with multiple awards to show.
She is a recipient of the Best Innovation Award for introducing international compliance standards in 2017 among other awards. Now that’s inspiring!
If you’ve spent some time on Twitter lately, you will be familiar with Dr. Sandile Qwabe who has been trending for his bubbly personality and funny videos of Tik Tok. Although some tweeps have had a few complaints about how he conducts himself on social media, the Health Professions Council of SA says it does not control doctors’ dress codes or their lifestyles.
It is easy to judge and criticize others when you’re scrolling on your phone, but The Fuse: Stories from South Africa is passionate about highlighting the extraordinary things that the most ordinary people do, inspiring us and so many others in this country and beyond.
Dr Qwabe is one such person – an inspirational doctor who gives his patients the best possible care and inspires and entertains his colleagues.
Here are 5 things we absolutely love about the good doctor:
He passionate about educating himself – on top of his medical degree, Dr. Sandile Qwabe also holds an engineering degree.
Not only does he have a medical degree. He has an engineering degree.
Why do we accept that white professors can be eccentric, grow long hair, walk barefoot and all manner of things but create narratives that black intelligence requires back doors and shortcuts based on… https://t.co/3ntpADhyuF
— Africa Research Desk 📚📁 (@MightiJamie) March 5, 2023
For 50 years, TRUELOVE magazine has served style and Black excellence. Always new, always challenging, always changing. The TRUELOVE woman is navigating her many roles effortlessly – from killing it in the boardroom and living her best life on a girl’s trip, to rolling up her sleeves as a ‘makoti’ at a family gathering. And with Mbali Soga returning as editor-in-chief, the magazine promises to climb to even greater heights.
“Being back at the helm of TRUELOVE feels like a ‘homecoming’ after a decade at the magazine (in various capacities),” says Mbali. “I’ve missed telling authentic stories that spark something in you – just as my dreams started becoming a reality when I picked up my very first issue. But what I’ve missed most are the readers! You taught me humility, showed me the value of community by welcoming me into the sisterhood, and having those dynamic, culturally relevant conversations. I am excited to be a part of this next chapter!”
TRUELOVE will now be published quarterly, with a new issue each season, in spring, summer, autumn and winter, along with other projects. It will be a quarterly handbook on all things career, money, and relationships – think of it as the girlfriend in your handbag. The four issues per year will be paired with three high-quality brand extensions, one of them being TRUELOVE Hair.
Mbali spent 10 years working with TRUELOVE in various roles, including as editor between 2017 and 2022. In 2019, the vision and new direction that she brought to TRUELOVE captured the attention of FIPP (The International Federation of Periodical Publishers) and UPM (United Paper Mills), who named Mbali as the overall winner of their Rising Stars Award.
Local and international advertising and marketing authorities have also taken note. Over the past two years, during her time as Head of content at South Africa’s no.1 online fashion retailer, Superbalist.com, Mali worked on two Lorie award-winning campaigns as well as one Effie award-winning campaign.
Mbali’s eye for style and her knowledge of our local design community made her an essential part of the Superbalist team that created the corporate uniform for SA’s newest airline, LIFT. She was also on the creative team that brought you the hottest retail collaboration with visual artist Lulama Wolf. And now, after a year stretching her wings in the digital space, Mbali is back at TRUELOVE to lead this exciting new part of our journey.
