Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i BONA Magazine

One of the most gratifying experiences is when you meet someone for the first time and they align with the social media presence and TV appearances you have seen of them. This exact sentiment overwhelmed me when I encountered Salamina and Howza during the cover shoot for this issue of BONA. Salamina exuded a humble, soft-spoken yet assertive persona, while Howza lived up to his cheerful reputation from our TV screens. I often find this beautiful to witness because in today's social media era, some public figures meticulously craft their brand image only to disappoint by them disrespecting and belittling the BONA team. While I'm not seeking special treatment for the team, I simply advocate for individuals, celebrities and brands to treat them with empathy and kindness. A simple greeting…

FASHION Denim remains a fashion staple throughout the year. Whether you like jean skirts, denim jackets or just a touch of denim, we show you different ways to style it this season. If you are going for something more casual, wfde-leg, baggy or cargo pants will work well with sneakers. A pair of black denim jeans can be incredibly versatile. Pair with a cute buttoned cardigan for a stylish look. Just throw it on and head out the door. A denim co-ord set is your go-to choice! We love a denim on denim outfit. And mixing different shades of denim is a trend that's here to stay. TIP: Pair a darker shade jacket or coat with heels or boots in a lighter shade to make your look more fun. Denim is…

Solo dating is a global trend that has become a popular way for people to practise self-care and show themselves some love. The reason why there are so many dating shows out there at the moment is because there are so many singles who are willing to go to the extremes to find love and companionship. A lot of the stigma has been removed from being single, but that doesn't mean that people don't still put pressure on themselves to find their plus-one. Taking some of that pressure off usually starts with a conversation with yourself about where you are in your life and what you want from a partner. The old cliché still rings true: ‘The better you know yourself, the better you can be for everyone else who…

It was watching her single mother work hard to fend for her family that gave Sonto Pooe, the owner of Nativechild products, the courage and determination to succeed in life, as failure was not an option. Coming from a family with only female siblings, the female energy and her mother's struggle to take care of her family shaped her way of thinking and decisions. The KwaZulu-Natal-born entrepreneur says: ‘I wasn't going to play around at school. I always gave everything my best effort. I was also very motivated to succeed. I consider my mom a powerhouse, someone who overcame a lot and dedicated herself under difficult circumstances, and so I was driven to succeed.’ THE BIRTH OF NATIVECHILD Sonto shares that she has always been passionate about hair, something she…

Do you ever feel stiff or creaky? Maybe after sitting for a long time, you need a bit of warming up before you can move freely again, without all the snaps, crackles and pops. Now, imagine going through your day, feeling every part of your body – from the top of your head to your toes – moving easily and smoothly. Picture yourself stretching, twisting and bending withouL any pain or stiffness. Imagine taking long walks, standing for an extended period of time and doing your daily activities without needing to sit down and rest. That's what mobility is all about – moving naturally and effortlessly, with your body responding easily to what you want it to do. Unlike flexibility training, which focuses on stretching muscles, mobility training works at…

A vehicle is a valuable investment that makes your life easier – getting you to work so you can earn a salary, taking you to visit much-loved family members and friends, and helping you transport heavy items from A to B. It makes sense then to look after and protect it just as you would any other item of value. ‘Just like you get routine check-ups for good personal health, your vehicle benefits greatly from regular care and maintenance,’ points out Jarrod Berman, Managing Director of MotorHappy SA, a supplier of motor management solutions. ‘Skipping a car service and poor vehide maintenance poses real consequences to both the vehicle and the driver.’ Any vehicle, whether it's a personal car, van or truck, will start to perform poorly once you fail…

As the chill of winter continues to wrap us up in its icy embrace, there's nothing more inviting than the warmth of a comforting meal. This season, we bring you a delightful collection of recipes that embody the essence of cosy winter home-cooked meals. From lamb stew and dumplings to warm mogodu, our winter warmers are here to make your winter days a little brighter and your nights a lot cosier. We are thrilled to feature the culinary creations of Nthabiseng Seemela, also known on Instagram as Cooking_with_Nthabi, an outstanding cook and recipe developer whose passion for food shines through in every recipe. Born and bred in the township of Tembisa, Nthabiseng is a wife and mother of two whose journey with food began in her teenage years spurred on…

As winter sets in, it's the perfect time to update your beauty routine with products that offer extra nourishment, protection and a touch of seasonal charm. A Body Wash That Works Hard If, like me, you struggle with stubborn blemishes and hyperpigmentation on your body, you'll love the Pastry Skincare Lactic Acid Body Wash R305, pastryskincare.co.za. This gem is formulated to gently exfoliate, smooth and brighten your skin. It contains Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), which deeply moisturises, and Centella Asiatica and Bisabolol, which soothe and calm inflammation and redness. The result? Skin that's perfectly glowing and ready to face the winter chill. The Perfect Winter Scent If you're on the hunt for the perfect winter fragrance, look no further than Zadig & Voltaire's latest offering, This Is Really Her EDP R1…

1. Ensure your profile is appealing Your profile must have a good handle, no matter the platform you have chosen. ‘Have a compelling bio and your profile picture must be appealing or apply to what you are selling. It's always a plus to use high-quality images and have a good header that directs your audience to where they need to go to find more information or engage further, i.e. your website or store,’ she says. 2. A good content strategy that speaks to your audience is always a plus Sharing content that showcases your service offering, some helpful information or even bits of the behind-the-scenes of what you are building are valuable bits of content that consumers who follow you and your journey will appreciate. 3. Always stay up to…

One of the things I've learnt to do on this journey is to find myself accountability partners. People who will keep me in check and with whom I can be vulnerable. Accountability is generally a difficult thing to do, regardless of the space. We struggle to hold ourselves accountable for the smallest of things. Think about the number of times you've found yourself in a somewhat tight corner because you struggled to take responsibility, especially when you are at fault or confronted with failure. The wellness journey is no different. The need to walk the journey with a person(s) increases. We can't do it alone because, as with anything new in life, you need someone to hold you by the hand and cheer you on in your good days or…

For some, fulfilling the dream of having a child can be a struggle. Robynne Friedman, Surrogacy lawyer and founder of the Surrogacy Advisory Group, wanted to complete her family, which includes two adopted kids, and one via surrogacy. Many celebrities have been blessed with children through surrogacy. South African actor Moshe Ndiki recently welcomed his twin sons through surrogacy, joining a long list of others including Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, Gabrielle Union, Tyra Banks, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Priyanka Chopra and Elton John. What does surrogacy entail? Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a child for the intended parent(s). Unlike in the past, when surrogacy was based on an ‘informal, non-legal binding’ agreement, the process was regulated in 2010. This means that the process, which is governed by Childrens…

CONTRIBUTORS PAGE nelson mandela MARLON DANIELS HABARI STAFF This year for Nelson Mandela Day my small way of giving back is volunteering at the Christine Revell Children's Home not just for 67 minutes but for the day. Seeing that, in a few months, I will become a father of two as my wife and I are expecting twins, I feel it would be fitting to volunteer my services at a children's home. QAQAMBA FALITHENJWA EDITORIAL INTERN I was raised to acknowledge and respect the next person, and to show kindness. So I always try to give back, not just on Nelson Mandela Day. It can be giving up my seat in a taxi so that an elderly person can sit, to helping the old lady next door clean her yard. INGRID…

BEAUTY The world of skincare is constantly evolving, driven by advances in technology, scientific discoveries, updated formulations and innovative ingredients. As we settle into the second half of the year, we're seeing some exciting new ingredients making waves, along with tried and true favourites maintaining their popularity. From vitamin B3 to caffeine, each one offers unique benefits, so you can tailor your skincare routine to meet your specific needs. Whether you're looking to brighten, soothe or protect your skin, these ingredients have you covered. Happy glowing! Bakuchiol If you're looking for a gentler alternative to retinol, say hello to bakuchiol. This plant-based extract comes from the babchi plant, known for its purple blossoms and use in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. You can find bakuchiol in moisturisers, serums and creams,…

Winter isn't just tough on your skin - it's rough on your nails too. Between the chilly air outside and all the hand washing and dish washing we do inside, our nails take a beating. But with the right nail kit essentials, you can keep your mani looking good all season long. Let's dive into what you need to keep those nails growing and glowing despite the cold. Cream of the crop Combat dry, rough hands with nourishing hand creams. Lelive In Good Hands | Nourish + Protect SPF15 Hand Cream R179, Woolworths, is infused with niacinamide to brighten and restore, and vitamin E to strengthen and protect nails. Not only does it nourish, but it also contains SPF15 for allday protection. Apply generously throughout the day, especially after washing…

GET TO KNOW Since making her television debut on Mzansi Magic's Isibaya in 2016, award-winning actress and entrepreneur Linda Mtoba has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of acting. The thespian has shown that with hard work and perseverance all things are possible, as she's achieved great success and become the brand ambassador for big names such as Vaseline, Edgars, Bernini and Samsung while also owning a jewellery line. After the telenovela The River ended, Linda went on to secure another role in a BET series called Queendom. Delving into her creative process and reflecting on her character in the series, Linda gave us an inside look into what many see as a glamorous industry. What inspired you to pursue acting? Acting, for me, has always…

If you're a parent, you want the best for your child in every way, including how they handle money. However, the truth is that your children will likely become like many South African adults today if you don't take early action to educate them for future financial decisions. And the figures are concerning: A survey conducted by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in 2023, revealed that around 51% of South Africans are financially literate. Given the state of the economy and the worrisome situation many individuals find themselves in, the financial decisions we make today will have a huge impact on our security and way of life. For this reason, saving money and practising sound money management will create a…

From an early age, society has drummed into us the ‘fairy tale’ of getting an education, meeting a soulmate, settling down and having babies. But life doesn't always work out like that. Unlike in the United States of America where the marriage rate increased by 12% in 2022, South Africans are reluctant to ‘put a ring on it’. According to data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in 2023, there has been a decline in marriage rates in the country over the last 10 years. In 2012, over 161 000 marriages were registered. In 2021, the Department of Home Affairs recorded 106 499 civil marriages. The data also shows that between 2011 and 2019, there was a 22.5% decline in marriages, with a significant 31% decrease in 2020. Experts…