Innehållsförteckning för August 2023 från BONA Magazine

CONTRIBUTORS PAGE VIWE NTLEBI EDITOR It's hard to choose just one because I'm inspired by different women in different seasons of my life. Right now, it's Oprah Winfrey: she has done the groundwork and is currently enjoying the fruits of her labour, something that keeps me going while I pursue my dreams. In SA, it's Anele Mdoda. She evolved and presented herself as a multifaceted individual in the media industry, something I hope to master one day! ROSHAAN BOUWER ACTING EDITOR Each woman in my life inspires me in different ways as they all have their own unique strengths. But I must say that my late mom was such an inspiration to me – in the way that she always persevered and walked through life with a grateful and satisfied…

WHAT'S HOT Podcasts have become an increasingly popular medium for storytelling, information sharing and self-expression over the years. In recent times, we have witnessed a remarkable boom in female-led podcasts, empowering women who open themselves up to share their perspectives, experiences and expertise with a global audience on different podcast platforms. Black women have emerged as a powerful force in the podcasting world, using their platforms to challenge existing stereotypes, amplify their voices and foster necessary conversations on a wide range of topics. Black women bring a number of diverse perspectives to the podcasting space. Through their podcast shows, we have seen them delve into a wide range of topics, including race, entrepreneurship, gender, relationships, culture and social justice. By sharing their experiences and insights, they provide a platform for…

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Being a successful entrepreneur requires outof-the-box thinking and larger-thanlife ideas. But it's not a big idea alone that paves the path to ultimate entrepreneurial success – it's the wisdom from those who came before us that can help us understand what the journey will look like. We speak to Nonkululeko Gobodo, the first Black female chartered accountant in SA, entrepreneur and author. SEEK COUNSEL FROM THE OLDER GENERATION The older generation have had the experience of starting a business. They have likely made mistakes and learned from them. In most cases, they've been able to see their vision, and expand and grow their ideas into something bigger, so it's wise to consult them. ‘Some of the things I always share with young people or those who ask for advice…

My husband and I are newly-weds and plan on starting a family soon. How can I prepare for a healthy pregnancy? Dr G: Firstly, congratulations on having such beautiful awareness that a healthy journey into parenthood starts with both parents. In terms of preparation, my first recommendation would be that you schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional, either a GP or gynaecologist, to address your pregnancy plans in full. This will include discussing your current health status and how to improve it where necessary for pregnancy, reviewing your desired timeline to fall pregnant and any areas that might pose a challenge to conception, e.g. chronic conditions, your menstrual history, your hormonal balance, your fertility (both you and your husband) and any factors you are dealing with that impact your…

Watching a scene of children playing hopscotch in an old movie recently brought back memories of my own childhood. Less television, and more playing, creating and learning. With screens virtually everywhere and easily accessible, monitoring a child's screen time can be difficult. Problems associated with too much screen time are well documented. These range from obesity, poor sleeping patterns, bad behaviour, and delays in language development as well as behavioural and social skills development. But some screen time can be educational and support the child's development. So where do we draw the line? The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use, except for video chatting, by children younger than 18 months. The institution suggests that if you introduce digital media to children ages 18 to 24 months, make sure it's…

DECOR ‘OPEN SHELVING HAS MADE A COMEBACK’ The keyword here is budget! So we'll take you through how to remodel or refresh your kitchen depending on what your budget is, whether you're strapped for cash or have bucks to blow. Firstly, you'll have to see what is possible with the money you have, and don't forget that affordable done right can end in an exquisite result! SAVER BUDGET This option is for someone who isn't afraid to DIY and get dirty to save on costs. But it also offers easy wins that can transform your kitchen in a shorter space of time. CHANGE THE HANDLES AND ADD DECOR It might not seem like much but you'd be surprised by how a change in the colour, shape and hardware of the…

BEAUTY BUZZ We always get excited when something new lands on our desk. From vividly matte lipsticks that promise to stay on all day to scents we can't wait to don this spring, this is the low-down on what's abuzz in the world of beauty today. THE LIPSTICK THAT WON'T BUDGE There's nothing quite as upsetting as sinking your teeth into a succulent steak, only for your liberally applied lipstick to return slightly off-kilter mid-chew. It's why we trust formulations that promise not to budge, much like the new Essence 8H Matte Liquid Lipstick R82.95, Clicks. THE WHOLISTIC WELLNESS RANGE We've all heard the old adage about Inner beauty and how it's more important than outer beauty. While this isn't wrong, new products on the market are actually seeing to…

BEAUTY BUYS While we celebrate the achievements of women trailblazers 365 days a year, this Women's Month we are paying greater homage to the pioneers of the beauty industry through their innovation and creativity. You probably wouldn't have guessed it but women are in the minority when it comes to leadership in the beauty space. This startling statistic is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to acknowledging the obvious gap that exists between males and females in the corporate world. So, there's no better time than now to use your economic clout to support female-led beauty brands, and this is a round-up of the ones on our radar. The Boss Babe Favourite Hermosa Flor Cosmetics, founded by South African business-sawy beauty entrepreneur Mbali Sebapu, is one of…

Sinscription services have become increasingly popular in the recent years of this digital age, offering access to a wide range of digital content, products and services, for a recurring fee. While these services can provide access, convenience, various resources and value, it is essential to be aware of the hidden costs associated with these subscriptions and to ensure you are getting the most value for your money. Here are some tips to help you navigate subscription services wisely. EVALUATE YOUR NEEDS Before subscribing to any service, carefully assess whether it aligns with your needs and interests. Consider how frequently you will use the service and whether it offers sufficient value to justify the cost. Avoid subscribing to multiple services that offer similar content unless they each provide unique benefits. RESEARCH…

THOUGHTS Ululation fills the air, multicoloured petals pave the roads. Chocolate fountains line the streets, red-wine stations around every block. Free sanitary supplies and foot massages. Happy Women's Month! Women's Month is a great time to high-five ourselves for being so soft yet unbreakable, and to acknowledge our growth and empowerment as women. I hope we also make it a time to remember that we do not always have to be the proverbial rock. We can also be marshmallows. I think a lot of us come with that hard chocolate exterior and get so hooked on that strength narrative that we forget to embrace our marshmallow side. Then we crack and break and cannot deal with anyone seeing that we, too, can shatter. But we must rest! We need to.…

We know that naturalistas have dominated blog sites for many years, with much of the conversation surrounding Black hair directed toward natural haircare, and rightfully so. Research revealed a lot of adverse effects related to relaxers, resulting in many women ditching chemical treatments and sticking with their natural hair texture. And although this significant shift did happen, it didn't take away the fact that a healthy amount of the population still opted to chemically straighten their hair, and instead of removing the relaxed hair community from the chat completely, we believe in providing all the necessary tools and information on the best ways and safest methods to keep, treat and maintain relaxed hair at home. Whether you're new to the relaxed hair game or you're a seasoned veteran, it's good…

FASHION…

When it comes to talking about salary, discomfort can often arise, no matter the circumstances. This delicate conversation should always be had with tact and understanding. Did you know that there is often more scope to negotiate salary after a job offer than many candidates realise? For job candidates, coming prepared is all it takes to make this process an effortless one, A bit of preparation and practice, and having a friendly yet firm demeanour in the negotiation period is a good way to start the conversation. DO THE RESEARCH! Before starting a salary negotiation, experienced HR practitioner Dr Nondumiso Mdletshe says you should research what someone with your education, skills, level of experience and other qualifications earns in your industry. It is always important to have a realistic perspective…

Whether you call it strenght- or weight training, everyone may benefit from gaining muscle. A strong core and limbs could help you avoid falling or make lugging groceries up the stairs simpler. If you're just getting started with exercises, gym routines and strength training, you have certainly heard the term ‘lean muscle mass’, which is frequently used by both professional trainers and fitness enthusiasts. It's difficult to grow muscle without accumulating fat. Proper nutrition and training are required to ensure that your efforts in the gym (and the kitchen) result in maximum lean muscle growth and minimal fat accumulation. There are numerous routines available to help you create lean muscle, but these ideas will assist you in incorporating muscle training into an existing activity. Building lean muscle is not about…

High-performance cars don't simply go out of style; they mature like fine wine. And the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is an outstanding example of this evolution. It's been over two years since this beast of an SUV graced South African roads, but its elegance, power and luxurious details have kept it a rare and coveted gem. Buckle up as we revisit and explore the enduring allure of this masterpiece of automotive engineering. The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 isn't just an SUV; it's a statement in luxury, comfort and unrivalled performance. It's the kind of car that not only turns heads but leaves a lasting impression. Its commanding presence, even after a couple of years on the market, demands attention, while the sheer power hidden beneath its elegant design never ceases to thrill.…