Innehållsförteckning för Apr/Jun 2023 från True Love

ed’s letter “Why would you go back?”, “Why would you leave such an amazing job in e-commerce?” And, the shocker: ‘”Aren’t magazines tired?” These are some of the many questions I’ve been fielding since I picked up the phone and made the decision to put everything down and take the opportunity to make content that matters again. I missed collaborating with the best in Mzansi’s talent − be it telling their stories or creating impactful visual narratives. But, I think what informed me the most in the past is the schooling I’d get from every content piece that goes into this book, meeting women I’d never dreamt of meeting and sharing intimate moments. Once the news settled, imposter syndrome hit me like a ton of bricks. I started doubting my…

Rethabile ‘Retti’ Ramaphakela Burnt Onion Productions’ co-owner and creative director What sparked your interest in the TV and film industry? I grew up in Diepkloof, Soweto. And because I went to a private school, I would be one of the few kids at home during the holidays while others were at school. So, I watched a lot of TV and films. I found it fascinating how watching other people’s lives on screen could move you deeply. There were several movies I enjoyed watching repeatedly, such as Home Alone. When I got older, I would write a certain scene and pretend to direct it. What sparked my interest in this field was the ability to evoke people’s emotions, through storytelling, which I think is a magical thing to be able to…

Wind and harsh, cold air suck moisture out of your hair, leading to dryness, frizz, breakage and split ends. But protective hairstyles are priceless! Besides a flawlessly chic look, they keep your hair ends tucked and protected from aggressive damaging factors and prevent the edges from thinning. Boost the health of your coil by following these tips. 1. SEAL IN MOISTURE Nourish your hair and scalp with natural oils like castor or jojoba, or apply hydrating balms and hair foods before styling. 2. REDUCE HEAT Styling tools are great but in the colder months, they can take moisture out of your hair - a process already accelerated by the wind and dry air outside. Let your hair air-dry overnight after a wash before or after styling. 3. MAINTAIN YOUR PROTECTIVE…

I was raised in the 90s – a defining period in history. My parents are baby boomers who have always expected excellence from me. Growing up, I knew that I had to strive for academic excellence and needed to be an example in the classroom and all spaces I occupied. I understand where this was coming from because our parents grew up in a time where they had limited access to resources, and so had a “cap” to their success and ambitions. So, they poured their energy into ensuring that we have access and work our way into rooms they were never given the opportunity to be in. Imbokodo We lived in Kagiso for a large part of my life and later moved to the suburbs. I watched my mother…

In reality, AI is already a part of our daily lives and it affects everything we do - from our dating prospects to shopping habits. The usage of AI across business has grown by 270% in the past four years. Current trends suggest that it will play a much more integrated role in our daily lives than we may expect. Its advancement has created fears that human workers will become obsolete. The reality is probably a lot less dire, but way more complicated. What is AI? AI is a field of computer science that allows machines to mimic human thought processes and decision-making abilities. While there are different types of AI, the most common form is called “machine learning”. This involves training a computer program on a large amount of…

At the 2022 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian dazzled in Marylin Monroe's iconic dress that the late actress and singer famously wore to wish then-president John F. Kennedy a happy birthday in 1962. The dress, which was several sizes too small for Kim, took some work to fit into. On the red carpet, Kim said she had been eating clean, using “sauna suits” and had taken up running to fit into the dress. At the back, it had not been zipped up all the way. Rumours began flying that Kim had also used another method to help her lose over 7kg in a month - a type-2 diabetes drug called Ozempic. What is Ozempic? Ozempic, made up of the drug semaglutide, is an injectable medication for type-2 diabetes patients, developed by…

ALL-DAY COMFORT AND GLAM Get ready to elevate your longwear make-up game and leave your skin free to move with Lancôme’s newly improved Teint Idole Wear Ultra – enriched with an 81% skincare serum, a protective urban shield and SPF 35! The new formula is sweat-proof and contains hyaluronic acid, moringa, vitamin E and pre-probiotics to deliver lasting hydration, an anti-pollution effect and skin barrier protection. Available in 45 shades, for R720 at leading retailers. YOUR HOME EDIT Ready to achieve your home organisation goals? Start with the most cluttered spaces and work your way through your house, drawer by drawer. AMBIA-LINE frames from Blum transform cluttered bathroom drawers into an oasis of order. The elegant yet practical design provides easy access to every accessory stored neatly in compartments. Visit…

SPAGHETTI WITH RADICCHIO, PEAR, BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUTS Prep + cook time: 30 mins Serves: 4 • 500g spaghetti • ½ cup (50g) walnuts • 50g butter • 2 baby pears (200g), halved, cored, sliced thinly • 1 clove garlic, crushed • ½ cup (160ml) cream • 1 medium radicchio (200g), leaves separated, torn • 80g blue cheese, crumbled • Radicchio is a leaf chicory/a cross between red cabbage and lettuce METHOD 1. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water for 8 mins or until just tender, and drain. Return to the pan to keep warm. 2. Meanwhile, toast walnuts in a large frying pan over medium heat for 5 mins or until browned lightly. Chop coarsely. 3. Melt butter in the same frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook…

COLOUR BLOCK Highlight architectural details with colour blocking. Painting blocks so they break into a fireplace or continuing over coving give a real designer paint effect. Choose three or four shades in striking contrasting colours for a bold statement. Give it a twist by using large circular or arch shapes as an alternative to rectangles and squares. Choose furniture and accessories that have bold and sculptural forms so they sit comfortably with this eye-catching scheme. PAINTED SQUARE Love your framed print, but feel it’s drowned out by the size of the wall you want to hang it on? Painting a square or rectangle behind it will enlarge the scale and give it impact. Give it a twist by painting in a frame rather than a single block of colour. Do…

H&M X Mugler H&M has collaborated with house Mugler as its next designer collaboration. Mugler has always offered an open invitation to a broad range of characters and beauty types and now, with this partnership, it is throwing open the door even wider. The collection, by Mugler’s creative director Casey Cadwallader, includes womenswear, menswear and accessories. It will be available at Sandton City, V&A Waterfront and Superbalist.com on 11 May. Under Armour’s newest performance apparel Achieve your 2023 fitness goals with Under Armour’s newest additions to its iconic RUSH apparel collection. This range is designed to keep athletes at the top of their game for a variety of activities while training. The infrared technology in the garments uses your body’s energy to reduce muscle fatigue, meaning quicker replenishment and more…

PLUMP UP L’Oreal Paris introduces its latest in younger, more revitalised skin, Revitalift Filler (+Hyaluronic acid) range. Hyaluronic acid is the natural substance responsible for the skin’s plumpness and moisture that starts to slowly disappear from about age 25. The range includes a cleanser, micellar water, sheet mask and serum. We dare you to give your skin a moisture boost. NATURAL HAIR ROCKS Our fave natural hair muses are Lupita Nyong’o, Thuso Mbedu and Zozibini Tunzi. What you need in your hair-styling kit: Afro comb, R10Hair grips, R29,99Sta-Sof-Fro Oil Sheen Comb Out, R59Stylin’ Dredz Stylez Stylin’ Dredz Gel, R49 Scent alert A new fragrance? Yes please! We love Oscar de la Renta Bella Bouquet. Its floral, musky and woody tones make it the perfect accompaniment for winter. The scent inspires…

I was with my wife, having lunch, when word got out of the new Metro FM line-up. She had just seen Phil Mphela’s tweet and started reading the commentary. Then the official press release came out and my phone immediately started buzzing with congratulatory messages. From the time I had my meeting with management and keeping things a secret, I had mentally prepared myself for when the news came out. Of course the brain anticipated the negative and prepared for what the naysayers would spew. But, oh man, it was the opposite. I received so much love and magnitudes of positive energy, with everyone being excited for me. I think the love comes from everyone knowing my story and how my journey started at Metro FM, as well as bearing…

I was born in Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth) and I’m the second of two children raised by a single mother. My mother got married at a young age, but she was physically and emotionally abused. After years of enduring abuse, she finally found the courage to leave her marriage. In her singlehood, she met a man who promised to find her a job and they eventually developed a romantic relationship – and that’s how my brother and I were born. But she would also find out within that relationship that he was married and had fathered many other kids before and after us. This influenced how I grew up – we were a result of an affair. That affected my mom in terms of how she was seen in society,…

You might have the perfect skill set, experience and education qualification for that vacancy you’re applying for. You might also be awesome at making a good impression in person. But what if your potential employer or recruiter requests an online interview? Well, interviews using online video platforms such as Skype, Zoom, BlueJeans and even WhatsApp video are becoming increasingly popular. And while preparing for such an interview might be similar to preparing for a face-to-face meeting, there are a few key differences you must be aware of if you want to land the job. WHY IT’S CONVENIENT Virtual, or video, interviews are being used more and more for several reasons, and they have distinct advantages for the employer and applicant, industrial psychologist Phiona Martin says. “The emergence of virtual working…

For teenagers, this contributes towards developing a sense of identity through which they can explore themselves and their needs, explains educational psychologist Gabriela Völkel from the Johannesburg Parent and Child Counselling Centre (JPCCC). However, the case of the Luh Tweezy mob of teens, which made news for storming malls and causing chaos, has parents shocked and dumbfounded. A group of about 30–40 teens, dressed similarly and displaying unruly behaviour (drug and alcohol abuse as well as fighting), led to serious injuries when Luh Tweezy stormed the Mall of Africa in late March. The group has been banned at Montecasino for the same thing. The teens are doing a hazardous TikTok challenge called “trapping the mall”, which adds to the growing trend of notorious social media challenges for teens. The discourses…

There’s a lot to be said about the organ digesting your food. In the Western culture, our stomachs have for aeons been seen as just that - something to eagerly do away with whatever we’ve eaten. But in Asian and other cultures, the gut has long been seen as an important part of the body and soul. To the Japanese, our largest organ - the intestine - is known as hara or the “centre of the spiritual and physical strength”. Now, science is investigating and showing just how important our midsection is. Not only does a healthy gut create better sleep quality, but there’s also a marked link between gut bacteria and our mental state, energy levels and even infection. Your gut decoded Contrary to what your grandmother told you,…

Children usually learn a song to teach them all about the bones in the body because of the important function they play. Bones are living tissue that constantly changes and remodels. They protect our vital organs, and give a support structure to our whole bodies. But, what happens when this process of changing and remodelling does not occur at a balanced rate? Women often suffer from bone mineral loss or osteoporosis as they get older, and in some cases, lack of knowledge may have been a causal factor. Dr Raeesa Moolla, general practitioner at SuedeWellness Life Resilience Institute, says bone structure changes with age, and that the marrow produces blood cells and stores minerals, especially calcium. “At birth we have 270 soft bones, but these fuse as we grow. In…

sex You have amazing sex five times a week and are always in the mood for it – keen to get down and dirty whenever your man gives you so much as a glance. Or maybe you don’t. The truth is, sometimes you don’t want to do the horizontal (or vertical and upside-down) dance of love. And, this may go on for a few days, weeks or even longer. Well, about 40% of women experience low libido, a lack of sexual desire, at some point in their lives and for varied reasons. The key to dealing with it lies in knowing the cause. SAYONARA, HONEYMOON PERIOD Remember when you first met your bae and the only thing that could tear you apart was a high-pressure hose (no pun intended) or…

#1 FIVE SIMPLE RULES TO WINTER-PROOF YOUR SKIN Whatever your skin type, there are a few small changes you can make to adjust your skincare routine to help it adapt to the change in season. lip colour last longer, use a liner before coating your lips with your product. 1 MAKE SIMPLE PRODUCT SWAPS We don’t mean a whole product overhaul. If you’ve already got a good grip on your skin type and are managing it, small, easy and inexpensive changes to “winterise” your ritual is all you need. Add in a richer moisturiser or layer oil. Swap out your usual serum for a hydrating one. 2 BE INTENTIONAL WITH INGREDIENTS Products with lipid-layer repairing benefits will be your best friend across all seasons. Particularly in winter, look for ingredients…

LeSoul is thick in New York traffic as we speak, weaving her way to the airport en route back home to South Africa. It’s 10am in the Big Apple and around 3pm in Mzansi. We chat via Zoom while she’s in the back seat of a cab. This preacher’s kid from KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, is making big moves, carving out an international gig roster for herself in the decade she’s been a club DJ. The previous night she had been part of the line-up of a monthly Afro Tech event in Brooklyn, titled Descendants of House. Car hooters and traffic noise serve as backdrop to our get-to-know-LeSoul conversation that lasts until she gets to the airport, checks in and awaits her flight. I started playing in New York in 2018, but…

STATEMENT LIPS Capture attention with a mesmerising pout in sultry and bold colours. Give your lips a soft glow with alluring lip glosses, oils and liquid lipsticks in vivid pigments, natural hues or a dazzling shimmer. To make your lip colour last longer, use a liner before coating your lips with your product. GRAPHIC EYELINER Perfect your feline flick with a felt tip gel or liquid eyeliner for ultra precision. Experiment and take your wings to another dimension by playing with shapes and lines in pops of moody hues and soft pastels. Add the finishing touches with a swipe of volumising mascara. METALLIC EYESHADOW For a dreamy and trendy look, adorn your lids with some shimmer and shine or add a metallic pop to the inner corners of your eyes.…

A six-step guide Even among the best teams, cognitive diversity can be awkward. Here’s how to start the process of getting your team comfy with healthy conflict. Understanding and changing habitual patterns doesn’t happen overnight – both for individuals and teams. Understanding everyone’s viewpoints and gauging their comfort levels with disagreement is important because these can differ radically. FIRST, TAKE THESE STEPS WITH YOUR TEAM: 1. Identify your comfort zones. Chat openly with your team and see what comes up. Make a list. This is about preparing to step out of those comfort zones. Additionally important, make time to step back because this will allow you to process and internalise your experiences and relieve any feelings of anxiety. 2. Identify triggers you need to address. Be honest with yourself and…

fitness HOW STRONG AM I? The test: ONE-REPETITION MAXIMUM What is it? A straightforward, one-push test in which you try to shift as much weight as possible in one go. Joanna Berggren, co-founder and personal trainer at Nordic Balance (www.nordicbalance.co.uk), believes it to be “the very best way to determine your strength”. How do I do it? “Firstly, warm up the part of the body you’re working,” Berggren advises. “Then, find a heavy weight that you can’t lift more than a few times. The most common move is a bench press with a barbell. With a spotter at hand, lift the weight once and bring it back to the starting position.” Perform this one-repetition maximum with the heaviest weight you can manage comfortably and safely. What does it show? This…

TOTES AMAZING! A stylish tote by Siba, yes please! They come in two colours - black and natural, and are made out of high-quality linen. The take-it-every-everywhere canvas bag is locally produced in Cape Town. You can use it as a grocery (sustainability) or gift bag for your faves. Only R499, the totes are available exclusively at SIBA -The restaurant and online soon. HOTSTUFF Everyone has a spicy flavoured crisp that they devour one-man till they lick the red hot remnants off their fingers. PepsiCo’s “hottest snacks” has been extended to include proudly Mzansi flavours like Simba Flamin’ Hot Chakalaka and Dorito Flamin’ Hot Masala. Next time you’re in the snack aisle, do check them out. FANCY SOME CHEESE? M ake any cheeseboard a showstopper with this ornate cheese set.…

winter baking METHOD 1. For burnt butter pastry: Cook butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling pan occasionally, for 5 mins until dark brown. Tip into a heatproof bowl, scraping all the caramelised milk solids into the bowl. Refrigerate until set, and then roughly dice. Combine burnt butter, flour, sugar and ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes in a food processor and pulse to fine crumbs. Add egg, egg yolk and 1 tablespoon cold water, and pulse until dough comes together. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and form into a disc; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate to rest for an hour. 2. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to 3mm thick. Ease into the base and sides of a 23cm…

ARIES 1 Mar – 19 Apr There is so much to distract you and your impulsiveness could take you into precarious territory. Decisions with long-term implications should be put on hold until after mid-May. LOVE: From the 21st, lashings of romance add to wild encounters – you are ready for anything. Add a dollop of the dramatic to spice things up. WORK/MONEY: Money is everywhere. Can you contain and make it work for you? Given half the chance, you will transform into a big spender – it is tempting. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul Tackling everything that comes your way with vigour is a surprise, even to you. From the 11th, so much that has been pending comes together effortlessly. LOVE: If single, love swirls around you in May.…