My People
Celokuhle Buthelezi
I inherited Celo as a member of my under-appreciated team when I headed up marketing for eight footwear and clothing brands in 2012. Celo is one of those people with whom I have a kindred view of the world. She is spectacularly no-nonsense and doesn’t take anything at face value. We share an over-achiever diva complex and an excellent eye-roll ability. Celo can always make me laugh in dire circumstances and she is a fiercely loyal friend. There is no such thing as a cowardly Zulu woman that’s for sure.
- What do you like about your name?
Very little if I’m being completely honest. I appreciate the sentiment behind my name (my mom really wanted a girl), outside of that it’s a constant Love/Hate relationship. Why you ask? Firstly, 7/10 people struggle to pronoun Celo, let alone Celokuhle. Then I have the ones who try and teach me how to pronounce my own name (the Zulus) – Like DAMN!!!! LOL – with that said, I sometimes marvel at the meaning and how my name really roots me as African.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Durban or eThekwini – that’s so Durban of me. Sometimes I say from Kwa-Zulu when they ask about my family and roots. My Grandfather has a house in a place called eKukhanyeni in rural Zululand so that’s my second home – where my family is buried.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
100% juice – I was raised on Oros and unlike everyone else I hate it. So, I always buy 100% juice on every trip. It’s currently my only luxury.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
My folder with all my documents – so I can rebuild my life! Everything else can burn… so I can get new stuff! OMG and this one coat I love with all my heart😊
The 'one coat':
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
Religion has always helped me center myself. I’ve always felt that there is greater power in the world, a different realm. I’ve always used religion and cultural practices to connect to that higher power. I can’t find the words to explain it, my beliefs have always given me the encouragement I’ve needed to get what I need out of life. I’ve been that person, tested God. He has always delivered! I haven’t always enjoyed the journey but I can honestly say I’ve received everything I’ve asked for.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
A good wrap skirt is KING! I have so many. They work for girls like me – small waist and large ass.
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Absolutely! – You are investing in yourself! And all that money will come back to you in the form of an opportunity and money. Plus, nobody can take it away from you. “Change the way people think and things will never be the same,"– Steve Bantu Biko
- What is your deepest fear?
Death - The world is quick to forget! I’ve always wanted to leave the world in a better place than how I found it. I want that opportunity before I kick the bucket!
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
Besides having a legacy, you can physically see – I’m not sure. That’s what my nephews and I were to my Dad. He always spoke about us being his legacy in this world – testament that he had lived. Technically we helped him achieve that dream. Geez – this is a hard one!
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
A Russian passport so that I can travel visa free to 159 countries. When that’s done, I’m traveling nonstop for a minimum of 3 years. Seeing the world 3 or 4 times over. Experiencing Japan in Summer and Winter!
Grant Jonathan Nash
It’s very hard to explain how fantastic Grant is as an example of a human being. When humanity disappoints me, which is often, or makes me angry which, in the ever-encroaching presence of social media, it does regularly, Grant is the person that restores my faith in how incredible people can be. Granted (ha ha, see what I did there?) he is quite a rare and unique type of person but I’m always deeply grateful for his clear head in times of crises, his deep-thinking and willingness to engage on complex issues and his grounded and realistic brand of optimism. He really does the hard work on everything that matters. It’s an honour to call him one of my people.
- What do you like about your name?
I was named after my mother’s friend’s father. He passed away before I was born. My mum tells me he was an incredible guy. I am assuming she was hoping I would turn out to be the same. Let us hold thumbs that I have lived up to the name.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Currently Joburg, originally Pretoria. I used to answer this with a slight, ‘I wish I didn’t though’ in my voice. But I eventually learnt to love Johannesburg and all it has to offer.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Aero Dark chocolate and if the store stocks Vegan Ice-Cream it will be bought, no questions asked. I recall a lovely story about myself and a friend who were driving down to Durban and quickly stopped by Kosher World to get some Vegan Chocolate Crunchies. We then discovered Vegan Kosher ‘Magnum’ style ice creams being sold in packs of twelve. We bought them and were little piggy’s and had three each before having to stop and find a friend to give ice-cream to as they were obviously melting.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
My Laptop and Buddhist texts.
The Laptop because it has my life on there and, as Justine can attest to, I once forgot to backup for six months or so and lost everything. It was not pleasant. I learnt my lesson.
The Buddhist texts because they have changed my life. So they are functional and sentimental.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
One of my favourite Zen Buddhist quotes is from D.T. Suzuki who says “We teach ourselves; Zen merely points the way.” Religion I believe can provide a helpful roadmap to point the way to living a fulfilled life. Note how I did not say the only roadmap, just a beneficial one at times (and let us be honest a hugely unhelpful one at other times).
My feelings towards patriotism were succinctly captured by Robert Jensen when he said ‘I am against nationalism, and I am against patriotism. They are both the dark side. It is time not simply to redefine a kinder and gentler patriotism, but to sweep away the notion and acknowledge it as morally, politically and intellectually bankrupt. It is time to scrap patriotism’.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Jeans, Tee and Converse (lately high-tops thanks to Justine).
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
I believe education should be a universal right and all should have access to it regardless of their economic status. So the practical answer is no because the cost excludes so many from access to it. But is higher education extremely valuable? Unequivocally – not so much vocationally as it used to be, but it definitely expands the mind in formal ways that are hugely beneficial.
- What is your deepest fear?
I have a complicated relationship with fear. My Calvinistic upbringing has meant that my first experience of fear was when it was used to control. Fear was used as a means of getting me to act the way the Christian Church believed was the right way to act. Sadly this way often didn’t resonate with me and this lead to incredible guilt – another unhealthy emotion. So in my adult life fear, if not practical, is something I’ve tried to dispose of. That doesn’t mean I don’t have fear – I just don’t think it is a very helpful emotion and I expend a lot of energy, sometimes irrationally, trying to face my fears. That being said then my greatest fear comes from the loneliness that dying must bring. That realisation that you are alone and no one can help you.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
Human kids? I am not sure of the benefits. But being the proud caregiver of two Bulldog kids I can tell you the benefits far outweigh the farting, scratching, mood swings, burping, slobbering, laziness they come with. It is the unconditional love I find so inspiring. They love with their entire worlds, and this is not only a lesson but a great benefit that warms my heart every time I get home.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
I would fund the world’s biggest feeding scheme. The idea that so many go hungry every day pisses me off. Hunger should not exist. Even beyond bad decisions, NO person should go hungry…and a ticket to Nepal to go chill at my favourite places in the world.
Liesl Clare Hefkie
I stole Liesl from another radio station to be my Marketing Manager at 5FM which is what she now does. So I see Liesl almost every day and I thoroughly enjoy our candid, comedic and caring work relationship. Liesl is brave and kind but never fake. Neither of us are good at lying and both of us wear our hearts on our sleeves which to me, makes work better because it’s more honest. We don’t have time for games beyond the game of life and Liesl plays full-on, 100% and high in sugar.
- What do you like about your name?
I don’t know if I like it, it’s just ok. So my name is German, shortened version of Elisabeth, I don’t think my parents knew this when they named me so this is never used to explain why I was named Liesl. I am glad I was not called Elisabeth – I think I would have hated my name then.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
I was born in Port Elizabeth, and then moved to Pietermaritzburg at 3 months of age so I have no recollection of PE. Then when I was 3 years-old we moved to Johannesburg. So I am from Johannesburg ….. and super proud of this Big Apple of SA.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Something for my daughter. I love her reaction when I surprise her with little gifts. I love receiving gifts but since I don’t get as many I enjoy giving.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
My bag. It contains my life (wallet, laptop, ipad, notebook, make-up, sunglasses, spectacles). Also a big lever-arch file in my cupboard that contains my life in documents (policies, insurance, passports, birth certificates etc.)
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
A sense of belonging. In a very chaotic world it gives peace of mind. It also provides purpose in life as we navigate getting out of bed every day!
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Jeans, sneakers and a blazer for casual and a black dress and killer heels for something more formal.
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
So many people are such go-getters in life and can achieve anything without a tertiary education. For those who are not as entrepreneurial it’s probably a good idea and therefore worth the cost. Sometimes the paper is the deal maker. In my personal experiences I have seen how a discussion with an educated person and the same discussion with a “non-tertiary” educated person can be so fundamentally different. It shapes your thinking and approach in so many different ways in this thing we call Life.
- What is your deepest fear?
Not being around to see my daughter through important stages in her life until she reaches adulthood and is able to stand on her own two feet.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
Sharing a life and life experiences and creating memories. This is my favourite thing about having a daughter. In my opinion the love between a parent and child is the ultimate experience between individuals.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
Plane tickets to Disney World for myself and my daughter. While she enjoys the entertainment I’ll be mapping out a plan on what to do with the rest of our money.
Lindsay Cilliers Breytenbach
Lindsay and I became friends because our husbands (back then our boyfriends) worked in the same industry and knew each other well. Lindsay is likely the most creative and visually inspired friend I have. She has a unique way of seeing things and that makes her the most rewarding conversationalist on any topic. She’s never uncomfortable about learning something new and she has the best smile in the world.
- What do you like about your name?
That it’s unisex.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Bloemfontein.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
A cappuccino (if available) as an incentive, as grocery shopping is not my fave. I prefer fresh food markets.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
Memento’s from close family members who have passed away – drawings, poetry, photos.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
A (perceived) sense of community.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Black – whether its leather, eyeliner, an LBD, pumps or PJ’s.
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
It depends on the discipline/field of study. It is my view that very few SA tertiary institutions are evolving fast enough to be on point or as relevant as they should be and adequately equip students with hard and soft skills they need to thrive in the world of work.
- What is your deepest fear?
Snakes - except the ones in the Gucci Garden campaign
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
When they are young and unaffected by the cruelties of the world, they have the ability to transport you to a place where imagination reigns and things are simple – it’s truly blissful.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
I would throw a fuck-off Club Tropicana themed party! Wham! and 80’s classics would be on repeat, bespoke art pieces, tons of props – think flamingos, palm trees, neon lights and pineapples of course - craft gin cocktails, topless waiters, all my favourite party foods and I would fly in my nearest and dearest for the party of a lifetime.
Tamaryn McPherson
Tam always jokes that when she broke up with a friend of mine she got two things out of it…me and her travel agent. Her greatest characteristic in my opinion is that she’s 100% opt in. Tam is never afraid to try something new, go somewhere different or take on something challenging. For her temerity and determination in everything she does, she is thoroughly impressive. Of all my girlfriends she is likely the one with whom I share the most similar approach and attitude.
1. What do you like about your name?
I like that my name is very unusual and memorable once people realise it is not Cameron.
2. What do you answer when people ask, ‘where are you from’?
I am Jozi born and bred, a big city girl.
3. What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
A lot of eggs and vegetables.
4. If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
Hmm…tough question. I’d have to say my handbag with my passport and ID, my laptop and my Jeep because I LOVE THAT CAR!
5. What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
For me these two are mutually exclusive but both rely on Tribal thinking – putting the tribe aka country/secular choice/nation ahead of the Individual. This was used to control people’s behaviour to facilitate physical survival with an emphasis on honour and shame in the past. The positive benefits are that it cultivates loyalty, ethics and a code of honour while the danger is that it must be attached to the Tribe always, loyalty to oneself is a very low priority on the Tribal/patriotic list.
6. What’s your fashion safe zone?
Wearing black. Always, when in doubt.
7. Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
It depends on what a person wants their vocation to be. If one wants to be a doctor then yes, it is worth the financial cost. I think it is short-sighted that young people ONLY want to focus on Tertiary education as the solve-all to getting employed and rich. Doing a technical qualification is just as rewarding and noble. There will always be a need for a plumber, an electrician, a mechanic and the like. The world moves because of these people.
8. What is your deepest fear?
I had to think hard about this one because nothing came up immediately like fear of heights, BUT after much deliberation I realised that I fear a lack of independence. It has been my driving force since I was younger.
9. What is the main benefit of raising kids?
Raising kids has never been on my “to do” list of Adulting so I am not the best person to ask. Back in the day, they enabled your “legacy” however you are never assured of kids turning out the way you might want them to. For me, children are a HUGE responsibility and not something to take lightly, especially because your life WILL never be the same again.
10. If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
Shares, lots of shares offshore and then I would buy a year-long trip around the world and visit every single place of interest.
Elouise Kelly
If we were on the TV show Survivor, Elouise and I would be in an unshakable alliance. We are both marketeers in an environment where marketing is believed to be either an expense or a department of people that throw parties and manufacture t-shirts. When we talk, we tend to agree on everything and yet I always learn something from her. Elouise is who I see in my mind when I read about successful, independent, modern women.
- What do you like about your name?
It means “warrior” or “one who is famous in war.” I think its pretty apt.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Joburg, born and bred.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Kitchen Roll and Toilet Roll, you always need them so you can never have enough.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
My phone. I’m super organised so by taking my phone I would have my music, my money, copies of official documents, photos, everything.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
Both can give you a profound sense of belonging and identity, with a common purpose. The disadvantage is they can also take that belonging, identity and purpose away from you. If you’re too patriotic you can turn out to be racist and xenophobic and if you’re too religious you can be intolerant of other faiths. Tolerance is the key to keeping perspective with issues of religion or patriotism.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Pants , jeans and skirts, which can be dressed up or down. Like a canvas, they provide a base for accessories, shoes and handbags ito finish “the look.”
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
First off, tertiary education is virtually unattainable for a large part of our population. Perhaps when we’ve made it more accessible we can properly evaluate whether or not it’s worth the financial cost. That being said, if there was more equality, my answer would be…not always. Not everyone studies what they should so they’re never able to recoup a substantial Return on Investment from their degrees and/or other qualifications.
- What is your deepest fear?
I don’t have one, I’ve never really lived with fear/s, it might have something to do with the meaning of my name (refer answer to Q1). LOL.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
I saw a wonderful tweet the other day (I can’t remember whom to credit it to) but it went along the lines of “let’s raise kids who don’t have to recover from their childhoods.” I interpret this as always trying to do better by your children so they’re happy, well adjusted, functioning human beings. If you’re able to do this then I think you’ve succeeded as a parent. They force you to look at yourself and if you’re open to it, you can grow up (again) through your children.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
Tickets around the world for my family and I. When I’d feasted my eyes on all the wonders it has to offer I would return home and try and live a semblance of a normal life.
Arye Kellman
I met Arye as a wide-eyed intern who I employed when I was Marketing Manager of 5FM. He went on to become a dependable resource across a lot of messy and less than fabulous work which he never complained about. He then took a career gamble that paid off at a very young age which is something very few people can claim. Arye is really smart and I have a great big preference for smart people over dumb ones. A conversation with him can last an enriching series of hours and nothing is a no-go territory for cognitive exploration.
- What do you like about your name?
Arye is Hebrew for the word “Lion”, which makes me the king of the jungle 😉 I think what I like most about the name is that its based on the fact that as I exited my mother’s womb, all that could be heard was obstructive, rebellious and incessant crying… I mean, roaring. My parents had no idea what to call me, so I told them… it’s a dope story.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
It’s a straight up “Jo’burg born and bred”… I’m proud of my city, and I’m positive about my country. Jo’burg has a rich history and an ever evolving culture that I’m incredibly stoked to be a part of.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
A plastic bag for the groceries – one day I’ll remember to bring one so I don’t have to pay extra for plastic.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
I appreciate the question but there’s no going back into that house once it’s on fire.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
As people we need to believe in something to make sense of the insensible… patriotism and religion give many people a cause and purpose to rally behind. I don’t judge.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
All black er’thang.
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Not in 2017. There’s probably a video on You Tube that’ll tell you why – in fact there’s a few videos there that will teach you a whole lot for free…
- What is your deepest fear?
Being my own stumbling block. It comes true on the regular… but we’re all a work in progress.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
This is a DMC we need to have in person.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
Plane tickets. Lots and lots of plane tickets.
Big Ben Hurbrough
Ben is the one and only American citizen in my Milan Plan Fam. He is the most atypical American I’ve ever met, from inside the heart of typical Texas, which makes him special in many ways. Ben is truly himself, wherever, whenever, entirely genuine at all times. He also gives good advice…like on my way to pick my Hunny up on his very first visit to Milan he said to me, “Well girl, you go get your man!”
- What do you like about your name?
I like that it is simple. I am named after my grandfather, William Bernard Hurbrough, swapping Bernard for Ben.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
It depends on the situation. If asked in general, I say Houston. When referring to school, I say Austin. Either way, I’m American and Texan!
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Abroad: bottled water. At home: mac and cheese.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
My laptop– pictures, memories, and documents are my diamonds.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
A sense of belonging.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
A solid colored (American Spelling yes) shirt and skinny jeans.
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Yes; it allows you to learn more about topics that interest you.
- What is your deepest fear?
Dying without living my life to the fullest potential and experiencing the world.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
Leaving behind a part of you through a future generation.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
A private jet because first class just isn’t cutting it anymore 😉
Nicola “Niqui” du Plessis Rademeyer
Niqui was my very first boss straight out of university. I got seriously lucky with that. She taught me everything I needed to know as a scared and disillusioned 23-year-old who didn’t eat lunch for the last week of every month because I couldn’t afford it. When I went through a break-up she bought me a bunch of yellow roses and told me I was better than him. In 2016 she got married and opened The Happiness Café, her wholefoods eatery dream. She knows how to chip away at what she wants, understands that progress is never linear and has depths of strength indescribable in words.
- What do you like about your name?
I like that my mother is the only person who calls me Nicola the name that she gave me. I like that I invented Niqui when I was a drama student full of dreams and madness and that after all these years its stuck.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Where I come from is the heart of the hateful history of South Africa. Nevertheless I always tell the truth and say I come from Bloemfontein because despite its bad rep I have the fondest memories of a beautiful, magical and innocent childhood there.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Well, I grocery shop for a living. Everything and anything my Café needs every day.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
When I was 9 our family home burned to the ground. The most devastating loss was our family history in photographs that went to ashes. Everything else is replaceable.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
For those who need either I think they provide structure and sense. I personally need neither.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Unashamedly a kaftan. The ultimate in comfort and hippy chicness
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Absolutely. I have never been asked to produce my degree as proof of anything. However the experience of tertiary education shaped me in a very different way from lessons taught by the university of life.
- What is your deepest fear?
That there will come a time in my life when I will be forced to actually read War and Peace.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
To learn lessons about yourself that you missed the first time.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
I would buy my sister a house and set her up for life so that she never has to worry about anything again.
Mankwe “Manks” Sithole
Mankwe and I met on day one of our Masters degree course. She has one of those enviable balances between corporate chic and casual cool that very few people can pull off. As a person less than even slightly keen to procreate, I’m always impressed at Manks’ relaxed yet attentive approach to motherhood. Clearly it works because her daughter Kuhle is one of the few small humans I find fascinating and can talk to for ages. Manks has gumption in spades and she has by far the best smile of anyone I know.
- What do you like about your name?
Thankfully my name means something…lol…you know with African names, it can go left very quickly! My name is a female leopard in Pedi…a leopardess…so I love the reference to the strength, courage and just all-round female power of the leopardess!
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Mmm I have never really thought about that question introspectively. If you were to ask me that question, I would simply say Joburg. I was born and bred in Jozi, grew up in Soweto, then found my way to the burbsJ…however since you asked the question, now I have to think about it beyond superficially…still thinking..:)
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Cheese…white mature cheddar and onion marmalade…obsessed.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
I am the least sentimental person…much to my husband’s frustration and annoyance…I am way too pragmatic. So I guess I am inclined to take special jewellery as you can’t replace it, but I have so much of my life documented on iCloud…so if iCloud disappeared then I am in S&^*
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
For me, religion anchors me. I am Christian and fundamentally I am rooted in those key principles of love, family, forgiveness etc. But I am also objective enough to accept people for who they are, so I live my truth and align myself with people who are not necessarily Christian but are anchored and solid about who they are and why. Nothing worse than a person who lives on the fence of life!
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Oh dahling, nothing beats a great dress…long short, knee length etc! I find them so easy… I don’t have to think too hard. It’s an item where I don’t have to match it to anything!
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Wow…loaded question especially being African and South African. My issue is that it doesn’t benefit humanity if people are not educated. The more people with tertiary educations the better. I think putting a price on education is a tool that continues the social and economic separation and exclusion continuum…excuse the verbosityJ . I am big on access…but I also understand that access comes with a price…so there has to be a way to make good education accessible.
- What is your deepest fear?
Oh being a mom…I fear for my kids. I worry about the world they will be growing up in. Will I prepare them enough for the road ahead because I can’t prepare the road ahead for them…
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
Unconditional love. To have someone look to you for everything is a huge responsibility and also rewarding! I guess it makes life more than just about me.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
Apartments in all my favourite cities in the world.
Thando "Thabooty" Thabethe
I wouldn’t exactly classify Thando and I as friends. She is a member of the 5FM Family and hosts The Thando Thabooty Show on 5FM weekdays from 10am to 1pm. Thando is a uniquely smart human being. She knows just how far is too far and that means she gets away with a lot and leaves her victims smiling. I admire her greatly for numerous reasons but the thing I love the most about her is that she can make any situation fun. It’s impossible not to feel something deeply when Thando has your attention.
- What do you like about your name?
I actually HATED my name for the longest time, but ive grown to love how my name sounds next to my surname
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Johannesburg
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Flowers, I think every girl should buy herself flowers, its silently empowering
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
My photos
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
It’s a sense of community and belonging, where a group of people believe the same things and are governed generally by similar morals
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Sneakers, leggings and a sweater
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Yes and no. It shouldn’t cost as much as it does firstly but other than the actual schooling knowledge gained there are a lot of life lessons that can be learnt in a university/college. It’s also a great networking playground. Most of the people I went to school with I either work with or have access to.
- What is your deepest fear?
Death of loved ones.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
I guess I’ll never know until I have kids of my own, but I imagine that just the idea of another human born of you exists, grows and becomes an ACTUAL person is quite something, but mainly I think there is so much the you learn about yourself from raising children that you otherwise would never have known.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
A new house for my mom.
Natalie Hill “Twin”
If you looked Twin up in the dictionary of my life you’d find her under two entries namely “oldest friend I have” and “Original BFF”. We met in our first year of high school at age 13. We are born exactly 3 months apart to the day. We’ve been through everything worth mentioning and a lot not really worth mentioning together. We’ve lived miles apart for longer than we were in high school and yet when we are together it’s like we’ve been living in the same apartment our whole lives. She’s my ride or die homie.
- What do you like about your name?
That my mom named me after the actress Natalie Wood of Rebel Without a Cause fame, amongst other roles. Aside from the fact that she drowned tragically shorty before I was born (eeek!) she was classy with understated glamour.
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
I normally first have to reply that I am neither Swedish nor Eastern European. Then I say South Africa and if they seem to have a good general knowledge of the country then I mention Pretoria.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Wine and chocolate. Typically female! But I make no secret of the fact that chocolate is my sanity medication. Although I seem to be having a lot less of both with age, the meds must be working, haha.
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
Passport and a handful of photo albums.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
We all have this need to feel safe and to belong, so each to their own.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
Sexy lingerie and anything in black.
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Yes, but it is definitely not for everyone. Knowledge and success come in many forms from many paths.
- What is your deepest fear?
Fear itself.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
The world sure knows how to make the lists of benefits shorter. A love and life experience like no other.
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
A house. But since buying a house takes a while I’d probably have gone shopping in the meantime!
Gail Mbali Dludla “Poocs”
Gail and I met through a syndicate group we were sorted into at the beginning of our first year of Masters in Management: Strategic Marketing. Truthfully that’s like an MBA but with a much higher dissertation requirement. Gail and I clicked immediately. My favourite thing about her is that she is direct and honest about everything and yet she is one of the most selfless people I know. She won’t lie about anything because she thinks that's what people want to hear and yet she doesn’t have a shred of arrogance about her.
- What do you like about your name?
It is short and nobody pronounces it incorrectly. It also has a positive meaning: “Joy” or “Rejoice”
- What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
I answer that I was born and raised in Soweto.
- What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
I always buy nuts, biltong and salami sticks. They are my favourite!
- If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
Definitely my handbag. It has all my important things.
- What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
I suppose being part of a society or community that has something in common with you.
- What’s your fashion safe zone?
A black dress and a pair of heels. Can never go wrong with that combination!
- Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
I believe it is, if it is from a reputable institution. Worthwhile things are worth the money.
- What is your deepest fear?
I have a deep fear of becoming blind.
- What is the main benefit of raising kids?
Kids compliment and criticise with love and honesty. There is nothing in this world that is better than little arm giving a hug and a little voice saying: “ Don’t worry, Mom. It’s going to be okay because I love you.”
- If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
I’d buy a holiday home in Greece or Croatia.
Roxanne "Roxy" Burger Shraga
Roxy and I met when we were thrown together to produce TV to the power of 5 for 5FM. We produced over 36 episodes of this magazine slash radio TV show that broadcast on SABC 3 every week in 2010. Roxy is one of those very unique people in that she is a talented and well-known TV presenter on shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Top Billing with an enviable social media following, but simultaneously she has those remarkably rare qualities of humility and a deeply determined work ethic unrelated to a personal appetite for fame. She never fails to be a real human being and yet she sparkles in any room she is in.
1. What do you like about your name?
Interesting question! I like that my name can be shortened into something fun. My full name is Roxanne, which I love, but Roxy is my fave.
2. What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
From Jozi! I love Johannesburg. A lot of people give Joburg a raw deal but I think this is one of the most amazing cities on earth. Our energy and people are world class.
3. What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
I HATE grocery shopping so I generally try and be as quick as possible. I’m not a foodie either so there’s not appeal there. I’d say cat food. It feels like I am constantly feeding my animals.
4. If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
I’d try and take an old door from our wedding (yeah it’s big and heavy but I’d try) that I converted into a picture frame. It’s filled with photos from our wedding day and was a gift to my husband on our first wedding anniversary.
5. What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
Trust you to get real deep real quick, haha! I think there is a thin line to be walked with either of these belief structures. Too much of anything can be a bad thing. That’s my vague opinion and I’m sticking to it 😉
6. What’s your fashion safe zone?
Good old jeans and sneakers. You can’t go wrong with a great pair of skinnys and 90s Air Max.
7. Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
I think it completely depends who you are, what your skills set is and what you want to do with your life. I do, of course, see the benefit of tertiary education but this form of schooling is not for everyone. With social media and technology being where it’s at I think there is definitely something to be said for the growth and value of the informal education sector.
8. What is your deepest fear?
Failure.
9. What is the main benefit of raising kids?
For me it would be the hopes that my children contribute positively to this world and their society.
10. If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
A first class ticket around the world!
Bevan Cullinan "Hunny"
Bevan is my husband, best friend and the most spectacularly amazing man I know. Nobody reading this can have him, because he's mine, but one of his many skills is answering questions clearly, concisely and in a deeply insightful way. Enjoy them, and a modicum of him, here..
1. What do you like about your name?
I like that my name is rare and that my surname is also the name of a very famous diamond. There are 1.5 billion users on facebook and I am the only Bevan Cullinan.
2. What do you answer when people ask ‘where are you from’?
Cape Town
3. What do you always buy when you go grocery shopping?
Milk. I love milk.
4. If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d rescue if your loved ones and pets were safe?
My laptop and drives.
5. What benefits are there to being patriotic or religious?
No benefits - unless you need other humans to provide ritual or doctrine-based structure to your life
6. What’s your fashion safe zone?
A good pair of jeans, sneakers and a black leather jacket.
7. Is tertiary education worth the financial cost?
Yes. It is not just the academic experience that is quantifiable but also the forced engagement with other people and ideas that holds the real value for me.
8. What is your deepest fear?
Failure.
9. What is the main benefit of raising kids?
They can fetch a beer for you.
10. If you had all the money in the world what’s the first thing you’d buy?
A house in the Netherlands.