True Love

Welcome to our Black Excellence-themed issue. Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Michelle Obama, Shonda Rhimes, Basetsana Kumalo, Connie Ferguson and Mamokgethi Phakeng – these are just some of the women who set the popular culture on a daily basis. Th

Paisley print, suede, fringing and shearling are the defining characteristics of this style. Incorporating colourful leather into your outfit will give it a modern twist. Flared and culotte jeans are a great way to experiment with 70s tailoring witho

Earthy tones are synonymous with stability, comfort and balance. Channel this aura by rocking shades of brown this season. Break up a single-coloured outfit by mixing different textures in one look. Layering hues of brown will also result in an inter

Long-sleeve dresses with ruched or pleated detailing will elevate your look to a whole new level of chic. To create more drama, add a belt and cinch your dress at the waist. This will help accentuate your body if you’re wearing a loosely fitted dress

There’s nothing quite like a statement cover-up to complete a winter wardrobe. The classic variants will never lose their appeal but this season, we see a few new additions, such as the cosy oversized quilted coat and the Matrix-inspired leather coat

As we continue to spend more time at home, upscaling loungewear has become a way of life. It involves pairing comfy basics with formal and statement pieces to create stylish outfits for meetings both on and offline. Investing in key styles and making

Briefly tell us about yourself. I am a young Xhosa man who was born in the Eastern Cape. I grew up in a household full of strong, independent women who have been a great force in my life. I also lived with my cousins, whom I see as my blood siblings

You can’t stop ageing, but you can definitely slow it down. Upgrading your skincare regime throughout the different stages of life will help cater for the changing needs of your skin. This is the time to develop good habits to preserve your youthfu

Your underarms should naturally be the same shade as the rest of your skin. But sometimes, the skin can turn a little bit darker, making you feel self-conscious. Darkening is often due to a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans, which causes the

Over the past year, we have had no choice but to sanitise our hands all the time. This often left them looking dry and ashy. This is about to get worse during the winter season. The cold weather, sanitising and central heating will remove moisture fr

ART BY Cromwell Ngobeni (IG @cromwellngobeni) HAIR Kabelo Pusoe MAKE-UP Nosimphiwe Matiso MODEL Tshepiso Ralehlathe STOCKISTS Africarise (076 806 3616), Democratic Republic(011 784 0512), Europa Art (011 883 5354), H&M ( 086 069 0707), D’oré (011 783

MAKE-UP Lucoh Mhlongo STYLIST Londi Lembede MODEL Nolwazi Ngubeni STOCKISTS Black Fashion House (www.blackfashionhouse.co.za), J’adore D’amour ( jadoredamour.com), Inga Atelier (inga-atelier.com), Africarise (africariseonline.co.za) ■

The introduction of the State of South Africa’s Fathers 2018, a report compiled by Sonke Gender Justice and Human Sciences Research Council, talks about the colourful scope of different fathers we have in our country. “There is no typical father in S

here have been many memes doing the rounds on social media about how tough navigating romantic relationships is in the 21st century. The old pieces of advice — “Make it work for the sake of the kids”, “You’ve already invested so much; stay and fight

It’s been such an honour to have Prof Thuli Madonsela on our panel of judges since the very beginning. Now in her sixth year as a judge, she is excited to meet the next batch of women entrepreneurs. “Some jobs require you to have a degree, but to be

As we adapt to living with Covid-19, we cannot turn a blind eye and pretend that this pandemic is the only enemy of the health of black South African women. Unfortunately, black women face a number of health challenges and when they are combined with

She’s a game-changer, trendsetter, innovator, educator, creator and curator who has gone where others fear to tread. “I love the road less travelled; it keeps me fired up,” says award-winning chef, culinary expert and author Siba Mtongana, as she let

Serves: 6-8 Soaking time: Soak overnight Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 3 hours 500 g samp and beans2 litres of water250 g Rama margarine1 tsp saltWater 1. Soak samp and beans in warm water overnight. Rinse the soaked samp and beans. Transf

Introduce a cosy, warm and elegant feel to your home with brass accents. This gorgeous metal looks striking when paired with natural stones such as marble or solid wood to give your interiors a rich touch. Incorporating brass into a living space with

The aroma of ting ya mabele lingers in the air. The traditional Tswana fermented sorghum porridge is a morning signature dish in the stately kitchen of Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng (55). She cooks it every morning before going off to lead Africa’s mo

Your experience in television and broadcasting is extensive. Please tell us about your journey? I have been in television for over 20 years. My journey began at a production company called The Bomb Shelter, while I was standing in for the receptionis

When the temperature drops, it’s time to start thinking of a protective hairstyle that will keep your hair safe and healthy. One thing to note though, is that a protective hairstyle isn’t just about looking great in braids or cornrows, it’s about kee

It is a cold Sunday morning in May, Mother’s Day, and the TRUELOVE crew is waiting patiently at the sublime Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in Sandton. The air is thick with anticipation as we await Enhle Mbali’s arrival on set, and against my usual p

After a disastrous 2020, now more than ever, almost everyone understands the importance of saving for the future. And while some people are focused on saving a good chunk of money for emergencies or building a nest egg, some want to see their money g

Your feet carry you everywhere, but chances are you have been neglecting to take care of them. Because feet are usually hidden in socks and shoes, especially in winter, many people starve them of the love they deserve. A good place to start is includ

Your lips may mostly be under a mask, but that’s no reason to neglect them, especially in winter, when some people get blistered, chapped, or cracked lips. Your lips are especially vulnerable as they have no oil glands, and the skin is thinner than o

When the World Health Organisation (WHO) discouraged the use of a procedure called bronchoscopy–where an imaging tube is inserted via the nose or mouth to show the inside of the lungs – in the treatment against Covid-19, Dr Emmanuel Taban, a leading

This Zonnebloem Merlot has enough body to stand up to the steak while being flexible and fruity enough to pair beautifully with the herby chimichurri-style sauce and the roasted tomatoes. The wine’s delicate red fruit integrates brilliantly with the

We’re looking for the most impactful, resilient, inspiring women entrepreneurs in the country. If you recently started a new business, or you’ve been running your own business for a while – or you know a woman who has – we want to hear from you! Ther

The term “black excellence” is a buzzword that has gained momentum over the years, but how many of us have stopped to think of the origins and relevance of the concept in today’s world, where more and more black people, particularly women, seem to at