Bloggers Corner | Youff Mag

"No man's an island. We are all interconnected as the death of another diminishes me"

By Elle Sishi

This quote resonates deeply within me, it's almost as if everytime I see it, I understand it differently. It's helped me realize the flaw with attempting to live life independently in a world where we are all interconnected.

We are all somehow entangled in each other's story and fall, part of each others journey. The peace that comes with the knowledge that you are not alone is one that brings a sense of sanity in an otherwise insane world.

I've always wrestled with the idea of freedom and what it truly means. Trying to find the balance between fully expressing myself fearlessly while protecting the peace of those around me by respecting and acknowledging their presence.

I think of how I would ideally love to walk around naked and maybe speak however way I want but the fact that i exist in a worldwhere people have their limitations in terms of what they can consume, limits me.=

I am aware of how the decisions of the next individual directly impact me and vice versa. I'm beginning to grasp the intricacies of being a grain of sand at sea and how the merging of these grains

provide a solid platform for one to rest on and stand firmly on. Similarly, I am a human amongst many and collectively we build a society that raises future kings and queens, we provide them with a solid base to stand on.

Artist of the Month Dec 20 | Youff Mag

Nana Atta who's real name is Sinenhlanhla Mthembu is our artist spotlight for the month. Hailing from Verulam north of Durban this soulful songstress has worked with some of South Africa's big names such as Zakes Bantwini and Ringo Madlingozi to name a few. She currently has a song on high rotation on most radio stations called Abafana. We got her to tell us about herself just so we can get to know her a little bit better.

Read on to find out more about her. find here latest single here

Who inspires you musically?

I'm inspired by a lot of different musicians from all over the world such as Thandiswa Mazwai, Lebo Mathosa, Rihanna,Burna Boy, Letha Mbulu and many more.

Do you think talent alone is enough or is formal education important if you want to make it in the industry?

No, education plays a huge role in giving us the skills we needs to make good decisions and be successful in the industry. Also just to enhance the talent. That's why I'm going back to school too.

Biggest challenge you've faced so far and how did you overcome it.

I've battled with the type of sound that works for me for a long time because I'm versatile, I'm able to do different genres so it was always hard for me to identify with any genre/ favor a certain genre. I personally think it's not right for us to be limited or boxed into genres.

Please also tell us 3 fun facts about you

1. I Like fixing things like a broken iron, tv.

2.I write short stories and currently branching into series

3. I don't like breyani

Summer Beauty Favourites | Youff Mag

Summer is one of my favourite seasons of the year. I love having light summermakeup and dewy skin in summer . Here are some of favorite skincare products and makeup products for the summer : 

Skincare: Ponds has ‘A Goodbye oily skincare’ range which helps unclog pores and keep your skin from getting too oily. It includes , a vanishing cream, face wash and toner.

The ponds flawless radiance serum is also a great product if you looking to stay glowy this summer. It lightly hydrates your skin while giving you a glow. 

Makeup: my make up summer favourites has to be the W.Beauty setting spray - which gives you the ultimate dewy makeup while still keeping your makeup in place.

My next favourite product has to be the revlon rose glow primer. Revlon created the perfect all season primer with the rose glow primer. The rose glow is an illuminating yet hydrating primer which feels very light weight on the skin. I do not leave the house without my revlon rose glow. 

Lastly my favourite summer foundations has to be the the Lancôme teint idole ultra 24hr foundation. It gives you full coverage yet is not too heavy on the skin. Lancôme foundation gives a flawless dewy finish- perfect for the summer.

Editor's Note | Youff: The SAMA Issue

Hope Mbhele & Zisto

Editors-in-Chief

Summer is around the corner and with this issue we want to reflect on what the year has brought forth. Firstly, we would like to wish all students going through exams the best of luck and let them know that the best is yet to come. To see where we are going we need to know where we’re coming from and if 2020 is anything to go by then we’re in for one amazing festive season. As the laws of the universe state...for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction.

Our November cover star is the dzaddiest of them all. We called this issue the SAMA issue not only because is it the beginning of Summer but we also have the SAMA award winning Yanga Chief on our cover. From successful job hunting to fitness, to make up and beauty as well as some awesome mixes, Youff magazine’s got you. UJohn esezoli vula i-gate.

Brown Girl Health: Cucumber & apple Juice | Youff Mag

The Anti-Inflammatory

BROWNGIRLHEALTH WAS STARTED IN A RES ROOM, WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STRETCH OUT MY ALLOWANCE MONEY. I HAD ALSO DONE RESEARCH THAT A HEALTHIER CLEANER LIFESTYLE HELPED IN REDUCING STRESS AND ANXIETY, I WAS IN MY HONORS YEAR, I WANTED TO BE IN THE BEST MENTAL STATE I COULD BE TO PUSH THROUGH AND GRADUATE.

THE PAGE STARTED AS A DOCUMENTATION OF MY HEALTH JOURNEY , BUT IT HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN THAT. WHAT BROWNGIRLHEALTH IS ESSENTIALLY IS DOING IS DEMOCRATIZING HEALTH, TO SHOW PEOPLE WHO CLICK ON MY PAGE THAT YOU CAN SWITCH TO A PLANT BASED DIET WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK . WHEN I STARTED MY JOURNEY

I WOULD WALK INTO HEALTH STORES, GO ONTO WEBSITES THAT TALK ABOUT SUPERFOODS AND SPECIALITY GRAINS ALL WHICH WERE EXPENSIVE TO NOT ONLY ME BUT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO EAT HEALTHIER BUT THAT VERY LIFESTYLE IS OUT OF REACH FOR MANY OF US BECAUSE OF HOW IT HAS BEEN MARKETED TO US.

THE RECIPES ON BROWNGIRLHEALTH ARE BASED ON INGREDIENTS THAT ARE AROUND US ALREADY, THE SIMPLE FOODS WE GREW UP ON, UBHONTSHISI, IMFINO,FRUITS LIKE APPLES ORANGES, THESE ARE SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF FOODS YOU CAN LOCALLY SOURCE FROM SUPERMARKETS TO OMAMA WHO SELL VEGETABLES AT THE RANK.

THE JUICING SERIES ON THE PAGE IS AN EXAMPLE OF ,INGREDIENTS YOU CAN EASILY SOURCE. THE SERIES IS DEVELOPED AS IN INTRODUCTION TO FIRST TIME JUICERS, HIGHLIGHTING THE BENEFITS OF JUICING AND OFFERING SIMPLE JUICING RECIPES THAT YOU CAN MAKE WITH A BLENDER OR JUICER.

THIS CUCUMBER AND APPLE JUICE RECIPE IS HEALTHY GREAT WAY TO KEEP COOL THIS SUMMER. CUCUMBER TO KEEP THE BODY COOL AND HYDRATED.

GINGER FOR THE ANTI INFLAMMATORY BENEFITS. APPLES FOR THAT NATURAL SUGAR ENERGY BURST.SPINACH FOR THAT PUNCH OF ANTIOXIDANTS FOR HEALTHY SKIN AND HAIR.

For more recipes like this please follow @browngirlhealth on Instagram.

Trial and Error... Let's Try Agin | Youff

Trial and Error... Let's Try Again

by Londeka Sishi

I'm pretty sure that most of us can attest to the idea that life is merely a game of trial and error. Much like the Idea that One has to kiss a few frogs before stumbling across "The one". It's safe to say that when it comes to the soul's human excursion, there's very little certainty

Now imagine being in that loop of discovery as an adult, still blinking in the dark and knocking your head on a few walls, trying to feel your way around, only to find yourself with an added responsibility of a "mini you"

Yes, not only do you need to worry about your stomach growling and wardrobe switch ups, now you need to think for a tiny person a.k.a your bundle of joy, whose most advanced communication tool is crying at the top of their voice.

This by far has been one of my greatest challenges as a young mother. Learning how to pick my Toddler's brain. Trying to derive and entire sentence or request from one long and loud sound. I've done it all from self help books, to tutorials and doccies on infants and none of them have brought me to the perfect solution.

The bravest thing I believe I did was admitting that this is always going to be a first time experience regardless of how many babies I had or even plan to have. Developing a love for the art of preparing your mind to soak up information is an incredible survival tool in this here world of parenting, because the truth of the matter is, you don't know... you may have an idea at times, but to say you're 100% certain could be a life threatening gamble.

The unspeakable gift of being able to physically become a warm and loving home for the formation of an infinite possibility is mind blowing. The mere thought of having my body become a cocoon to help God mould and perfect an entire life is one that I will forever humbly marvel at. Ultimately, the love pinnacle that one gets to be immersed in throughout that process is unmatched.

When all is said and done, you know somewhere deep down that there isn't a thing you would not do for these little ones. In as much as life is a pending blob, you can always allow yourself to be taught by the one you gave life to, how to help them curate their life, after all, life is a game of trial and error. is continued.

https://momdiariesdotblog.Wordpress.com/

@elle_sishi

Living Through the Pandemic: Mommy Edition

YOUFF MAGAZINE CATCHES UP WITH  FAB MOMMY,

TRACY HLOPHE.

WE TALK ALL THINGS PREGNANCY, BUSINESS AND NAVIGATING THROUGH PREGNANCY DURING A PREGNANCY.

IT IS NO DOUBT THAT THE WORLD PULLED THE RUG UNDER OUR FEET! THE PANDEMIC CAUSED ANXIETY FOR EVERYONE WORLD WIDE. AMID THE PANDEMIC, TRACY HLOPE SEEMS TO BE DOING THINGS CAUTIOUSLY AS SHE CARRIES WELL.

FROM A FAMILY OF 3 TO 4, HOW DID YOU FEEL?

TRACY LAUGHS, “I WAS VERY SHOCKED, I WAS VERY SHOCKED! ESPECIALLY AFTER AMILE”, SAID TRACY. PREGNANCY BEING DIFFICULT ON ITS OWN, IT’S A TAD MORE DIFFICULT FOR MOTHERS EXPECTING DURING THE PANDEMIC. “IT’S BEEN HARD, IT’S BEEN VERY HARD, ESPECIALLY HAVING A TWO YEAR OLD, THIS PREGNANCY IS HARDER THAN THE ONE I HAD WITH AMILE. (GASPS) GOING TO THE DOCTORS ALONE, IT’S NOT SOMETHING I THOUGHT WOULD BE HAPPENING, BUT IT’S MY REALITY”.

TRACY IS ALSO AN ENTREPRENEUR AND OWNS A RESTAURANT SHE RECENTLY OPENED, SHE FACES DOUBLE THE CHALLENGES DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME, HOW EVER THIS YUMMY MOMMY IS ABLE TO JUNGLE IT ALL. TRACY TIED THE KNOT WITH THE LOVE OF HER LIFE, FELIX HLOPHE TWO YEARS AGO. TRACY EXPLAINS HOW THE RADIO GURU EARNS BEST HUBBY MERITS AGAIN DURING THE SECOND TIME AROUND.

“IT’S HELPED TREMENDOUSLY THIS TIME AROUND BECAUSE I THINK THE FIRST TIME IT WAS UNEXPECTED, I DIDN’T EXPECT TO HAVE A BABY SO SOON AFTER. BUT THIS TIME AROUND HIS REALLY BEEN SUPPORTIVE, HIS THERE FOR ME 100% AND IT’S HELPED ME MENTALLY TO KNOW HIS IN MY CORNER”.

TRACY ENCOURAGES EXPECTANT MOMS LIKE HER TO STAY SAFE, STAY HOME AND BE CAUTIOUS ALL THE TIME.

Spring Looks by Zamangwane Khanyile