Features

How patience, deep conversation, and self-work turned a crush into a marriage that heals

Never in Lungo’s wildest dreams did she imagine that her onscreen crush would one day become her husband. And never in ShabZi’s boldest hopes did he imagine marrying the very woman who would heal his heart and make a better man out of him.

Thimna Shooto is more than a familiar face on television — she is a symbol of self-belief in motion. Since winning Love Island South Africa in 2021, Thimna has used her platform to champion confidence, body positivity and a healthier, more compassionate relationship with fitness and self-image. Grounded in wellness yet deeply attuned to fashion and beauty, her approach to life is refreshingly guilt-free and unapologetically authentic.

Her latest offering reflects a woman fully in bloom — balancing music, entrepreneurship, and the joy of giving back.

For Lwah Ndlunkulu, making music isn’t just about sound — it’s about soul. Each note she sings opens a world that heals her first before extending that same light to others. Her music carries warmth, honesty, and a spiritual ease — the kind that feels less like performance and more like prayer.

After walking through unimaginable loss, rapper and businesswoman Nadia Nakai opens up about grief, faith and rediscovering joy — one day at a time.

For Nadia Nakai, choosing to live again was not an overnight decision. It was a gradual, grace-filled process — one that required surrender, honesty and courage. After losing her partner, rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, the world saw her heartbreak play out in real time. But what many didn’t see was her quiet battle to keep going, to find God again, and to give herself permission to heal.

Through loss, faith and reflection, Langa Mavuso returns to the truest version of himself — one rooted in family, love and acceptance.

Langa Mavuso speaks of love with the gentleness of someone who has truly known it — in all its forms, from the kind that raised him to the kind that broke and rebuilt him. “My grandparents’ love really shaped my early idea of what it means to be loved,” he reflects softly. “It was warmth and acceptance — never trying to make you anything but yourself.”

True to her name, Tumi Powerhouse is a force of nature—blending beauty, intellect, and ambition in equal measure. A media personality, influencer, and strategic communicator with an Honours degree, she’s made her mark across fashion, beauty, and entertainment.

Using acting to help others feel seen is something actress Kealeboga Masango admits she desperately needed herself while growing up — especially during her high school years when she faced immense bullying.

Long before Cici became a household name with hits like Hamba, Ndidinge, and her latest chart-topper Amen featuring Naledi Aphiwe, her journey in music was a relentless pursuit. Every step was driven by determination, countless sacrifices, and a deep belief that music was where she truly belonged.

Fresh off an unforgettable Paris Fashion Week and a defining appearance at the Business of Fashion (BoF) 500 Gala, South African style icon Sarah Langa continues to solidify her standing as one of fashion’s most influential voices. With a Hummingbird Fashion Award nomination now under her belt and upcoming speaking engagements across South Africa, Sarah’s evolution from fashion muse to cultural authority is in full stride.