Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2019 i Fairlady

I love everything about travelling: reading up on the destination, working out which route and what flights and when and where – all that. Right up until the day before we actually leave, which is when I desperately want to cancel everything and just stay at home. I like my life, is how my thinking goes at that point. I like my family and my friends and my stinky dogs and my home. Why should I leave all that behind to go somewhere else? Specially somewhere that involves flying? So I totally understand Carol Poolton’s ‘The Truth About Travelling’, on page 62. The only difference between us is, once I’m actually there (wherever ‘there’ is), I love it again: the different light, food, smells and language – all of it.…

QMS Medicosmetics’ formulations are based on research-led, collagen-enhancing technology. The collection is designed to improve the appearance and long-term wellbeing of your skin. The QMS Deep Cleansing emulsion is gentle yet intense to remove impurities; the QMS Freshening Tonic, a gentle purifier, balances the skin’s natural acid mantle; and the QMS 24H Cream is a highly effective moisturiser formulated to provide 24-hour skincare. More info: www.futurethis.co.za THE HAMPER INCLUDES: Deep Cleansing emulsion (200ml), Freshening Tonic (200ml), 24H Cream (50ml) ☞ WRITE TO letters@fairlady.com…

START-UP COSTS: ‘I didn’t have money to start MAG. A designer friend gave me offcuts and these words: “Use what you have: social capital, and make it work”.’ TURNOVER: ‘MAG is steadily gaining a prestigious clientele; for now, profits are being put back into the business.’ Andile Mdakane is one of those people who holds a qualification she’s never used. ‘I have a diploma in Food Service Management from Technikon Natal [now Durban University of Technology],’ the KwaZulu-Natal-born jewellery designer says. ‘I didn’t know what I wanted to be or do, so I chose Food Service Management because I enjoyed Home Economics at school. The arts weren’t on the cards even though that’s what I was drawn to.’ Having grown up in a township in Estcourt meant there was limited…

AT a town hall meeting in Berlin earlier this year, former US president Barack Obama issued a grave warning to the activists gathered there: ‘Social media, that was once considered to be the network that would provide us with greater understanding, now suddenly appears to be a tool used to spread disinformation, hatred and suspicions,’ he said. It’s true that the digital world has developed a dark side. When journalists criticise Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, they’re attacked online by a group that calls themselves the MuskBros. British women’s rights activist and writer Laura Bates, who started the Everyday Sexism Project, often receives violent sexual messages and death threats on Facebook and Twitter. ‘You could be sitting at home in your living room, outside of working hours, and suddenly…

Here’s what to do if you’re faced with online bullying: 1 TAKE A SCREENSHOT OF THE MESSAGE ‘The great thing about cyberbullying is that it creates a paper trail. By taking screenshots, there’s no doubt about what was said,’ says Emma. 2 BLOCK THE PERSON ‘By blocking them, you are taking away their oxygen,’ says Emma. 3 REPORT IT ‘You can report the person on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Cyberbullying is against all their policies,’ Emma explains. 4 FIND SUPPORT ‘If they persist, seek help to get the relevant process in place. SaveTNet can assist with this,’ says Rianette. 5 STAND UP Adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards bullying, says Rianette. ‘Speak up when you see someone else being bullied online too.’…

When Kim Petersen started feeling exhausted all the time, she (like many working moms) was quick to brush it off as a normal part of juggling home and work pressures. ‘At the time, my husband was away on business, we were busy renovating our home and it was just me and my six-year-old son.’ Driving home from work, she felt tired, her wrists hurt, and her eyes were sensitive to light, but Kim assumed it was from staring at a computer screen all day. Her symptoms worsened: her joints ached, she developed rashes and even sensitivity in touch. ‘It was like chilblains in my fingers. When my fingertips touched anything, it was almost like a shock, it was so painful.’ After a complete blood test, her doctor told her that…

SARAH ADVOCATES: • Take your own bag when you shop. • Take your own mug and spoon for takeaway or canteen coffee. • Buy water in glass bottles and cooldrinks/ fruit juice in cans, not plastic bottles. • In countries like South Africa with safe drinking water, carry a water canteen and refill it from the tap. • Refuse straws and plastic cutlery – carry disposable/reusable straws and cutlery. • Buy only biodegradable earbuds (read labels!) • Buy clothing made from natural fibres (such as cotton, hemp or bamboo) rather than nylon or acrylic. • Buy fresh, local, seasonal foods. • Encourage local shops to stock plastic-free produce separately, and labelled as such; petition them not to sell plastic straws or bottled water in plastic. • Support shops that sell…

In SA, of the 7 million people who are smokers, 42100 die of tobacco-related diseases every year. But if you stop smoking today, you can reverse the adverse effects almost immediately. Your risk of cancer is reduced, the stains on your teeth will fade, and everything will smell and taste better. 10 WAYS TO MAKE IT STICK 1 SAVE THE DATE You can stop, but only if you really want to. Some can quit on the spot; others need a deadline. If going cold turkey isn’t an option, set a date so you can be strategic about quitting. 2 KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS Figuring out what makes you want to smoke can help you avoid the triggers. What makes you light up – boredom, stress, alcohol? 3 AVOID TEMPTATION Now you…

Q I want to put some money away for my child’s future. What’s the best education policy? A The cost of education often rises by more than 3 to 4% above normal inflation every year. In 2017, the cost of a tertiary education per year was R54 000 on average for a university degree, so the projected cost for 2022 would be R85000 a year and for 2030, R176 000. (These stats are from Old Mutual, and are based on the assumption that costs will rise by 9.5% per year.) Also remember that private tertiary education costs a lot more: a course in interior design, for example, had a starting fee of R75000 per year in 2017 at most design schools. To determine what kind of policy or education policy…

PROFESSOR THULI MADONSELA CHAIR OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY & FOUNDER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE M-PLAN AND THE THUMA FOUNDATION Professor Thuli Madonsela has been part of the FAIRLADY Santam Women of the Future judges’ panel since the competition’s inception in 2015. ‘I’ve learnt over my time being involved that we have a lot of talent in SA, and that adversity is a breeding ground for innovative entrepreneurs.’ Prof Madonsela made a name for herself as a woman of utmost integrity who would not stand for corruption when she served as SA’s Public Protector for seven years. Along with numerous other accolades, she was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014, Forbes Africa’s Person of the Year in 2016 and, most recently (in November 2018), she…

MATTE • URBAN DECAY ALL-NIGHTER LIQUID FOUNDATION, R515: full coverage, oil-free, long-wearing • LANCÔME TEINT IDOLE ULTRA WEAR STICK R550: oil-free, highly pigmented, long-wearing • DIOR FOREVER 24HR HIGH PERFECTION SKIN-CARING FOUNDATION, R880: velvety matte, SPF35, long-wearing • ESSENCE #INSTAPERFECT LIQUID MATTE MAKEUP, R99,95: waterproof, buildable • L’ORÉAL INFALLIBLE 24HR FRESH WEAR, R239: long-wearing, buildable, sweat-, water- and transfer resistant SATIN FINISH • DIORSKIN FOREVER PERFECT CUSHION FOUNDATION, R1 420: luminous matte finish, long-wearing • PHYSICIANS FORMULA THE HEALTHY FOUNDATION, R249,95: long-wearing, buildable, medium coverage ILLUMINATING • RVB ILLUMINATING LIGHT FOUNDATION, R595: lightweight emulsion, good for an active lifestyle • YSL LE TEINT TOUCHE ÉCLAT ILLUMINATING FOUNDATION, R770: full coverage, SPF19, blendable • L.O.V EVENELIXIR SERUM FOUNDATION, R285: medium coverage, SPF20, hydrating • DIOR FOREVER SKIN GLOW, R880: radiant finish,…

SMART CASUAL A black poloneck is a winter wardrobe staple – keep it looking razor-sharp by adding knee-high boots, a dramatic monochromatic skirt and a pair of cat-eye sunnies. Black knit poloneck with split sleeves (R399) Woolworths; knitted black and white skirt (R799) Poetry; black and red sunglasses (R3 497) Miu Miu, Sunglass Hut; earrings (R180) Lovisa; black suede boots (R2 799) Witchery, Woolworths EMERALD ISLE For an update on the classic pleated skirt, look out for unexpected textures and fabrics like this emerald green leather-look number. Pair it up with ankle boots or dress it down with sneakers. Black knitted jersey with frill detail (R2199) Le Temps Des Cerise, Pacific Collections; green pleated skirt (R899) Zara; black leather belt (R250) Woolworths; Beaded Magi earrings (R840) Pichulik; black suede boots…

RED LENTIL FRITTERS WITH GREEN YOGHURT SERVES 6, AS A SNACK PREP TIME: 25 MIN COOKING TIME: 25 MIN (PLUS COOLING) These little morsels may be on the diminutive side, but they punch well above their weight in the flavour stakes. If you want to make them gluten-free, you could substitute the self-raising flour with teff flour. • 1½ tbsp olive oil • ½onion, finely chopped • 2garlic cloves, finely chopped • 2tsp coarsely crushed coriander seeds • 2tsp coarsely crushed cumin seeds • 200g (1 cup) red lentils • 2eggs, separated • 100g self-raising flour • finely grated rind of 1 lemon, plus lemon halves, to serve • vegetable oil, for shallow-frying FOR THE GREEN YOGHURT • ½cup (firmly packed) coriander •1/3 cup (firmly packed) flat-leaf parsley • 2garlic…

1 ‘All my life, I’ve been interested in secrets. I love the idea that nobody, ever, is quite what they seem… Try using this in your writing – give your characters something to hide, and your readers will love it when you reveal the truth.’ – Anthony Horowitz, The House of Silk 2 ‘Consistency is key. You have to write every day, or every week, or whatever, but once you start something you really have to keep writing it until you finish. If you leave it aside for months or years, it will feel like that. Think of it like running or playing the piano – you have to train/practise all the time to keep it up.’ – Tracy Chevalier, The Girl With a Pearl Earring 3 ‘It helped me…

Chanel available at Edgars and Woolworths stores Colette 021 551 7552 DermaFix available at selected skincare clinics and dermatologists Dermastore www.dermastore.co.za Dior available at selected Edgars stores Edgars 0800 203 925 Essence available at Clicks stores and Dis-Chem pharmacies Garnier available at major retail stores Gatineau available at Woolworths stores H&M 0860 690 707 Lancôme available at Edgars, Foschini and Woolworths stores L’Oréal available at selected Clicks stores and Dis-Chem pharmacies L.O.V available at Dis-Chem pharmacies Lovisa 021 555 1051 NYX available at Clicks stores Old Khaki 0860 444 429 Pacific Collections 021 674 6091 Physicians Formula available at Dis-Chem pharmacies Pichulik 021 461 2474, www.pichulik.com Poetry 0860 555 529 Revlon available at selected department stores and pharmacies Rimmel available at Clicks stores and Dis-Chem pharmacies RVB Lab www.rvblab.com Scotch…

LIZZO: SINGER AND FLAUTIST This woman is incredible. My kids first introduced me to her song ‘Truth Hurts’, which is funny and brilliant: ‘Why are men great ’til they gotta be great?’ she asks sunnily. It’s rappy and rude, and I loved it. At the same time, they played me her amazing version of ‘A Change is Gonna Come’, and I was amazed by her versatility. But that wasn’t the half of it: Lizzo is a classically trained flautist, a rapper, a force for body positivity and a previously homeless person who is taking over the world. I think she’s extraordinary. MORGAN TAYLOR ARE YOU LION TO ME? NAIL POLISH I probably buy nail polish based on the name more than the colour, which is missing the point – but…

Burt’s balms At any given time I have at least eight lip balms knocking around in my handbag, so when I say that this one is my new favourite, you should know that it’s quite a competitive category. Burt’s Bees has just launched in SA and the lip balm is its flagship product – one is sold every second! This one smells delicious – like coconut and pear – is 100% natural, cruelty-free and really hydrating. I also like the lip shimmers – the formula is still hydrating, but it adds a hint of shimmery colour to your lips, and a nice overall sheen. You can buy Burt’s Bees products (there are also amazing hand creams, cuticle balms and other goodies) from Takealot.com: it’s R75 for a lip balm and…

It’s good to be excited when you take the plunge to start your own business – but it’s essential to start thinking ahead. Building resilience will help you mitigate risk and prepare for tomorrow. Here are four tips to ‘future-proof’ your budding business: 1. Safeguard against wind, water and hail: Check if your location makes you more susceptible to certain risks – you may be on a floodplain or in a forested region with a high fire threat. 2. Fight the fire: Check all electrical installations regularly as these are often the cause of fires. Service firefighting equipment annually. 3. Check your tech: What would happen if you suddenly lost all your customer data? Or had important information stolen? Make sure all your employees know that they need to do…

ANONYMOUS ‘During my son’s June/ July exams I noticed that he wasn’t focused, was losing weight and not sleeping. I knew he’d split up with his girlfriend, but I felt there was something more to the story. ‘After finding out that his then-girlfriend had been cheating on him, he broke things off. She and her friends took to Instagram and Qoohme to spread lies about him. It started with her telling friends that he’d forced her to do sexual things, and to drink and smoke. She and her friends began posting the lies on Qoohme, and as it spread, others started posting on my son’s Instagram what they’d heard. He even got threatening messages on WhatsApp from people he didn’t know. It eventually spread to three different schools. ‘Every day…

When The Girl from St Agnes debuted on Showmax earlier this year, the locally made series broke South African records, securing the honour of having more views within the first 24 hours of it being screened than any other show on the streaming service. The thriller is also something of a rarity: in a largely male-dominated industry, The Girl from St Agnes was commissioned, produced, written and directed entirely by women. And, since it centres on a girls’ boarding school in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the main characters are all girls and women. Popular learner Lexi Summerveld (Jane de Wet) is found dead at her prestigious girls’ boarding school and authorities are quick to dismiss her death as a tragic accident. But drama teacher Kate Ballard (Nina Milner) won’t rest until…

DON’T SMOKE Tobacco and secondhand smoke contain over 1400 dangerous chemicals, notes Savera Kalideen, executive director of the National Council Against Smoking. ‘When you inhale these chemicals, they affect your entire body.’ CONTROL YOUR WEIGHT Fat tissue is immunologically active and pro-inflammatory, and studies in Frontiers in Immunology suggest obesity is linked to certain autoimmune diseases. Get regular moderate exercise and watch your diet. Dr Fourie says: ‘Obesity is essentially a disturbance of the person’s metabolism, often driven by underlying system stress and inflammation – this quickly connects to immune disturbance. It’s not impossible that obesity itself is an autoimmune condition!’ FOLLOW A BALANCED DIET BASED ON WHOLEFOODS Avoid processed foods with additives and preservatives, sugars, artificial sweeteners, excess salt and fat emulsifiers. According to an Israeli study (in Autoimmunity…

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Attacks: Joints, causing pain, inflammation, swelling. Treatment: Oral or injectable medications. LUPUS: Attacks: Tissues throughout the body (joints, lungs, blood cells, nerves, kidneys), causing achy joints, fever, fluid retention, fatigue, and ‘butterfly’ and other rashes. Treatment: Daily doses of steroids to reduce inflammation. INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (ULCERATIVE COLITIS, CROHN’S DISEASE): Attacks: Intestinal lining, causing diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, weight loss. Treatment: Oral or injectable immune-suppressants. COELIAC DISEASE: Attacks: Intestinal lining, causing anaemia, rashes, mouth ulcers, headaches, fatigue, tingling in extremities, joint pain. Treatment: A strict gluten-free diet for life, and possibly supplements. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS): Attacks: Nerve cells, causing pain, weakness, poor coordination, muscle spasms, blindness. Treatment: Meds to suppress the immune system. TYPE 1 DIABETES: Attacks: Pancreatic cells that produce insulin, causing thirst, frequent urination, tiredness,…

Q: I am very pleased with my new breast implants – although I have some concerns that I failed to raise with my doctor. I have a family history of breast cancer and I worry that if I do develop cancer the implants will obscure the diagnosis. Do you have any tips to help me navigate breast screenings from here on? It’s great that you are happy and healthy after your surgery, but this question highlights the importance of having lots of consultations and making sure all your concerns are addressed before you embark on any surgery. Implants do not increase the risk of breast cancer, but having implants changes the way that the breast looks and feels – and it also changes how easy it is for you, or…

2002: Medalist in the South African National Short Course Swimming championships 2002/3: Medalist and record holder in the South African Student Games 2004–2008: Western Province and KZN colours 2003–2009: FINA Swimming World Cup finalist, Singapore 2014: First person to swim from Umhlanga to Durban 2015: Robben Island swim (2hr 2min) 2015: Cape Point swim (2hr 6min) 2016: Mad Swimmers 24-hour charity swim, 45km 2017: First African woman to swim the Hawaiian Ka Iwi channel, 42km (17hr 54min) 2018: 100km staged swim from Ponta Dobela in Mozambique to Sodwana Bay in KZN 2019: First person to circumnavigate Easter Island, 63.5km (19hr 8min) for Swim Against Plastic…

Picture migration. What do you see? A flock of birds notching a sunset sky? A flotilla of butterflies hovering over a field of green? If I said emigration instead, perhaps you would see a black and white montage: huddled masses in Old World clothing – hats and buckles and dresses cut to swooping style, travellers bearing bundles and suitcases, their eyes and smiles glowing with hope. Now picture immigration. If you’re like me, you see your family. But if you’re going by the news, you might see swarms again, of people this time, crowding together or queuing up, sweeping over borders, washing up on distant shores. Or, more optimistically, maybe you would see an eclectic group of people, each in their distinctive garb: a turban, a dashiki, a salwar kameez,…

Our entry into Hogsback was awesome. And I don’t mean that in the hippy-dippy sense that this verdant village has acquired a bit of a reputation for; I mean it in the actual sense of the word. We approached the pass that signalled our ascent into Hogsback at twilight, as a brooding sky bore down on us and lightning bolts struck the mountain top – precisely where we were headed – as if we were about to enter Mordor. (This journey was rapidly taking on Tolkienesque tones.) We wound our way up the narrow black pass flanked by thick foliage in the pelting rain and entered another realm: the lightning-streaked sky cleared, grey turned to green, Mordor became the Shire. There’s a reason for the abundant references to The Lord…

I arrived back in Cape Town, jet-lagged, sleep-deprived, and with adent in my finances from which I may never recover. Was I enriched by new experiences? Inspired by famous sights? Sometimes. Relaxed and rejuvenated? Not at all. Tbh, my wanderlust is on the wane. Weeks of preparation are necessary before going anywhere. Not just the visas and itineraries, but the house-sitter to be found, fridge to be filled, electricity topped up. Of course, I have to spring-clean first in case the sitter opens any of my cupboards. The security company must be notified, and best service the alarm system before we go. The dogs are a concern; better leave some treats for them. The list of emergency contacts must be updated too – you never know. Devices are charged and…

I had put on a brave face when the editor suggested I try microneedling, but found myself shaking like a leaf on the actual day. LOCATION: Laser Beautique, Sea Point https://thelaserbeautique.co.za PRICE: R1 650 for full face; R2 200 for face and neck. You can also include your décolletage and do spot treatments. DURATION: About an hour. AS I was lying on an exam table patiently waiting for a technician to stick needles in my face, I couldn’t help but question my life decisions. How did I get here? Why was I doing this? My last thought before the buzzing of the Dermapen started was: ‘My face! My poor face!’ I should probably go back a step and explain. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is the latest buzzword…

‘If you ask me what the colour of love is‚ I think it’s saffron’ ‘When I say Spice Odyssey, it aptly depicts my journey with spices,’ says Cariema Isaacs. She’s not exaggerating: her new book is centred on the knowledge she’s gathered from visiting spice communities such as India, Turkey, Malaysia, the Middle East and Sri Lanka. One thing stood out for her in Sri Lanka. ‘Everybody – from the people working in the spice gardens to the chefs and home cooks – speaks about the health benefits of spices. The fact that spices are used as a seasoning agent is secondary to its core: to heal the body, mollify the mind and soothe the soul. While travelling, I realised how little I knew about the medicinal properties of spices…

Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun Self-marketing can reap rewards as long as you’re confident about selling your very best self. The trick now is to brush up on innate skills – perhaps you’re an ace organiser, or a dab hand at showing up on time – and working these to your best advantage. Little stabs at success make big impressions in this fortuitous phase, so catch it while you can. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Misunderstandings are less likely to ruffle your emotional space if you don’t get involved in the first place. Easier said, it’s true, but vital during this tricky chapter for interpersonal relationships. Saying what you mean – and meaning what you say – could involve going over and over an email draft or rehearsing…

WINNING LETTER One step at a time Thank you for the article titled ‘Baby steps, big changes’ in the April issue. I read it over and over again. It’s funny how we often overlook simple blessings and plunge towards some distant goal. People continually put happiness off until they ‘lose that weight’, ‘get that promotion’ or ‘start that business’. But as James Clear points out, having goals has no bearing on your chances for success; even unsuccessful people share the same goals. The key is to commit to the process. This article motivated me to start doing something about my financial situation. I decided to save R50 a day to pay off my debts. It may seem like a drop in the ocean, I know, but that is my way…

IF you’ve ever watched an episode of This is Us, you’ll know that it almost always ends in tears. But even though we inevitably find ourselves ugly-crying along to the latest Pearson family drama, audiences worldwide just can’t seem to get enough. Hey, if it makes you feel any better, even the cast is not exempt: after the infamous Super Bowl Sunday episode, during which a key character’s cause of death was revealed, Mandy Moore, who plays Rebecca Pearson, said that even the cast members were rattled. ‘None of us could speak afterward,’ she says. ‘We were sort of speechless. And then we were recounting some of our favourite parts of the episode, our favourite lines, and we’d all start crying.’ Mandy first made a name for herself as a…

‘There are laws that can help with cyberbullying,’ says cyber law expert Emma Sadleir. The first is the Protection from Harassment Act, which is also referred to as the cyberbullying law. ‘According to this law, if you’re being harassed, threatened and/or stalked, in the real world or online, you can apply to get a protection order against that person,’ says Emma. This order includes the sort of conduct the alleged offender must refrain from, and that if they break any of those agreements, they can be arrested. To be granted the protection order, you have to be able to show that you’ve suffered harm or the fear of harm. ‘This includes mental, emotional and psychological harm,’ Emma adds. The Protection from Harassment Act is great because you can go straight…

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING AT THE MOMENT? Gillian: The Marvel series Runaways Harriet: My Brilliant Friend and Shtisel Catharine: Finishing off Ray Donovan (season 6), catching up on some South African movies, like Johnny is Nie Dood Nie, and watching Strangerland, with Nicole Kidman. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME? Gillian: Grease Harriet: The Piano Cindy: That’s a hard one. If I was pushed to answer I would say Amores Perros directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. It’s the film that made me want to direct. IF YOU COULD CREATE A COOL GIRL SQUAD WITH TWO BADASS WOMEN, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Gillian: Marie Curie (explosive expert), Joan of Arc (bodyguard) and Gilda Radner. Cindy: Ooh, that’s a fun one. Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Oprah Winfrey – women would have…

Whether she’s haranguing ANC MPs in Parliament, working the campaign trail ahead of elections, catching trains to chat with commuters or addressing rallies, it’s hard to believe DA shadow deputy minister for police Dianne Kohler Barnard has an autoimmune disease. Dianne married at 25, and at 28 was running a news agency in London. Although eager to start a family, she struggled through a series of miscarriages. When she finally carried a baby to seven months, she began hallucinating. Other episodes followed: ‘It was like living with three radios playing constantly in my head.’ Tests eventually revealed she had lupus. ‘In retrospect, I could pinpoint early signs – rashes, bruising easily, migraines.’ She attributes the final trigger to her body reacting to pregnancy: ‘My immune system began attacking my liver…

Each autoimmune disease has its own symptoms, but if you notice a few of the following, get checked out: • Pain in joints or muscles, weakness, tremors • Numbness or tingling of hands or feet • Pain in the abdomen, blood or mucus in stools, diarrhoea • Unexplained weight loss, insomnia, rapid heartbeat • Rashes (especially in a butterfly shape across the face), hives, sun sensitivity • Intolerance of heat or cold • Problems focusing and concentrating • Loss of hair, white patches on your skin or in your mouth, mouth ulcers • Dryness of skin, mouth, eyes • Multiple miscarriages or passing clots…

Last year a little show called You was released on Netflix, a thoroughly ‘bingeable’ thriller about lonely bookshop clerk Joe Goldberg who falls in love with a college student called Guinevere. (She goes by her much-less-pretentious surname, Beck.) It starts off innocently enough with a meet-cute in the bookshop (sprinkled with astute observations about millennials), but before long, Joe is revealed to be obsessive, violent and manipulative. In fact, his character is so repulsive that actor Penn Badgley was reluctant to take on the role. ‘Initially I can’t say that I was certain that I wanted to portray this character – not because of the overall project but just specifically embodying Joe,’ he told People. ‘My biggest concern, to be honest, with this entire project is that if in order…

South Africa’s independent Food Advisory Consumer Service notes that ‘the plastic materials used to manufacture food contact items conform to the requirements of internationally recognised food and health authorities’, including the US Food and Drug Administration. That said, the US-based non-profit Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of hormone-disrupting chemicals includes the following: 1 BPA (bisphenol A) is an industrial chemical used to harden plastic. The EWG notes that it has been linked to breast cancer, reproductive problems, obesity, asthma, tooth decay, early puberty and heart disease. STEER CLEAR: Avoid clear plastic (especially food packaging); opt for fresh foods over tinned, as tin linings may contain BPA, and use a glass or stainless-steel water bottle rather than a plastic one. 2 PHTHALATES are chemical additives that make plastic flexible…

Namwali Serpell’s debut novel, The Old Drift. Read our review below: The Old Drift is about three Zambian families living on the banks of the Zambezi river, just a few miles from Victoria Falls. The families’ histories play out amidst the changing political landscape of Zambia, starting off in the colonial 1900s, right up until a futuristic imagining of 2023. The story follows their mistakes and love affairs, weaving in both science and science fiction along the way. This is a book that needs a lot of time, and a lot of keeping your wits about you. It’s a 568-page masterpiece with nine main characters, all of whom have such individual characteristics and voices and are from different generations – it is quite astounding how each character is so unique.…

• The fastest way to Hogsback is to fly to East London and hire a car – it’s about a two-hour drive from there. Some lodges in the village, such as Away With the Fairies, offer shuttle services from East London. You could also drive there – we took the N1 from Cape Town, which took about 10 hours. (With four drivers taking turns at the wheel, the trip wasn’t too tiring.) • The dirt roads in Hogsback are fine for most cars, though an off-road vehicle will be useful to get to the more elevated parts if the roads are very wet. • There’s no shortage of accommodation, but if you don’t book early over holiday periods it will be hard to lock down all the dates you want…

1 CLEANSE & SOOTHE • Avoid using any cleansing devices, harsh cleaners and especially exfoliants for a few days. • Use cleansers that are gentle and soothing – milky or cream formulas are recommended. • Do not massage the cleanser into the skin; wash your face gently with circular movements and rinse with cool water. • Apply a soothing mask before bed. 2 HYDRATE • Skin will feel tight and dry and will possibly flake. • Do not use occlusive emollients for the first two days. Don’t ‘clog’ the micro-channels with a rich cream. The best products to use are serums. • Apply products with hyaluronic acid or growth factors to deeply hydrate and nourish compromised skin. This is vital: the barrier function is temporarily impaired and the healthy function…

■ Dried chilli flakes: ‘If you want to cut down on your salt intake, a pinch of chilli flakes in your dish gives you a hint of what you’re craving. You can also grind it down to make chilli powder, so it’s very versatile.’ ■ Pepper: ‘I love using white pepper, it’s more pungent than black pepper. I also think I love it because it used to be one of the most regal spices.’ ■ Saffron: ‘I adore saffron for its delicacy. It awakens any dish and gives it a beautiful, sunshine-y golden colour. It’s used so subtly; it’s like a feminine spice for me. If you ask me what the colour of love is, I think it’s saffron.’…

FEATHERSTREAM BY IAN SUTHERLAND It’s South Africa 1942, and university student Anna van der Vliet should be spending her holiday dancing and dreaming like other young women. But it’s the middle of the war, and Anna finds herself increasingly concerned about her brutal father and where his loyalties lie. The strange goings-on at the family farm make her question whether he has actually agreed to side with the British as Smuts vowed to do… or is he secretly helping the Germans? He certainly has no love for Smuts. Then there’s Thomas, a young man from then-South West Africa, who seems very familiar with her father… is it really because he’s importing farm machinery, or is there another, darker reason? Featherstream is a long and dense read, but the story is…