Thesis ZA

Thesis ZA

As Thesis ZA: The Collective, Ayanda Charlie (24) and Ondela Simakuhle (25) are a Xhosa songwriting and performing duo who have been making music together for seven years and have built a strong following in and around Cape Town. First and foremost, Charlie and...
Smangele Sibisi (28)

Smangele Sibisi (28)

At 25, Smangele Sibisi opened a business that she knew was needed: her own natural hair salon. Three months Iater, she had 10 employees, and the warm reception from her customers gave her the motivation she needed to press on with her business journey — although it...
Yamkela Khoza-Tywakadi (31)

Yamkela Khoza-Tywakadi (31)

Yamkela Khoza-Tywakadi is the author of 15 books, a publisher in her own right, and has played an integral role in shaping the South African literature sphere to allow indigenous languages and folklore to flourish. Her first novel is used in isiXhosa classes in...
Kagiso Sebediela (29)

Kagiso Sebediela (29)

Kagiso Sebediela says his love of cooking was inspired by his mother. The chef and owner of Freedom’s Kitchin says he was a “mama’s boy” and would spend hours in the kitchen with his mother. His journey evolved from watching his mother cook on Sundays to eventually...
Oupa Sibeko (26)

Oupa Sibeko (26)

Oupa Sibeko is a performance artist who aims through his work to challenge heteronormative masculinity. Through the media of performance installation, photography, film and community-based workshops, Sibeko focuses on play as a method to allow people to engage with...