Profile: Lunga Shabalala

·         Nosihle: You won the presenter search for Selimathunzi, briefly tell me how about your experience during the auditions up to the moment you won

Lunga: Presenter searches are stressful. You prepare for the audition but the nerves are always there. The most stressful thing though is the campaigning for votes and the wait for the results. But I did everything in my power to promote myself throughout the process. From radio interviews to posters, facebook , and twitter.

·         Nosihle: How has your experience been like working for Selimathunzi?

Lunga: I love everything bout my job. The travelling and meeting new people is the best thing bout my job. I didn’t realise how many people we touch until you go out to the community and receive the feedback and the love.

·         Nosihle: I believe you represented Calvin Klein underwear in 2010, how was your experience?

Lunga: I never expected to win. The whole experience was unreal. I am forever grateful to CK for believing in me. The adjustment from an ordinary guy to being a “sex symbol” was awkward.

·         Nosihle: Did winning the Calvin Klein contest open doors for you in the entertainment industry?

Lunga: Yes, I got so many jobs from people seeing my face in magazines and billboards. It gave me my first taste of TV and I was hooked.

·         Nosihle: Besides Selimathunzi are there any projects that your are involved in?

Lunga: I’m a U.C.O.F (United Colors Of Fashion) ambassador. It’s a New York based NGO that uses proceeds from the world of fashion to help hospices fight the HI virus and help aspiring designers break the international market.

·         Nosihle: What are some of the challenges you have faced in the entertainment industry and how have you overcome them?

Lunga: This industry forces you to grow up fast. I’ve had to make peace with the fact that not everyone will like you and people will hate on you. I’ve made mistakes but I learn from them and there is an art to building your “brand” and that’s the biggest challenge.

·         Nosihle: What motivates you when going through difficult times?

Lunga: My fear of disappointing people is the biggest motivation, when you meet your idols and they tell you that you doing a good job, it drives me to be better. But whenever I go home I meet someone who will tell me that I’m making the province proud and that DRIVES me everyday.

·         Nosihle: How would you describe yourself?

Lunga: I’m ambitious to the most unrealistic levels sometimes. I’m a driven dreamer.

·         Nosihle: How do you stay in shape?

Lunga: Dedication and discipline, I’m the guy who hits the gym when everyone is still sleeping.

·         Nosihle: Describe your style to me?

Nosihle: Even I don’t know, it changes all the time.

·         Nosihle: What are you looking forward to in 2012?

Lunga: Growing as a person, I’m slowly finding myself and being comfortable in my own skin.

         Nosihle: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Lunga: Producing my own tv and radio shows.

·         Nosihle: If you could have a dinner with three people (dead or alive) who have been influential in your life who would it be and why?

Lunga: Ryan Seacrest, I idolize that man for his hustle and talent.
Jay Z, the ultimate rags to riches story. He did whatever was necessary to be at the top of the game.
Nelson Mandela, for a man to give his life to empower others, I would like to find out what he envisioned when he was in prison. What and where he wanted us to be when he thought of the future generations.

·         Nosihle: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in life?

Lunga: That the teachings my parents taught me are useful in all facets of life. “Be man of your word”, hard work pays off, say please and thank you to anyone no matter their status. Being humble will never be outdated. Own whatever you say or do and don’t hide behind others or being anonymous.

·         Nosihle: What is your motto?

Lunga: Too ambitious for average.

·         Nosihle: What do your do for fun or to relax?

Lunga: Playstation and watching sport.

·         Nosihle: What do you look for in a woman?

Lunga: A warm heart and beauty inside and out.

·         Nosihle: Single or in a relationship?

Lunga: I’m single right now.

·         Nosihle: Favourite places/restaurants in SA?

Lunga: I love going to Cape Town

·         Nosihle: What do you love about South Africa?

Lunga: I love our drive. People are now driven to succeed and be as good as other  countries.

·         Nosihle: Twitter or Facebook? Why?

Lunga: Twitter, its quicker to access and more real time.

·         Nosihle: Life is…..?

Lunga: As good as you CHOOSE to make it.

How to wear leather

So leather has made a huge come back, SA’s IT girl Bonang Matheba wore a black and white leather skirt and cropped top to the J&B Met. While YFM twins Hlelo and Ntando Masina wore red leather jumpsuits.

Leather vests, leggings, skirts, pants and jackets are available in a variety of colors, cuts and styles in women's clothing.

Got a few tips on how to wear leather clothes from overstock.com

•   Pick one or two pieces you will wear. Because leather is so glossy and smooth, it makes a statement however you wear it. That's why it's important to look for leather clothing that you will feel comfortable wearing and that won't fall out of style quickly. 

•  Only wear leather pieces suited for your body type. Leather is clingy and form-fitting by nature, which sometimes makes it difficult for curvier women to wear it. Avoid leather leggings and pants if you have thicker legs and stay away from bustiers and tight leather dresses if you have a round stomach. Leather jackets are flattering on almost everyone because there are so many different styles, but avoid cropped cuts if you are thick-waisted, because this style will draw attention to your stomach.

•   Wear just one article of leather clothing at a time. To avoid looking like Catwoman, wear contrasting fabrics with your leather leggings or pants. Wearing all black can be slimming and sophisticated, but try adding other colors to your leather ensemble. Slip on white pants or skirts to complement a leather vest or wear blue jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers with a leather jacket for a laid-back look. A leather dress looks best with simple heels.

•   Contrast the leather with another fabric. The key to wearing leather well is to slip it effortlessly into an outfit. You won't feel comfortable if you're trying too hard to look tough or urban. Instead, wear leather with a feminine outfit you already have, such as a linen sheath dress or your favorite dress pants and blouse. Avoid wearing leather with similar fabrics, such as suede or sheepskin; contrast creates a more interesting look. Try pairing leather leggings or pants with a flowing tunic or a T-shirt and cardigan. This way, you won't take yourself too seriously.

•   Accessorize with leather. If you're still too afraid to wear a leather statement piece, wear leather boots with your jeans or skirt. Depending on the style, your look can be either modern or country. Leather cuffs and headbands also allow you to incorporate the trendy fabric into your wardrobe, and leather gloves work wonderfully as driving gloves.

Source: overstock.com

 Source: tumblr.com

For the love of CARS

Profile: Mishumo Madima

Twenty-four-year-old Mishumo Madima works as a Foreign Service Officer at the department of International Relations. She was part of the team which hosted the COP17/CMP7 last year. Singer and songwriter Madima wrote the official song for the conference and she'll be releasing her single later this year. She’s young, ambitious and ready to take on the world.

·         Nosihle: I believe you are working as a Diplomat for the Department of International Relations, briefly tell me how you got into the industry? 

Mishumo: The proper term for what I am is Foreign Service Officer. When we’re here in SA that’s what they call us and then abroad we get the diplomat title.

Interestingly enough, I didn’t study to become a diplomat but, I wanted a job which would allow me to see the world and what better way to do that than by representing my country in the process. While touring with the University of Johannesburg Choir in the Czech Republic, some of our diplomats from there came to watch us and I remember thinking, “hey, that’s a cool job.” Three months later I saw an advert recruiting graduates in my Department and the rest, as they say, is history.

·         Nosihle: What did you study and at which institution?

Mishumo: I did a BA Corporate Communications and a BA Honours in Development Studies through the University of Johannesburg. I also have a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

·         Nosihle: What are your responsibilities in your current position?

Mishumo: I work in the Climate Change Section. This means that all the negotiations that happened that have to do with Climate Change are our responsibility. This can be at a multilateral (like in the United Nations) or bilateral (as in an agreement between SA and another country) level. We work closely with the Department of Environmental Affairs and other sister Departments as part of the South African Climate Change negotiating team, especially for the negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

This year, South Africa holds the Presidency of the UNFCCC through my Minister, Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. I am therefore very fortunate to have formed part of the team responsible for the hosting of the 17^th Conference of the Parties and the 7^th Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP17/CMP7) in Durban from 28 November to 09 December last year.  This year, we will continue to support the Minister in her role as COP17/CMP7 President.

·         Nosihle: What do you love about your job?

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Mishumo: No two days are ever the same. There is so much opportunity to meet people and learn so much about almost everything, depending on the section you’re in.

·         Nosihle: What are the pros and cons in your job?

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Mishumo: Definite pro is the travelling. The cons are that you’re working when you travel and may not really get to see the country you’re visiting. The other pro is you can spend your life having lived in many countries as part of our job is getting posted in one o f our Embassies and Consulates abroad for four years. This also is a con because you’re constantly saying goodbye to colleagues and will have to be away from most of your friends and loved ones for a greater part of your life.

·         Nosihle: What have been the highlights of your career?

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Mishumo: I made the top ten in my Diplomatic Cadet Training group. That was a major reassurance for someone who was the youngest in class and had not studied International Relations. Because of that, I was able to go and visit our Embassy and Consulate in Canada for a month, in order to get a feel of how my posting would be like.

Being part of the successful hosting and Presidency of the COP17/CMP7 is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience and opportunity I am very fortunate to be a part of.

·         Nosihle: Besides working as a Diplomat, are you involved in any other projects?

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Mishumo: Yes I am a songwriter and singer. I used to sing in the UJ Choir and I’ve only just started out as a solo artist but, am very fortunate to have been chosen as the songwriter and one of the performers for the official tribute to the South African National Defence Force which used to play every week at the end of the “In Your Defence” show on SABC1.  I also wrote and sing the official COP17/CMP7 song.

I should be releasing my singles soon and am in the running to open for Usher as part of the Hansa Pilsener Talent Search. My music is best classified as soul. It’s quite global, especially considering the fact that I could be moved to anywhere in the world soon.

·         Nosihle: What are some of the challenges you have faced in your career and how have you overcome them?

Mishumo: I think a lot of us, at some point in our careers will go through a phase where it seems as if nothing is working out. That was last year for me. A lot of the career advancing opportunities I’d hoped for just didn’t happen for me. I must admit I got really depressed in the start. My faith pulled me through. I realized it is just a matter of time before things do work out, that bigger doors will open for me and it’s no use letting the bad circumstances get the better of me. I’m learning to take every situation as a character-building exercise and to give it my best, regardless of the fact that it isn’t what I had hoped for.

·         Nosihle: How would you describe yourself?

Mishumo:  I think I’m very considerate, kind and I love to help people. I am creative and I appreciate beautiful things.

I’m talkative, love to tell stories and love to laugh. But my friends and family will tell you that I’m very strict and brutally honest. You can trust me to be brutally honest and give you the hard truth.

·         Nosihle: As a young woman what motivates you when going through difficult times?

Mishumo: I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my faith in God. My life is in His hands and He’s promised me victory. That’s what keeps me going in tough times, this too shall pass.

·         Nosihle: What are you looking forward to in 2012? Did you make any resolutions, what are they?

Mishumo: 2012 I’m looking forward to my singles, music video and going on my posting. In also am looking forward to watching my niece Tshedza, she’s 1, grow more. I don’t have resolutions but goals. I need to study French this year and stay fit. Let’s see how it goes. 

·         Nosihle: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

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Mishumo: Coming back from my posting. Two albums and tours done. Having taken a student or three to tertiary.

·         Nosihle: If you could have a dinner with three people (dead or alive) who have been influential in your life who would it be and why?

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Mishumo: Oprah- because she’s taught me nothing can stop you from shining your light if you don’t let it.

Corrine Bailey Rae_ love her music. She’s made me be okay with the fact that my voice doesn’t belt out like Jenifer Hudson’s and Whitney’s. Our sounds are very similar.

Mom- she’s Mom, and because I want to see her have a conversation with Oprah.

·         Nosihle: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in life?

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Mishumo: Love is always present, unconditionally and is yours for the taking.

·         Nosihle: What is your motto?

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Mishumo: I am loved, I am light and I deserve to shine.

·         Nosihle: What do your do for fun or to relax?

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Mishumo: I listen to music and colour-in my colouring book. I love bookshops and botanical gardens.

·         Nosihle: I believe your job involves travelling, what are some of the places you have enjoyed visiting?

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Mishumo: I love Kenya. Can’t wait for a chance to go back there.

·         Nosihle: Is there anything you have learnt from your travelling? If so please share

Mishumo: Doesn’t matter where in the world we are, we all have the same desires: to love and be loved. Oh and language isn’t that important, body language and hand signals have got me through just fine, lol.

·         Nosihle: Twitter or Facebook? Why?

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Mishumo: Both. I get so much love from facebook. Like 90% of my friends on facebook are people from Venda and I love that no matter where I am, I can keep in touch with them. I learn quite a lot from twitter from breaking news to the latest in fashion.

·         Nosihle: What are the five items that you always have in your bag?

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Mishumo: Eight Hour Cream for my lips, my phone, shades, tissues for my sporadic sneezing and gloss.

·         Nosihle: Life is…..? Please complete

Mishumo: Whatever you want it to be.