#itsesoteric

[its-esoteric]

Seeing Ourselves: Why On-Screen Representation Matters

Platforms such as Dstv, Showmax, and more recently Netflix have made it more accessible for black womxn storytellers to write, produce and direct their bodies of work. Seeing more black womxn storytellers on local and international platforms is an affirming reflection of the successful careers available to young black womxn in the creative industry.

Seeing black womxn being cast as leads or work as creative drivers of the content that we consume surely is a testament to our existence, our aspirations and dare I say, the future of the global creative industry. And for that, we at It’s Esoteric, can’t help but celebrate these important wins. Woza sibashayele izandla

The first black womxn I will highlight is Busisiwe Ntintili who owns and produces stories from her company The Ntintili Factory. One of the first productions from the leading lady was the highly acclaimed educational series about the spread of HIV among multiple sexual partners, Intersexions (2010). The series was a hit on SABC 1 and went on to win Ntintili a Peabody Award. Now that is what I call award-winning edutainment!

Busisiwe Ntintili went on to romance us with severe black girl magic by producing the film adaption of the book Happiness is a Four Letter Word written by Cynthia Jele. The film follows the friendship of three successful black womxn, all trying to juggle life, love and everything in between. Thinking back to 2016, I don’t think South African cinema had seen such a boisterous yet complex representation of an all-black womxn leading cast.

Another round of applause? I think yes!

As a curator and young black womxn myself, I would be remiss if I did not mention the multitalented artist, actress, and director Mmabatho Montsho. This creative goddess is a true representation of existing in the highest expression of her potential. We first saw her on our local television screens as Lumka on the popular SABC 1 television soapie Generations. She also happens to be one of the leading ladies on Busisiwe Ntintili’s Happiness is a Four Letter Word – shout out to black womxn collaborations!

Not only does she do an excellent job on screen, but her talent also extends behind the scenes where she has written for award-winning Mzansi Magic hit series Lockdown (another all-female lead project). There’s more, Mmabatho Montsho is responsible for directing an award-winning short film based on the struggle hero Winnie Madikizela-Mandela played by singer and songwriter Simphiwe Dana. Now if that isn’t black girl empowerment, I’ll never know what is.

Simphiwe Dana stands dressed in the Methodist Womxn’s Movement aka uManyano attire symbolising faith, strength, and resistance.

Last but certainly not least, a pioneering producer in the South African creative industry is Netflix African original script to screen producer Nosipho Dumisa. Together with her production company, Gambit Films, this leading lady partnered with Netflix to give us strong black leads in the form of a teen drama, titled Blood and Water ( 2020 – Out now on Netflix). What we can all appreciate about Nosipho Dumisa is that she used up and coming actors who we may have seen in our local screens and placed them on an international platform such as Netflix.

The Number 37 (2018) director is inspired by the passion that is instilled by her job, despite the many (many) challenges that come with being a black womxn director operating in South Africa’s creative industry. However, her experience as the business owner of Gambit Films has meant that she has had to open doors for herself but what we can appreciate from this is how she has taken young black womxn with her in the rise of her success and we can’t help but to stan!

As I wrap up, allow me to put together a few international names that have also contributed to a healthy amount of my screen time: Mindy Kaling (Ocean’s 8, A Wrinkle in Time, The Mindy Project), Issa Rae (our current favourite show Insecure and The Photograph), Ava Duvernay (When They See Us, Queen Sugar, A Wrinkle in Time) and Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and of course Scandal – the Olivia Pope version)

ItsEsoteric babe, Lethabo 

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[its-esoteric]

Eating healthy and clean, even in quarantine 💁🏾‍♀️

A healthy eating plan gives your body the nutrients it needs everyday while staying within your daily calorie goal for weight maintenance or weight loss. I often counsel my friends that the best diet for weight loss is not really a “diet” but rather a healthy approach to eating that makes them feel good and that is good for their body.

I do not want to lie and say that I am disciplined when it comes to eating correctly and making sure I have a balanced diet, and although I have a multiple selection of my own personal favourite meals, which I am going to share with you guys in a second, healthy eating is not so difficult or ‘expensive’ as many might say.  My suggestion is to try combining a whole-foods, eating approach. Your ‘whole-foods’ are plant foods that are unprocessed and unrefined before being consumed. A few examples include tubers (which are plants that mainly grown underground. i.e. potatoes), legumes, fruits and vegetables.

During these unforeseen times with the majority of the world being affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, it is very important that we aware of the necessary foods which will contribute to boosting our immune system. I have been snacking a lot on citrus fruits (oranges, lemon, lime) and salads which are essential in immune boosting. These are not the only things, you could snack on some bell peppers (red, green, yellow), broccoli, small meals containing garlic, ginger, spinach, yoghurt and almond just to name a few.

A lot of people sleep on it but soup is also the best when it comes to gaining nutrients, this is because a lot of ingredients with vitamins, nutrients and minerals, are added into soups. A recipe of one of my favourite soupsis illustrated below followed by another recipe of my favourite healthy immune boosting breakfast meal.  

Hearty Vegetable Soup with Beef

Ingredients

•       2 l beef stock

•       15 ml olive oil

•       500 g chuck, boned and cubed

•       2 onions, sliced into half rings

•       3 cloves garlic, crushed

•       90 ml tomato paste

•       3 cups diced carrots

•       3 cups diced potatoes

•       250 g frozen green peas

•       salt and freshly ground black pepper

•       chopped fresh parsley

Method

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.      Bring beef stock to a boil in a saucepan; cook for 15 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups.

2.      Set aside.

3.      Heat oil in another saucepan over medium high heat. Add beef and brown all over.

4.      Remove from pan and set aside.

5.      Add onion, garlic and tomato paste; cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

6. Return beef to pan.

7. Add reduced stock, carrots, potatoes, peas, salt and pepper.

8. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

9. Ladle into soup bowls; garnish with parsley.

Tropical Breakfast

Ingredients

•       1 cup of homemade dairy-free coconut yogurt

•       1 teaspoon pure maple syrup

•       1 kiwi, sliced

•       ½ mango, diced

•       2 tablespoons of berries (I used goji berries, but you could use whichever ones are your personal fav)*

•       1 tablespoon chia seeds*

* These Ingredients are optional and can be found at Woolworths, FoodLover’s Market, or Organic Food outlets.

Method

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.         In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt and maple syrup.

2.         Top with kiwi and mango.

3.         Garnish with berries, chia seeds, raw cacao nibs if using.

4.         Enjoy!

If you’re allergic to nuts and seeds, or even dairy products, try using a vegan alternative for the yoghurt (or if you don’t mind, taking on a challenge, try making your own vegan yogurt😉) or you could remove the chia seeds all together. The meal should still slap!

Enjoy girl! && if you try any of these recipes please let us know how they worked out for you!

Esoteric Babe Nqobile xx