#itsesoteric

[its-esoteric]

Black womxn + Pride month

It's almost the end of pride month, a time where we got to cerebrate the LGBTQ+ community, a time that most of us usually stay anticipating all year. We plan our outfits, make up, decorations, people to go out with , etc. Unfortunately, this year was a little different. Everything that we didn’t believe would happen in our life time has officially happened. There’s been a pandemic thats taken over, there was a race on war...*sigh*... However there is hope!

In the midst of all this craziness, good things did result from it... For example, black people demanding respect, us demanding to be seen. We absolutely LOVE it. However this isn’t it, we need to do more, we need to keep fighting for our lives, we cannot forget & we absolutely cannot settle.

Earlier this month we also got some lovely news when Casta Semenya & her beautiful wife, Violet Raseboya announced that they’re adding to their family. They’re pregnant!!😁

This is such good news even during all this chaos. A baby is always a blessing especially when planned. As we all know Casta Semenya has received a lot of hate and disrespect throughout her career & its been extremely unfortunate. People not believing in her and people constantly doubting her makes her so amazing for continuing her to beat all the odds.

Just to refresh everyone’s minds. Casta Semenya is a black South African womxn. She is a middle distance runner and an Olympic gold medalist. Throughout her career she has faced a lot of black lash with people doubting her gender and wanting to do an immense amount of tests trying to see how much testosterone she has and trying to doubt her potential. They’ve been trying to find every and any reason to not believe that a black womxn can be so powerful, that a black womxn is magic. Why is that so hard to believe? Why is it that we are constantly being doubted by everyone?

Anyway my aim here is to remind everyone that there is a little bit of joy in these very dark times. Its to remind everyone that even though everything in the world or your world could be going wrong, its very important to find some light where you can.

It’s important to look for happiness. Its important for your mental health, its Important for your body and spirit that you’re able to smile, even if you don’t want to. That you allow yourself to feel even the slightest bit of good whenever you can. Its important because you need to keep going, however that looks like for you. You need to be able to survive, not for the people around you, but for you❤️🌈

Esoteric babe Amanda xoxo

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...signs and symbols everywhere, all you have to do is be aware... #PHILADELPHIA vs #QUEENcityOftheWEST the war is on, what side you on? #Warriors #Cavaliers #ItsEsoteric

[its-esoteric]

#HERCoin: Me and my bae, bands 💰

In uni, academia became my first bae but after I left, that obviously had to shift to something else, and that something else inevitably became none other than madibas and di dolla. 

Now if you’re one of those girls who’s had a nice balance of healthy relationships in life, kudos to you sis. Unfortunately some of us ain’t been blessed like that, so when I referred to money as ‘bae’ it probably brought up some negative connotations. In this article I want to not only break down what my version of having a healthy relationship with money means, but I’d like to also share with you the personal 3-step thought process I go through before I pull a few buffalos out my purse. I hope this article gives you a basic template on how to save money in your 20s, and also encourages you to be more intentional with your relationship with money.

Before you misunderstand where “money” falls in the hierarchy of my life, I’ll share that I actually see no personal value in money itself. I see value in the things that money can afford me. This is further broken down to, my desired experiences and my goals. Those are the two things that inspire me to get my coins. I believe that when you stop thinking “If only I had R100 000 I’d be happy” and shift to “If only I could afford to pay for that travel experience to Thailand” you put yourself in a better position to prioritise yourself and improve your relationship with money overall. I don’t think being driven to just “make money” is enough, but being driven by experiences and goals that money can provide, just might be.

Thats key number one. Key number 2, is that being financially aware in your 20s requires intention, thought and planning.

INTENTION to understand why you’re about to spend time specifically THINKING about what goals and experiences make your money important to you, and then making sure you’re PLANNING how you’re going to make sure your coins are going to be there to support those goals when you need them.

Lets be real sis, kunzima to adult, and with this pandemic coming out of nowhere, I’ve personally been mindful about navigating how I’m spending my money while not knowing how this virus will affect me in the long run.

The most important trait to have is discipline. I would probably be living paycheck to paycheck without discipline. It’s obviously different for everyone, but I haven’t suffered from FOMO in a while. Being able to independently manage my financial bag without the influence of who’s asking me to link up with them or whichever fashion brand is now on sale, is a trait I’m always thanking baba god for. My guap (money) does not reflect Sindi’s guap.

Finally this brings me to key number 3, the practical section. Once you have discipline, this part should be easier. This, is my personal thought process that I go through before I whip out ANY coins:

1. I make a list of all the items I want and make sure to include their total price.

I like to buy multiple things all at one time, with the understanding that I’m buying things that I’m not going to need again for at least a month or two and things that I’m sure I want. This includes indulgent items and sometimes I even buy ahead. This is important because it gives you a clear idea on how much money you can expect to lose whenever you’re ready to bid those coins goodbye. Also, you don’t want to buy things one by one everyday because, fees.

2. Check my bank account

This is the most important step, checking in with my bank. She’s strict and loves the finer things in life.

Now you should note that I think this step is easier if you have more than one bank account (current account and a savings account). This makes budgeting easier, as you put aside the money you know you NEED for bills and groceries (which also need their own budget) in your savings, while resting assured that money in your current account is yours to be wise with. It’s the figure in my current account that accepts or declines my desires or splurges for that month. Hellooo discipline.

3. Do NOT spend it all!

If your bank account agrees with you, great! However, DON’T make it rain girl. Be mindful, you don’t want to have to wait a month to splurge on yourself again. I try not to spend close to half of what’s in my current. For e.g. if I have R10 000 in my account, I’m not splurging more than R4000 in that month, MAX R5500 if I'm being cheeky.

Obviously this guideline isn’t going to work for everybody, but it’s just to give you an idea of how much intention, thought and planning goes into making extra monthly purchases for me because sis...

This has worked for me thus far and mi money don’t look too bad! 😅

I hope you and your money continue to flourish girl!

If you enjoyed this article comment and let #itsEsoteric know so I can know if you’d make use of an article on how to build a budget 😉

Esoteric babe GUGU xx

[its-esoteric]

Truths about sun care for Black skin

Remember when we dubbed this season of our lives “Level Up Season”? 

Yep, us too.

Levelling up isn’t just exclusive to working out and catching shade for your lack of introspection online lol. Its also taking care of the vessel in its rawest form. 

Today’s form? Your Skin.

Growing up Black,  I’ve never necessarily been encouraged to wear sun screen. In fact, my thoughts on Black people wearing sun screen were so far removed because, you know, Black don’t crack.  However, with the increased consciousness on health, the topic of Black people wearing sunscreen keeps coming up. 

It seems my ambivalence towards sunscreen for Black people was displaced, apparently, sun damage is nothing like humans in that it does not discriminate by skin tone. 

Now don’t get me wrong, as a research junkie, our melanin does protect us from SOME UV rays. Research shows a lower incidence for skin cancer for individuals with darker skin. However, everyone who spends time in the sun without sunscreen is susceptible to sun burn, aging lines and skin cancer. 

No matter the skin tone, your raw skin only protects you by blocking UV light up to SPF13, SPF 30 is whats recommended, and a good sunscreen is what provides this.

Take some time out to do some research on the right sunscreens for your skin tone.

You’ll thank me later. Protect that skin girl .

#EsotericBabe xx

[its-esoteric]

#HERBody: TweelingZA tries a menstrual cup!😱😱😱

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgosupYzYgM&t=304s

itsesoteric_

Check out what happened when @TweelingZA (@_camello_ and @neaco_) tried out a MENSTRUAL CUP for #HERBody 😱😱😱 ⁣

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Happy Menstrual Hygiene week❣️ ⁣

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Full video on YouTube page! ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

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[its-esoteric]

#HERBody: Amanda tries a menstrual cup!😱😱😱

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGleaivBDVo

Continuing with Menstrual Hygiene week❣️, we’ve got some original content for #HERBody. Check out what happened when @amanda.mahlobo tried out a MENSTRUAL CUP! 😱😱😱😱 Full video on our YouTube page! #itsesoteric #herbodycup 

[its-esoteric]

Nissy Tee dropping gems on how to break yourself open and realize that it’s time to fly in 2019 🦅 @NissyTee 💖😍💫

[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 

[its-esoteric]

Practicing the art of empathy

How often do black girls get to meet their role models? Once? Hardly? Or not often enough. I would have to go with the latter. Sitting in an audience made up of fashion students, media representatives and other curious members of the creative industry, I was pleasantly surprised when I recognised one of South Africa’s black ballet dancers sitting in the panel of African creatives.

With little to no information about who would be participating in the African Fashion International Masterclasses, all the information that propagated the AFI’s social media platforms had everything to do with the fashion shows and nothing to do with the masterclasses. Alas, I soon realised that I would be meeting, for the very first time, my role model. Renowned prima ballerina Kitty Phetla sat alongside fashion designer Sibusiso Mahone, visual artist Loyiso Mkhize, media personality Lee Kasumba and Nontando Mposo who facilitated day two of the AFI Masterclass titled Creative’s Corner.

As a former ballet dancer who dedicated 15 years of her life to dance studios including the South African Ballet Theatre, now as an independent curator, my interest in a Creative’s Corner Masterclass  has more to do with enriching my own sense of African culture, beyond the museum and gallery spaces.

So my curiosity was met with much surprise as I saw someone I resonated with, artistically, sitting in on the panel. Amid a lively conversation about the challenges of supporting local versus buying international, ballet dancer Kitty Phetla gave us all a taste of humble pie. She stripped the pretty and flawless persona of the artist sitting in front of us and gently served us with a dose of heart-breaking reality, which none of us saw us coming.

Responding to a question about how she deals with personal difficulty affecting her career, Kitty Phetla gave us an honest response which touched on an important conversation that we as black womxn hardly speak of, mental health. After losing her mother and brother almost three years ago, she still carries the trauma of that loss today. To quote fellow panellist Lee Kasumba, artists are the closest beings to God. And it is because of their willingness to give into vulnerability that makes their craft so great. However, just like everyone else, they go through hardships and moments of self-doubt which directly affect the quality of their craft.

As such, in these current conditions where most social gatherings have been cancelled due to COVID -19, it is important to be empathetic towards artists. Yes, everyone is feeling a little frustrated at being cooped up indoors, so let’s extend this empathetic gesture to each other and our artists who give us outstanding performances on stage as well as much needed comfort at home through movies, music and books.

So yes, on this day, this black girl met her role model and it was even better than I expected because from one black womxn to another, I can only stan at seeing successful representations of black womxn who, just like me, don’t have it all together all the time.

Remember there is power in vulnerability!

Esoteric babe Lethabo xx

[its-esoteric]

The week starts a fresh today, which means we’re resetting and getting ready to go hard once again.

Here’s a little motivation to get you to focus on BOSSING UP. Thank you to Motty for this wonderful tips list!

Share with us your favourite tip 💕 and Level up this week ma 🏆

[its-esoteric]

#HERBody

She was just 18 when she claimed her gold victory in the Women’s 800 meters at the 2009 World Championships.

If you’re interested in having some academic information on Black women, their bodies, feminism and misogynoir, hit the link to read an article by Moya Bailey titles “Misogynoir in Medical Media: On Caster Semenya and R. Kelly” has

WE LOVE YOU CASTER 💖💖💖💖

[its-esoteric]

#HERSlay

Still here giving you info to aid your skin for #HERSlay.

5 ways to improve your skin (beginners guide) :

1. Figure out your skin type. Figuring your skin type will make it easier to find out what it needs.

2. Research the ingredients that your skin needs according to its type. Just research the problems your skin has and what ingredients your products need to aid them.

3. Figure out your skin care routine (usually a cleanser, hydrator, moisturizer, exfoliant & SPF if you’re going outside).

4. STICK TO IT. And do it twice a day. Follow the instructions on your products. Be CONSISTENT 💛

5. Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen girl 🤩

[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

[its-esoteric]

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welcome home girl, relax && unwind 💅🏾