What a year it’s been! We’ve been lucky enough to have some of the loveliest (both inside and out) North Coast personalities grace the cover of our magazine this year.
We caught up with our 2021 cover stars and found out about their festive plans!
NIKITA GOUVEIA
Dance champion, Yoga practitioner, Founder: Just Be
My highlight for 2021 … The biggest highlight for me this year has been seeing what was once an idea unfold into something real – a business that is tangible and that allows me to be creative and share my passions through a brand.
Our Christmas traditions … I am Portuguese so there’s no way my family goes without garlic prawns over Christmas! Every year our family gathers from all ends to celebrate Christmas together. We eat at least a kilogram of king prawns each while sipping on wine and embracing festive times.
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … A few nice good books.
My hope for 2022 … My hope for 2022 is that everyone, from friends and families to small business owners, community leaders and employees keep the spirit of community and ‘ubuntu’ that was unleashed during the unrest earlier this year. Coming together to help one another in whichever way possible to make our home a better place. ‘Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can create transformation’.
Plans for New Year’s Eve … For the first time in my life, I will be going to the chilly UK for the festive season. I am a sissy in cold weather, but really looking forward to the different experience.
LESEGO MPYANA
Mother of two and founder: Move Africa and the Red Movement
My highlight for 2021 … Undoubtedly the success of The Red Movement, a women’s month campaign aimed at eradicating period poverty in South Africa (also the reason we were featured on the cover of Get It!). I dreamt about this for a long time and seeing it all unfold was just incredible!
Our Christmas traditions … We watch ‘The Little Rascals’ first thing in the morning. The movie has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, it’s a little family tradition that my husband and I started and we hope that our kids (aged 3 and 2) grow to love it.
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … Ooh, I’m hoping to find a designer bag. I love a good handbag!
My hope for 2022 … Humanity has gone through so much in the last two years. I hope that we encounter restoration. That hope in our country is restored, families are restored and people’s finances restored!
Plans for New Year’s Eve … We’ll be enjoying spectacular views from The Pencil Club in Umhlanga, our favourite place in Ethekwini!
KATE ARNOTT
Nutritionist, lifestyle coach and yoga practitioner
My highlight for 2021 … Attending the Awaken Yoga festival in Underberg where I was able to share my teachings with beautiful, open-minded and open-hearted people.
Our Christmas traditions … I’m the oldest of three siblings. The youngest, Jean, is 22 and we still wake up to Christmas stockings at the end of our beds. It elicits as much excitement in me as it did 20 years ago. They’re usually filled with suncream, nut butter, underwear and socks and a ‘healthy’ treat.
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … A Faithful-To-Nature voucher!
My hope for 2022 … I hope to continue expanding on a personal and career level. I am loving the process of working on myself and seeing how this reflects in my career and general life. I also hope to influence the people around me and those I work with to do the same so that we can continue welcoming in a new world.
Plans for New Year’s Eve … I’m not really one for big parties, haha, so I hope to be celebrating with a small group of friends, either around a fire or perhaps in a cave that we’ve hiked to.
SIMONE (SISI) BURDEN
Professional dancer, performer and dancing instructor
My highlight for 2021 … That would hands down have to be the birth of my precious daughter Daisy.
Our Christmas traditions … Funnily enough, because Craig and I had a long distance relationship for so many years, this will actually only be our second Christmas spent together. I look forward to starting some new traditions as a family this year.
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … I have everything that I need. The past two years have been really tough on so many, but I feel like I was one of the lucky ones as I was fortunate enough to start a business and become a mom. I’m so grateful for it all.
My hope for 2022 … My hope is for normality to finally be restored and everyone to find their feet after these tough times. It’s been especially heartbreaking to witness how hard the arts have been affected. I pray for the day that all theatres re-open and we are allowed to perform in front of full audiences.
Plans for New Year’s Eve … I will be dancing in the Kickstart Christmas Panto, Snow White, at the Durban Playhouse. Afterwards I will join Craig to celebrate and see the New Year in.
MEGAN PIETERSEN
Mother, Noa & Co founder and wife of former Springbok
My highlight for 2021 … The success of Noa & Co has definitely been a highlight. I could never have imagined such a great response in our first year of business. Also, my youngest, Aria, turned 1 in August and we’ve had lots of special moments like first steps and first words. The family time we’ve had together over this Covid period is something I’ll always cherish.
Our Christmas traditions … Not really. Christmas is always about family time, everyone in the pool, music playing and lots of food (usually a seafood braai with lots of salads followed by trifle) and then an afternoon nap!
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … Only the kids get gifts in our household. JP and I don’t do presents for Christmas – we ways try to plan a nice annual trip, just the two of us. We’ve did this for over 10 years, but sadly haven’t had one the past two years. Hopefully we can plan a trip together for 2022!
My hope for 2022 … I hope things can go back to normal next year once everyone has been vaccinated, especially our kids. I just want my daughter and her friends to feel free again and not live in fear.
Plans for New Year’s Eve … Probably with friends during the day, but I can barely stay up to 10pm these days, so I might be asleep with my kids when its time to celebrate the New Year!
VERUSHKA PATHER
Dancer, mother of four and founder of Khanya Designs
My highlight for 2021 … The wonderful opportunity of being on the Get It cover is on the top of the list! It was a special moment for Khanya Designs to have such an honour.
Our Christmas traditions … I love books and reading and always try to share special books that I believe will make a difference to a family and their home. So, instead of expensive presents, I buy religious or spiritual books to bring wealth to a home.
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … Special treasures such as respect, appreciation and unconditional love … these wrap me up eternally.
My hope for 2022 … That we have individual success on a personal and business level. It’s been a dark year and we all need a little bit of sunshine. New hope and ventures for Khanya Designs as well as lots of dancing and joy in our hearts again!
Plans for New Year’s Eve … Home with my precious family. We have had so many tests this year, we are just thankful for each other and our love. Our tradition is to light our lamp in our prayer space, welcoming the New Year with mercy, protection and guidance from Divinity.
WENDY VAN ZYL
Entrepreneur, mother and co-founder of MUZE
My highlight for 2021 … August was distribution month for The Red Movement (which equips, empowers and educates young girls on period poverty) and we had the honour and pleasure of joining a remarkable group of women, lead by Lee from Move Africa, for a weekend at Thanda Safari.
Our Christmas traditions … Growing up we celebrated the German tradition (my forefathers were missionaries based in Muden) of exchanging gifts and sharing a meal on Christmas Eve. We have continued to celebrate this way, adding a few newer traditions as the years have passed. Christmas day we wake up slowly, go to church and spend the rest of the day making our way through leftovers!
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … The past year has made me realize that memories and relationships are where my heart is. An escape and time away exploring with friends and family is what I would love! So a lovely little voucher under the tree, maybe?
My hope for 2022 … Laughing, enjoying moments, open borders, time well spent, trips away, exploring, being present, taking time out, making memories, travel, celebrating with friends and family.
Plans for New Year’s Eve … A small intimate gathering of those closest, walking down to the beach at midnight and seeing the New Year in, watching fireworks over the skyline.
RACHEL KOLISI
Businesswoman, mom of four and wife of Springbok rugby captain
My highlight for 2021 … getting to travel overseas again!
Our Christmas traditions … We all sleep in the same bed as a family the night before Christmas. It’s so much fun!
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … To be honest, I have no expectation of gifts this year. I will be more than grateful to just have all my family and friends together, making memories.
My hope for 2022 … that Covid will be under control and that the world will return to normal – or maybe even a bit better!
Plans for New Year’s Eve … I’ll be in Durban with my kids and I cannot wait!
HANNA GROBLER
Mother, actress, artist and founder of the Hanna
Charity and wife of singer Bok van Blerk
My highlight for 2021 … My baby, Papillon Anna Pepler, was born in September. It was a very traumatic birth and I almost lost my life, but the experience just made the gift of having another child so much bigger.
Our Christmas traditions … Not really. We just eat a lot (like Afrikaans people do on Christmas). We basically cook and eat the whole day! My dad is a minister so he reads the Bible and prays for us before we can open our gifts on Christmas Eve. There are always lots of presents and decorations.
What I’d like to find under the Christmas tree … An Airfryer and a new body (jokes!).
My hope for 2022 … I hope that artists will be able to perform in front of big, live audiences again. My husband hasn’t been able to really work for two years and shows have only started to pick up recently. My hope for 2022 is that all the waves are done now!
Plans for New Year’s Eve … I’ll be with my kids. Bok will be doing a show in Pretoria and I will be in bed at by 9pm with my three small kiddies!
