This year, we’ve had some incredible people grace the cover of our magazine. We caught up with them to reflect on 2024 and to find out what they’re looking forward to this holiday season and beyond.
Anastacia Mbonambi
Highlight of 2024
Giving birth to my second child, a beautiful baby girl.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition
Nothing extravagant, just matching Christmas PJs for everyone in the house and making a ginger bread house with my husband and daughter. I can’t wait for baby to grow up so she can join in on the fun. I think those little things are what makes it such a magical season.
Hopes and goals for 2025
I haven’t actually thought that far ahead yet! I’m just trying to survive my sleepless nights with my newborn for now. So, perhaps in the new year, I’ll get back into my self-care routine.
Zabelo Hlabisa
Highlight of 2024 The biggest highlight was continuing my journey as the reigning Miss Earth South Africa, especially through school visits. Connecting with young people and raising awareness about environmental issues has been so rewarding, especially implementing backyard gardens in more than 10 schools. Another major moment was officially launching my online boutique, IZabelo Premium Dresses. Seeing it grow and providing both beauty and fashion solutions has been a dream come true.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition I love spending Christmas with family, reflecting on the year, and enjoying good food together. Giving back through the Zabelo Foundation also means a lot to me during the holidays. It’s the perfect time to spread joy and support communities in need. There’s always music, laughter and a deep sense of gratitude throughout the season.
Hopes and goals for 2025 In 2025, I want to collaborate with big brands that align with my values and vision. I aim to take IZabelo Premium Dresses to the next level, expanding its reach and influence. I also look forward to growing Born 2 Model Academy and continuing to make an impact as an environmental activist. This year is about building, connecting and stepping fully into new opportunities, especially on a global stage.
Timera Ramlal
Highlight of 2024 The highlight for 2024 for me was the personal growth I was able to achieve in my personal and business life by surrounding myself with authentic people and re-evaluating all my relationships to create harmony and respect. Also, I received the best birthday gift from my brother, a sweet little border collie named Honey whose boldness and cuteness has inspired a lot of my social media content.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition For me Christmas is the perfect excuse to be around loved ones and eat delicious food. I will be introducing a family tradition of the highs and lows of the year we have had and to just bask in gratitude for it all. I hope they are ready for that!
Hopes and goals for 2025 I’m claiming 2025 as my year of “facing my fears”. I will be creating more exciting Youtube and social media content around self love, travel and more. I intend to cultivate and foster a community of lovely people (men and women) who are ready to rediscover and redefine themselves on a holistic level and in alignment to their truth. This will include more events, workshops and possibly a retreat. This indeed will be an exciting year for me, and hopefully us all.
Jemma Kate Badenhorst Highlight of 2024 It’s so hard to pick one! I welcomed my second girl into the world, opened for Ndlovu Choir at ZA Fest, and reached number one on Jacaranda local chart for my single Tell my Friends.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition We have a big Christmas eve dinner and party with our extended family. Each year is themed, we dress up, eat a lot and have the best time celebrating together. In my little family though we have started our own Christmas tradition. On the first weekend of December, we put some Christmas music on, pour some wine and put up the Christmas tree together. It became my favourite holiday tradition when our first born was old enough to get involved and I love seeing her face light up with excitement around all the Christmas build up.
Hopes and goals for 2025
I would love to see my music grow and reach more listeners who relate to my story telling. I hope to reach number one on a global chart with my new music, and headline for an international music festival.
Joseph Mpyana
Highlight of 2024 Touring Europe with my wife was an absolute highlight. We shared so many first-time experiences together, exploring parts of the world that were new to both of us. It was an unforgettable adventure.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition When my wife and I were dating, we watched The Little Rascals one Christmas, and it became an annual tradition. After our kids came along, we pulled them into it too. While it’s not a Christmas movie, it’s become a quirky and special part of our family’s holiday celebrations.
Hopes and goals for 2025 As a family, we’re aiming to reduce screen time and build healthier entertainment habits for our kids—that’s a big focus for us. On the business and Foundation side, we’re determined to engage more corporates in the fight against period poverty and make a meaningful impact in that space.
Emma Smith
Highlight of 2024 2023 and 2024 were the toughest years of my life. As hard as it was, I know that life will continue to be hard for us all. Accepting that forces you to be truly present in the moment, to realise how rich you are when you have good people around you, a healthy body and mind. The highlight of the year was growing closer to people and finding joy in the small things.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition My family own two restaurants so December is always super busy. On Christmas Day, we all prioritise making a feast (food is our love language!) and celebrate Jesus, family and love.
Hopes and goals for 2025 To complete our overland surf documentary with my husband, to learn, to grow and to figure out this life thing in community!
Lulama Dingani Mngoma
Highlight of 2024 Lama Drama Academy raised money by crowdfunding to buy drama uniforms for the BeyonDrama kids. Having them looking and feeling like they’re a part of something special was so heart-warming.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition I love decorating the Christmas tree with my husband while our daughter sleeps and seeing her face in the morning when she sees the tree.
Hopes and goals for 2025
In 2024 I really wanted to put myself out there and grow my businesses and I think I’ve put in the work to really trust myself to succeed. My goal for 2025 is to leave that fear and imposter syndrome in 2024.
Kajal Lutchminarian
Highlight of 2024 The highlight for me has truly been seeing our brand and practice grow into a household name. Through this butterfly effect, a young boy’s family reached out to us through our Klutch Foundation after discovering our work through social media. This boy had suffered severe facial burns that left him disfigured and teased at school. Our team embraced this challenge and were able to achieve significant improvements. This experience reaffirmed for me that the work we do genuinely has a meaningful impact
and can change lives.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition
Every Christmas, our home turns into a festive kitchen where family recipes meet a symphony of love and laughter. My mum’s famous pyramid cheesecake—rich cream cheese with layers of buttery tennis biscuit crust in between, topped with maraschino cherries—is the highlight of the season, as she lovingly whips it up every year without fail.
Hopes and goals for 2025
In 2025, I’m trading all the hustle for more heart, shifting gears from milestone-chasing to memory-making. My work’s been amazing and I am so grateful for what I am able to do, but it’s time to let life beyond that also take some of the spotlight.
Portia Mazabane
Highlight of 2024 My highlight was having an opportunity to promote mental health awareness on radio and digital platforms. I was also honoured to be a speaker on several women’s empowerment gatherings where I had an opportunity to impart knowledge and expertise. I also witnessed the incredible resilience and growth of my clients. Each breakthrough and moment of self-discovery they experienced was truly inspiring.
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition One of my favourite holiday traditions is arranging and preparing for the Christmas Day lunch with my family, where we come together to make festive treats and share them with family and friends. There is so much connection when we try out recipes together. It’s a wonderful way to spread joy and connect with others.
Hopes and goals for 2025 My primary goal is to continue advocating for mental health awareness and support, particularly for women. I hope to expand my outreach programmes and workshops to empower more individuals to prioritise their mental well-being. On a personal level, I aim to practice more self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance, ensuring I can give my best to both my clients and my loved ones.
Shaina-Rae Bauwens
Highlight of 2024 There were so many highlights! But if I had to choose, there would be three; completing the Two-Oceans Ultra Marathon, opening a new Now Coffee and my nephew being born!
Favourite Christmas or holiday tradition
Christmas is my FAVOURITE time of the year! Putting our tree up on 1 November (yes, that early) is top of the list, and then all the family dinners and lunches around Christmas are my absolute best.
Hopes and goals for 2025
To run the Two-Oceans Ultra Marathon again, and to book an overseas holiday with my family.
