Guests : Thabo Dube
It was five minutes to midnight. Thabo Dube remembers the exact moment his life
changed. He was on the back of a motorbike, when in an instant, he hit the ground. After
colliding with another bike, Dube’s right leg had to be amputated and he was confined
to a hospital bed for nine months. The accident wrecked his body. But it was nothing
compared to what it did to his mind. Dube started buying cheap T-shirts and printing on
them. ‘With a T-shirt like this, who needs a leg?’ they read. It was an unusual pursuit, but
it kept him motivated to take on each day. Soon, Dube’s sartorial interest expanded to
leather crafting by stitching
wallets from offcuts. Conceptualising new designs gave Dube a reason to get up each
morning. His venture has now grown into a bag business called LETZ.
Amina Abrahams
Amina Abrahams never thought making atchar would change her life. But the world is
full of surprises – not always the good kind. All at once, her marriage fell apart and she
was retrenched. Abrahams was hit with a conundrum.
Abrahams had no income and two young children to feed. She was desperate to stay
afloat. So with a recipe handed down from her favourite aunt, Abrahams began selling
pickles.
Though she had no background in business, Abrahams filled her first bottles with
handcut lemon preserves and hoped for the best. Blending aromatic spices, rich oils,
and finely-chopped fruit and vegetables turned into a daily ritual. Soon, her mixtures
were a favourite in her neighbourhood of Kensington, Cape Town. With the
encouragement of
her loved ones, Abrahams’ Exotic Taste began its journey to the shelves of local grocery
shops.
Today, the entrepreneur’s blends can be found in 51 stores across the Western Cape,
with companies such as Shoprite supporting her success.
Jay Caboz
Superheroes and fantastical creatures walk among us. They’re quirky. They’re confident.
They’re cosplayers. And award-winning photojournalist Jay Caboz is documenting their
journey.
A combination of the words costume and play, the performance art allows people to
embody a fictional character. Though the unique activity originated in Japan, it is
attracting an ever-growing global community. Caboz created the Cos We Play project,
an initiative that captures the stories of South African cosplayers and the characters
they adopt. Many go to extreme lengths to create a perfect imitation of fiction, and
Caboz is compelled to take a deeper look.
Manuela Wall
Life in the city is like living in an advertisement. Giant billboards line congested
highways, fill shopping malls, and cover apartment block windows. Made from metres
of synthetic material, they turn to waste once the ad is over. When Manuela Wall looks
up at these commercial vinyls, she doesn’t see the product they’re selling. Instead, she
recognises an opportunity to turn a concrete jungle into an urban oasis.
Wall left her home in Germany to pursue her passion for gardening. She had little space
and barely any sun to satisfy her green fingers. On arrival in Cape Town, Wall discovered
Soil For Life – an organisation that teaches communities to grow their own food.
Dee Hendrickx
Rescuing animals isn’t all love and cuddles. Dee Hendrickx braves heartbreak every
time she takes in a parrot. The keen intelligence, sociability, and exotic looks of these
birds intensify their appeal as pets. But the amount of care they require can’t always be
met, which is why they’re brought to Hendrickx in horrific conditions. When humans fail
to understand them, the birds suffer. Four years ago, Hendrickx founded Brainy Birds, a
sanctuary for parrots. Her love for the species has spanned her entire life. When she
learnt of the unnatural circumstances that parrots endure in cages, she turned her
passion into action. Today, she has over 200 of them in her care. From booming macaws
and witty African greys to the littlest cockatiel, Hendrickx knows every one by name.
And that's our beautiful news for the week.
You know now what to do.
Drop us a whatsapp or sms on who you think should be featured in the Beautiful News
interview on wednesday.
so 072 567 1657.
Or 31567.
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Guest : Obakeng Molepe

Obakeng Molepe captures things you can’t see. The photographer’s technical skills are
masterful to no end. But when the artist listens to his inner voice, he goes beyond
aesthetics and exposes the crevices of his mind. He's struggled with depression for over
three years now,
In his series, Ferry, mental health is the main subject. “Depression is like any other
chronic illness,” Molepe says. To erase the prejudice against it, he’s bringing its
normality into focus.
The title of Molepe’s project alludes to the way his mind travels between worlds while
battling with mental health issues. “My art has become the way I speak out,” Molepe
says. But portraying these struggles isn’t easy. Through deep hues and distorted lines,
Molepe creates a range of minimal, intense images open to interpretation. “I rely
heavily on my instincts to guide the conversation I create,” he says. “I do not overthink
the process.”
Depression can be difficult to discuss, but Molepe is never one to shy from weighty
subjects.
Molepe also tackles topics like gender and religion, to challenge the status quo. Despite
his impressive portfolio – he’s been featured in Elle magazine and commissioned by
Adidas –Ferry is one of Molepe’s most profound projects to date. Mental health requires
accurate representation. With the creative approach of artists like Molepe, we can
broaden our understanding and ultimately, ensure healing.

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Heath Nash
If anyone can turn plastic milk bottles into intricate lampshades, it’s Heath Nash. He
made a name for himself on the design scene with his ability to transform waste into
objects of beauty.
But as his craft gained recognition, Nash realised it was to the exclusion of local
artisans. For decades, South Africans have upcycled trash to use in their everyday lives.
Now, their ingenuity returns to the forefront of the art world.
Obakeng Molepe
Obakeng Molepe captures things you can’t see. The photographer’s technical skills are
masterful to no end. But when the artist listens to his inner voice, he goes beyond
aesthetics and exposes the crevices of his mind. “ In his series, Ferry, mental health is
the main subject. To erase the prejudice against depression, he’s bringing its normality
into focus.
Reynhardt Smit
Doctors gave up on Reynhardt Smit the day he was born. He had hydrocephalus, or
excess water in his brain. The verdict? Smit would only live for five months. But
physicians had underestimated his fighting spirit. Today, Smit is 25, a successful
musician and committed teacher.
Growing up, Smit observed his father’s band practices, the sounds echoing through the
house. At the age of seven, the curious child picked up his first guitar. Having never
learnt to read music, Smit taught himself to play the guitar, piano, and banjo simply by
listening. He acquired his skills on the saxophone from his father, continuing a family
legacy after he passed away.
Ollie de Wit
A wood-cut Robben Island sits atop a glassy table surface, enveloped by gleaming blue
swirls of resin. It’s an unusual celebration of one of our country’s most iconic locations.
The isolation of the island’s geography and previous prisoners is what furniture
designer Ollie de Wit wanted to portray when he created this piece.
Amy Braaf
Ever press pause during a movie to catch a frame of cinematic beauty? The frozen still
isn’t a singular image detached from the film but rather a snapshot of a larger story.
Amy Braaf’s photography dissects these very moments. By shooting through the lens of
the female gaze, she’s weaving new, nuanced narratives.

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Guest : Lori-Anne Biebuyck

Lori-Anne Biebuyck  braced herself for the bad news. Having lost both her parents to
cancer, her mammogram had doctors on high alert. Six biopsies later, they diagnosed
Biebuyck with stage four breast cancer. The days that followed brought tears,
chemotherapy, and hair loss. Biebuyck tried to hide it with wigs and scarves, but none of
them felt right. Then her friend made her a hat. It’s colour and cheer emboldened
Biebuyck and resulted in a surge of inspiration.

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Lori-anne Biebuyck
Lori-Anne Biebuyck braced herself for the bad news. Having lost both her parents to
cancer, her mammogram had doctors on high alert. Six biopsies later, they diagnosed
Biebuyck with stage four breast cancer. The days that followed brought tears,
chemotherapy, and hair loss. Biebuyck tried to hide it with wigs and scarves, but none of
them felt right. Then her friend made her a hat..........
Rita du Plessis
Growing up, Rita du Plessis felt enormous pressure to fit in. She has Asperger Syndrome,
a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Though not uncommon, it's still
widely misunderstood. Today, Du Plessis is drawing up her own definition of belonging
with the animated film, Sam the Hedgehog. With her insightful critters, this artist is
reframing ideas of normality.
Tandekile Mkize
Tandekile Mkize avoids stepping on the cracks. He isn’t superstitious. But in these
spaces, flowers thrive. Nature’s ability to grow past the concrete holds deeper meaning
for Mkize. He sees a resilience there – one he bears witness to every day. His
photography represents the way people of colour confront adversity, only to push
through and emerge stronger.
Songelwa Sicuku-Mkita
The only knowledge Songelwa Sicuku-Mkita had about her father came from rumours.
He’d abandoned her family before she was born. And when Sicuku-Mkita was seven, her
mother passed away. The young girl began spending afternoons on the sports field,
drawn to the sense of family she encountered in team sport. Sicuku-Mkita says. With
positive leaders guiding her and the support of a team, she took her passion for games
and ran with it.
Qden Blaauw
Qden Blaauw wouldn’t be the pianist he is today if it wasn’t for his iPad. At the age of
eight, he discovered a piano app and the wonder of classical music. The sounds of
Beethoven, Bach, and Chopin rang out from the speaker. Blaauw was entranced. He
tapped his fingers on the screen, keeping up with the melody. Soon, he was begging his
parents for piano lessons. Just six years on from his first app recital, Blaauw is travelling
the world as a classical pianist.

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Guest : Michaylah Petersen

Michaylah Petersen is never without her longboard. These wheels are her freedom. At
the age of 15, Petersen was kicked out of home. Her family refused to accept that she
was gay. For two days, Petersen lived on the streets. With nowhere to go, she ended up
in a care home, severely depressed.
It’s been a long journey to self-acceptance. In the course of getting her life on board,
she’s enabling others to get back up.
She first saw the impact of sport while coaching surfing at Waves for Change, a Laureus
Sport for Good programme. Liberated by the adrenaline rush, Petersen realised she
could take it further – with longboarding. Now, Petersen teaches girls in Lavender Hill
how to carve, giving them the opportunity to move forward and express themselves.

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Guests : https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/joanie-fredericks
Women have the right to choose their life’s direction. But many are denied
the opportunity to pursue their ambitions. Joanie Fredericks was one of
them. Growing up, her brother’s needs took priority.
She gained her ticket to freedom the day she passed her driving test. . Now
she’s ensuring more women are in the driver’s seat.
Fredericks is an influential member of the Mitchells Plain community. In
2015, she founded NEAD Community Development. The organisation helps
people become self-sufficient by providing opportunities for progress.
Driving is her latest vehicle for upliftment. Last year, she formed Ladies Own
Transport Services, offering driving lessons and mobility to residents in her
area.
From the passenger seat, Fredericks directs the way forward. Her students
are able to tackle their fears and gain confidence – not just on the roads.
Thanks to her, more women are on the fast track to controlling their futures.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/athrah-lakay
Behind the boasts of drums, rows of straight-faced schoolchildren stand tall.
This marching squad is in formation and they mean business. For Athrah
Lakay, it’s a place of comfort beneath the tough veneer. In the face of
uncertainty, the routine of the drill helps the 15-year-old pupil gain
confidence in her next step.
Marching bands are well-loved within schools in the Mitchells Plain
community. It’s a celebrated tradition in the Cape Flats, commemorated in
the annual Kaapse Klopse festival. At Spine Road High School, Lakay and her
schoolmates assemble every week to practise. The military-like precision
takes Lakay’s mind off her challenges.
The unified movement has taught Lakay to put teamwork and discipline at
the forefront of her actions.
Lakay is only in Grade 9. But with the spirit of the squad drummed into her
core, she has a bright future ahead. Coming from different backgrounds, her
schoolmates can shake off life’s complexities and focus on being together
when they’re at practice.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/vincent-da-silva
The clay horse towers over its creator. A life-sized artwork, it embodies the
natural prowess of the galloping animal. Vincent Da Silva’s sculptures are
testament to his deft handiwork.
Though frozen in time, the statues have a movement to them. Unlike the
smooth marble figures of ancient Greece, Da Silva’s art is cast in bronze and
flecked with blemishes from his tools. With his textural monuments, the
artist reflects a freethinking philosophy.
Throughout his time studying architecture, Da Silva sculpted, opening his
first gallery before he completed his degree. When it came down to choosing
between the two, there was no denying his affinity for sculpture.
Today, Da Silva turns his attention to the formation of human identity
through charcoal drawings and figure sculptures.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/michaylah-petersen
Michaylah Petersen is never without her longboard. These wheels are her
freedom. At the age of 15, Petersen was kicked out of home. Her family
refused to accept that she was gay. For two days, Petersen lived on the
streets. With nowhere to go, she ended up in a care home, severely
depressed. It’s been a long journey to self-acceptance. In the course of
getting her life on board, she’s enabling others to get back up.
She first saw the impact of sport while coaching surfing at Waves for
Change, a Laureus Sport for Good programme. Liberated by the adrenaline
rush, Petersen realised she could take it further – with longboarding. Now,
Petersen teaches girls in Lavender Hill how to carve, giving them the
opportunity to move forward and express themselves.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/aneesah-seale
Aneesah Seale greets daybreak with a swirl of chocolate sauce. She’s just
opened the first coffee shop in Bonteheuwel, right from her own home. Her
endeavour is notable in a neighbourhood where daily shootings leave people
in fear of stepping out of their houses. . In the midst of terror and desolation,
her café is a sweet refuge.
From the tender age of nine, Seale has been acquainted with the warmth a
kitchen can bring. Her father was a bakery manager and it was with his
encouragement that her dreams began to rise.
She’s been baking for more than two decades now. Last year, Seale
launched a confectionery business from home. But the idea of seeing her
neighbours find comfort over a strong roast kept brewing in her heart.
Today, That Coffee Shop pours countless cups of care. Fresh flowers grace
the tables in Seale’s shabby chic front yard, and every guest is welcomed in
with a smile. Beyond its reputation, Bonteheuwel is now the home of
extraordinary goodness.

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Guest : Jean-marc Johannes

Jean-marc Johannes designs his own rules. On his skateboard, he carves a playground
out of the city of Cape Town. His attitude is his eternal win. But it comes with a
background of crashes and falls – one that goes much deeper than failed tricks on a
board. Johannes initially wanted to be an athlete. But traditional sports just didn’t give
him enough space to move. So at the age of nine, Johannes turned to skateboarding
and took control of his destiny.
Soon, he was risking high speeds and perfecting tricks far beyond his years. Without a
clear route, Johannes faced unlimited outcomes. Competing from the age of 11,
Johannes learnt to hardwire his skills with perfection. And it paid off. He's the first
skater to have achieved international gold
Johannes can also do 18 nollie heelflips in a minute. That’s a Guinness World Record

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Guests : Jean-marc Johannes designs his own rules. On his skateboard, he carves a playground
out of this city. His attitude is his eternal win. But it comes with a background of
crashes and falls – one that goes much deeper than failed tricks on a board. Johannes
initially wanted to be an athlete. But traditional sports just didn’t give him enough
space to move. So at the age of nine, Johannes turned to skateboarding and took
control of his destiny.
One thing that made him want to get into skateboarding was that it was free. He could
push himself in any direction he liked. Soon, he was risking high speeds and perfecting
tricks far beyond his years. .
Johannes can also do 18 nollie heelflips in a minute. That’s a Guinness World Record.
Skateboarding has allowed Johannes to create a fresh definition of achievement.
Infinite possibility is always in the pipeline.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/jean-marc-johannes
***
Ibrahim Abdi was forced to make a choice when he realised he was gay. It wasn’t just
ostracisation he faced, but imprisonment. In Somalia, homosexuality is still a crime. Abdi
could either stay and risk jail, or leave his home country. So with money stolen from his
brother, the 15-year-old hit the road early one morning. After an arduous year-long
journey, Abdi reached South Africa to make a new life for himself. Years later, he’s
creating a stir in our kitchens.
Food played a central role in Abdi’s childhood. His mother created dishes for weddings
in their hometown. Preparing East African food with a mix of Indian flavour, he worked
his way up to becoming a chef in South Africa.
Abdi hopes to open a vegan restaurant one day. He’s also committed to teaching others
his craft. Last year, he demonstrated his talent during the first Refugee Food Festival in
Cape Town. He hasn’t returned to Somalia, but he’s forged a sense of family here.
Through his sumptuous dishes, Abdi is sharing his story with South Africa.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/ibrahim-abdi
***
Isak Pretorius is a master of his craft. In a split second, he photographs an image of a
flock of birds in mid-flight. Yet he’s the one who’s really captured – by their grace.
Around the world, bird populations are on the decline as a result of habitat loss,
pollution, and climate change. The feathered creatures are in trouble, and we’re not
seeing it.
With 10 years of wildlife photography under his belt, Pretorius is using his experience
and passion to draw our eyes to their cause. Simple in composition, his images allow
the intricate details of the subject to shine. Though birds are fast, Pretorius’ patience
triumphs. The outcome is a photo that bears the semblance of fine art.
In 2013, his image of a noddy bird trapped in a spider web garnered global attention.
Pretorius became the first South African to win in the bird behaviour category at the
Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. One glimpse of the way he captures these
winged wonders and it’s easy to see why. Through his art or up close on his photo
safaris, Pretorius offers people the opportunity to recognise the marvels of nature. And
in doing so, he’s giving these birds a chance to survive.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/isak-pretorius
***
Coffee stains never get Danielle Jordaan down. A brown spot is simply the beginning of
a masterpiece. Jordaan is an artist. Using just water and roasted grounds, she paints
visions that stir the senses.
Art has always been her happy place. Behind her talent lies a heart of gold, motivating
Jordaan to work with communities. When she received the request to teach art at a café
in Cape Town, Jordaan jumped at the chance. Extending her innovation to the materials
used for art, Jordaan dipped into coffee for her new workshops. Different blends allow
for a palette of shades to form. All that’s required from the artist are paintbrushes and
freshly-brewed ideas.
The innovative medium is inexpensive, conjuring up fun experiences over coffee – with a
twist. Her workshops satisfy her passion for working with people while utilising her
talents. From salt to sand, South Africans have never been shy to use what they have to
design what they need. Our most valuable resource is our ingenuity.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/danielle-jordaan
***
Vanessa Martin’s heart shattered when she saw the stray dog outside her office. The
creature was emaciated and alone. Martin couldn’t just stand by and began feeding her.
But this puppy wasn’t the only one in need. The streets were filled with homeless dogs
and cats. Martin started picking up strays on her way to work, hiding them in the toilet
cubicles until she could take them home. But that wasn’t enough. After 21 years of
working as an administrative clerk, Martin had a renewed sense of purpose. So she quit.
In 2016, Martin founded Mitchells Plain Animal Welfare. She works day and night
tending to the strays in her community. With a group of volunteers, Martin provides
sterilisations and vaccinations. Residents can also bring their pets to be dipped and fed.
Martin is fully committed to ensuring they are cared for. Her organisation doesn’t have a
formal shelter yet, so Martin keeps rescues in her own house until they find their
forever home. No dog or cat deserves to be left behind.
Martin’s dream is simple – open a sanctuary and sterilise as many strays as possible.
Most of all, she hopes to create an environment that’s filled with compassion. Beyond
the animals’ medical needs, she’s providing safety and care vital to their wellbeing.
Today, she lives with the assurance that she’s saving vulnerable creatures and uniting
her community. With her boundless empathy, Martin brings out the best in humanity.
https://www.beautifulnews.co.za/stories/vanessa-martin

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Guest : Christelle Dreyer

Broken bones don’t bother Christelle Dreyer.
She’s fractured so many she’s lost count.
Dreyer has osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bones.
But it hasn’t held her back from following her purpose.
Although physical activities can cause Dreyer harm, she relishes every movement.
A graphic designer by profession, dance allows Dreyer unfettered freedom. She
discovered her passion at a young age, and has pursued it for nearly two decades since.
She's competed in championships and performed in stage productions at the National
Arts Festival, showing audiences the power of perseverance

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