For Jesse Suntele, this Father’s Day will land differently. Over the past year, stepping into fatherhood, he’s been navigating its realities and finding a new rhythm between work and home.

@mbuyiselovilakazi Jesse Suntele speaks about his character on Meet The Khumalos on @Netflix South Africa #meetthekhumalos #whattowatch #netflixandchill #netflix #comedy #jessesuntele ♬ original sound – mbuyiselovilakazi

Perhaps better known as J-Flo, the rapper, actor and model has enjoyed a steady rise in the entertainment industry. He now finds himself in a season that’s less about building a name and more about building a life.  

Jesse has never rushed his story. His career, much like his personal life now, has been built with patience and structure, one step at a time. 

Subscribe to Jet Club Magazine and read all about Jesse’s exciting new chapter!

Words:  Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Photography:  Zhann Solomons 
Styling: Mia-Tess Smith

The post Building a life after building a name: Jesse Suntele’s story appeared first on TFG Media.

 

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Born in Kwazulu-Natal and now based between Cape Town and London, Seth Shezi has built a career that sits at the intersection of style, food and culture. Although none of those labels quite encompass him entirely, he moves through all three with a quiet certainty.

He’s the creative director of his own life, a man who has turned taste into his language and livelihood. From being named one of South Africa’s best-dressed men to becoming a respected voice in the dining scene, his rise has been less about reinvention and more about refinement. 

 

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Over late-afternoon drinks at Tannin in Cape Town, that sense of control softens. It’s his choice of setting – outdoor seating where the city moves around you. He says he likes to sit here, watch the foot traffic, take it all in. His drink of choice arrives: a classic Negroni. 

It’s not long before the planned structure of the interview dissolves. When Seth talks about food – really talks about it – you find yourself pulled in. He connects flavour to memory, fashion to feeling, art to everyday life, with an ease that feels instinctive rather than rehearsed. 

The conversation drifts, as it always does, towards home.  

Where are you based now? Where do you feel most yourself? It’s an easy question, but he doesn’t answer it lightly. Home, he says, isn’t fixed. It’s not about geography; it’s about where the work happens and where the ideas take shape. Right now, that place is London. 

“It’s where my art lives,” he says with a chuckle. 

 Read Seth Shezi’s full article when you subscribe to Man Magazine today!

Words by: Rughsaar Bibi Ismail 
Photography: Zhann Solomons 
Styling: Mia-Tess Smith 

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Model. Presenter. Travel content creator. Style authority. Muso. Father. It’s a list that reads like a modern renaissance man, but for Tino Chinyani, the titles that matter most don’t come with contracts or campaigns; they come with responsibility, presence and love. 

As we sit down with the Zimbabwean-born creative, now firmly part of South Africa’s cultural landscape, it’s clear that fatherhood has reshaped his priorities and redefined his purpose. 

@tiyani_afrika Perfecting the details of the editors choice with @Markham1873 💎🥂🌊 #fyp #mensfashion #Markham #love #family @Relay Jeans ♬ original sound – Tino Chinyani

This Father’s Day issue isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. And Tino is showing us what it really means to raise boys into men – with intention, faith and a deep understanding that it all starts at home. 

 Want to read more about Tino Chinyani? Subscribe to Club Magazine for the full scoop!

Words: Chandre Emma Kippie  
Photography: Zhann Solomons 
Styling: Gasant Kellerman 

The post Tino Chinyani talks fatherhood, fashion & the art of showing up appeared first on TFG Media.

There’s a specific kind of electricity that only Harlem can produce – a rhythmic, neon-lit energy that fuses the grit of the pavement with the grace of the catwalk. If you were to bottle that energy, label it and give it a pair of gravity-defying sneakers, it would look exactly like Teyana Taylor. At 35, Teyana isn’t just a performer; she’s a cultural engineer who has spent two decades proving that “glamour” isn’t about the dress you wear, but the history that you carry within it. 

Her rise to fame reads like a blueprint for the modern multi-hyphenate. While most teenagers were navigating the awkward hallways of high school, a 15-year-old Teyana was already in the rehearsal room with Beyoncé, choreographing the high-octane, siren-wailing visuals for the ‘Ring the Alarm’ music video. She didn’t just enter the industry; she kicked the door down with a swivel and a smirk. From her first major introduction to the public consciousness on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 – where her bravado was as oversized as her birthday plans – to her current status as a global icon, Teyana is an all-round entertainer who can stop the world with a single frame. Who could forget the cultural earthquake of her viral performance in Kanye West’s ‘Fade’ music video? It was a moment of pure, athletic glamour that redefined the female form in the digital age. 

Since then, Teyana has performed in the last two editions of Vogue World, became the youngest winner of The Masked Singer in 2022, and showcased her vibrant persona on the late-night circuit by hosting Saturday Night Live earlier this year. Yet, even with the world at her feet, she remains a student, having enrolled at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. Teyana Taylor is a woman who refuses to be finished – she is a perpetual motion machine and right now, she’s moving towards a legacy that is purely, undeniably glamorous. 

Want to read more about this modern multi-hyphenate? Subscribe to Balanced Life Magazine to get Teyana Taylor’s full scoop!

Words: Geraldine Amoko 
Photography: Getty Images, Will Heath/NBC

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No behind-the-scenes industry puppet strings. No slow-burn rollout. Just a hard launch: loud, unfiltered, and impossible to look away from. That’s Thandolwethu ‘Olly’ Zondi for you. 

In less than a year, the KwaZulu-Natal-born actor flipped the script, going from unknown to unavoidable. A breakout lead on Netflix, a Best Newcomer win at the National Film and TV Awards, and a presence that feels less like hype and more like a warning shot: the new generation has entered the chat.  

 

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But this isn’t just a glow-up story. It’s bigger than fame. It’s faith meeting timing at full speed, and the kind of purpose that doesn’t wait to be found. It finds you. 

Want to know more about this up-and-coming star? Subscribe to ClubX Magazine to read the full article!

Words: Chandre Emma Kippie 
Photography: Katlego Mokubyane 

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One could argue that we live in a time where the content creator space is, dare I say it, oversaturated. Yet, in the ever-evolving world of wellness influencers, Nicola Du Plessis isn’t just building bodies, she’s building belief.

 

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If you’ve spent more than five minutes on South African FitTok or Insta-Gym reels, you’ve probably scrolled past one of her high-intensity resistance or lifting workouts, gear and outfit checks, or brutally honest daily words of wisdom clips.

But unlike the hyper-filtered fitness feeds of the 2010s, Nicola’s brand of strength is deeply 2026: transparent, soft, powerful and, of course, stylish all at once.

 

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For Gen Z, fitness isn’t about shrinking. It’s about showing up. And Nicola understands that better than most. 

 

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 Want to read more about the fit, fearless and fabulous Nicola Du Plessis? Subscribe to ClubX magazine to get the full scoop!

Words: Chandre Emma Kippie 
Photography: Zhann Solomons 
Styled by: Gasant Kellerman  

The post Fitness fundi Nicola Du Plessis on strength & discipline appeared first on TFG Media.

We all know and love him as one of South Africa’s most recognisable voices: a radio icon, DJ, producer and cultural instigator. In person he’s all that and more! Being on set with Roger is less like shooting with your usual celebrity and more like trying to harness the wind. If you thought he has energy on air, wait until you meet him in person.

He’s the human form of ‘zest for life’. Within minutes he’s brought an energy to set that you try to match and get swept up in – or get left behind. He paces between equipment, asking intriguing questions, cracking the best dad jokes and, naturally, taking complete control of the sound system, singing along to his favourite Afrobeats songs.

Want the full story of Roger’s life on and off air? Subscribe to Man magazine to get the full scoop!

Words: Rughsaar Bibi Ismail  
Photography:  Zhann Solomons 
Styling: Gasant Kellerman 

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On the surface, Rachel Kolisi has always appeared fearless. For years, South Africans have watched her move confidently between the worlds of philanthropy, motherhood, entrepreneurship and public life with remarkable poise. But the truth, as Rachel herself has begun to share more openly, is that courage is rarely loud. Often, it is quiet. It is the decision to keep moving forward after life changes direction.

As she undertakes a new personal journey, it’s clear that it’s one defined not by the roles people once associated her with, but by the woman she continues to become. Through motherhood, personal reinvention and the release of her new documentary and memoir, Falling Forward, Rachel is reclaiming her story and building a legacy firmly on her own terms. 

Read Rachel’s full story in the May issue of Club magazine. Subscribe today!

Words: Chandre Emma kippie 
Photography:  Zhann Solomons 
Styling: Mia-Tess Smith  

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Natasha Vermaak (née Joubert) entered her first modelling competition at the age of 10 – and wasn’t thrilled about it. Her world revolved around her big brother, so the self-proclaimed tomboy dragged her feet shopping with granny for a dress at one of the popular clothing chain stores.

She secretly straightened her curls on the big day. When her mom arrived home from work, she ordered Natasha to wash her hair, air-dry it and wear it natural. There were tears. Fighting. Long faces. Until, to Natasha’s surprise, she won. 

She was amazed that she could walk onto stage as the rugby-loving, wild-haired karate kid and it would be more than okay – she could just be herself. Natasha returns to that lesson often, especially during her first attempt to gain the Miss SA crown and years later when it was placed upon her head. Now, she’s remembering that moment as she steps up and into the spotlight again – this time, as a new mother. And as whoever she may become after that… 

Read about Natasha’s inspiring journey to Miss SA when you subscribe to Balanced Life Magazine today!

Words: Christi Nortier 
Photography: Garreth Barclay, Jane Ulla, Supplied 

The post Former Miss SA Natasha Vermaak on life’s pivotal moments appeared first on TFG Media.

With a background in media production and community management, Dimpho Lekgeu is a true connector of people and ideas. As communications manager at the African Climate Reality Project and a One Young World ambassador, she’s breaking down barriers and sparking meaningful conversations. Recognised as a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African in 2022, Dimpho is driven by a desire to amplify marginalised voices and propel change. In this Q&A, she shares her thoughts on the power of storytelling and the importance of youth participation.

Q: What inspired you to pursue your career?

A: I wrote really well in school and I was always very well-spoken. I used to compete in speech competitions, so I’ve always been fascinated by the art of telling stories and the science of communication. At the same time, I had a deep curiosity about the world. My dad was incredibly intelligent and curious. One of his rituals on Sundays was to come back from church, sit on the  floor with the Sunday newspapers spread out – the politics, the business, the sports – and I’d watch him read and engage with all of it.  

Growing up, I was a child raised in the township by a working-class family, but I went to school in the suburbs at a multiracial school.  That contrast made me curious about inequality and social justice. I realised that storytelling and media were powerful ways to platform people who don’t always have access to a microphone – people whose stories deserve to be seen and heard. 

 Q: How did you get into community work?

 A: Everything really came together in the most unexpected way. I transitioned into working as community manager for a youth development organisation [Youth Lab]. At its core, that role was about building a network of young people passionate about youth participation, amplifying youth voices, especially in policy and decision-making, and finding creative ways to platform their experiences. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of using this skill for storytelling across politics, youth empowerment and now climate justice. It has been eye-opening and very fulfilling.  

 Q: How did it feel to be recognised as a Top 200 Young South African?

A:  This was such a great honour and remains one of the highlights of my career. When you work in media and advocacy, you show up every day, but real change often takes time. Sometimes you wonder whether the work you do actually makes a difference in people’s lives or is moving us closer to a more just and equal society. So to be recognised by a publication as reputable as the Mail & Guardian, selected from thousands of candidates, was not only an honour but also deeply affirming.  

Q: How did you pick up the skills for moderating discussions for prominent organisations?

A: I started my career in broadcasting. One of the most fundamental experiences that shaped me into the moderator I am today was hosting a show called ‘The News Platform’ on Tuks FM while I was at the University of Pretoria. It was a current affairs show where we discussed social issues affecting young people on campus and in Pretoria more broadly.  That show taught me how to design conversations that don’t just entertain but truly unpack an issue, build toward possible solutions, and leave people feeling like there’s something they can practically do.  

During Covid, I joined Youth Transforming Africa, which is an alumni network of the World Bank’s #Blog4Dev competition winners. Because we couldn’t host in-person events, we started doing online sessions. I moderated one or two, and someone from the World Bank said, “You’re really good at this. Would you like to facilitate more?”  That’s how my moderating journey took off. As the world reopened, I moved from online conversations on to physical stages, using my voice to bring important and consequential discussions to life – conversations centred on building a more just and equal world, and on issues affecting youth and women on the continent. I’ve since had the privilege of working with the World Bank, the African Centre for Economic Transformation, the UN Development Programme and One Young World. 

Q: You also host a podcast…

A: Yes, with Claude Grunitzky. It’s called ‘Limitless Africa’ and it’s a powerful podcast that explores what shared prosperity between Africa and the world looks like. I always say that telling African stories is the work of my life. I’m grateful that I get to play my part in changing the world through conversation.  

Q: Why is it important to discuss the constitution and Apartheid’s impact on South Africa?

A: One of the first ways to promote social justice is to keep talking about it. We must keep exposing the deep-seated inequalities in our society. With the rise of social media, we often see a polished, curated version of life in this country. But the reality is stark – around 55% of South Africans live below the poverty line, homelessness is widespread and youth unemployment is at crisis levels. Right now, nearly 60% of young people are unemployed, one of the highest rates in the world, which is a massive policy failure.  

So storytelling matters. Not just telling stories but telling lived experiences. One of my favourite pieces of content is Youth Capital’s film I’ve Been Trying: 8 Years Without a Job, which documents the realities of young people trying to find work.  That’s the real South Africa.  

The second way to promote social justice is accountability. Even with everything happening in the world, it’s important that we continue to resist, to raise our voices, and to challenge inequality and injustice. Whether we’re organising in our communities or supporting advocacy campaigns online, all of us can play a role.  

Q: How do you think young people can be empowered to make a positive impact in their communities and the world at large?

A: I love this question because I don’t think young people need to be empowered to make an impact. Young people are already doing it! If you want to see what active citizenship looks like, look to South African youth. They’re entrepreneurs, educators, civic leaders, organisers. They’ve always played an active role in South Africa’s social and political transformation – from the 1976 Soweto protests to #FeesMustFall to the Purple Movement against GBV. Young people are extraordinary leaders. So the real question is: how do we support the work that is already underway? We must support them by funding their work, amplifying it and creating systems that don’t waste their potential.  

Q: What motivates you to continue making a positive impact?

 A: I am driven by a deep desire to help create a more just and equal society. I genuinely believe every person has the right to the best possible experience of life, to live in a country and community that cares for them, that enables them to self-actualise, that allows them to become the best version of themselves.  

Q: How do you think we can create more opportunities and support systems for women and girls in leadership positions?

A:  This is such an important question. We’ve made progress but there is still so much to do. First, women need to see themselves as leaders. Many of us are conditioned to be the support structure, to stay on the sidelines, but not to take the reins. Some of this is cultural, some of it is structural. Globally, women hold only about 32% of senior leadership roles, and in SA only around 26% of executives are women. That gap won’t close on its own so we have to be intentional.  

Secondly, we must create work environments that actually support the realities of women’s lives, especially in a country where most households are headed by women, particularly black women.  That means accessible childcare, parental leave that recognises women’s bodies and responsibilities, and workplaces that understand that women don’t show up as one-dimensional beings.  They are mothers, caregivers, community builders, all while pursuing careers. Creating environments that accommodate those realities is very important if we want more women to lead.   

Q: What projects or initiatives are you currently working on?

 A: On ‘Limitless Africa’, we’re telling the stories of remarkable activists, entrepreneurs and creatives across the continent – expect more episodes and more powerful storytelling. I’m also working at the African Climate Reality Project, a branch of the global Climate Reality Project, and I’m excited to keep using communications to advocate for justice, inclusion and climate action. I recently joined the Social Alchemists, a speaker bureau representing some of the most talented moderators, speakers and entertainers. So there will also be more hosting and moderating of consequential conversations and using the platforms I have to spotlight more young people and more women.  

Words: Emma Mbuthuma 
Photography by: Gallo/Getty Images 

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