Black Girl Magic

THANDO HOPA Aspiring Author

Having recently resigned from the National Prosecuting Authority, Hopa says that while she dedicated eight years of her life to law, she felt she wasn't nurturing her artistic side and that it was time to explore her creative talents.

Her Platform: "I use my personality to help women embrace difference. I want people to understand that beauty isn't confined to one visual definition. I use my skin condition to educate people about things like eyesight and suncare, hence my collaboration with Vichy."

Words to Live By: "Growing up with albinism had its ups and downs. Children don't understand something that's different, so I was often the victim of name-calling, insults and nasty comments. My parents and family, however, treated me like a little princess. To this day, their love makes me tolerant of those who don't understand my skin condition. But I haven't completely broken free of the stereotypes society places on black women. Your understanding of yourself is a continuous thing and you're bound to make mistakes as you go along."

"Black is an identity more than a colour."

TSHOLO DIKOBE Style Curator, Fashion Journalist and Stylist

Dikobe says she broke free of the many stereotypes society imposes on black women when she realised that everything she needed to fulfil her mission lay within her. "No-one has power over me but myself. The first step was when I decided to embrace my natural hair in 2001," she recalls. She grew up in Botswanan military barracks as the daughter of a soldier and largely unscathed by racial discrimination.

Her Work: "My love for my Tswana culture, values and traditions has influenced an indigenous fashion line – Kobo Mogagolwane – which I created with my partner, Gaone Mothibi. My aim is to position it as the official Botswana fashion staple for many generations to come."

Words to Live By: "I use my quirky, colourful personality and blog, The Khoi-Fro, to voice my opinion on being firm in our choices, whether it's a complex life decision or a simple one like picking the right dress for your body type."

"Embrace your own, solidify your identity and be your own new kind of cool."

LUTHANDO SHOSHA (LOOTLOVE) TV, Radio Presenter and MC

Known to her fans as LootLove, she says she wasn't really aware of being black while growing up. "My mother played a huge part in building my firm and authentic character. She always made sure I didn't see myself the way society did and reminded me that I was enough the way I was. You have to be proud of what you have and celebrate it. We're all meant to differ in some way," she says.

Words to Live By: "The most important thing I've learnt is to be proud of who I am. Whether you grew up in a shack or the rural areas or attended a previously disadvantaged school, don't let anyone make you feel less for it. Nothing is as liberating as knowing who you are."

"Self-love has helped me overcome the hardships I've faced."

MMAPHUTHI MORULE DJ and Brand Manager

Morule began her career at Investec but yearned to work in marketing, leading her to join a digital agency before landing her current position at Nike.

Her Influence: "I use my personality and career to influence and empower other black girls by just being myself. I choose to focus only on good energies," she says.

Words to Live By: "Being black became increasingly important as I grew older because I started realising that I wasn't always on a level playing field and that my achievements weren't just about me, but were also about empowering those around me. Basically, being a black girl was and still is a beautiful struggle."

FIKILE MOETI (FIX) Businesswoman and 5FM DJ

Fix started her career in entertainment at 19. After studying art entrepreneurship at Columbia College in Chicago, she partnered with the Gordon Institute of Business Science to help solve challenges in the SA education system. She now runs the Fix Scholarship.

Life Lessons: "I had to dig deep to get over challenges and being judged. As a young swimmer in Botswana, I was obviously the curviest. I wanted the ideal sportswoman's body I saw in magazines. The biggest game-changer for me was the debate about Serena Williams's body. That changed my perception of an 'ideal body'."

Words to Live By: "Dear black girl, don't give up, no matter how humiliated you feel. Stand up for who you are and, most importantly, for how hard you work to be the best version of yourself."

LESEGO LEGOBANE (THICKLEEYONCE) Fashion and Beauty Photographer

More popularly known by her social media name, @Thickleeyonce. Originally from Potchefstroom, she's famous for celebrating her curvaceous body.

Her Journey: "Loving myself was a do-or-die thing. When I turned 19, I decided to stop being so cruel to myself because I was tired of being miserable. I escaped self-hatred through photography and self-portraits. I fell in love with the girl in these images and never looked back," she says.

Words to Live By: "I've overcome the challenges and hardships I've faced as a black woman by educating myself about my history and reading literature by black feminists. Writers like Bell Hooks and Chimamanda Ngozi played a big role in my emancipation."

"I'm on a mission to dismantle the idea that you have to be skinny & light-skinned in order to be attractive."

EXTRA QUOTES FROM FEATURED SPREADS

Michelle Mosalakae (paged featured): "I want to be remembered for showing girls that being different is actually a win."

General Feature Quote: "Black girls are taking opportunities like a boss!"