Table of contents for Issue 4 in Destiny

"If we don't tell our stories, no one will do it on our behalf. We need to take our seat at the table." DESTINY is such a learning curve for me. Our editorial board introduces me to people I would otherwise not have known about. And that makes me happy, because sometimes it feels like the same people and personalities are featured everywhere, and we don’t get to hear about the people who are literally changing the world without making a big hoo-ha about it. If we look at all the skills we have on the continent, I sometimes wonder why our governments do not make use of these powerhouses to drive change faster than what is happening. It’s also on this continent [Africa] that innovation happens because we face…

There is a joyous video of Bonang Mohale dancing at a family friend’s wedding. His knees dip, his fingers click, and his shoulders sway slightly. His temples are grey and beneath his glasses, his eyes creased. Mohale’s eyes are always watching, constantly observing. His observations of South African society and aspects of business were chronicled in his books, Lift As You Rise and Behold the Turtle. First published in 2018, Lift as You Rise is a compilation of some of the spoken and written observations that Mohale has made throughout his illustrious career. In his written forward, media and advertising industry veteran Peter Vundla describes Behold the Turtle as a “treatise on leadership”. Beyond his work as the author of two bestselling books, Mohale has served South African society for…

Dear Ingrid, Let me begin with a big congratulations to you and the entire DESTINY team. I am an avid reader of the publication from its early days, and it is still a delight to read. The invitation for suggestions is welcome and really a great way to reconnect with readers. The magazine continues to be a source of knowledge, exposure, empowerment and inspiration for women in the Southern Africa region where it is circulated. I believe that further action to be more diverse and inclusive may reinforce the publication’s unique position. My suggestion is for DESTINY to explore the possibility of featuring stories with women from SADC countries or across the expanse of your current distribution, and see how the market responds. In addition, hosting DESTINY events was a…

Marcus, the oldest of three boys, spent the first 10 years of his life in Germany and moved to Ghana when his father, a paediatrician, relocated them back home. Growing up on the medical campus, Marcus had one of the best childhoods where he had over 60 friends and played until the streetlights came on. “I had an amazing childhood, but one of the most formative things for me was watching what my father did. He was brought in with about five other German-trained doctors to build the paediatric ward at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. I watched the hospital grow from a fledgling school to become one of the best medical schools in West Africa. To this day, everywhere I go I meet people that my father has trained,…

We step in to help aspiring CAs(SA) materialise their dreams by funding their postgraduate studies. Buhle Hanise, who is also the CFO of Chinese multinational BAIC South Africa, was appointed president of the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) in October 2021, just a few months shy of the organisation celebrating its 20-year milestone. Despite having the big shoes of past presidents to fill, she also has an enormous task ahead of her. AWCA, a non-profit organisation whose mission has always been to increase the number of South Africa’s Black female chartered accountants, believes in developing as it leads. This is done via a three-pronged approach. “The first step is ‘identify’, where we find hardworking and talented young girls with the potential to become CAs. The second layer of our strategy…

In the world of business and finance in which I play, we’ve been in deep conversations, meetings and workshops about what the new normal of work will be post-Covid or post-vax. Should we allow our staff to work from home? Should we all have flexi-hours? And do we even need to know where they are, as long as they produce results? What if the person is actually miles away in an exotic location – will they still deliver? As Head of the Momentum Investo business, with a team of just under 200 employees, I get to influence many decisions and make these calls. But I am younger and perhaps a new breed of CEO, and at times can be a lone voice with my own particular perspective and opinions. I…

The Africa Centre is opening a larger home on the Southbank in London, not far from Tate. The new building will contribute significantly to the growth of a new cultural hub. The Africa Centre first opened its doors in 1964 and was inaugurated by Kenneth Kaunda. It was originally located in Covent Garden. As Africa was gaining its independence, the role of the Centre was to promote a different narrative of the continent. It was also a home away from home for many Africans in exile or passing through London. Archbishop Desmond Tutu used to meet Thabo Mbeki at the bar and described the Centre as a home “to all who are Africans, and all those who have a care for the interests of the continent and its people”. Over…

Juan Del Monte was my first. I still vividly remember the curve of his strong jaw, his dark, tousled hair carelessly framing his face, and his signature cowboy check shirt with one-too-many top buttons left undone. Juan and I met religiously every Wednesday and Thursday nights on Telemundo. So what if he had fallen in love with his sister, Paula? I was already in too deep. Juan, Paula, Jose, Pedro, Gaspar and Lucas were siblings and leading characters in the telenovela, The Del Monte Dynasty. The brothers were adopted by farming magnate, Emilio Del Monte, while Paula was the only biological child of Emilio who came into their lives following the death of the family matriarch. Such an indelible mark did Paula leave on Juan’s heart, that he eventually left…

What gets watch collectors excited? Stories. Artistry. Complicated mechanics. You get all three in a métiers d’art timepiece, realised by master craftsmen and-women, in very limited quantities. In watchmaking, they are an elite group who specialise in enamelling, engraving, miniature enamel painting, gem setting, fabric and featherworking – spending many years perfecting often age-old crafts. The Lunar New Year provides the opportunity to reveal the depths of their artistic talents as they honour the relevant animal from the Chinese zodiac in the decoration of some of the most sought-after annual watch releases. 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. People born under this sign, in the years 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 and 2022, are thought to be kind, quick-witted, versatile and resourceful. Piaget extends the list to include…

“When it comes to entrepreneurship, it’s definitely not rainbows and unicorns,” says Nigel Jacobs, Co-founder of Jacobs Jam Company. “We are under severe pressure and it’s the most difficult thing we’ve ever done in our lives. Unless you’re prepared to lose your house, your car, and the nice things you’ve acquired, don’t do it. But, we’ve got a family business in mind that’s going to last generations and we want the hard work we’re doing now to lay the foundation, so that our future generations can reap the benefits and work to grow it even further. We didn’t have the opportunity to work in family businesses, but we would like to give our child that choice.” Nigel and Christynn Jacobs have collectively over 25 years of experience from local and…

In November 2021, Bongi Ngoma, National Head of Audit (previously CFO) of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), was named South Africa’s CFO of the Year at the 2021 CFO Awards – the first time ever that a public sector CFO has won this award. She also walked away with Public Sector CFO of the Year and the Transformation & Empowerment Award, claiming three of the highest accolades in the financial sector. Those who know Bongi won’t be surprised that she’s breaking ground. Her many achievements and accolades culminate a lifetime of determination and overcoming the odds stacked against her, such as her humble background, her race and gender. If there are barriers to break, Bongi will be there to smash right through them. A WORLD OF IMAGINATION Bongi hails…

Here, in the Greater Kruger National Park, you are in classic Big Five territory and, in addition to two game drives a day, you have the opportunity to follow the elephant highway on foot and other paths in the bush created by the animals that use them. You may have been to the bush many times – or this may be your first – but the experience and depth of knowledge these guides have will bring something new and special. In all things here, safety comes first, be it protecting you from dangerous game or Covid-19. As the name suggests, as a guest, you and yours are royalty. Opening 1 July, Royal Malewane’s Waterside Lodge provides additional deluxe accommodation for 12 people in a series of free-standing suites all directly…

I’m at the 5th Avenue Barnes & Noble as I write this. It’s 10:35am New York time, 5:35pm back home in South Africa. It never fails to thrill me that only seven hours in time difference can separate two such diverse, delightful worlds. Although being in a major fashion capital, it’s pure joy connecting with Kelly Fung cross continents. Third-generation South African – and proud of it – Kelly currently spearheads new-fashionista-on-the-block ARC’s creative direction. As SA’s answer to fashion colossus Sephora, ARC is the country’s biggest dedicated beauty store offering the most coveted and needful beauty brands. As former Elle South Africa editor and former Marie Claire SA fashion director, Kelly is one of the country’s leading, in-demand fashion stylists. Her deep understanding of both local and international fashion…