Ed’s Letter
I must admit, I’ve always dreamt of seeing Tbose and Mapaseka Mokwele together on a magazine cover. Being a huge radio fan (yes, I wait excitedly each year for new line-up announcements), both their shows rate tops on my mustlisten list. Tbose’s show is an excellent and easy way to start the morning – I like the throwback love jams, peppered with his words of wisdom on how to get or maintain a relationship (the spicy sex conversations are a must!).
As I wind down in the evening, helping the kids get ready for bed and prepping for the next day, Mapaseka sets the tone with her no-nonsense and – sometimes controversial – feminist stance on relationships and how women should demand to be treated well (You go, sista!). What really fascinates me about the pair is their unfiltered, honest take on relationships, and how it’s not always rosy — you just have to put in the work.
Fast-forward to the day of the shoot, and there’s a buzz as I enter the photographer’s studio. We only have a few hours to capture them because Tbose and Mapaseka’s schedules are insane, and the TL team can’t wait to soak up their pearls of wisdom and anecdotes. And boy, did we get a show! From Mapaseka’s blush-worthy moves on her husband, to Tbose giving us ‘sage uncle’ advice on how to improve our content in the magazine. I really wish you all could’ve experienced it with us — what an inspiring day!
The TRUE LOVE team is back full steam with a jam-packed issue on what #BlackLove really means. We unpack the concept of ‘Ukubekezela’, the age-old ‘hang on to love even if it kills you’ notion. I wonder why we, as black women, hold on to this belief like a Bible verse after so many years. Find a quick guide on how to talk dirty in vernac (no, it’s deeper that ‘ngiyak’thanda’), and how to declare your income in a relationship (as an only child, I’m not too sold on this one). Either way, there’s something for everyone. Here’s to a great month of love!