''I overslept!’ Zandi blurts out as she comes into focus on my laptop screen. It’s early on a Monday morning and, to be honest, so did I. We’re each clutching a mug of coffee, and we burst out laughing – that’s what you get for not starting the week as you should.
Her signature electric-blue hair is arresting, but it’s Zandi’s easy smile that tells you she’s a truly warm person – despite her love for the chilly Atlantic Ocean.
Becoming a freediving instructor was an unlikely career move for someone working in the corporate world in Johannesburg; yet, in early 2020, Zandi wrapped up the final contract with her business partners and moved to Cape Town to start The Black Mermaid Foundation.
‘The gist of my work is to create more diverse representation in South Africa’s ocean spaces,’ she says. ‘I want to make the ocean accessible to all South Africans, especially those living in previously disadvantaged sea-facing communities.’
Getting hooked
Born and raised in Soweto, Zandi had her first true encounter with the sea when she was 28. ‘I was on holiday in Bali in 2016 and joined a snorkelling expedition on a whim. Once I got a glimpse below the ocean’s surface, I was hooked. It felt as though a different world had revealed itself to me. When I got home, I immediately made enquiries and started working towards my scuba-diving qualification.’
Denne historien er fra January/February 2022-utgaven av Fairlady.
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Denne historien er fra January/February 2022-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.
LIFT your GAME
Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.
BIG SKY Country
Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.
How to write a memoir
Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.
