At the height of our generation’s lived experience is the idea of ‘glocal’ (global + local) consciousness, viewing the world as vast and yet so interconnected that it feels like a small pond. How we experience the world is made even more village-like thanks to the internet, and over time we begin to feel like we know the people we follow, like, and subscribe to as we do our own friends and family.
A person that I’ve been following for many years, who I feel like I know personally, is USA-based, Grammy-nominated rapper Tobe Nwigwe. I started following him when he was a little known entertainer with a cool aesthetic, loud personality, and powerful messaging. Most entertaining, however, were his interactions with his Nigerian parents who often made cameos on his social media. Tobe’s inclusion of his elderly parents on a platform that was very much for the young and savvy at the time was refreshingly endearing, and a great reminder of that crucial African value of honouring our living ancestors even as the world evolves. You can imagine the sheer joy I felt when Tobe surprised his mother with a trip to Paris last month to attend Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton show. It was a real awakening moment for the culture where, instead of the usual plus one, Tobe walked the red carpet and sat front row with Mama Igwe. Seeing those visuals of her in a fl owing white dress, a magnificent gele headwrap, sunglasses, and a set of custom all-gold dental grills (usually reserved for the edgiest of rappers) made me realise happily that Africa has truly entered the chat.
Our parents and grandparents being given the portal to experience the height of opulence they dreamed up for us, is incredible to witness. We’ve themed this issue ‘Timeless’ in celebration of varied human achievement across the age spectrum. Our remarkable 82-year-old cover icon Margaret Chola became a viral internet sensation when her granddaughter, much like Tobe Nwigwe, had the idea to style the octogenarian in a fashion shoot for Instagram, making @legendary_glamma an instant and unlikely fashion muse. Twenty three-year-old Amonge Sinxtoto is a dynamic youth activist who’s been setting global stages ablaze since the age of 16, having been invited to a round table with Michelle Obama and other young leaders when she was just 17. Amonge, who is now a published author, holds inter-generational court with Margaret, her granddaughter, and 58-year-old Mia Mauge, who became a professional model at the age of 54. We also feature the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra’s youngest and award-winning trumpeter Nayima Ndlovu, who at age 12 is already showing signs of excellence that defies age. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Sithasolwazi Kentane is building a formidable future classic leather goods and handbag label.
Aside from turning anti-ageing on its head and rooting for pro-ageing instead, this issue also celebrates brands and experiences that are as timeless and classic as the diamonds and pearls featured in our jewels story. Our travel pages feature a Rovos Rail journey into Zimbabwe for a unique stay at Kandahar Island, and our special section themed French Flair spotlights the enduring timelessness of French luxury from Hermès to Cartier, and more.
