The songs, apps, wardrobe choices and recipes that got four sisters through the first 100 days of lockdown
From left to right: Kholeka Kumalo, Nomzi Kumalo, Zodwa Kumalo, Zanele Kumalo
Today marks 100 days since we started our national undertaking to flatten the curve in South Africa. While many regulations have been relaxed since 27 March 2020 as government battles to balance the impact on people’s livelihoods with that on their health, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 continue to increase even during lockdown. Two dear friends have succumbed to the coronavirus and it will be impossible for anyone to fully escape the devastation and heartbreak of a collective loss.
I’ve had to cling to gratitude to keep from drowning in varying degrees and types of grief. And I have never had to guard my mental health so fiercely. I am deeply protective of my boundaries now and it has been a privilege to watch my three sisters do the same. I am grateful for their love, humour and resilience and asked them to share a little of their lives during lockdown as a kind of diary. We’re all creatives and wordsmiths by profession so it wasn’t too much of an ask.
To introduce them/us quickly in birth order
Nomzi is a singer, songwriter and poet living in Oslo, Norway. The image in the header was taken by her son Zhau.
My name is Zanele and I am a media specialist living in Johannesburg. My photo was captured at Stevenson gallery during a visit to Neo Matloga’s solo exhibition called Back of the Moon. By appointment only.
Zodwa is a writer, editor and music selector, also based in Johannesburg. Her two daughters Maya and Ruby are the other bright stars in her life not pictured in this shot.
Kholeka is an editor who currently lives in Cape Town. Her lens is usually directed at her fur baby Haruki.
Photography: Ludmila Lightfoot
Nomzi
Playlist of tracks on repeat:
Giving You The Best That I Got - Anita Baker
Sweet Love - Anita Baker
Caught Up In The Rapture - Anita Baker
No More Tears - Anita Baker
All For Us - Labrinth
Eyes Without A Face - Billy Idol
These Dreams - Heart
Outfit of the present vs the future:
PRESENT My yoga outfit. Black tights and a black top. Less is more.
FUTURE My entire wardrobe! I gained a lot of weight in 2019, well before the lockdown, and I have no regrets because I thoroughly enjoyed myself. But now it's time to get it together. I am on it!
App you can’t do without?
Whatsapp.
First country/place you’ll visit when there’s a vaccine:
South Africa.
Recipe you’ve finally gotten round to trying?
To tell you the truth, right now, I am so focused on my work in order to release my new single. So when it comes to cooking and baking, I figure out a dish in my head and then I get going.
Colour you've felt most drawn to?
Green.
Any routine that's helped you manage life better?
Prayer. Talking to my family, relatives and friends on the phone. Focusing on my work. Exercise and yoga. Slow days.
Mantra
“Horses.” Horses vibrate pure love, a strong healing energy and it feels heavenly when I am near them.
Favourite online concert/webinar/live event?
I attended an interesting webinar with Lasse Elkjær, an award winning composer for film, television and commercials. He shared his experiences and insight as a film composer in Los Angeles. It was my first Zoom experience. And I am happy that I know what that is now.
First thing you do when you do when you get out of bed?
Pee. Get back into bed and read or watch something spiritually uplifting. Speak life into my day.
What three things are you most grateful for?
My son, loved ones, sobriety AND good health.
Zanele
Songs on repeat:
Qadir - Nick Hakim
Tawo - Jordan Rakei
Ndimthanda - Mandisi Dyantyis
Violet’s Kitchen - Robert Glasper
See You There - Emily King
Here’s a link to my Spotify profile for more favourite tracks
Outfit of the present vs the future:
PRESENT My grey sweats. If I’m headed out for groceries or a walk - all black, all white or all khaki. I can only bear monochrome palettes these days because it matches my need for calm and harmony especially in these times of instability.
FUTURE I bought a dress - a long mustard/gold balloon sleeve dress I wasn’t sure of and wanted to return when I looked at it again when I got home. But then lockdown happened. The fabric is super soft and paired with gold hoops and red lips, it somehow symbolises some kind of freedom now, which has never meant more now.
App you can’t do without?
Down Dog. I’m now doing yoga six days a week for an hour and it’s helped boost my mood, energy levels and muscle mass.
First destination you’ll visit when there’s a vaccine?
Somewhere lush, like South Korea’s Jeju Island or Mozambique to just eat my way through all the seafood. Warm days, balmy evenings, cool mornings and an abundance of delicious flavours, lots of walking and friendly faces please.
Most comforting snack?
Probably a bowl of vanilla ice cream. But now that I’ve quit dairy again, I’ll have to find a replacement.
Recipe you’ve finally gotten round to trying?
No new recipes but I definitely have been experimenting with making the perfect winter broth - the closest I had gotten was a seafood one before lockdown and since, I think I would be happy to drop off a pot of chicken soup to whoever needed some comforting or cheering up.
Most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself?
Not surprising but a reminder that I don’t need much to make me happy.
What outside things do you miss touching with your bare hands the most?
Books and magazines in queues, bookstores and libraries. Browsing or leafing through pages almost feels like an impossible treat. You have to look at something now and buy it without really examining it.
What do you wish most won’t go back to normal?
The frenetic pace. The traffic. The aggression.
Lockdown rule you wish would be extended post COVID-19?
I like hugs but handshakes must never make a comeback.
Mantra
“You can’t control what happens but you control how you react.” I’ve surrendered and become a softer person in the process.
Thing you miss most about life BC?
Eating out and gallery hopping were a large part of how I would first entertain myself and then spend time with friends. I miss that stimulation.
Favourite online concert/webinar/live event?
James Blake’s IG Lives are heaven sent. Little Dragon’s Tiny Desk and Youtube concert were also beautiful. Waking up in the middle of the night to watch Jill Scott and Erykah Badu in a love battle or Zaki Ibrahim sing from her home have all been special.
Whose content has really inspired you over the past three months?
Women - living and past - who remind me there are so many different ways of finding joy and presenting profound knowledge. I’ve mainly parked at Instagram and Pinterest.
Dancers like @oumi_janta and @lolathebeast are two phenomenal skaters and have made me fall in love with a new way of expressing myself through fitness, dance and music.
Foodies like @capetownk Karen Dudley @foodiloveyoou Mpho Deane @_cheeeeeeeese_ Louise.
Work from and a sneak peak into artists’ lives like Cassi Namoda, Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi and many others.
I’m obsessed with home design so I’m on Youtube a lot looking at The Cut’s Interior Lives with Wendy Goodman, Architectural Digest and videos on how to design small spaces.
This question made me the most nervous because I know I’m forgetting so much but at least I’ll be able to update this as I remember.
First thing you do when you get out of bed?
Open the curtains, drink hot water infused with lemon, make the bed and start yoga.
What three things are you most grateful for?
My health, the people I love and nature.
Photography: Maya Valentine
Zodwa
Playlist on repeat
I made ‘without us’ at the start of lockdown. Not being able to see my family and friends made me feel like I was going through a breakup. My heart was broken and these songs gave me solace.
Outfit of the present vs the future?
PRESENT I'm between my long-sleeved black or grey tracksuit dress, and my grey tracksuit pants with a white shirt. I pop on a hat and sneakers or my Birkies if I have to go out.
FUTURE The only thing I’m interested in right now until further notice is loungewear. I want an extra comfy, super-luxe matching tracksuit set, like this one made from French Terry by Reebok x Victoria Beckham.
App you can’t do without?
Spotify – for all my music, playlists and favourite podcasts.
First destination you’ll visit when there’s a vaccine
I made a ‘Travel 2020’ list last year that included Barbados, Vietnam, Morocco, Sri Lanka and the Philippines but I’d be happy booking out Witklipfontein Eco Lodge to celebrate all the missed milestones.
Most comforting snack
I’m sure we’ve gone through at least 10 bags of popcorn in these past 100 days.
Recipe you’ve finally gotten round to trying?
I finally tried roasting a whole cauliflower. The smell of fennel and cumin filled the whole house so beautifully. It’s great ingredient for a lunchtime salad.
Most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself or lockdown buddy/children?
Being in lockdown has really just reinforced how much I enjoy and thrive in my own company just as much as I learn and love being with people.
What outside things do you miss touching with your bare hands the most?
Hugging my friends. How awkward and awful it is seeing your loved one and feeling uncertain about whether you should hug them or not. It used to be such an instinctive thing, and now ...
What do you wish most won’t go back to normal?
Working from an office full time. I really don’t see the point of the morning rush to get the kids to school, sit in traffic, spend more time looking for parking, and then take at least half an hour to settle in and finally start working.
Lockdown rule you wish would be extended post COVID-19?
Not so much a rule, but I really hope all the small businesses/restaurants that have adapted and collaborated to include fresh produce deliveries will continue to do so.
Mantra
“What is for you will not pass you by.” Every now and again I beat myself up for not being traditionally ambitious – and I always come back to these words.
Any routine that's helped you manage life better?
Running in the mornings starts my day off right – and keeps me sane – work deadlines are relentless. The recent cold front set me off track briefly. Also, being able to work while soaking up the sun on my balcony or roll around on the grass in the garden on weekends. Makes me incredibly appreciative of what I’ve had access to, unlike so many others, during lockdown.
Thing you miss most about life BC?
Being able to plan ahead – a road trip, a dinner party, a birthday celebration… everything is on hold until further notice. Does my head in.
Thing you’ve enjoyed most about lockdown
Nurturing my hair, my skin, chatting on the phone with friends, and learning to love cooking again.
Favourite online concert/webinar/live event? Ahh they have been my saving grace -- from James Blake’s IG Lives to Cassie Namoda’s studio walkabout, Mandisi Dyantyis’ performance in the season 1 of lockdown, Kid Fonque’s live gig on Facebook Watch that one Saturday night when I really felt like going out and Little Dragon’s intimate YouTube Live concert.
Whose content has really inspired you over the past three months? I think it’s been the people who have turned back to or are focusing more on their original craft – using their hands and minds voices to make beautiful music, art, crafts, and food. It’s the content that’s inherently African, and so moving in its simplicity yet so obviously detail oriented that has inspired me.
Keneilwe Mothoa’s embroidery
Tinyiko’s textiles
Nthabiseng’s graphic designs
Khanya Mzongwana’s recipe ebook
Mpho Deane’s Sunday lunch
The collaboration between Mpho Sebina, Motheo Modaguru and Yannis Sainte-Rose.
First thing you do when you get out of bed?
Lie in bed scrolling through my phone until the girls hear that I’m up and come to say good morning. We chat about what we dreamed about and then we make our way to the kitchen where I turn on the kettle to make coffee and start working, while they make breakfast for themselves.
What three things are you most grateful for?
I’m grateful for our health, having a roof over our heads, food on the table AND a flowing wifi connection.
Kholeka
Playlist on repeat:
Modern Soul - James Blake
Marilyn - Mount Kimbie featuring Micachu
Can We Still - SiR
Running Shoes - Ivan Ave
It’s You - The Midnight Hour, Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Linear Labs + Raphael Saadiq
Sound link to. Spotify
Outfit of the present vs the future?
PRESENT My black crewneck sweater and cuffed track pants from Cotton On. They’re super comfy, warm and easy to wear, so I got them in grey, too. The number of times I’ve worn these during lockdown? That’s between me and my bed.
FUTURE I miss hot summer afternoons dipping in and out of a pool. I found this one-piece at Country Road last year and it might be the best swimsuit I’ve ever had. I’m self-conscious about how big and heavy my breasts are, so I love that this one keeps the front cargo contained and the ruffles keep things cute.
App you can’t do without?
Twitter, without a doubt. I can’t think of another app that has been as significant when it comes to making our voices seen and heard. Heartbreaking at times, game changing on its best days. Also, Black Twitter LOLs are unparalleled. Remember that day when everyone was praating?!
First country/place you’ll visit when there’s a vaccine
I’m still dreaming of a sunkissed December in Accra. December 2019 travellers showed us a safe, glorious, free, sun-kissed summer there. I’m now also keen to explore New Orleans, which wasn’t a Top 10 for me before. Netflix’s Dating Around showed us fresh glimpses that left me daydreaming about roaming up and down the streets bumping into happy brown people, laughing and laughing with loved ones. Crab boils. Dancing. Oh!
Most comforting snack
Cheese toastie chopped into bite-size pieces with a pot of All Gold tomato sauce for dipping. I ain’t sorry.
Recipe you’ve finally gotten round to trying?
Yhu, fried chicken. Disaster. There we all were in lockdown level 5 trying to recreate Chicken Licken wings. The only flour I had was my housemate’s quinoa flour and wow did the batter just remain in the pan. Humbling.
Most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself or lockdown buddy/children?
I moved into my new home in March just before lockdown started and won the housemate lottery, by pure chance. It could’ve gone so wrong...
What outside objects do you miss touching with your bare hands the most?
Animate objects? Oh my god… the human touch. Hugs. Holding hands. Kisses. Long hugs. Cheek-to-cheek embraces. High fives. Arm strokes. Pinky promises.
Mantra
“Be afraid, do it anyway.” This past year has forced me to confront some of my biggest fears. It’s been worth it so far.
What do you wish most won’t go back to normal?
Brands pivoting. Pivot, babes. Positive change doesn’t take all that long when brands are forced to recognise that what they thought was an option is a need. And they’ve had long enough. Someone tweeted: “Diversity and inclusion is the workplace thoughts and prayers”, and I felt that. We want action lists. We want transparency. We want commitment and, most importantly, delivering on what’s been promised. It took the world standing still to get here and there’s still a long way to go, but it’s more than we were working with before.
Lockdown rule you wish would be extended post COVID-19?
If you don’t have to be in an office to fulfil your duties, work from home. The meetings that could’ve been emails have become incessant video calls, but I can still plug in and be sharp minded at 8.30am in my pyjamas. I’m loving that.
Thing you miss most about life BC?
Sending that “I’m outside” text when you’ve just arrived at your favourite person’s home and you’re about to see your tribe for endless chats, wine, oversharing, food that may or may not have turned out deliciously but no one minds…
Favourite online concert/webinar/live event?
James Blake has been a saviour this season (but also, always). I felt part of something much bigger than me in this session, watching one of my favourite artists build a song from scratch. Passion ignited! Also, these lyrics:
Come and see me
I’d be overjoyed
I haven’t seen anyone in so long
He’s generously shared three (I think?) live concerts this lockdown and I’ve left each session with the most full heart. So sincere, so open, so bloody moving!
First thing you do when you get out of bed?
Switch off airplane mode. Check notifications. Take Haruki outside for a wee. Switch on the kettle for coffee to sip through my morning cig and Twitter timeline.
What three things are you most grateful for?
Health. Family. Haruki.
