#79: Ponahalo Mojapelo
We're joined by supermodel & international DJ, 'Pona' Mojapelo, who tells us more about Zigny’s in Braam, “CHOMI” by Likky Liks and Zango Kubekha, the best drinks in Joburg, and so much more!
New-age it-girl and fashion chameleon, Ponahalo Mojapelo, speaks to FRM about how she interacts with her favourite city, beloved artists and herself, while she actualises as a force to be reckoned with in the local and global alt community.
We welcome Pona to The FRM Newsletter to share what she’s been into recently!
💌🎶 Music
RnB lovers need to get into ‘MUTT’ by Leon Thomas. Popularly known as André from Victorious and less popularly known as the vocalist doing the run at the beginning of SZA’s ‘Snooze’. I need us to chill with all the nostalgia and “why don’t people make music like this anymore” for ONE SECOND and smell the flowers around us in *this* moment. RnB is in amazing hands.
🥁🕺 Nighttime Party
Gqom Therapy is a party everyone must attend at least once in their lives. We don’t get to hear gqom as much as we should on television and radio so an event like this is super refreshing. Even if you don’t particularly like the genre, mark my words, this event with make you a convert. Everyone in the room is fully committed to having a good time and nothing else. There’s also so much talent and diversity in the gqom space that you don’t often see among other local genres.
🥩🍻 Restaurant
Zigny’s in Braam. My friends and I have nicknamed it “Dipapeng”. It’s an indoorsy braai place where you can either bring your own meat or get a plate there. I’ve been going there since my Wits days and their prices are still so decent considering the generous portions. I was there recently and they blasted a reggaeton version of “Stickwitu” by the Pussycat Dolls and I thought that was kinda groovy.
👖👚 Shopping
Thrifting is forever! The clothing piles between Park Station and MTN Taxi Rank have everything: essentials like white shirts and sports tees to statement pieces and designer bags - perfect to complete almost any outfit. I know it’s not for everyone but the overall state of retail shopping these days is not only homogenous but expensive! My best style advice is to spend a pretty penny on one or two quality items in the store and just thrift the rest. This is particularly good for people who like to either upcycle or own one-of-one pieces.
💇♀️🌻 Hair
From being a Pretoria Girls’ High alum who was part of “the hair protests that one year”, and then a model two years later, it took me a really long time to figure out how I liked my hair ON ME as opposed to how an authority figure wanted me to look. Now, I’m so much more affirmed. I love how dark red hair looks against my skin so that’s the era I’m in FOR NOW. I especially love braided and natural hairstyles. You’ll catch me in a cute wig every now and then but I feel most beautiful in bantu knots. I really enjoy hair that reflects blackness and has African origins.
Wanda Lephoto has been one of my favourite brands for years. Over and above creating signature and head-turning garments, my favourite thing about Wanda, himself, is his ability to create community, be inclusive and treat everyone with the same amount of respect. The brand’s ethos, in my opinion, is all about raising the bar and taking everyone with you. I like that.
🎛🎧 Favourite DJ
Oroko Radio resident, LES @garvageart on Instagram. I’ve heard them play 3 times in my life and listened to their mixes; I’ve been blown away consistently. I love DJs who play music we don’t get to hear all the time. It’s so difficult to find safe spaces as girls and queer people in the broader scope of South African groove because the needle shifts so far towards the male/heteronormative preference but people who contribute so fiercely to *our* community and do so with flying colours will always have a thumbs up from me! LES is one to watch!
“CHOMI” by Likky Liks and Zango Kubekha. The essence of “something fun! something for the girls to get ready to and party to!” #CHOMISZN I’m very proud of and inspired by them and all the strides they continue to make in our scene.
Okay, grab a pen! A Wasabi Sake-tini from Zioux. A Pornstar Martini from Solo. A Paloma from Best Friends Bar in Greenside. A Negroni Spagliatto from Paul’s. A Margarita from Brian Lara in Linden.
📺🍿 What I’m watching
The Soprano’s, Bob’s Burgers and reruns of RuPaul’s Drag Race. RANGE.