CONTRIBUTORS

Our Mission

At Fif ty Four mag, our mission is

EDITOR’S LETTER

I am filled with so much gratitude for how well you received Fifty Four mag’s inaugural issue. If I could, I would send a personal note to every single person who bought the mag, supported and promoted us. Words by Mwai Yeboah.

MEET THE DESIGNER BEHIND L’artisane

Khadija Aisha is a fashion force existing in many countries although she is mainly based in her home of Senegal. She is the founder of the bold and vibrant afro-couture brand L’artisane.

The art of distinctive STYLE

Award-winning African fashion accessory shop Aphia Sakyi promises stand-out styles that will keep your admirers talking, and eyes fixed on your décolletage.

Street Style

at the Métiers d’Art House of Chanel collection in Dakar.

BEAUTY’S FOUR SEASONS

A change of season means a tweak in a beauty routine. The ability to adapt is a form of resilience that can serve our skin, hair, and all-round confidence - try these products and make the seasonal transition with great ease.

Hope and Resilience

A major part of our African heritage is hope and resilience. I love reflecting this in styles and ways of thinking about beauty. Here are African-owned brands and products that speak of this.

CELEBRATING NATURAL HAIR with Charlotte Mensah

WHAT DO SINGERS JANELLE MONÁE AND ERYKAH BADU AND WRITERS CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE AND ZADIE SMITH HAVE IN COMMON? A HAIRDRESSER. HER NAME IS CHARLOTTE MENSAH AND OUR BEAUTY DIRECTOR, MATHAHLE STOFILE, MET HER AS SHE INTRODUCED HER BRAND TO SOUTH AFRICA AND DROPPED SOME GEMS ON HOW TO BETTER CARE FOR OUR NATURAL HAIR.

Faces behind the “brands”

“We would love to bring more brands we love into SA. It always comes back to what gap we think exists and what resonates with us. We’ve always tried to work for or with people and brands that we can stand behind authentically, that don’t make us dread facing the working day.”

The mighty Baobab

The unique silhouette of a baobab tree is familiar to many of us – the holding image in our minds where we think of the Savannah. But how much do we know about this gorgeous wonder of nature’s health, wellness and beauty benefits?

Resilient African Hair

When I think of the word ‘resilience’, African hair comes to mind due to its strength and adaptability – due to its incredible versatility.

Discovering Zanzibar’s SOUTH COAST

Off the coast of Tanzania, several islands come into sight. Though I have travelled to East Africa extensively, this is my first visit to Zanzibar

Zanzibar’s South Coast THE JOURNEY

Embracing the collision of African and Arabic influence,

The Rise of Digital ART AND A CONVERSATION

How digital art changed the art world and the life of Kenyan Digital Artist Ngima Togo.

Signs of Courage

Hermon and Heroda Berhane are a true definition of resilience and tenacity to achieve against the odds, as fashion travel bloggers and advocates of the D/deaf community they’re breaking down tired narratives. Mmamello Matake gets up close and personal.

THE POWER AND NUANCE OF RECONCILIATION IN RWANDA

Rwandans came together after the 1994 genocide and endangered mountain Gorillas experienced a rebirth, yet some things still need the hard graft of reconciling and recovering.

Who’s the Dangerous Animal?

The world’s presidents, global superstars or witnesses of serious crime often need armed security guards, but sadly we live in a world where our wildlife needs it too – 24/7. Jo Johnston looks at the plight of the African rhino and the people protecting them.

VOW FOR GIRLS

Count to 3… somewhere a child has just become a bride. This is wrong and it must end, says VOW for Girls.

Coco’s cuisine

Chef Coco is a trailblazer in putting a spotlight on African food and has run the successful Epicure restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa, for 5 years. Dorothy Walker finds out more.

A FLAVOUR OF GHANA

Putting Ghana on the world food map, Fred Apaloo has taken the culinary scene to the next level since he relocated back home nine years ago. Dorothy Walker finds out how he did it.

In conversation with Vogue’s Global Entertainment Director DEBORAH Ababio

Fifty Four mag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Mwai Yeboah introduces our star interviewee, Deborah. “Like sisters sharing our interests, fashion, music and what’s going on in our lives, this is exactly how I felt when I met up with Deborah Ababio, Vogue’s Global Entertainment Director.”

AFRICAN MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Eight heavyweights making an impact across tech, politics, economics, and more.

FASHION FUELS HOPE FOR AFRICA

Cross-cultural connections open doors, but passion paves the way for Africa.

MAASAI

Africa’s most famous people?

What to Watch

Discover the shows we’re anticipating, watching, and telling friends about this season.

Mosotho Filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese Exalts Africa

The Lesotho-born director’s work has catapulted him to global acclaim.

Bookmarked: Acclaimed Works that will Speak to your Soul

At Fifty Four mag, we love to read, and we especially love to celebrate and devour the works of African authors. In each issue, we feature a few of our favourites. Meet the authors and find out which books we’re telling our friends about.

COME together

Afro nation raises the bar in uniting the diaspora.

Dancing to the BEAT OF AFRICA

This year marks a decade since the death of former South African president and icon Nelson Mandela. Yet his words about African music and vision for the continent live on through today’s musicians. We get to know some of them here.

PASSPORT! Your Africa Festival Guide

Africa stands up and kick-starts the Year of the Rabbit with a bang. This year’s biggest African festivals are what you need to unwind, connect with different vibrant communities and splash some colour into your life canvas.

ODE to the Rainmakers

Legakabe la pula ya medupe, Le rile kwale,

A Tree For Everyone

Health and well-being brand Mongi Botanical is on a mission to document and promote indigenous knowledge and protect Eswatini’s wealth of flora before it’s too late.

Black Joy

Manka Menga wears signature piece by Vaazi Stylist