This Africa Month, three dynamic creatives; Wendy Gumede, Kealeboga “Kea” Masango, and Sphokuhle N come together as Dark & Lovely ambassadors to celebrate creativity, self- expression, and the power of sisterhood. From content creation and screenwriting to music and entrepreneurship, their journeys are as diverse as they are inspiring. What unites them is a shared commitment to authenticity, representation, and embracing their roots.
There’s something deeply familiar about Dark & Lovely, a legacy brand that has moved through generations of Black women, evolving with us while remaining rooted in who we are. From childhood memories of visiting the hair salon days before going back to school excited about the transformation, to stepping into our own sense of identity, it has always been more than just haircare. It’s been about visibility, pride, and the quiet power of seeing ourselves reflected. This legacy takes on new meaning as we celebrate a new wave of storytellers and image-makers who are shaping culture in their own right. At the heart of it all is a shared thread: confidence that is deeply rooted, and creativity that refuses to be boxed in.
Sphokuhle N
Sphokuhle N’s content is rooted in honesty and transparency, a trait that has allowed her followers to grow with her since 2019. “My journey from content creator to entrepreneur has given my life a deeper sense of purpose. What started as self-expression grew into something more meaningful as my audience watched me evolve from a student into a businesswoman. What truly shaped my sense of purpose, though, was my decision to be transparent about both my wins and my challenges, and to share my spiritual journey. That openness allowed me to connect with people on a deeper level and made me realize that my purpose goes beyond content or business. It’s about impact.”
Her GLAMOUR Women of the Year Next Gen Game-Changer Award, sponsored by Dark&Lovely stands as recognition of her upward career trajectory. On what it meant to her, she says, “Oh, that was PEAK! It felt like a nod from the industry, and it came at the perfect time—so much so that not even imposter syndrome could convince me I didn’t deserve it.” Sisterhood is central to her experience. “Some of my closest friendships came from social media. From the beginning, we supported each other, sharing advice, helping with campaigns, and guiding one another on things like pricing. To me, sisterhood in an online community is about genuine support, collaboration, and showing up for each other.” Enlightening that authenticity has always been her guiding principle. “I honestly don’t have a formula. I’ve just always been myself and continue to be. I think that’s what keeps me authentic.
My audience has grown with me, so there’s never been a need to be anything other than who I am.” Letting us in on her creative process, she says, “Creativity is innate. I would sometimes try to fit in with my content, but once I allowed myself to create freely and trust my own ideas, it really started to show. And I’ve been able to express it even more through my business, especially in how I market it.” She shares that her relationship with her hair has evolved alongside her personal growth. “I used to wear wigs so often that it affected how I saw myself. Now, I feel more confident not just in my hair, but in myself overall. Protective hairstyles are TEAA in every season, they last longer and I don’t have to worry about my lace lifting. I love a good sleek back ponytail! And of course, braids! It keeps my hair healthy and manageable, so I never have to worry about styling time when I have content due.” Incorporating the Dark&Lovely products for protective hairstyles also makes it easier for Sphokuhle to take care of her hair as she continues to blaze trails and change the game.
Kealoboga Masango
For Kealeboga, being in the public eye since childhood has never been as defining as the people who raised and surround her. “I’ve been deeply grounded by a supportive family and a close-knit community of friends who have shaped me into the woman I am today. They’ve taught me the importance of embracing myself fully and moving through life with authenticity, regardless of who’s watching.” A multi-faceted creative with a career spanning acting, music, and now global projects, Kea places God at the centre of everything she does. “He has been the driving force behind my journey, and the reason I’ve been able to navigate this new level of expansion with grace. When everything around me is evolving, that spiritual foundation keeps me steady and aligned.”
Sisterhood is sacred for Kea. “My friends are more than just friends; they are family. They’ve known me long before the spotlight, and they continue to hold space for me beyond it. That kind of love creates a safe environment where I can exist fully, freely, and unapologetically.” Community, she explains, keeps her grounded amidst the constant evolution of the industry. With the release of her deeply personal EP in March, Kea stepped into a vulnerable creative space. “Acting allows me to tell stories through characters but music is where I tell my own. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s deeply personal. It’s Kealeboga—unfiltered. But whether I’m acting or making music, my intention remains the same: to create something that makes people feel seen.” Her hair journey has evolved alongside her career. “Especially in how intentional I’ve become about caring for it. Being on set often requires multiple hairstyle changes in a single day, which can take a toll. But since incorporating the Dark & Lovely Pro Collection into my routine, I’ve seen real transformation in the strength and growth of my hair. It’s something I now prioritise with much more awareness.” Balancing style and care is key. “I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible hairstylists who understand the importance of maintaining healthy hair. I’m very intentional about the products I use, and we make space for consistent treatments, even within demanding schedules. It’s about balance; protecting my hair while still meeting the demands of the job.”Knotless braids are her go-to protective style. “They’re not only protective, but they also allow for versatility in styling, which I love. It’s the perfect balance between care and creativity.” And with the Dark & Lovely stimulating serum, she’s regained confidence in her natural hair: “There was a time when I struggled with a receding hairline, and it affected my confidence. But since consistently using the serum, I’ve seen such a noticeable difference. It’s allowed me to feel comfortable and confident in my natural hair again, even in its simplest form.”
Wendy Gumede
Having built a distinct voice as The Black Wendy, Wendy’s journey from digital storytelling to screenwriting and acting is one rooted in intention, resilience, and a quiet kind of audacity. “I started The Black Wendy platform because I couldn’t find work in the film industry, even with my film degree. So I created that space for myself, and it allowed me to build a digital résumé. That platform has now put me in rooms that I never could’ve imagined.”
She has since written multiple projects seen around the world and acted in some of South Africa’s top telenovelas and series, affirming that sometimes, all you need to get started is yourself. Her work blends humour with social commentary, always grounded in a distinctly South African point of view. “South Africa is so vast in our humour, storytelling, and creativity, so I don’t think just one person could reflect every experience. But through my Zulu comedy content, I’ve been able to find my own niche and my own audience, and it’s honestly been so incredible to see people interacting with that content and understanding all the cultural cues.”
Community and sisterhood remain central to her journey. “Sisterhood looks like what Dark & Lovely are doing with this cover, we’re all from different walks of life. Our careers are similar but still unique in their own way, and they’ve brought us together to create a sisterhood ensemble that represents what Dark & Lovely stands for.” Reflecting on her career trajectory, she says almost all her firsts were given to her by women. “My first writing job was for Isibaya at Bomb Productions, an opportunity given to me by Desiree Markgraaf. Later, Jayan Moodley gave me my first rom-com writing credit with Meet The Khumalos. And today, I’m a Dark & Lovely ambassador because women sat in a boardroom and chose me to represent their brand. My career is nothing without other women.”
Even with a career that feels aligned, Wendy cherishes the unexpected. “Film and TV were expected. I planned to be in the entertainment industry and spent most of my life building towards it. But being in the beauty industry was unexpected. It came at a time in my career where I was craving a different outlet for self-expression. So for me, having Nonhle Thema hand me the baton into this ambassadorship has been one of the most defining moments in my career because unlike everything else, I never saw it coming.” Hair is central to storytelling for Wendy. “There are so many iconic characters in film and TV that we remember because of their iconic hairstyles. Hair says a lot about a character. When I first started acting, I played a character who wasn’t front- facing, so her hair was muted and neat. But when I played Rachel on Scandal!, she had those iconic long faux locs because she was that girl; bold and unapologetic.”
Our Africa Month issue is available on shelves nationwide and digitally on Magzter.com
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