World No Tobacco Day!
We’re right at the end of May and as it goes in every year, it’s World No Tobacco Day! We here at Girl Boss stand in solidarity with The World Health Organisation (WHO), which, in a bid to drive and increase awareness on the harmful effects of the substance, observe today as a day of self-restraint from tobacco.
It is reported that approximately 6 million people worldwide die due to tobacco and this is the number of people that the world loses each year. This is a huge number and a great cause for concern and whilst this speaks to the bigger issue of addiction, it is also understandable that the World Health Organisation, in 2008, called for a worldwide ban on the promotion, sponsorship and advertising of Tobacco. Their aim was to target advertising specifically directed at the youth as they dubbed their campaign “Tobacco-free youth”. Initially, back in 1987, when the World Health Organisation initiated the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), the goal was to encourage a 24 hour refrain from tobacco from its users with the hope that this step would encourage them to quit or motivate those trying to quit

The World Health Organisation themes each World No Tobacco Day as a means to not only drive its deeply humanitarian message but to also highlight the industry’s attempt to derail the organisation’s work in creating awareness and pushing an initiative that makes it clear to all that tobacco is a life-threatening drug. In 2012, for example, the theme was “Tobacco Industry Interference”. Accompanying each annual theme are publicity materials such as brochures, fliers, press releases, websites and posters. The purpose of each theme is to also ensure that consumers are not misinformed and disillusioned about the effects of consuming tobacco. World No Tobacco Day celebrations include the sharing and circulation of the latest research conducted on tobacco in order to keep people informed and as well challenge ‘anti-tobacco’ arguments circulating in the world
The theme of WNTD 2019 is “Tobacco and lung health”. This year the focus is on the numerous ways in which exposure to Tobacco affects the health of people’s lungs all over the world. Some of the related diseases that are highlighted include lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and lower respiratory infections, amongst others. The reduction of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure is motivated as an effective measure in improving lung health. As part of this year’s campaign, The World No Tobacco Day 2019 campaign will conscientise the world on the implications of tobacco smoking and second-hand exposure and it’s danger to lung health, it will raise awareness on the global fatalities as a result of lung diseases including tuberculosis deaths, it will highlight the importance of not only achieving lung health but general health and well-being and recommend the actions that people all over the world can take in order to reduce the risks of tobacco in relation to lung health

It is important for us to take such global matters to heart and support calls for action. Overall health matters and whilst it may not seem like an easy feat to quit smoking tobacco, we support our brothers and sisters in putting their health first by joining in on this years’ World No Tobacco Day. For at least 24 hours, let us all try to steer clear of tobacco and protect ourselves from second hand smoking. And for those of us who can take it a step further, let us make it a ‘World No Tobacco Weekend’!
It is, admittedly, tough for the youth to not adopt smoking as a habit as most marketing is directed at them and it would seem that in whichever way they turn, even people they look up to have a cigarette in hand. What immediately comes to mind is the latest music video release by South Africa’s most loved and celebrated rapper, Kwesta. His song, ‘Khethile-khethile’ is just plain sweet as he tells the world that he has chosen his ‘forever’ and that there’s no turning back for him. The music video beautifully captures his wedding and now and again we see him either with a cigarette in hand or smoking it. Even as a non-smoker myself, I must admit that there’s a look of ‘cool’ associated with it. And perhaps that’s why most young people easily pick up on habits such as drinking and smoking; it’s associated with a lifestyle; celebrating, partying and generally having a good time.

But, for today and perhaps for the rest of the weekend (and dare I say, and for forever and a day), let us, especially as young people, take heed of the World Health Organisation’s World No Tobacco Day 2019 and put our health first and the health of the ones around us. Let us also thrive to encourage one another as we join in, in creating awareness over the destructiveness of tobacco. Let’s circulate the brochures, fliers, posters and press releases and share the information we come across on websites. The World Health Organisation also encourages that, “Parents and other members of the community should also take measures to promote their own health, and that of their children, by protecting them from the harms caused by tobacco.”
Let’s meet today with some excitement, positivity and zeal. Cheers to World No Tobacco Day! Or, if you like, World No Tobacco Weekend!
- Published in Health
Game Stores List



Girl Boss Products are currently available in the following selected Game stores across South Africa as well as in the neighboring country Botswana
SA Provinces | Game Stores |
Eastern Cape | Game Umtata Game Circus Triangle Umtata Game Greenacres P.E Game Vincent East London Game East London Gilwell Game Beacon Bay Game Queenstown Game King Williams Town |
Free State | Game Setsing Game Welkom Game Bethlehem Game Bloemfontein Fleurdal |
Gauteng | Game Mamelodi Game Vaal Mall Vanderbijpark Game Menlyn Game Key West Game The Glen Game Woodlands Game Johannesburg City Game Westgate Game Brooklyn Game Boksburg SS Game Eastgate Game Fourways Mall Game Festival Mall Game Soweto Game Greenstone Mall Game Clearwater Game Vosloorus Game Trade Route Mall Game Pretoria CBD Game Jubilee Mall Temba Game Rosebank Game Mall at Carnival Game Southgate Game Wonderpark Game Bel-Air Game Soshanguve Game Mall of the South Game Evaton Plaza Game Mall of Africa Game Midrand Game Benoni Game Springs Game Kolonnade Game Cresta Game Alberton Game Centurion |
KwaZulu-Natal | Game Richards Bay Game PMB Liberty Mall Game Pine Town Game Ladysmith Game Pavilion Game Amanzimtoti Game Shelly Beach Game Gateway Game PMB CBD Game West Street Game Ulundi Game Newcastle Game Empangeni Game Kokstad |
Limpopo | Game Makhado Game Thohoyando Game Mokopane Game Polokwane Mall of the North Game Polokwane Game Lebowakgomo Game Bela-Bela Game Lephalale Game Northam Game Groblersdal Game Burgersfort Game Phalaborwa Game Giyani Game Tzaneen |
Mpumalanga | Game Ermelo Game Nelspruit Ilanga Mall Game Middelburg Game Witbank Highveld Game Secunda Game Hazyview Game Acornhoek |
Northern Cape | Game Kimberly North Cape Mall Game Upington Game Kathu Village Mall |
North West | Game Rustenburg Game Rustenburg Waterfall Mall Game Brits Game Mafikeng Game Potchefstroom Game Klerksdorp |
Western Cape | Game George Garden Route Game Mitchells Plain Game N1 City Game Parow Cape Game Cape Gate Game Canal Walk Game Bayside Tableview Game Zevenwacht Kuilsriver Game Stellenbosch Game Tygervalley Game Somerset West Game Grand Central Cape Town |
International | Game Stores |
Botswana, Gaborone | Game City |




- Published in Products
TV Production on the Real!
Simply put: the entertainment industry is not as fantastic as it appears to be or is made out to be. I am not trying to discourage your ambitions about being a known name in the industry nor am I trying to derail you from living your best life mingling with all manner of celebrities. But for what it’s worth, I’d like to share on what I’ve personally experienced with the hope that you will find it useful as you figure out your way in and around the industry.
The prospect of getting into the entertainment industry was a thrill for me, utterly exciting! As a writer I was of course looking forward to tapping into screenwriting and contributing to the telling of African stories and manipulating them for motion picture. Additionally, I was also looking forward to meeting these celebrated faces I’d be potentially working with, building relationships and working on great shows together. I wanted to meet them and experience them live and direct as well as discover the people that they really are behind the cameras and make-up. I imaged the production office to be a space with a lively buzz, infested with creative heads that keep the fire in the next person burning. The thought of being in a space that encourages creativity and having people to bounce ideas off of, was so welcome. Although secretly I must admit that I had hoped that, that very space would also offer some peace and quiet for when I was writing and just needing it for my sanity, you know?

Generally, I was excited and it’s good to get into the industry with zeal because, as I have learned, you will need it. The entertainment industry is not just fun and games, it’s a lot of hard work – a whole lot more hard work actually. Creating TV involves a lot of people who are well coordinated and clear on their roles. If one person doesn’t do their job or slacks at it, it slows everybody down and no matter what happens, you do not want to slow down production because that has an impact on post-production, which may result in an episode being delivered late to the client and that affects the airing schedule of a channel, further affecting viewers who await what would be their favourite show. It’s a lot and so you can also imagine how tempers often flair in this type of environment, the pressure is high!
Generally I find it hard to work with people who struggle to control their emotions i.e. people who shout. I’ve experienced a lot of that too and it relates to the pressure which is part of the industry. Although I hate to offer any understanding towards people that shout, I learned to be understanding of people in such a pressured environment because of how sensitive they can get. When you’re in a space where there are only creative people, you experience the tangibility of how they take their work personally. Erykah Badu said it: “Now keep in mind that I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shit.” And I guess that was the first major lesson for me and I too realised that I was sensitive about what I put out for the world to digest. That’s the one side of this industry – understanding and dealing with the pressure.

The other side of it is in the finished product, what viewers perceive as easy and glamorous when they sit at home entertained and this part involves the celebrated faces that so many of us keep track of on various social media platforms. Celebrities are hard work guys. In the production shows that I have worked on, I have had to engage celebrities, request them to feature on particular episodes of shows and have had to work with and around their schedules. And man oh man, the egos! I don’t know what happens when you enjoy a huge following on Instagram, when you can afford a certain lifestyle that places you above ‘the rest’… I can’t tell you what it does to one’s level of decency towards how they treat other people; being mindful of keeping time, recognising and respecting other people, offering a simple greeting etc. I have engaged celebrities that feel justified to be rude, to be cold and that go as far as to label other people as ‘nobodies’. Of course not all of them are like this, there are those who come and join you at the table without belittling you or questioning your significance and cooperate fully to ensuring a finished product and not once stopping to make you feel as though they are doing you a favour.

If you love partying and staying out late you will no doubt enjoy that part of the job where you’re either attending or filming a launch, an opening of something where celebrities and their friends join in the do, take lots of snaps and share on their social media pages. The free drinks and other free bees are there for your indulgence but I would love for you to understand the work that goes in producing shows and working with celebrities. It’s not all rosy. It’s hard work. You will not be always happy at work, you will have days where you want to quit, celebrities that you will find yourself working with may not necessarily be friendly, these celebrities might not even call you by name let alone look at you in your eyes when they talk to you but don’t be discouraged. If you want to be a great writer then write. You want to be the best camera man, go for it. You want to show off your skills as an editor, honey, do it! You thrive at managing people and seeing to that everyone is flourishing in their roles, be that production manager. But be careful not to have high expectations of people and certain worlds. Polish yourself up, learn, focus, protect your heart, your mind and creative space and deliver yourself in splendour. No one is on standby to make things easy for you nor should you think the television production industry is a walk in the park. It’s tough but it can be beautiful. Keep your focus on.

- Published in Entertainment, Entertainment & Reviews
Teenage Peer Pressure & Depression
Girl Bosses Simi Gumede and Tshiedza Chivizhe sat down with Mahlatsi Kekana (a young man) to discuss the links between peer pressure and depression in teenage years. Sometimes as a teenager you may feel depressed and if so, who do you turn to because you may feel misunderstood by your parents? Also friends can contribute to your unhappiness through peer pressure. These are issues that affect the Girl Bosses we care for and that’s why Simi, Tshiedza and Mahlatsi open up and share their thoughts on the topic in a free and relatable way. Simi is a young adult in her early twenties whilst Tshiedza and Mahlatsi are both teenagers. If you enjoyed the podcast feel free to give the video a thumbs up and subscribe. Click the notification bell to get notified of our YouTube content as soon as it drops. Your support is much appreciated 🙂
- Published in Podcast & Vlog
3 Delicious Vegan Recipes
I believe in plant power. That our diet needs to include more plants, the less processed the better. The truth is the current western diet has been linked to cancer and due to globalization South Africans are eating more sausages, bacon, white bread flour, cheese etc. Animal products such as meat and dairy as well have been linked to various diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Therefore, we could all benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, it is better for the environment as well. Paying attention to your diet is an essential component of self-love. This will help lead you to your best life, where you feel light and healthy.
There is a misconception that meat tastes better than vegetables. This isn’t true, some of the tastiest meals I have made are vegan. Vegan means a plant-based a meal that is free of animal products, meat (including seafood), eggs and dairy. I love vegan meals, actually I used to be a full on vegan for 1 whole year. I was so dedicated, but my life went in a direction in which I felt I could not control. This made me unhappy as the plans I had for my life were abruptly halted. I was a girl, interrupted. Therefore, I had to move back home and I stopped caring for myself the way I used to. I stopped cooking for myself and ate what my mother or sister prepared. Now, I am well. I am in a place where I feel joyful, grateful and inspired every day. I did feel guilty about abandoning my plant power ideals, but now I have a more integrated approach where I eat vegan meals, not a strict vegan diet.

I love vegan meals. There is something homely about vegan food, it’s real food which is unpretentious and comforting. Vegan recipes are tasty, hearty, nourishing and keep you feeling light. I have come across some absolutely delicious vegan recipes that I can share with you. I have a few plant-based culinary creations of my own as I do enjoy cooking and preparing food. Hopefully, I can muster up the courage to transcribe and record a vlog for any who are interested. Until then I have some vegan recipes that I can vouch for.
1Easy Szechuan Vegetable Stir-Fry by the Kale Sandwich Show
This recipe is the GOAT. Seriously it’s so good. It’s a vegetable stir fry with a peanut Szechuan sauce. This sauce the magic sauce. Szechuan or Sichuan is a Chinese province that is known for cooking food with a lot of chilli pepper and garlic. There is also the beloved Sichuan peppercorn that is used in Chinese cooking. This recipe is for stir fried vegetables and noodles. I just use spaghetti as a substitute for Chinese noodles as they are similar. You can use rice as your starch and yes I have tried this recipe with pap (maize meal) and it was good. But, I prefer the drama of rolling and or slurping the noodles/spaghetti as part of the eating experience. When following recipes don’t get discouraged by not having all the ingredients, just freestyle and look what you have in your kitchen that is similar. Also, google is your friend, search what are the substitutes for certain ingredients.
To stir fry means to cook food with a little oil on a high temperature, a temperature so high that if you were to leave the pan (or wok) unattended the food would start to burn. Therefore, you have to continuously stir the food to prevent it from burning. What this does is add a delicious smoky flavor to the meal. It also keeps the texture of the vegetables firm to the bite and their colour remains vibrant in comparison to other forms of stove top cooking. Stir Frying also cooks the food quickly.
The Kale Sandwich Show is run by a vegan Canadian couple, they are second generation immigrants from Asia. At a certain stage they ran a restaurant and this recipe was one of the most popular at their restaurant. Di and Raj are lovable, quirky and have great taste in music.
Ingredients for the Peanut Szechuan sauce
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp Sriracha (hot sauce)
- 1 tbsp ketchup (In SA we call this Tomato Sauce)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp ginger finely minced
- 4-5 cloves of garlic finely minced
It is recommended that you use 1 tbsp of the peanut Szechuan sauce per 1 cup (128 grams or 240ml) of vegetables. You can use any vegetables you have in the fridge that you can sauté and will cook through in a short time period. In the video the Di and Raj used “a simple mix of cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, broccoli and onion but feel free to create your own medley and use any vegetables you like.”
Watch the YouTube video to see how it is prepared and follow the steps
2Ratatouille by Laura in the Kitchen
Ratatouille was one on my favourite meals to make as a university student, particularly in 2015. I actually created it without knowing that it was already a well-known French meal. My friend who was vegetarian at the time came over for a visit and I offered her the vegan meal I had prepared for myself as I didn’t know she was coming over. And, she was like yes! I love ratatouille and I was like what? This is my own creation…Here I am thinking this is my own recipe. It was uncanny because it’s known that rosemary and thyme go well together but the rest of the ingredients? How did I replicate the exact recipe? I guess the answer, is my intuition is on fleek and that I know a thing or two about flavor combinations. If I don’t compliment myself, who will?
Ratatouille is known as a ‘peasant’ meal, because it is meatless rendering it cost effective. However humble its origins, it is tasty and satisfying. Laura Vitale is one of my trusted youtube cooks and she has taught me a few things about cooking. She is originally from Naples Italy where she helped run her families authentic Italian restaurant, however due to the global financial crash of 2008/9, the restaurant closed down. Then Laura and her husband Joe moved to America in search of opportunities. I enjoy her recipes because they are easy to follow and she explains the reason why she takes certain steps, she educates you about cooking. I grew up watching cooking shows and the celebrity chefs and cooks often don’t tell you why you should do a certain step or why it’s important to do things in a particular order. Whereas Laura explains the basics of boosting flavor and that empowers you to experiment in the kitchen.
Ingredients for Ratatouille
- 1 Large Onion, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 Bell Peppers, seeded and cut into chunks
- 1 Medium or 2 Small Eggplants, cut into chunks
- 4 baby marrows, cut into rounds
- 1 Head of Garlic, peeled and left whole
- About 6 Tbsp of Olive Oil
- 1 Tsp of Fresh Thyme, Chopped
- 1 Tsp of Fresh Rosemary, chopped
- 4 Tomatoes, cut into chunks
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ cup (64g) of Fresh Chopped Basil
Click here for Laura Vitale’s Ratatouille Recipe and meal preparation steps
Watch her prepare this delicious vegan creation in the YouTube video below
3Simple Russian Zucchini Spread- The Kale Sandwich Show
Part of the hassle of going vegan or trying to eat healthier in general is that we have become so accustomed to eating sandwiches on the go or meals that are quick to prepare. We don’t want to spend too much time thinking about what we are going to eat. Particularly when you are hungry, you just eat what you grew up eating and what’s in the kitchen/fridge. Therefore, what we eat is habitual, breaking this habit is the difficult part of eating healthy because now when you buy groceries you have to read the labels and plan different meals that are healthier, more alkaline and plant-based.
The vegan sandwich/toast spread options are avocado, peanut butter with or without sliced banana, hummus (Middle Eastern chickpea spread), sun-dried tomato pesto and Melitzanosalta (Greek eggplant spread), the last three are usually found in the same section in the grocery stores of Spar or Pick and Pay. You can also use these as dips to snack on your veggies or crackers if you are alone or entertaining friends. I offer you an additional plant-based spread to add to your arsenal of healthy spreads and it is flavourful indeed. When eating sandwiches I suggest making them more nutritious by adding sliced cucumber, fresh tomato and green leaves like lettuce, rocket or baby spinach. Avoid iceberg lettuce because its not nutrient dense. This also provides a crunch to the sandwich making the eating experience more pleasurable. You can also fry up some mushrooms in a little oil and seasoning and you have yourself an epic sandwich.
Ingredients for Zucchini Spread
Zucchini is a squash and is also known as Marrow or Courgette. In my experience in South Africa it’s easier to find Baby Marrow.
- 1 med zucchini
- 1 med carrot
- 1 med onion
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 2-3 med tomatoes
- dillweed or any herbs you like (bay leaf, rosemary, thyme)
- salt and pepper to taste (In the video they used about 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
“Slice zucchini and carrot into 1/2 cm rounds. Thinly slice onion. Roughly mince garlic. Cut tomatoes in half. Mix zucchini, carrot, onion and garlic with oil, herbs and salt & pepper in an oven safe dish. Top with tomatoes cut side down and bake at 400 degrees fahrenheit (200 degrees celsius) for about 1 hour or until veggies are soft when pierced with a fork. Cool for 20 minutes before blending (it is very hot so be careful). Blend to desired consistency and store in an airtight container or jar for up to a week in the fridge. Enjoy!”
The Kale Sandwich Show
Watch the Vlog below to see how it is made
For more Girl Boss Health and Wellness content click on the links below
- Beauty Secrets
- Improve Your Wellness By Eating One Raw Vegan Meal A Day
- Spirulina Is Still The Rage!
- Keep Hydrated To Look Good & improve Overall Productivity
- 5 Easy (But Healthy) Things To Do With Your Overripe Bananas
- The Healing Powers of Celery
- Why Eating Mango Is Good For You
- Finding Different Ways To Exercise
- Not Keen On Gym? Try Hiking In Nature