Everyone across the globe has been affected by COVID-19, no matter your race, social class, gender, this pandemic has affected all of us. Billionaire Bill Gate has called this virus a great equalizer, 'It is reminding us we are all equal. This disease treats us all equal,' he said.
While we start the 21 day lockdown in South Africa, GLAMOUR reached out to some local celebrities to find out how they are keeping their cool amidst the turmoil.
Singer and songwriter, Ami Faku
Singer and songwriter Ami Faku
What are you doing not to feel anxious, totally out of control and hopeless?
I listen to music, exercise and convince myself that this will all go away and life will return to normal
What has this time being teaching you?
That life is unpredictable we never really know what the future holds so we need to appreciate the now.
Award winning actress, radio and media personality Relebogile Mabotja
Relebogile Mabotja
What are you doing not to feel anxious, totally out of control and hopeless?
I’m an A type personality so I am focusing on the things I can control, like my reaction, my behaviour and my mind set. It’s very easy to get sucked in to the uncertainty and the fear, but I hang on to the hope that all will be well.
What has this time being teaching you?
That mother earth isn’t very happy with us as humans and that on a personal note, I have to make certain changes to my life because I don’t like being restricted or forced indoors, but it is probably exactly what I need. Also that, mental health for many will be compromised, so I am trying to exercise extra empathy and kindness for those that this is affecting harder.
Hip hop star, Manu WorldStar
Manu WorldStar
What are you doing not to feel anxious, totally out of control and hopeless?
I’m basically chilling in the studio and mixing my new songs. I try keep my mind away from what I can’t do and focus on what I can.
What has this time being teaching you?
This time has taught me that we really need to not only watch our health, but to also make sure that we save and have means to sustain ourselves during uncertain times.
Radio and media personality, Carol Ofori
Carol Ofori
What are you doing not to feel anxious, totally out of control and hopeless?
Praying and talking to my family about all my fears and worries has helped me somewhat cope with the uncertain time we are living in. It helps to talk to people who are not freaking out themselves. It’s a scary time in SA and the world and one can't help but be concerned and worried. If feels like I’m living in a movie and a nightmare combined.
What has this time being teaching you?
Just how much God is in control. All we can do now is pray and ask for protection. It's also teaching me to be calm and find ways not to stress out. I think the biggest lesson will be for us as a country - how will we overcome and come out of this a better nation. I also find myself worry about the less fortunate than me, if I am taking a huge financial knock - what happens to them. It really is an unsettling time.
Singer and songwriter, Bongeziwe Mabandla
Bongeziwe Mabandla
What are you doing not to feel anxious, totally out of control and hopeless?
I am in the middle of a release campaign for my album 'iimini' so a lot of my time is about interacting with people on social media. The wonderful reaction to the music is keeping me positive and inspired. Other than that, I am taking the time to think about things that have always occupied my thoughts momentarily but I never had the time to really reflect on properly… my themes are love, spirituality and healing.
What has this time being teaching you?
This difficult time is enabling us to take in the beauty of life and what is important. It is teaching us to stay still, to observe, to listen and to let go of control. Again relating to the release of my album it is going to be interesting to see how people will be able to connect to the music without the tours, the music videos and all the content that we would normally create but we can't. It will be a pure and honest reaction to the music.
