Brendah Nyakudya wears many hats, and wears them well. As PR, content and social influence manager for Club Med, she’s currently gearing up to open its first South African resort, so it’s all go, go, go. The proudly Zimbabwean-born multi-hyphenate is equally passionate about her work as a women’s life coach and certified counsellor. Somehow, in the midst of it all, she still manages to be a mom, a social butterfly and effortlessly glamorous.
What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year, and why?
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini. It’s actually my fourth time reading it, which probably tells you everything. It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking reminder of the resilience of women, and the power of unexpected friendships and alliances in the face of adversity.
How do you keep fit?
Walking my dogs … and occasionally sprinting to fetch my kids. Cardio is cardio.
Week-night, low-key restaurant go-to?
Momo Kuro in Rosebank. I love tapas, sunset and beautifully chilled energy. It’s my go-to when I want something easy that still feels like a treat. And the stairs on the way in and out? Consider it part of the experience.
What is the one artwork you’ll always love, and why?
I’m obsessed with the artworks from the Las Fallas festival in Spain. They’re intricate, playful and completely over-the-top – and then they’re burnt! There’s something powerful about creating something so beautiful, knowing it won’t last. You don’t need to own it to be moved by it.
Do you have a hobby?
My home is so verdant it currently looks like a slightly overachieving jungle. I love nurturing something small and watching it grow. It’s equal parts therapy, patience, training and, occasionally, a bit of a power trip.
The one unusual item you can’t live without?
An Eversharp 15M pen from Zimbabwe. The best pen ever made. I will not be taking questions.
Who was your high school celeb crush?
Tevin Campbell. No hesitation.
Three songs you’d take to a desert island?
Depending entirely on why I’m on said island: heartbreak calls for Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac; shipwrecked, in full main character mode, it’s Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey; and for a moment away from my kids, a bit of peace and reset, Space Song by Beach House. Clearly, I’ve thought about this more emotionally than practically!
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- The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘Love Goes On!’ by the The Go-Betweens
- Five doors into Joburg
Top image: supplied.
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