With the theme #LoveIssue, the issue is equipped to positively impact the ELLE reader with fashion, lifestyle, and beauty features that represent the brand personality – Sexy, Stylish, Spirited – and a new addition, Substance.

The cover features actress, entrepreneur, influencer, mother, and wife – Enhle Mbali Maphumulo."I’m teaching my sons that love isn’t a weakness. The association is weak and negative, when, in fact, love is about rising," says Maphumulo. 

The official ELLE South Africa editorial team responsible for the #LoveIssue is comprised of:

  • Emilie Gambade – Editor-in-chief;
  • Asanda Sizani – Fashion and beauty director;
  • Kelly-Anne Knox – Creative director;
  • Tidi Benbenisti – Managing editor; 
  • Malibongwe Tyilo – Digital editor; 
  • Dimeji Alara – Fashion editor; and
  • Lauren Nicoll – Beauty editor. 

"We are extremely excited about our first edition of ELLE magazine, as its #LoveIssue theme represents what Ndalo Media stands for – the knowledge that doing good with an attitude of love and excellence always amounts to good business. That same knowledge has driven all our initiatives as a business and led us to where we are today – celebrating 10 years of business. We hope you enjoy this issue and the many more to come – onwards and upwards," says publisher of ELLE magazine, Khanyi Dhlomo.

Gambade, who stayed on as editor-in-chief when Ndalo Media took over the publication of ELLE magazine, adds, "Being on set with the team was an incredible experience of love – a powerful combo of serious enthusiasm, coupled with an unlimited supply of dedication that brings to life the powerful images you see in the magazine today."

Dhlomo, together with Gambade, and Ndalo Media’s group sales director, Cilla Thompson, are headed to Versailles, France, where they will join the global ELLE team at the annual ELLE International Conference (EIC), an initiative that sees the global ELLE team connect and shares strategies aimed at strengthening ELLE’s position.

Other features in this issue include:

  • ELLE Column – 'A Labour of Love' by Asanda Sizani. Sizani shares the process she undertook when putting together the styling for the cover shoot of the issue; 
  • ELLE Radar – ELLE showcases the ELLE edit of this season’s fashion and beauty trends. In ELLE Fella, Malibongwe Tyilo gives his take on what it means to love your heritage in a way that enables you to love the greater world community; 
  • ELLE Agenda – ELLE gives a perspective on the developments changing the world; and
  • ELLE Talent – In the feature 'From Here to Hyères', ELLE showcases the experience of ELLE South Africa’s Photographer, Themba Mbuyisa, on his experience in the south of France, where he attended the 32nd Hyères International Festival of Fashion and Photography. 

Ndalo Media’s first issue of ELLE Decoration, the August edition, hits the shelves on Monday, 31 July, while the company’s new Cape Town offices are set to open at the end of August.

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