Contributors
Leah van Deventer
Leah van Deventer is a professional writer and editor who dabbled in hard news before deciding to focus her energy on the important stuff: travel, food and drinks. When not gathering intel from the field, she combines work and R&R by writing in bed with Hex and Hades, her spectacular black cats.
Zimkhita Sulelo
Zimkhitha is originally from Eastern Cape and even though she loves her province as soon as she got her matric certificate she was out of there. At Rhodes she made friends from all over Africa and when she got an opportunity to visit one of my friends in Malawi she never looked back. Zimkhitha had a close encounter with the hippos down Chobe river in Botswana, tried Jollof rice in Ghana but her craziest moment was taking selfies while sitting on a crocodile's back in Burkina Faso. At home she likes to find a quiet corner and read books and try new restaurants around the Mother City. She is also a great cook even if she has to say so herself.
Darren Meltz
Darren is a self-confessed creative jack of all trades - The world is a delicious pie of creativity so why have just one slice. If he’s not on stage or in the rehearsal room, he’s searching for new and beautiful things to photograph. Darren is an actor, educator, clown (yes believe it or not) but above all else, he’s a writer. His biggest passion is creating amazing things with the words that race around in his head. He is ambitious to a fault and lives by the question, “Why the heck not?!”
Christina Pearl
Christina Pearl is a new brand splashing waves in the spheres of marketing, wine, food, and writing, articulating a wealth of expertise and experience in these genres. She works as a freelancer with select clients and projects. Christina Pearl brings passion, tenacity, enthusiasm, strategy and authentic love to life and everything she does.
Debra Hughes
Debra is a born and bred South African who loves and lives in Durban, the jewel of the East Coast and one of the “coolest” cities in the world. She pays her bills by managing the finance department of a prominent Durban based engineering company but her true passion is food, champagne, road trips, gin, and music. She loves showcasing what's hot, new and special about her beloved Durban, and that's what she writes about for MTF.
Gregory Zeleny
An explorer by nature, Greg enjoys discovering off-the-beaten path places and hidden gems while wandering the globe. A food, travel and lifestyle entrepreneur, Greg spends his days consulting clients on digital marketing and social media strategy and his evenings enjoying the good life in picturesque Hoi An, Vietnam.
Janice Leibowitz
Janice was born in London, and although she considers herself very much a South African, having lived in Joburg for many years (she’s not giving away her age) she still holds a fondness for cold, rainy days and strangely enough also for all things Irish! She firmly believes that our lives are enriched by sharing tremendous stories whether it be through books, theatre, film or music, and that we should constantly be seeking out ways to do this. Life is meant to be lived boldly. It’s a journey, and we get to choose what amazing adventures we go on, and who with! As long as we remember not to look back … we’re not going that way!
Jared Ruttenberg
Jared is a bit of an experience junkie and aficionado: new experiences and an ever changing horizon keeps him alive. Of course waking up in Cape Town - which he and a few million others think is just the most exciting city in the world - means there is much to explore. And then the rest of South Africa! So much to see and so little time! He splits his time between writing, running private tours, and social media influencer work.
Julie July
Jules is a graphic designer and digital nomad based in Denver, CO. Her goal is to work her way around the world, but when stateside she satisfies her wanderlust by exploring the great outdoors - she is stoked to have the Rocky Mountains right in her backyard. If she's not camping or climbing a mountain, you can find her playing the latest video games, trying not to fall off her skateboard or snapping photos with the camera that is permanently attached to her hands.
Kat Pozzan
Kat recently packed up her life in Australia to travel solo around the world. A big believer in living life to the fullest she wonders the globe with a strong latte in one hand, her camera in the other, in pursuit of all things adventurous. While collecting passport stamps she indulges in all her passions from scuba diving and mountain climbing to exploring cool cafés, craft breweries and sampling generous portions of delicious local food. Her mantra? Eat Well. Travel often.
Lisa Witepski
Lisa is constantly planning her next meal, or where to eat it. That’s why she believes she is incredibly lucky to work as a freelance writer – it’s basically her job to unearth Johannesburg’s latest gem, or find the one spot that no one’s talking about yet (but soon will be). When she’s not glugging cappuccinos and savouring new flavours, you’ll find her with her nose buried in a book.