Kede Mkhabela is a TV and radio personality who broke into the industry as a continuity presenter on SABC 1. Kede is now the presenter of Sunday Chillaz. She’s also branched into the waist trainer business. We caught up with her to find out about what she’s up to and get some fitness tips.
What are you currently working on?
I’m still shooting Season 2 of Sunday Chillaz. I’m also working on our comeback album with my sister and extending my online business to include children’s clothing.
How have you managed to maintain longevity?
I got into the industry because of my passion for entertainment. It’s always been my dream; it was never about the fame, but serving a purpose I believe God created me for. This has helped me to stay strong, no matter how difficult it got. Though at some point in my career I was also an ‘it girl’, for me it did nothing because my focus has always been doing what I love without caring too much about labels.
Your social media feed is full of images of you looking amazing. How do you do it?
(Laughs) thank you – I love pictures. I think I have thousands of them in total. I love looking good and I take pride in that, and of course, technology allows us to. I also think it’s because I don’t drink nor smoke. I go to gym whenever I can. I love fashion and clothes. I believe I was born into style; my parents had an amazing sense of style. I also got really great genes from my parents and my younger sister is a great photographer.
What is your workout routine?
Time allowing, I exercise 6 times a week. I enjoy aerobics classes because I love dancing; I also do a little bit of cardio. But, if I don’t have enough time, I make sure I have my waist trainer on all day long, every day.
Speaking of waist trainers, you have a waist trainer line. How did that come about?
I have always had a wide waist, but loved the coca cola bottle shape. So, on Instagram I started following a lady from the USA who has been using waist trainers and selling them. I googled where I could find them in South Africa and I found a lady in Pretoria, I bought a few and started using them. When I saw they actually worked, I shared it on Instagram and people were showing interest. Because I’m business minded (I sold snacks at school, ran a tuck shop at home in Nelpruit, had a pub in Diepkloof, a salon in Nelspruit to mention but a few) I saw an opportunity to start a business of selling waist trainers. I did my research and where I could buy them, and the rest is history.
How is it doing?
It’s going really great. I started off with 15 waist trainers because I wanted to test the market. Now, I buy and supply about 500 trainers a month. Africa has been really great because I also have customers from DRC, Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland and Zambia. I’m even working on customising the line of trainers to make sure I cater for all my customers’ needs and cater for a wider customer base.
What are some of the benefits of waist training?
They can help you lose weight should you need to and to reshape the tummy area overtime with proper usage. They also promote the required intake of water on a daily basis, correct posture, increases blood circulation, help with post pregnancy body restoration, regulate food intake to avoid bingeing.
There are a lot of myths about waist trainers, including the fact that they move your organs. Can you tell us more about this?
If they did I’d be dead. I always use the women who use to wear corsets in the 1500s as an example – how many of them died? It they did, I’m sure some health organisation would have banned them from being manufactured and sold. It’s a big fat lie!
What is the right way to use a waist trainer?
You need to listen to your body – it’ll direct you because our bodies are not the same. What is comfortable for me might be uncomfortable for the next person.
Can you please share 5 of your best fitness and health tips?
- Make sure you are always hydrated,
- Eat healthy (health food doesn’t have to be horrible food),
- Move a lot; whether it’s taking a walk or running, mobility is important,
- It’s easy to gain weight and very difficult to lose it so avoid over-eating.
How can one get a hold of you should they need to purchase a waist trainer?
Cell: 0828442630 Email: mkhabelapk@gmail.com I’m currently developing my website to put up all the info there www.kedemkhabela.co.za Instagram: @kede_klassique Twitter: @kede_mkhabela Facebook: Kede Mkhabela
