Rooftop swims overlooking Joburg’s skyline, the sensation of essential oils on tight muscles, hugs and hot wings: these are some of the things celebrities miss most about life before Covid-19.
For comedian and Kaya FM breakfast show host Jason Goliath the reality of the lockdown sank in when his stand-up comedy gigs — he did about six a week — were cancelled. But what he really misses, aside from comedy shows — and hot wings — is his mother’s hugs.
“I miss going to my mother’s house for hugs, Uber Eats, driving on the highway … I miss laughter and applause. I honestly feel I took these simple things for granted. [When lockdown is lifted] I might buy several types of fast food and create a buffet of sorts,” Goliath said.
Author and businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo also has food on her mind. Lockdown brought uninterrupted family time to the Kumalo household, but it has also put the former Miss SA on the receiving end of regular pancake orders from her family.
“I love to cook. I’m not a chef, but I think I’m not a bad cook. We liked our Sundays out every now and then and I’m looking forward to taking a bit of leave from cooking and cleaning. I’m the person everyone places their orders with. Can I just be the girl who can order as well? I need a break,” Kumalo said.
TV personality Somizi Mhlongo has also been reminiscing about the clinking cutlery and sizzling steak of restaurant kitchens, but top of his post-lockdown longings is a full body massage with essential oils.
The amount Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung donated in food voichers to families impacted by Covid-19
— 200,000
With luxury on hold, Mhlongo has had time to realise what is truly important in life.
“This lockdown has given me a wakeup call that tomorrow is only a promise, it’s not guaranteed. I took time for granted; I lived like I was guaranteed that everything I had planned would happen. I never imagined that anything could disturb my plans,” he said.
He’s had to put plans for his musical on hold, as well as his honeymoon in Bora Bora with husband Mohale Motaung.
The amount raised by comedian Trevor Noah through his 'The Daily Show'
— R9.5m
Kumalo had to postpone a 10-day solo birthday tour to Israel, a trip she’s been putting off for years but finally decided to embark on this year for her 46th birthday. Procrastination is top of her list of things she’s leaving behind in life before Covid-19, she said.
Songstress Simphiwe Dana, who initially delayed releasing her fifth studio album, decided to release the album on Friday.
While she enjoys being alone, she misses the option of going out in public.
“I’m a reclusive person, but I do miss sundowners with my friends. I do miss having my friends over and cooking for them, which is something I really loved to do,” Dana said.
The singer said her primary focus has been on surviving and cooking, leaving little time for pondering lockdown lessons. What she said she would take forward post-lockdown is the importance of self-care.
Miss SA Sasha-Lee Olivier misses her family but has discovered she’s pretty self-sufficient. The keen amateur photographer said that when her tripod broke she had to use what was in her apartment to construct a new one.
Olivier said lockdown has taught her to be grateful for everything she has, because it can be taken away in an instant. What she misses most is the simple pleasure of reading a book on her Sandton rooftop.
“It’s such a beautiful space. I always went up there to clear my head, swim and do lots of reading. Once I’m allowed back up there, I’m afraid I won’t know what to start with.”
Dana knows exactly what to begin with — curry and sundowners with friends.
Kumalo said she had learnt things during this period that she plans on taking with her into what will be the “new normal” when the pandemic abates.
“The things we thought were important in life, the things we’ve been coveting, are not the things that are truly important. I think that’s the lesson lockdown is teaching all of us. It’s actually the simple things in life that truly matter — it’s our health, it’s our family and our wellbeing.”
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