An invigorating chat with Uniquely Toned:
In the spirit of closing the year with clarity, confidence and a gentle return to self, we spoke with Jennifer Hlabjago from Uniquely Toned, a woman quietly reshaping how we think about wellness in South Africa.
In a landscape where quick fixes are loud and sustainable health feels elusive, her clinic is offering something refreshingly human: results without overwhelm, guidance without judgement and a reminder that wellness begins with understanding your own body.
From weight-management support to skin health, from the rising curiosity around vaginal rejuvenation to the growing demand for IV drips, Hlabjago speaks with an honesty that cuts through the noise.
This Q&A brings her insights forward, practical, demystifying and deeply rooted in care and a perfect reminder that small, consistent choices can still carry us into a healthier new chapter.
Which treatments do clients seek out most often and why?
Our most requested treatments are weight-loss injections, body-contouring sessions and skin treatments like facials and chemical peels. Clients choose them because they want visible results without downtime. People have busy lives, so they prefer options that fit into their routine and still deliver noticeable changes.
How does your clinic approach healthy, sustainable weight management?
We don’t push quick fixes. We look at the client’s habits, lifestyle and medical history. Then we mix non-invasive treatments with simple, realistic changes in diet and activity. We focus on steady progress instead of fast drops that don’t last.
What sets your non-invasive weight-loss treatments apart from dieting or surgery?
Most people struggle with consistency, not knowledge. Our treatments give clients a boost so they see results sooner, which keeps them motivated. They’re safe, non-surgical, and work alongside lifestyle changes. There’s no downtime, no hospital stay, and no pressure to make extreme choices.
How does your clinic contribute to national conversations about health and prevention?
South Africa’s obesity numbers are high because access to support is limited. We try to make wellness more approachable. We educate clients, share real information online and show that you can start small. Our aim is to help people take control of their health before problems get worse.
Can you explain how your IV drips work and what benefits clients experience?
Our drips deliver vitamins, minerals and hydration straight into the bloodstream. That means faster absorption than oral supplements. Most clients report better energy, improved skin, stronger immunity and quicker recovery from fatigue or stress.
How do you educate clients about vaginal rejuvenation and address misconceptions?
We keep the conversation simple and honest. Many women think the treatment is painful or only for older women, which isn’t true. We explain what the device does, how long it takes and what results to expect. We focus on comfort, confidence, and wellness — not shame.
What safety measures or technologies do you rely on to ensure effectiveness?
We use certified medical-grade equipment and follow strict hygiene and safety protocols. Every treatment is done by trained professionals. We do a full consultation first, so we choose the right approach for each client’s body and skin.
How do you tailor facials and skin-care treatments for different skin types and concerns?
South African skin is diverse, so we don’t use a one-size-fits-all method. We assess the client’s skin, lifestyle and concerns. Then we adjust the products and techniques for issues like pigmentation, acne, dryness or sensitivity. Our goal is to treat the skin we see, not a textbook idea of skin.
What trends in aesthetics and wellness are you excited about and how are you preparing?
People want natural-looking results and treatments that fit into a busy life. Non-invasive sculpting, skin-boosting and IV wellness are growing fast. We’re investing in new devices, updated training, and more personalised treatment plans to stay ahead.
What advice do you give someone who’s hesitant to try aesthetic or wellness treatments?
Start with a consultation. Ask questions. You don’t have to commit to anything. We help clients understand their options and what suits their goals and budget. The first step is simply getting informed.
Bafana survive Warriors’ siege to book AFCON Last 16 spot:
In a match where the historical weight of the regional derby felt as heavy as the desert heat, Bafana Bafana secured their passage to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages with a frantic 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe.
At the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday night, the stakes were clinical: avoid defeat or face an early flight home. For Hugo Broos’s men, the result ensures they finish second in Group B with six points, setting up a daunting potential clash with hosts Morocco.
But while the scoreboard smiled on Bafana Bafana, the performance was a reminder of the fine margins and the visceral intensity that define Southern African football.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was surreal, almost ghostly. Despite this being a high stakes ‘SADC war’ fuelled by geographic proximity and national pride, the stands were largely vacant.
The lack of a crowd however did not dampen the spirit of a handful of dedicated supporters whose voices echoed through the arena, nor that of the players on the pitch, who treated every duel as a battle for collective destiny.
The silence didn’t last long. Bafana signalled their intent early, with Oswin Appollis testing Washington Arubi in the 5th minute. Two minutes later, the deadlock broke. Tshepang Moremi found the net with a left-footed effort that took a wicked deflection off Divine Lunga, leaving Arubi stranded.
Zimbabwe, desperate to regain its balance after a shaky start to the tournament, responded with grit. In the 19th minute, Tawanda Maswanhise, handed his first start by Mario Marinica, produced a moment of individual magic. The Motherwell striker wove his way past Sphephelo Sithole and Aubrey Modiba before unleashing a strike that gave Bafana captain Ronwen Williams no chance.
Defensive lapses and own-goal drama
The equaliser appeared to disorient South Africa, causing the tactical structure Hugo Broos has spent years cultivating to fray. Zimbabwe nearly took the lead before the break when an unmarked Munashe Garan’anga misdirected a header from a Jonah Fabisch free-kick.
The second half became a chaotic blend of errors and clinical finishing. Five minutes in, a weak-headed back-pass from Lunga was intercepted by Lyle Foster, who ruthlessly restored South Africa’s lead. But the Warriors refused to retreat, playing with an attacking ambition that frequently unsettled the Bafana backline.
After Maswanhise rattled the woodwork in the 64th minute, the pressure finally told. In the 74th minute, a moment of pure calamity saw Ronwen Williams’ attempted clearance bounce off his own defender, Aubrey Modiba, for an own goal.
With the score at 2-2 and the match slipping toward a stalemate that would have shredded South African nerves, the decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute. A shot from substitute Mohau Nkota was blocked by the arm of Marvellous Nakamba. After a tense video assistant referee (VAR) review, the penalty was awarded.
Oswin Appollis stepped up, showing the composure that the match had otherwise lacked, to bury the penalty into the bottom left corner. Despite seven minutes of agonising added time and a late flurry of Zimbabwean corners, Bafana held their nerves to secure the win.
The Final Reckoning
In the final Group B standings, Egypt claimed first place with seven points. South Africa secured their passage in second place with six points and a +1 goal difference, while Zimbabwe’s campaign ended at the bottom of the table with just one point.
Bafana Bafana move on, but the defensive fragility shown in Marrakech suggests that if they are to go all the way to the final, they will need more than just regional dominance to survive.
SADC war in Marrakech: Bafana Bafana versus Zim Warriors:
As the sun sets over the Stade de Marrakech on Monday, the air will be thick with more than just the Moroccan winter chill.
For South Africa and Zimbabwe, the final Group B fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is not merely a football match; it is a ‘Game of Consequence’ that will determine their fate in the continental tournament.
Following a dramatic series of results in Agadir and Marrakesh, the equation has been stripped to its barest essentials.
For Hugo Broos’s South Africa, a single point will suffice to secure a path to the round of 16. For Marian Marinic?’s Zimbabwe, nothing short of a victory will do to keep their dreams of knockout football alive.
The state of play: Group B permutations
After two rounds of gruelling action, Group B has lived up to its reputation as one of the tournament’s most competitive brackets. Egypt, led by the clinical Mohamed Salah, has already secured the top spot with six points and a +2 goal difference following a contentious 1-0 victory over South Africa.
The current standings vividly illustrate the razor-thin margins in African continental football.
South Africa currently occupies second place with three points and a neutral goal difference, while the chasing pack remains within striking distance; Angola sits in third and Zimbabwe in fourth, both tied with a single point and a -1-goal difference, leaving the final qualification spots to be decided in the ultimate group showdown.
How Bafana Bafana advances
South Africa holds the keys to its own destiny. By virtue of its 2-1 opening-day victory over Angola, it possesses a crucial head-to-head advantage.
- With a win: South Africa moves to six points and finishes second, regardless of other results.
- With a draw: Bafana Bafana will finish on four points. Even if Angola beats Egypt to reach four points, South Africa advances as runners-up because it beat Angola earlier in the group.
- With a loss: This is the nightmare scenario. A defeat would see Zimbabwe leapfrog South Africa. Bafana would then be forced to wait and see if three points are enough to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams—a mathematical lottery no coach wants to enter.
For Zimbabwe, the path is narrower but clear. A win moves them to four points, putting them above South Africa. If Angola fails to beat Egypt, Zimbabwe takes second place. If both Zimbabwe and Angola win, the two would be tied on four points. Since they drew 1-1 last Friday, the tiebreaker would shift to goal difference and then to total goals scored.
The mood in the South African camp is one of resilient frustration. Their 1-0 loss to Egypt was shrouded in controversy after Mohamed Salah converted a penalty that many, including coach Hugo Broos, felt was soft.
“Salah was surprised to get the penalty,” Broos remarked post-match, reflecting the sentiment of a team that felt they had outplayed the North African giants for significant periods.
Despite the loss, the performance of young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was a significant silver lining. Mbokazi, who recently caught the attention of MLS side Chicago Fire, was tasked with neutralising the dual threat of Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush. His composure has become a rallying point for the squad.
“When I go to the field, I don’t worry about who I am up against,” Mbokazi said. “I learnt a lot from playing against someone with experience like Mo Salah. We must just remain together as a team… we have to win the next game at all costs.”
His sentiment was echoed by Thabang Matuludi, who emphasised the need for mental fortitude: “The mood is down, but we need to motivate each other. It is not over.”
Legend’s perspective: The 1996 blueprint
The current Bafana crop has received a vote of confidence from a man who knows what it takes to reach the pinnacle of African football. Edward ‘Magents’ Motale, the legendary captain who won the 1996 Afcon and the 1995 African Champions League with Orlando Pirates, believes the team is on the right track.
“Bafana played well against Egypt; besides the penalty, they gave a good account of themselves,” Motale told the Mail & Guardian. “If they can take that performance to Zimbabwe, it will be a walkover. They should not beat themselves up about the Egypt defeat.”
Motale highlighted the team’s collective strength as their most significant asset, noting that, unlike previous iterations, this squad does not rely on a single superstar but operates as a cohesive unit.
The narrative of this match is also defined by those who won’t be on the pitch. Zimbabwe is arguably missing its most influential figure, Marshall Munetsi. The Wolves midfielder, a familiar face to South African fans from his time at Orlando Pirates, was left out of the final squad due to injury concerns cited by the Zimbabwe Football Association.
The decision remains a point of contention, as Munetsi publicly stated he would have been fit for the tournament. Without his box-to-box energy, the Warriors’ midfield lacks its usual bite.
South Africa faces its own creative void. Themba Zwane, long the heartbeat of the Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana attack, missed out on the tournament due to persistent injury issues. In his absence, the search for a definitive ‘Number 10’ continues, with Broos employing various tactical shifts to fill the creative gap.
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