It’s been an eventful 6 days of lockdown for most South Africans and civilians and celebrities alike are taking heed of the president’s instructions to stay at home. As you’ll have noticed, we’ve been promoting #TheQuarantine Edition: a brand new feature on Moziak Magazine in recent weeks where we have interviewed some of the country’s most notable talents to find out what they are up to during this period indoors.
Today’s guest is none other than Sasha-Lee Laurel-Olivier; the current Miss South Africa who is in Johannesburg at the moment. We caught up with Miss SA to find out how she is spending her lockdown time productively.
Moziak Magazine: Hey Sasha-Lee, welcome to Moziak Magazine! How are you social distancing during this period?
Sasha-Lee: Initially I self-isolated to ascertain that there was no transmission I am now- staying indoors completely ever since the lockdown.
MM: Where do you wish you were right now?
SL: I wish I was with my niece and nephew. I guess Iām getting a bit homesick.Ā
MM: Name 3 positive things about the world almost coming to a standstill
SL: What we are facing right now reminds us of how we are all connected- this affects all of us and requires commitment from each one of us all over Iām the world. Itās shown us how short life can be and how we should value our health- putting into perspective that is the necessities that are most important like food and healthcare and that material things never really mattered. Itās reminded is also that we are cohabitants of the earth, that the environment and wildlife need to be considered too.
MM: Name 5 things you plan to achieve whilst in āquarantineā
SL: 1. Iād like to start writing again.
2.Iād like to read 1 book per week
3. Train consistently and on my own in order to develop self discipline
4. Have deeper more meaningful conversations with my family
5. Cook more, order in less
MM: What surprising item made your shopping list?
SL: I bought batteries- I donāt think they ever make the shopping list.
MM: Did you stock up on additional toilet paper?
SL: No I didnāt, I just took the amount I usually take- I still donāt get why people are stockpiling.
MM: Have any important plans or activities of yours been cancelled/postponed because of the coronavirus?
SL: Yes there have been, understandably so as the opportunity cost is too high.Ā A lot came to a pause with regards to my project.Ā I too, run an annual Easter Egg Drive that has to be postponed due to the outbreak.
MM: In a yearās time when you look back, what do you think you will be saying about this period?
I understand now- why I was meant to take a step back, to breathe, the reassess everything.
MM: What advice do you have for people who are struggling with the idea of social distancing?
This is not about you, itās about those who are most vulnerable – like the elderly, who have paved the way for us to be here. Itās time for us to do our part and fight for them.
MM: What are you looking forward to the most when the coronavirus pandemic is over?
Iād say that spending time with family and friends is a given but what I look forward to most is the conversations I would have with strangers. Iāve always said that I am the product of the conversations that resonate with me the most. I think that this is something that I will never take for granted again.
