I LOVE spring. One of my earliest childhood memories is of a Àat I used to live in with my parents. Just outside our back gate was a huge open ¿eld ¿lled with trees. This was the place I often played school, reprimanding the Àowers, which in my imagination were mischievous school kids. This park was the most beautiful sight in early spring and my mother, taking full advantage of being one of the ¿rst black people in a white neighbourhood, would usher my brother and I under the blooming trees for mini picnics. At 25 my love affair with the season of all things new has come full circle. It’s September 2010 and you and I are beginning a new and exciting journey together. As I step into the very big shoes of editing a magazine like BONA I’m reminded of a book I recently read that changed my life. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a mystical tale about ¿nding your purpose and following your dreams. From it I learned that people are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel they don’t deserve them or that they’ll be unable to achieve them. This lesson sparked a burning desire in me to do better with my life and touch others in the process. I believe this is the ¿rst step of that journey, which in the words of my wonderful dad “is simply about treating people the way you’d want to be treated.” I intend to do just that and hope it will be a blessing to you and me. Speaking of dreams turning into reality, I am excited about our covergirl Zizo Beda who is spring personi¿ed. At 21 years old, this girl from iDutwya has ticked off many an enviable achievement on her to-do list. Read about her renewal and new beginnings in our cover story on page 25. Our fashion pages are ¿lled with fresh ideas and look-at-me trends for spring/summer 2010 so skip to pages 52, 76 or 114 for instant fashion inspiration. If, like many, you are in a season of your life where you need a different kind of motivation, let the ever-wise Pastor George (page 103) teach you how to talk your way out of the tough times. Let’s meet again next month.