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Aphelele ZL Chonco

@itsaphsie

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❤️‍🔥 Lover of life
🥰 Daughter/Sister/Aunt/Friend/Teacher
🧘🏾‍♀️ Mental Health Advocate
🔥 @up_phelele - the brand
✍🏾 Writer/Blogger👇🏾

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September will always be special to me - it marks my mother’s birth month 🌹 #RubyPhutiChonco

As long as I live, I will continue to celebrate her life, her love, and the beautiful imprint she left on mine (hand heart)

I’ve written a poem in her honour - a little expression of my undying love, gratitude, and remembrance…
 Read it here and, if you do, I’d love to hear what it evokes for you - Link In Bio❣️

#MotherDearest #InLovingMemory #TheBookOfAphsie #ApheleleChonco by @itsaphsie

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14 days ago

Happy Heritage Month — yilililili! 🎉 #UP_NguniSuits

As we celebrate the beauty, richness, and diversity of our heritage, may you be inspired you to boldly embrace, celebrate, and wear your cultural heritage - because it’s one of the secret ingredients that makes your uniqueness👌🏾

Celebrate our Nguni heritage in style with our NGUNI SUITS collection - shop via our website or WhatsApp catalogue - Link In Bio✨

👩🏾‍💻 https://www.upphelele.co.za/product-category/nguni-suits

📲 https://wa.me/c/27767826242

#Nguni #HeritageMonth #UP_PHELELE #WearYourUniqueness taken in Durban, South Africa by @itsaphsie

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18 days ago

Healing changed my life before church ever did 🤍 #TheBookOfAphsie

After surviving a fatal car accident, my biggest ministry became... healing.

Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.

In Part Two of ‘The Retired Church Girl’, I share how stepping away from serving wasn’t stepping away from God - it was choosing to make room for recovery, reflection, and a more authentic relationship with Him

This isn’t a story about losing faith. It’s about allowing faith to grow alongside healing 🕊

Part Two is now live - https://tboa.upphelele.co.za/the-retired-church-girl-2

#TheRetiredChurchGirl #FaithJourney #HealingJourney #ChristianDeconstruction taken in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal by @itsaphsie

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2 months ago

‘The Retired Church Girl’ isn’t a story about losing my faith - it’s about rediscovering it in a way that’s deeply personal, honest, and authentic✨ #QuoteOfTheDay

If you’ve ever questioned, grown, healed, or found your way back to yourself, this one’s for you!

Have you read it yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the blog’s comments - link in bio 🫶🏾

#TheBookOfAphsie #FaithJourney #ChristianDeconstruction #ApheleleChonco by @itsaphsie

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2 months ago

What happens when the faith you’ve always known begins to evolve?..

The Retired Church Girl (Part One) is now live. Join me as I share the beginning of this deeply personal journey - link in bio✨

#OpinionPiece #PersonalDevelopment #Spiritual #Descriptive taken in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal by @itsaphsie

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3 months ago

Maybe it wasn’t an existential crisis - maybe it was an invitation… 🤔 #TheBookOfAphsie

Questioning my faith. Questioning my dreams. Questioning everything I thought I knew.

My latest blogpost is about what I found on the other side of those questions - enjoy your read and share your thoughts: https://tboa.upphelele.co.za/existential-certainty

#ExistentialCertainty #LifeReflections #SelfDiscovery #ApheleleChonco taken in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal by @itsaphsie

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3 months ago

#AllfashionSourcing2026 is the party 🥳

Join us as we showcase the beauty of Africa’s premium fashion and textiles. We can’t wait to connect, share our journey, and celebrate craftsmanship with you 🤍

Come experience what it truly means to #WearYourUniqueness ✨

📍 Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
📅 14–16 July 2026
🎟️ UP_solutely FREE - register on link in bio

Tag someone you’d love to bring along, and we’ll see you there 🙌🏾

#SouthAfricanFashion #SlowFashion #UP_PHELELE taken in Durban, South Africa by @itsaphsie

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3 months ago

What happens when passion meets opportunity? 🔥#UP_blog

You get five young designers brave enough to take on the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award while balancing their studies 🎓

Meet @_joy.sa, @mbali.nqiwa, Leah John, @_its.yus _, and @awethu.maphumulo - @in_umhlanga’s very own Dream Chasers 🤍

Inspired by the beauty of South Africa’s countryside, they interpreted this year’s #CountryAllure theme with creativity, dedication, and resilience. From concept development to garment construction, every look represents countless hours of hard work and a commitment to their dreams.

Please join us in celebrating these talented young designers and their inspiring journey - read the full story on the #LinkInBio

#IN_umhlanga #HDJ2026 taken in Durban, South Africa by @itsaphsie

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3 months ago

Durban July 2026 Theme Reveal: Country Allure 🤠 #UP_blog

We had the pleasure of attending the official theme reveal for the Hollywoodbets Durban July 2026 - and let’s just say, this year’s theme has everyone talking…

From first impressions to deeper reflections (especially after last year’s Marvels of Mzansi), we’re sharing our honest thoughts on what “Country Allure” means and how we can still make it uniquely ours 🇿🇦

Tap to read the full blogpost: https://www.upphelele.co.za/from-mzansi-to-country-hdj-2026-theme-revealed

#CountryAllure #HDJ2026 #WearYourUniqueness #UP_PHELELE

*POLL*
Country Allure is giving… taken in Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse by @itsaphsie

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7 months ago

Once you start loving yourself, everything changes 🥰

Your time becomes precious.
Your standards become clearer.
Your love becomes healthier.

The greatest love story begins with you.

Read the full reflection on the blog - Link in Bio✨

#SelfLoveJourney #ChooseYourself #HealthyLove #TheBookOfAphsie #ApheleleChonco taken in Brighton Beach, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa by @itsaphsie

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7 months ago

Behind every challenging hike is a breathtaking view 🤩

Thank you to @in_dbn_ for hosting such a beautiful family picnic — filled with laughter, meaningful moments, and delicious food 🤍

Grateful for the climb and the view✨

#AphsieLovesAdventure 🧗🏾‍♀️ #InscapeDurban #OutdoorLiving #HikingLife #ApheleleChonco taken in Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve by @itsaphsie

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8 months ago

2025, I see you 🤍 #NewBlogPost

Lessons, growth, recalibration and so much gratitude! Closing off My Year of Divine Alignment and boldly stepping into 2026: My Year of Audacity✨

Have you named your year yet?

Enjoy your read and share your thoughts - Link in Bio❣️

#NewYearIntentions #DivineAlignment #TheBookOfAphsie #ApheleleChonco by @itsaphsie

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8 months ago