Winter means something different to everyone. For some, it's a 5am run before the rest of the city wakes. For others, it's whipping up your favourite curry and bringing out your trusty, thick winter blanket. For millions more, it's catching the first taxi before dawn, opening the shop for the day, or sharing that first hot cup of coffee before work begins.
Different rituals but same spirit.
Winter may change the weather, but it doesn't change who we are. South Africans have never been known for putting life on hold until spring arrives. Instead, it's often the season's everyday rituals - the moments shared with family, friends, communities and even ourselves - that become the mom ents that give the season meaning.
This winter, NIVEA is celebrating those moments through its “Brave The Chill Challenge”, encouraging South Africans to embrace the rituals that make the season worth celebrating rather than simply enduring.
Helping bring the initiative to life are five of South Africa's best-loved radio personalities, whose voices accompany millions of listeners through chilly winter mornings every day. Dudu ‘Lady D’ Khoza from Ukhozi FM, Nokubonga Maci from Umhlobo Wenene FM, Tholoana Moletsane from Lesedi FM, Mokopi Molebatsi from Motsweding FM and Bradwin Monyamane from Thobela FM will each be sharing the winter rituals that make the season special to them, while inviting listeners to do the same.
For Nokubonga, winter begins with a quiet moment and a warm drink before the day starts. Tholoana and Bradwin never begin the day without caring for their skin, while Mokopi embraces slower evenings filled with tea, music and meaningful conversation. For Dudu, winter is a reminder to slow down and savour life's quieter moments.
“I love ending the day with a long hot shower, putting on my comfiest loungewear, making a warm cup of tea, and taking a few minutes for my skincare routine. It’s my way of resetting after busy days and making sure I feel refreshed and ready for the next one,” says Khoza, a renowned South African radio personality, philanthropist, and community leader, widely regarded as a living legend.
Winter's colder temperatures, dry air and brisk winds can leave skin feeling dry and uncomfortable, making skincare an important part of many people's seasonal routines. With Almond Oil and pure Hyaluron, NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream helps keep skin deeply moisturised, soft and comfortable throughout the day, making it easier to focus on the moments that make the season meaningful.
"Winter has a way of reminding us that it's often the smallest rituals that prepare us for life's everyday moments," says NIVEA’s Marketing Manager, Nokuthula Bengu. "Whether it's sharing a meal with loved ones, an early morning run or taking a few moments to care for your skin before you leave home, these everyday habits help us begin the day feeling ready for whatever comes next. At NIVEA, we believe caring for your skin is one of those simple rituals - helping people feel comfortable enough to focus on what really matters: embracing every moment, in every season."
And while we've already passed the winter solstice, with each day bringing a little more daylight than the last, there's still plenty of the season left to embrace. Whether your ritual begins before sunrise, unfolds on the sports field, around a family table or on your daily commute, it's these everyday moments that give each season its meaning. Because while winter may inspire them, the everyday rituals that help us feel ready for the day are worth embracing in every season.
Find your perfect winter skincare solution with the NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream, available at all major retailers nationwide.
Quotables: Q&A with the radio personalities:
What is the one winter ritual you look forward to every year?
A slow evening with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket, good music, and meaningful conversation. There's something about colder weather that encourages people to slow down, reflect, and connect with others.
What is the one thing you never leave home without during winter?
Obviously my best friend, NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream.
What is the one winter ritual you look forward to every year?
I have a very dry skin, in winter it becomes worse. Therefore I invest on good moisturizer like NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream it keeps my skin hydrated for a long time.
What is the one thing you never leave home without during winter?
I will never leave my home without NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream as it keeps my skin looking hydrated and healthy all day long.
What is the one winter ritual you look forward to every year?
Using NIVEA cleansing foam to deep clean my skin, then use NIVEA Micellar Water then go in with NIVEA Glow Serum for that extra glow.
What is the one thing you never leave home without during winter?
The NIVEA 3-in-1 Anti-Age Hand Cream and NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream.
What is the one winter ritual you look forward to every year?
My slow, quiet mornings (because schools are closed, so I don’t have school drop offs), my warm drinks and my reset before my days begin.
What is the one thing you never leave home without during winter?
My NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream, it keeps my skin soft, nourished and protected from the winter dryness.
What is the one winter ritual you look forward to every year?
Winter is my excuse to slow down a little. I love ending the day with a long hot shower, putting on my comfiest loungewear, making a warm cup of tea, and taking a few minutes for my skincare routine. It’s my way of resetting after busy days and making sure I feel refreshed and ready for the next one.
What is the one thing you never leave home without during winter?
Definitely my NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Cream. Winter can be really harsh on my skin, especially when I’m constantly on the go, with outside broadcasts & attending shows so I always keep it in my bag. It keeps my skin deeply moisturised, soft, and comfortable throughout the day, which gives me the confidence to focus on everything else without worrying about dry skin.
With over 110 years of expertise, NIVEA is the inventor of modern skincare and the leading skincare expert in the world. It’s an iconic brand that millions of people trust and love. Understanding the importance of healthy, beautiful-looking skin and celebrating all the positive, joyful and connecting experiences that come with it, NIVEA embodies togetherness, positivity and reliable care for everyone and all skin types. Being the world’s No. 1 skincare brand* comes with a responsibility that goes beyond skin. That is why NIVEA strives to improve the environmental compatibility of the whole assortment and actively fights social isolation through its global social mission, NIVEA CONNECT. NIVEA is for skin.