TAKE 10: AMINA PULULU

Words: Nhlanhla Masemola | Photography: Nadia von Scotti | Videography: Maxime Thaysen

This Body Moves is our sport campaign celebrating all of the big and small ways that our bodies carry us. This body adapts, struggles, learns. This body endures, it accomplishes, it has what it takes. This body soaks up the stories that make up a lifetime of living with its own identity, heritage, failures, capabilities and wins. This body sets its own pace. This body sets its own terms.

Meet Amina Pululu. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she arrived in South Africa in 1998 at 4 years old with her mother, father and older brother. Amina has lived all over Cape Town, hopping between schools she believed gave her strong language skills. Xhosa, French and Lingala are just a few in her repertoire. After Amina’s mother tragically passed away, she and her brother were forced to live with their father, who was unfit to raise children. She then spent most of her youth in and out of homes and between youth care centres, then discovered an appreciation for dance, which proved to be therapeutic. After working as an au pair for four years to finance her dance studies, Amina dreams of becoming a dance therapist to combine her love of dancing and working with children. The goal? To help other children who may have struggled in life as she once did.
My body is a good place to be because...It is the one thing I have control over. I struggle with anxiety, so it’s good to have something that’s mine, that is safe and that can make me feel better through dance or exercise. It’s my safe place.

What do you like to wear while being active?

Leggings, trainers and a comfortable sports bra with good support.

What do you eat before you work out?

It really depends on my mood and when I’m working out. I’m not one to follow a strict diet or eating plan. I generally work out in the mornings, so I either have some Jungle Oats or fruit and lots of water.

What or who has been your biggest inspiration in life?

For fitness, it would be Brittne Babe. For dance, legendary US dancer Martha Graham, who only started dancing at the age of 22. In my personal life, my mentors Sonya Schoeman and Carly Cowling, who are such phenomenal women. They have taught me so much about being an independent woman through their words and actions.

What does health mean to you and how do you define it?

It means taking care of your body physically, emotionally and mentally. What you put in your body will be what you get out of it. Health is ever-changing and ever-growing.

What misconceptions do you think people have about fitness?

That skinny people don’t need to work out and that you have to go on some insane diet or starve yourself to lose weight. I must admit I also fell into this trap, but one really just needs to eat right.

What was your favourite moment while shooting the Superbalist Sport 2019 campaign?

Every single second. I remember leaving set thinking, “That was so much fun and I really hope I get to work with everyone again.” Meeting people who all share a passion for some sort of discipline that allows them to express their love and care for their bodies is amazing. I also loved that we all looked different, so whoever looks at us can see themselves in us.

When have you felt your most beautiful?

When I decided to cut off most of my hair, go natural and love myself just the way I am.

And the least?

When I’ve occasionally worn dresses and flat shoes. I’ve always been very insecure about my muscular legs.

Favourite songs for working out?

NFNo Excuses

G-EazyIt’s Eazy

TeknoAnyhow

Will SmithGettin’ Jiggy Wit It

The ChainsmokersDon’t Let Me Down

DJ ArafatVentripotent

KhalidRight Back