A mindful escape
From as young as five years old it would be the kitchen where she would find her biggest joy. Passion and food have always been her passion, says Chantel van Staden, proud creator of Fleurish Magazine.
Her mother taught her how to cook from a very young age and since then, she has never stopped cooking, creating and dreaming.
For as long as she can remember, she dreamed of having her own magazine - something local, yet with the vision of one day reaching international borders.
“I wanted to create a space that combines food, lifestyle, wellness, creativity, and inspiration into one beautiful experience for readers,” explains Chantel.
Fleurish Magazine was created as a mindful escape from everyday life, a place where people can pause, feel inspired, and enjoy content that nourishes the mind, body, and soul.
“One of my biggest dreams has always been to either publish my own magazine or write a book one day, so in many ways Fleurish Magazine has already become a dream fulfilled and a box ticked from my high school years.”
The aim and the dream was to combine Chantel’s love for food, lifestyle, wellness and creativity all in one creation.
“I noticed there were very few local magazines that brought all of these elements together in one inspiring space. I wanted to create something that people could enjoy reading in their everyday lives, whether on their phones, computers, or through email, something accessible, uplifting, and meaningful.”
The idea was to create a publication that gives people a small break from the busyness of life, explains Chantel. A space where they can pause for a moment, feel inspired, and enjoy beautiful content that speaks to wellness, creativity, food, and lifestyle in a mindful and positive way.
While Fleurish Magazine started as a passion project, it quickly became something much more personal and purposeful to Chantel.
“I wanted it to be more than just a food magazine. The vision was to create something uplifting and positive that people could enjoy reading while also discovering inspiring individuals, businesses, and community projects within Namibia.”
One of the things closest to Chantel’s heart is supporting local people and showcasing their talents, passions, and businesses. For example, Fleurish has featured local chefs whose stories inspire Chantel, as well as articles about community initiatives such as soup kitchens that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Through these stories, she hopes to encourage others, inspire courage in their careers and dreams, and highlight the beauty of what Namibia has to offer both locally and internationally.
“I love seeing people happy, inspired, and encouraged in life, and I wanted Fleurish Magazine to contribute to that in its own way.”
The first edition of Fleurish Magazine was launched on the 1st of January this year as the Summer Edition.
“I felt that the start of a brand-new year was the perfect time to finally bring the dream to life and put the magazine out into the world!” The second edition - the Autumn Edition - was launched on the 1st of April and the upcoming Winter Edition will be released on 1 June 2026.
It has been an incredibly exciting journey so far, says Chantel, especially seeing the magazine grow with each seasonal edition and watching a long-time dream slowly become a reality.
She handles the entire creative process behind Fleurish Magazine, which makes the project very personal and rewarding.
“I do all the layouts and write all the articles myself. When planning a new edition, I first create a list of topics, ideas, and inspirational stories that I would like to include. I enjoy featuring local businesses, associations, community initiatives, inspiring individuals, and stories that can encourage and uplift readers.”
Fleurish is also strongly inspired by the seasons. Each edition follows a seasonal theme, which influences the overall look, mood, wellness content, and food sections.
“For example, with the Winter Edition, I focus more on comfort, mindfulness, warming recipes, and cozy lifestyle inspiration. When it comes to photography, I personally take all the food photographs featured in the magazine, especially for the recipes and culinary sections. For featured chefs or profiles, they sometimes provide their own professional and food images to accompany their stories.”
She enjoys combining food, creativity, lifestyle, wellness, and inspiration into one cohesive experience for readers, Chantel explains.
Although it can be challenging at times, it has also been incredibly fulfilling and has pushed her creatively in many ways. Seeing the final product come together is one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Professionally, Chantel is a qualified chef and personal chef. She is also a member of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs of Namibia as well as the Namibian Chefs Association. In addition to her culinary background, she has also completed interior design studies and fashion design, which further reflects her love for creativity and aesthetics in different forms.
Currently, she works in administration at Zebra Trailers, while still actively continuing her culinary work in her free time and after hours.
“I remain involved in cooking, recipe development, and culinary creativity whenever possible, as this is a core part of who I am and what I love doing.”
Chantel admits she would not be able to pursue her passion without the support of her family.
“My parents and my brother have always encouraged and believed in my creativity, and I am especially grateful for my husband Peet van Staden who continuously supports and stands behind my vision and passion for Fleurish Magazine. Their encouragement means a great deal to me and has played an important role in allowing me to bring this dream to life.”
The magazine is currently accessible online through its Facebook page - Fleurish Magazine - which is still in its early stages as the platform continues to grow. With each new edition, readers can request access by contacting Chantel directly via email or sending a message through Facebook, with the digital flip magazine link then shared with them. The magazine is also distributed personally via WhatsApp or email when a new edition is launched, making it easy and accessible for readers to receive and enjoy.
“Anyone interested can simply reach out through email or Facebook, and I am happy to share the latest edition directly with them.”
Although it is still in its early stages, Chantel’s vision for the magazine’s future is growth, expansion, and continued creativity.
“My plan is to consistently release more editions and develop the magazine into a stronger lifestyle platform that reaches not only local readers, but also international audiences.”
She would love for Fleurish Magazine to grow beyond Namibia and inspire people across different countries and cultures.
“My hope is to continuously evolve the magazine with new ideas, fresh inspiration, seasonal themes, and exciting content that keeps readers engaged and looking forward to every new edition. I want each release to feel meaningful, uplifting, and even more inspiring than the last.”
Ultimately, Chantel’s dream is for Fleurish Magazine to become a well-recognized lifestyle platform that encourages people around the world to embrace creativity, wellness, and joyful living. - F: Fleurish Magazine; E: [email protected]
