Valentine’s Day Special: Come take a peek inside the romantic house of H&H 🏳️🌈
Hlogi and Hope’s love, determination for success, and friendship are worth celebrating. Welcome to their love story.
The brand House of H & H, which houses social media sensations Lehlogonolo ‘Hlogi Mash’ Mashigo – who is also a professional football player for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Squad – and Hope Ramafalo, was established at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown when two dancers saw potential to collaborate.
But little did they know that, in that moment, love would find them.
It all started on the gram when Hope would like some of Hlogi’s posts, enough to catch Hlogi’s attention and that immediately sent her on a search.
When Hlogi discovered that Hope was a dancer, her initial thought was a collaboration.
“We shot one video together in Mamelodi, and the reception was positive online. We just got feedback that we should do more of these types of videos and that led to us forming a duo partnership and committed to dropping dance videos every weekend. The idea of establishing a company was the next natural step,” said Hlogi Mash who openly shared with us their story even while she was under the weather, sick with flu.
Dance connected the pair romantically, with Hlogi Mash saying they both saw it coming as their bond grew stronger and stronger.
“Her relationship at that time was complicated, and so was mine, and obviously we would share a lot about our struggles and advise each other. Honestly, getting into a relationship with each other didn’t take time,” she said, laughing. “I first met her on the 17th of May, and on the 3rd of June, we were already official. It just happened organically,” adding that this is one relationship that has inspired her towards greatness, more than any she has ever been in.
“We are both obviously raised differently, and when those two worlds collided, we were able to better each other. I know personally that Hope took me out of kasi (the hood), out of the kasi mentalities, and pushed me towards an even better, more sophisticated life. She made me realize that there are better things to do than what kasi confines you to.
“At home (kasi), all I would think of is soccer because of the limited resources there but Hope has opened me up to a whole new world of possibilities. She would advise me to stop being too involved with friends and things on the streets and focus on building a legacy. Those things have really made me better; even when I take stock of my life, I can see the difference,” she said.
And she reckons that since the pair started living together, they have been exposed to a different kind of love. A much softer love.
“Hope has actually verbalized to me that she has been through so much in love that she didn’t know that such support, love, respect, and freedom existed. I think I was able to bring a whole new perspective of love into her life. But not only that, I saw her full potential and pushed her towards those dreams. She didn’t know that she could be a presenter, an actress and sing, but now she does it all including dance. Prior to us being togetehr, she just enjoyed life in the gym, but our union opened her up to many possibilities as well.”
A love that inspires.
And while working with one’s significant other has always been shunned upon, Hlogi Mash says they both matched each other’s energy because they are workaholics, and promise a whole lot of productions that are due to come from their company, including a reality TV show.
“It took time for us to gel because we are both very strong characters and always want to be heard. But in our stubbornness, we lost out on a lot of opportunities because one would be angry or the other stuck in their ways. But our failures have taught us harsh lessons, and we are more receptive to each other now,” a skill that has also seeped into their relationship and has helped them grow stronger.
The couple were recently appreciated by singer Boohle for the TikTok dance challenge they created for her song Hamba Wena, which has gone to do wonders for her own career, making them the first local dancer to get such an appreciation via a plaque.
In making big moves, the couple is also planning on getting a new house soon so they can expand on their offerings within their house. A podcast studio is on the horizon.
Outside of always chasing the next project, the pair loves the softer things in life, like dinner dates, staycations, and holidaying. Celebrating Valentines is definitely a thing that they do, going big, and even with Hlogi Mash being down with the flu, “something special must still happen. We never miss the opportunity, even with me being ill. I am big on gift-giving, while Hope is the romantic planner. She is definitely a romantic one between the two of us; who would plan an adventure date, picnics etc. She is that girl,” added Hlogi Mash with a huge smile on her face.
Sending a love message to her partner this Valentine’s Day, she said: “I really appreciate your love and support and can never imagine my life without you. You have been there through the happiest and most devastating moments of my life – you have become more than just a lover but you are a confidant and mentor. You get me even when I don’t say a word and that is the highest form of love. Thank you for believing in me and in us. You have changed my life so much and I love you so much. ❤️”