Entertainment Archives

BONANG MATHEBA: From media queen to global Icon

7Aug

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Entertainment

BONANG MATHEBA: From media queen to global Icon

By Sitha Maliwa: As South Africa marks Women's Month, one of the country's most influential women will take centre stage for a moment that transcends celebration. Media mogul, entrepreneur and global brand architect Bonang Matheba will be honoured with the prestigious 2026 Trailblazer Award at the fifth annual Basadi in Music Awards, cementing her place among the most transformative figures in African entertainment. The glittering ceremony will take place on Saturday, 8 August, at the Joburg Theatre, where the entertainment industry will unite to celebrate a woman whose career has consistently shattered ceilings and redefined success for African women. Presented under this year's theme, "REWIND", and the campaign "Africa to the World...

SCORPION KINGS LIVE: Official website launches as park-and-ride tickets go on sale

3Aug

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Entertainment

SCORPION KINGS LIVE: Official website launches as park-and-ride tickets go on sale

By Sitha Maliwa: Organisers of Scorpion Kings Live have launched the event's official website and opened sales for park-and-ride tickets as preparations gather pace for the highly anticipated concert at FNB Stadium on 19 September. The new website, scorpionkings.live, will serve as the central hub for fans seeking official information about the event, including announcements, updates and exclusive content in the lead-up to the stadium show. The platform also gives visitors the opportunity to revisit highlights from the inaugural 2025 Scorpion Kings Live event while offering a closer look at what audiences can expect when the Amapiano showcase returns on a bigger scale this year. In a move aimed at improving the event-day experience, organ...

VOICES OF A GENERATION: Simphiwe Dana and Thandiswa Mazwai receive Gallo Renaissance Award

31Jul

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Entertainment

VOICES OF A GENERATION: Simphiwe Dana and Thandiswa Mazwai receive Gallo Renaissance Award

By Sitha Maliwa: Two voices. Two trailblazers. Two women whose music has become woven into the fabric of South Africa's cultural identity. As Gallo Music marks an extraordinary 100 years of shaping, preserving and championing African music, the iconic record company has joined forces with the Basadi in Music Awards to bestow one of its most prestigious honours on legendary artists Simphiwe Dana and Thandiswa Mazwai. The pair will receive the special Gallo Renaissance Award, a recognition reserved for women whose artistry, influence and unwavering commitment to African storytelling have transformed the musical landscape and inspired generations. The announcement forms part of Gallo Music's centenary celebrations, a milestone that ref...

TYLA RETURNS: APOP announces a new global era

30Jul

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Entertainment

TYLA RETURNS: APOP announces a new global era

By Sitha Maliwa: From the streets of Johannesburg to the world's biggest stages, TYLA is no longer simply South Africa's biggest musical export - she is a global phenomenon rewriting the rules of pop stardom. The multi-platinum, two-time Grammy Award-winning sensation has officially unleashed her long-awaited sophomore album, A*POP, a bold 14-track project that signals the beginning of an exciting new era in her extraordinary career. Following the historic success of her debut album TYLA, the singer returns with a collection of songs that effortlessly blend her signature African sound with contemporary global pop. Featuring chart-topping singles such as "CHANEL," "SHE DID IT AGAIN," "IS IT," and "IS IT LOVE," APOP has already...

ZEE WAS THERE: Spain took the trophy, but Zee and her king understood the assignment!

23Jul

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Entertainment

ZEE WAS THERE: Spain took the trophy, but Zee and her king understood the assignment!

By Zee: If there was one place to be on Sunday, 19 July, it was the Smirnoff ICE Fan Park at Wakanda Village in Sandton. And, of course, Zee was on the guest list - arriving arm-in-arm with her handsome partner, serving effortless style and reminding everyone that some people simply don't miss when it comes to fashion. Let's just say... the assignment was "look good," and we both passed with distinction. While football fans had their eyes glued to the giant screens as Spain battled Argentina in a nail-biting final, Zee couldn't help but notice another competition unfolding—the unofficial contest for best dressed. Jerseys were out in full force, designer sneakers made their appearance, and sunglasses stayed on long after the sun had g...

KINGS LIVE: Amapiano stars trade the stage for service in Soshanguve

22Jul

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Entertainment

KINGS LIVE: Amapiano stars trade the stage for service in Soshanguve

By Sitha Maliwa: The music stopped. The microphones were put aside. And the stars of Amapiano swapped the bright lights of the stage for paintbrushes, cleaning equipment and the laughter of children. In a powerful show of giving back, the Scorpion Kings Live team marked Nelson Mandela Day on Thursday, 16 July, with an emotional visit to Jehovah Jirah Orphanage in Soshanguve, Pretoria, turning a day of celebration into one of service, compassion and hope. The initiative brought together some of the biggest names connected to the Amapiano movement, including Thatohatsi, Nicole Elocin, Dadaman, Dynamic Duo, Myztro, LeeArt, Soweto's Finest and others, who joined the team in dedicating far more than the symbolic 67 minutes to making a...

MMABANA: The cultural centre that shaped Mahikeng’s talent

22Jul

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Entertainment

MMABANA: The cultural centre that shaped Mahikeng’s talent

By Katlego Rammusa: For decades, Mmabana Cultural Centre in Mmabatho has played an important role in developing young talent in Mahikeng and the broader North West province. The centre has been associated with several well-known names in South African music, theatre, dance and the arts, including HHP, Presley Chweneyagae, Morafe, Mo Molemi, Khuli Chana, Aus Tebza, Thebe Lenyora and Stone Seate. For many young people, Mmabana was more than a cultural centre. It provided an opportunity to develop skills, interact with other young artists and explore different forms of creative expression. One of the centre's defining features was the way young people shared skills with one another. Students were encouraged to explore different disc...

COME ROYALTY RETURNS: Celeste Ntuli Leads an All-Star Line-up

8Jul

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Entertainment

COME ROYALTY RETURNS: Celeste Ntuli Leads an All-Star Line-up

By Sitha Maliwa: Award-winning comedian and entertainment powerhouse Celeste Ntuli is set to make a triumphant return to the stage with the 2026 edition of Celeste & Da Big Dudes, taking place on Saturday, 8 August 2026, at Emperors Palace. What began as a comedy show has evolved into one of South Africa's most anticipated live entertainment experiences - a celebration of humour, culture, storytelling and unapologetically South African voices. Year after year, Celeste & Da Big Dudes has drawn audiences eager to witness some of the country's finest comedic talent share one stage, creating moments that linger long after the final punchline. The 2026 edition promises to raise the bar once again. Joining Ntuli on stage will be...

HOMECOMING OF A VISUAL REVOLUTIONARY: Zanele Muholi returns to South Africa with landmark exhibition

7Jul

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Entertainment

HOMECOMING OF A VISUAL REVOLUTIONARY: Zanele Muholi returns to South Africa with landmark exhibition

By Sitha Maliwa: After captivating audiences from New York to Venice and earning some of the world's highest honours in contemporary photography, internationally acclaimed South African visual activist and artist Zanele Muholi is finally bringing a major solo exhibition home. Opening on 18 July at Southern Guild Cape Town, Kanye Nawe - Alongside You is more than an art exhibition. It is a homecoming decades in the making – one that celebrates identity, honours memory and reclaims stories that have too often been pushed to the margins of history. Occupying the entire Southern Guild gallery at Silo 5 in the V&A Waterfront, the exhibition presents more than two decades of Muholi's groundbreaking work through photography,...

FIVE TRACKS, ONE REVOLUTION: Lelowhatsgood reimagines Gqom

4Jul

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Entertainment

FIVE TRACKS, ONE REVOLUTION: Lelowhatsgood reimagines Gqom

By Sitha Maliwa: South Africa's Gqom movement has never stood still, but few artists have dared to challenge its boundaries as boldly as Lelowhatsgood. With the release of his explosive new EP, Rebirth Is Necessary, the SAMA-nominated creative is not simply releasing new music - he is igniting a new chapter for one of the country's most influential genres. Fresh off the success of his acclaimed EP Next Level and the momentum generated by the lead single Ba Ko Kae, Lelowhatsgood returns with a five-track project that refuses to play by the rules. Rebirth Is Necessary is a fearless artistic statement that stretches the sonic and cultural possibilities of Gqom, blending tradition with innovation in a way that feels both revol...