Month: August 2024

Talented musician Kwesta, real name Senzo Vilakazi will star alongside Bontle Modiselle in Black Brain Pictures’ film, Piano Love.

KWESTA: ‘THE IDEA OF ACTING HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE’
The rapper Kwesta tells Sowetan that he initially turned down the role in Piano Love until filmmaker Mandla N changed his mind.

 

 

 

 
“The idea of acting has always been there. I’d always tell my friends, ‘Yazi one day, I’d like to try out acting’. But it wasn’t something I’d follow through,” he said.

“I’d often say I’ll produce a funny movie and just act in it for the fun of it, not in a serious way, because I respect the art and the craft immensely and I wouldn’t want to disrespect it. This is why I initially said ‘no’ to Mandla when he called and told me about the script and the idea of me playing lead in his film.”

Vilakazi adds that Mandla called him two or three days after declining the role to asked if he could come to his office.

“I went there. He painted a picture of the film’s plot and how he couldn’t find someone who raps in life and can embody this character way better than me,” he said.

The musician also says the filmmaker told him that he represents people from the hood very well as a musician.

Mandla wanted Kwesta to translate all of that on screen. He saw how passionate and excited he was and eventually agreed.
MORE STARS JOIN ‘PIANO LOVE’
The award-winning rapper Kwesta will be joined by choreographer Bontle Modiselle-Moloi in Piano Love.

Other stars to join the musician include former Scandal! star Given Stuurman as well as actors Bheki Sibiya and Peter Mashigo.

The upcoming film is produced by Mandla N from Black Brain Pictures, who confirms to TshisaLIVE that the film depicts the state of the music scene in South Africa today.

“I had to do something nice and huge for the culture. I couldn’t find anyone to finance so I financed it myself and sold it to Netflix,” he says.

He adds that the Ngud hitmaker will make his acting debut and was coached and trained to get him camera-ready.

The film is a love story set in the streets of Soweto and premieres on Netflix on Friday, 23 August.

Today (Sunday 18 August 2024) marks 100 days till lights out in South Africa if millions of prepaid electricity meters are not updated. Similar to concerns over Y2K at the turn of the century, if prepaid meters are not updated with the correct software, they will cease to function on Sunday 24 November 2024, reports Business Tech.

Earlier this month, The South African reported that municipalities have known about the lights-out warning for two years now. Prepaid electricity meters require a special code from the local municipality to ensure no lights out in South Africa. Either the user or a local representative can punch this code in, just like you would any other electricity voucher.

 

 

 

LIGHTS OUT IN SOUTH AFRICA
lights out in South Africa
Many worried residents have contacted us about what to do. Continue to read on below … Image: File
Eskom and local municipalities say they’ve been rolling out the update process, but time is running out. Moreover, the Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau has come out in the media, trying to spurn tardy municipalities into action. He believes failing to update the system won’t just inconvenience the few who won’t be able to purchase electricity. He says failure on a large enough scale will knock the lights out in South Africa and potentially risk a ‘full system shutdown’, reports The Citizen.

Furthermore, the sequence of token identity numbers that unlock prepaid electricity on your machine, only have a certain lifespan. And this lifespan runs out on Sunday 24 November 2024 (24/11/24). Meter’s therefore need a ‘reset’ code, which must be entered into the prepaid meter like a normal recharge code.

HOW FAR ALONG IS THE PROCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA?

2.9-million Eskom machines still need to be updated. Image: File
Unsurprisingly, the DA-run Western Cape is streaks ahead of the rest of the country to stave off lights out in South Africa, according to SALGA:

Currently the Western Cape sits at 96% updated.
The national average is 75%.
There are roughly 12-million prepaid meters in South Africa.
Of the 6.9-million STS-complaint prepaid meters run by Eskom, only 4 million have been updated with new software.
The leaves 2.9 million Eskom customers still to switch over.
4.6 million are managed by municipal customers (not Eskom).
BUSY 100 DAYS AHEAD
lights out in South Africa
The 24 November 2024 doesn’t only affect South Africa but other countries all over the world. Image: File
To put those figures into perspective, roughly 30 000 prepaid meters per day need to be completed to beat the 100-day deadline. That’s 500 every hour! You should contact your local municipality urgently for your codes if you have not already done so.

You will need to enter in one of two 20-digit recode tokens and wait for it to be accepted.
Then there is a second set of 20 digits to enter. Wait for it to be accepted, too.
Finally, purchase and load a top-up prepaid electricity token to see if it’s worked.
HAVE YOU INPUTTED YOUR TOKEN YET?
lights out in South Africa

Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s children bid farewell to her on Saturday, 17 August at her funeral, which took place at the Durban International Convention Centre.

The 52-year-old broadcaster passed away on Monday, 12 August from lung cancer.

‘ZANELE MBOKAZI HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR MOTHER’
Nonjabulo Mdluli, who was Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s niece reveals how Mbokazi-Nkambule loved her like a daughter after her biological mother [Qondi] died a few years ago.

 
“Our mother [Qondi] told Lindo and myself on her deathbed that she was not leaving us alone.”

“When mom [Zanele] was still alive, she’s always been our mother. I think she [Qondi] trained me for this day, but I was never ready.”

“There were signs that Ma-Zanele was leaving. Just a week before she [Zanele] got her diagnosis, I broke my ankle. Mom and I work together, side by side,” says Nonjabulo,

“She would say things like, ‘I’m sick Njabulo.’ And she’d cry, and mom usually never cried, that’s when I knew that she was really sick.”

Mbokazi-Nkambule has two children, Yolanda and Mawande Myeza. However, she had always referred to Mdluli as her daughter. Mdluli was also Mbokazi-Nkambule’s PR manager.

BREAKING NEWS:ALLEGEDLY#RIPZaneleMbokazi #LeadershipoverPolitics pic.twitter.com/uEAZyvzK1C

— BREAKING NEWS:ALLEGEDLY (@LEADERSHIPOPM) August 17, 2024
‘CANCER TOOK OUR SISTER AND MOTHER’
Zimoja reports that Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s cousin, Weh Harris revealed at her funeral that the media personality was not the first family member to get diagnosed with cancer.

Harris adds that Mbozaki-Nkambule learned she had cancer at the final stages of her illness.

“We don’t want to hear the word cancer at home. It took our sister, as well as our mother. I ask that you pray for us, so it does not continue to take our family members.”

“But by the grace of God, we pray that it doesn’t take any more of our family members. Zanele was in pain, she struggled. She fought and tried to be strong. But we thank her husband Bishop Nkambule, because people did not understand why they disclosed her condition and diagnoses.”

“But we are happy he did because he gave people a chance to pray for her and she received love and support.”

Harris also says people usually say cancer can be beaten. But Mbokazi-Nkambule’s cancer was in the wrong place. She was diagnosed in the final stage. Cancer is very painful, and she was in pain.— BREAKING NEWS:ALLEGEDLY (@LEADERSHIPOPM) August 17, 2024
‘SIBONGILE & THE DLAMINIS’ STAR SAYS MOM WAS SUPPORTIVE
The Sibongile & The Dlaminis star Khwezi Myeza, who’s the daughter of the late media personality, Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule previously revealed to Sunday World that her mother was supportive.

“My parents have always told me I need to live my life. They are big on what you as an individual want to become and making that dream come true. They help by supporting me.”

“It has never been a thing of I did this so you must do that. I have never had that pressure from my parents.”

Myeza added that she was never pushed by Mbokazi-Khambule to get into the entertainment industry.

“My mom was not in acting and when she did radio back then I was not even born. Her having knowledge about the industry did help because it opened my eyes a lot and gave me some sort of comfort.”

The mortal remains of Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule have arrived at the ICC, where she will be honoured with a

Dr Rebecca Malope trended on X on Saturday after she fell while performing at Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s funeral.

Mbokazi-Nkambule’s funeral service was held on Saturday, 17 August at the Durban International Convention Centre.

ZANELE MBOKAZI-NKAMBULE LAID TO REST
The video of Dr Rebecca Malope falling at Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule’s funeral was shared on X by @shad_myshadz.

Social media users were divided by the video as some were concerned for the gospel singer, who appears to have tripped on her dress, while others revealed that it’s probably part of her “signature performance”.

 

 

 

 

@khumodinake asked: “Was that a genuine fall or part of the act?”

Malope was among various artists and government dignitaries gathered to pay tribute to the 52-year-old broadcaster, who passed away on Monday, 12 August from lung cancer.SOUTH AFRICANS RESPOND TO REBECCA MALOPE FALLING
@BonisiweMkhize6: “Hope she didn’t get injured shame.”

@Mbeh27: “Awww mama bakithi. At first glance I thought it’s part of the signature performance fall!”

@Jonowelele: “We used to her falling and crawling, so?”

@DrQabaka: “Tripped by the spirit.”

@tumiwmj: “I was convinced she was singing “Ya wa lembewu”.

@nthabeeMo: “Is that the Lundi signature fall? Or?”

@BrendaChaukeS: “She tripped on her dress guys. Mara ka gore ke sis Ribs, it blended in seamlessly.”

@Mfoka_Jobe: “·We can’t even trust even she was falling or part of her stuck, and who is that aunt calling her now? Is that an Engel form heaven?”

The mortal remains of Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule have arrived at the ICC, where she will be honoured with a Special Provincial Official Funeral

In a move that mirrors the lifestyle of the famous polygamist Musa Mseleku, Samkelo Shezi, the son of celebrated South African DJ Tira, has officially welcomed his fourth wife, Amahle Khumalo, into his growing family. The announcement has sparked widespread interest and conversation, as Shezi openly embraces the traditional practice of polygamy.

In a move that mirrors the lifestyle of the famous polygamist Musa Mseleku, Samkelo Shezi, the son of celebrated South African DJ Tira, has officially welcomed his fourth wife, Amahle Khumalo, into his growing family. The announcement has sparked widespread interest and conversation, as Shezi openly embraces the traditional practice of polygamy.

 

 

 

 

 
 

Following in the footsteps of Mseleku, who is renowned for his multiple marriages and the hit reality show Uthando Nes’thembu, Shezi has expressed his intention to expand his family further. “I aim to have ten wives, just like Musa Mseleku,” Shezi stated confidently. His latest marriage to Amahle Khumalo is seen as a significant step toward realizing this ambitious goal.

Amahle, who hails from Hlengiwe Khumalo, is reported to be thrilled about joining the Shezi family. The wedding was a private affair, attended by close family and friends. With this addition, Shezi’s household continues to grow, blending tradition with modernity in a way that captures the imagination of many.

Shezi’s polygamous lifestyle has drawn both admiration and criticism. Supporters praise him for maintaining cultural practices, while critics argue about the challenges and complexities that come with managing such relationships in contemporary society. Despite the differing opinions, Shezi remains undeterred in his mission to build a large, united family.

As he continues to make headlines, many are eager to see how Shezi’s journey unfolds and whether he will indeed reach his goal of ten wives, following in the well-trodden path of Mseleku. For now, Samkelo Shezi stands as a symbol of modern polygamy, balancing the pressures of public life with the responsibilities of a growing family.