Fashioning Modern Africanism

With just three weeks to go until the 17 th   edition of MTN Bushfire festival taking place from 31 May to 2 June at House On Fire in Eswatini, the festival is thrilled to announce this year’s headlining act – the internationally revered, legendary pioneers of the Malian Blues genre,   Amadou & Mariam! With  a career spanning almost 50 years, Amadou & Mariam have asserted themselves as the ultimate ambassadors of Afropop. They have enjoyed international success, collaborated with some of the world’s greatest names (Damon Albarn of Blur, Santigold, Scissor Sisters, Theophilus London, Amp Fiddler) and toured the world’s largest festivals. Over the course of their decades-long career, they have taken the Malian Blues that made them a household name and opened it up to Rock, Hip Hop and Disco influences, spreading their Afropop message and joie de vivre.  The duo is a perfect and welcome addition to the MTN Bushfire line-up as they replace the previously announced headliner, Nneka,

TV presenter, actress and singer Ntombee Ngcobo-Mzolo will host the reunion special of  The Mommy Club  S2, premiering on Showmax on 10 June 2023.  Now in its second season,  The Mommy Club  set the record for the most social media views of any reality series on Showmax and has seen the entire cast trend at the same time on X when a new episode drops.  “I am here to give the people what they want… No fear, no favour.” Ntombee Ngcobo-Mzolo The dramatic Season 2 finale featured a spiritual medium; the throwing of champagne; and confrontations where the mommies put all their issues on the table - so there is a lot to unpack at the reunion. There is a clear divide in the group. On the one side, you have Hermajesty and Mrs Mops and, on the other, Nunurai, Ratile Mabitsela and newcomer Mrs Sande, who was recently seen on social media hanging out with Hermajesty - has she switched camps? Newcomer Nozipho Ntshangase has remained neutral. “As a fan of  The Mommy Club,  I am excited that I will

Get ready to experience the ultimate fusion of luxury and sporting prowess as Johnnie Walker Blue Label proudly unveils its inaugural appearance  in the  second installment of the esteemed Johnnie Walker Polo event, set to take place on 2 June   2024. As the icon of luxury in the world of Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is thrilled to bring its signature sophistication to the exhilarating sport of kings. This year, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Polo promises to dazzle attendees with an unprecedented twist – it will mark South Africa's premiere evening polo event. As the sun sets, the thrill of the game will ignite under the stars, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury and excitement. And leading the charge in this majestic affair is none other than Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the epitome of refinement and sophistication in the world of Scotch whisky. The Warrior Polo event promises to be a spectacle of elegance and skill, attracting polo enthusiasts, celebrities, and ta

The Showmax Original "Empini" is set to premiere on 23 May 2024, with new episodes on Thursdays. Empini, an action-packed, 52-episode drama set in the dangerous world of private security. ”I love the challenge of playing older characters: they give me so much to learn and to work with.” Nqobile Sipamla Alongside multi-award winner Nambitha Ben-Mazwi and three-time SAFTA winner Siyabonga Thwala, the trailer gives us our first glimpse of Nqobile Sipamla as Masasa Fassie. Nqobile is a household name from shows like  Ikhaya   , Imbewu - The Seed, The Wife S3, Diep City, Abo Mzala, Ashes To Ashes, Shuga, Home Affairs  and many more. In  Empini , she plays a gracious, humble, resilient, and deeply private woman, whose association with a former lover sees her become the centre of attention. “ Empini  is an edgy show that will have viewers thoroughly entertained,” says Nqobile. “It will showcase the intricate dynamics of how it is sometimes necessary that some secrets be kept for the

You can always count on Nomzamo Mbatha to keep you on the edge of your seat. Three years after her first international breakout role in Eddie Murphy’s  Coming 2 America , she takes the lead in the sci-fi thriller  Assassin , sharing the screen with the legendary Bruce Willis in his final role.  Her diverse roles include the long-running hit drama  Isibaya , the award-winning film  Tell Me Sweet Something  and South Africa’s most Googled TV show last year,  Shaka iLembe , as Queen Nandi, where she also served as the executive producer.  With  Assassin  premiering on Showmax this Monday, 13 May 2024, Xabiso Ngqabe sat down with the Durban-born SAFTA and Africa Movie Academy Award nominee to find out more. Watch the trailer for Assassin What drew you to the role of Alexa in  Assassin ? I loved the idea of delving into the thriller and sci-fi genres because I haven’t had the chance to explore them before. When I got the opportunity to sit down with the director after completing all the aud

Soweto born musician Soulful G together with renowned Dj KSB and popular hit-maker Leemckrazy recently teased Tiktok with an unreleased "umaqondana" song, and it quickly gained traction and went viral within a week leaving fans begging for more. Today, 10 May 2024, The musical genius trio has officially dropped their highly anticipated song "umaqondana". This infectious track is set to captivate the popular amapiano culture with it's irresistible beats and soul-stirring vocals     Stream “Umaqondandana”  Here "Umaqondana " is more than just a song - it's a heartfelt isiZulu love song that speaks to the universal theme of romance and meaningful relationship connection. With Dj KSB's signature production style, Leemckrazy's hit-making magic, and Soulful G's heart-piercing vocals, this collaboration promises to be another musical journey that will keep music scenes abuzz. “My Love for Love has always been my biggest inspiration. Having to

If you don't know this about me, now you know. I live for gheigh tv. When Showmax comfirmed  Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show as one of the shows streaming this April, I was excited to tap into th is darkly funny documentary series about the Emmy-winning comedian’s tumultuous quest for love, sex, and truth. The HBO Original had its world premiere at SXSW in March 2024 and is now coming express from the US to Showmax on Wednesdays.  The first episode kicks off in the build up to the 2022 Emmy Awards, where Jerrod was nominated for his guest appearance hosting  Saturday Night Live  for the first time, as well as for Writing for  Rothaniel,  his Bo Burnham-directed comedy special where he came out as gay publicly.  Since winning the Emmy for  Rothaniel , Jerrod has gone on to host the Golden Globes, won a Writers Guild of America Award, and been nominated for the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for  Poor Things , which went on to win four Oscars.  At the start

  New True Detective, The Cleaning Lady; first seasons of Fellow Travelers, Black Ops TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY  | Binge from 22 April When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace.  To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice. Night Country  is the most watched season of  True Detective , as well as the best-reviewed, with a 92% rating on  Rotten Tomatoes .  The critics’ consensus there says, “Frighteningly atmospheric and anchored by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis' superb performances,  Night Country  is a fresh and frosty variation on  True Detective 's existential themes,” while  The Guardian ’s 5/5-star review says, “a blazing Jodie Foster makes this show better than ever before.” Similar