Fashioning Modern Africanism

Iconic whisky brand Johnnie Walker recently celebrated its 200th anniversary through a culture defining collaboration that saw the brand take over Nelson Mandela Square with a first of its kind Johnnie Walker Concept Store. The fomo inducing Concept Store experience, which received mass assent from consumers, was preceded by the brand’s announcement of a limited edition capsule collection in partnership with renowned fashion jaggernaut, Rich Mnisi who designed vibrant statement pieces for the eponymous collection which immediately sold out during the store’s 4-day run at the iconic Sandton City landmark. The brand further raised the bar and set a higher precedence on what it means to be “hot in culture” through other  merchandise partnerships with fan favourite street wear brands including DIPSTREET, Publically Private, Kaylin Car and Good Friday which were also sold at the Johnnie Walker Concept Store.   Following the success of the Johnnie Walker Concept Store, the 200 th   birthday

Popular music has a way of capturing an audience, a signature engraved to moments that give us nostalgic feelings even years later. Kenton Lee is a South African award winning producer, guitarist, and singer-songwriter who personifies popular music through passion and heart.  Kenton Lee embodies this fact through smart writing and clever musical production sincerely based on quality and experience. Born in Kwa-Zulu Natal and raised on the coastlines of Durban, playing in church bands from a very tender age, he honed his musical craft at Natal Technikon, where he studied music. His move to Johannesburg proved to be the key in exposing his talent and musical skills. He was quickly working with legendary musicians such as Dawnay, Lira, Sasha-LeeDavids, Lloyd Cele, and Denim amongst others. maLamborghini is a reprise track that was released in 2015 featuring artists MXO and Patty Monroe. It has since taken on a new sound and path that sees Kenton Lee featuring MO-T (Micasa). Written by MXO

A beneficiary of the era where ‘Igoli’ was indeed the city of gold, Slovaz received his industry recognition in a time where the South African entertainment industry was breaking boundaries and creating television history.  Born Kicky Khumalo , the Kwamashu native encapsulates the lifeblood  of Kwaito through authentic music virtuoso. Nearly 17 years in the making and perfecting of his craft, Slovaz has been in the exciting field of music and television since 2001.  In 2004 he appeared in the controversial local drama Yizo Yizo 3. Th ere he played a character of himself, a young man from KwaMashu, coming to Jozi to pursue his dreams and ambitions of breaking into the entertainment industry and starting a music empire.  He was also featured on the soundtrack of Yizo yizo 3, with his big hit “Sho Sgebengu” which led him to work on a full album with revered producer D-Rex. And in 2005 he released his debut album titled Impilo Kalova where he featured Kwaito heavy weights Big Nuz and Bhar.

Season 1 became the fastest Showmax Original to top one million views when it launched in August 2020. The half-hour show, which trended at #1 on Twitter, was hailed as “explosive” by Chrizelda Kekana on Timeslive, while The Star’s Debashine Thangevelo added that it “pulls no punches… one of the best celeb-driven reality shows I’ve watched in a while. The woman at the heart of it is independent, feisty and a tour de force." Life With Kelly Khumalo S1 is up for a South African Film and Television Award for Best Soap Structured Reality TV Show, where its only competition is from two other Showmax Originals: Lebo M - Coming Home and Somizi & Mohale: The Union.  A household name by 21, Kelly is one of South Africa’s biggest music stars, who’s been named Best Female Artist at the South African Music Awards, sold millions of albums, and opened for Grammy winner Missy Elliott, with over two million followers on Instagram alone. Since Season 1, she’s launched her eighth studio album,

After being part of five great seasons of Mzansi Magic’s popular telenovela, The Queen, Loyiso MacDonald is leaving the telenovela. The Actor plays the composed character of Kagiso Khoza who is affectionately known as ‘’Sgaqagaqa’’. According to Mzansi Magic's Statement the actor is leaving the telenovela to pursue other endeavors, but there was no comment from the actor himself - rise eyebrows.  “MacDonald has entertained our viewers over the past five seasons and  over the years many of them have fallen in love with his character. As Mzansi Magic, we would like to thank him for his contribution and  wish him well in his future plans . It is always sad when a talent leaves a show. However, that is the nature of the business. It also means we are a platform that grows individuals to be more daring and more explorative,” says Nomsa Philiso, the Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.

                        Johannesburg, South Africa  – With Africa Day approaching later this month, TRACE Africa today confirmed its new brand direction to increase airplay of the best and freshest Southern African music on the channel.   In a further commitment to remain at the forefront of entertainment trends and movements, TRACE Africa plans to launch a differentiated, memorable and unexpected music experience for their audiences, with an injection of more homegrown hits. The offering: a  brand new tone of voice and direction to be ' t he pulse of Mzansi streets'. And a lot more local music!   Also as a dedication to the celebration of the streets of Mzansi and the launch of the new brand repositioning, TRACE Africa will be hosting their first music takeover this year.   ‘THE TRACE AFRICA TAKE OVER  will take place at the Altitude Beach in Fourways next Saturday, 22 nd  May and will feature some of South Africa’s finest headliners including:   BOITY BLACK MOTION LEMON AND H

JozEEst, formerly known as JozEEst headcover designs introduced their sister brand with a new fashion capsule collection. JozEEst Fashion, owned by Zeliha Gultekin Karodia born and raised in Istanbul.  Zeliha studied fashion design at Mimar Sinan University. She worked as a fashion designer for 12 years in Istanbul and visited many International Fashion Trend Expos in Europe. Zeliha says creating this collection her inspiration was African Women's character traits. Bold, energetic, active, modern African women. JozEEst knitted garments are created using wool blended yarn to provide comfortable and high quality designs with South African fresh produced materials. JoZEEst style is comfortable, Trendy and versatile. "While designing this collection, I wanted people to experience knitwear in a very versatile way, because my designs are comfortable and can be worn all day long. Therefore, I designed ready to wear garments suitable for them to create different styles paired with Joz

Producer and composer, Lebo M and Angela Ngani-Casara are set to go their separate ways after another attempt to build a family.  The couple have previously been married to one another. “We had hoped that the third attempt would have been the final one in both our lives,” said the couple in a joint statement.   “We have tried hard and we are proud of our efforts. Regrettably we simply did not connect,” they concluded.   The couple recently featured in their TV reality show,  Lebo M – Coming Home  on Showmax, which has been nominated for a 2021 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for Best Structured Soap Reality Show.     The couple request privacy as they try to heal and navigate the new chapters of their