Fashioning Modern Africanism

Alexander Skarsgård’s breakthrough role in the series  True Blood  saw him play Eric Northman, a thousand-year-old Viking prince-turned-hot-vampire. Now, after winning an Emmy for  Big Little Lies  and being nominated for  Succession , Skarsgård headlines  The Northman  - as a Viking prince determined to avenge his father’s murder.  • Written and directed by Cannes and Sundance winner Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) • Starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Björk • Nominated for 2023 Critics Choice Super Awards for Best Fantasy Movie and Best Actor  • “A breathtaking visual marvel” Rotten Tomatoes, where it has a 90% critics’ rating  Not released in South African cinemas,  The Northman  was up for Best Fantasy Movie at the 2023 Critics Choice Super Awards, where Skarsgård was also nominated for Best Actor.  Written and directed by Cannes and Sundance winner Robert Eggers ( The Witch ,  The Lighthouse ),  The Nort

Buckle up, Neighbours! We are thrilled to let the cat out the bag and announce the latest addition to the HEY NEIGHBOUR festival line-up. He's a global hip-hop sensation, a 17-time Grammy winner, and a lyrical genius - Yes, it's Kendrick Lamar, and he'll be hitting our stage to bring the house down!        The Hey Neighbours team had promised you more beats and surprises, and we believe adding this powerhouse artist who's known for his thought-provoking lyrics and groundbreaking music, cranks up your anticipation a notch or two. Kendrick Lamar joins the dynamic line-up alongside Swedish House Mafia, H.E.R., Khalid, and The Chainsmokers, each set to deliver a mind-blowing performance at one of Africa's most eagerly anticipated music festivals. Now, with Lamar confirmed as the Day Two headline act and the completion of  Phase One lineup, it's time to assemble your festival squad, plan your epic outfits, and figure out your travel. Don't fret, though; we've

The ground-breaking What About the Boys? programme is set to deepen the work being done with young men across the country to promote healthy concepts of masculinity and tackle the challenging reality of Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). On 22 June 2023, stakeholders from the private, public, civil and media sector convened at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Johannesburg to launch the 2 nd annual implementation of the programme, which is set to support more boys on its quest to raise a nation of good men. What About the Boys?, which was first rolled out across high schools in 2022 and reached 15 000 boys, is a project of youth-development specialists Primestars involving multi-media content (a film, educational booklet, and online resources), as well as hands-on mentorship interventions.   It provides an educational and supportive space where boys learn to manage their triggers while understanding the importance of respect, empathy, and dignity in all relationships. A

Prepare to be wowed as Mzansi Wethu premieres one of its most daring productions yet –   KwaNjomane   from 15 July at 20:30. This 13-part reality show is set to ignite passions, challenge conventions and captivate audiences with its enthralling exploration of love, taboo lives, and extraordinary spiritual encounters. Building on the channel's success of telling authentic and thought-provoking stories,  KwaNjomane  will showcase a unique family with an unconventional lifestyle. Each episode will follow the lives of the Mhlongo’s, led by the Matriarch Smangele Mhlongo alongside her children and sister, who have long been stigmatised by their community due to their perceived taboo way of living. This extraordinary family believes in challenging societal norms and seeking answers while navigating the universal quest for love. Smangele Mhlongo, the leader of the family, is a strong and independent Gobela, whom, together with her children, embarks on a journey that explores their sexuali

Former Miss Universe and Miss South Africa title holder Zozibini Tunzi makes her television series debut as the host of the very first Miss South Africa television show, Crown Chasers , which starts on SABC3 on Saturday, July 8, at 16h00. In the 5 x 60-minute series the Miss South Africa finalists are placed in real life scenarios that include challenges based on the four pillars of Miss South Africa – duty, championship, empowerment and beauty. A challenge winner will be chosen each week by a judging panel comprising of Bonang Matheba and Leandie du Randt as well as a weekly celebrity guest judge. In addition, at the end of each thrilling episode, the judges will vote off one of the contestants, with the seven remaining finalists going through to participate in the live grand finale on August 13. Speaking of her role in the series, Zozibini Tunzi, who made her big screen debut in last year’s The Woman King , says: “Hosting a TV series for the first time has been a beautiful expe

In it's sophomore year the Stimorol FlowLab ups the ante by providing a unique platform that brings together passionate music enthusiasts and talented creators. Since inception FlowLab has created an unprecedented opportunity for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This year the Stimorol FlowLab will further accelerate artistic growth by hosting a workshop in August where established artists will assume roles as mentors to their emergent counterparts. The workshop's content will see experts in the music industry in position to educate and address challenges typically faced when navigating the profession. Celebrated artists such as Kamo Mphela, Major Steez, Musa Keys and Dee are expected to be key guides at the workshop. Stimorol has provided music makers with experience and opportunities of access to the industry. The FlowLab platform launched a playlist for last year's crop of artists in residence whereby their song creations were adapted onto the Manifesto video. One of

After winning our hearts for decades, on 23 February 2022, Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado, an icon, rapper, producer, and hip-hop artist, lost his battle with mental illness.   WATCH HERE   LISTEN HERE AT MIDNIGHT        Before he passed, he tweeted his final tweet; “I’ll return a stronger man”. One year later, during youth month, his track ‘Stronger’ will be dropped.  The newly formed Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism is behind the release of the track. The foundation aims to bring attention to the issue of deteriorating mental health and well-being, as well as raise funds to support the efforts of individuals and organisations who promote mental well-being.   In collaboration with a range of partners, including TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris, and Sony Music Africa, the foundation has created a place to respond to Riky’s rallying call to care for young people. “Please believe in young people. Give them as many opportunities as they need to prove themselves. At any cost”, Riky tweet

Early reviews are glowing. Cape Talk’s Sara-Jayne Makwala King calls the Showmax Original “edge-of-your-seat” and “jaw-dropping”, adding, “Rosemary’s Hitlist is easily the most gripping crime story since Devilsdorp…” Ndlovu was sentenced in 2021 to six concurrent life terms for the murders of six members of her family, including her sister and the father of her only living child at the time. They were murdered for killsurance: funeral cover payouts worth over R1.4 million to Ndlovu.  Ndlovu was also sentenced to an additional 30 years: 10 years each for fraud, incitement to commit murder, and the attempted murder of her mother, Maria Mushwana, her sister Joyce, and Joyce’s five children.  Watch the Rosemary’s Hitlist trailer:  Rosemary’s Hitlist  is produced by IdeaCandy, the company behind the SAFTA-winning true-crime sensation  Devilsdorp , and directed by Valen’tino Mathibela (the first season of  The Real Housewives of Durban, Lebo M - Coming Home ), with SAFTA winner Richard Grego

E xtreme  – the invigorating alcoholic drink with a distinctive apple taste – is known for spreading positive upliftment through the power of dance. This started with the launch of ‘Bula Sekele’ (meaning “Make the Circle Bigger”) in 2022 – a successful and hugely popular platform that proudly represents the brand’s purpose. From showing that dance has the power to uplift communities, to connecting with South African consumers on a new level, they knew that this was the start of something big. This year, taking ‘Bula Sekele’ even further with a new partnership featuring Soweto’s Finest – a home-grown, world-class dance crew who draw inspiration from their roots, Soweto.  “Already inspiring crowds with their passion for dance and the spirit of ‘Bula Sekele’, Soweto’s Finest is living proof of Extreme’s ethos that dance has the power to uplift and change lives” says Extreme’s Brand Manager, Nontsikelelo Gumede. Check out the launch video of our new partnership  here . Ziyakhala manje!  On

Following the announcement of Cotton Fest Durban recently, the highly anticipated music and lifestyle festival today announced the line-up for their inaugural show in the 031. Taking place on Sunday, the 2nd July at the Kings Park Stadium Outer Fields, the festival will merge both established and young emerging talents performing live across two energy packed stages. The urban music and fashion explosion aims to  showcase the diversities in various popular music genres with the aim of fusing the gaps within the different local movements. Celebrating through the culture via music, fashion and sport, the already almost sold out show will feature over 60 of South Africa’s finest young musical talent including: As always, the entertainment-filled festival will include various other lifestyle elements to keep the crowd entertained, including The Tuckshop (Retail Fashion Store featuring local brands), the Sports Arena (Skateboard) and the Cafeteria (Food Court). Other dope elements including

The 2023 winner will be crowned at Sun International ’s flagship venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria on Sunday, August 13. It promises to be a spectacular and entertainment-packed show and will fittingly take place during Women’s Month. They are Ané Oosthuysen, Anke Rothmann, Bryoni Govender, Homba Mazaleni, Jordan van der Vyver, Keaoleboga Nkashe, Lebohang Raputsoe, Levern "Donnatella" José, Lungo Katete, Melissa Nayimuli, Nande Mabala and Natasha Joubert. The contestants represent five provinces – Gauteng has five (including two from the Vaal Triangle and one from Tshwane), followed by the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape with two each while the North West boasts one finalist. They are an impressive group and include a lawyer, a sport scientist, a pharmacist and a four time graduate who has degrees in psychology and medical sociology. The winner of the People’s Vote was Lungo Katete from Midrand who has a Master’s degree in Architecture from