Fashioning Modern Africanism

Idols Judges :Somizi, Thembi and JR In an electrifying performance night,  Idols SA 's top six contestants took center stage, first offering a nostalgic nod to memorable opening auditions and later setting the stage on fire with tunes from Grammy Award winners. Envic  Envic emerged as the first contestant to own the stage, in homage to Karabo's rendition of Nathi’s  Nomvula . He then  delivered a heartfelt performance of   When a Man Loves a Woman  by David Foster. "You're destined for stardom," noted Somizi Mhlongo, while JR Bogopa advised him on fine-tuning his stage theatrics. Faith Faith Followed, revisiting Lennymars' autdtion with Daniel Caesar's  Best Part  and later grooving to Marvin Gaye’s  Sexual Healing . However, the night wasn't entirely in his favour. "You must grasp the essence of a hit song," critiqued Somizi, with Thembi Seete adding concerns about the song's arrangement. Niikiey Astonishing everyone with her take on Tha

Idols SA  top 7 give the best performances of their careers in a spectacular Showstopper The final-ever Showstopper in  Idols SA  entertained its way into the history books as one of the most outstanding in the competition’s 19 seasons. With flames, fireworks and sensational choreography coming to the  Mosaïek Teatro  stage, it was the perfect setting for the unveiling of the top 7. Making the cut, in no particular order, were: Envic, Faith, Niikiey, Nkosi, Princess, Thabo and Thando. It was unfortunately the end of the  Idols SA  journey for Sena. In a special twist, Sena still performed her Showstopper number despite elimination, taking on Rihanna’s  Rude Boy .  Preceded by a dazzling guest appearance from Ntate Stunna and Nthabi (singing  Stimela ), the top 7 gave the most entertaining performances of their careers thus far, fighting for precious viewer votes to bring them one step closer to clinching the ultimate prize. Kicking things off was Nkosi with Usher’s  Good Kisser , to mi

It was a night of euphoric highs and incredible performances as the  Idols SA  top 8 paid tribute to one of the biggest-selling and most celebrated artists of all time. The season 19 finalists sang songs from the playbook of  American Idol  judge Lionel Richie, reminding everyone why they are in the hottest competition on TV by showing off their artistic range. The songs were chosen by each finalist’s family.   Performing in the top 8, in no particular order, were: Thando, Sena, Envic, Niikiey, Thabo, Princess, Nkosi, and Faith. Sadly, it was time to bid Lungelo goodbye.   Before the top 8 were unveiled, the top 9 kicked off the show with a spirited performance of the Ami Faku, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small hit  Abalele . That was followed by Inkabi Zezwe – the duo of Big Zulu and Sjava – who brought their track  Sayona  to the  Mosaïek Teatro  stage.   First to perform in the top 8 was Thando, who took on  Love, Oh Love . The judges had praise and pointers, with JR Bogopa saying: “T

Last night Idols SA  season 19 contestants brought romance as they sang songs that make weddings fun, d espite the pressure being the most intense it’s been so far, this week’s  Idols SA  edition was a celebratory one, as the newly minted top 9 hit the stage in their wedding best. Following viewer votes, making it to the  Idols SA  season 19 top 9, in no particular order, were: Niikiey, Lungelo, Faith, Nkosi, Thando, Princess, Thabo, Envic, and Sena. Sadly, it was time for Lungile to say goodbye to  Idols SA . The theme saw the top 9 perform songs from the ultimate South African wedding playlist, bringing i-step to the florally decked-out Mosaïek Teatro stage.  Niikiey kicked off the show with Malaika’s  Mmatswale , to praise from the judges. Somizi Mhlongo had career words of advice: “Do you want to make a lot of money in music? Then this is your genre, mntwan’am. It was your concert.” Next to take the stage was Lungelo, who took on Etta James’  At Last . The judges loved her performa

South African media personality, Somizi Mhlongo, levels up as he expands his empire with SOMPIRE KIDS. In an exciting business move, the Idols SA judge and reality star has announced the official launch of his childrens’ clothing line, SOMPIRE KIDS: Brave Enough To Be Yoself. The brand’s slogan speaks to encouraging positivity and confidence in children while they boldly step up in the most fashion forward version of themselves. SOMPIRE KIDS: Brave Enough To Be Yoself, started off as a passion project for Somizi, but has now evolved into something much bigger. Identifying a gap in the market for childrens’ clothing, the media personality decided to create a line that combines fashion, comfort, style and sustainability. The brand produces high-end, trendy, and comfortable clothing ranging from onesies to dresses, t-shirts, two-piece sets and outerwear for children aged 2 – 12 years of age, striking a balance between fashion-forward designs and practicality, allowing children to move fre

Hello, hello, Hi! This past weekend I was going through the YouTube socials on my telly not knowing what to watch, so I was just checking on everything that looked interesting there. I then suddenly remembered a media colleague, Selloane, posted something about Gareth Cliff’s YouTube channel. I searched Gareth Cliff and the interview with Unathi Nkayi came up. And what an interview it was! I used to have a crush on Gareth Cliff, his radio voice and opinions made me think and interrogate my views at all times. I remember I would change between radio stations; I would one minute listen to FiveFM and the next minute I’m on Umhlobo Wenene. I did that with Gareth and Dj Fresh and CK August (Mthobeli) of Umhlobo Wenene. Those three really did radio good.   Back to the Unathi, the entire podcast is candid, this is the very first time we hear and see Unathi being this honest and not showing any signs of constraint. We all know that Unathi knows how to best give the sweet persona, but thi

“We must never forget the task God has given us,” Mohale texted Somizi on the morning of their traditional wedding. “Our wedding is going to be a story told in a way that will shake the entire continent and help people understand that loving a person of your same sex was never and will never be wrong.” In 2020, when  Somizi & Mohale: The Union  set a then-record for the most first day views on Showmax, it felt like a historic moment: a mainstreaming of gay marriage on a continent where it’s still largely illegal, in a country where two men marrying each other was only legalised in 2006.  Watch the trailer: Somizi & Mohale: End of the Road  unpacks their relationship, its public breakdown amid the leaked audio of Mohale accusing Somizi of abuse, and what this meant to fans and the broader LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa.  Somizi & Mohale: End of the Road  follows on from the reality series  Living The Dream With Somizi  S5 and the tell-all special  Mohale: On The Record ,

Aldrin Sampear, The Host  of  Unfiltered  on SABC 3 and the drive time show  Beyond The Headline  on SAFM just wrapped up the one on one Interview with Mohale for Showmax Origianal. The Showmax special will premiere on 4 August 2022, first on Showmax.  Mohale and his husband Somizi Mhlongo became the poster couple for gay marriage in South Africa when their SAFTA-nominated 2020 wedding special,  Somizi & Mohale: The Union , was labelled The Union of the Year and set a then record for the most first day views on Showmax. Their relationship was also a central focus on  Living The Dream With Somizi  S4, which won the 2020 SAFTA for Best Structured or Docu-Reality Show.  As Aldrin says, “As a queer person, their union has been a celebration of what many would love to achieve but, because of societal norms, have struggled to. Some of us even lived our fantasies through their love story and became invested in it.” But Somhale wasn’t the fairytale union it seemed. This became clear when t

The first episode starts with Somizi listening, for the first time, to the leaked audio of Mohale’s abuse allegations. This is followed by a frank video call with Vusi Nova, where they discuss how Somizi feels and some of Mohale’s claims about Somizi’s sex life. This sets the tone for an explosive episode, which also features  Lockdown  star Lorcia Cooper asking Somgaga directly, “Did you hit him?”.  “ Living The Dream With Somizi S4  won the 2020 SAFTA, while  Somizi & Mohale: The Union  broke Showmax’s then-record for first day views when it launched,” says Candice Fangueiro, Showmax’s head of content. “So having shown fans the build-up to the wedding, and the ceremonies themselves, for balance, we wanted to also explore everything that followed.”    Watch the trailer:  The season starts in the second half of 2021, with Somgaga’s career at a crossroads: he is taking time off from  Idols a nd Metro FM, and has replaced his management team with himself. “If I thought iCovid was the

Fancy having a Candid conversation in the middle of goat yoga, anyone? How about a relaxed dinner after an intense archery session? 1Magic’s newest talk show,   Downtime with Somizi,   will give viewers this and more when it debuts on DStv Channel 103 on 1 April 2022. Hosted by the multi-talented entertainer Somizi Mhlongo, the new 13-episode series is a talk show with a twist: Somizi chats with a pair of guests during an activity that takes them outside of their comfort zone as they take part in an outrageously fun and quirky experience for the first time, before heading to a relaxed and lowkey dinner where themed topics will be explored in-depth.   From Peggy-Sue Khumalo and Connie Ferguson talking about the beauty of love and the pain of loss, to Ntsiki Mazwai and Thandiswa Mazwai waxing lyrical about telling it like it is ,  Downtime with Somizi  will offer viewers a deeper glimpse into some of the most famous and celebrated names in the country.   Of course, sharing a meal with So