Fashioning Modern Africanism

Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku stars as Sihle Biyela in the hit new Showmax Original  Outlaws , which is currently at #1 on the streamer’s Top 20.  From Tshedza Pictures ( Adulting ,  The River ,  The Republic ), the modern-day Western tells the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts’eoles.  To say Nirvana is showbiz royalty is an understatement. She is the daughter of legendary musos Bheki Mseleku and Tu Nokwe; her aunt is Mango Groove vocalist Marilyn Nokwe; and her grandparents are Durban thespian Alfred Nokwe and opera singer Patty Masuku. Nirvana started singing professionally when she was just four years old - with the likes of Mam Busi Mhlongo and Bra Hugh Masekela.  While she’s been on screen before, including playing Mbali in the International Emmy-nominated crime series  Reyka ,  Outlaws  is her breakthrough lead role. We spoke to the multi-talented artist to find out more.  What attracted you to this role?

South Ahh, do you remember the Savanna 330ml 12 Pack? The people spoke, and, again, Savanna listened in true Siyavanna fashion. Your favourite value pack is officially back on shelves. We know some days are best spent outside, but on other days, the perfect setting is in the comfort of home with your people. And it’s for those days that 12 crisp, dry Savanna Premium Ciders are best suited to qualify you as the host with the most when the squad links up at the home base.  Think braais, house parties, pizza nights, boys’ nights, girls’ nights, and those movies and series marathons – you set the occasion with a dozen reasons to love Savivi. “We know there are countless reasons to love Savanna, but we’ve highlighted 12, packaged in value for Savanna’s loyal fans and the social settings we enjoy. We’re excited to bring back the Savanna Dry 330ml 12 pack, and of course, with the same crisp and dry taste of the Savanna Dry we know and love.” says Kayla Hendricks, Brand Manager of Savanna Cide

Bryoni Govender, who placed as first runner-up at the Miss South Africa 2023 finale last month, is delighted to be representing South Africa at the 72 nd   Miss Universe Competition which takes place in El Salvador on November 18. The pageant was last held in the Central American country in 1975. Govender was named Miss Universe South Africa , and will be the first person of Indian heritage to represent the country since  Miss South Africa 1997 Kerishnie Naiker was placed in the Top 10 at the Miss Universe pageant in 1998. “I have always believed that being different is a superpower and becoming the second South African of Indian descent to represent our beautiful country on the international stage is a testament to that fact. I will be giving the competition my all and have already started extensive preparations. “I cannot describe how excited I am to start this Miss Universe journey and, as this new chapter unfolds, I am fully committed to my support of   women equality in South Afri

Showmax has dropped the teaser for the second instalment of  The Real Housewives of Lagos.  The first season broke the first-day streaming record on Showmax in Nigeria and was the only African title to crack the top 10 most-watched shows on the streaming service in 2022 across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. In addition, the Season 1 reunion scooped the award for Best Costume Designer at the prestigious 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), where the show was also competing for Best Television Series, among other categories. In the second season of the show, we see the OGs, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo; celebrity designer and stylist Toyin Lawani Adebayo; and socialites and businesswomen Chioma Ikokwu, Laura Ikeji-Kanu and Mariam Timmer, as well as two newcomers: fashion entrepreneur Tania Omotayo and socialite Faith Morey, both former models.  Watch Trailer⬇️ Tania is no stranger to the limelight. Speaking on her reality TV debut, the 32-year-old wife and mother of

Organisers of the highly anticipated entertainment and lifestyle experience today announced the return of Cotton Fest Cape Town, set to take place at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday, 25th November 2023.  Back for the second edition in Cape Town later this year, Cotton Fest celebrates the new wave of talent through music, fashion and lifestyle. More than just a music festival, this multi-layered youth culture experience will once again include 2 concert stages, limited curated clothing and other  merchandise, a selection of food stalls and an interactive sports area. Known for merging both established and upcoming South African talent, Cotton Fest also showcases the diversities in music while fusing the gaps within the different local current movements.  Cotton Fest Cape Town will feature some of South Africa’s finest talent performing over 2 stages.  THE FESTIVAL - The COTTON STAGE will feature headline artists from across the country while the second STAGE will fea

In a world that often seeks conformity, Relay Jeans continues to embrace the spirit of individuality with its iconic tagline, 'Be Undefined.' This philosophy champions the idea of breaking free and embracing authenticity, unapologetically being true to oneself. In this pursuit, Relay Jeans is thrilled to unveil its latest campaign, 'Relay Jeans: Sound of Denim,' a harmonious celebration of individuality and personal expression through music. To celebrate music creativity and innovation, as well as to launch a first-of-its-kind music experiment through  crafting an exclusive denim-led soundtrack which highlights the significant cultural connection between denim and music, the brand partnered with Joshua The I AM – a young, creative, multi-talented music producer, songwriter, and recording artist, to lead this project with the support of the talented Siphe Tebeka as a Co-Producer. The exclusive denim-led soundtrack explores and captures unique sounds from the different de

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

In the spirit of love and dramatic flair, Mzansi Magic is premiering its brand-new reality wedding show, Forever Thina. The show will premiere on Sunday 10 September at 19:00, taking the popular Sunday Sisonke slot. Forever Thina shatters all the rules by featuring couples who take the daring step of marrying within three days, all without the consent of their families. Love will be tested, and secrets will unravel as couples walk down the aisle to reveal their life-altering decisions. The show will be steered by LaConco, a host with the knack for keeping things straightforward. Her diverse range of experience, ranging from voice-over artist to presenter roles in hit shows like The Real Housewives of Durban and Our Perfect Wedding, adds the ideal layer of authenticity to Forever Thina. LaConco is not just a television personality; she's a force. Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels, says, "Sunday nights have long been a time when families come together to

Now streaming on Showmax,  Outlaws  is the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts’eoles.  South Africa’s first modern day Western series,  Outlaws  is created by Tshedza Pictures’   Phathu  Makwarela  and Gwydion Beynon, who’ve won five Best Scriptwriting SAFTAs in the past four years for smash-hit shows like  The Republic  and  The River , which was also nominated for an International Emmy.  Outlaws  is Tshedza’s second Showmax Original, building on the success of  Adulting , which set a record for the most first-day views of any drama on the streaming service.   Fresh faces Lehlohonolo Mayeza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku co-star as Leruo Ts’eole and Sihle Biyela. Also look out for two-time SAFTA nominee Siyabonga Shibe ( Shaka iLembe ,  The Wife, Gaz’lam ) as the Biyela patriarch and Mmabatho Mogomotsi (Snowey in  Yizo Yizo ) as the Ts’eole matriarch, not to mention the likes of SAFTA winner Nolwazi Shange (

South African audiences can’t get enough of reality TV, with POP24’s  The Mommy Club  and  This Body Works For Me  topping the charts on Showmax currently, not to mention  Love Island UK ,  Love Island USA ,  Themba: My Inked World  and  Nganele  all in the top 20.  With  The Real Housewives of Gqeberha  now streaming, and  The Real Housewives of Lagos  S2 coming at the end of the month, here’s a round-up of the Showmax hits everyone is talking about:  JUST LAUNCHED:  The Real Housewives of Gqeberha S1   | Binge now Get ready to see a side of Gqeberha you’ve never seen before in  1Magic’s  The Real Housewives of Gqeberha . Meet stylish events planner, mother and wife Norma Nicol (who married into Ghanaian royalty); sought-after MC and award-winning businesswoman Buli G Ngomane; dedicated mom, former construction project manager and recent widow Liz Prins; successful salon owner and the wife of the city’s former mayor, Unathi Faku; and Ashleigh Mather, a wife and mom who works in the fa