Latest African

Nolo Phiri is working on a new series aimed at empowering young female creatives in the industry. /Supplied

Actress and producer Lehlogonolo Nolo Phiri, who is an influential figure in South African entertainment and a trailblazer in empowering young creatives, is set to launch a ground-breaking project: Leading Ladies.

Leading Ladies is a 10-part roundtable series in celebration of South African female industry leaders.

She hasn’t given details of whether it will be flighted on TV, or on a podcast or on what platform.

Leading Ladies will feature insightful discussions with prominent women in South African television. Through in-depth conversations, these women will share their journeys, experiences, and knowledge. They will be offering mentorship to up-and-coming talent in the industry.
Celebration of women’s voices and talents in the industry

Phiri said the new project is one that represents a celebration of women’s voices and talents in the industry.“Leading Ladies will bring together South Africa’s top female creatives to share insights and amplify their voices. They will be shaping storytelling from the inside out. The series will celebrate the grit, vision and authenticity women bring to the screen. Because when we tell our stories, we make room for all stories,” said Phiri.

Phiri is well known for her unforgettable role as Niki on Rhythm City (2011-2018). Over the years she has made a significant impact both on-screen and behind the scenes.

An Honours graduate from Wits University’s School of the Arts, Phiri’s career began with a major in fine arts at the National School of the Arts.

She has produced celebrated documentaries and dramas, including Muvhango for SABC. And she has collaborated on projects with Mzansi Magic, Showmax, eTV, Netflix.
Cultivate, empower next generation of creatives

She is also the founder of Girl Next Door Media. And she dedicates her career to cultivating and empowering the next generation of creatives.
She brings a unique blend of storytelling, audience engagement, and an eye for detail, honed from years of experience as both an actress and a producer. in 2020 the sultry actress lost her job as an associate producer in SABC2’s soapie Muvhango. This was after she allegedly secured a role at a rival production without the knowledge of her then boss Duma Ndlovu.

Music producer and founder of gospel music power group Joyous Celebration, Dr Lindelani Mkhize, is calling for forensic investigation for KZN Music House. This after he found out that the KZN Music House company has been deregistered.

KZN Music House is located in Durban and was registered in 2008 as a private company. The directors were Lindelani Mkhize, Joyce Mqadi, the late Joseph Shabalala and the late Mbongeni Ngema.

 

 

 

 

 
It was later closed, but this year in May, it was reopened by Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba. He is the former MEC of Sports Arts and Culture.
No annual returns submitted

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) records show the company never submitted its annual returns. This led to its deregistration.

“I am one of the founders of KZN Music House. And I was one of the directors. The purpose was to assist KZN artists so that they don’t leave KZN but do everything in their home province.

“We submitted the proposal to the KZN government, and it was approved. The department advised us to open a company so that monies can be paid directly to the institution. These monies were supposed to help KZN artists,” said Lindelani.

“Everything was fine until we were sidelined. The department signed another contract with one of the KZN Music House directors. Millions of rands were paid into his company.

“The department never bothered to call us. Instead, we were excluded. As a result, KZN Music House collapsed. But monies were still being paid towards it,” explained Lindelani.

He said he is still shocked and disappointed at the department’s shenanigans.
Mkhize claims they were sidelined

“We had big plans for that institution, but the department and this director collapsed it. I’m still not happy because what we presented to the department is not what is happening today. A forensic investigation needs to take place in that institution,” said Lindani.

But the spokesperson for the Department of Sports Arts and Culture, Ntando Mnyandu, said there were no directors.

He said Lindelani and others were service providers appointed to operate Music House. “That contract between KZN Music House NPC and the department expired in 2017. The deregistration of the KZN Music House has no legal bearing on its status.

“[KZN Music House] remains a state-owned facility under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. It does not receive funding from the department. And it is operated by Arts Development, a wing within the department,” said Ntando.

Popular actor Mlungisi Mathe is set to return to Umkhokha: The Curse on Mzansi Magic, reprising his role as Sibusiso Maphalala.Entertainment commentator Jabu McDonald confirmed Mathe’s comeback in the hit faith-based telenovela.Mathe took a break in 2023 when the storyline saw Nkanyiso Mchunu’s character, Mlungisi, take his own life.

ALSO READ: e-tv Cancels Isiphetho Destiny After Just One Season

In the show’s plot, Mamzobe (portrayed by Deli Malinga) blamed Sibusiso for her son Mlungisi’s tragic death, which aired on September 22.

 

 

 

 
The character Mlungisi, who led the Mvelase church, died after a night out with his brothers and best friend Sibusiso, leaving Mamzobe convinced that Sibusiso had influenced him against his half-brother Siphamandla.

Mlungisi Mathe is also known for his memorable role as Emkay in SABC1’s Skeem Saam, where he played the friend of Fanie Maseremule, who was killed by Lehasa in 2021.Mlungisi Mathe is a South African actor who currently plays the role of Emkay in the SABC 1 soapie Skeem Saam. He is also a Mashandi singer known in musical circles as Skhandi Boy. On Skeem Saam, Emkay is a promiscuous young man, but he claims that in reality, he is different. How far valid is that claim? Let’s find out as we explore the Mlungisi Mathe Biography.

Mlungisi Mathe Profile Summary
Skhandi
Skhandi: Image source @Instagram

Real Name : Mlungisi Bafana Mathe
Gender: Male
Date of Birth:14 July 1990
Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
Ethnicity: Black
Nationality: South African
Occupation: Actor, Singer
TV Shows: Skeem Saam, Rhythm City
Instagram: @skhandi_kid
Net Worth: US$150 000
Where is Mlungisi Mathe originally from?
Emkay
Emkay: Image source @Instagram

Mlungisi Mathe was born and bred in Zonkizizwe, Katlehong, near Johannesburg on the East Rand of Gauteng. He was raised in a Christian home by his parents together with two other siblings. Since childhood, Mlungisi loved participating in church activities, and as he grew up, he began participating in church activities till he became a youth leader for his church. Mlungisi gradually became serious with worshipping God till he decided to become a Pastor.
When did Mlungisi Mathe get a breakthrough?

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and Rachel Kolisi have made headlines after announcing their divorce following eight years of marriage.Recently, Rachel’s podcast episode, Rachel Kolisi: How To Lead Your Own Life, resurfaced and highlighted the strain their relationship faced due to long periods of separation.In the episode, Rachel shared the challenges of Siya’s career demands, which often required him to be away for months at a time.“You just get so used to it and kind of get on with life,” she shared, noting how technology helps them stay connected but mentioning the importance of presence in relationships.

 
Rachel emphasized her frustration with people not being fully present with loved ones, particularly when phones interfere with quality time.

The podcast episode has since gained attention, with listeners resonating with her message on prioritizing presence in relationships.What Rachel Kolisi said:

“From the beginning, you know, we have always had situations of him being away for one, two, three, four months at a time and you learn to kind of live with that,” Rachel said on her podcast.

“I have friends whose husband will travel for three days and then (they say to me) I don’t know how the heck you do this, this is insane.You just get so used to it and so yeah, you kind of just get on with life and I mean, there’s so much access over the phone that’s been made a lot easier now to stay connected.

“It’s like a pet peeve for me, it’s like when people are with one another like at a dinner or something and someone’s on their phone, like it’s just an absolute no-no for me.”

“It’s just something that I cannot stand. I’m like, if you are going to take the time, then be there, you know, be there, be present and there.

“There’s so much nonsense … I think that that is just the most inappropriate and the most disrespectful thing people can do is just to be on their phone.

“It’s different if you, you know, there’s something really important that’s coming or an emergency with the kids or you trying to sort something out, that’s a completely different situation but to sit and be like on Instagram when you’re with people and that like just works on my nerves.

“I just think the time that you do make for people, make sure that you’re fully present because that goes a long way with people, just making them feel like they’ve got your full attention, your mind is nowhere else, your eyes are nowhere else, they’ve just got you, that can last you a good few months.”

Umkhokha supporting actress Alizwa Sikhafungana, who plays the role of Gabisile Gumede, has paid tribute to her on-set sister Kwanele Mthethwa.

Mthethwa, who plays Nobuntu, made an exit this week after there were reports that she was one of the actors leaving the Mzansi Magic telenovela.

 

 

 

 
Taking to social media, Sikhafungana posted a video of her on set. In it she is with her fellow colleagues saying goodbye to Mthethwa on her last day on set.
Saying goodbye to colleague

“Miss you so much sister, cannot wait to work with you again,” she wrote.

In November 2023, Mthethwa joined the cast of Umkhokha after Kwezi Ndlovu fell pregnant. Ndlovu shared snaps of herself in a swimming costume on holiday in Mauritius.

In the post, she also shared an image of her holding the hand of a mystery man. This left fans curious as to who the father of her unborn baby is.

Entertainment commentator Jabu Mcdonald then made the announced. He stated that fan-favourite Umkhokha: The Curse actress Kwezi Ndlovu has been replaced with Kwanele Mthethwa.

“Kwanele Mthethwa has joined #UmkhokhaTheCurse and will be taking over Kwezi Ndlovu’s character as the new Nobuntu,” tweeted Mcdonald.

Recently Zimoja reported that three top actors have allegedly been sacked from the telenovela. They include Msizi Njapha who plays Khulekani, his on-screen wife. Also Angel Zuma, who plays Nomkhosi, and Mthethwa.
Three actors reportedly fired

The actors are said to have been fired because of bad behavior at work and their diva tendencies during shoots. A reliable source said Msizi was coming late on set. Some days he would appear intoxicated and delay production.

Currently, Umkhokha is completing Season 2. There is still no word from Mzansi Magic whether they are renewing contracts for Season 3 or not. However, there have been rumou

The accusations against Oscar Mbo include allegedly interrupting Makhadzi’s set at the Macufe festival by removing her USB, as well as prematurely ending Karishma’s performance at FNB Stadium.

Mbongeni Ndlovu, better known by his stage name Oscar Mbo, was the target of attacks on social media on Sunday.

This follows Makhadzi’s allegation that Oscar Mbo took away her USB during her performance at the Cultural Urban Festival Africa in Bloemfontein at the weekend.

 

 

 
In response to the accusations, Oscar Mbo stated that he and the promoter had agreed to split Makhadzi’s set time, with him playing for 20 minutes and Makhadzi performing for 20 minutes.

“I have said it over the phone, and I am saying it again; if that did really happen, I am saying sorry, my sister,” said Oscar Mbo.

“The common denominator is the event promoter; that is why I said let us get them to issue out a statement regarding the incident.”

The Yes God hitmaker asked why Makhadzi remained silent between 4am and 3pm.

Additionally, he asserted that he was receiving criticism on social media from people who were calling him a villain.
Blame the event promoter

“Can we please be on the same page and attack the people who are in the wrong, which is the event promoter and organiser,” he said.

Since then, Makhadzi has removed the post in which she vented her frustrations.

The dispute comes after the DJ was criticised for allegedly cutting short Kharishma’s performance at the Blouberg Spring Annual festival, which took place on September 28 at Senwabarwana Stadium in Limpopo.

After the social media commotion, Oscar Mbo apologised in Kharishma’s post’s comment section.

“The communication we had with the promoter of the event and the change of times was clearly not communicated,” he wrote at the time.

“We were booked for three events, and they were all done by one promoter; they changed times on one show, and it affected all three shows.”

Sophie Ndaba was one happy soul on the old Generations playing the role of Queen Moroka and working at Ezweni Communications.

 

 

 

 

 

She created a name for herself during her serving years as a Generations actress. She was full of life and very vibrant on the show and also in real life.

However, Sophie later faced health difficulties which resulted in her losing weight drastically. After appearing in the media for the first time after her sickness, people began talking badly of her and that changed her mood completely as she no longer smiles as she used to and she is longer appearing as a happy soul of lively and vibrant.

Nonetheless, despite her problems, stress, and illness she is still aging slowly as she looks younger than her age.

One would assume that she is in her late 30s only to find that that’s not the case. Sophie is actually in her late 40s as she was born on 29 June 1973, making her 48 years this year.

In a twist that left fans of Skeem Saam on the edge of their seats, Lehasa returns from prison, ready to start a new chapter with his love, Pretty, only to uncover secrets that shake his world. What he thought would be a fresh start quickly turns into heartbreak and betrayal, leading to a fierce battle both in his personal life and in the courtroom.Lehasa’s Return and Wedding Plans

Lehasa was finally released from prison, and his reunion with Pretty was set to mark the beginning of a happier chapter for the couple. Eager to start their lives together, Lehasa envisioned a beautiful future, and his focus was on settling down and building a life with Pretty. However, the joy was short-lived as a hidden truth began to unravel.
Pretty’s Secret: Ownership and an Unlikely Romance

 
Unknown to Lehasa, Pretty had made significant changes in his absence. Not only did she transfer ownership of Lehasa’s property into her name, but she also engaged in a secret relationship with one of Lehasa’s sworn enemies. The betrayal shook Lehasa, who felt blindsided by the shocking revelation. This surprising twist raised questions about Pretty’s true intentions and whether her love for Lehasa was ever genuine.
Legal Battle: Lehasa Sues Pretty but Faces Defeat

Outraged by Pretty’s actions, Lehasa decided to sue her to reclaim his property. His determination to take back what he considered rightfully his led him straight into a legal showdown. But despite his efforts and strong resolve, the case did not go in his favor. Pretty emerged victorious in court, leaving Lehasa empty-handed and emotionally crushed.
Fans React to the Drama

The unexpected turn of events in Skeem Saam has stirred intense reactions among fans, who are divided on the issue. Some sympathize with Lehasa, believing he’s a victim of Pretty’s deceit, while others see the outcome as karma for his past actions. The storyline has sparked debate on social media, with the hashtag #SkeemSaam trending as fans discuss the complexities of love, trust, and betrayal.
What’s Next for Lehasa and Pretty?

With their relationship hanging by a thread and trust shattered, the future for Lehasa and Pretty remains uncertain. Will Lehasa find a way to forgive her, or is this the end of their love story? And will Pretty’s actions come back to haunt her?

Sindiswa Dlathu (born January 4, 1974)[1] is a South A🇿🇦frican actress and musician. She is well known for portraying Thandaza[2] Mokoena on Muvhango, a role she played from the show’s inception in 1997 until her departure in 2017.
🪕
2020
Dlathu left Muvhango to play a leading role in the telenovela The River, where she plays the role of Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana, a fierce woman who would do anything to protect her wealth and maintain her lavish lifestyle.
Career
💥
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Dlathu was cast as the lead role’s understudy in the stage version of Sarafina!. In the screen version, she worked alongside Whoopi Goldberg and was commissioned as an assistant choreographer to Michael Peters. In 1988, with the second cast led by Seipati Sothoane whom Sindi understudied. When the play went on tour, she stayed behind and did Township fever in 1989–1990 touring the US with the play for a year.
🎗️
Dlathu then returned to school after four years of being with Mbongeni Ngema’s committed artists. She completed her matric in 1996, and then went back to performing arts, stage plays in 1997 she was in the FNB Vita Award-winning Game, where she performed with Mary Twala, Abigail Kubeka, and the late Nomhle Nkonyeni.
She won the award for favourite actress at the 2020 DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Dlathu, as Lindiwe Dlamini-Dikana from The River, appeared in a crossover episode of The Queen as the friend of the lead female character, Harriet Khoza – Sebata.
🔗
In 2021, she won SAFTA award in Best Actress category for her role of Lindiwe in The River.

South African actress and singer Simphiwe “Simz” Ngema’s partner, Tino Chinyani, recently became the focus of online speculation following accusations that he has been flirting with younger women.

The claims surfaced on Twitter soon after the couple celebrated their gender reveal party for their expected child.A Joyful Celebration Amidst Growing Speculation

 

 

 

 

 
On social media, Simz Ngema and Tino Chinyani, who are both popular in South African entertainment circles, shared photos from their gender reveal event.The celebration had a white-themed decor, and the couple seemed overjoyed as they announced the news of their upcoming baby. Fans flooded their pages with congratulations, expressing excitement for the next chapter in their lives.

However, the joy surrounding their announcement was soon dampened by a Twitter post from a user named Diet Coke, who claimed that Chinyani was still actively “DMing” other women, despite being in a committed relationship and soon-to-be father again.

The tweet read, “Lmfao he kills me because he’s DMing women on IG each and every day and still a present father.”The allegations against Chinyani quickly gained traction on social media, sparking debate among Twitter users. Some people expressed disappointment in the model’s alleged behavior, citing the need for loyalty and respect within relationships, particularly during pregnancy. They argued that if true, these actions might affect Ngema’s well-being, adding stress during what should be a joyful period.

Despite this, many fans quickly jumped to defend the couple, arguing that public discussions like this are inappropriate and can be harmful, especially while Ngema is pregnant. One user commented, “And I get this right, but Simz is pregnant guys. Social media bores me so much because you guys forget how to be decent on here. This seems like something that, if it got to her attention, could really trigger her. Could you not let her get through her pregnancy first?”

Other comments echoed this sentiment, with fans expressing confusion about why someone would choose to publicly question the model’s loyalty. “Lmao Why does it bother you so much. Do you also want him to dm you?” one user wrote, pointing out the irony in calling out Chinyani’s alleged behavior as if it were a personal grievance.

Simz NgemaManaging Public and Private Life: The Challenge of Fame

The incident raises questions about the impact of public opinion on celebrities’ personal lives. Simz Ngema and Tino Chinyani have both led lives in the public eye, navigating both praise and criticism as popular figures. However, pregnancy is a sensitive time, and many fans argued that the scrutiny could create undue stress for Ngema, potentially affecting her emotional and physical health.

While celebrities’ lives are often placed under a microscope, some fans questioned the ethics of discussing intimate issues online, particularly when the matter could be based on rumors. For Ngema and Chinyani, managing this scrutiny can be challenging, as they juggle private relationship dynamics alongside a very public lifestyle.