Daily News 2025-01-28

In a momentous achievement for South African cinema, the isiXhosa film The Last Ranger has been nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. The awards are scheduled to take place in March in Los Angeles. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has congratulated the crew for the nomination. “We are confident that it will continue to make an impact on the global stage and we eagerly await the Oscar ceremony on 2 March 2025, hopeful for yet another triumph,” he said. Directed by Cindy Lee, the film draws inspiration from the true story of Thandi, a rhino that miraculously survived a brutal poaching attack at the Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, and the brave woman who took on the fight to…

Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, has had its fair share of praise and controversy since its release. While the film racked up multiple accolades, including prestigious awards at the Cannes Film Festival and Golden Globes, as well as 13 Oscar nominations, the glow surrounding it has been dimmed by strong criticism. The film tells the story of an attorney (Zoe Saldaña) who helps her drug lord client, Manitas (Karla Sofia Gascón), retire and transition. However, critics have pointed out that several elements of the film feel disingenuous and, at times, downright offensive. It is in this space where the broader themes of misrepresentation and marginalisation rear their heads. One of the most significant criticisms levelled at Emilia Pérez is its portrayal of Mexican culture and the transgender community. Critics…

In the realm of hip hop, where the narrative often champions youth, South Africa is witnessing an unprecedented transformation. This vibrant musical landscape, deeply woven into the fabric of local culture, is now bursting with young talent aged 20 to 29, who are poised to redefine the genre, blending powerful storytelling with an authenticity that resonates beyond borders. As they rise to prominence, these artists channel their experiences and surroundings, showcasing the very essence of South African hip hop on the global stage. Among this new generation, a select few are making waves and capturing the attention of fans and industry leaders alike. Let’s explore some of the key figures reshaping South African hip hop. Usimamane Hailing from Umlazi, south-west Durban, Usimamane (real name Omuhleumnguni Simamane) has been surrounded by…

Miley Cyrus isn’t going to “get involved” in her apparent family feud. The 32-year-old pop superstar is thought to have become somewhat estranged from her father Billy Ray Cyrus, 63, in recent years after he divorced her mother Tish before tying the knot with singer Firerose, 36, in a short-lived marriage. But now, insiders have claimed that while she was once “overwhelmed” by the drama, she has now “removed herself” from it. A source told People magazine: “Miley used to feel overwhelmed by the family drama. She worked hard to remove herself. She’s not about to get involved again.” Despite this, another source recently claimed that Miley – who shot to fame as a teenager when she took on the title role of the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana and…

The “saviour” of the free world, Donald Trump has vowed to sweep aside the crazy mess left behind by Joe Biden. Among other things, Trump is going to do Israel, and the West, a massive favour by defunding so-called aid organisation UNRWA, which is actually nothing else but a Hamas organisation. At first, even I didn't want to believe it, but the UN, UNRWA in particular, along with Qatar, Iran and Turkey's Erdogan, have been working side by side in attacking, deligitimising and publicly shaming Israel. These Middle Eastern countries, along with UNRWA, have been protecting, shielding, fighting on behalf of and supporting Hamas, for decades now. Believe it or not, some Israeli hostages have been discovered to have been kept in hospitals, and hear this.....inside UNRWA shelters. Go…

MORE than 30 years after he murdered anti-apartheid fighter, Chris Hani, Janusz Walus said if he had to do it over, he would take Hani's life again. "It was necessary. It had to be done. And it's dismissed from my mind," Walus said. The 72-year-old Polish national showed no remorse or emotion in a sit-down interview with eNCA's Annika Larsen, aired on Sunday night. He said Hani's murder was purely political and not orchestrated by Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader, Eugène Terre'Blanche, or any apartheid forces. Walus was arrested alongside Conservative Party founding member, Clive Derby-Lewis, the mastermind behind Hani's assassination. The men were arrested shortly after Hani's death and sentenced to death. This sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2000. Derby-Lewis died in November 2016, while Walus was…