Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-03-18 i Pretoria News Weekend

Rising 28-year-old South African dancer and rapper Costa Titch (born Costa Tsobanoglou) died after collapsing on stage last Saturday while performing in Johannesburg. Titch entered the entertainment world as a dancer with Cassper Nyovest, another South African hip hop megastar, before trying his luck as a rapper, often dabbling in the country’s amapiano dance music genre. He had a huge hit with his track Big Flexa and was destined to shine bright on the country’s music scene. Being white, Nelspruit-born Titch brought new colour and a distinctive flavour to the music scene with his use of African languages, earnest experiments in cultural subversion and elaborate urban dance routines that challenged the “white men can’t dance” myth. There are other reasons why Titch’s role in the country’s music scene can be…

Avril Lavigne is filming a tell-all documentary. The 38-year-old singer has joined forces with Disney+ to create a documentary exploring her journey in the music business. A source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “Avril has been hard at work on this in-depth documentary for a while now and the makers have hundreds of hours of footage. “She talks at length about her life, from how she got her break in music. Some of her showbiz pals will also be in the film talking about her. Avril was a teenager when she released her hit debut album so her career has been interesting. There’s a lot to talk about.” Meanwhile, Lavigne previously admitted that she found teenage stardom to be “really awkward”. The singer shot to fame during her teens,…

The first time I saw a Masa Mara collection I was completely blown away and instantly became a huge fan of designer Nyambo Masa Mara’s work. From the vibrant African prints to the ready-to-wear unisex designs, I knew this emerging designer was going to make waves in the fashion industry. Masa Mara celebrates the balance between tradition and progress, old and new. The brand brings tribal cultural wear into the present day with activewear pieces that embody traditional values while expressing modern creativity. We caught up with the designer, who is currently preparing to show his latest collection at Africa Fashion International Cape Town Fashion Week. Where are you from and how do you find yourself in South Africa? One of 13 children, I was born to a mixed-heritage couple…

THE ANC has asked the Hawks to probe fraud and corruption it claims was committed by DA-led coalition partners during their seven-year control of the City of Tshwane. This was among demands handed to the City of Tshwane council speaker and ATM councillor Mncedi Ndzwanana by top leadership of the ANC outside Tshwane House in Pretoria yesterday. Thousands of ANC members from across Gauteng marched to Tshwane House to demand the removal of the DA-led coalition government. The march coincidentally took place while all councillors had gathered to elect a new mayor of Tshwane following the fall of Dr Murunwa Makwarela. Makwarela was removed from office after it was found he was declared insolvent by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria in 2016. Yesterday the ANC, led by secretary- general Fikile…

PEOPLE across the globe can attest to the power of music, but new research has revealed it can be appreciated by and be beneficial to other species too. According to a recent study by the University of Pretoria (UP), playing soothing classical music to dairy cows not only lowers their stress levels but also increases their milk production. The findings, published in the journal Domestic Animal Endocrinology, were the result of research by Lize-Mari Erasmus, a former member of UP’s Camerata choir, who has a master of science degree in agriculture specialising in animal science from the University. Her research is the first of its kind in South Africa to investigate the influence of classical music on the stress levels and milk production of cows. “The health and welfare of…

IT WAS in March 2015 – on a Sunday morning – after Sammy Moripe was involved in a car accident that he discovered he had cancer. This was revealed at an emotional memorial service and flower drop-off for the Pretoria-based Bacardi musician, known as DJ Pencil, on Thursday at the Mbolekwa Hall in Atteridgeville. He died last Friday at Kalafong Hospital, where he was receiving treatment following his battle with cancer. At the memorial service, broadcast through a live stream on YouTube and Facebook, mourners said the DJ would be widely remembered for his contribution to the music industry in South Africa that gave birth to the amapiano genre. The renowned DJ began his music career in 2010 and was part of the Bacardi duo, Pencil & Zing Master. Born…

WITH Mercedes-Benz likely to cull most of its coupé-badged models in the future as it reportedly plans to cut the current mix of 33 body styles down to just 14, this could very well be the last GLC Coupé. Mercedes pulled the covers off its all-new GLC Coupé on Tuesday, and it follows the usual script of sprucing up a regular SUV model with a swoopy, coupé-inspired roofline. With an overall length of 4 763mm, the new GLC Coupé is 31mm longer and 5mm taller than its predecessor, while track width has grown by 6mm upfront and 32mm at the back. It’s also more practical than you might expect, with Mercedes claiming a boot volume of 545 litres, which is 45 more than before. The coupé only comes with 2.0-litre…

FOR A century the Currie Cup was the rampant stallion of South African rugby, but for many it is now an old nag that must be led to the knacker’s yard. For some in the current eight-team competition it is their alpha and omega, but for others it is an irritating flea. It is indeed a competition riddled with contradictions. For long periods in the 2023 Currie Cup some teams will be chronically understrength, only for them to have most of their hands on deck towards the end of it when premier competitions such as the United Rugby Championship and the Heineken Cup are over. Last year, the South African public were enthralled by the Cinderella final between Griquas and the Pumas and there was hardly a dry eye…

Up-and-coming actor and musician Luthando “BU” Mthembu is working hard on establishing himself as a name in the entertainment industry. Born in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, Mthembu, also known as BU the Zulu Vegan, became known to Mzansi as a contestant in the third season of Big Brother Mzansi. He has gone on to show that he is a multi-talented individual, with his achievements in music and acting. The 32-year-old actor has had roles in Ayeye: Stripped and Redemption, which he auditioned for, something he is a firm believer in, and as a singer, he has an EP on the way. Critics might argue that Mthembu is landing his acting gigs because he was on Big Brother Mzansi. It’s no secret that reality shows are known to be platforms for individuals to…

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is not just good on the field. A t home, he’s a present, caring father. The proud father took to Instagram to share a video of himself doing his daughter Keziah’s hair. He was brushing her curls with Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl playing in the background. And while the results were great, his followers advised him to be more gentle next time. @Themombum: “You must hold the hair above where you are brushing, not the whole head like rugby ball this girl is brave, mine would have been moaning every brush stroke!” While they joked about how he was holding her head like a rugby ball, Kolisi said the next hairstyle will be braiding. “Next step is braids #forher Representing our @netballsa team. World Cup is…

Even though it has been close to 30 years since laws perpetuating racial discrimination and racism based on colour were abolished, extensive research continues to point towards the harsh reality that people in South Africa are becoming more racist. Dr Gregory Houston, chief research specialist with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), speaking at a one-day dialogue session on “Race and Racism in Post-Apartheid South Africa” held at the Ditsong Cultural Museum in Pretoria on Thursday, said they wanted to get more people to participate and talk about of racism. Houston said this was because they discovered, through research, that although people were becoming more “race conscious” 30 years into democracy, many people were, in fact, becoming more racist. This could be evidenced by the repeated incidents of racism on…

WEEKS may have passed since South African musician Zakes Bantwini picked up a stupendous Grammy Award, but the 42 year old admits it still hasn’t sunk in. “I’ve just been so busy and so active, which I love, but I don’t think I’ve taken the time to let it sink in. Maybe when the Academy delivers the physical award it’ll finally sink in that we did it.” Bantwini, together with SA musicians Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode, made history last month when they received the biggest honour in music for their hit Bayethe at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Los Angeles Crypto.com Arena. Bantwini says winning a Grammy is a special feeling. “This is the most prestigious award in music globally. It was a huge honour.…

Municipalities are finding themselves between a rock and a dark place as they struggle to keep the lights on in the face of escalating debt. According to the Local Government revenue and expenditure report for July - December 2022, which was released by National Treasury this week, Metropolitan municipalities are owed R154 billion, compared to R128.4 billion reported in the same quarter of last year. The largest debtor books belong to the City of Johannesburg at 28.8%, which roughly translates into R44,4bn in unpaid bills. Ekurhuleni is owed around R31bn, eThekwini R23bn, Tshwane R18bn and Nelson Mandela Bay R15bn. Households in metropolitan areas are reported to account for R115.1bn of the outstanding debt, followed by businesses that account for R30.5bn. Debt owed by government agencies is only 5%…

Just like Christmas, the Easter holiday period is much loved and widely celebrated. For South Africans, it’s a time to take a breath and enjoy some much-needed time with loved ones. If you are looking for family-friendly destinations to explore on home soil, then here are five bespoke destinations to consider. Akademie Street Boutique Hotel – Franschhoek, Western Cape This 5-star hotel exudes a sense of luxury with its nine stunning suites. There is plenty to do in South Africa’s “Valley of dreams”, from exploring wine farms to enjoying delicious cuisine from impressive restaurants. Some of Akademie’s suites have their own plunge pools, fireplaces, and private hot tubs for a relaxing soak. According to the boutique hotel’s website, hospitality and comfort lie at the heart of the Akademie…

The beauty of exploring Africa is that the continent has a lot to offer. From Table Mountain in the south to Kilimanjaro in the east, one thing is for sure: you won’t run out of things to do. If you’re looking for inspiration in compiling a travel bucket list or looking for a dreamy location for your next adventure, then look no further. Here are seven things to do and places to visit that should be on your ultimate travel bucket list. See gorillas in the wild in Uganda and Botswana Considering their terrifying size and lumbering gait, gorillas remain one of the most mesmerising animals to see in their natural habitat. They are yet another species we’ve pushed to the brink of extinction, but thanks to conservation efforts,…

Megan Thee Stallion is working on new music. The 28-year-old rap star – whose real name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete – released her second studio album Traumazine in August last year, but after joking that she managed to get tickets to Beyoncé’s upcoming Renaissance World Tour by simply calling the superstar directly, teased that she is working on what will be her third record. Speaking at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, she told Entertainment Tonight: “Oh I’m gonna tell you how I got them [tickets]. Oh, baby, you know I called Beyoncé directly. “You know Beyoncé is my aunty. This is my first night out and I am here! Oh, and I am (working) on a new album!” The Sweetest Pie hitmaker has enjoyed huge success over recent…

Gwyneth Paltrow has found rectal ozone therapy to be “very helpful”. The 50-year-old actress has revealed that the therapy – which involves having gas delivered via a catheter into the colon – is the weirdest wellness treatment she’s ever tried. During an appearance on the Art of Being Well podcast, Paltrow said: “I have used ozone therapy, rectally. Can I say that? It’s pretty weird. It’s pretty weird, yeah. But it’s been very helpful.” The Oscar-winning actress also revealed that she’s consumed ketone drinks as part of her wellness journey. Paltrow observed that the drinks tasted like “cherry gasoline”. She said: “It helps with cognition and brain fog and energy. I have it with green tea in the afternoon. It tastes pretty, pretty bad. I believe they are coming out…

AMAPIANO artist/vocalist Lesego Daniel Sebidi, known by his stage name Mr Loner, has been making hits – and he’s loving the rise of the genre. Born and bred in Hebron, Pretoria, Mr Loner’s fondest memory was spending several hours a day listening to music in his early years. “I was an introvert when I was little, hence, the stage name Mr Loner, but I always knew music was my passion because I really loved it. I enjoyed listening to Black Coffee and would spend hours a day listening to him.” The up-and-coming artist started making music in 2015 as a producer. He ventured into the industry as a vocalist in the middle of the pandemic, when many people globally had lost hope and turned to music and social media platforms…

THERE are a number of “firsts” that warrant mentioning when discussing the new Lexus RZ 450e, which I recently spent some good quality time with on its international launch in the picturesque countryside of southern France. Due to reach South African shores next year, the RZ is the first battery- powered Lexus to be constructed around the new eTNGA dedicated electric car platform. Although it shares its basic chassis architecture with the Toyota bZ4X, the new Lexus is a larger and more luxurious offering that’s sized between the current Lexus NX and RX models. Like those siblings, the RZ takes the form of a crossover with somewhat edgy and striking lines. But Lexus clearly doesn’t want it to handle like your typical SUV, which brings us to another first: the…

ORLANDO Pirates are not feeling sorry for themselves amid their shortcomings but are looking to salvage whatever’s left of their season and build for the future. Tipped as the only team that could challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the title after cruising to the MTN8, things haven’t gone according to plan for Pirates. They are out of the race as they trail the runaway champions-elect by 25 points, with only 24 points still up for grabs. But all is not lost. They could still play in the Champions League or Confederation Cup next season. To play in the elite African competition they would have to finish second on the log, while they would need to either finish third or win the Nedbank Cup to play in the CAF Confederation…

IRELAND’S attack coach Mike Catt compared captain Johnny Sexton to his former England teammate Jonny Wilkinson yesterday, saying the pair are “different animals” to other players. Catt played alongside Wilkinson when the latter’s drop goal in the last minute of extra-time secured England their only World Cup triumph in Sydney in 2003. Sexton can skipper the Irish to only their fourth Six Nations Grand Slam if they beat England today in his home city of Dublin, in what will be his 60th and final match in the tournament. The 37-year-old, who will retire from Test rugby after this year’s World Cup, can also become the tournament’s record points scorer, which he presently shares on 557 with his predecessor Ronan O’Gara. Catt, 51, has worked alongside Sexton since the 2019 Rugby…

So BEING naked can land you in jail. Although guests like to relax more than they would in their homes, especially when on holiday or on their honeymoon, in Singapore it’s illegal to be naked in your hotel room. According to reports, if you are seen or “caught” naked in your hotel room you will be fined If someone reports you, you could get a $2 000 (about R36 000) fine, or spend three months in jail. While it may seem wild and unnecessary to the rest of us, it’s the norm under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act (Mopona) as it’s considered “obscene and lewd”. Therefore it’s important to keep curtains closed when you want to “free the willy”. According to US Sun, a man was fined…

WHEN it comes to the Easter holidays, South Africans tend to make their way back to their hometowns to reconnect and relax with friends and family. These hometowns have some of South Africa’s most enchanting hidden gems presenting a significant opportunity for tourism businesses to tap into the peak travel season market and wow locals with amazing offerings. The Sho’t Left website is encouraging South Africans to explore the country and set their tables anywhere this Easter holiday and not feel restricted to their home dining tables. So here are 5 ways it says tourism businesses can attract more local travellers this Easter holiday: Create local packages To attract local travellers and residents, create packages that cater specifically to them. We all know that South Africans love a good…