Boity debuts new single #WuzDat

Multi-talented star Boity is releasing her first single Wuz Dat featuring Nasty C. The single comes as no surprise as Boity has been known to be a hip hop fan and has been seen rapping along to some hip hop tunes with the likes of Nasty C including a performance at The Migos concert in 2017.

Working on her music journey at her pace, Boity is determined to make her mark in the hip hop scene. Wuz Dat is her first single produced by Nasty C. The song will be available for download across all digital music platforms from Friday 31 August.

Boity, 28 has a successful career as an Entrepreneur, Actress and TV Presenter, venturing into the music scene is an organic step in her career and one that is a childhood dream coming to fruition. "I have always known that I can rap, it is one of those passions that have been bubbling under and I am happy to finally have the guts to come out and share my talent with my fans. It has been an incredible yet daunting journey but I am extremely grateful for it all. Wuz Dat would not have been possible without Nasty C, who has been so supportive and encouraging', commented the star.

Lauded by the likes of Slikour, Reason, Gemini Major and Anatii, Boity is excited about the journey ahead and takes pride in the quality of her music. The song showcases her clean flow, cheeky and feisty yet sleek delivery and an overall genius production. This talented star has a global vision for her career, with hopes of working with some of the best in the game and taking her music to various stages. "I have been influenced by a lot of artists whom many I would love to collaborate with, both locally and internationally, the likes of Kanye West, Drake, Cardi B, AKA, Shane Eagle…" concluded Boity.

Wuz Dat is available for download from the 31st August.

#Jozi book fair celebrates a decade of reading

The City of Joburg will help transform the Mary Fitzgerald Square Newtown into a safe and vibrant space for bookworms as the Jozi Book Fair gets underway from today, Thursday 30 August until Sunday 2 September 2018.

 

There'll be fun galore for youngsters as they are treated to puppet shows and storytelling sessions on 1 and 2 September. To add to the mix, Library and Information Services has also organised interesting face painting on 2 September.

 

The festival will be graced by authors such as Lindsey Collen, Jacklyn Cock, Jolyn Phillips, Luli Callinicos, Motsoko Pheko, Farayi Matondo, Oscar Banda, Brian Unmaki, Hertha Nekwaya, Janet Smith and Rabbie Serumula Legends, Patrons & Internationally acclaimed authors. There'll be a special tribute to the late SA Poet Laureate and JBF Patron Keorapetse Kgositsile.  Other tributes will be performed by James Matthews, Lindsey Collen, Diana Ferrus, Wally Serote and worker poets.

 

The JBF OPEN MIC Competition will also offer attendees a chance to win prices which include a publication of their manuscripts.

 

The book fair enhances a celebration of year-long educational programmes and is designed to turn enthusiasts from under-privileged communities into readers and writers.

 

From children to mature readers, the festival makes everyone feel at home. This year, special attention will go towards encouraging the youth, school children and working people to make reading a daily pursuit.

 

Entrance is free of charge and books are sold at discounted prices.

 

Full programme is on website: https://www.jozibookfair.org.za

Cassper Nyovest refuses to be held hostage by the Grammar police

Local rapper Cassper Nyovest was not having it after a tweet came about his grammatically incorrect Zulu on Sunday.  

It's usually all fun and games on the Twitter streets but after the one tweeps teased the "Get Getsa 2.0" rapper about his Zulu, Nyovest clapped back. 

Nyovest tweeted: "Ivukile Ibhubhesi!!!"

Ivukile Ibhubhesi!!! 🦁

— R.M Phoolo (@CassperNyovest) August 26, 2018

Another Twitter user then replied with "Isizulu sakho" saying his Zulu is in ICU. 

Isizulu sakho 👇pic.twitter.com/81unpdAPPM

— SMAGGER THE MENINIST 😜 (@SmaggerMoore) August 26, 2018

The rapper then replied with "Kodwa imali yam yona ? iCORRECT!!!" translating to him saying that it may be true "but my money is correct!"

Kodwa imali yam yona ? iCORRECT!!!https://t.co/4ERIti9yi8

— R.M Phoolo (@CassperNyovest) August 26, 2018

While this would usually be the end of it, it was another user that jumped in that sent Nyovest off tweeting: "We support them with the same money they are bragging with to us ..abo please buy my Album. Banje"

We support them with the same money they are bragging with to us .abo please buy my Album . Banjepic.twitter.com/0NCeEI0A69

— DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF AZANIA (@Mpumi_Mzee)August 26, 2018

With Nyovest replying, "I'm confused. It's not that serious mos ? It's only jokes when it's directed at the celebs Neh? We can't joke back? Oh I get it. one side!!! Eseng Mo go nna geh. Let's have fun sonke!!! Let's joke together!! Angithi it's jokes."

I'm confused. It's not that serious mos ? It's only jokes when it's directed at the celebs Neh? We can't joke back? Oh I get it. one side!!! Eseng Mo go nna geh. Let's have fun sonke!!! Let's joke together!! Angithi it's jokes. https://t.co/1uClRE7qc7

— R.M Phoolo (@CassperNyovest) August 26, 2018

Following up his response with "It ain't that serious serious right? It's all jokes right ? Until somebody claps back!!! The now it's serious. Hahaha.. La Hlanya lona. One Side!!!"

It ain't that serious serious right? It's all jokes right ? Until somebody claps back!!! The now it's serious. Hahaha.. La Hlanya lona. One Side!!!

— R.M Phoolo (@CassperNyovest) August 26, 2018

Tips on stretching your retirement savings

When you finally reach retirement age, you need to be in a position where you can afford to maintain a similar lifestyle which you have been accustomed to prior to retirement. The only way to achieve this is making sure you start planning and saving for retirement much earlier.

Preenay Sathu, at FNB Wealth and Investments says "more often, the primary goal of retirees is to live comfortably knowing that their future is financially secured. However, the mistake that people often make is underestimating the continuous rise of the cost of living."

"Retirement should not be a time to worry about finances, unfortunately most retirees realise when they reach this stage of their lives that they didn't save enough," adds Sathu.

Sathu shares tips on how to stretch your retirement savings:

• Financial discipline: Even at retirement, financial prudence remains important so it's important to continue making financially sensible decisions because as a retiree you may only have one income. Financial decision must be diligently evaluated to avoid making costly financial mistakes as you may not have enough time to recover the losses should things not go your way.
• Evaluate costs: Look at your current household expenses and identify areas where you can cut costs. These expenses can be filtered down based on your needs and wants. The key is to prioritise things that matter the most such as insurance and medical care.
• Budget: This is a very important element, it allows you to plan your finances and also give you a view of what you can and cannot afford to ensure that you don't outlive your retirement savings. Therefore, you need to stick to your monthly budget and regularly review if you are living within your means.
• Monitor investments:Environmental shifts, inflationary changes are some of the things you need to consider that can have a direct impact on your investments. Therefore, it is advisable to enlist the service of a financial advisor who will help you monitor and ensure that your savings are safe from market fluctuations.
• Use discounts/vouchers: Shop smart and take advantage of discounts offered by retail stores. The savings might seem small but they may help you save a substantial amount over the long term. Also take advantage of rewards programmes. For example, FNB rewards customers for certain transactions through its eBucks rewards programme.

"Good financial habits don't stop when you go on retirement, it is a lifetime discipline that should be practiced in order for you to have a financially balanced lifestyle," concludes Sathu.

Rihanna set to donate proceeds from her latest make-up product to a charity that helps women and children in need #GirlTalkZA

Rihanna is set to donate the proceeds from her latest make-up product to a charity that helps women and children in need.

The 30-year-old singer's Clara Lionel Foundation will partner with the Global Partnership for Education and the Campaign for Female Education in order to provide scholarships to girls in Malawi.

Speaking to Marie Claire magazine, Justine Lucas, the executive director of Rihanna's charity, explained: "We hope that this collaboration allows the Fenty Beauty community to feel not only like they're part of the CLF journey but also that they can take action on issues they are passionate about.

"At the heart of our mission is the idea that everyone can play a part in creating a more just and equitable world by contributing in their own way."

The singer is to donate the proceeds from each of her new highlighters to the foundation. Rihanna has focused an ever-increasing amount of her attention on her fashion and beauty labels over recent years.

And the Bajan star previously insisted she's made a conscious effort to produce products for "all body types".

She added: "That was very intentional when I first started, even back with River Island. With [Fenty x Puma], I have so much freedom. I want everybody in my crew to have something.

"You don't just design for yourself. You use your taste as the muse of everything. I like to play around with silhouettes. Trust me, I could always use a good fat-day outfit. I like to be comfortable."

Rihanna is known globally for her sense of style, and she previously admitted she likes to take risks with her clothes.

She said: "I enjoy new perspective. I get bored really easily, so I love when things can trigger an inspiration in my mind. Things I love the most are the things that I get jealous that I didn't think of or come up with myself."

Bang Showbiz

Are you looking for something to watch? Here are some comedies worth watching on #Netflix

Here's a list of comedies now streaming on Netflix to get through the last stretch of winter.

Like Father

A workaholic woman who is left at the altar takes her honeymoon trip anyway with her overachieving father who left her mother because he believed his family was holding back his career.

The Hangover

High-strung father-to-be Peter Highman is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay on a road trip in order to make it to his child's birth on time.

Father of the Year 

When two buddies' drunken debate about whose father would win in a fight is taken seriously by one of their fathers, things go bad. Jobs are lost, relationships ruined, futures destroyed, and middle-aged men are knocked out. 

In this coming of age story about two recent college graduates spending a few weeks at home before they move to New York, our best friends come to grips with who their fathers really are as they start to see the world with adult eyes.

The Do-Over

Two down-on-their-luck guys decide to fake their own deaths and start over with new identities, only to find the people they're pretending to be are in even deeper trouble.

* Warning: Trailer contains strong language and adult content. Watch it here.

Sisters

Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home.

Horrible Bosses

Dale, Kurt and Nick decide to start their own business but things don't go as planned because of a slick investor, prompting the trio to pull off a harebrained and misguided kidnapping scheme.

Due Date

High-strung father-to-be Peter Highman is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay on a road trip in order to make it to his child's birth on time.

 

Sonia Mbele showers her son with praises after he made the #SRC

Sonia Mbele's son is officially an SRC member. Just the other day, he was a young boy. Now, he has just received his student leadership honor.

"So proud of this beautiful boy of mine, raised by a single mom from the get-go!!! Today I stand proud as a mom watching him receive his student leadership honor," Sonia shared on social media.

Nomzamo Mbatha continues to inspire Women's stories for #WomensMonth. #Puma #DoYou

In celebration of Women's Month and as a follow on from PUMA and Nomzamo Mbatha's Do You project for Women's Day, another story in this series has just gone live on social media, if you'd be interested in sharing.

 

The video stars Yonela Mabi, a final year BA student from Port Elizabeth, who got to spend the day with Nomzamo on the set of the PUMA South Africa's seasonal Do You photoshoot in Johannesburg.

 

She says; "Nomzamo inspires me to do me the best way I know how. To me, being a strong women means being able to stand tall and firm for what you believe in."

 

I've also attached the original Nomzamo Mbatha & PUMA Women's Day press release and images for context.

 

#DOYOU VIDEO

 

Please see link to Yonela Mabi #DoYou Instagram Story as shared on her Instagram account:https://www.instagram.com/stories/nela_203/?hl=en

 

Please see link to Yonela Mabi #DoYou Instagram Story as shared on PUMA South Africa's Instagram account:https://www.instagram.com/stories/pumasouthafrica/?hl=en

 

Yonela Mabi #DoYou video can be downloaded from the following link:https://wetransfer.com/downloads/e326be176278db889d7970fe6178dc8820180827120948/bf531339068f39a9d6f997c5f9bb8f4820180827120948/169673

 

5 sparkling reasons to add carbonated water to your summer shopping #Seltzer

Carbonated or sparkling water is made by dissolving carbon dioxide in water; a process that simply adds bubbles and not additives like sugar, calories or caffeine. It is a refreshing beverage that, for most people has the edge on boring, regular water.

 

Seltzer, a water brand that stands for goodness and having the courage to do what is good for you, gives the following reasons why you should consider adding carbonated water to your shopping list:

 

1.       A fun way to stay hydrated

 

Given the human body is made up of over seventy percent water, we need to keep replenishing our water levels to stay healthy and the bubbly nature of carbonated water makes it a refreshing alternative to plain water.

 

2.       Numerous digestive benefits

 

Studies have shown that carbonated water stimulates the nerves responsible for the digestive function. It also appears to improve symptoms of indigestion, stomach pain and constipation.

 

3.       Takes the edge off hunger

 

Research suggests, the bubbles in sparking or carbonated water, take up space in your belly, making you feel fuller for longer. This benefit is naturally appealing to dieters and those with rumbling pre-dinner tums. It helps keep you satisfied without ruining your appetite.

 

4.       A sparkling incentive to ditch the soda

 

It's got all the sparkle but none of the nasties making carbonated water a healthier alternative to sugary soda. It's a calorie-free beverage that's refreshingly tingly on the tongue.

 

5.       Increases productivity

 

Keeping your body hydrated throughout the workday helps fight stress, prevents headaches and strengthens the immune system.  For a bubbly energy booster, there's nothing quite like carbonated H2O.

Be ready to save #data. Finally #YouTube gets lighter for Mzansi users. #DataMustFall

Streaming videos online is a data-guzzling exercise and Youtube, perhaps the go-to streaming service for most people has now launched a version of the app that is sure to be kind on your data in this tough economic times.

The group announced on Thursday that it has launched YouTube Go in South Africa, which will give users much-easier access to videos, which should prove very handy while we're waiting for data to fall.

"People in South Africa love YouTube, but the current app is too data-heavy for it to be usable to most viewers, who don't have high speed and large capacity data plans, or free Wi-Fi," Google Africa chief marketing officer, Mzamo Masito said.

"Now, the app is much lighter and nimbler, and you won't have to wait for videos to load or buffer forever."

What is YouTube Go? YouTube Go is the lighter version of the app, which mainly caters for users who are miserly with their data, as well as those with a slow internet connection.

The new version has been designed to allow users to be able to view their favourite videos even when there is no internet connection.

"YouTube Go provides transparency in how users are using their data, allowing them to reduce their data consumption. It also provides a social experience, connecting users with the people and content they care about."

What's new? Various new functions in the new-look app include a "preview video" option which allows you to decide whether you're keen on watching a particular video.

You can also save videos to view them offline, as well as choose which resolution best suits you – and of course your data balance.

Another new feature available on YouTube Go is one that allows you to wirelessly transfer videos to nearby devices, without using any data.

When is it available? YouTube Go is already available and… erm, good to go. You can download it from the Google Play store. It will also come pre-installed on all Android 8.1.

The Voice UK star Donel will be in #Sandton on Wednesday

Donel Mangena, who was raised in Zimbabwe, become became the talk of millions of viewers of The Voice UK, both in the UK and South Africa when it was shown earlier this year.
 
Seventeen-year old Donel is set to pay a lightning visit to Johannesburg next week as a guest of ITV Choice, the DStv channel which broadcast The Voice UK 2018, and will show the 2019 series early next year.
 
In this year's show, the teen wowed the judges and the Voice audience, scoring a standing ovation after his jaw-dropping rendition of Major Lazer and Justin Bieber's Cold Water in the blind audition round, singing parts of the song in his native isiNdebele.
 
Donel, who now lives in Southampton, barely made it through half his song before all four coaches pressed their buzzers and turned their chairs for the young singer. Donel's 77-year-old grandmother Nita, who looked after him in Bulawayo in his younger years, could hardly contain her excitement and ran onto the stage, stealing the show with her own dance moves.
 
The four coaches - Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Olly Murs fought over who got to train the budding talent, withwill.i.am finally managing to persuade the teen to join his team. Viewers flocked to Twitter to hail Donel, praising him for his voice and his performance and, although the young singer ultimately came in second, behind eventual winner Ruti Olajugbagbe, it was Donel who stole the series and hearts of millions.
 
The talented young singer credits his father - Bulawayo-born musician and composer Nkosana Mangena who is also known as Mangesto - for his inspiration.
 
Donel has just released his first single Bang Like a Drum which he debuted on the final episode of The Voice Kids UK recently.  It can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPQr5at6BVg
 
Donel will be a guest at the ITV Choice Showcase being held in Sandton on Wednesday this week, where the channel will present all its new shows for the rest of the year including The Voice UK which will be broadcast on the channel (DStv 123) in January 2019 - once again only 24-hours after the UK transmission.
 

No healthy level of alcohol consumption, says major study

Even the occasional drink is harmful to health, according to the largest and most detailed research carried out on the effects of alcohol, which suggests governments should think of advising people to abstain completely. The uncompromising message comes from the authors of the Global Burden of Diseases study, a rolling project based at the University of Washington, in Seattle, which produces the most comprehensive data on the causes of illness and death in the world.

Alcohol, says their report published in the Lancet medical journal, led to 2.8 million deaths in 2016. It was the leading risk factor for premature mortality and disability in the 15 to 49 age group, accounting for 20% of deaths. Current alcohol drinking habits pose "dire ramifications for future population health in the absence of policy action today", says the paper. "Alcohol use contributes to health loss from many causes and exacts its toll across the lifespan, particularly among men." Most national guidelines suggest there are health benefits to one or two glasses of wine or beer a day, they say. "Our results show that the safest level of drinking is none."

The study was carried out by researchers at the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), who investigated levels of alcohol consumption and health effects in 195 countries between 1990 to 2016. They used data from 694 studies to work out how common drinking was and from 592 studies including 28 million people worldwide to work out the health risks.

Poor sleep makes people gain unwanted, study finds

Lack of sleep has long been linked to obesity, but a new study suggests late night snacking may not be the primary culprit. The latest findings provide the most compelling evidence to date that disrupted sleep alters the metabolism and boosts the body's ability to store fat. The findings add to mounting scientific evidence on how disrupted sleep influences the usual rhythms of the body clock, raising the risk of a wide range of health problems from heart disease to diabetes.

Jonathan Cedernaes, a circadian researcher at Uppsala University in Sweden and the paper's first author, said the findings pointed to "the irreplaceable function that sleep has". "Sleep is not just to conserve energy, it has so many functions," he said.

Time and again research has linked shift work and lack of sleep to the risk of obesity and diabetes, but the reasons behind this association are complex and have been difficult to elucidate. Insufficient sleep appears to disrupt hormones that control appetite and feelings of fullness. Those who sleep less have more time to eat, may be too tired to exercise and have less self-control when it comes to resisting the temptation of unhealthy snacks. A previous study by Cedernaes and colleagues showed that even a short period of sleep deprivation led people to eat more and opt for higher calorie food.

To complicate matters further, obesity increases the risk of sleep apnoea, a breathing problem that itself disturbs sleep quality.

Khanyi Mbau breaks internet with nude pic #MarieClaire #DearBody

Khanyi Mbau shared a nude photo on social media that got tongues wagging.

The photo she posted is from the Marie Claire Naked Issue that she took part in.

In the photo, Khanyi is completely nude and has let her long black hair down.

"Invest in thy body," Khanyi captioned the photo.

Is it cool to remain friends with your ex? Boity Thulo divulges #GirlTalkZA

TV personality Boity Thulo has opened up about remaining friends with her ex.

Boity, who broke up with ex Cassper Nyovest three years ago, told Cosmopolitan magazine that she and Cass are "cool" and like to tease each other on social media. 

"He's a friend. We're always bantering on social media and making fun of each other."

Boity said the secret to staying friends is to make sure your forgiveness game is on 100.

"When you've forgiven yourself and you've forgiven them, they just become a normal person. It's up to you to decide whether you want to be friends or move on with your life. But forgiveness clears the air. Also, why not be friends?"

Cassper and Boity have dated twice, with their last breakup ending in 2015. In a song released a year later entitled I Wasn't Ready For You, Cassper talked about cheating. 

Too tired to cook? Try the #Checkers meal kits: Dinners for two at R119.99, launching on Wednesday

Grocery retail giant, Checkers, is entering the burgeoning meal kit market this week, with the launch of its Ready to Chef boxes ready for a nationwide rollout on Wednesday 23 August.

Checkers will be the first local retailer to enter the meal kit market, which has been dominated by independent companies such as UCook and Daily Dish.

Checkers enter the meal kit market The meal kit trend in South Africa has gained a lot of momentum in the past year – aimed at providing convenient and affordable ready-to-cook meals to consumers looking for a more simplistic and streamlined culinary experience.

According to Business Insider, local trend leaders, UCook, who launched operations three years ago from a garage, are now delivering close to 100 000 meals a month – with a turnover of R79.5 million expected by the end of this year.

Realising the opportunities held within the lucrative local meal kit market, Checkers has beaten retail competitors, Woolworths, to the punch.

The Ready to Chef boxes available from Checkers have been designed by gourmet chefs, and include all the necessary ingredients along with a step-by-step recipe card, and QR code which provides an in-depth how-to video.

Checkers Ready to Chef kits: The cost The meal kits offered by Checkers, which are designed to feed two people, are priced between R119.99 and R179.99 per box.

Comparatively, UCook charges R630 for a box which contains three meals for two people. This works out to R105 per-head per-meal.

Daily Dish offers a 'classic box' meal kit, which contains four meals for two people, and costs R870. This works out to R109 per-head per-meal.

Both UCook and Daily Dish prices include delivery costs.

Checkers Ready to Chef kits: The recipes While a total of 16 various meal kits are expected to roll out sometime in the near future, Checkers will be releasing four different Checkers Ready to Chef boxes this week.

Examples of various Checkers Ready to Chef meal kits and recipes include:

Butter chicken curry with rotis Cauliflower cottage pie Asian beef and sesame seed salad Mushroom, pea and mint risotto Beef stroganoff with zucchini spaghetti Sweet and sour pork with jasmine rice Biltong niçoise salad Sweet potato and lentil dahl curry with buttered naan (vegetarian)

Checkers Ready to Chef meal kits will be available in Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores this week.

©The South African 

DJ Zinhle bears all on the final episode of #BehindTheStory

Programme: Behind The Story
Continues: Tuesday, 28 August
Time: 21:30 CAT
Channel: MTV Base (DStv channel 322)

On the final episode of Behind The Story, we get to hear why DJ Zinhlefeels as though she is in a weird space in her life currently. She also talks about how she is working on unlearning many of the things she learnt growing up in order to continue living her best life.

Be sure to tune in to MTV Base (DStv channel 322) on Tuesday, 28 August at 21:30 CAT to get behind the story.

Visit mtvbase.com, like and chat to us on Facebook atMTVBaseAfrica, or join the conversation about the channel on Twitter and Instagram @MTVBaseAfrica using the hashtag #BehingTheStoryor #MTVBaseBTS.

Relationships are based on trust and transparency. How to balance your #relationship with #money. #GirlTalkZA

The common notion that money makes the world go around, stands true for many.  Money is viewed as a tool that enables our dreams of a better life, helps validate our success and amplifies how successful we really are.

 

Our relationship with money is emotional and derived by our needs, wants and ultimately the fear of missing out (FOMO). "Lack of effective money management skills can put a strain on your pockets and even hamper family relationships. Ultimately, we should live within our means and ensure that our money is managed in accordance with current financial situation," says Ester Ochse, Product Specialist, FNB Wealth and Investments.   

 

The fundamental principle around effective money management is to understand your finances and acknowledge what your responsibilities are. Ochse explains that "We need to trust ourself enough to save more and spend less. This doesn't mean that we should suppress our desires, but rather focus on things that are important like a retirement, education or buying a house."

 

Relationships are based on trust and transparency. By having a view of your household expenses and spend we can ascertain how we use money or a monthly basis. "Family discussions around money is important and will help you determine how your finances have been managed and maintained in any household. Have a truthful conversation with your family as this will help determine were unnecessary spending takes place," says Ochse

 

She advises households to consider the following money management questions when discussing finances. As a family;

 

1. How much money do we earn each month?
2. First save or pay our debts?
3. What do we spend our money on? entertainment/groceries/rent/clothing etc
4. Do we have appetite to save or invest once our monthly expenses are covered?
5. Have we considered family emergencies?
6. Is our budget up to date?
7. Do we consider our needs, wants and responsibilities?
8. Are we covered for future retirement and rainy days?

 

These questions can help in defining your financial goals. "Sticking to your money goals is important as this will help you steer clear of financial burdens. This should be practiced from a young age," concludes Ochse

Sophie Ndaba reveals her body weight loss secret

Famous actress and businesswoman Sophie Ndaba, now Lichaba, has gone through an impressive body transformation. The former Generations star has lost a lot of weight and is looking slimmer and healthier. 

Speaking to DJ Fresh on his Metro FM breakfast show, Sophie Ndaba, who now goes by her new husband's surname, Lichaba, explained how concerns for her health led to her slimming down.

"I've worked on it – I think I over-worked on it, but you can never lose when you have lost so much weight. I wanted to be a new me and I think, more importantly, it's just about leading a healthy lifestyle. That's the highlight of the struggles I've had for many years," she said.

She revealed during the interview that not only was she overweight, but that she suffered from something worse.

"I was obese and I think in South Africa, obesity is not addressed. I struggled with my health because of being overweight. Obviously, I had to address it very, very quickly – or else. It was really a life-or-death situation."

Her weight loss has not always been met with admiration. She said some people have been saying she has lost too much weight.

"People can look at it from a different perspective and say: 'Oh, she's lost too much weight.' What's too much for you? If it's not too much for me, it can't be too much for you, because it's all about me."

Despite the criticism, she said, she was in a space where she was happy, healthy and confident.

"I'm excited, I'm happy, I feel lighter and even when I go shopping I'm excited, I'm like: 'Oh, I can walk into this boutique' – the one I could never walk into."

The wedding and event planner also revealed that she would providing tips on eating healthily to achieve similar results.

Take a peek at the actress's new look on her Instagram page and compare it to a snap from the 2015 Durban July, taken before she lost all the weight.

Scandal hits six million viewers #etvScandal

Last Wednesday night at 7:30PM, over 6 million viewers tuned into Scandal!on e.tv. The latest figures showcased an of AR 17.2 which equated to 6 021 421 viewers tuning into Scandal! on Wednesday 15 August 2018. This is the highest rating Scandal! has received in its 13 years on e.tv. 

The show features South Africa's biggest talent with the likes of Jerry Mofokeng, Kgomotso Christopher, Mapaseka Koetle, Brighton Ngoma, Natasha Sutherland and many more playing characters that audiences love and love to hate every weekday on e.tv. The show's current storyline features Siseko Langa's death and the aftermath that has been left with his family. Who will take over Siseko's powerful legacy? Viewers will need to watch to find out if it will be Boniswa or Yvonne.  

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, e.tv Head of Local Productions is extremely happy with the performance of Scandal! on e.tv. "Scandal! has been one of the flagship shows on e.tv for many years and this new milestone of over 6 million viewers proves that great talent and an exceptional writing team deliver the big numbers. We are extremely proud of the team behindScandal! for what they have achieved and viewers can look forward to more drama and surprises in the world of Scandal!."

Watch Scandal! every weekday at 7:30PM on e.tv on Openview (Channel 104) and DStv (Channel 194). 

True Love will get you there even without cash. A homeless couple wed under a bridge in #CapeTown after 30 years of being together #GirlTalkZA

A homeless couple got married under a motorway bridge after 30 years together, thanks to the generosity of strangers. The heart-warming union between Llewellyn Jeneker and Cecilia Absolom took place in Cape Town, a port city on South Africa's south-western coast.

The pair were married by pastor Manuel Benans in front of more than 100 guests, including other homeless people from the city's Culemborg Safe Space.

Also in attendance was the newlyweds' 12-year-old son Dylan. He witnessed his parents' first dance as a live band belted out 'Save the Last Dance to Me'.

The big day was made possible by the organisational powers of the city council and a woman called Jill Jeftha, who donated the wedding dress for the blushing bride.

The bride, who has been homeless most of her life, said that the dress "stole my heart". Since June Llewellyn and Cecilia have lived in the city council run Safe Space, a new initiative which provides beds for 230 people.

Boity Thulo Partners with #Impulse to Launch New Fragrances #OwnYourThrone #GirlTalkZA

It's all fun, fearless and colourful! #OwnYourThrone

When you think of Boity Thulo, the first thing that comes to mind is her fun and fearless personality, right? So it should come as no surprise that she's the cover girl for our first-ever 'Fit, Fearless & Fun' issue. She has also recently partnered with Impulse to launch three limited-edition Boity x Impulse fragrances.

Boity Thulo Partners with Impulse to Launch New Fragrances

Boity x Impulse wants to take you on a journey of self-expression and self-discovery with their latest fragrances. Created to leave you feeling confident and empowered, these three sprays live up to their promise. So go on, own your throne with one of these three limited-edition fragrances:

Boity Tribal Soul + Endless Summer:

Inspired by the African sun and its golden rays, this fruity scent will have you feeling sensual and free. The exotic fragrance is made up of amber and musk, with sensual undertones of cedarwood – a winning combination.

Boity Street Slayer + Vanilla Rain:

Urban thunderstorms are the inspiration behind this warm scent. It's made up of sweet vanilla and amber, combined with feathery musk. This sweet, floral scent will keep you upbeat and happy as you go about your day.

Boity Rebel Queen + Shimmer Rays:

This fragrance has been created with the 'queen of the nightlife' in mind. The soft, velvety peach and citrus accord is followed by a bouquet of blossoms over notes of musk, vanilla and precious woods.

Where Can I Get My Hands On It?

Each fragrance is available in a 90ml handbag-sized aerosol at major retail stores nationwide. Feel empowered with Boity x Impulse and #OwnYourThrone this season!

Bonang Matheba sizzles in new lingerie collection

Bonang Matheba has released her Spring/Summer colletion.

She took to social media to share photos of her latest collection.

"Introducing my SS18 lingerie collection.. Available at @woolworths_sa stores AND online," she wrote, adding: "I LOVE this collection, hope you will too!" Bonang wrote.

The line has a few two piece sets, and a bodysuit.

Drum beat... SA's best university has now been revealed!

The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), released by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, has been recognised as the most trustworthy of global university rankings.

Ranking for the best universities in the world is based on indicators, such as the number of alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, the number of highly cited researchers, number of articles published in journals of nature and science, the number of articles indexed in science citation index and per-capita performance.

Harvard and Stanford in the USA fill the top two spots, while Cambridge in the UK took the third place.

Harvard tops the ranking for the 16th year.

Wits University has emerged as South Africa's leading university. It was ranked in the 201-300 category.

Wits scored 10% on the quality of education, 20% on the quality of faculty, 20% in the highly cited researchers divisio in 21 broad subject categories and 20% in terms of research output papers published in nature and science.

Other South African institutions that made the list include the universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Pretoria.

The universities of KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg dropped off the list completely, while the University of Pretoria progressed into the top 500.

The other universities filling out the top 10 are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California – Berkeley, Princeton, Oxford, Columbia, California Institute of Technology and Chicago.

 

RMB WineX 2018: Best brands in your hands, the Must-Attend wine event of the year @RMBWineX

RMB WineX takes place from 24 to 26 October at the Sandton Convention Centre.  SA's Must-Attend wine event and premiere consumer wine show of 19 years will again bring an exceptional line-up of premium wine brands to the heart of Jozi: it's Sandtonbosch, really. Stylistas, trendsetters and the wine curious should plan to pamper their palates with all that is new and exciting in the world of wine at the single largest gathering of the country's A-list wineries and influencers.

Beautiful stands, eye-candy labels, award-winning wines, engaging exclusive time with the winemaker in the RMB Private Bank Tasting Lounge, and delicious tapas-tastes provided by Mastrantonio and select food exhibitors all form part of the RMB WineX experience.  More than a Must-Do event, RMB WineX also provides the opportunity to stock up on Must-Have wines via the Shop@Show facility managed by the neighbourhood's fine wine retailer Norman Goodfellows.

 

RMB WineX 2018 Details:                   

Dates: 24 to 26 October 2018 (Wednesday night by invitation only)

Venue: The Pavilion, Sandton Convention Centre, Maude Street, Sandton

Time: 17h00 to 21h00 each night

Ticket sales for Thursday and Friday nights:www.winex.co.za. Strictly no under 18s. 

Ticket prices: Tickets range from R180 to R295.  Look out for Early Bird and Couples' Packages available from end September.

All the #DStv #Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards nominees

The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards (DMVCA) launch event was held earlier this week with the list of nominees being released.

Gqom sensation, Distruction Boyz and their smash hit Omunye commanded the spotlight, leading the nominees list with an impressive three nods for Song of the Year, Favourite Rising Star and Favourite Music Artiste/Group.

Nipping close at the heels with two nominations each are Prince Kaybee and Kagiso Rabada. Prince Kaybee is nominated in the Song of the Year and Favourite DJ categories, while Rabada appears in the Favourite Sports Personality of the Year and Favourite Personality of the Year lists.

Rabada will have to beat stiff competition from media darling Bonang Matheba, crowd favourite Papa Penny Ahee, Mzansi sweetheart Nomzamo Mbatha and the flamboyant reality TV star Somizi Mhlongo. Last year, fan favourite Thembisa Mdoda walked away with the gong for Mzansi's ultimate favourite personality.

Social media was set ablaze as fans questioned why The Queen actor, Themba Ndaba, who plays the hugely popular character of Brutus, did not feature on the list. Ndaba, who walked away with the best actor award last year, is known for setting the internet on fire with his performance as Brutus. Nominees for the best actor category include Warren Masemola, Hamilton Dlamini, Mduduzi Mabaso, Masoja Msiza, and Khulu Skenjana.

This year, there is the addition of a new category, Favourite Personality of the Year, which will be awarded to a personality that has gone above and beyond to have an impact in our society.

There is also a hardworking and dedicated community leader who will be bestowed the Life Changer award. This is a person who has worked tirelessly and passionately for the betterment of their community to create positive change. This person will also receive a cash prize of R50 000.

Bonang Matheba will reprise her role as host of the awards that will be held on November 24.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Favourite Song Of The Year
Prince Kaybee and Lasoulmates Ft Zanda Zakuza and Tns — Club Controller

DJ Maphorisa Ft DJ Tira, Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly — Midnight Starring

Heavy K Ft Nokwazi and Bucie — Inde

Distruction Boyz Ft Dladla Mshunqisi and Benny Maverick — Omunye

Kwesta Ft Wale — Spirit

Favourite TV Presenter

Lerato Kganyago

Thomas Mlambo

Pearl Modiadie

Carol Tshabalala

Anele Mdoda

Favourite Comedian

Skhumba Felix Hlophe

Tumi Morake

Smowkey Nyembe

Mpho Popps

Favourite Rising Star

Smash Afrika

Luvo Manyonga

Distruction Boyz

Langa Mavuso

Lungi Ngidi

Favourite Radio Personality

Anele Mdoda

Ntate Thuso Motaung

Dudu "Lady D" Khoza

DJ Fresh

Selby "Selbeyonce" Mkhize

Favourite Actor

Warren Masemola

Hamilton Dlamini

Mduduzi Mabaso

Masoja Msiza

Khulu Skenjana

Favourite Actress

Thembsie Matu

Rami Chuene

Linda Sebezo

Moshidi Motshegwa

Lesego Marakalla

Favourite Music Artiste / Group

Lady Zamar

Shekhinah

Distruction Boyz

Khuzani

Aka

Favourite DJ

Ms Cosmo

DJ Maphorisa

Prince Kaybee

DJ Tira

Black Coffee

Favourite Sports Personality
Kagiso Rabada

Percy Tau

Caster Semenya

Pitso Mosimane

Siya Kolisi

— Sowetan

#Powerball and powerball results

So you've bought the ticket and are keeping your eyes peeled for the winning numbers. Is this going to be the greatest Friday night of your life? If taken a chance on the Powerball, it very well could be.

There have been some huge wins in the last couple of draws, and tonight's total combined jackpot is sitting pretty at R33 million.

Have a look at the numbers below and see if your ticket turns from paper to gold.

Powerball and Powerball Plus jackpots estimated at:

R18 million (Powerball)R15 million (Powerball Plus)

But if you want your share of the jackpot, you have to play the Lotto! You know what they say, you've got to be in it to win it.

TheSouthAfrican.com brings you the Powerball results as soon as they happen.

The numbers will appear below as soon as they are available. Powerball results usually appear no later than 21:15. You can also sign up for our lotto newsletter which delivers the Lotto and Powerball results to your mailbox instantly.

If you cannot see the numbers, you might need to restart or refresh your browser.

Powerball and Powerball plus results for 17 August 2018

Powerball: 9, 19, 24, 35, 42  Powerball: 10

Powerball Plus: 6, 8, 22, 35, 42 Powerball:19

Check out previous South African PowerBall results here.

For more details visit the National Lottery website.

When do lottery ticket sales close?

If you are buying your tickets from an existing Lottery outlet, they close at 20:30 on the day of a draw. The terms and conditions for other lotto services vary – please read them when you sign up for these services.

What does a Lotto ticket cost?

A single LOTTO play will cost you R5.00 vat incl. A single cost of LOTTO PLUS 1 will be R2.50 and a single cost of LOTTO PLUS 2 will be R2.50 vat incl.But be aware if you use any of the online services, there might be an additional charge. Always check the terms and conditions.

Cassper Nyovest and Pearl Thusi pose for a selfie

Cassper Nyovest and Pearl Thusi are with no doubt our ambassadors when it comes to representing our country's entertainment to the international community.

We start with Mama Panther, Pearl has made sure that Africa is known in terms of acting. she featured in season 2 of America's hit series Quantico where she played the character of a Zim girl who was one of the FBI students in the series.

She is also a proud presenter of MTV Base Lip SYNC Battle Africa and she also hosts another MTV Base show Behind The Story. She is a multi-talented star. Recently she was an MC in Nigeria where she co-hosted the #CASTLELITEUNLOCKS.

And then we come to this big guy Mr Cassper Nyovest, one of the best rappers of our time, in fact, he is one of the best rappers in Africa at the moment. Cassper made history when he became the first ever black and hip-hop rapper to fill a national stadium and better yet FNB.

Mr Nyovest is also a proud promoter of Ciroc and is currently doing a Shoprite ad that is making fans go crazy. Cassper Nyovest has been nominated more than 4 times at the BET Awards and is yet to be nominated many times because he is here to stay.

He and Pearl Thusi have been good friends since we knew them and they might have had gone for each other's throats on social media but their friendship has overcome every obstacle that came along the way.

To show that the stars are back on good terms they recently took a picture together after they met in Pretoria recently. Check the picture below which was posted by Cassper Nyovest and he had a good caption for it too…