Thuso Mbedu stars with Viola Davis in latest Hollywood movie #SouthAfricaBlog #FridayFeeling

Local stars Thuso Mbedu, Tebogo Malope and Nomzamo Mbatha continue to fly the SA flag high on the global stage.

Ahead of her big Hollywood debut in Barry Jenkins's The Underground Railroad in two weeks, Mbedu has already booked her next big gig. 

According to American publication Deadline, Mbedu will star opposite Oscar winner Viola Davis in upcoming movie The Woman King. The historical epic will be helmed by director Gina

Prince-Bythewood and it's based on a pre-colonial African kingdom, the kingdom of Dahomey.

"Very excited," Davis gushed about Mbedu's addition to the film on Instagram.

Steve Harvey jets into South Africa and he has wise words for Africans #SouthAfricaBlog

 "Just like me."

These were the words comedian Steve Harvey used to describe South Africans.
The US funnyman is in the country to shoot season two of the American-inspired comic game show, Family Feud Africa.

"You are African and I am African-American — everything we are in America we got from you [and] that's the part that I don't understand, the rush to go to America.

"Everything we do is [because] of you — our soul, our rhythm we got from Africa, colours and jewellery we got from Africa," he said.

Harvey also spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on the production of the show, similarities to the American version and Michael B Jordan, who is dating his daughter, Lori.

He was being interviewed via Zoom.

He said fans could also expect to see more SA celebrities and more excitement on the show.

Harvey, who is sometimes left tongue-tied with the pronunciation of the names of contestants, said he had been more prepared this time.

"I have learnt a little bit more about the names and the pronunciations and how the consonants and syllables work a little better," he said.

Family Feud Africa season two will be aired every Sunday at 6pm from May 9 on the e.tv channel.

Fancy moving abroad? The Emigration Expo is currently happening at the #Sandton Convention Center #SouthAfricaBlog

The first public expo to open in South Africa since the start of the pandemic, opens tomorrow at Sandton City in Johannesburg. The Emigration Expo, which runs from 29 April - 1 May, is taking place in the heart of the Sandton City shopping centre, offering families, entrepreneurs, students, job seekers and anyone else looking to live abroad a comprehensive range of options.

With a virtual expo at TheEmigrationExpo.com running in parallel to the live event, The Emigration Expo is the first expo of its kind to open in South Africa and to service the thousands of people looking for change and opportunities in a new land. Through industry surveys, emigration is shown to be a massive business locally, with many South Africans looking at options away from our shores.

"UK, Australia, US, Portugal, Malta," replied John Dunn, director of emigration specialists Sable International, when asked where they see most South Africans looking to emigrate. And recent global events have seemed to have little effect on the industry, he explains, "The demand has been relatively constant throughout the pandemic, Covid-19 was merely a delay to people's plans."

The Emigration Expo is a must for anyone planning to move abroad temporarily or permanently.

Within Sandton City, the access-controlled expo is held in a Covid-19 prepared space with protocols in place allowing visitors and exhibitors to comfortably discuss emigration opportunities in a safe environment.

 

The Emigration Expo features industry leaders and professionals offering a variety of related services: Fast-Track Visa Assistance, International Job Vacancies, Global Study Opportunities, Exclusive Offshore Investment Opportunities, Moving Logistics Services and more.

 

Visitors wishing to attend The Emigration Expo Sandton City can register for FREE: www.theemigrationexpo.com/register-to-the-emigration-sandton 

Love is the secret - Nonhle Thema's journey can only get better #SouthAfricaBlog

TV star and actress Nonhle Thema has hit the gym to try to lose some of her "thickness", sharing her journey on social media this week.

The star took to Instagram to reveal she is "currently living at the gym to shed this thickness" and is looking forward to seeing the exercise "work some magic".

She posted a video of herself during a session, dressed in her gym warrior outfit.

While most wished her well, some encouraged her not to lose too much weight, but only refine the areas that need refining.

Nonhle acknowledged the love and said she was shocked at the suggestion.

"Someone said to me the other day 'Nonhle don't lose too much weight, we love you thick'. I was shocked. The blasphemy of it all. I mean, come on. Men don't understand this path," she said with a laugh.

She also got candid about her weight, explaining that giving birth to her daughter changed her body forever.

"Speaking of weight issues, my daughter played a role in my body changing. I love her dearly but it was tough going through changes. So my mom sent me this picture to remind me where I come from," she said, posting a picture of a magazine cover from several years ago.
She said her daughter had taught her how to love more deeply and become a better person.

"I'm not there yet, but I now know love is the secret." -

it's official. Women from these African countries know how to make a man happy #GirlTalkZA

We all love to be in love. But are we all happily in love? 

Well, not all of us. That's one thing for sure. And did you know that there was a poll which was conducted to reveal which African women make men the happiest. 

The verdict is out and it goes something like this:

Ivory Coast 

Research showed that inspite of all the hardships and dire poverty associated with Ivory Coast, Ivorian women are real mother hens with their spouses. They are passionate about their homes and play a role similar to that of their mothers before them.

Botswana

Women from Botswana as as soft as sheep wool. They are naturally gentle and caring. Botswana women are excellent wives, in the traditional sense of the term.

Burkina Faso 

Women from Burkina Faso are attentive listeners. They make sure to hear and understand the needs of their partners. 

Nigeria

You just have to watch African movies. Need I say more? 

Zambia 

Add all of the qualities listed above. The result is a Zambian woman.

#Perdeberg's Classic Chenin Blanc is an amazing #wine to suit any occasion #MondayMotivation #SouthAfricaBlog

The classic chenin blanc is packed with freshness and tropical flavours and the mineral aftertaste is mouth-watering. 

This wine is from dryland-grown vineyards in the Paarl and Swartland region, the perfect growing conditions for quality chenin blanc.

R55

Kgomotso Ndungane benefits for from 'Real Housewives Of Durban' #FridayFeeling #SouthAfricaBlog

Kgomotso Ndungane isn't surprised that the reality show she was on has been quite the hit with fans.

The Real Housewives of Durban on Showmax has been a series that had viewers glued to their seats every week.
Featuring housewives and businesswomen from different parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the show highlighted their ventures, lifestyles and dramas.

Ndungane was one of the more talked-about housewives during the first few episodes of the show, as fans were getting to know the characters.

"I think there was an expectation that the show would be very big. The production company is really excellent and, by the time they got the slot to be on Showmax, it showed that they had done an amazing job," she said.

"It's always so good to be part of something that is with people who take pride in their work. I think it was expected that it would be quite massive."

On her experience on the show, Ndungane said it played out just the way life would.

"I had different moments on the show. You don't go through life with just one emotion, you go through life with different emotions and moments, and it translates to work as well.

"I have grown and diversified myself in going into this industry, which I did not know before. I have never done a production before, and it was something lovely to add to my resume. I loved working with diverse women, from different backgrounds, who all had their own businesses. I salute the production team for their passion and commitment."

Ndungane, who is married to former Springboks rugby player Odwa Ndungane, said the biggest lesson she learnt from the show was to never be judgmental.

DJ Black Coffee gets international recognition #FridayFeeling #SouthAfricaBlog

The coronavirus pandemic has silenced many artists, but South Africa's house music pioneer DJ Black Coffee has been rocking it – dropping an album and creating a streaming platform.

The legendary DJ – whose real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo – released his sixth album, the first in five years, a few weeks before his 45th birthday.

As the pandemic hit the pause button on live music performances and pushed many in the gig industry to the brink, the township-born house superstar was navigating between composing, creating a streaming music service and philanthropy work.

On 5 February, he delivered a 12-track album, Subconsciously, featuring an eclectic mix of local and international artists, including American singer Pharrell Williams, French DJ David Guetta, Australian musician RY X and South Africa's Msaki. 

"Every artist that's there brings a certain side musically of me," said the lanky, soft-spoken artist, reputedly one of Africa's wealthiest, told AFP.

"He is our biggest international success really because he is worth $60 million (about R858 million)," said Wits University anthropologist, David Coplan, echoing the Forbes Magazine richest artists rankings.

Black Coffee has carved a niche for himself in the highly diverse house music market.

There is never a dull moment in Moonchild Sanelly's life as she takes viewers into her world on #MTV. #SouthAfricaBlog #Mzansi

If local musician Sanelisiwe Twisha, who's popularly known by her stage name Moonchild Sanelly, isn't in the studio recording a tune with a catchy chorus, it seems that she's unwinding and twerking with her close friends in her living room. 

And it's that dual world that fills her new reality show Moonchild Sanelly Woza, or "just Woza for short," says the 33-year-old singer who released a four-track EP album in 2020 titled Nüdes.

The controversial, blue-haired performer is holding nothing back in the 10-episode docu-series as she juggles motherhood, a budding career as a fashion designer, and her relationship with her girlfriend Gontse More. 

"For the first time, I'm fully lifting the curtain on my private life. If you thought that you knew me before, you haven't seen anything yet," says Moonchild about her reality show's offering. 

"There is never a dull moment in my life. With each episode, viewers will gain insight into my colourful world. I'm hard-working, I fight for my dreams, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. As I always say: there are a lot of stars but there is only one Moon," adds the star.

Moonchild Sanelly Woza airs on MTV on Monday's at 21:30

Amazing #Gin cocktails to spice up your home drinking pleasure #FridayFeeling

Grapefruit T&T (9.56%) 

50ml Tanqueray London Dry 

150ml Grapefruit Tonic 

Garnish: Dehydrated Grapefruit

METHOD:
Fill Tanqueray Copa glass with ice, add 50ml Tanqueray London Dry, top off with grapefruit tonic and garnish with a grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig

Sparkling Rose (12.75%) 

25ml Tanqueray No.TEN 

25ml rose syrup

10ml fresh lemon juice 

120ml champagne/MCC Garnish: red roses

METHOD:
Pour Tanqueray No.TEN, rose syrup and lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice, shake and strain into a champagne flute, top off with 150ml chilled Brut Champagne/MCC and garnish with red rose petals

Product Review: The new #Toyota Urban Cruiser blends in with the city landscapes

The insatiable hunger for sport-utility vehicles across the globe has seen manufacturers pandering to the demand with a plethora in all shapes and sizes.

The bigger models tend to cost a bit more than the average consumer may be able to afford, especially at a time when many are scaling down.

Well, what are the options at the more cost-conscious end?

One brand that threw its hat into the ring recently was Toyota — you would have noticed that this hat is identical to another piece of headwear from Suzuki: the Vitara Brezza.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser comes as a second instalment of the partnership between Suzuki and Toyota, following the launch of the Starlet that is identical to the Suzuki Baleno.

The Urban Cruiser, which we tested last week, is an attractive vehicle. Its chrome grille echoes hints of Fortuner. The addition of standard LED-headlamps and fog lights gives further prominence to its face. A rugged theme is seen down the side, with plastic mouldings.

Rectangular lights take focus at the rear, flanking the "Urban Cruiser" moniker on the tailgate.

The interior boasts a functional and inviting layout. A big nod of approval is given to the push-to-start button, standard across the range. 

The infotainment screen is easy to use, with its seamless connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows the user to access navigation from a smartphone as well as stream music on the go.

And with the Toyota Connect application, users get an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and 15GB of data. Toyota Connect also allows owners to book a service and access vehicle information.

There is plenty of space for both the front and rear passengers, with comfortable leg and head room for the average adult. The boot space gobbles up 328l of luggage, with the rear seats up.

Storage space is ample, with the inclusion of a cooled compartment, which came in handy as cold drinks were part of our padkos repertoire on a weekend journey to Hartbeespoort.

Yes, it is an Urban Cruiser. But many shoppers will want to use it for countryside forays too.

The 1.5 litre, four-cylinder produces 77kW and 138Nm, paired with a five-speed manual (but automatic is available too).

It is a relatively light vehicle (1,130kg), but power felt insufficient on open roads.

 In top gear it feels strained. You are better off not even trying to explore the other end of 120km/h, which we were constantly reminded of, struggling to overtake.

Back in its natural habitat, the city, this Toyota is certainly more comfortable. Economy is a strong point, returning an average of 6.4l/100km driven sensibly. 

An automatically-dimming rearview mirror and rainsensing wipers brought a smile — nice to know such features can be had even in this segment. Affordable cars often come with compromises and limited creature comforts.

But the Urban Cruiser seems different. It feels solid, is well-equipped and comes from a manufacturer with quite a reputation. While the Suzuki Vitara Brezza sold 390 units last month, the Urban Cruiser sat on 977.

All up to you where you spend your money, of course, but from this contrast, it is clear where South Africans are spending theirs.

Pricing
Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xi MT – R 247,900 Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs MT – R 267,800 Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs AT – R 289,000 Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xr MT – R 294,500

Candice Modiselle to shake things up on The Queen! #TheQueenMzansi #MzansiMagic #MzansiBlog

Actress Candice Modiselle has joined the cast of Ferguson Film's The Queen, and told TshisaLIVE she is excited for Mzansi to make her acquaintance again!

After her exit from Generations: The Legacy in 2019, Candice's year-long TV hiatus has ended with her gig on The Queen.

Taking to social media, the star announced she will be joining the cast as Mbali Tau, a tenacious young woman with a whole lot of drama!

Chatting to TshisaLIVE about securing that TV bag, the media personality said she is keen to be back on our screens, and would not have missed the opportunity to join The Queen for anything in the world.

"I've been away from mainstream television for a while. I worked on other projects throughout 2020 and I thought it would make such a good return. The character was endearing and it's widely watched and celebrated so I thought it would be a missed opportunity if I didn't jump in headfirst," said Candice.

The youngest of the famous Modiselle sister trio, the star said she is thankful to be forging a path of her own.

Will #SABC's UBettina Wethu become an instant viewer fan favourite? #SouthAfricaBlog

When it comes to entertainment options, viewers have the option of content on pay-TV, free-to-air channels as well as several streaming platforms.

And SABC is determined to get a piece of viewership action.

This week SABC1 kicked off with uBettina Wethu, a local version of the international hit series, Ugly Betty.

Using a successful international series as a blueprint for a local offering has been done before. The success lies in the execution. And it can go horribly wrong.

Having watched every episode of Ugly Betty, I was curious to see how the homegrown version would interpret the comedydrama, which saw a Plain Jane planted at the epicentre of vanity central as the newbie at a prominent fashion magazine.

Back to uBettina Wethu, I am far from being blown away.

The series revolves around Bettina (Betty) Sikhakhane (Farieda Metsileng) accidentally bagging a job at Nubia Magazine. She is employed as the personal assistant to the new editor-in-chief, Dingani Jiyane (Zweli Dube), who is a playboy of note. And she has her work cut out for her.

The writers play it very safe with the storytelling. Also, Betty fits in more than she stands out. This goes against the whole objective of the series.

Maybe this adaptation will redeem itself at some point. I just don't know if I have the patience or desire to wait it out.

Get a free 6 pack when you buy the new slim Castle Lite 410ml! #CastleLite

Use promo code: 410CHILL on the Bottles app when you buy a case of our new Castle Lite 410ml and you'll get an extra 6-pack on us, delivered right to your door. 

And if you love a good chill as much as we do, our new 410ml is the perfect fit for you. But hurry, because the code is only valid for the first 1000 people.

We're really hyped about our new 410ml, but this one is all about taking it easy. It's the kind of Castle Lite can that fits your vibe, your lifestyle, your fridge, and – most importantly – your chill, perfectly.

Yours in chill, Castle Lite

From radio DJ to making South Africa's sexiest pair of high heels. Meet Bontle Riet #MotivationMonday #SouthAfricaBlog

Bontle Riet was quickly making strides as a radio presenter but she decided to quit her job after she saw a gap in women's shoe market and that birthed her business venture.

Riet, 25, from Pretoria North, is the founder and owner of Bontle Riet Footwear – a proudly South African female shoe brand that sells high heels only for now.

The former presenter of Vaaltar FM community radio station in Taung, North West, told Sowetan she left her job so that she could focus more on helping SA women buy local brands from her company.

"I noticed that everyone is making and selling sneakers. There was no SA shoe brand for women. Women buy shoe brands from abroad. So I asked myself why can't I capture the market and make something for SA women," said Riet. She said she has always loved high heels from a young age.

"I would wear my mother's high-heeled shoes. I realised that there is no better feeling than stepping into heels. You feel like you have conquered something," said Riet.

The young mother of a two year-old girl said she wants her footwear company to benefit her child and other women

Bontle Riet Footwear was officially launched on April 6. It has four employees. It markets itself through its website and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp.

The brand sells a pair of high heels at R1,599. A pair is available in four colours – amari rose gold, wine red, emerald green and pearl black. The colours are from the Bontle Riet Amari Collection.

Product Review: Instax Instant Square SQ1 Camera is the new 'cool' #MotivationMonday #SouthAfricaBlog #Fujifilm

FujiFilm is always raising the bar when it comes to instant photography.

Their 2020 release, the Instax Square SQ1 is a camera that is designed for even easier instant photography for those who love square prints.

What I love about these cameras is how fun they are from their look to their feel. They are pleasing to the eye and always become a topic of conversation.

In a world where we take photos on our smartphones and leave them there to die, it's nice to sometimes have the option to print them, instantly, and see that memory posted on your fridge or wall.

There are no hidden tricks to these cameras. You won't have to sit and read a manual to figure out how they work. Fujifilm has done all the hard work for you to be able to just capture your favourite moments as and when you want to.

I reviewed the SQ1 recently. It comes with new features that include Automatic Exposure and One-Touch Selfie Mode.
The auto exposure senses the level of ambient light when the shutter button is pressed, and optimises the shutter speed and flash output according to lighting conditions.

With the older versions, taking images indoors would sometimes come out darker and not as clear as the photos you take outdoors. So this upgrade is great.

The One-Touch Selfie mode is designed specifically for selfies and close-up shots. Users activate this mode by simply rotating the lens from 'On' to 'Selfie' mode.

This sets the best focus and exposure for the shot by changing the position of the lens when activated. I love the neat mirror feature on the camera that lets you make sure you are taking the selfie with everyone who needs to be in it. 

The square print is 1.5 times the size of Instax mini prints, making it easier to fit more people into those fun group selfies. The square prints the camera produces are mirrored by the square nature of not only the body, but also the viewfinder and lens glass.

I used the Chalk White SQ1 as an accessory to my outfits because it really is that cool.

The device is also available in Terracotta Orange and Glacier Blue.

Weighing only 390 grams, it can be carried with ease. Additional items like the strap for easier hold can be bought. 

The square film packs can range from R170 to R200 for a pack of 10 films depending on where you want to buy them. The camera is 57.5mm slim making it easy to hold as well.

This fun and instant accessory retails for R1 999.

More about Boity Thulo's new sparkling beverage BT Signature

BT Signature is a range of superior-tasting premium sparkling fruit beverages uniquely crafted for bold and fashionable individuals. 

BT Signature has not only been created to fit perfectly into the modern consumer lifestyle, but also as an ode to individual success and an inspiration to all women and men to own their signature, and make their mark. 

It is brought to you by one of South Africa's biggest and most loved celebrities, Boity Thulo, in collaboration with celebrated winemaker Matthew Krone.