Boity Thulo moves to #Amapiano? #SouthAfricaBlog #GirlTalkZA

When it comes to re-invention, Boity Thulo has proven that there is very little she cannot do. From being a TV presenter to beauty industry mogul in the making, and even launching her own ready-to-drink brand, Miss Thulo is one celeb who is not shy to try out new things.

When she announced herself as a rapper a few years ago, many were skeptical, until she silenced critics with her smash hits, including the popular, Wuz Dat? featuring Nasty C.

This weekend, Boity hinted at another departure from what we expect of the 31-year-old, when she revealed her feature on an Amapiano beat with Focalistic.

Amapiano has been a tidal wave on the local music scene, even gaining traction overseas, and Boity, who always spots an opportunity, is seemingly also jumping on the bandwagon.

The snippet was met with rave reviews, with fans giving it the thumbs up on social media. Since its inception, hip hop music has continued to evolve, but one thing that remains the same is the lyrical content and the art of rapping which Boity seems to be staying true to despite jumping on to the Amapiano instrumental, instead of her usual trap beats.

UCT launch online high school #SouthAfricaBlog

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is opening an online high school next year.
Vice-chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng said on Wednesday the school, which UCT would run with the Valenture Institute, would help disadvantaged children to shine in spite of their socioeconomic circumstances.

The R2,095-a-month school would increase access to quality schooling and use innovative digital techniques to close the gap between school and university education, she said.

"We get to imagine the learning process from the ground up," Phakeng said. "We are thinking differently about high school and designing an experience that will deliver quality education at scale."

Describing the new institution as SA'S most affordable private school, Phakeng said it would offer high-quality education with support from experts, specialist teachers and mentors.

Phakeng said the school — already operating as a successful blended learning programme in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town — would use existing infrastructure to bring pupils under one roof. However, the curriculum would be online.

In Mitchells Plain, pupils had recorded dramatic improvements in maths, science and English, she said.

#Scandal actress Nomvelo Makhanya is all loved up. #SouthAfricaBlog #GIRLTALKZA

Date nights, cuddles and kisses. It's clear to see that Nomvelo 'Mvelo' Makhanya has found a new love and she's not afraid to flaunt him.

The actress's followers have been itching to find out about her new love, and she is finally flaunting him for all to see.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the Scandal! star posted a reel of her boyfriend and her spending quality time together.

The actress might have unveiled her new partner's face and is seemingly not looking to tag him just yet, but she says she will not shy away from loving him openly.

"One thing about me? I will love out loudly," she wrote in her Instagram stories.

This is Mvelo's second public relationship after she separated from her former partner.

The actress revealed her relationship status ahead of Valentine's Day this year saying it was the first time she'd spending it as a single woman.

"Valentine's Day is upon us (this is my first one as a single lady btw, lol)," she wrote.

Khabonina Qubeka is raffling feathers! #Generations #MotivationMonday #SouthAfricaBlog

Locals recently took note of a new lady in town and it wasn't long for them to realise that she is nothing but trouble. Meet Oby Phakade, played by the equally formidable Khabonina Qubeka. 

And while neither the actress nor the production team are willing to give away too much, Khabonina has one simple warning: "Oby is very dirty. She is morally repulsive."

Having recently made her dramatic appearance, a few individuals are less than thrilled that Oby is in town. The usually unshakeable politician Walter Nkaba (Nimrod Nkosi) for one battles to stand his ground. 

"Nkaba is one of the politicians that Oby helped gain power many years ago," reveals Khabonina. What exactly Oby hopes to squeeze out of Walter is a secret, but if Oby's character description is anything to go by, it'll bring Nkaba to his knees.

#ProductReview: #Itel's Vision 1Pro to shake up South Africa's entry level #smartphone market. #FridayFeeling

Itel's Vision 1Pro launched in May and I recently received the device for review.
The first thing I noticed about the device was how light it was.

Compared to other phones of the same size, it weighs 182 grams.

It is available in three colours; Ice Crystal Blue, Cosmic Shine and Black. The operating system is Android 10 (Go edition) meaning low data costs to save more money for you. I love the Google Go apps that help save data.

The Vision 1Pro is priced affordably at R1 699.

Itel is an entry level mobile phone brand that provides budget friendly technological devices for people.

The brand is expanding and offering a wider range of options for consumers.

I liked the grip of the phone as well. It didn't slip out of my hand easily and it came with a cover from the box.

Smartphones are user friendly in that they already come with a screen protector as well and they are charged up.

The battery life is optimised with a 4000mAh capacity. You're guaranteed a full day of power once charged.

The camera quality is standard. The device comes with a triple rear camera and the main camera is an 8MP. 

You can set it in different modes including short video, portrait, pano shot mode, pro and HDR for richer quality. You can also adjust your beauty level in selfie mode, depending on how you wake up in the morning.

The display screen size, 6.5 inch, matches many high-end priced smart devices. The water drop full screen refers to the non-display area and the size of water droplets reserved for the camera at the top of the screen. 

Many smartphones have gone in this direction.

When it comes to space, the device carries a 2GB RAM and a 1.4GHz Quadcore processor which means you can run a number of apps on the phone without it slowing down. You can also add more space with an SD card with up to 64GB of memory.

I liked that the display of the apps were alphabetised, making it easier to find the apps you want. I always have to colour code and change my apps to easily recognise them. Sometimes I still have a hard time finding the apps on my phone because I have so many.

Security wise you can be at ease knowing the camera comes with a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone and a face unlock. I love face unlock because it is that much easier to unlock your phone. 

Itel's aim is to democratise technology by giving entry to technology and connectivity to consumers who have not had access to it before. The brand has expanded to 50 emerging markets and was ranked in the 2018/19 top 100 most admired brands in Africa by a business magazine.

Organizations provide food to families affected by looting #FridayFeeling #SouthAfricaBlog

Organisations providing relief to poverty-stricken communities say they were badly affected in the distribution of meals, as the violent looting continued throughout the week.

Trucks carrying food supplies along Gauteng and KZN's major highways were looted resulting in empty tummies as destinations for deliveries could not be reached.

Gift of the Givers has put its entire machinery into action, in spite of severe restrictions on safe mobility, to respond to the gargantuan crisis created by looters, while FoodFoward SA says they will commence operations in Durban and Joburg.

Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman said: "Their inhuman activity has robbed babies of formula milk, while the elderly and the physically challenged, orphanages and ordinary civilians, of all economic strata, have been denied access to basic foods and medical supplies. "

He said the time has come for the country to unite and fight what has been described as a second pandemic.
"Instead of tearing us apart, the traitors united us more strongly than before …" said Sooliman

FoodForward SA managing director Andy Du Plessis said their Durban branch was badly damaged and looted but they "aim to resume operations in Durban and Joburg tomorrow."

Nomcebo Zikode is at war #MondayMotivation #SouthAfricaBlog

Record label boss Lionel Jamela has hit back at claims by singer Nomcebo Zikode that she has not been paid a cent for her contribution to Master KG'S smash hit Jerusalema.

Both Zikode and Master KG, real name Kgaogelo Moagi, are signed to Jamela's record stable, Open Mic.

Jamela slammed Zikode in a statement issued to Sowetan on Sunday, saying Zikode had not signed the Featured Artist Agreement.

"We note the utterances made by our artist, Nomcebo Zikode, on social media in regard to payment for her featured artist role in the song Jerusalema by Master KG.

"Whilst we do not make a habit of discussing our artists' contractual matters in public, Nomcebo's utterances cannot be left uncorrected.

"The fact of the matter is that, since about the first half of 2020, royalties have indeed been accruing for Nomcebo in respect of her role as a featured artist on the song and this has been available for payment to her as way back as then," Jamela said.

"However, no payment has been made to her as yet because Nomcebo is yet to sign the Featured Artist Agreement that essentially records what was agreed between herself and Master KG prior to both of them going into the studio to record Jerusalema.

"This is the agreement that, among other things, set out what percentage of Master KG'S artist royalties is payable to Nomcebo for her role as featured artist in the song.

"The agreement was handed over to Nomcebo also in 2020 and in April this year she instructed her lawyers to review it, prior to her signing.

"Since then, there have been back-and-forth engagements between her lawyers and ours in this regard.

"These engagements remain ongoing and as soon as these are concluded and the agreement is signed by all parties, Nomcebo will be paid all her royalty monies, backdated to the first half of 2020.

"This position is very well known to Nomcebo."

Zikode released a statement on the matter on social media on Sunday morning in which she aired her grievances.

Jessica Molebatsi steps up the winter fashion game #JessicaJane #GirlTalkZA #SouthAfricaBlog

Jessica Molebatsi - fashion designer and founder of the JessicaJane label – is taking this winter by storm with her 2021 winter range. Her garments shine brightly in acid yellow and cerise pink and exude a much-needed message of positivity that amplifies the brightness of the women who wear them, expressing their true value and feminine beauty.

Carving a niche for herself in Feminine Couture, Jessica's passion is helping women feel confident, beautiful, and valued; this ethos shines through every sequin in this energetic collection. 

Designed specifically with go-getting superwomen in mind, this collection was created to help women easily slip into a comfortable outfit and look meticulously put together, especially where they don't have the time to fuss. 

"The essence of this collection was about enabling women to express their individuality. I wanted to empower the femininity within each of us, not to impose my idea of femininity onto my clients, but for the woman who wears them to remain their beautiful selves - just with an extra confidence boost," says Jessica. 

Influenced by the romanticism of french aesthetics, this collection strikes the perfect balance between vivaciousness and vintage. 

Inspired primarily by her extraordinary clients and her own life as a working mom, this collection empowers women without having to make them fit a specific mould and be uncomfortable in the process.