Cassper Nyovest kills it on #TheBraaiShow. #MondayMotivation

On Wednesday night, Cassper Nyovest trended on Twitter for his foray into TV on SABC1.

Mzansi loved him as the host of season 2 of The Braai Show with Cassper Nyovest. That it was a controversial "takeover" from his arch-rival and predecessor, AKA, certainly fuelled curiosity, too.

The bottom line, though, is he holds his own in his new playground, so kudos to him.

He introduced himself as, "The rapping pantsula aka the new Doc Shebeleza, and this is The Braai Show With Cass."
He was a bit nervous as he rolled up to the crib of his first guest – former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.

Just to contextualise, his excitable state had more to do with Tunzi being his crush than TV jitters.

As they made their way to grab a few braai essentials, Nyovest caught viewers up on what she's been busy with, now that she is back home after a spell in New York City.

He also snuck in the fact that she's been his crush. The banter between the two was chilled and underpinned by a few jibes.

Overall, a few editing glitches aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the show.

◆ The Braai Show 2 airs on SABC1 on Wednesdays at 6pm.

Thando Thabethe says she is not an overnight success! #FridayFeeling

Thando Thabethe is a lot of things, but an overnight success is not one of them.

The 31-year-old radio and TV personality is, however, running a tad late for our tête-à-tête at the 947 studios in the heart of Sandton, Johannesburg.

It's an hour before her afternoon drive show when the pint-sized star makes her appearance from her white Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.

Yes, girls who drive big cars...

But it's her short cycling suit that attracts the most attention. Thabethe then opens the boot of her car to take out her brand-new bike and helmet.

Thabethe is camera-ready for us. Her face is exquisite, though it's amusing to watch her walk with discomfort because of the stiff-soled cycling shoes.

An amateur cyclist, Thabethe can hardly contain her excitement about participating in this year's 947 Ride Joburg Road in November.

"I don't know what I'm getting myself into. I'm not a rider but I run and gym. The bike at the gym is my least favourite thing," Thabethe mentions.

"But I'm excited about the challenge and it seems fun. I'm that girl that is easy to convince with these kind of things."

What to consider before buying your next foundation #GirlTalkZA #SouthAfricaBlog

1 CONSIDER YOUR SKIN TYPE

Is it dry, oily or combination? If it's dry, look for a product that offers extra hydration and glow-inducing properties. If it's oily, avoid any overly dewy finishes: the new long-wear offerings are your best bet. If it's a combination, go for lightweight formulas that adjust to your needs, controlling midday shine without looking flaky and dry by 3pm. If it's fairly balanced, choose on the finish you like instead.

2 FINISH IS EVERYTHING

Are you looking for a sheer, lightweight product that you can apply just where you feel you need a bit to even out your skin tone? Or do you like full coverage colour that instantly conceals redness and imperfections? Are you comfortable applying liquid with a foundation brush or would a stick or a compact and sponge you can blend with your fingers suit you better? All good questions to ask.

3 TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

The upside of buying a higher-end brand is that generally counter staff will offer to colour match your skin tone, as well as send you home with a few samples, so you can try the foundation on your own time. If you are doing an in-store swatch, try the foundation on a neutral area like the lower area of your cheek near your jawline. Check it in natural light. Look for the shade that almost disappears.

Red Bull Shay' imoto celebrates anniversary! #SouthAfricaBlog

The prime spinning event in the country, Red Bull Shay' iMoto, is back to thrill Mzansi and crown its third champion. 

Once again, the best spinners across South Africa will go gusheshe-to-gusheshe for the top spot in a closed event taking place on Saturday.

Now in its third year, the competition sees participants battle it out for the trophy by showcasing their best tyre-screeching skills and stunts, while tackling special obstacles including "the kitchen sink", and "bread and butter".

Twelve of the country's top spinners will come together to battle it for the coveted trophy.

Last year Limpopo's King Katra spun his way to victory and walked away with the trophy after impressing judges with his stunts in the freestyle section.

Six of the best spinners will be joined by six more chosen from an online competition. You can vote for your favourites to help decide who makes it to the top six.

To celebrate three years of Red Bull Shay' iMoto, fans will get a chance to win a VIP trip to this year's closed event – along with a chance to win weekly prizes which include Red Bull Shay' iMoto merchandise.

Fans can play a virtual game via the website to try to spin their way to the top of the leader board.

While many will not be able to watch the event live due to Covid restrictions, the action will be available live at www.redbullshayimoto.com, redbull.tv online as well as on connected Smart TVs and devices.

Red Bull Shay' iMoto is proudly supported by BMW and Puma.

Kelly Khumalo is all amped up! #SouthAfricaBlog

Award-winning musician Kelly Khumalo continues to reclaim her space in entertainment as she joins the judging panel of a new family singing music competition.

Khumalo has been selected as one of the judges for a new SABC2 singing competition called Stand Up South Africa.

The show is set to make its premiere this evening at 6pm – while she is also anticipated to be a guest judge on Idols SA.

Khumalo will be joined by musician Kurt Darren and choreographer Lorcia Cooper on the judging panel, while Dineo Langa presents the show.

"Stand Up SA is a reality TV talent scout show about family members singing together in a duet and it means a lot to me that I get to be a judge in a family based show. I am looking for chemistry, authentic interaction and a duo that's here to have the best time of its life," she said.

Gigi Lamayne on finding love. #GirlTalkZA #SouthAfricaBlog

Rapper Gigi Lamayne is all beau'd up after the first season of the hit international reality dating show Temptation Island SA, and she hopes she can change public perception of Mzansi celebs as well.

"My brand has always been about surprises. Just people never really know what I am going to do next," said Gigi about shocking fans with the news of joining the cast of Temptation Island SA.

Chatting to TshisaLIVE, Gigi had fans excited that they are finally going to get a sneak peek into her personal life.

"I want people to see me outside my element, you know, not as a celebrity, not as an artist but as someone who also faces the same challenges. I am single, I am looking for someone, if it happens on the show, why not? I've always kinda dated people in my industry, and it was only recently that I decided not to," she said.

Chatting about why she joined the show, the ''Slaap Tiger'' hit-maker said she wanted to start dating outside the music space and meet people of different backgrounds who could possibly be "the one" for her. 

"Just because I don't want to be chatting about the same thing around the table. I just wanted someone to challenge me, someone who lives a lifestyle completely different to my own. Previously I would date for the moment and be in the moment but I think I am slowly starting to understand how stability is super-important," she said.

Gigi also hopes that audiences can change their perceptions of women of colour and hopes to see more women like herself be unapologetic.

#StarLife celebrates it's success in South Africa with new shows. #SouthAfricaBlog #FridayFeeling

If statistics from the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa are anything to go by, it's clear that South African audiences love Indian dramas.

Since its launch in 2018, South Africans have taken to the many drama series on Star Life.

With an average daily viewership of more than 150 000 viewers and a monthly reach of more than 5.5 million, Star Life has established itself among the top 10 TV channels in the South African market and the number one channel among dubbed telenovela offerings.

All the channel's shows have made a distinct place for themselves in the hearts and minds of viewers.

It's delivered many hits, among them, The Evil Eye, about a wicked witch who was a servant of the mother goddesses Kali and Durga.

The recently launched A Magical Love Story, a fantasy drama, broke into the 400 000 viewership club on its first episode that aired last month and within three weeks, more than 600 South Africans were hooked.

"We're growing rapidly by building strong emotional bonds with our audiences through stories like My Identity and Strange Love, that bring progressive and inspirational characters in compelling dramas and are leading performers with a consistent viewership of 300 000," said the channel.

This month, the channel launched two new dramas – The Frontliners, a medical drama about the ups and downs in the lives of doctors at the Sanjivani Hospital, is a tribute to front-line workers and the Covid-19 warriors.

Connie Ferguson reflects. #GirlTalkZA #SouthAfricaBlog

Exactly a month since actor and co-founder of Ferguson Films Shona Ferguson died, his widow and actress Connie Ferguson has reflected on his death and shared her feelings.

Taking to Instagram, Connie expressed that the death of her husband - who died on July 30 after succumbing to Covid-19 related complications - still felt surreal for her.

"Exactly a month today and it still feels surreal. It's always been said that legends never die!" Connie wrote.

Even though she has been a proud Christian for most of her life, Connie has immersed herself in God's word since Shona died.

The actress accompanied her post with a scripture from the Bible that she revealed had taken on a new meaning since she lost the love of her life.

The scripture from the book of Revelations reads:
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself Will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Connie shared a reel with some of Shona's TV moments.

Making clothes saved me - says 24 year old fashion designer. #SouthAfricaBlog #GirlTalkZA

After travelling the world in search of greener pastures, Fanele Malaika Nyawo, 24, came to realise there were opportunities in abundance if one had the right mindset.

The Richards Bay-born fashion designer is self-taught and now making a living off her talent. She created her clothing brand, They Tailor.

Nyawo said that designing clothes saved her from depression caused by a lack employment opportunities.

She said that working in hotels in South Africa and in the Middle East as a hotel receptionist, she realised her job was no longer sustainable due to Covid-19.

"As a coping mechanism, I started flipping old clothes. I realised that I had a love for making clothing and entrepreneurship. I decided to start teaching myself how to design and make clothes by watching videos and reading articles."

She draws inspiration from her mother and from her clients who give her honest feedback about her work.

Nyawo works from a studio she created in her mother's house. She said the community and the neighbouring townships of Empangeni and Esikhawini have been very supportive of her work.

She said her dream was to have a fashion house that showcased authentic African aesthetics in modern and sustainable fashion.

One of her aims was to hire and
train unskilled youth who were passionate about fashion.

"People love fashion but they do not have the funding to get the required skills. With my experience I could inspire youth not to be afraid to start businesses and follow their dreams.

"Aspiring entrepreneurs must know that starting a business has its challenges. All that matters is that you remember why you started in the first place. We must embrace our failures and learn from them."

Nyawo pleaded with other designers in her area to work together in advancing their dreams and encouraged people to wear local brands.

R100 000 up for grabs in the Apex Legends All Star tournament. #SouthAfricaBlog

Esports and gaming content specialist Mettlestate has teamed up with Incredible Connection to bring gamers one of the biggest Apex esports competitions in the country. Competitors will be fighting for a prize pool of R100 000 in cash and prizes. 

Mettlestate, in partnership with Incredible Connection, ASUS Republic of Gamers, Intel Gaming and NVIDIA, has set the stage for South African teams to fight for the prestige (and the winner's share of the prize pool) in the Respawn Entertainment game Apex Legends. This battle royale is incredibly popular among gamers, and this tournament is sure to put them to the test. 

Registrations officially opened on 30 August 2021. Gamers have until 15 September to sign up, and they can do so here. The entrants will compete in three weeks of group stages. Thereafter, the top teams will go through to the grand finals. The grand finals will be hosted online in order to accommodate COVID-19 health and safety protocols. They will be streamed on the Incredible Connection Twitch channel. 

The schedule for Apex Legends All Stars is as follows: 

15 September 

16:00 SAST: Registrations close 

19:00 SAST: Group stages begin 

22 September 

Week 2 of group stages 

29 September 

Week 3 of group stages 

6 October 

Grand finals

Mettlestate's Community Manager, Carly Twaddle, is pleased to see big tech brands getting behind the gaming scene. "It is great to see a goliath brand like Incredible Connection getting involved in South African esports. The All Star Gaming side of the company is making waves in our community", says Twaddle.