8-year-old Zimbabwean appointed brand ambassador in South Africa

Zimbabwean celebrity Madam Boss' daughter, Mikayla Munetsiwa, has been appointed brand ambassador for exclusive sneaker wear in Pretoria, South Africa.

The eight-year-old was officially unveiled as the brand ambassador for Ntwana Sneaker Wear on Tuesday. She was accompanied by her mother at the event.

She was given a Ntwana certificate as the company's way of appreciation.

She will be advertising the sneakers on her social media platforms and as the company's representative, she promised to open another branch in Zimbabwe early next year.

Speaking to H-Metro Entertainment & Lifestyle shortly after the event, Mikayla's father Ngoni Munetsiwa said they were elated as a family.

"I'm excited and proud as the father, manager and I'm also learning to support my kid at a tender age and I also appeal to all parents to support their kids' different talents," he said.

He however, said he also encouraged his daughter to concentrate on studies despite tasting fame at a tender age.

"Academic qualifications and talents are equally important nowadays," he added.
According to the representative of the brand, Mikayla made the grade and pledged to support young children.

"Ntwana is the message to the children, they are future leaders, they need to be groomed with love and support.

"Mikayla has massive influence to the kids as well as she is the most followed kid in Zimbabwean region so as in South Africa.

"We are honoured and grateful as a brand to have her as our first brand ambassador representing African kids," said the representative.

TV and radio personality Penny Lebyane gets emotional

TV AND radio personality Penny Lebyane has been working hard to get a flat tummy — eating clean and regularly exercising — but her doctor recently confirmed her problem is not typical stubborn belly fat.

Penny has always been vocal about her struggles to lose belly fat. However, she recently learnt why she's been having a hard time achieving the desired results, and she took to Instagram to share the news.

"Sadly with all that hard work at the gym l have finally got to learn why my tummy won't get flat. I'm told the more l do the stomach exercise it will get worse. My doctor says I have an umbilical hernia which will need repairing.

"I used to tease that l need tummy tuck. Well, it looks like l was right. Something needs to be tucked back in, I just didn't know until recently. l did everything to understand why the middle part of my tummy/ my core doesn't get stronger no matter what l do," she wrote.

An umbilical hernia creates a soft swelling or bulge near the navel. It occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdominal muscles.

Penny said she tried everything for a flat tummy.

"I changed my eating, went on a gut healing journey with The Drip Bar gut coach because l understood the impact of depression, anxiety and stress on one's gut health. I did gut cleansing, totally removed red meat from my diet. Still nothing changed."

It was only when she considered other alternatives, like fat freezing and liposuction , was she told she needed to consider checking her hernia.

"l did more research and consulting for a tummy tuck and liposuction. Everyone said you need to check your hernia. Well, it's confirmed. l have an umbilical hernia, a birth defect many live with unknowingly and don't know it can be fixed."

"The thought of how l was so hard on my self about not being able to breathe in and hold my tummy in for years. I wish l knew earlier but it's never too late.
"Anyway it could have been worse. Looking at the best way to manage the next phase of this journey," she shared. — Times.

Olympian Oscar Pistorius day of reckoning

The pain and trauma of model Reeva Steenkamp's murder and former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius's prison term have been dragged back into the media spotlight, as it emerged that the "Blade Runner" has qualified to apply for parole.

After he was resentenced by the Supreme Court of Appeal for shooting Steenkamp through a locked toilet door, killing her, Pistorius would be eligible for early release in March 2023.

"And that is what Reeva's parents Barry and June Steenkamp have been mentally preparing themselves for all these years," their lawyer Tania Koen told Sowetan's sister publication Sunday Times Daily.

However, Pistorius had already served just over 500 days before the sentencing, which could be added to his time served.

"This means that he qualified to go before the parole board in July," she added.

The Steenkamps lost their only child Reeva on Valentine's Day in 2013. She was dating Pistorius and had stayed overnight at his upmarket Waterkloof home when, in the early hours of the morning, he shot her through a locked toilet door.

He claimed to have acted in the mistaken belief that she was an intruder and he was protecting her. The state alleged he shot her during a violent argument, in which Steenkamp locked herself away with her phone.

In 2015, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned Pistorius's culpable homicide verdict and convicted him for murder and sentenced him to 13 years and five months in Atteridgeville Prison in Pretoria.

Koen said the correctional services department contacted the Steenkamps last month and invited them to participate in a victim-offender dialogue (VOD) before Pistorius's case could go before the parole board for a decision on his early release.

"Barry absolutely wants to speak to Oscar. I am not at liberty to disclose what the contents of that conversation will entail because of attorney-client privilege. But it is his right and something he wants."

Koen relayed the couple's desire for the dialogue to go ahead, and an appointment was made for correctional services officials to come to their home in East London. 

But two days before it was to happen, the Steenkamps were told due to budget problems correctional services was unable to send officials to their home, and the appointment was cancelled.

Miss South Africa will contest in #MissUniverse despite riding tension

Miss SA organisers are digging their heels in over Miss SA Lalela Mswane's participation in the 70th Miss Universe pageant, insisting she will participate in the event and dismissing allegations to the contrary as "completely unfounded and untrue".

Pressure is mounting for the beauty queen to withdraw from the pageant taking place in Eilat in Israel on December 12, with pro-Palestine supporters saying SA's participation was inexcusable.

Mandla Mandela also called for a boycott, saying Mswane should not attend the ceremony in Israel "in protest at the occupation and cruel treatment of Palestinians at the hands of the apartheid Israeli regime".

Miss SA organisers have previously defended her participation, saying the body was "not getting involved in a political war of words" but was instead looking forward to watching the recently crowned beauty queen represent the country on an international stage.

This was reiterated in a statement yesterday, in which the organisation's CEO Stephanie Weil refuted claims about Mswane's change of heart.

Instead, Weil insisted the pageant was "thrilled to be able to make Mswane's childhood dream — to wear the crown while representing her country globally — come true".

"SA was placed very firmly in the 21st century when Zozibini Tunzi, proudly wearing her natural hair without trying to conceal it under a weave or a wig, was crowned Miss Universe.

"Her refusal to bow to pressure to look a certain way was ground-breaking and opened the door to diversity and the rise of the individual as opposed to lookalikes," Weil said.

"Like her, Mswane will be a role model to young women, not just across the country, but across the African continent.

"Anyone who wants to rob Mswane of her moment in the spotlight is unkind and shortsighted. She is a shining beacon for young women everywhere, showing them that being beautiful while being clever and educated is very possible.

"We are not a political organisation and the Miss Universe pageant is not a politically inspired event."

Meet #Mzansi's new power couple! #RelationshipGoals

Reality shows offer a glimpse into people's lives. 

Like a fly-onthe-wall, the camera captures intimate moments in which viewers gain a perspective into each cast member's world. And it's the same in local series Izangoma Zodumo, where a trio of sangomas are out to dispel misconceptions surrounding their spiritual gift.

There's outspoken fan favourite Makgotso "Gogo Maweni" Makopo, who viewers met in season 1. Besides juggling motherhood and several business ventures that include an events management company, she's also a gobela – an instructor chosen by ancestors to guide and teach trainees to become sangomas.

Season 2 also introduces endearing couple Sabelo and Pearl Sifundza. Sabelo is a chief traditional healer, while Pearl a nurse and sangoma. "With no holds barred, we give viewers insight into our marriage and calling," says Sabelo, adding that he joined Izangoma
Zodumo to show viewers that sangomas are "normal people with normal lives".

"Pearl and I work together. We're hands-on parents to our three kids, and we love each other dearly. We've opened our home for the country to see that we're just like any other couple. We laugh together and we disagree, but we always make up," adds Sabelo.

SANGOMA STARS

A typical week at the Sifundza residence includes Sabelo and Pearl consulting with their clients. They perform rituals such as when they travelled with one of their initiates to a river for a spiritual cleanse. 

They hang out with their kids and, as Sabelo admits, the pair always makes time for each other. "My family is the key to my happiness, and I'm glad we can share our first TV experience together," explains the 36-year-old Sabelo.

DISMANTLING MYTHS

Pearl emphasises that some traditional healers are recognised health practitioners and they should, therefore, be treated as such. 

"To some extent, sangomas operate like general practitioners. They examine their clients, determine the diagnosis and, depending on the case, they give their clients medication with which they heal," explains the 35-year-old Pearl. 

She expands on the similarities that sangomas and doctors share: "We go through a process of training too. Although becoming a sangoma isn't university-based, it's a spiritual journey wherein we learn about the practise and in the end we have a graduation ceremony," she adds. 

"Some people are scared to consult with sangomas, and some only want to visit us at night when no one can see them because they aren't comfortable with people knowing that they go to sangomas. If people see that we are just like them, they can ease their fears and come to us without any misgivings."

Singer-actress Nokuthando Nqayi is back on screen dealing with #love issues

Love and romance are tough at the best of times. So, when your partner starts seeing someone else, it can be devastating, and few relationships survive. 

But, in some cases, an independent third party can help all those involved see things differently and, if all goes well, even meet each other halfway. 

That's exactly what Mzansi Magic's new reality show Face 2 Face aims to do – help couples and the controversial side chick or guy move forward.

Hosted by singer-actress Noluthando Nqayi – who's made a number of appearances in shows, including local drama series Home Affairs as Maki, and hosting three seasons of the reality show Keeping It Real – Face 2 Face aims not only to bring couples closer together but sometimes show the participants that they deserve better. 

"Some of these stories are not new, but it's how we deal with them. Most importantly, we need to value ourselves as human beings who are worthy," says Noluthando.

It's kill or be killed for Zola Nombona #Generations

Politics is an ugly business. But there's one man who takes the messy political game to a new level: Minister Walter Nkaba (Nimrod Nkosi), who's proven that he's willing to lie, cheat, steal and even murder to retain power. 

He once again finds himself at the centre of a tender scandal but, unlike his previous dodgy deals, this one leads to bloodshed.

Fortunately, intrepid Flying News investigative journalist Pamela (Zola Nombona) is on the case. She's been putting the squeeze on the minister since October in an effort to link him to multi-billion rand tender fraud and, late in October, the damning Nkaba article was published. 

"That story led to a formal investigation," Zola reminds us. But the article also dealt a devastating blow to Pamela when she was told her husband Siyanda (Kay Sibiya) had committed suicide.

Convinced that Nkaba had a hand in Siyanda's death, Pamela goes on a dangerous mission to expose the shady politician. And no threat from anyone could dissuade her. 

"She's relentless!" exclaims Zola. "The danger is thrilling for her." But is her character's grief perhaps blinding her from the true danger she's facing? "She knows exactly who she's dealing with, but she's gutsy and fearless," Zola assures us.

Woman now a criminal after paying admission of guilt fine by mistake #MonteCasino

A woman caught at Monte Casino in Fourways more than nine years ago and arrested on suspicion of trespassing has now discovered she has a criminal record.

Nila Milner was not allowed to visit Monte Casino or any other gambling institutions.

Milner told the Johannesburg High Court that she had done nothing wrong and was only in the vicinity of the casino, yet was made to pay a R300 admission of guilt fine.

It is not clear from the judgment by Judge LR Adams as to why exactly Milner was not allowed to visit casinos. But Milner asked the court to instruct the criminal record centre to remove her name from its records. She is also demanding her R300 back.

She said after her arrest in September 2012 near the casino, she was taken to Douglasdale police station.

Milner said she was "tricked" into admitting guilt and paying an admission of guilt fine. She did not at the time realise that this would result in her having a criminal record.

She only discovered seven years later, in 2019, that she was in fact now regarded as a criminal, as she had a criminal record for trespassing.

Milner said that after her arrest, "I was extremely nervous and concerned that I was going to be detained".

She said she decided to co-operate as far as possible with police as she just wanted to get home. "The policeman advised me that if I paid R300 I could go home and I would not have to sleep in the cells until the Monday.

"I had no idea what the R300 was for. The policeman promised that I would not be arrested and charged. If I paid the R300 I could go home."

Milner said she was never told that she was signing and paying an admission of guilt fine. "Once I paid the R300, the policeman did not give me a receipt and simply told me to leave."

The SAPS took her admission of guilt document to the Randburg Magistrate's Court the following Monday, where her guilt was confirmed as "she had admitted to it" in terms of the document.

Judge Adams ordered that the Randburg Magistrate's Court proceedings in which her admission of guilt was accepted, should be provided.

The court will then probe the circumstances under which Milner signed the admission of guilt.

Megan Thee Stallion inspires her fans after graduating

MEGAN THEE STALLION will soon be able to add the title of university graduate to her list of accolades.

The Texas-born rapper (26) recently announced she'll receive her undergraduate degree in health administration from Texas Southern University later this year.

Born Megan Pete, the star's dedication to her education was instilled in her by the matriarchs in her family – her mom and great-grandmother.

"Before my mom passed, she really would be on my butt about getting my degree. My greatgrandmother was always asking, 'You're going to get them papers?'"

Sadly, neither woman will get to see her graduate as they died in March 2019. Megan's mom, Holly Thomas, died of a brain tumour and her great-gran died just two weeks later.

Travis Scott stampede receives global media coverage. But what really happened?

At least two investigations, one of them criminal, were under way yesterday into a deadly stampede during rap star Travis Scott's Astroworld music festival that killed at least eight people and injured dozens in Houston.

Officials in Houston said autopsies on Friday's victims were being performed as soon as possible so their bodies could be returned to their families. 

The dead were young, Houston mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters at the weekend; two were aged 14 and 16, two were 21, another two were 23, with a seventh aged 27.

Harris County judge Lina Hildago called for an "objective, independent" investigation into the tragedy, as she spoke about the rap festival being attended by 50,000 fans when the stampede took place.

"Perhaps the plans were inadequate. Perhaps the plans were good but they weren't followed," Hildago said.

"The families of those who died, everybody affected, deserve answers."
In a 90-second video released on Twitter on Saturday, Scott said that while on stage, "I could just not imagine the severity of the situation". He described himself as "absolutely devastated" by the incident.

Houston city police chief Troy Finner said his department had opened a criminal investigation, with homicide and narcotics detectives following up on reports that somebody in the audience had been injecting people with drugs.