Christmas nearly here as @DStv sends out its Festive Cheer!

DStv sent out a few festive gift packs to some bloggers and writers who have been working with them this season. 

The festive season, after all, is a time for sharing.

Nomzamo Mbatha talks about 'It's Coming To America'

The long-awaited comedy sequel lts Coming to America, featuring SA's very own Nomzamo Mbatha, has been confirmed for release in March next year.

The US-based SA actress stars alongside Hollywood heavyweights Eddie Murphy, Leslie Jones and Wesley Snipes in the film.

According to a press statement provided to TshisaLIVE, Amazon Studios has confirmed they acquired worldwide rights to the film from Paramount Pictures, and that its set to launch on Amazon Prime Video on March 5 2021.

Tracy Morgan, Jermaine Fowler, Bella Murphy, Rotimi, KiKi Layne and Teyana Taylor are also lined up for the sequel.

Speaking to True Love magazine in August, Nomzamo opened up about auditioning for several roles in the US last year. She said she received the call on her grandmother's birthday to say she got the part in the film.

"It was a very surreal moment. When you have been holding onto a dream and hope, and it finally comes to pass, you don't react in the way it had played out in your head. That Sunday I moved around in a daze."

Nomzamo was in SA at the time and was given just 72 hours to return to America to finalise the paperwork, but first wanted to see her mother.

"Everything was a sprint — rushing my mother to fly to Joburg as I could not go without seeing her because I didn't know when I would come back home."

Brad Binder is the new tonic of South Africa's sporting excellence

South Africans often expect our sporting stars to excel on the international stage and when they don't live up to our expectations, we feel let down and can even become antagonistic towards them. 

When motorcycle genius Brad Binder won a MotoGP race earlier this year – in his first season in the formula – many of us thought he would easily take the championship.

Yet, MotoGP is perhaps the most competitive form of motorsport in the world, never mind being one of the most dangerous, so it was unrealistic for SA fans to think Binder would sweep all before him.

No less an expert than Dave Petersen, the bike ace who flew the SA flag high worldwide in the '70s and '80s, says the fact that Binder has just been named MotoGP Rookie of the Year is a stunning achievement.

Petersen says that when the 2020 season started, both the Red Bull KTM racing team and Binder himself "merely hoped to score some points by finishing races in the top 15, while learning how to properly ride a MotoGP motorcycle".

When he won a race on 9 August, everybody sat up and took notice, though.

This could be the start of an illustrious career.

Blind Tiger Gin is ideal for your festive season cocktails

Founded in 2017 by Capetonian Keegan Cook, award-winning Blind Tiger Gin has been recognised for its unique celebration of the craft gin spirit.

In 2017, Blind Tiger won Gold Medals at both the International SIP AWARDS, held in California and The Gin Masters, held in London. 

They also scooped a Gold medal at the World Spirits Awards in San Fransisco in 2018.

Blind Tiger Gin is pot-stilled in South Africa and infused with juniper, coriander, angelica, passionflower and lemongrass. 

Their latest addition is Blind Tiger Blue, a blend of Juniper, Angelica, Coriander, Blueberry & Elderflower. 

Small-batch crafted in KwaZulu-Natal and available nationwide, Blind Tiger is an extremely sessionable, easy-drinking gin that's both appealing and complex, yet not overwhelming to the palate.

A 750ml bottle would cost you about R300.

blindtigergin.com

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#Wine trends to look out for this festive season. #FridayFeeling

What will be in your wine glass this festive season? It is time to consider the wine trends in line to shape our drinking next year.

Even though we were in lockdown from late March, 2020 still proved to be a big one for the wine industry. 

Trends such as canned wines, vegan wines, low ABV wines, sustainable packaging, and more, took the stage. 

There are new trends emerging, and some will be carried over from this year.
We spoke to wine expert and owner of Culture Wine Bar Matt Manning, who told us what to look out for in the coming year.

Light and sassy

Lighter reds will be very popular over summer, as more and more wine drinkers come to appreciate this style of red. Think gamay, cinsault and lighter-style pinotage.

Goodbye to the flute

A champagne flute is actually not the ideal vessel for your bubbles. A wider-brim glass brings your MCC into better contact with the air, showing off the bouquet to beautiful effect.

Local is lekker

With the economic toll wreaked by the pandemic, there will be a return in focus to everything local as a collective move to boost local trade. I predict that there will be a renewed appreciation for the gems on our doorstep – particularly the smaller producers.

Minimal intervention

As awareness around minimal intervention wine-making grows, more consumers are becoming educated on this terroir-driven approach, and are increasingly seeking these styles out.

Wine bandits

Who says you have to own a wine farm to produce wines? There is a rise in the new maverick winemaker who uses grapes from multiple farms to produce their own label, small-batch wines. This also gives them the opportunity to pick the "cream of the crop", offering something exciting to wine drinkers.

Ariana Grande to join Mariah Carey’s #Christmas special. #FridayFeeling

Ariana Grande took to Instagram on Wednesday, 18 November 2020, to confirm that she is one of the celebrities that are set to appear in Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special. 

The special is set to give the acclaimed musician the opportunity to formally usher in the festive season.

For years now, there have been rumours of a rivalry between Ariana and Mariah. 

The speculation stemmed from the constant comparisons between the two music icons' voices, as they are two of the most prominent vocalists that can do the whistle note. 

However, the announcement of Ariana's upcoming feature in the All I Want For Christmas hitmaker's special seems to have quelled the rumours.

The Positions hitmaker was as floored as her fans when confirming her appearance, as she used her caption to thank Mariah for inviting her to be a part of the special. 

The special is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, 4 December 2020.

Black Coffee invests in IT

Internationally recognised and award-winning DJ Black Coffee appears to have bagged himself more than just a girlfriend this month.

He recently announced that he bought shares in one of Southern Africa biggest tech education providers, HyperionDev.

The renowned DJ who prides himself as an "Angel Investor" continues to enlarge his business enterprise beyond the entertainment industry.

Known in real life as Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, Black Coffee is said to be the second richest artist in Africa after Acon, with a net worth estimated at $60 million.

Apart from music, Black Coffee is a businessman who runs so many investments that cut across tech, retail and real estate in South Africa and abroad.

His recent announcement is a testimony to that.

HyperionDev seems to be a strategic investment channel at the moment. It is backed by Facebook and Google as a reliable coding provider in Southern Africa that seeks to bring tech skills to those without reliable internet access in rural Africa.

This investment is pretty much a drop in the bucket for the DJ who allegedly earns millions.

#Review: Steenberg Lady R MCC is the bubbly that celebrates the beauty of life

Whether it's a birthday, office triumph or the simple pleasure of a bubble bath — South Africans know sparkling wine will rise to the occasion.

Trends Mzansi tried out Steenberg Lady R MCC 2015 and the results were breath taking. 

This MCC is a blend made up of 70% pinot noir and 30% Chardonnay.

I salivated over the apple blossom, honeysuckle, raspberry, almond puff pastry, citrus biscuits and savoury aromas of dried herbs. 

The creaminess on the palate is complemented by the subtle and refreshing acidity.

This complex and indulgent MCC shows clarity of fruit on the nose.

Whatever occasion you are celebrating, you won't go wrong with Steenberg Lady R MCC. 

Afterall, life is worth celebrating with some fine bubbly. 

You can get this gem of sparkling wine at all leading liqour retailers. 

A bottle would cost you about R450 - R550.

Siya Kolisi shares summer fitness tips in new partnership with Pernod Ricard

Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi has partnered with Pernod Ricard South Africa to support responsible drinking this festive season.

The new campaign Sisonke Mzansi, aims to promote not only responsible drinking but also the support of the local economy.

The campaign is a collaboration between artists, manufacturers and promoters to make "gifts that give", keeping manufacturing local.

Kolisi, who is a teetotaller, said the campaign was important for people to be socially aware and to protect those around them as well.

Sharing some fitness tips for a healthy body this summer, the star rugby flanker said he was sponsored by a gym brand to help keep him in shape, and also that did workouts with his wife Rachel.

Kolisi added that Rachel actually knew a little bit more than him when it came to types of slimming exercises.

The Bok captain said workouts without equipment were just as effective and people should check out his social media accounts for more at-home workout videos.