#NESCAFE Ricoffy amps up "South Africanness" with Mzansay keyboard. #SouthAfricaBlog

NESCAFÉ RICOFFY is turning 50 this year and have chosen to celebrate this achievement by celebrating our South Africanness. 

As a truly South African brand, NESCAFÉ RICOFFY is firmly grounded in our heritage and entrenched in local culture. It is therefore fitting that NESCAFÉ RICOFFY has decided to celebrate 50 years of South Africanness. 

South Africans across the country have been encouraged to share in the warmth by submitting their South Africanness words and phrases which will be featured in a special designed keyboard app called Mzansay. 

To date, thousands of South Africans across the country have answered the call, contributing uniquely South African words like "Achuz", "Bathong", "Ekse", "SBWL" and "Nine-Nine". 

The Mzansay keyboard launches in September as part of NESCAFÉ RICOFFY's year-long birthday celebrations, which commenced in April, and which will culminate in the brand's 50th birthday party on the eve of Heritage Day.

Actress Thuso Mbedu shines again! #SouthAfricaBlog #Mzansi

South African actress Thuso Mbedu, who is making waves in Hollywood, has once again made South Africa proud after she bagged the TV Breakout Star Award at the inaugural Hollywood Critics Association awards.

The 30-year-old, who is based in Hollywood, took home the gold on Sunday evening after being recognised for her Hollywood debut role as Cora in historical fiction drama The Underground Railroad.

The drama, by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins, tells the story of Cora and other slaves attempting an escape from slavery in the southern US in the 1800s.

Jenkins, who presented the award to Mbedu, recalled when she auditioned for the role and said that she embodied the character.

"It's one thing to read a novel and see a character in your head, but then to see someone just give complete voice, body and soul to the character is an amazing feeling," the director said.

Jenkins said that Mbedu well deserved the recognition and the TV Breakout Star Award because of her dedication to her craft and work.

South Africa's shining star said she was "truly humbled" by the recognition. After winning the award at the virtual ceremony last night, she took to social media to share the news with her fans.

Love what you are and be happy! #MondayMotivation #SouthAfricaBlog

Happiness is not the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is the people in your life that help you create wonderful memories. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it always makes you happy.

Never look for your happiness in others, it will make you lonely. Search it in yourself and you will feel happy even when you are left alone. You don't need many people in order to be happy, just real ones who appreciate you.

Happiness is not about getting what you want all the time. It is about loving what you have and being grateful for it. You can never be really happy if you keep holding to those bad memories which make you sad. 

Real happiness is cheap enough yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit.

Happiness is not fulfilling every pleasure or getting every outcome you desire. It is being able to enjoy life with a peaceful mind that is not constantly craving for more. It is the inner peace that comes with embracing change.

You must be happy, not because everything is good, but because you can see the good in everything. Real happiness requires less than you think. It is waking up and realising that you don't have to impress anybody but yourself. 

The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are, and not who people think you are.

If you keep your heart free from hate and your mind free from worry. If you live a simple life and expect little but give much. If you trust in God and fill your life with love. If you forget about yourself and think of others. 

If you remember to thank God for blessings irrespective of how minute they are.

If you continue doing all you can for people with no thought of personal gain, then happiness is bound to follow you wherever you go. Happiness doesn't depend on who you are or on what you possess.

It solely depends on what you think. Real happiness lies within you!

Turning your coffee break into a beer break. #TakeABeerToWorkDay #NowYouCan #SouthAfricaBlog #FridayFeeling

Heineken 0.0 brings a never-imagined-before holiday to SA – National Take a Beer to Work Day. On August 27 2021, Heineken 0.0 is encouraging go-getters countrywide to join in and have a fresh take on life by enjoying a cold Heineken 0.0 while on the clock.  

National #TakeABeerToWorkDay strives to express the freedom Heineken 0.0 will give to people because #NowYouCan. 

Days like these don't come around too often and if enjoying a beer during working hours wasn't good enough, enter the Heineken 0.0 competition to win one of two Heineken 0.0 hampers worth R1,200. 

Each hamper includes: 

1 x 6 pack of Heineken 0.0

1 x Powerbank

1 x hand sanitiser

Work from anywhere snacks

Cooler bag

Water bottle

TO ENTER

Tell us when the best time to enjoy an ice-old Heineken 0.0 beer;

Tag TimesLIVE or BusinessLIVE on Facebook and Twitter, and

Use the hashtag #TakeABeerToWorkDay and #NowYouCan on your posts.

Enhance your #FridayFeeling with the new Flying Fish Seltzer. #FFSeltzer #WhyWait #SouthAfricaBlog

The perfect accessory often goes with anything, much like the trendy Flying Fish Seltzer.  Dressed up or down, indoors or outdoors, lunch or dinner, at a braai or picnic, or even post gym sessions – Flying Fish Seltzer is the ideal drink!

Flying Fish Seltzer brings to South Africa a trend that has been making waves globally. Hard seltzers provide a healthier alternative to other alcoholic beverages, bringing excitement and versatility to any social occasion.   The relatively low sugar and low-calorie properties are some of the reasons for its early appeal and adoption.

True to the brand, innovation is at the heart of Flying Fish. With the introduction of the new Flying Fish Seltzer, changing consumer needs are met with an exciting and quality product. A simple and refreshing drink that is what it is – Sparkling water with alcohol and real fruit flavour.

Made with the highest quality ingredients – water, alcohol, fine bubbles, and a dash of fruit juice – this drink delivers superior refreshment for any occasion and for anyone. Flying Fish Seltzer is available in a premium 300ml can with two flavour varieties: Lemon & Lime and Raspberry.

Flying Fish Seltzer is available at selected Pick 'n Pay Liquor stores nationwide and online on Pick 'n Pay asap!, Bottles and most recently Takealot.

A six pack costs R85.00.

#IdolsSA is living up to its billing. #SouthAfricaBlog

IDOLS SA has kept people glued to their screens since the talent show returned to their screens for season 17 last month.

This week many were on the edge of their seats as the judges chose the top 16 during theatre week, which breaks or makes the hopefuls.

And true to form, and during Women's Month, the girls dominated this past weekend, with 10 girls making the cut, alongside six guys.

They will compete for the viewers' votes – under the guidance of judges Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi – in the live stage phase of the competition.

However, like last year, there will be no live audience because of the pandemic.

First to make it into the top 16 were Kevin Maduna, Karabo Mathe, Misty, Monique Erens and Berenike Trytsman (Berry), followed by Siya and Sia Mzizi, who had a tough time during theatre week, but pulled through in their final performances.

The show on Sunday ended with a cliffhanger as S'22kile waited to hear her fate after performing Beyonce's Brown Skin Girl. However, the 21-year-old from Pietermaritzburg made it to the top 16.

New breath of life for Thembisa Mdoda after she is discharged from hospital following her long #Covid-19 battle. #MotivationMonday #SouthAfricaBlog

Eastern Cape-born TV personality Thembisa Mdoda-nxumalo is out of hospital and recovering at home after a long battle with Covid-19 that started in April.

The Mdoda family asked for prayers from the public when she was admitted to hospital a month ago.

She tested positive for Covid19 and her condition was further aggravated by an allergy.

Mthatha-born Mdoda-nxumalo said she first fell ill in April and was in and out of Morningside and Sandton Mediclinics in Johannesburg receiving treatment.

"I am so grateful to all my supporters, my colleagues, friends and, most importantly, my family. My children and husband have been my saving grace," Mdoda-nxumalo said.

"I was in hospital on and off for two months from April before spending a full month in hospital recently. It has been a frightening time. I am thankful to the specialists that monitored me carefully, who were able to diagnose and treat me."

She will be taking a break from the public eye to focus on her full recovery and doctors have advised that it will take six months for that to happen.

#Vodacom users can now access the English Premier League for just R25 a month. #SouthAfricaBlog

English Premier League (EPL) fans can now get live commentary, pre- and post-match content and news updates on their smartphones through Arena Holdings' newest offering — Sports Radio.

Partnering with Vodacom through its shareholding in Bassfin Content INC (BCI), Arena Holdings launched the new platform yesterday, and will cover all 380 matches across the entire 2021/2022 season.

"We are very happy to be working with Vodacom to launch this service, which is the first of its kind in SA. We hope that football fans will enjoy this service as we believe Sports Radio is exactly what the market needs," Arena Holdings MD Pule Molebeledi said.

Molebeledi, who is also chair of BCI, said their research has shown that more people were relying on mobile devices to follow sports content.

"So BCI working with Vodacom and our technical partner PM Connect to launch Sports Radio is in line with our ambition as Arena Holdings to play an increasingly influential role in the African media landscape."

Sports Radio subscribers can conveniently use their mobile phones to keep up with the latest news, listen to live matches and follow their favourite teams.

For more information on how to access all the exclusive sports content on Sports Radio, visit www.sportsradio.co.za using a mobile phone connected to the Vodacom network.

Nodada thanks weight loss for bagging saucy Nonzi character on #etvScandal. #FridayFeeling #SouthAfricaBlog

Ex #MissUniverse Zozibini Tunzi wishes she could help. #GirlTalkZA #ThursdayThoughts #SouthAfricaBlog

Former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi hopes to pay it forward in the future by helping students settle their student debts.

With the fight against high fees by students at several institutions, she said she would like to help those unable to continue with their studies because of outstanding fees.

Speaking on CapeTalk, the longest-reigning Miss Universe in history said she was in the process of making her best money decision.

"If money was no object, and because I am such a humanitarian at heart, I would pay for everyone who is in a student debt situation and can't go back to school," she said.

"I have been there before and I think that's the biggest thing I would do with money, just to make sure everyone is set for life and can get back to school."

She recently celebrated two years since being crowned Miss SA.