Month: August 2024

Many South Africans need to face the fact that they’re not only xenophobic but Afrophobic too. And the incessant cyberbulling around Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina, in stark contrast to the praise of SA’s “golden girl” Tatjana Smith, is proof of it.

So, what does the gold medallist have to do with it?

Both women are not only South African citizens, but they also have a parent who was born abroad.

However, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has lauded one has is “the greatest Olympian this country ever had”, the other, he’s referred to as giving him “funny vibes”.

 

 

Tatjana Smith is the greatest Olympian this country ever had. We have already beaten our Tokyo medal count and expecting lots more 👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/pZ8DMU3pgR

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) August 1, 2024
I just returned from Paris and will definitely get more information tomorrow, we truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I wanna get all facts before I comment but it gives funny vibes already. https://t.co/KQ6K0MT6aG

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 29, 2024
THE PA, AND MANY SOUTH AFRICANS, ARE GUILTY OF XENOPHOBIA, AFROPHOBIA
As their name suggests, the Patriotic Alliance is a party all about putting South Africans first, and rightly so.

While their spirit of nationalism and dedication to rebuilding the country is commendable, their influence to incite hatred and fuel ignorance among their countrymen is deplorable.

Chidimma Adetshina has publicly disclosed that her father is Nigerian and her mother is South African. Miss SA has thoroughly vetted her documents and confirmed that she is eligible to participate in the pageant.

But because half of her ancestry hails from Nigeria and so does her name, South Africans have rejected her, ridiculed her and told her to “go home”.The PA have doubled down on their criticism of Miss SA Chidimma Adetshina. Images via X: @official_misssa/ @kenny_kunene
If that wasn’t bad enough, PA president Gayton McKenzie’s decision to entertain sexist, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic X troll Chris Excel, for mere popularity points, has added fuel to the raging fire on social media.

Then there is PA Deputy-President Kenny Kunene, whose ignorant views have made us question how he is fit to be in parliament or speak publicly, for that matter.

Speaking to Clement Manyathela on SABC, the former “Sushi King”’ revealed that the PA would be interdicting Chidimma from participating in the Miss SA pageant because she is “not South African enough”.

He also found fault with a clip of her being embraced by foreign nationals – whom he claims she has an “allegiance to” – and even mentioned a video, now dispelled as “fake news”, of a Nigerian man falsely credited as being Chidimma’s father.

Kunene also hinted that Chidimma’s identity documents could have been fraudulently acquired.

“Her full name is Nigerian….It’s a problem”, he brazenly said.

Manyathela then attempted to reason with Kunene by saying: “You are taking stuff on social media and treating it as fact. Instead of as a responsible party writing to the Home Affairs department [to express your concern]. You haven’t verified anything…that’s irresponsible”.

Kunene clapped back: “This girl is a Nigerian. There is nothing that gives us confidence that she is a South African. We want South African surnames there. We want Jacqui Mofokeng and Basetsana Kumalo, not what what”.EVEN HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER IS NOT IMMUNE TO IT
Chidimma Adetshina is proof that South Africans are not just xenophobic, but Afrophobic too.

Last month, new Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber became the victim of cyber trolls who called for his dismissal based on unfounded rumours that he was born in Zimbabwe.

On the X platform, various social media users and a few news sites shared screenshots of a Wikipedia citation that Schreiber was born in Zimbabwe.

However, eNCA reporter Pule Letshwiti-Jones reminded the public that anyone can edit the online encyclopedia. This was an affirmation that not everything you see on social media, is the truth.

He tweeted: “Newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber is not from Zimbabwe. Schreiber was born in the Northern Cape. Verifying information won’t hurt anyone”.

South Africans, including celebs, are congratulating Maps Maponyane on his “engagement” to former Miss SA Shudu Musida. Except, the announcement of the news – via a publication – is the first he has heard of it.

Despite keeping their romance on the low, the beauty queen and the screen star have been romantically linked since 2022. Earlier this year, the “couple” went on a baecation to the Seychelles.

Last month, fans speculated that Maps had “soft-launched” his romance with Shudu, who was his date to the Durban July.

 

 
MAPS MAPONYANE SHUTS DOWN WEDDING RUMOURS
On his X account, Maps Maponyane had tweeps talking after he reacted to a TimesLive report that claimed he and Shudu Musida were set to wed.

“Imagine finding out you’re getting married on Twitter?” Maps tweeted
According to the publication, Maps’ family sent a delegation to Shudu’s village in Limpopo to ask for her hand in marriage.

A “source” told the publication: “Maps is serious about building a family unit with Shudufhadzo, and he has contemplating on his decision for a while now, and it’s finally here. He can’t hide his intentions any longer as wedding bells are looming”.

On X, many South Africans were amused by Maps Maponyane’ reaction to learning about his upcoming “nuptials.”

Even his celeb pals were quick to “congratulate” him on the “happy news.”FROM BESTIES TO BRIDAL COUPLE?
Back in 2022, Shudu Musida and Maps Maponyane first sparked rumours that they were more than acquaintances.

As brand ambassadors of property development group Tricolt, the duo had been booked to work together on several campaigns. Over the years, fans noticed how the duo publicly supported one another at events. They’ve also left flirty messages under each other’s Instagram posts.

Fast forward to 2024, and the private “couple” would go on a baecation to the Seychelles.

Last month, they went “Instagram official” at the Durban July.

Is the next step down the aisle?

TATJANA SMITH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
27-year-old Tatjana Smith called time on her career after her last race at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday 1 August. She revealed that she is looking forward to a life outside of swimming and expressed that she loved competing.

 

“I’m looking forward to my life outside of swimming. It was an amazing battle and I’ve never raced Kate (Douglass) in an Olympic final before. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my career in a very tough battle. I’ve always loved competing,” she said.

Tatjana went on to say that she is now excited to live life. The Olympic swimmer married Joel Smith, the brother of Rachel Kolisi in November 2023.

“Achievements fall away. You are remembered for who you are and I want to be remembered for bringing people joy. Swimming is a part of a season in your life and now I’m excited to live life,” she said confirming her retirement.

SIX THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TATAJANA’S CAREER
Tatjana won her fourth Olympic medal after finishing second in the women’s 200m breaststroke on Thursday 1 August.
She made history as South Africa’s greatest-achieving Olympian after bagging her fourth Olympic medal.
Tatjana, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Pretoria (UP), made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
She also competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Tatjana came in second in the 100m breaststroke final, behind 19-year-old compatriot Lara van Niekerk.
Her swimming career began quite early as she bagged six gold medals at the African Junior Championships in Lusaka at the age of 16. At 18, she bagged three golds at the senior African Games in Brazzaville. Thereafter she became a double gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Tatjana became the first South African woman to step on the podium at the World Swimming Championships in Gwangju in 2019.
Take a look at six things to know about the Olympic swimmer here.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TATJANA SMITH’S RETIREMENT?

Tatjana Smith’s father, Rene Schoenmaker – who was born in the Netherlands – has reflected on the family’s sacrifices to make her Olympic dreams a reality.

South Africa’s “golden girl” has officially retired from swimming after winning a gold and silver medal in the 100m and 200m respectively. The 27-year-old also won gold and Silver in the 2021 Tokyo Games.

 

 

Tatjana is the first female, after Penny Heyns, to win gold at the Olympics.

TATJANA SMITH’S FATHER REFLECTS ON FAMILY SACRIFICES
Speaking to SABC Sport, Rene Schoenmaker beamed with pride as he spoke about his daughter Tatjana Smith’s achievements.

According to the Dutch-born man, their family’s sacrifices over the years were worth every penny saved.

He said: “As a family, we didn’t go on holiday for 15 years because there was no money. We put it all into swimming and to try and get them through education and swimming and everything.

“For the family, that’s a big thing. So we spent the holidays together, or we worked just to try to make the extra buck to pay for everything.”

Tatjana and her sister Fabienne were born and raised in Roodeport, Johannesburg. After showing an interest and natural talent in swimming at an early age, her parents enrolled her at the TuksSport High School in Pretoria, where she excelled.

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A post shared by -TATJANA-SCHOENMAKER- (@tatjanaschoen)

According to Daily Maverick, Tatjana’s parents, Rene and Renske, immigrated to the Netherlands in 2021, where the former was born.

That same year, Tatjana’s mother told TshisaLive: “We are very proud‚

“But at the same time‚ it takes a village to raise a child. We are not the only people. There are so many people behind these athletes”.

Renske’s words were evident this week when Tatjana wore a T-shirt with the names of every person who helped make her swimming dreams a reality.

Tatjana
A look back at Tatjana Smith’s career. Image via Instagram @tatjanashoen
LIFE OUTSIDE THE POOL – WHAT’S NEXT?
After clinching a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke this week, Tatjana Smith – who is married to sports agent Joel Smith – revealed her plans to retire.

According to TimesLive, her next chapter includes focusing on her husband, family, and friends, among other things.

She said: “I’m excited to also just live life, go and play padel, go for a run without being worried about getting injured or something. Eating whenever I want to eat, not eating at 2pm exactly, eating a chocolate whenever I want to”.

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie had a tense stand-off with a rival political party member, whom he labelled a “Karen,” at his local voting station during the general elections on Wednesday, 29 May.

 
The woman was identified as Western Cape legislature’s deputy speaker and Democratic Alliance (DA) member Beverley Schäfer.

GAYTON MCKENZIE IN VOTING STATION SPAT
In a clip posted on X by SABC journalist Abra Barbier, Gayton McKenzie was seen being scolded by DA member Beverley Schäfer.

The PA party leader was at the Fanie Theron Primary School in Kraaifontein to cast his vote.

In the clip, the blonde woman chastised McKenzie for wearing a party T-shirt, causing a “commotion,” and voting at that particular voting station.

“You got all this Patriotic Alliance stuff going on here. You don’t belong here because you are not registered here,” the visibly irritated woman said in a viral video.

Gayton reacted in equal annoyance, stating: “I registered here. What’s your problem? Do you want to see my house address? I have houses here for more than 20 years.”

He continued, “Your time is over here, where you decide what happens in the Western Cape. You guys used to decide for us; nobody decides for us. I live here”.

Of the “commotion”, Gayton asked: “What chaos? How does it affect you?”

Schäfer responded, claiming that she had received a “phone call” to investigate.

Gayton clapped back: “You are not the IEC. Why do they report me to you? We are removing you [the DA] today. This is the arrogance I’m talking about.

“If I made a mistake with the electoral code, the IEC knows what to do. I have a 100% right to be here”.

Gayton retweeted the video on his X account, captioning it: “Always hear about Karen behaviour. I experienced it today when the DA leader wanted to know why I am voting in this area.”

always hear about Karen behaviour, I experienced it today when DA leader wanted to know why I am voting in this area 🤷🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/6BBp889I2o

Six Nyamane, born Mpume, is one of the newest faces to grace our television screens as Nozipho Cele on SABC 1’s popular soapie, Generations: The Legacy.

Born Mpume , Nyamane is known for playing roles such as the sassy Buhle on e.tv’s Scandal!, the cutthroat Natasha on the comedy film Blessers and Amogelang on Rhythm City.

“People always ask whether my real name is ‘Six’ and I always say ‘Yes’ because I tend to believe it is. I got that name from my days of playing provincial hockey and I played position six. With the team being so big, the coaches don’t have time to learn our names, so they refer us to the numbers on the pitch,” the actor explains.“Even off the pitch, we as a team as well as the coaches, used to call each other by our numbers… and somehow we just kept our names and I kept mine despite pursuing an acting career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I started playing hockey in grade 4 up to matric. I stopped playing after moving to Johannesburg because I couldn’t find a team and besides, I truly don’t have the time – so I wouldn’t be able to keep up with practice, let alone the games.”The 25-year-old mother to a three-year-old hails from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. She stumbled upon her love for acting in her first year at the University of SA (Unisa), and despite her love for her craft her mother was not quite fond of the idea that she was pursuing an acting career over academics.

“I lived in Newcastle all my life and when I finished matric, I knew I had to come to the big city to pursue some sort of career. I had no plan when I arrived in the City of Gold because my family shut down the idea of me studying sports science or playing hockey professionally, all I knew is that I had to go to school,” said the young woman.

“I remember looking around for schools but ended up in the same Unisa I initially didn’t want to study at. I studied finance for a couple of months but found myself uninterested in the course, so I started ditching classes for auditions – this is after a guy I met at the gym told me I had a face for television.“I went to my very first audition and I got the role. I then chose to secretly shoot the film without my family knowing but somehow the school called my mother to inform her that I didn’t attend school or write my exam… to say my mother was furious with me is an understatement, she didn’t talk to me for two weeks.”

Despite her mother’s desires, Nyamane continued to hone her acting skills. She landed several gigs, and her mother eventually caved after seeing how dedicated her daughter was to her craft.

Joyce Ledwaba is a popular known South African actress and artist who is currently playing the role of Joyce Maputla on Skeem Saam SABC 1 drama series weekdays. She is vibrant and magnificent woman and she has a sense of humour and she is bold and beautiful. She is intelligent and independent woman who knows what she wants in her life and she is successful.

 

 

 

 

 

She is also a renowned gospel singer whose well by the name Majoy, she exudes excellence on stage or in front of the camera.She is energetic performer who is famous for rocking glittering shorts. She is a superwoman and she is not afraid to chase her dreams and have a brighter future.

She is sensational and phenomenal woman who values her life and she is inspiring young people out there to persue their goals. Checkout her breathtaking pictures that will blow your mind away. Please
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Emtee has silenced his fans who have been begging for new music from him by dropping the single titled ‘Believer’. Emtee sounds super confident yet vulnerable on the song tapping into his melodic bag and showing appreciation to the Heavenly Father who gave him a second chance at music.

Stream the song below:

 

An unexpected revelation spins Vuvu’s life out of control. Tebello has a sparkling plan to stay in the cool zone. A high-maintenance client throws a business into panic.
Wednesday 31 July 2024
Episode 89
A woman tells a blatant lie to try and save herself leaving another shocked. Tebello is freaked out by an important date change. Jackie reveals troublesome information.
Thursday 1 August 2024
Episode 90

 

Afraid she may be the next suspect, a woman erases anything that could point to her. A money-making idea sparks for a young man needing to get out of a bind.
Friday 2 August 2024
Episode 91
A witness makes a damning statement leaving a woman confined in misery. Desperate times call for desperate measures for Tibi.
Monday 5 August 2024
Episode 92
Mdala and Tlhogi are shocked by a decision. A crew member makes a mockery of all of Tebello’s lies and efforts. Jakes falls for a trick chasing after foreign currencies.
Premiere episodes of Scandal! air on e.tv from Mondays to Fridays at 19h30
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In the glitzy world of television and film, it’s easy to assume that the lives of star actors are nothing short of glamorous. However, for Zola Nombona, a prominent actress and Foschini ambassador, the reality of being a working mom is far more complex. Despite her frequent appearances on set and in the public eye, Nombona’s journey reflects the struggles and triumphs that many working mothers face in their quest for work-life balance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
A Hectic Year for Zola Nombona
Nombona has had a particularly busy year, juggling her responsibilities as an ambassador for Foschini with her upcoming television projects. This demanding schedule can make it challenging for any parent to maintain a sense of equilibrium between work and family life. For many working mothers, including Nombona, the concept of “work-life balance” often feels like an elusive goal, one that is difficult to achieve amidst the chaos of daily responsibilities.

In a candid conversation with News24, Zola shared her perspective on motherhood and the importance of carving out time for her son. “I always make sure that I make time for my son, as I physically cannot survive without spending time with him,” she revealed. This sentiment resonates with countless mothers who find their children to be a source of strength and joy, even amid the pressures of work.

The Healing Power of Motherhood
For Nombona, motherhood is not just a role; it is a vital part of her identity. She expressed how simply holding her son brings her a happiness that is difficult to articulate. “He is the petrol that I need to keep my engine running,” she said, emphasizing the deep emotional connection she has with her child. This bond is what fuels her drive and passion, allowing her to perform at her best both as an actress and a mother.However, the struggle of balancing work commitments with parenting is a common theme among mothers, particularly those who are deeply invested in their careers. The phenomenon known as “mom guilt” often creeps in, causing mothers to feel inadequate for not being present enough for their children. Nombona acknowledges this feeling, recognizing that many women grapple with the burden of not meeting the expectations they set for themselves as mothers.Embracing Individuality in Motherhood
In her conversation, Nombona offered valuable advice to mothers who are navigating similar challenges. “Our abilities are not the same, so we won’t do things the same way someone else does them,” she noted. This reminder is crucial for mothers who may feel overwhelmed by societal pressures to conform to certain parenting norms. It’s essential to recognize that every mother and child is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting.

Zola further emphasized the importance of confidence in one’s parenting style. “Children are also not the same, so mothers need to be open to learning more and asking questions,” she advised. This openness to growth and adaptation can help mothers feel more empowered in their roles, allowing them to find their own rhythm amidst the chaos of juggling work and family life.

Conclusion
Zola Nombona’s insights shed light on the often unglamorous reality of being a working mom in the entertainment industry. Her commitment to making time for her son, despite her busy schedule, serves as a reminder that the journey of motherhood is filled with both challenges and rewards. By embracing individuality in parenting and recognizing the importance of self-care, working mothers can navigate the complexities of their lives with grace and resilience. In the end, it’s the love and connection with their children that truly makes the struggle worthwhile.