African stories and black protagonists show diversity is on the rise at the 60th London Film Festival which kicked off on Wednesday, according to a Reuters report (watch video below). The opening film – “A United Kingdom” – tells the true story of an African king and white British woman whose marriage triggered a political crisis […]

South African singer Wendy Oldfield has teamed up with a group of youngsters – whom she’s called The Wild Bunch – to release a ‘Reminder to the World’. It’s a soothing, beautiful song with a message from the song-writer to take care of Mother Earth, ourselves and those around us. The inspiring lyrics are particularly relevant […]

Afrikaans feature film, Noem My Skollie, has been nominated as South Africa’s official entrant into the 89th Annual Academy Awards! The film, which was launched in South Africa earlier this month by Ster Kinekor Entertainment and is still on circuit, has been selected by a special jury – put together by the National Film and Video […]

Fans have been tweeting their support of international award-winning DJ Black Coffee after an ‘incident’ at the DSTV iRock Festival in Limpopo, South Africa, Saturday night… in which the Durban DJ and music producer was alleged to have “slapped” AKA’s manager. Watch video below. Fellow South African musician AKA was meant to have also performed at the event in Polokwane, […]

The late Mduduzi Tshabalala, known to the world as Mandoza, made an enormous civic contribution as a motivation force and nation building brand ambassador through his music, says Communications Minister Faith Muthambi. Thousands of mourners attended the Nkalakatha hitmaker’s funeral at Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, on Friday. The kwaito legend, who died on […]

A couple of North West traffic cops – Lerato Makhabane and her colleague ‘Spiedie’ du Plessis – posted a fantastic tribute to the late Mandoza, rocking to ‘Nkalakatha’ in their car… But more than just a few viewers are concerned that ‘Spiedie’ is only driving with one hand and doesn’t appear to be wearing his seatbelt! Others said it […]

South African zef rap group Die Antwoord delivered one of their highest-energy (and that’s saying a LOT), most insane (and brilliant) performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week. Watch below as they belt out love ballad (!) ‘Banana Brain’ on Kimmel’s outdoor festival stage. It was an extremely colourful show with singer Yolandi Vi$$er and back-up dancers […]

JOHANNESBURG – South African comedian and global star, Trevor Noah, has been confirmed to host the 2016 MTV African Music Awards (MAMAs) in Johannesburg next month. The organisers of the event made the announcement Wednesday morning and within an hour excited fans had made it South Africa’s top Twitter trend. In a post on Facebook, Noah […]

Internationally renowned opera singer and Piet Retief native, Pretty Yende, has thanked her South African fans for all their support after her debut album ‘A Journey’ went straight to the top of the charts! Leading up the launch, Pretty enjoyed time back home in South Africa, and took to Facebook to thank her “South African fans & […]

President Jacob Zuma – along with other South African politicians, celebrities and music fans – has extended his condolences today on the sad passing of Kwaito music legend Mduduzi Tshabalala, popularly known as Mandoza. Mandoza passed away today, at the age of 38, after a long battle with cancer which had reportedly spread to his […]

There’s an interesting new movie premiering tonight at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town, South Africa. It’s called “Let’s Be Frank”… but to be frank, we’re not quite sure what it’s about! #WHOISFRANK? Watch the trailer below and try work it out! According to the film’s website, it’s 50 minutes and slots into the documentary and […]

Well known South African opera singer Johan Botha passed away early Thursday morning in Vienna, Austria, at the age of 51. Botha, one of the world’s most respected and celebrated tenors, had been suffering from cancer. Charl van Heyningen, Director at the Centre for Music at Stellenbosch University, posted a message on Facebook offering his sincerest condolences […]

Here’s the first look at South African comedian Trevor Noah‘s new book “Born a Crime”, out November 15th. Noah announced back in January that he had signed a deal with publisher Spiegel & Grau because “I couldn’t find a good book about myself, so I decided to write one”. The book is a collection of 18 […]

A Capetonian choreographer’s mission to show American singer songwriter Meghan Trainor just how talented South Africans are, is taking off RAPIDLY… with his video going viral so fast, it’s clocking up views quicker than you can say “it’s all about the bass”. Although this isn’t about the bass. It’s about awesome South African talent. And it’s a […]

An exhibition by South African artist Portchie has opened to great enthusiasm at La Galleria Pall Mall in London, UK. The opening night, on 1 September 2016, was a huge success with a crowd of over 300 art fans and several fantastic sales. Portchie, who grew up in the Free State, reported on Facebook that “people loved the layout […]

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT – Well-loved Hollywood actor Gene Wilder passed away on Sunday night at his home in Stamford at the age of 83, his family has announced. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Wilder starred in comedy masterpieces ‘The Producers’, ‘Blazing Saddles’ and ‘Young Frankenstein’, teamed up with comic legend Richard Pryor in four films, and […]

South Africans overseas in the United Arab Emirates will soon be able to enjoy Afrikaans singing sensation – Refentse Morake – performing live in Dubai! Rochelle Becker-Lubbe, who’s based in Dubai, says “if you are in Dubai, or fancy a night out in Dubai, we are bringing the awesome Refentse to Hilton JBR on September 22nd.” Refentse rose […]

The town of Barberton in Mpumalanga was marching to the beat of magnificent military bands this weekend. (Watch videos below.) “Our ‘Freedom of the Town’ military parade was held here yesterday,” says Sheryn Nader, owner of Facebook page Barberton Bliss. “There were four different military groups marching, and it was amazing! Beautiful sounds…” The bands were […]

Prankster Darren “Whackhead” Simpson is at it again. The Breakfast Xpress radio presenter called up a Mr Pretorius to let him know what the Tshwane name change would mean for him… Take a listen for some very typical South African humour (and swearing!). Listen to Darren “Whackhead” Simpson prank call to Mr Pretorius:

South Africa’s controversial def rap group, Die Antwoord, have accused hit movie – “Suicide Squad” – of copying them, basing the movie’s lead characters on the band’s ¥o-Landi Vi$$er and Ninja.  In an outraged message on Instagram, Yolandi accused the director, David Ayer, of ripping off Die Antwoord’s style for the smash hit movie (which has […]

Take a listen to this South African version of The Sound of Silence that’s taken social media by storm since it was uploaded to Facebook three days ago. The cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s big hit – performed by Touch of Class with Ruhan du Toit and Deon van der Merwe – was actually first uploaded […]

Hailing from Empangeni in the heart of Zululand, David “Qadasi” Jenkins and Maqhinga Radebe are an acoustic duo on a quest to revive the powerful sounds of traditional Maskandi music… and their awesome Bakkie Jam, already viewed by thousands on social media, is helping them achieve that goal. (Watch below.) Both SAMA and SATMA Award nominees […]

If you’re confused about the latest rift between rapper Kanye West and “stunning singer” Taylor Swift, take a listen to this run-down on the events from South Africa’s Suzelle DIY. In Kanye’s latest song ‘Famous’ he says he made that “b****” famous… referring to the night at the VMA Awards in 2009 when he interrupted Taylor’s acceptance […]

In the last week, Pokemon Go, an augmented reality game for mobile phones, has taken off. Daily traffic for the game exceeded Twitter and Facebook use. What is driving this intense interest and involvement? One way to understand is to take a closer look at the game’s design. First, for those who haven’t played or […]

South African DIY guru Suzelle takes her best friend Marianne on safari in her new YouTube episode… and introduces fans to someone new – ‘Ryno in the Bush’, who happens to be Marianne’s boyfriend! Ryno, who has launched his own YouTube channel, describes himself as “a freelance game ranger specialising in tracking, wild flowers and bush […]