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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

The inaugural Grannies International Soccer Tournament held in Nkowankowa stadium and Tzaneen Laersklool sports ground in Limpopo Province was a great success.

A total of 400 grannies soccer players over the age of fifty years from Africa, Europe and America participated in this historic women tournament which enjoyed a huge support from all local stake holders including the South African Football Association in Mopani.

The Limpopo provincial government through the Department of Sports Arts and Culture sponsored the only three Limpopo grannies teams in the tournament with accommodation, soccer kits and track suits.

They also sponsored all the teams with catering throughout the tournament, while the local private companies sponsored with bottled water and tents.

The African continent was represented by South Africa, Zambia,  Zimbabwe and Mozambique while the United States of America was represented by Lexpressas FC, Breakers and Florima. Footeuse Tout Age FC from France was the only team representing Europe.

South African representatives were Vakhegula-Vakhegula FC (Mopani), Dikgoshigadi FC (Waterburg), Northern Stars FC  (Vhembe), Glory Gogos FC (Hammanskraal), KwaZulu-Natal gogos, Tembisa gogos (Gauteng) and Mbombela Gogos from Mpumalanga. 

Mopani district’s favourite team Vhakhegula Vhakhegula who lost their opening game against tournament finalists USA Lexpressars 3-2 did not make it out of the group stage which had the likes of Mbombela Gogos who made it all the way to the semi-finals.

The only game they won was a 6-0 consolation victory against Corumana Velhos from Mozambique who finished bottom in the group.

However, at least four South African sides Northern Stars fc (vhembe), Mpumalanga Gogos, Mbombela Gogos (Mpumalanga) and Tembisa Gogos (Gauteng) made it to the quarterfinal stage all as runners up in their respective groups.

They played against group leaders Lexpressars (USA), Breakers (USA), Footeuse tout age fc (France) and Florima from USA in the quaterfinals. Mpumalanga gogos and Tembisa gogos were walloped 4-0 by Breakers and Northern Stars respectively while France’s only representative Footeuse Tout Age FC was eliminated by Mbombela Gogos 3-0 on penalties after goalless stalemate in fulltime.

Mpumalanga Gogos and Breakers (USA) make their way for the first game. #GranniesTournament @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/q0T7ButjUD

— African Child (@ZikhonaTshona) March 29, 2023

USA side Lexpressars cancelled arch rivals Florida 1-0 to qualify for the semi-finals.

In the semifinals USA teams, Breakers and Lexpressars had the better of the only two surviving South African teams beating them 5-4 and 3-0 on penalty kicks respectively to setup an all USA final. Both games had ended goalless. Talented Breakers fc emerged the tournament’s overall winners with a solitary goal by from the boot of Kathy Kelly whose shot at goal best the Lexpressars goalkeeper hands down.

Breakers were crowned champions and received and trophy and golden medals while runners-up Lexpressars received silver medals. Spokesperson of the tournament pioneers Mama Bheka Ntsanwisi foundation Tsolo Bulala thanked all the local stakeholders for making the tournament a great success.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Jele Group Pty ( Ltd) trading as Wyne’s Accessories is a company that was established in 2015 by Themba Wyne Gumbi with the aim to bridge the gap in the fashion industry where people are more interested in handcrafted genuine leather goods from scratch and that’s when he started making the genuine leather goods. All the products are made out of genuine leather material. The company specializes in making custom made genuine leather goods from scratch. 

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The company has introduced some options like having your items personalized to your own liking which gives that personal touch to that particular client. Wyne’s Accessories manufactures leather goods such as belts, bags, card holders, wallets, bangles, backpacks, clutch bags, crossbody phone holsters, laptop bags, sling bags and key holders, to name a few. All these items are custom made according to the client’s needs and desires. 

The material they use is sourced locally, making things easier in terms of the production. The most important part, according to the company, is that all their goods are hand crafted from scratch and hand stitched.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

It’s no secret that the African film and TV business is very male dominated behind the camera. But it is female creatives such as Mmabatho Montsho, who are determined to break the layers of marginalization in the sector, that inspire many aspiring female creatives wanting to break into the industry.

Mmabatho is a multi-award-winning writer and director based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She launched her writer-director career with her first short film, The Groom’s Price. This premiered to a viewership of over 4million on the South African Broadcast Corporation television.

Her subsequent short films, The Award Ceremony and Joko Ya Hao, have been selected in various international film festivals, with Joko Ya Hao nominated for Best Short Film at the South Africa Film & Television Awards, and The Award Ceremony, winning Best Short Film at the Worldwide Women’s Film Festival. She boasts extensive experience as a television director, across various genres and formats.

Mmabatho’s a force to be reckoned with in her industry, and she keeps collecting those awards! Her latest film, written by Lindiwe Suttle Müller-Westernhagen, recently won Best Narrative Short at the Uptilt Film Fest in the USA – a body that shines a light on short films that are written and/or directed by women or gender expansive folks who identify with womanhood.

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Desmond’s Not Here Anymore follows a devoted daughter who is confronted with a painful family secret as she tries to care for her mother with dementia. It leans in on the personal horrors each character is dealing with dark family history, toxic sexuality, and the terrors of remembering and forgetting.

Mmabatho led a global group of filmmakers from Seattle, Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Berlin, New York with 26 of the 37 crew being women.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

With great TV shows rolling out every night, comes the need to create new stories, new moments and “na njoyment” for the whole family.

Just a little over a year since the launch of The Black Door, the story of a premium brothel, sexy strippers, pointy boobs and the BEAST…is reaching boiling point.

Regrettably, those moments, every weeknight at 9:30PM are headed to the end game. But, the boundaries of late-night television have been shifted forever. And as you’ll find out in mid-May this year, the whole story is NOT over.

A quick catch up on what’s happening:

• Velaphi is a mess and we love him! But, big question, what’s his plan? Is he after Mam Rebs? Will he even remember his own family?
• Khaya + Nandi & Nolitha! Should we consider polygamy here? Will there be a wedding? Can Khaya handle both women? *wink*
• Boniswa? Yoh! What’s going on there though?

The Black Door on e.tv, weeknights, 9:30PM and 5 episodes on Openview, Channel 114, Saturdays, from 9PM.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Cape Town visual artist and creator Loyiso Mkize – the man behind Mzansi’s first ever superhero “Kwezi” creates art that will surely live beyond his years. Just last month, one of his master pieces, “Nomzamo” – a painting of the legendary late Mama Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela Mandela made it to the DuSable Museum in Chicago, USA, as part of the Diaspora Stories: CCH Pounder Collection.

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center announced the exhibition featuring paintings from the collection of Emmy® award-nominated actress CCH Pounder. The exhibition “Diaspora Stories: Selections from the CCH Pounder Collection” opened on March 18, 2023, and will continue through July 16, 2023.

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The exhibition which was curated especially for the DuSable Museum contains 24 works of art by world-renowned artists including our very own Loyiso. Each item was curated and personally selected in collaboration with the DuSable and CCH from her extensive collection specifically for “Diaspora Stories: Selections from the CCH Pounder Collection.”

This, however, is not the first time Loyiso’s works goes global, in 2021 Loyiso signed a deal with one of the biggest comic companies in the world – DC Comics.

He took to Instagram to announce the exciting news.

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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Every early evening at 6:30PM on e.tv, viewers got a dose of drama drawn from the experiences of Dr Mbali Mthethwa. Mbali went through the most during her first days as an intern at Durban General, and this soon became her life. She shared absolutely everything with her colleagues, friends, family members, and with us, the viewers.

Sadly, Dr Mbali’s story comes to an end this week.

A KZN, Durban based show on e.tv, Durban Gen was justifiably a 6.30PM masterpiece. Featuring beautiful talent and new faces such as Nelisiwe Sibiya, Fanele Ntuli, we also saw the renowned “dark chocolate” Mike Dlangamandla, and of course, the veterans Meshack Mavuso, Hip Hop artist Zulu Boy, Nyaniso Dzedze, all honestly outstanding TV names.

So when the story began, Mbali met the love of her life, Dr Lindelani Zulu and at this point, they are strangers. Although, they do look so good together- dark chocolate meets a proudly Zulu princess. But, it’s tricky this union, as Mbali is spoken for by another man.

The season finale sees Dr Mbali finding love after losing her traditionally chosen husband. She was forced to remarry, but this didn’t work out. She bravely tries to continue on her journey but the story of her life is about to end… After her passing and upon arrival in heaven or wherever she went, she makes her return back to earth, where she is reunited with the first love of her life.

Mbali & Lindelani, is this a happy ending? Last episode, Friday, 14 April, 6:30PM.

The last 5 episodes of Durban Gen will PREMIERE on eExtra from Monday, 17 April 2023 to Friday, 21 April 2023 at 22h30.

Durban Gen will also have an Omnibus on e.tv on Sunday 23 April 2023 at 12h30

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

uBettina Wethu (Our Betty) is a melodramatic romcom telling the story of Bettina Sikhakane, a kind-hearted, smart but quirky young woman with a dream of running her own business. The series explores the core themes of belonging, self-worth and the struggle against societal expectations, while Betty faces endless trials and tribulations making a name for herself in the brand-management industry.

As Betty settles into her leadership position as the accounts manager at Nubia, she faces new moral dilemmas. She must now learn to make hard decisions that impact people she knows and loves, like Dipudi, as well as those who want to see her ‘stay in her place’, like Brandon, Lakhe and Tbang.

Betty’s boundaries and loyalty will be challenged as she tries to establish a new working relationship with Dingaan, while getting romantically involved with his half-brother, Archie. As the sole breadwinner at home, Bettina’s love for her family will be tested to the limit as she tries to gain independence from them.

The dynamic new comedy show based in Johannesburg also brings back wildly popular Rhythm City and Scandal! stars Hungani Ndlovu, Kamogelo Molatlhoe, Itumeleng Bokaba and Brighton Ngoma.

Catch uBettina Wethu from the 11^th of April 2023, Monday – Fridays at 8.30PM

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Mmule Ramothibe Ka-Pityana is a woman with a zest for life and lives each day with a sense of excitement. She owns and manages a health and wellness spa situated in the tranquil Midvaal surroundings, Henley on Klip. RESET Detox centre, is a business inspired by her own personal journey to self healing after being diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) of the bladder, undergoing three operations and being told by her specialist Drs that there is no cure and nothing more could be done for her then crumbling health condition. She is a graduate MBA, an Advisory Services and Audit professional with expertise in Financial Audits, Sarbanes Oxley compliance as well as Information Systems Audit Assurance.

“Since the initial diagnosis 14 years ago, I continued to live with constant paralysing pain, frequent use of bathrooms was the order of the day, (60 times during my worst day). My Dr suggested I consider having my bladder removed, an option that seemed very viable at the time. “Not on my watch I said”.

Although I did my best to maintain a healthy physique, I was always lethargic due to lack of sleep (woke up 7 times during bedtime to use a bathroom).  Between 2006 and 2013, I paid exorbitant medical bills and had a reduced quality of life. On the outside, I embodied a life of a perfect being yet dying slowing internally. Sadly, a daily gospel for many,” she writes on her website.

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In 2013, after her third and last urological procedure, Mmule decided, enough was enough, she needed to figure it out. So, she took her health matters into her own hands. Her journey of holistic approach and toxin elimination process to healing began.

“Through lots of reading and research, I began to understand how diseases feasts in an acidic body. The danger of sugar, the importance of keeping our bodies alkaline, why we should keep a clean gut, methods used for optimal gut cleansing, maintaining a healthy diet regime, exercising and maintaining a good balance of the Mind Body and Soul. The details of my holistic approach to healing are found in my book, My Silent Cries. A book intimately written, detailing the ordeal I went through over 10-year period, managing the IC condition and ultimately my holistic approach journey to full recovery.”

Mmule is also a mother and founder of Nandikwa dolls, a brand that started as an idea in 2012 to address the shortage of ethnic like dolls in the market. The dolls are assembled in South Africa, the company designs and employs local seamstresses to manufacture ethnic wear for the doll collection.

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The dolls are approximately 30cm in height, 35cm when displayed on a stand and are suitable for the age group 3+ years. They are also suited as a display doll. The dolls are dressed in modern colourful South African ethnic wear, across all different cultures, such as Sotho, Tswana, Pedi, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Venda, Tsonga and African.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Nikiwe, an all-new local drama starting on the 17^th of April at 6.30PM, brings you a stellar cast ensemble.

Following the lives of the Radebe family based in Diepkloof Extension, we meet our hood-rich clan headed by Themba “Bhungane” Radebe, played by Muzi Mthabela. This headstrong businessman is gunning to be the biggest entrepreneur in Soweto. Themba is married to Mirriam Radebe, played by Zandi Nhlapo, and together they have three children, Nikiwe, Menzi and Mandisa.

Nikiwe Radebe played by Lungelo Mpangase, is the firstborn and heir to the family empire. She’s a socialite at heart, with pure intentions. But Nikiwe loses it all after a tragic incident strikes the Radebe home. Menzi Radebe played by Craig Nobela, is Nikiwe’s brother while Mandisa, played by Silindokuhle Tshabalala, is the youngest sibling in the family.

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In comes MaSibisi played by Clementine Mosimane, she’s Themba’s mother and she cooks up a storm in our world. We pick up her story as she gets released from prison with her friend Mimmie Cooper, played by Lorcia Cooper. And, we soon learn that she served 15 years to take the rap for a crime that her son committed.

Here are some more of the characters that get introduced to our world:

• Uncle Skeitla played by Kenneth Nkosi is Mirriam’s brother and Nikiwe’s uncle. Based in Orlando Soweto, he’s a hustler at heart.
• Dimakatso Sikhosana played by Liopelo Maphate is Uncle Skeitla’s wife, always loving, caring and supportive.
• Warona Sikhosana played by Lehlohonolo Moloi, is Skeitla and Dimakatso’s only daughter and their pride and joy.
• Mazibuko played by Israel Zulu is a ruthless tenderpreneur and Bhungane’s biggest competition.
• Lulu Ngebulana played by Soso Rungqu is Bhungane’s ex-wife and mother to his first-born son, whom no one knew about.
• Ntsika Ngebulana played by Akhona Ndlovu is Lulu and Bhungane’s son, and he wants his stake in the family riches.
• MaDlamini played by Neo Iman Mothae is Bhungane’s sangoma and secret lover.

Nikiwe premieres on the 17^th of April at 6.30PM sharp on e.tv

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Tales as old as time from across the African continent, reimagined and retold by a new generation of six storytellers come together, the African Folktales, Reimagined short films in partnership with UNESCO, launched on Netflix on 29 March 2023.

The anthology of six short films was launched as part of Netflix’s partnership with UNESCO to support the next generation of storytellers who were provided with resources including a $90 000 budget and creative guidance by established filmmakers as mentors to bring their stories to life.

The emerging filmmakers were selected in 2021 following a call for submission that resulted in over 2000 applications from 13 countries in the sub-Saharan Africa region. The six emerging storytellers from Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritania, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will see their respective short films, make their debut on Netflix, globally. 

South African storyteller, Gcobisa Yako’s MaMlambo is about a mystical river being, MaMlambo, who watches over the sacred waters of discarded bodies, featuring Simphiwe Dana and Zikhona Bali.

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The young creative took to Instagram to share the experience and gratitude, “We haven’t had a moment to reflect on how wild this actually is. 3 months after my grandmother’s departure, ootipa are forever doing the most for a youngin. wish we could call her and try explaining what this means, not that she’d get it, but she’d be so geeked out by the story itself.

the whole concept of this competition was everything we had dreamed of as a filmmaker, but never thought possible. it felt so aligned with our deepest desires and the dreams we’ve learned to dream of quietly. the re-imagining of my/our existences as black people is something we have a very keen interest in exploring and creating,” she wrote.

“UNESCO is proud to present the tales of Africa, reimagined by its emerging, homegrown talents. At the crossroads of tradition, innovation, heritage and creativity, African expressions in the twenty-first century are as diverse and dynamic as its people. The UNESCO-Netflix partnership represents our shared commitment to the audiovisual industries of Africa, which have the potential to generate US$20 billion in revenues annually. African creativity is a force for sustainable development, and we cannot wait for the audiences around the world to feel its unstoppable energy,” says Ernesto Ottone R., the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture.

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“We are excited to finally bring this anthology of short films created by the next generation of African storytellers to Netflix members around the world. This initiative is a testament to our ongoing efforts to strengthen the pipeline of African storytelling and to include voices from underrepresented communities. We’re grateful to our partners at UNESCO who walked this journey with us to provide an opportunity for the six emerging African filmmakers to create and showcase their reimagined folktales to the world, in their own languages, so that more people can see their lives reflected on screen,” adds Tendeka Matatu, Netflix’s Director of Film in Africa.