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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

The sizzling new late-night drama Smoke & Mirrors will bring the heat when it premieres on the 17^th of April at 9PM. Now, let’s introduce you to its galaxy of stars.

At the heart of the story is Thandiswa Mseleku, played by Ayanda Bandla. This girl’s on a mission to rid the town of Emnyameni of three evil men- Caesar, Jaxon and Mthetho, known as “The Unholy Trinity”. Caesar played Zolisa Xalava is the leader of the pack. He’s the alpha and a cut-throat businessman who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.

We then meet Jaxon with an ‘X’, yes an ‘X’ – he’s played by Meshack Mavuso – Magabane. He’s our flashy mayor and tends to live way beyond his means. Then, we’re introduced to Mthetho played by Kabomo Vilakazi. He’s the town’s police commissioner. Mthetho lives a double life that will one day catch up with him.

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There’s an exciting new talent among the stars, Khayalethu Xaba, and he plays the character of Mpendulo Mseleku, Thandiswa’s son. He’s a street-smart kid in his teens. Then, there’s Martha played by Lusanda Mbane. She’s a former sex worker and a two-star hotel owner in Emnyameni. And then, in comes the town’s lovely couple-Nthabiseng portrayed by Angela Sithole and Sakhile played by Siya Raymond. 

But amongst all these characters, there’s one matriarch in town who everyone respects – Nomvea played by Charmaine Mtinta, she’s a powerful sangoma who no one can mess with but is she a match for Virginia, played by Zinhle Mabena, wife to the Alpha Caesar

This small mining town is home to a host of residents who will rock your boat.

Leeroy played by JT Medupe is a hairstylist. He’s also the lover to a rich, powerful man in the town. Then, what would Emnyameni be without Mandla played by Herald Khumalo, a classic two-faced priest?

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

When he was only two years old, his father and now caddy Bonginkosi Tshabalala took him for tennis lessons, soccer coaching, swimming and cricket lessons. It was only when Simthandile Tshabalala was four years old that his father started taking him to the golf driving range and trained him in golf.

His father says he grew up disadvantaged and didn’t get to explore his own talents; he wanted to do things differently with his son by giving him the opportunity to find out what his talents were from a very young age and be able to nurture that, which is why he exposed him to various sports. So far, “Sim Tiger” has won over 20 trophies in the eight months he’s been playing competitively; he’s played in the Australian Open and finished 4th.

“Flying the South African flag high like that made me very proud,” Sim told the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans’ team. Sim represented the country in the US Kids Golf Partner Championship tournament and has now been invited to the European Open in Scotland, the Costa Rica Open, the Canada Open and the Africa Open.

This is Simthandile Tshabalala aka "@tiger_sim" who won the 2019 USA Kids Golf Championship at the age of 7. He was the world's 7th best Golfer in his age category in 2020. At age 8, he had won over 20 championships. ⛳️🏌️‍♂️He learnt how to play golf on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/D0c5dyhpzC

— Ourlives Marketplace 🇿🇦 (@OurlivesMarket) March 31, 2023

Although his father has been funding him for the tournaments all along, with more invitations to international and acclaimed tournaments, the duo will certainly need help in the form of sponsorship to help raise the South African flag higher.

There is no denying that Sim is on the right track towards achieving his dream of becoming a PGA tour professional golfer. For a learner in primary school, he is adamant about ensuring that his studies are well maintained amid all the tournaments and travelling. What he enjoys the most about playing golf and all the travels is “the fact that my dad is always beside me each time I play”, he says.

Juggling school, golf practice and tournaments, Sim is a hard worker motivated by wanting to achieve more. He told Azania Mosaka of 702 in April that he practices golf every day after school until 6pm, with the exception of the one day during the week when he gets to play with his friends. His advice to young and upcoming golfers and other sportsmen and women is to believe in themselves, always work hard and never give up. His journey as South Africa’s and the world’s next golf star is one we are all watching with excitement and hope. 

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

The unemployment crisis in South Africa is crippling the nation, and it’s seeming to be more difficult to get a job. But the odds were in local man, Ndifikile Magaudeni’s favour when after he posted a picture of himself asking for a job on LinkedIn, he received a job offer.

Ndifikile took to social media to share the news of his employment, “To whoever shared this, I’ll always be grateful even today I’m still getting calls.. Ngyabonga fam,” he wrote.

To whoever shared this, I’ll always be grateful ♥️, even today I’m still getting calls.. Ngyabonga fam🥺 pic.twitter.com/tTm5WjetiQ

— S P H E® (@Sphe____) March 31, 2023

LinkedIn user, Ayanda Mbath congratulated Ndifikile on the platform, “Do you remember Mr Ndifikile Magaudeni who was looking for #civilengineering Technician opportunities? He recently entered the #videointerviewcompetition part 10 which closed on the 20th of March 2023 and he is now Employed as an Intern at Rok Civils and Plant hire,” he wrote.

“He initially had a job board image which was making rounds on LinkedIn and was persistent to be noticed. Thank you to everyone that made this happen and to his new employer,” he concluded.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

When it comes to the gospel music industry, Rebecca Malope has built a solid name for herself.

She is known as “The African Queen of Gospel” and her music career spans more than three decades. To date, “Mam’Ribs” as she is affectionately known, has sold at least 10 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time. Most of the 36 albums she has released have reached multi-platinum status.

She hosted her own syndicated television show, It’s Gospel Time, between 2004 and 2019, and in 2013 she was one of the judges in Clash of Choirs South Africa.

In 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa honoured her with the Order of Ikhamanga (OIS), for her distinguished contribution to South African music. And most recently, the legendary artist was honoured with a statue of herself over the weekend in Mpumalanga.

The Bears Palace Gospel Music Festival had a concert in honour of Malope, where she was celebrating 35 years in the gospel industry. Taking to social media, Rebecca shared a video of the iconic moment. She said it was only by grace that she is still celebrated after so many years as a gospel music minister.

Of course, in true Rebecca style, her reaction to seeing the statue in her honour included throwing herself on the floor in celebration!

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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

It’s no secret that South Africa is a talented nation, whether it’s dancing, singing, or TV presenting, we’ve got some of the best in the world – and more and more talented young people keep popping up!

You might be familiar with the term “open up the industry”, that encourages new talent to be given a chance to enter the entertainment (or any other) industry, instead of using the same people all the time. So, when popular South African DJ, Shimza wrote a tweet asking young hopeful TV presenters to reply to his tweet with short videos of themselves in action, an influx of fresh talented young people sent in their videos.

One such young woman is Mthandazo Mkhwanazi, whose presenting skills sent everyone raving on social media. “Hey you guys ♥️ happy Sunday. In my bio is a link to a comment I made on DJ Shimza’s tweet about looking for presenters. I’m just here to ask you to please watch the video and interact with in whatever way you feel led to, like, comment and share. I don’t know how people are chosen from this but I’m sure the interactions don’t hurt. Also I posted it twice, once in the comments and once in the Quote Tweets of Shimza‘s post. Thank you guys for everything,” she wrote in her caption on Instagram.

Allow me to shoot my shot. https://t.co/ELmnhTbDox pic.twitter.com/2ZxKtZvVI0

— mother_of_10🇸🇿 (@mtha_is_forever) April 1, 2023

Mthandazo’s entry video has been viewed 1.5 million times on Twitter alone, and in the words of one impressed tweep, “may the God of Elsa Majimbo and Uncle Waffles locate Mthandazo’s prayers,” because we know a diamond in the rough when we see one!

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Being physically fit has a number of benefits on our overall health, when your body is constantly active, even the mind functions better. And this is exactly why university buddies, Xolisa Makubalo and Anita Zenani decided to start a fitness initiative, to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle in their community of Khayelitsha in Cape Town.

AX Factor Physico is a group fitness program that is based at Velokhaya Cycling Academy, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The program was established in 2021 by Anita (25) and Xolisa (28) who are former teammates in cycling and now partners.

Anita is a Sport Psychology graduate from the University of the Western Cape, while Xolisa is concluding his Sport Science degree at the same institution. “I played football for UWC varsity team and USSA NATIONAL team,” Xolisa tells The Fuse.

“I am currently working as a BMX cycling coach at Velokhaya Cycling Academy, where we received support to conduct our sessions. It is easy for me to juggle and manage my work and program because I believe this is my calling. I am passionate about working with and developing youngsters, and now I am also engaged with elderly people. I enjoy what I do, every day I look forward to the next fitness session, I look forward to having an input in making a change in someone’s life. And for me, it’s through sport and fitness,” he continues.

“The passion for fitness and community development led us to establishing this program. We do everything with the mission of bringing movement and awareness about fitness, an active lifestyle and healthy living in communities. To especially counter the rise in obesity and diseases in communities. We were also concerned by the lack of fitness facilities and community members find it hard to keep their fitness routine as they get demotivated when they exercise in unsafe field on their own,” Anita says.

AX Factor offers a umber of services, including HIITs, SPLITS, Sports massages, hiking and beach fitness sessions.

“To date we have over 50 registered members and our program is gaining momentum day by day. Our short-term goal is to work with fitness brands like Under Amour and conduct fitness boot camps at Velokhaya, and other institutions. Our long-term goal is to grow into a fitness and recovery center, to have our own structure,” Xolisa concludes.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

 This April, e.tv brings forth yet another brand-new drama, Smoke & Mirrors, produced by The Final Chapter Production. The show takes over the 9PM slot on the channel, replacing Imbewu.

Smoke & Mirrors is set in the landscape of a small mining town called Emnyameni. Here, we come to learn that the story lives up to its name- nothing and no one is truly as they seem. Introducing the character of Thandiswa, a hairdresser by day, an escort by night, and a girl on a mission to rid the town of “The Unholy Trinity”, the group of morally corrupt men who run Emnyameni.

“We’ve cooked up a story that is gripping at its core but yet has multiple facets that resonate with the viewer. A lot of research went into putting the show together and in the end, we are happy to say we have a good product to show and tell,” said Loyiso Maqoma, creator, writer and producer for Smoke & Mirrors.

“e.tv focuses on introducing untold stories to the South African audience and promises entertainment like no other. The introduction of Smoke and Mirrors opens a world that hasn’t been explored before, the combination of this story and cast will simply blow our audience’s minds away” – Helga Palmer, Head of Local Programming, e.tv.

Smoke & Mirrors starts on Monday 17^th April at 9PM on e.tv

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Award-winning jazz pianist was awarded a PhD at Stellenbosch University (SU) this week during the March graduation ceremonies. Pianist, composer, producer, educator and researcher Nduduzo Makhathini is a leading figure in the South African jazz scene with many accolades to his name. And now he’ll be able to add another title – Dr Makhathini. 

The award-winning musician regularly tours internationally and is the first South African jazz artist to be signed to the prestigious Blue Note jazz record label. Nduduzo has collaborated with many renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Shabaka Hutchings, Nasheet Waits, Somi and Black Coffee. 

Award-winning jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini graduated with a PhD in Music from Stellebosch University on Monday. Congratulations!!! Dr Nduduzo Makhathini pic.twitter.com/y7aSP1nhJ1

— Mzantsi Jazz Awards (@ZaJazzAwards) March 29, 2023

In addition to his prolific performance career, he is the Head of the Music Department at the University of Fort Hare. At SU, Makhathini pursued an integrated PhD, which refers to degrees where artistic practice and writing are employed as two modalities that mutually inform and articulate a single research project. 

The jazz giant who hails from uMgungundlovu in KwaZula-Natal, describes himself as a healer, improviser and scholar. “I’m interested in improvisations in South African jazz and fellowships with spirituality. This comes from an upbringing in a musical family and community, and the blessing of learning about sound in a ritual context. These interests have led to a long itinerary of searching all around the world,” he told SU.

You might think he’s done, but there’s no stopping Nduduzo from exploring more as he would love an opportunity to travel to West Africa to learn about the practices of that region’s griots, who function as storytellers, singers, musicians and oral historians.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Wellness coach, digital content creator and mother-of-two, Tshwanelo “Twazzy” Lekhuleni is one of four influential and inspiring women and mothers who were selected to be guest speakers at actress and businesswoman Omuhle Gela’s Moms’ Day Off event.

Twazzy is also a businesswoman, model, makeup artist and fitness enthusiast – her banging body can attest! “We can’t wait to hear how she juggles being a wife, mother of two, wellness coach, influencer and look so fine! Can’t wait to dine with her and get a few tips on how to take care of our mom bodies,” Omuhle says.

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Twazzy is raising two beautiful girls who are just little superstars in their own right already! In a world where mothers always put everyone else’s needs before their own, Twazzy is set to share tips on how to take care of your family and loved ones, especially those little angles, without neglecting yourself.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Imbewu’s final episode airs on the 14^th of April on e.tv.

The time has come for us to say our final goodbyes to the beautifully crafted, culturally rich show – Imbewu. After delivering an epic 5 season run, the show makes its final curtain call on Friday 14 April at 9PM on e.tv.

The story goes out with a bang, as the Bhengus have their backs to the wall, and Khemisi’s shenanigans will literally have bodies dropping in the family. With just two weeks before the final episode, the cast thanked the show’s loyal viewers, and said their final goodbyes.

As we draw close to the final episode, the show has called out to all Imbewu viewers to join the social media challenge for the show called #BendtheKnee. The call to action is as simple as the hashtag, share a video of yourself bending the knee, upload it to your social media platforms and tag @etvimbewu.