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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

On Thursday night, 26-year-old visual artist Masonwabo Ntloko took Johannesburg down a visually gripping journey when he held his first ever painting solo exhibition “ILISO LO MOYA” inspired by the richness of his spiritual nuances and Xhosa heritage.

Earlier this month, Masonwabe and Katmo Gallery announced their collaboration aimed at providing art and design enthusiasts the opportunity to witness Masonwabe’s latest projects. His previous exhibition was of his rug collection “Ilifa Lethu” in collaboration with Airloom. 

Iliso lomoya directly translates to “the Eye of the spirit”. This body of work focuses on his spiritual growth and experience of the world around him. The month-long exhibition explores themes of identity, transformation, healing, and the power of the human spirit it. 

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It features his paintings, and mixed media works that explore his journey into self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. The artworks showcase the artist’s use of colour texture, and form to create a visually and emotionally charged and stimulating experience for the viewer. At the core of the exhibition is Masonwabe’s personal stories of spiritual exploration and growth, which he hopes will resonate with viewers and provide them with insight into their own journey self-discovery.

Through the use of various artistic mediums, Masonwabe hopes to create an immersive experience that encourages viewers to deflect on their own lives and to seek out their own inner truths.

Many people have fallen in love with the young artist’s work, and admire his talent, including American singer-songwriter and actress, Kelly Rowland. In December 2022, while Kelly was visiting South Africa, she couldn’t help but stop at the studio with Masonwabe’s work and celebrate his work.

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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Shoki Mmola fans are in for a treat as the talented actress joins eTV’s Scandal! as Reverend Prudence Molepo, a is a woman of the cloth who has wholly given her life to the faith. She holds herself in high regard and expects others to do the same for themselves.

But, she stands on moral high ground to mask her own flaws. The Reverend is a strict mother and can often be too hard on her children. In her eyes, they cannot be failures because they were birthed by a woman who is moulded in the image of God.

The Reverend comes in as Vuvu’s mother, and she holds Nhlamulo and Vuvu’s kids close to her heart. But she does not agree with Vuvu’s sexuality and writes her off completely. She feels Vuvu and Nhlamulo are not fit to raise the children and wants to raise them for herself.

We can’t wait to see Shoki’s portrayal of the Reverend!

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Collaborating with your favorite big, well-known brands is possibly the dream of many upcoming artists and content creators, so when Soweto-born Graphic Illustrator, Sthembiso Msibi got the opportunity to work with one of South Africa’s biggest petrol stations, Engen, she was over the moon.

“I am an illustrator, digital media designer & art director – an all-round visual creative based in Johannesburg. I graduated with a BA Digital Design Media at the University of Johannesburg. I was part of the FCB grad internship 2021, and I love telling stories through visual mediums and playing with typography in motion graphics. I work on content calendars and digital campaigns,” the young creative describes herself and her art.

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After signing on the dotted line, Sthembiso couldn’t wait to share excitement with her social media followers. “I can finally share the news; I am excited to announce my collaboration with Engen South Africa on their spaza campaign,” she wrote.

Sthembiso created an artwork inspired by the Engen sports development initiative which will be rolled out across selected spaza shops in South Africa. “This campaign means a lot to me because it gives women in the art space a voice and a platform which I am grateful for,” she added.

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

The Grade 12 class of 2022 has been one of the most inspiring classes the country has seen, specifically because we saw how students who didn’t do well the first time they did their matric, passed with flying colors this time.

It has always been preached that there is no shame in failing, especially if you pick yourself up and try again – and that’s exactly what these inspirational young people did!

One such is Whitney Hardzenberg, a 23-year-old woman who decided she wanted to return to school and complete matric. Even with a six-month-old baby and a four-year study gap, nothing was going to stand in her way.

The school Whitney previously attended turned her away, but because she was desperate for a second chance, she approached Lavender Hill High School, and they gladly accepted her. Not only that; the school went as far as supporting Whitney by sending her study material home when her little one was sick, and she had to be home with her young daughter.

When her child’s illness persisted, Whitney felt she had no other option but to drop out, but her family, schoolteachers and classmates were not about to let her give up her dream.

“The support I got from Lavender Hill High … the [school] stuff was brought to me at the hospital, each child took a book to [bring me] my work,” she said. My teacher 100% supported me, she came to drop parcels also. Lavender Hill High teachers and the kids — my classmates — they came to me, they told me: ‘You’re not going to drop out, Whitney. You came this far, you’re going to go on,'” she told the Daily Maverick.

When it comes to supporting and cheering their pupils on, Lavender Hill High School is doing a great job, and the success stories of its pupils is testament to exactly that. Such talented softball players, Amir Phillander and Jacey Fortuin who took part in a national softball tour in late 2022.

Taking to social media to encourage and congratulate the class of 2022, the school wrote: “Congratulations to all matric learners on your hard-earned results! Whether you received the grades you hoped for or not, know that your determination and effort are what truly matter. Remember, the end of matric is just the beginning of your journey, and the skills and knowledge you’ve gained will serve you well in the years to come. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors! #MatricResults #Congratulations #FutureSuccess”

• Beyoncé Announces tour dates for 2023.
• South Africa is reportedly looking to spend R1 billion on Tottenham sleeve sponsorships.
• Gauteng police seize counterfeit goods and arrest two suspects.

Beyonce snubs Africa again as renaissance world tour dates announced – EWN

Beyoncé will tour parts of America and Europe in 2023 in support of her album Renaissance. This year’s Renaissance tour will begin in Stockholm in May and conclude in New Orleans in September. Beyoncé’s website contains additional details regarding tour times and venues. Unfortunately, Beyonce’s itinerary does not include South Africa. Read more here

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SA Tourism plan to sponsor Spurs worth more than Rwanda deal with Arsenal – TimesLIVE

South Africa Tourism’s reported plan to sponsor Tottenham Hotspur could be more expensive than Rwanda’s sponsorship of Arsenal. “Daily Maverick reported on Wednesday that the government, through its marketing agency SA Tourism, is proposing a 36-month deal, believed to be a sleeve sponsorship, with English Premier League club Tottenham at a cost of £42.5m (R910m) over three years.” 

TimesLIVE reports that the SA Tourism presentation asserts that the expenditure of just under R1 billion for the sponsorship would result in a tourism return of R6 billion for South Africa. Given the load-shedding and economic crises as well as the deteriorating sports infrastructure, reports of the deal have sparked controversy. Read more here

Two arrested for possession, sale of counterfeit goods at Eastgate mall – TimesLIVE

On Wednesday, a team of law enforcement officers seized counterfeit goods valued at approximately R6 million and arrested two suspects for allegedly selling the goods in the Eastgate shopping centre, TimesLIVE reports. The article further states that Col. Dimakatso Sello, a spokesman for the Gauteng police, stated that a team comprised of different Gauteng police units, customs officers from the South African Revenue Service, brand protectors, and private security companies searched stores selling counterfeit goods in the centre. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Mzansi reacts to SA Tourism’s alleged R1bn Tottenham ‘sponsorship’ deal – TimesLIVE

Headline: Soshanguve calm after frustrated residents protest over water problems – EWN

Headline: World cup qualification not a given as Proteas wilt under late Archer blitz – TimesLIVE

Headline: WATCH | Police officers arrested in Boksburg – eNCA

Headline: New Joburg city management moves to stop corruption investigations – but then backtracks – News24 (for subscribers)

Weather: Thursday’s weather: Cloudy, warm day with severe thunderstorms in some parts of SA – News24

Image credit: Beyonce, Instagram

• The SPCA are still searching for tiger in Edenvale. 
• Msaki final performance schedule announced before taking a break from the music industry. 
• Bavuma backs Proteas’ decision to rest Kagiso Rabada.

Authorities still searching for Evenvale’s elusive tiger – EWN

EWN reports that the SPCA is still searching for a tiger alleged to be on the run in the Edenvale region of Johannesburg. A local security business announced that the tiger had been recaptured and relocated to a sanctuary. However, the local SPCA and law enforcement have yet to confirm the tiger’s whereabouts. The SPCA has issued a warning to residents to exercise extreme caution and keep all pets inside their homes. Read more here

This is it! Msaki shares her final gig guide for the year – TimesLIVE

Msaki has revealed her final performance schedule before leaving the entertainment industry. After announcing earlier this month that she would be taking a break from music, the performer released photos from her shows on social media. In her statement, she explained that the relentless bullying had taken a toll on her and that she could not match the entertainment business norm of having “thick skin”, TimesLIVE reports. “Please understand why I have to leave this space. Please release me. I may seem weak because I let this get to me. But I am sensitive and sentimental, an empath (this is my most valuable creativity tool) my skin is not thick … it is porous so I feel the changes in the breeze.” Read more here

Bavuma says resting Magala, Rabada for 2nd England ODI was part of series plan – News24

Temba Bavuma has supported the decision to rest the in-form pacer Sisanda Magala, stating that it was part of their series strategy, News24 reports. Magala, who was named man of the match in Friday’s first one-day international against England, which South Africa won by 27 runs, was rested for Sunday’s second one-day international, which the home team won by five wickets. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Ramaphosa mulls national state of disaster over energy crisis – EWN

Headline: Siya Kolisi rises above loss, violence, substance abuse, and infidelity in new ‘bio epic’ – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Load shedding is affecting water supply to reservoirs rand water – EWN

Headline: ‘An honour to join a beast of a radio station’: Robert Marawa expands drive-time sports show with 947 deal – TimesLIVE

Headline: ‘Is that a bun she’s hiding?’ – Mihlali Ndamase sparks pregnancy rumour – TimesLIVE

Weather: Tuesday’s weather: Severe thunderstorms over parts of North West, Free State – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Tiger escapes enclosure in Gauteng, attacks dog and human. 
• Arsenal moves eight points clear at top of the table. 
• Emtee cautions booking agents and fans about imposters. 

Female tiger on the loose south of Johannesburg – TimesLIVE

A group of trackers, police and residents are searching for a female tiger that escaped its enclosure in Walkerville, south of Johannesburg, TimesLIVE reports.

Gresham Mandy of the local community policing forum (CPF) stated that the “big cat escaped from its cage” on a smallholding where it was kept with a male. He reported that the owner asserted that the fence was cut and the animal escaped on Saturday evening.

It was then reported in a separate eNCA article that the tiger had been spotted near the Daleside Vet and had attacked one person and killed a dog. Citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and avoid approaching the tiger because it is aggressive and will attack without provocation. Read more here

Arsenal sink spurs to move eight clear, Chelsea ease pressure on Potter – EWN 

Arsenal moved eight points clear atop the Premier League standings with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby on Saturday, while Chelsea relieved pressure on manager Graham Potter with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Arsenal will be difficult to stop if they are to be denied their first league title since Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” in 2003-04, following their first league road victory against Tottenham in nine years, EWN reports. Read more here

‘Please do not give him money’ — Emtee cautions fans about fake manager – TimesLIVE

Emtee has cautioned booking agents and his fans about a man posing as his manager. Recently, the rapper revealed on Twitter that his former driver had been impersonating his manager. After being exploited by individuals claiming to be affiliated with them, numerous artists have had to clarify their timelines. Read more here

pic.twitter.com/lwpsdqZpYx

— IVANGELI (@emteerecords) January 12, 2023

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: The people rise up: top lawyers, politicians take aim at govt, Eskom as load shedding crisis deepens – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: President to meet with Eskom board – eNCA

Headline: Critics Choice Awards TV Winners List – TV Line

Headline: ‘I don’t have dinner, sleep or breakfast’ – Pirates coach Riveiro – Scrolla

Headline: Stormers lose Springbok Manie Libbok for at least a week to concussion – News24

Weather: Today’s Weather Condition – South African Weather Service

Image credit: Pixabay