Now that I have stopped yawning over the so called Big Brother All Stars twist on Sunday…

Uti, Hannington and Sammi are up for eviction and if they quit the nonsensical twists and get on with the game, we’ll be saying good bye to Sammi on Sunday. He really does not seem to belong in there. My cousin even asked me, while we were watching the live show on Sunday, he asked me why the housemates had a security guard and I had to explain to him that Sammi is not a security guard, he is one of the housemates.

I don’t know, something nje about him that doesn’t scream $200 000. He needs to go. Besides all of that, Uti’s cute and interesting so he needs to stay. Hannington my baby is a drama king and I need Yacob’s mate in there to complete that tjatjarag picture. Assuming, they are still close, are they? Also, Hannington wasn’t really nominated by the housemates, Tatiana put him up there coz she had to save herself.

Here’s a video of how the housemates nominated this week:

Speaking of Tatiana…

Sister better not think having a relationship again will keep her in. I mean, Richard was special… right?

P.S. Well done on the Barn idea Biggie, let them milk cows, we wanna see that!

To a certain extent (emphasis on the CERTAIN EXTENT) pay tv station Mnet Multichoice is back to running the City again!

I almost missed VUZU TV’s first birthday party due to all the drama that unfolded in the BigBrother house on Saturday night, so I take my hat off to those who keep me entertained on and off screen! And besides who goes to a party at 6pm?!

Just before 10pm I arrived at what was dubbed “The Biggest Birthday Party” yet and boy oh boy, do the guys at Vuzu TV know how to throw a mean ass party! Open bar, free grub, cupcakes and plenty of Redbull was the order of the night and there was a mini playstation centre for the Cool kids!

With a smashing line up of performances that consisted of Prime Circle, Tamara Dey with Flash Republic, Slikour, ShugaSmaxx, Kwesta and Khuli Chana, there’s no doubt in my mind that Turbine Hall in Newtown was the place to be that saturday night! Celeb spotting was a bit of a mission but I managed to locate a few JustCurious Sweethearts!

YFM DJ Mpho Maboi was nicely seated at some corner, pretty much the whole night and no she didn’t look bored! Seemed to be enjoying the company of the no names she was chilling with! Highveld Stereo jock n socialite Tembisa Mdoda looked great in a LBD (little black dress) and a Jimmy Choo Bag! Nhe?! Also there was my hot twitter crush! *stops drolling* and I also spotted Sade Gillibetti in what seemed to be a skirt! I could be wrong but it looked like a shirt ok?!

BougaLuv, Brickz and PRO also game out to party! Panty dropper House DeeJay Lulo Cafe was amongst the party people, and so was 5FM’s Omarion look-a-like DJ Milkshake! The CreamCartel crew is a walking fashion catastrophe if there’s such a word and I still can’t get my head around to what inspires such bad taste in clothes and the use of all the colours, imaginable! But then again its Vuzu so I guess it goes in line with the brand’s colourful nature!

Mika Stefano and his ‘homonostra’ entourage were amongst the party people and so was Nonhle Thema, the channel’s ‘IT’ girl! All in all it was a great party considering that it was an invite only. Everyone in attendance behaved like celebrities and there was little dancing there! Vuzu, next time please invite the general public as well? They are the life of a party and try getting a lot more celebrities in next time too! You guys have a show dedicated to celebrities for crying out loud! So give us something to work with assemblief! Unless if you consider The so-called Glitz gang who were bumming cigarettes the whole night celebrities!

Happy Birthday VuzuTV! May you see many more years to come! We’d hate to see you disappear like goTV!

By XtraLargePtyLtd ©

Pictures: Twitpics by @NonhleThema & @RealBlackPearl

I’ve seen two episodes of Mzansi Magic’s entertainment show, Headline and I am very impressed!  Look, nothing is perfect and there is always more than could be done to make stuff better but I am sold on this show. I have heard people comparing it to SABC 1’s RGB and one funny comment that I got was that “Real Goboza by any other name is still Real Goboza.” Well, maybe it is Real Goboza but if it is then I’ll say it’s Real Goboza Done Right.

Kuli Roberts does not hold back. She is raw, very spontaneous, asks the most random, hilarious questions and she is having fun with the show! If what we’ve seen so far is a taste of what’s to come ahead in the show then we’re in for a treat. I would enjoy it a lot more if the voice over guy would go or speak without trying to be funny. His voice is a distraction… there must be some normal sounding people out there and if they want me to refer them to people, they can try the gal who does the entertainment news on Mo Flava’s breakfast show. I don’t know her name but she’s good.

As for the Mel Gibson news, please let us save that for V-Entertainment. If I can watch Headline, it means I have DSTV and I have access to the international celebrity stuff on E! News, so there is no need to repeat what I’ve already seen on E! Entertainment. If they gotta show international celebrity news, then let it be very interesting news, news that we “probably have not heard/read of”.

Other than, awesome work Bitch Films! I love the show!

]]> http://www.justcurious.co.za/2010/07/i-love-kulis-headline/feed/ 68 http://www.justcurious.co.za/2010/07/where-are-the-feather-awards/ http://www.justcurious.co.za/2010/07/where-are-the-feather-awards/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:14:03 +0000 Brown Shuga http://www.justcurious.co.za/?p=10631

It feels like forever since the last time I watched an awards show. Do you remember when we last did? Well, if the organisers of the event keep their promises, we should have the Feather Awards again in November this year.

The Feather Awards were launched last year and the show was an intimate but successful one that kept us talking for days after. That’s where Lupi Ngcayisa revealed that secret about the size of his manhood , the awards where Julius was nominated for Drama Queen of the Year and do you remember how hilarious the the debates that followed were?

Well, seeing that I’m craving my fix of local awards shows, I thought we should look at last year’s winners of the Feather Awards and help the organisers to come up with nominees for this year’s show.

Here are the 2009 Winners

Best Styled Female- Nhlanhla Nciza

Best Styled Male – Stoan Seate

Hunk of the Year – Lungile Radu

Diva Extraordinaire of the Year – Lira

Sports Personality of the Year – Mulaudzi Mbulaeni

Role model of the Year – Chriselda Kananda

Cutest Couple – Connie & Shona Ferguson

Hot Chick of the Year – Mirriam Ngomani

Fag hag of the Year – Khanyi Mbau

Musician of the Year – Lira

Socialite of The Year – Khabonina Qubeka

Drama Queen of the Year – Khanyi Mbau

Having seen this list, which personalities should be nominated in 2010? We can stick to the categories mentioned above.

First of all, I’m very happy to hear about the HIV Gel Breakthrough and that finally there is something that women can use to protect themselves from acquiring HIV.

If you are confused, here’s the deal:

A World Aids Conference was held in Vienna and it is there that an announcement that after years of research, a breakthrough has been made…

What they said:

A breakthrough test of a vaginal gel to protect women against HIV unleashed a wave of optimism at the world AIDS conference. The prototype is the first vaginal gel to offer a strong degree of protection against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), according to results from the second phase of a three-stage trial.

This is the first time that there has been an unequivocally significant demonstration of the ability to block (HIV) acquisition in women by a microbicide. Further scrutiny is needed of the microbicide’s safety and effectiveness before it can be released to the public, experts cautioned.

Questions remain about whether the protection is high enough or whether the formula should be fine-tuned, and how the product would be used in real life rather than in test conditions.

But if these obstacles are overcome, a weapon of mighty proportions could emerge in the fight against AIDS, they said.

It would not only add to the tiny arsenal of options for preventing the spread of HIV. It would also empower women, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, facing coercive sex from an infected partner who refuses to wear a condom.

All good and well. The part that got to me is this:

The gel was tested under tight ethical guidelines among 889 women in urban and rural South Africa, who were HIV-free at the start of the project.

Half of the women received the cream – the first microbicide to contain an antiretroviral drug commonly used to treat HIV-infected people – while the others used a placebo, a harmless but non-active lookalike.

Thirty-eight women in the gel group became infected with HIV, compared with 60 in the placebo group.

In statistical terms, the gel reduced the risk of HIV infection by 39 percent overall, but by 54 percent among women who adhered to the instructions most consistently.

There was no increase in side effects, nor – among women who became infected with HIV – any sign that they were more resistant to tenofovir as a result of the gel.

The implications for gay men, a group at risk for HIV, are as yet unknown.

The microbicide was not tested in anal intercourse, where statistical studies suggest the infection risk can be 10 times higher than for vaginal sex

So people who agreed to this research willingly put themselves at risk of contracting HIV? What happens now that they are infected? Anyone who knows please help!

What worried me about this was the comment from sciencemag.org saying that this was conducted in urban and rural Kwazulu Natal.

A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing tenofovir gel with placebo gel in sexually active, HIV-uninfected 18- to 40-year-old women in urban and rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. HIV serostatus, safety, sexual behavior, and gel and condom use were assessed at monthly follow-up visits for 30 months.

Wha is the process followed and why would anyone agree to this kind of thing??

P.S. Hope the anal sex people noticed that the risk is 10 times higher than vaginal sex! Mmmh. Condomize bahlali!

Read the rest of the good news HERE.

CODE – MALAWI

34-year-old Code, from Big Brother Africa season 2, specializes in radio advertising when he is not managing a successful dance troupe or taking on his role as radio DJ.

Asked what his strategy will be for the new Big Brother, he says simply: “Not to have one.”

His message to viewers: “Be prepared coz the fun is on, this time bigger and better!”

He says audiences should watch him because: “I am double the fun this time around.”

With one main regret from the previous time he appeared on Big Brother (“I wished I never replaced Tatiana”), Code says that this time round he’s going to work to stay in the show by trying: “as much as possible to win the tasks and avoid the whole beef situation.”

Commenting on his good qualities Code lists his ability to network, his charming smile and his voice but says he is still working on his temper.

Plus he says that the 3 things that really irritate him are: “Backstabbers /Playahaters/ Wannabes”.

HANNINGTON – UGANDA

24-year-old Ugandan Hannington believes that: “a person can never write their own biography. Let his action dictate what is written about him. I am what you see, a free spirit.”

The Kampala based former Big Brother Revolution housemate says that his favourite quote is: “Take the world in your hands, only then will you have truly lived.”

A self described introvert and extrovert, he says he feels he is a bit of both depending on his surroundings. Asked what his friends would list as his worst quality, Hannington says it’s his impatience but that his good quality is that he makes things happen.

His message to viewers regarding the new season of Big Brother is that: “you didn’t get a chance to really get to know last time…I will give you me to the end.”

Commenting on why he wanted to return to the new season of Big Brother Hannington says, “I feel like I have unfinished business. Like I went out too soon.”

He says his plan for Big Brother in 2010 is: “My new strategy in the house will be to win the money at all costs.” He goes on to say that audiences should watch him in the house because: “last time was for fun, this time is upgraded fun.”

On a different note, when asked which famous person he’d spend a day with if he could, Hannington says: “Obama, there is no one greater right now”.

JEN – MOZAMBIQUE

23-year-old Jen from Maputo became the first housemate in the history of Big Brother Africa to leave the series voluntarily during the Big Brother Revolution last year. This season she’s back and she says: “This is a second opportunity for me, so I am going in there with all that I have.”

Listing her good qualities, she says that she’s optimistic, a strong woman, loving and caring, independent and free spirited. A graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Politics, her message to viewers is: “Please watch the Big Brother house and vote for me”.

Jen also reveals that one of the things that really irritates her is racism: “because we are all the same as humans, so to compare one another by race, it’s ridiculous and stupid.” She also says she really hates waiting, dirt and people who are rude and think they are better than others.

Asked if she would do anything differently in the house this time she says: “No, I will keep being myself” and she says that she wanted to be on the new season of Big Brother: “to finish what I started.”

Asked about her ambitions for 2010, the Mozambican who speaks four languages (Portuguese, French, English and Spanish) says: “Win this year’s Big Brother Africa, buy a house and establish my own business.”

KAONE – BOTSWANA

In Big Brother Revolution, 26-year-old Kaone became known for his creative, artistic outlook. Currently working as a radio producer and features presenter, Kaone says that lying is one of the things he really hates because: “it is a bad habit and it can land one in hot trouble”.

Another thing that Kaone dislikes is: “judging a book by its cover. It can make one miss the gold, people always make the wrong conclusion.” And while he rarely argues, he says that inconsiderate people do make him angry.

Listing his good qualities as thinking, wordsmith, poet, fashion designing and people skills, Kaone says that one irritating quality he has is that sometimes he gets too technical and that: “Sometimes I make a big meal off small things.” He says the best advice he has ever been given came from his dad who told him to never forget where he comes from.

He says that his new strategy in Big Brother is: “to be the last man standing” and that the one thing he will do differently this year is to be more serious about wanting to win the money and “trust the housemates less than I did the first time around.”

And summing up, Kaone says he’d like his Big Brother experience to be financially motivating, fun, crazy, adventurous and unforgettable.

LERATO – SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg resident Lerato, who made her first appearance on Big Brother Africa in season 2, describes herself as a fierce and feisty party starter! The 26-year-old, who labels her clothing style as Urban Afropolitan, says her favourite quote is from the movie Forest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get.”

In the new season of Big Brother Lerato says that her strategy in the house will be:

“To choose my battles wisely and not let emotions get the best of me (although that’s almost impossible).” Speaking about her expectations of her Big Brother experience, she reveals that she would like it to be life-changing, fun, scary, awesome and enlightening.

Confirming that she is sometimes temperamental and that’s her bad habit, Lerato’s message to viewers is simple: “What you see is what you get. What you’ll be seeing is me carrying on with my day-to-day activities but you’ll have the front row seat to it all.”

Asked why she wanted to return to Big Brother Africa, she says: “Because I have a second chance at playing an interesting game.” She encourages audiences to watch her on Big Brother because: “I’m an unpredictable fire-cracker! You never know what you gonna get.”

MERYL – NAMIBIA

24-year-old event organizer Meryl, of Big Brother Africa 2 fame, describes herself as an outspoken person who doesn’t mind people talking about her. “Such things make me stronger mentally and emotionally.” The Namibian says that if she could teach the world one thing, it would be: “We are all one big family and its time we started getting along.”

Asked what she likes and Meryl says: “Having people around me and learning new things” while she dislikes: “People that have bad things to say about others and gossiping”. She goes on to say that one of her good qualities is that she’s a good listener though she reveals that her friends would say that one of her worst qualities is that she trusts too fast.

In terms of why she wanted to be on Big Brother again Meryl says: “I have a lot to show people about myself and others have more to learn about my country. Entertainment is my middle name and I can give a lot of it.”

And her message to viewers is straight-forward: “Take a good look this time and don’t make hasty decisions as it will cost you greatly with entertainment. Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

On the topic of why audiences should watch her on Big Brother, she says: “Drama, intrigue, fun, suspense, entertainment and I’m a whole lot of woman! I have a personality that others might find as outspoken and loud but it will surely keep you glued to your televisions”.

MUNYA – ZIMBABWE

Harare resident, 24-year-old Munya has a BA Degree in Motion Picture Medium and is a film-maker, actor and small business owner whose current work includes starring in the Zimbabwean feature film Lobola.

The former Big Brother Africa 3 housemate says: “I have been acting and performing on stages since I was six years old. This passion evolved into film but my taste for live performance has always been in my blood.”

Munya’s favourite quote is: “Let’s make history” and his motto is: “courage, integrity, faith.” He also says he doesn’t find lies funny and that cowards and liars make him angry. Asked his special talent and he replies: “My ability to read a situation.”

He says his strategy in the house is to win and that he wanted to be on the new series of Big Brother to promote his film and re-connect with his fans. “Oh and to get my 200 000 dollars at the same time.”

He identifies Hazel as his favourite housemate in his first season of Big Brother because:

“I respected her self control and poise.” He says audiences should watch him in Big Brother because: “I am a charming, interesting and controversial person, with a cute smile. “

And his message to viewers: “Give me a chance…all I need is a stage…Only God can judge me.”

MWISHO – TANZANIA

29-year-old Mwisho was a housemate in the very first Big Brother Africa show and returns to Big Brother Africa seven years later. The Morogoro resident says that his special talent is that he never gets bored and that he doesn’t get irritated because: “I don’t have the time to get irritated. I got better things to do!”

Quite simply he says that he likes being happy and dislikes: “people who think money amounts to happiness.” The Tanzanian’s motto is: “to always be happy, life is too short” and says that if he could teach the world one thing, it would be: “be happy!”

Commenting on whether he had a favourite housemate in the first season of the show he says: “I never have favourites. They were all good people at different times!”

Mwisho’s favourite quote is: “information is power.” His message to viewers: “Don’t kick me out too soon, lemme enjoy first!”

Mwisho says that he is always relaxed and enjoys reading, swimming and walking. He spends a lot of his time living near a national park and he describes the experience as: “nice and peaceful.” And when asked about his new strategy in the new Big Brother house, he says: “What strategy!”

PALOMA – ZAMBIA

One time sales consultant and former Big Brother Revolution housemate, 26-year-old Paloma describes herself in 3 sentences. “I am a nice and sweet person and I can also be mean. Live life to the fullest like tomorrow will never come. And I also believe in my culture and religion.”

The Kitwe resident says that the 3 things she really hates are: “Un-cleanliness, laziness, and leaving the toilet seat up.” She says that her good qualities are that she likes helping people out and is very generous but acknowledges that if her friends were asked about her worst quality, they would list her temper.

Asked if she would do anything differently this time around she says: “yes, keep my opinions and ideas to myself.” She says she wanted to be on the new season because she believes she deserves a second chance.

Commenting on how her life will be changed by appearing on the show again, Paloma says: “It will take a dramatic turn and I guess some people will like it, others won’t but tough luck.”

Her message to viewers on the new season of Big Brother Africa is: “Watch me turn the tables upside down in the house.”

SAMMI – GHANA

35-year-old Kumasi born, Accra based Sammi is a musician and broadcaster. A housemate on the very first Big Brother Africa, after his time on the show he went on to host the Channel O music show 233 for Ghana.

The Ghanaian lists his amicable and friendly nature as among his good qualities, along with his ability to get along with everyone. He does get angry when someone tries to: “make me look stupid intentionally” and he dislikes: “when I am taken advantage of”. He does like when people get along together describing it as peace and fun.

His message to audiences is to keep their fingers crossed for exciting viewing and says that he’d like his latest Big Brother experience: “to be the best ever”.

He says he wanted to be on Big Brother again because: “the second experience, it’s rare” and says audiences should watch him as he is: “a funny and entertaining guy.”

Sammi, who is very proud of completing his debut album (“it was very demanding and challenging”), reveals that he deals with stress by keeping calm.

SHEILA – KENYA

It was on Big Brother Africa 3 that African television audiences met Kenyan television reporter Sheila for the first time.

Now the 25-year-old, who works as a writer, director, actor and emcee, is back for a new season and when asked what she is going to do to make sure she isn’t voted out this time she says: “Just be as smart as possible. I hope there will be conspiring. I’m not really good at that but I’ll give it my best shot.”

Listing her good qualities as: “I’m caring and passionate’, Sheila says that if her friends had to name one of her worst qualities, it would be that she is super impatient. She also says that one of her bad habits is procrastination.

Her message to viewers is: “I know you’ll enjoy watching me”. With a personal motto that reads: “It’s never that serious”, Sheila describes herself as a people person. “Even if we don’t speak the same language, I’ll always find our common denominator.”

Asked about her special talent Sheila says: “I’m good at making you feel good about yourself.”

An admirer of efficiency, the Nairobi-born housemate dislikes: “People with no foresight, no ambition.” Commenting on what makes her laugh out loud she says: “People who try to figure me out. I’m still trying to figure me out.”

TATIANA – ANGOLA

29-year-old Tatiana from Luanda says her weirdest moment ever was her first day in the Big Brother Africa 2 house. The TV presenter, actress and model, whose motto is: “never give up”, says that if she could teach the world one thing it would be to: “love one another.”

Given the chance Tatiana would love to spend a day with Madonna because: “I’ll like to drink from her experience”. The Angolan likes passion and dislikes jealousy. She says that some of her good qualities are that she is enthusiastic, ambitious, honest and kind however her friends would say she is stubborn.

Asked what her message to viewers is, Tatiana says: “thanks for being there for me since we met 3 years ago. I love my fans.”

She wants her Big Brother experience to be fun, beautiful, relaxing, amazing and happy and says that audiences should watch her on Big Brother because she is real, fun, original, creative, warm, humble, loving. She also reveals that some of the things that make her happy is to see other people happy, travelling, having fun and being in love.

And when asked what she would do to make sure she wasn’t voted out again, she says.

“I will be stronger and more determined.”

UTI – NIGERIA

Season 3 Big Brother Africa housemate Uti hates it when: “people try to list your faults even though they have their own”. Working as an actor, TV presenter, model and MC, the 27-year-old BSc. Ed (Computer Science) graduate lists some of his good qualities as: “understanding, down to earth, fun to be with, accommodating, genuine…”

He also says that if his friends had to list his worst qualities they would say, “I have a loud voice, I talk too much when I’m excited, sometimes I’m not tolerant of people’s misbehaviour.”

In the new season of Big Brother, Uti says his strategy will be to: “try not to get attached to/fond of anyone”. His message to viewers is: “try not to vote for country, instead vote for the person.” And when asked what he will do to make sure he’s not voted out this time round, he says: “You can’t really control that now can you?”

Commenting on why he wanted to be on the new season, he says it was another chance to show: “who I really am and of course another shot at a bigger prize money!”

Uti also says that audiences should watch him on the new show because: “Cos I think I am still full of surprises.”

YACOB – ETHIOPIA

28-year-old Yacob became famous across the continent after his appearance on Big Brother Revolution.

Recently based in Addis Ababa, where he was working in the family business, the 6.4ft Yacob says that his weirdest moment ever was: “Living in a house with a group of strangers for 5 weeks with cameras and microphones watching and listening to every moment. Knowing that millions are watching every minute.”

The self-confessed introvert, who says that he cannot live without his family’s love and support, says that he dislikes sad, negative thinking people.

He says that the thing that makes him laugh out loud is: “Unintentional humor…situations people are in that make them react.”

He says if his friends had to pick his worst qualities they would pick that: “Maybe I can’t keep a secret and gossip to much…and that I’m single.”

Yacob’s message to viewers: “Don’t be quick to judge me based on Big Brother Revolution. Give me a chance and see what I’m ‘bout….to all my supporters from the previous show, thanks and keep up the support. I’m going to need all your support and more if I have a chance to win this thing.”

And his new strategy in the house will be to: “Diversify…and be cool with everyone in the house without picking alliances.”

While my friend, whose name I shall not mention, decided to spend his 67 throwing tantrums as his morsel for Mandela day, I decided to spend the evening with “almost -olden-goldies” as they call themselves.

With Philip having ditched us for Spain, festivities and invites have inevitability become taboo in Joziburg. After all, who in their right state of mind would ignore a very colourful invite that reads: “IFA and Lillian Dube invite you and your partner to attend the official Screening of Skwizas’’? Well…not me!

Mara Louw, I mean Mme Mara serenaded attendees with some classic jazz with dance moves that had a bit of chomee’s tendencies and Sophiatown merged. Believe you me, Mme Mara should consider participating in SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. She does everything from tsipa to…actually, I don’t want to describe what else she does because I respect her. Let’s just say I have never blushed this much in my young life. The conclusion here is that she can and should take the initiative to teach our younger musicians how it’s done.

Ok, in case you haven’t heard. Skwizas is a locally mad sitcom boosting a cast of greats like Lillian Dube, Mara Louw, Mary Twala, Rina Nienaber and Dolly Malunga. My definition for the show does not graduate beyond what I call hilarity defined. Skwiza is described as “a new comedy starring talented industry heavyweights, Lillian Dube; Mara Louw; Mary Twala; Rina Nienaber; and Dolly Malunga, as they bustle through the idiosyncrasies of life in Skywards Retirement Village. They grapple with dwindling pensions; lost careers; jealousy; and the prospect of late-life romance. These hilarious, entertaining, funny oldies laugh at themselves and meet life head-on and win. “Who said growing old meant growing up… you are as old as you want to be!”

Now that you know what I’m on about, let’s get back to the event. Mam Lillian Dube sure was the superstar of the show. She had everyone in stitches with dance moves and cracking jokes (very funny jokes though). Walking in high stilettos, she couldn’t endure the pain for long and had to ask someone to take them off. What a bundle of joy she is!

Mara this Ma-griza i funny Jo…she left me utterly bewildered about categorizing her as an actress or a comedian. Wait till she tells you how she got the IFA job and what she did when first she met her daughter in law.

Rina Nienaber (most famous for playing Baba in Generation years ago when TV was still a luxury in Soweto) who plays Heidi in the sitcom was also there loving everyone and posing for pictures.

Muvhango Creator, Duma Ndlovu was also there. BUT I don’t wanna say much about him just in case I decide to peruse an acting career when all fails. So moving along…

Mutodi Neshehe (formerly in Muvhango) was there with wifey and their tot looking happy. Who said happy families are a thing of the past vele?

Still on former what whats. Tjo! Almost thought I had too much to drink given that it was a free bar when I saw Nestum. Yep, the one and only former Jam Alley Zanele “Nasty” Nyakale in all her splendour graced the do and was quick to educate me that she now works behind the scenes. Props to you hun.

Now that we know where you are, care to give us Queen’s whereabouts? Last I heard she was in limps trying to give her life to God. No comment!

I wandered about the whole of THE WEDGE shopping center in search of Mam’ Mary Twala as I wanted to ask her to be my mentor. With her funny streak one can easily take on and actually dethrone Trevor Noah and whoever else is considered a comedian in SA. But she was no where to be seen.

Innumerable fashion crimes were committed but I’ll let it slide for the simple reasons that these are old people we are talking about and I was raised well. I think I wanna party with senior citizens more often though because they know how to have “clean” fun. One is never subjected to over inflated egos and you get to prepare yourself for the next 60 years…Especially if one of them is Mam’ Lillian D, Mmampho or Sister Bettina.

Skwizas is on SABC 2, Sundays at 19:00

By Hastings Moeng ©

After seeing the back and forth tweets about it, I finally got to read the powerful interview that VIBE Magazine did with Swizz Beatz’ ex wife, Mashonda. Wow, so much power in her words.

In this tell all interview, Mashonda Tifrere, talks about everything from finding out about her husband’s cheating, how she tried to reach out to Alicia Keys, the pain of going through the divorce and how she tried to still make sure that her son is raised in the most loving environment she can provide. In the interview, Mashonda is open, honest and she is not bitter. What I loved most about this interview is that it did not leave me hating Alicia Keys or Swizz. What I took from it are the valuable life lessons she shares. How to let go, How to deal with pain, How to take humiliation & embarrassment in your face but still leave with your dignity in tact. Not many women can do what she did and I am touched. I also have to say well done to the interviewer, Tray Hova, this is a beautiful interview and the questions asked were just on point.

The entire interview is great but below are just a couple (a lot) of my favourite excerpts from the VIBE interview:

I know it was very important for you to sit down with Alicia if she was going to be around your son. Safe to assume that happened?

When I wrote her that Twitter letter everybody wanted to say things like ‘Oh, what do you need to meet her for? It’s not her problem, it’s Swizz’s.” I’m like, ‘You have a kid, go through what I went through and then talk to me.’ I’m not having my son around anybody I don’t know. I don’t give a shit who you are and how much money you have and what management he’s going to be under when he visits you. I need to see you and I need you to see how serious I am about him. And that’s what happened. We had to sit down, and I told her how I felt. I didn’t mention anything else, it was all about my son and it was fine after that. I’m not going sit and talk to [them] about what happened between the three of us. This is about my son.

When did this meeting finally take place?
It took a good year and a half. I think that only happened in March.

How was Alicia’s demeanor?
She just listened.

This all sounds like a really awkward gathering…
It wasn’t awkward; I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t ready. I said what I had to say as a mom. It was a whole sit down dinner. So you know how intimate that is. There are certain things we have to do as women in order to move forward.

Very true, have you received an apology from either one of them yet?
Nope.

Surprising?
No, because I honestly feel like they think they didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t care about their apology. As long as he’s a great dad to my son and she’s a good step-mom, they don’t have to worry about apologizing because they will never understand or care about the pain I went through. That was a big thing at first, I felt like nobody was respecting me. He’s not respecting me, she’s not respecting me. [But] then I had to say, ‘Fuck my ego, because this can’t be an ego thing. If it is I’m going to fall down and die.’ People feel that they are so happy and they are so in love, but what really happens is that real love does not come from a foundation when you hurt somebody else. Love does not happen like this. Love doesn’t involve hurt, lies, or destructing anybody else’s soul.

If real love isn’t born from infidelity, are you saying it wouldn’t shock you if their soon-to-be marriage ended in divorce?
I don’t think about it, it’s not my concern. I don’t think about them anymore. If there was no little boy involved in this, I would’ve probably moved to another country by now. I’ve thought about going to live in Europe, but I can’t because his dad is here. I don’t like confusion, I don’t like drama, I don’t like none of that stuff. I would have left before the divorce was even final.

“Real love does not come from a foundation when you hurt somebody else. Love does not happen like this. Love doesn’t involve hurt, lies, or destructing anybody else’s soul.”

How did you even find out that they were engaged and she was pregnant? Please don’t tell me the blogs.
I knew these things for a couple of months… I never talked to him about it though. It’s his life, but people talk. Nobody is nobody’s friend when it comes to stuff like this. There are people in their circles that talk and it gets back to me and I’m like ‘Wow, okay.’ I still feel like we should tell each other…No, I don’t care. I don’t give him the vibe that I care, so he wouldn’t feel obligated to tell me.

If you were generously invited, would you attend their wedding?
No. Not out of malice, but because weddings are sacred. It’s just not my place. The only reason I went to his birthday party was because he invited me and I did that for myself. I needed to see them together for it to transfer. And I was like ‘Wow, this is real.’ We were still totally married…We had a divorce that was nowhere near final, but I just needed to see them in action for it to be real to me, and it was definitely real. You have all these different types of steps that you have to set up for yourself until you get to that place where you are free. And I will tell you, after I got divorced maybe three weeks later I woke up and felt a weight removed. It was the first time I’d ever felt mentally free. And I sent him an email wishing him all the best in the world.

“You have all these different types of steps that you have to set up for yourself until you get to that place where you are free.”

When was the last you cried?
I haven’t cried in about a year. I don’t cry anymore. I thank the good Lord for that, because it takes a lot for me to cry now. It’s been a journey. The whole first year I cried my fucking brains out. And when “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” came out, I was like… “Wow, this song is for me.” [Laughs] I would cry in my sleep, I would wake up crying.

Does it hurt listening to her now? Were you an Alicia Keys fan?
I believed her before.

And now?
I don’t make it an effort to listen. I don’t make it an effort not to listen. I still like her songs. She’s head over heels in love and I get it. Every woman deserves to feel that, not at the expense of another woman though. But I understand why some of the decisions were made on her part, because her heart was so in it. I can’t fight that [and] I can’t fight her because she’s a household name. People are always going to love her for her music, as they should. She makes great music, but no one is really ever going to understand what happened in this house. Bottom line, the rule is, if you’re messing with somebody, you don’t know they’re married, and you found out they’re married if you come into any contact with that wife, leave it alone… respect the woman, respect the wife. Like I said before, it was an ego thing for me. I’m being fucking disrespected, nobody respects me, this is my husband, this is my family, this girl thinks she can just do anything she thinks she wants to. And that’s what I dealt with for a while, until I gave up.

Ego can be a dangerous thing. Were you still in love with him while you were fighting for your marriage?
I got to be honest with you… I was not in love. Love is unconditional; “in love” is very conditional. [Being] in love is a state of insanity, infatuation, when you can’t live without that person. But when one thing goes wrong you feel crazy, it’s insane. So when you’re able to tell the difference you’re better off. Because [being] in love doesn’t last, [it’s] for the moments. Love is forever. I still love him, he’s the father to my son. We have history, there’s no reason not for me to love him. What he did was done for me to learn something. I don’t blame him anymore. Now he has to learn because I’ve already learned.

Love is unconditional; “in love” is very conditional. [Being] in love is a state of insanity, infatuation, when you can’t live without that person.

You mentioned there being infidelity prior to Alicia. What happened?
His older son Nasir was born while we were together. We were living together [and] I was pregnant at the time. I stressed so much because I found out [the other woman] was pregnant… it put me into pre-labor. I lost my baby in 2000 when I was five-and-a-half months. It was tragedy. Nothing compares to losing a child. That shit put me into a two-year depression, it took me six years to even try [having a baby] again. I was afraid. So not only did I lose my baby, but now I was waiting for this other woman to have hers. Because of what happened to me, he wanted me to name the baby. He wanted a Muslim name and I loved the name Nasir. The first time I met Nasir we fell in love and whenever we had visitation he was my baby. I took care of him. We did everything that I would do with [Kaseem]. And when Swizz did that interview with DJ Enuff, he mentioned that I made him choose between his marriage and his son, and I was like ‘What?!’

Wow.
That kills me the most. He was saying these things because these are probably the things he told her. Obviously something is wrong with his morals, but I don’t play with kids. Even now with Alicia’s pregnancy, I believe she deserves privacy. I hate hearing people wish bad stuff on her and the baby. I’m like ‘People shut up!’ This is a child, an actual life… someone who has nothing to do with what’s going on right now. I wish her the most successful, healthy pregnancy in the world, that child is going to be my son’s brother or sister and that’s the only way to look at it.

www.vibe.com

You’ve mentioned in the past that Swizz repeatedly denied having an affair with Alicia. Did he ever fully come out and admit to it?
My husband admitted to having his affair on Mothers Day 2008, six months after I found out. I didn’t sleep for a whole year. I had to take pills to sleep because I’d wake up in the middle of the night crying. I couldn’t even look at my son some days because I didn’t have the strength and I never wanted him to feel my bad energy. It was a battle. They are just now going public, but this has been going on for a very long time. I refused to really break it down for people to understand because there was no way I could go around not making [Swizz and Alicia] look extra crazy and I didn’t want to put that out there for my son. I didn’t want him to see his father as a monster. But the shit is deep.

What was the last thing you remember doing to keep the marriage in tact?
I did everything I could do, but I knew there was no working it out when he admitted his affair to me… he was happy about it. After lying about it for so long and finally admitting it I was like ‘I can’t take it no more!’ In the back of my mind I was like, ‘I have to fight for my family, this is my son’s father. We were supposed to grow old together, we were supposed to raise this baby together, we were supposed to do all these things, I’m fighting for my fucking husband. I don’t care who he’s dating, I don’t care how much money she’s got, I’m fighting for my husband.’ And then I realized… I can’t fight for him… he doesn’t want to be with me. I’m not going to win this one.

How do you fight for a husband?
I fought more for the family than I did for my husband. It wasn’t ‘I love you, don’t leave me.’ It was never that because that’s not even me. It was, ‘Let’s work it out for this baby. You can’t leave. I can’t be a single mom. Let’s go to counseling, we are a family.’

“And then I realized… I can’t fight for him… he doesn’t want to be with me. I’m not going to win this one.”

….. are you guys trying to rebuild a friendship?
We’re cool. I want to be the best we could be for our son. If my son wants us to hug, we’ll give each other a hug. Whatever makes him happy, you know kids like to see that. And I don’t hate [Swizz], there’s nothing anybody can do to me to really make me hate him. Hate is such a terrible word. It’s strong. I just don’t approve of what he did and how he did it.

Damn. So what helped you to finally let go of all the pain?
Pilates helped me so much that first year. For those couple hours of doing Pilates nothing else would matter because you are so focused. You’re learning all these breathing techniques and breathing, I swear, it cleans you out. It pushes out a lot of that negative energy. I also bought a lot of spiritual books on the universe and the laws of life. Once you start realizing that things really do happen for a reason, you accept it and stop fighting the world. There is one book called The Secret of Life, and it’s about letting go of false emotions. I realized that the pain I felt wasn’t coming from him or her, it was coming from me. I had to change.

What would be your advice to women dating within the industry?
I would avoid it completely. People in the industry… a lot of them are just that. They can’t turn off, they are always on, they forget who they really are and they think they are just this athlete or this rapper all the time. And they get a pass for doing foul shit, that’s just how it is. You don’t want to be apart of that. You need to be with somebody who understands when they are messing up and that can stop and fix their shit. Someone that doesn’t strive off what everyone else thinks of them.

Will you be writing more after Death of a Mermaid?
Yes, I’m actually working on a book of quotes. There’s also some film stuff. I’m in the process of forming a production-publishing company. And just got certified as a professional interior designer… looking to get a Pilates certification as well. There’s a lot going on. Women can get so caught up in love and totally forget about themselves, so it’s always important to have your own thing going on.

“Once you start realizing that things really do happen for a reason, you accept it and stop fighting the world. Women can get so caught up in love and totally forget about themselves.”

Wow right? Wow!

Read the rest of the interview on VIBE.com link HERE.

Mashonda on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AAewZaIy6M

The 18th of July is Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

That alone screams “SPECIAL”.  People around the world are encouraged and requested to honour the old man’s day, Mandela Day,  by taking 67 minutes to do something for the good of humanity and the planet, in recognition of the 67 years Mandela devoted to liberating South Africa.

Different individuals and organisations have activities planned for this day and you can view some of them on THIS page .

We would like to know though, does this day mean anything to you? If so what will you be doing on Mandela Day?

National Celebrations will take place in Mary Fitzgerald Square, in Newtown, under the theme “Working together for the common good of our nation”.  The programme will include speeches, music and dance, from 9am onwards.

Performers will include Taliphani, TK Dancers, Sechaba, Winnie Khumalo, RJ Benjamin, Chommie, Arthur, Nhlanhla Nciza, Zamajobe, Kwela Tebza, Jonas Gwagwa, Kunle Ayo from Nigeria, DJ Sbu, Stoan Seate, Florence Masebe and Meshack Mavuso.

O tla be o le kae? Le mang? Le etsang?

Why are we getting so worked up?

Benni is not the President, the Vuvuzela is not the national anthem, or some national symbol we should be getting so worked up over and you cannot possibly tell me that every South African LOVES it?

Benni’s words on www.whufc.com:

About Phillip:

“For the country it has been really nice, for the infrastructure, the country is in a better state. A lot of people had a completely different perception of South Africa and now they have some really nice things to say about it and everyone wants to go there – it is now a holiday destination.”

About the Vuvuzela:

“It is the worst thing. It is a topical South African thing, but the reason I hate them is that when I am playing I can’t hear myself and I can’t get my message across. It is the most annoying thing and you could go deaf, so I hope they don’t bring them into English football. That is South African football, this is the Premier League which is the singing and the cheering your team on, that is what it is all about.”

Eish, yah, he could have been less “honest” (we seem to prefer dishonesty) in expressing his views but the truth is: yes, the vuvuzela is freaking loud (as a lot of South Africans would agree) & it is the most annoying thing to HIM. I don’t know why he needs to hear himself when playing or what message he wants to send across instead of just kicking the ball but it’s his opinion and just because he’s Benni McCarthy, the one whose comments we are always ready to scrutinise, does not mean he should not speak his mind.

I hate it when people blow a Vuvuzela in my ear but I blow it anyway and I’m happy with its success all over the world. It’s a South African product, we love it, English players don’t and believe it or not, Benni does not play in the PSL, he plays in England (where your favourite PSL player dreams of playing), and he  prefers the England fans’ singing over the Vuvuzela. So what if he had said he loves it? Would SA have gotten the rights to host 2014 World Cup? NO! It would not have changed anything, it’s JUST an opinion by someone who did not even make our World Cup squad. So, why are we SO worked up? Wooosa…

We love forcing our views and ideals on others. Like why are we mad that Rugby peeps have banned the Vuvu at the Springbok game? (see above pic) It’s a rugby game, not a Soccer game… people CHILL.

So, please, let’s get off our high horses and stop condemning Benni, for being a typical South African: Opinionated & a whiner. Yes, that’s what we are, look in the mirror.