World-renowned evangelists Bishop TD Jakes and Bishop Noel Jones will once again be sharing the stage in South Africa – this time at Soweto’s Orlando Stadium on 8 September, where they will present a dynamic, full-day convention offering transformative spiritual, personal and business insights to tens of thousands of delegates.

Aside from taking advantage of special spring packages and promotions by hotels participating in the JTC Spring Campaign, this year convention delegates will be able to experience some of Johannesburg’s unique new transport features available to visitors, including the Gautrain and Rea Vaya BRT.

“This event follows on the hugely impactful 2008 Mega Fest, where the bishops shared a message of change with a 100 000 strong crowd,” explains ‘It’s Your Time’ Convention spokesperson Thami Ngubeni of Thamzin Media. “This year’s message is an echo of the now historic slogan, Ke Nako – It’s Time. But not only that It’s Your Time! Following the success and confidence boost from hosting a memorable World Cup, the Question is ‘What Now?’ The convention promises to provide attendees with the tools to take control of their lives, their relationships, companies, careers, selves and finances. ‘It’s Your Time’ to be who you want to be, to create the country you want to live in and the heritage you will hand over to future generations. An appropriate message as September sees the celebration of Heritage month. We have inherited the past. The future, we create,” concludes Ngubeni.

IT’S YOUR TIME CONVENTION – BACKGROUND INFORMATION

“It’s Your Time declares the urge of taking responsibility for your destiny – South Africa is ready, able and willing and so are its people,” says Bishop Jones, son the legendary of Bishop Robert W. Jones and brother to singer-actress, Grace Jones.

In 1994 Bishop Robert Jones and his wife Marjorie visited South Africa to establish youth empowerment programs through churches, mainly in the Vaal area. It was through Bishop Robert Jones that Thabo Molefe aka Tbo Touch furthered his studies in the US. Thabo Molefe has been fortunate to live with Bishop Robert and Marjorie Jones since 1998, with fully paid tuition and accommodation.

8 September will also see the official launch of The Robert W Jones Scholarship Foundation, in honour of this great leader – and dedicated to continuing the legacy of changing lives and empowering South Africa’s youth.  Orlando Stadium, a location symbolic of the struggles, successes and hopes of South Africa’s people, makes it an ideal venue to host this inspiring mega-event.

The programme line-up for 8 September includes Pastor Sithole, Reverend Ralekholela and Bishop PF Molefe, while musical performances by gospel greats Benjamin Dube, Tshepiso Motaung, Uche and the Oasis Bible Churchchoir will keep spirits high throughout the day. MC for the event is inspirational author, actress, businesswoman and host of Metro FM’s ‘The Sacred Space’, Thami Ngubeni.

Tickets, ranging from R150 to R350 are available from Computicket and secure entry to the full day’s programme of events. Gates open at 09h00, with the first session starting at 11h00. Those wanting to join the Bishops after work can catch the second session, which runs from 5pm to 9pm and features the one night only ‘Evening of the Bishops’ with Bishop Noel Jones and long-time friend, Bishop TD Jakes.

Convention Partners include: Bishop Noel Jones Ministries, The Sefako Investment Group, SABC News, Metro FM, Sowetan, Touch Lives and Thamzin Media. ‘It’s Your Time’ Convention will also be launching the Bishop Noel Jones Ministries in South Africa, with an event taking place at the Durban Convention Centre on 9 September.

Visit www.itsyourtime.co.za or join It’s Your Time on Facebook for daily updates and messages

Bishop TD Jakes and Bishop Noel Jones will also be catering for Joburg’s academics, intellectual enthusiasts and businesspeople at a limited-seating breakfast on 9 September at Southern Sun Grayston. The topic under discussion is ‘The Emergence of Higher Consciousness’. Tickets are R800 and are available via tngubeni @thamzinmedia.com

Released by: Johannesburg Tourism Company

In my entire existence on this planet, it never would have dawned on me that the name Rebecca Malope andBeyonce Knowles could ever be used in the same sentence. What could the two women possibly have in common, besides their age?

Yes! It’s true! Both ladies are the same age, but due to fear of being sued for defamation, I choose to withhold which of the two ladies is lying about their real age. So its information I will go to the grave with. Jokes aside… Both women are dynamic in their chosen fields and lead the pack to follow their blazing trails. They both have undeniable stage presence and unforgettable stage antics.

One famous for rolling around on stage, tearing apart her “David Tlale” designs whilst speaking in tongues and praising God:

The other famous for also tearing apart her “House Of  Dereon” costumes on stage whilst singing in tongues and “allegedly” worshipping the devil.

Besides those few comparisons, do you think anything else can tie them in one sentence? Which is what brings us here:

A likening tie between the two divas from different worlds, more shocking than you would have ever anticipated:

So ladies, hold on to your wigs and weaves, Gents hold on to your man-bags, Gays hold on to any man you can hold onto…Its going to be a fun ride of revelations.

At this point in time, it has become public knowledge that Super Diva Beyonce’ Knowles is notorious for the “revolving door” that has specially been built for her in American courts to cater to the annual law suits against her for “song-stealing”.

As a huge Beyonce fan, I used to be in denial about all of this and ruled off her continuous law battles as pure jealousy and people trying to bring her down.

It was not until 2006 when she released her hit album “BDAY” that my naivety was kicked out of my system and I took off my Rose-Coloured fan glasses and started seeing the truth for what it was.

On this particular album, was a song called “Resentment”.

A song which I had heard two years before Beyonce’s version came out, from a little unknown singer called; Victoria Beckham (formerly with the Spice Girls).

It is very normal for artists to record the same song, but due to record company politics or various other reasons, we get to hear only one version from one artist. E.g. Rihanna’s smash hit  “Umbrella” was originally commissioned to Mary.J.Blige, Britney Spears smash debut “Baby One More Time” was originally meant for the 90s super group “TLC”.

So hearing that Beyonce had recorded a song previously done by Victoria Beckham was no shock. Beyonce’s version was better anyway.

It was when I went through the writers’ credits on the album-sleeve that alarm bells started going off in my head.

In terms of melody, the two versions of the song are pretty much identical and the lyrical content is almost the same, except for one or two sentences that are different in the final verses of Beyonce’s version.

On the cover-sleeve of “BDay”, Beyonce has full-writers credits, She is credited as a song writer for the full song, when she only changed TWO sentences in the previously recorded song.

How does two changed sentences in an already written song, qualify someone as a writer?

Does that mean I can also go take out a  Shakespeare book in the Library, change a paragraph and claim it as my work?

It was from this point that I now realized, where there was smoke there was fire, and we had a “Beautiful Liar” amongst us.

This is just my view about these lawsuits, so don’t take my word as gospel:

Beyonce and her record company commission songs to writers, and if they find what could be a possible hit, they buy the songs from the writers and then pass them off as Beyonce-written songs and conveniently forget to put in the original writer’s name in the credits. Resulting in the continuous law-suits.

I could write a whole book about Beyonce’ songwriting woes, including the time fellow R&B singer; Ne-Yo called her out for claiming to have written the lyrics to her Billboard number one hit “Irreplaceable”, when he was the one who actually wrote it, revealing that she only helped with the melody.

But right now we don’t have the time or platform for my Tell-All book, So below you can see a short summary of the songs she’s been sued for. (All cases were settled quietly out of court.)

• Sued for stealing the song “Baby Boy”- 2003
• Sued for stealing the song “Survivor”- 2005
• Sued for stealing the song “Kissing You”- 2007
• Took credit for writing “Crazy In Love” when she didn’t
• Took credit for writing “Irreplaceable” when she didn’t

Recently whilst listening to Beyonce’s cover version of Etta James’ songs from the “Cadillac Records Motion Picture Soundtrack”.

I came across her version of Etta’s; “All I Could Do Is Cry”. The lyrics of the song sounded awfully familiar.

Having learned to accept Bey’s song-stealing habits, I dismissed it as another stolen song.

I still  wanted to hear Etta James’ original version though, just to hear if Sister Bey altered the song to her liking… maybe changed a coma or full stop to get writers’ credits.

Eventually after hearing Etta’s original version, which was recorded in the 60s, 70s. I was shocked and ashamed with myself to find that the songs were exactly the same and that Bey didn’t alter the song. So I knelt down and prayed to the Lord for forgiveness, For having falsely accused the Queen Bey of song-stealing, because just this one time she was innocent.

But the nagging feeling that I had heard the lyrics before, would not leave me.

It finally dawned on me where I had heard the lyrics… On Lebo Mathosa’s last album “Lioness”, in a track titled; “Should Have Been Me”. (listen HERE, click Track 11)

A song which the late Lebo Mathosa had always spoken about during her promotional rounds for the“Lioness” album, because it had been written for her by her good friend; REBECCA MALOPE!

I was in utter shock! Every single short strand of my brush-cut was trembling.

I went back to Lebo’s cover sleeve of “Lioness” to double check. And there it was; Lyrics by: L.Mathosa and R.Malope.

Lebo had stated in her interviews that Rebecca wrote the song, presented it to her, and Lebo co-wrote the song by adding to the chorus and the last few verses.

The first two verses were written by Rebecca and are exact copies of Etta James’s song; “All I Could Do Is Cry”. (listen HERE or HERE)

The lyrics are the same; Word for word, coma for coma, full stop to full stop. And there was no sampling credit for Etta James, as most do when they’ve borrowed another person’ intellectual property.

So with my analysis… Sis Ribs took Etta James’ song, gave it to Lebo Mathosa and passed it off as her own written work.

The Queen Of Gospel, exposed in a songwriting LIE! ala Beyonce’? Who would have imagined? Rebecca of all people???  Praise Gawwwd!

And that is what Queen Riebs and Sister Bey have in common, they have both been caught out in claiming song lyrics that did not originate from them.

The music industry is a cut throat industry and everyone has to do whatever they can to survive, its common knowledge that publishing and songwriting rights can earn authors a life-time of royalties.

But can artists not plagiaries and take food out of other people’s mouths?

If artists like Beyonce and Rebecca Malope can take writing credits for work that is not theirs. Who else has fooled us and gotten away with it?

Maybe “Nkalakatha” was originally recorded by Vinoliah Mashego,  maybe Arthur Mafokate’s break out hit; “Kaffir”, was originally penned by Patricia Lewis and Arthur only changed a few words and rode away with it as his own song. Who knows?

I guess we’ll never know…

By Zamani Khethelo (aka ZA_MANiac) ©

Cars, Cars, Cars!

Presenter /DJ Bonang Matheba and Poppy Ntshongwana, the bubbly 5fm Jock ushered in the season of Spring with Brand New rides Courtesy of Peugeot South Africa! Its not everyday Mzansi Celebrities are chosen to be brand ambassadors for Car brands especially due to reckless lifestyles, so you know once one bags that deal,  that they mean serious Bizniz!

The cars:

A closer look:

…and Poppy’s car

Congratulations ladies! Enjoy the rides!

PS: If you are in the entertainment industry and Kim Sears is not managing you and your career, #Phum’elaynini

By XtraLargePtyLtd

Honestly, if we’re gonna see Khanyi on TV every second day (I’ve given up on Sunday World), how come not one of these channels ever bought into that reality show idea she was tryna hook up? Surely by now they should know that we would watch?

Everybody watches a Khanyi Mbau TV interview and everybody reads a Khanyi Mbau Magazine/newspaper interview. I laugh at how people watch or read about her and then go on to complain about how stupid she is, how she’s a waste of time and mina I then wonder ukuthi “Who held a gun to your head and told you to watch/read?” Like she told Redi Direko the other day (boy, did she handle her!), Khanyi just LIVES & we choose to watch.

Anyway, V Entertainment aired this almost “E! True Hollywood” typa interview with Ms Mbau  on Tuesday and they called it a Tell-All. I didn’t see or hear what was so “tell-all” about it. I mean, is there anything we don’t know about Khanyi already? Well, I tried to watch but I got lost as soon as I heard her say “

“… my men are not ordinary men and I don’t do boyfriends coz most of my boyfriends, I sort of marry them…”

Errr… I guess there are things we don’t know about Khanyi after all coz I thought she was only married once, to Mandla Mthembu. Which other boyfriends of hers did she marry?

Anyway, if you care, check out the V Entertainment video below, apparently there’s a second part next week and she’ll be talking about Theunis.

HERE’s the VIDEO:

Didn’t hear WTF she was on about but I damn sure enjoyed looking at her face…. #maybeHomo

She’s beautiful!

And this song right here, should be the soundtrack to her life.

]]> http://www.justcurious.co.za/2010/09/khanyis-supposed-tell-all-vuzu-clip/feed/ 49 http://www.justcurious.co.za/2010/09/interview-with-nick-holder-podcast/ http://www.justcurious.co.za/2010/09/interview-with-nick-holder-podcast/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:33:46 +0000 Eric Sayz http://www.justcurious.co.za/?p=11512

Nick Holder is a house music deejay and producer from Toronto, Canada. He is owner of Toronto’s acclaimed DNH Records (now up to over 60 releases!), has been producing house music for the last ten years. Those that follow house music will know Nick Holder for his 2001 smash hit “Summer Daze” that was also on DJ Fresh’s House Flava 4 compilation. The record is now a classic in house music.

I caught up with Nick on his recent trip to SA and here’s what he had to say.

By Eric Sayz ©

I had been trying to set up this interview way before the World Cup and I was told to wait until AFTER Philip because Cleo was busy doing shows during that time. The World Cup is over now and so I thought LET’S DO THIS and guess what?? Cleo was still busy and had to squeeze me in between flights. He had just landed from Botswana and had a bit of time to kill at the airport before taking off to Namibia so as much as I would have loved to spend more time with him, I had to make do with what was available.

From the little time we spent together I realised he is a very smart, passion driven and playful guy. He is a perfectionist and is not afraid to speak his mind especially about things he doesn’t like. I was also forced to choose Orange juice over a strawberry smoothie because apparently it’s unhealthy and will damage my Appendix ntoni ntoni. I was not impressed because I personally don’t like being told what to do especially when it comes to what goes into my stomach. Anyway I had to just pretend I was game with the Juice and only because he was paying for it otherwise bekuzomoshakala stru….hheheh.

Here are my few minutes with one of Mzansi Entertainment’s most successful men.

Kiki: When did you break into the music Industry? Because to be honest on my side the song that introduced you to me was Goodbye.

DJ Cleo: Goodbye was 2005 and that was my 2nd album, my 1st album was in 2004.In 2005 I also released Bricks (Face Brick) and prior to that It was Pitch Black Afro, I did Mandoza’s Top Sgelekeqe, The Comeback ya Doc Shebeleza, did some work with Kabelo, also Spykos (Birthday yami), Mzekezeke (Akekhu Gogo ) , Brown Dash ( Puff & Pass ) and Mzekezeke ( Sguqa ngamadolo).Between 2001-2004 I was doing house songs, compilations released by DJ Fresh.

Kiki: Tjo Cleo you have done so much?

DJ Cleo: Yap, another one was House Of  TBose Volume 1 & 2 and In one my songs sang that lady the wife or EX wife kaBuyile. The one who was on the cover of Drum Magazine recently, her name is Carol (and he is laughing)

Kiki: Oh so uCarol ichomee yakho?

DJ Cleo: No no no she just sang on one my songs, we worked together that’s it…

Kiki: heheh ok. Which artists would you like to work with that you haven’t worked with before?

DJ Cleo: I’d love to work with Apple Seed aka Jah Seed or Apricot Seed, I don’t know.

Kiki: And wena what type of music do you like besides YOUR music?

DJ Cleo: I listen to Jazz all the way.

Kiki: Hayi bo Cleo JAZZ?? as in Jazz Jazz?

DJ Cleo: Yes the likes of Four Play, Take 6, Incognito..the list is endless.

Kiki: Are you Bleksem??

DJ Cleo: YES

Kiki: Tjo a straight yes just like that? Are you really Bleksem??

DJ Cleo: Yes I am for real.

Kiki: But I sometimes see you and ‘Bleksem’ on stage at the same time.

DJ Cleo: It’s just to prolong the lifespan ya Bleksem the masked character. Truth is Bleksem is actually me on stage & DJ Cleo is the DJ.

Kiki: And that was inspired by?

DJ Cleo: I’ve always wanted to be an artist and I guess I was too shy back then and couldn’t do it. But I guess a few hits behind your belt give you the necessary confidence to do whatever you can with the Mic. When you are famous and you’ve got hits then your confidence level just goes up.

Kiki: BOOM

DJ Cleo: I am confident enough to say I am a hit maker, which I find is a problem for many because they confuse my CONFIDENCE with ARROGANCE. But I really don’t give a sh!t honestly. When I left Springs to come to Joburg to seek fame and fortune, no one did me favours I had to work hard to get where I am. There were a few people that helped me and I have always been grateful to them and they know it but all those people that think I’m gonna lick ass just to get to the top they can forget it, not a chance…

Kiki: Tjowee

DJ Cleo: I am where I am because of my hard work. There was no musician in my family, no connections blah blah blah, I had to WORK

Kiki: So you had to start from zero to build your own empire because no one actually paved the way for you from the family side?

DJ Cleo: You see, and then you get all these other guys trying to bring me down just because I am doing my thing. Some spreading rumours that I’m gay, others leave the stable and talk badly about me and others write stories that I raped my dog and all that crap, like I give a f*ck?

Kiki: Are you gay?

DJ Cleo: No I’m not gay, I am very straight.

Kiki: Are you married, girlfriend or kids?

DJ Cleo: I am not married because marriage takes away that spark in a relationship but I have a girlfriend & 2 kids.(at this point in my mind I am just going oh DAMN IT he is taken ,now there goes my crush…hehheh )

Kiki: So, what type of women do you like?  I mean the ones you have a crush on? You can drop names.

DJ Cleo: Hayi no Kiki I cant drop any names because I am involved. So out of respect for my partner I will not mention any names…

Kiki: Ok, I understand.

DJ Cleo: I love the kind of woman that she is (his partner), a woman that would look after me when I’m sick, a woman that takes care of me and nurse me to health. A woman that cooks well, that understands what I mean by healthy lifestyle, a woman that doesn’t smoke like her, a woman that doesn’t drink like her, a woman that’s a good mother and that completes me.

Kiki: So you don’t smoke or drink alcohol?

DJ Cleo: Not at all, I don’t smoke & I don’t drink. To me Eskhaleni 7 is my best album by far because we have just found common footing in our relationship as well and it shows in the album, when you are happy THAT just comes out.

Kiki: Wow, I see the love it’s written all over your face. Is she the mother of your two kids or they have different mothers?

DJ Cleo: Yes she is the mother.

Kiki: So how do you deal with negativity? We all know that there was a rumour that you are gay & also the dog story that was front page news. How do you handle such?

DJ Cleo: All I can say is as long as people can afford to talk sh!t about you then you are news worthy. The minute they stop talking that’s when you should worry.

Kiki: Oh so you enjoy all the negativity?

DJ Cleo: Its not that I enjoy it but I feel it’s a good thing to have negativity you know. Even if you go on my Twitter profile, you will see that all my ‘favourites’ is all the hate mail or hate tweets.

Kiki: Do you get hate Tweets?

DJ Cleo: Yes I do and I save them (see below) because it’s a constant reminder that not everyone likes you and you must also try and please those that don’t like you kancane nje. Don’t suck up, don’t lick ass or whatever but at the same time consider it.

(The Hate Tweets)

Kiki: So how is your relationship with uBricks no DJ What What, are things ok??

DJ Cleo: There is no relationship..and where are they now Kiki?

Kiki: Hahahah Cleo, I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything from them lately.

DJ Cleo: Exactly..Next question please!

(During this time Glen Lewis came through to say hi to Cleo and then Cleo said he will make an Interview for me with Glen happen, Glen responded “Make it happen like you make HITS happen”) I think that was sweet of Glen to say that even Cleo looked humbled about that statement.

Kiki: I read somewhere I think it was your web site,that you are planning to venture into TV Production. How far with that?

DJ Cleo; Watch the space, its coming. The best is not to rush into things and raise people or even your own expectations because you will end up disappointed.

Kiki: Have you considered breaking into acting?

DJ Cleo: That too, just watch the space.

Kiki: Please stop giving me YES & NO answers, you will bore me and I don’t like that.

DJ Cleo: You are the 1st woman that said I bore her

Kiki: What do you expect me to say with your Yes,No straight to the point answers mara? I actually thought I was gonna be able to crack you but you are tough.

DJ Cleo: You still can.

Kiki: Which countries have you performed at?? He just took out his passport and started counting.

DJCleo: Botswana, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Dubai, Swaziland, France, Australia, Malasyia, Kenya, USA, Ireland, UK, Namibia, Lesotho, I will be going to Canada soon.

Kiki: And from all these countries that you have been to, which one can you say there was the best crowd?

DJ Cleo: No doubt it’s Dubai.

Kiki: Ok your latest album is Eskhaleni 7 that means it’s your 7th album neh? Where does the Inspiration come from?

DJ Cleo: Yes it is my 7th album and every album gets to move the coma in my bank balance to the right. So that inspires my albums.

Kiki: Kanti how old are you, and what kind of a child were you?

DJ Cleo: I am 30yrs old. I went to 8 schools in my entire life and I was expelled 4 times.

Kiki: Expelled 4 times?? For??

DJ Cleo: It was just the naughtiness as a child and also I had A.D.D so I used to struggle a lot but soon found a balance. I don’t regret anything that happened in my life. I believe that everything happens for a reason.

Kiki: So looking back at Cleo as a child and Cleo now, what makes you different from back then or are you still the same?

DJ Cleo: I used to be very shy, I am still shy now but I am more confident. Back then chicks didn’t want to have anything to do with me but today some chicks dig me, not all of them but some. I appeal to some actually I appeal to just a few. I was never the most fashionable kid in school because my parents never believed in spending that much money on kids, but now I am a compulsive shopper & spender. I went to Botswana with no shoes yesterday, just so I could buy shoes that side.

Kiki: Wow, and how do you keep in shape? I heard that on club 808 you said you go to gym 5 times a week. I missed the show coz I only found out that you were on it when the show ended. If I had known before time I would have watched it.

DJ Cleo: But I had been tweeting the whole week where were you?

Kiki: I’m sorry.

DJ Cleo: Yes I go to gym minimum is 5 times a week.

Kiki: And what is your normal day like, what time do you wake up?

DJ Cleo: I get up at 6am because I have to see my kids to school. Then after that I just chill in bed watch TV getting ready for gym. My days vary,some days are very busy with interviews, meetings back to back and sometimes studio the whole day.

Kiki: What do you do for fun?

DJ Cleo: I play soccer, squash, I bike and I play music, make music & listen to music. Everything around me revolves around music or sport.

Kiki: How do you find the talent? I mean most of the times it’s the talent that YOU launch and yes they end up moving to other stables but it’s you that introduces them to the nation. How and where do you find them?

DJ Cleo: I am the best talent scout there is for me. I am blessed to be able to know what I want and to be able to find the people that I have found.

Kiki: My pay off question: If you were to die today at this point in time when your carrier is like WOW! What would you like to be remembered as? To me right now when I think of Cleo the 1st thing that comes to mind is your incredible million dollar smile. You have such a beautiful smile.

DJ Cleo: Ncoooo thank you (he blushes)

Kiki: I know your woman, family & kids will remember you differently and more on a personal level. To ordinary people how would you like them to remember DJ CLEO??

DJ Cleo: I can’t really say but however I can influence how people remember me and I think I have done that well for as long as I have been around in the Industry and in the public eye. I know I’m the sh!t and I want people to remember me as that guy that was ‘The sh!t’…talent gone to soon. I don’t need anyone to validate weather I am the sh!t or not, I KNOW I am because I have worked hard to be the sh!t that I am today. I am not being arrogant I am being confident. You need to remind yourself, don’t wait for people to do stuff for you, don’t wait for people to say you are good, tell yourself that YOU are good but don’t say it to people’s faces tell yourself first. I don’t say it to people’s faces even though by extension this Interview is going on the web for people to read but I am sure you will choose my words carefully as well. If I had to wait for people to tell me I’m the sh!t then no one would have because people didn’t even know that I make music, they didn’t even know I could DJ,I had to go out there and say “DJ Fresh I do ABC help me, Lance Stehr (Ghetto Ruff) and TK (TS Records)..I do ABC….LET’S WORK”

Kiki: Thank you so much for your time, have a safe trip to Namibia.

DJ Cleo: You’re welcome.

Ends.

Interview By Kiki Marli

Following the earlier news that Vanessa L. Williams would be joining the cast of Desperate Housewives, I came across this Promo of the show’s 7th season.

I think it’s beautiful & wanted to share it with you… what do you think? Kinda reminds me of the Sex And The City 2 Promo (even though it was totally misleading coz the movie was utter nonsense)

Beautiful neh?

Vannessa Williams  will play Renee Perry, a wealthy baseball wife (husband played by Reggie Austin) and she will be the second black woman to join the DH cast after Alfre Woodard.

When our boy Tbo touch left the LIVE building, we knew or should I say I knew I was going to see fresh talent and a new face. Minenhle “Minnie” Dlamini was voted as the new member of the Live family and outshone the other final contestants. We all had our favourites and who we wanted to win but Minnie managed to get the spot. Not everyone knows her but when I sat down with her to get to know her, I found out she’s loud, fun and friendly.

Lebza4sho: Ok firstly let me start by asking, who’s Minnie?

Minnie: Who am I? Uhmm I’m very loud, energetic, I’m a person who’s a jack of all trades, I did everything. I mean my parents believed that they should expose me to a whole lot of things to keep me out of trouble. Sunday was my church day if I’m lucky because I would sometimes have tournaments. I also played a lot of sports;  I used to sing, dance, acted and did musical theatre. I’m a busy bee, so I’m the type of person who cannot be categorized into one thing. You can’t say Minnie is a drama queen or a prima dona . I’m pretty much everything.

Lebza4sho: How would you define your style and personality?

Minnie: I like taking risks, in terms of my personality and my style. I’m the kind of person who likes to stand out in a crowd, I love attention; I love it when people say “oh that’s Minnie look at what she’s wearing”. Lol Whether it’s ugly or not as long as I like it, that’s all that matters because I love being unique.

Lebza4sho: How does it feel being part of the LIVE family?

Minnie: Oh damn! It feels awesome, it’s one of the best music shows in the country because of the viewership. I’ve always wanted to present but didn’t think that Live would be my biggest break, always thought of something small.

Lebza4sho: I can imagine hey, so are your parents supportive about the whole presenting thing?

Minnie: I mean, yes definitely my parents support everything good that I do. I remember in my first year in Economics I did politics, I did well but I didn’t enjoy it. My passion is in the arts, drama, film and media. Instead of doing my second year, I re did my first year so that I can study something that I love and my parents were supportive of that decision.

Lebza4ho: What are you currently studying?

Minnie: Uhmm well I was studying film, media, drama and economics at UCT but I de registered so that I could move to Joburg.

Lebza4sho: Yho such a hectic move.

Minnie: Yeah I know but instead of studying Film and media, now I have the opportunity to intern here at LIVE and other shows. I’m interning here at Urban Brew studios, doing production, learning what it takes to produce a show and basically everything that has to do with TV.

So I have the opportunity to learn everything practically but I’m going to register to study next year. I’m thinking of doing Bcomm Marketing, just to do the business side of things.

Lebza4sho: Nje do you think you will be able to finish in record time with all the other stuff you are doing?

Minnie: Lol yeah, I actually find it difficult to only concentrate on one thing. I remember in my first year at varsity, I was just doing academics and I found myself very bored. I wasn’t able to function well coz I’m used to doing a lot of stuff every day.

Lebza4sho: How was the adjustment moving from Durbs to the concrete jungle JHB?

Minnie: I actually moved from Durban to Cape Town, from Cape Town to Joburg, Randburg where i currently reside and so far so good I must say.

Lebza4sho: Is intombi yomzulu your signature?

Minnie: Hahahahaha yeah I guess so I mean the funny part was that it wasn’t supposed to be a tagline, I just used it to describe myself from the other contestants because I was discovered in Cape Town even though I’m a Durbanite. I wanted people to vote for a proudly Durbanite, “i was like I’m from Cape Town kodwa ngiyintombi yomzulu”. The next thing I was told it was quite fresh and I should keep it.

Lebza4sho: Do you like it though?

Minnie: I like it, it describes who I am, it’s not like a tagline where I say “I’m freshelicious or something crazy”, and you know people can come up with weird things.

Ok I did this interview sometime in July but then at the SABC 1 launch in August Brown Shuga told Minnie that she’s doing a great job but she should take it slow with the “Intombi yomzulu line” then Minnie said  it was done. So I wanted to find out why she stopped.

Lebza4sho: So why did you stop using your tagline “intombi yomzulu”?

Minnie: Like I said, it wasn’t a tagline. It was just something that describes who I am, so when you see me ngiyintombi yomzulu, i don’t have to say it.

Lebza4sho: oh cool, which local celebs do you look up to?

Minnie: Eish, that’s a tough one, I look up to a lot actually. I like to find certain things about certain people and make my own imaginary person that I admire. But if I was to pin point someone it would definitely be Basetsana Kumalo.

I think starting as Miss SA, she was able to build her own brand, and it opened up a lot of opportunities for her. She went into the corporate world, which is something that I also want; build my own brand as Minnie. After that i will start my own company. I love entertainment but I’m also business minded.

Lebza4sho: That’s the spirit nana, so how’s  your relationship with Bonang and my boy Phila?

Minnie: I love them, oh great people and really talented. It’s a great show to work with such talent because they helping me top up my game.

Lebza4sho: What advice did B give you when you joined live?

Minnie: I actually got the best advice from Phila, he also got it from Andile Ncube. He said to me when I get to the LIVE stage, forget your problems, script, technicalities and just be you. That was the best advice I got because you don’t want people comparing me to Bonang or any other presenter.

Lebza4sho: How do you deal with criticism?

Minnie: As long as it’s constructive criticism, you can take it and use it because that’s the only way you can improve your work. One of the Live co-producers once told me that if you don’t have haters then you’re doing something wrong, so let it come, let it roll uhmm LOL- Not but yeah.

Lebza4sho: kwaaa be careful what you wish for, hai JC bloggers are always on fire I respect them. How long is your contract with LIVE?

Minnie: Everyone’s contract is on a 6 month basis and they renew it if you’re doing a good job.

Lebza4sho: And if you were given an opportunity to change LIVE, what would it be?

Minnie: Uhmm i pretty much like the way it is, I think the formula is great and people still love it but it wouldn’t hurt to re-brand every couple of years.

Lebza4sho: What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Minnie: For now it’s my Blackberry, it’s so weird how a small device controls my life lol, ok I’m being dramatic but hey.

Lebza4sho: Dude, Blackberry is the future! So who do you normally hang around with?

Minnie: I’m always at work so I hardly have time to hang out and when I do; I love chilling on my couch watching TV and of course with food.

Lebza4sho: Awwww shem awuna life

Minnie: yeah I’m a loner lol

Lebza4sho: mmm becareful what you say.

Minnie: ok but I really see my mates when I can but I’m always too tired, so sorry guys if you ‘re going to read this heheh.

Lebza4sho. So what did you do with your first cheque?

Minnie: Well I gave some cash to my parents and bought food.

Lebza4sho: Kwaaa o strong hey, I’d buy clothes and food would take a chill pill.

Minnie: NEVER! A girl must eat.

Lebza4sho: oh well yeah, so what kind of music do you listen to?

Minnie: All music except for heavy metal. I love Durban house, hip hop, rnb and jazz. But my favourite is old music.

Lebza4sho: * jumps of the chair* hawu i gospel manje?

Minnie: I love it, I’m a huge Joyous celebration fan locally and Fred Hammond and many more internationally.

Lebza4sho: lol mina shem ngizithandela uHlengiwe Mhlaba

Minnie: Yeah she’s amazing and Ntokozo Mbambo too.

Lebza4sho: Ok let’s not talk about gospel anymore; I’m feeling the Holy Spirit manje.

Minnie: lol ok next question.

Lebza4sho:  So what are the qualities you look for in your superman?

Minnie: First of all he has to be tall, shallow stuff aside, he must have a great sense of humour and be able to make me laugh, and he must have direction in life and a general nice guy with a backbone.

Lebza4sho: *melts* you just described me moes.

Minnie: your cute lol

Lebza4sho: lol thanks! So where to from here? Like After Live and stuff?

Minnie: I want to pursue my acting career; I will be on Generations in October for a small role. Then finish my degree.

Lebza4sho: So I can say on the interview that you’ll appear on Generations?

Minnie: yeah, you have the scoop. No one knows.

Lebza4sho. Oh wow thanks and thank you for your time; it was good chatting to you.

Minnie: Wow that was quick, thanks!

Believe it or not this young girl will go far with her confidence and she has this energy that I believe will take her far. Am looking forward to seeing how she’s gonna do at Generations, hopefully she won’t replace the skinny that everyone complains about lol.

Ends.

By Lebza4sho

This is probably the most difficult article I have ever written for Just Curious. I am about to question a traditional practice that has been ingrained in my head for years, as a descendent of royalty and a man who is more inclined with African culture than most of our readers, I am doing what  I am actually not supposed to be doing, talking about circumcision in a public forum. I refuse to be silent while boys continue to die in other parts of this country, when in fact they do not really have to lose their lives in order to gain their manhood.

Guys, allow me to call a spade a spade – there is something wrong with the circumcision practice in the Eastern Cape area and it borders on Genocide! There I have said it, the truth of the matter is that you and I can only remain silent for so long.  The other day I was watching Cutting Edge and they were tackling the issue of boys dying in the mountain school, the female producer dared to go where our politicians fear to tread – she wanted to know why boys were losing their manhood, penises falling off like dried peaches.  All you had to do was log on to Facebook and see the reactions that people had with regards to the program, most men who had been to komeng were furious, while girlie-girls were cringing – it was riveting TV, but what impact did it have besides giving SABC 1 great ARs?

I have never been to Pondoland, and I do not even know which side to point it, but reports indicate that as of 21 June 2010, 28 boys died of botched initiations and many more died around the greater Eastern Cape area, not Johannesburg or Nelspruit, but the Eastern Cape. This is nothing new; we read and hear about these reports every year. I repeat, there is something fundamentally wrong with most initiations schools in the Eastern Cape. Yes, I am generalizing in the hope that someone, somewhere with more powers than this little site will read this little article and be moved to act. The problem I have at the moment is that no one in the political sector is standing up and saying something, everyone is silent. I know it would be improper for a Zulu president to question this Xhosa practice, but how many Xhosa men sit in parliament and say nothing? Vavi is very vocal when it comes to striking, why is it that people of his calibre are not asking questions and trying to find solutions to the matter?

Circumcision has been part of our culture for years and it is not about to fade away any time soon. I am from the Limpopo area, were circumcision is practiced by Vendas, Tsongas and Bapedi. You rarely, if ever, hear stories of boys dying while at the mountain school. I am 26 years old and in my village we have had more initiations than I care to remember and here is a fact -  NEVER – NEVER  HAS ANYONE EVER DIED IN THE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL.  That means that there is something that people in Limpopo are doing right. I am not in any way attacking the Xhosa culture and its people, that is not my intention – I am just trying to tackle the matter without pussyfooting around it.

This is a sensitive matter that has everyone rubbed up the wrong way. I spoke to a University cultural lecture about this, asking him why boys continued to die in the Eastern Cape, while it rarely happened in Limpopo area. Those who have gone will agree with me, that the practice in Limpopo is still conducted by the custodians of culture, those who have been doing it for years and not everyone can just start an initiation school. We all know it has now become a money making scheme. It was like five hundred in my time. Now what seems to be the problem in the Eastern Cape area is that inexperienced people are entrusted with nip-tucking di-dang, and every Tom, Harry and Dick can suddenly start their own school. This is not the case in the Limpopo area, were the chief is involved in the opening of the initiation school and the selection of the best snip-master.  The most important thing about the whole process is the aftercare of the initiate and that person’s di-dang, if one is not experienced enough to make sure that the initiate and his di-dang gets the right aftercare, it becomes septic and eventually falls off or has to be chopped off.

I am sure there also many underlying factors that contribute to the high number of deaths in the Eastern Cape area that also need to be unpacked. I could be wrong, but generally, in the Eastern Cape area boys go while they are a bit older, so di-dang takes longer to heal, add an inexperienced team = disaster.  Whereas in Limpopo the teenage years are considered the right time to get done. There is also the factor of the season, in Limpopo, it’s always done in winter – but pick up a newspaper around December and you’ll hear about another sad tale of an initiate who will not make it home for Christmas, even though it mostly occurs in winter in the Eastern Cape. For those who don’t know, it heals much quicker in winter than summer. I know that no parent would send their child to die, but I also wonder where are the parents, what role should they are play in this instance. I am not saying Limpopo is the beacon of all good things, it has its flaws but for this discussion, it serves as a good reference.

The custodians of the Xhosa culture should be the ones making the most noise, because I refuse to believe that it is all bad in the Eastern Cape,  if done the right way– no one has to die or have their di-dang chopped off.  I have plenty Xhosa friends who tell good tales about their experience there, usually after too much Johnny Walker.  At the moment the custodians remain silent and attack journalists for not respecting culture or being African enough. I refuse to subscribe to a culture that wants to kill boys, that is murder!

As a nation, we are very  vocal about woman abuse, media rights and human rights violation but no one is stepping up to create and enforce legislature that will protect the interest of these young men. I wish I had a solution on how to best deal with this, but I do not and I always hope that through a robust debate, someone can come up with a better solution.  Should we just keep quiet and swear that if ever we have children, we will not send them to a mountain school in the Eastern Cape area, while we continue sipping cognac in front of the TV? What is happening in the Eastern Cape area is genocide.

I hope that with this will get you talking about this matter, as I believe that there are those who are just as gatvol as I am. This article is about saying what is happening and being frank about it.

By Phathu Makwarela ©

Yho, this story is very dodgy. Have you guys figured out what could have happened that day? I’m still as confused as I was when I first heard.

I’m referring to the story about Blue Bullls player , Stephanus “Bees” Roux and how he brutally murdered a metro cop. (STORY HERE) The story raises so many questions…

• Like why was the cop in Bees’ car… was it really because Bees was suspected of drunken driving & the cop was driving him to the police station…or home ?
• Where were Sergeant Mogale’s colleagues when he was being assaulted?
• So why was Bees’ credit card used at a McDonald’s 30 minutes after he was locked up for murder and who used it? Was it the cops? or Was it stolen before he met the cops?

According to the latest reports, Bees was granted R100 000 bail and will remain in custody until he can pay it. This raises more questions.

• How exactly is bail determined?

Jub Jub and his friend killed 4 kids and got R10 000 bail each… , the Eugene Terreblanche accused was granted R5 000 bail…

• In Bees’ case, he asked for R5 000 bail, the State asked for R20 000 bail, so how did the bail end up as R100 000? Or is it because a cop was murdered?

Mmhh.. this is going to be an interesting story to follow… This is South Africa so the fact that he’s white, Afrikaans and killed a black man is going to be a huge issue with the public. Whether he was a gentle giant or not!

We’ll be reading as it unfolds. Have you been following?

Related Stories:

• Bulls murder suspect wouldn’t hurt a fly
• Bees Roux out on R100 000 bail