Popular South African rapper, Cassper Nyovest was recently accused of “clout chasing” with a song dedicated to his former rap rival AKA, the latter’s mother, Lynn Forbes, tweeted several cryptic posts about those who “prey” on “vulnerable” people.

 

 

 

On Friday, 15 September, Cassper released his seventh studio album, Solomon. In it, was the track Candlelight, supposedly about his longstanding beef with the late hitmaker.AKA – real name Kiernan Forbes – was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Durban in February. His murder investigation is ongoing.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, AKA’s mom, Lynn Forbes, had the Megacy on high alert.Fondly known as “Glammy,” Lynn tweeted that all was not well.“Trust your gut. It never lies.”

She added: “I will never forget who carried Kiernan through his darkest moments. The same way, I will never forget who turned their backs on him or preyed on him when he was at his most vulnerable”.Meanwhile, Cassper Nyovest’s song Candlight – about his beef with AKA – has rubbed the late rapper’s fans the wrong way.

Many accused the Solomon artist of “clout chasing” on his nemesis’s name. In the song, Cass raps about hearing the news of AKA’s death.“And when I heard it, I was just as hurt as the Megacy,

Man, our battle was the highlight

I was confused when you came and gave me high fives

A very important featurе in my life.”

Cassper also rapped about going to visit Forbes’s family after his death.

“The other day, I went to see your family, and I was scared cause I thought that they’d be mad at me.

But they embraced me. Your momma is a lady, and your father might be cooler than you, maybe.

Man, everybody misses you. Auntie Lynn, Uncle Tony, we are with you. And every time you feel down, we will lift you”.

Kwaito musician and songwriter Kabelo Mabalane, fondly known by his stage name Bouga Luv, is celebrating 21 years since he kicked the habit of drug and alcohol abuse. Early in his sobriety, said the TKZee member, he realised that staying sober was about more than just him as an individual.

 

 

 

 

 

“It was about the community and those struggling with addiction, and showing those around me that staying clean is possible,” said Mabalane. Reflecting on his journey, Mabalane said there was a growing void at the pinnacle of his success as an artist.

Gail and Kabelo Mabalane

“My sobriety journey declared hope and possibilities. I wanted to show people that if I can stay clean for 10 or even 21 years, they can too,” he said. So, my journey represents hope to those waiting to see if staying clean for an extended period is attainable and inspire them to take that first step.”

“From seeing the clock I grew up watching as a child to crossing that finish line and the feeling of being part of the running community. He explained that his running experiences translate to real-life challenges.

Mabalane, who has opened shows for world-famous musicians such as Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Ja Rule and Rihanna, has faced countless challenging times in life, similar to running challenges and, in those instances, the same running principles apply.

Kabelo Mabalane

The ability to persevere gets honed every time you endure on the track and translates to real-life situations, he said, noting it is about finding inner strength and pushing forward.

The 2023 Sanlam Marathon, to be held on October 14 and 15, is taking on its second year as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate to become Africa’s first world marathon major.“The benefits that running brought me helped me establish this lifelong commitment

Rassie Erasmus is known for his no-nonsense and sometimes over-the-top commentary on the Springboks. But when it comes to his family, the former professional player is a real softie!

On Friday, 15 September, the SA Rugby director – currently in France at the Rugby World Cup – shared a sweet social media post dedicated to his elderly mother on her birthday.

 

RASSIE ERASMUS’S SWEET POST TO MOTHER
Even though he was thousands of kilometres away from home, Rassie Erasmus’s thoughts were with his mother, who turned 83 on Friday.

Breaking away from his tough-as-nails persona, the Springboks icon shared a heartwarming message on social media.

“Lief vir Ma (Love you mom) Happy 83rd [birthday]”, he posted alongside pics of him doting on his elderly mother.

And fans joined in on the well wishes, too.

“Thank you for giving us Rassie,” said one Twitter – or X follower. Another added: “Bring the World Cup trophy home for her.”

SPRINGBOKS STAR’S WIFE AND KIDS
Although Rassie Erasmus is a household name when it comes to rugby, off the pitch is another story.

Television producers are in their element currently with several new productions popping up on Mzansi screens.

Productions are assembling casts that are well-balanced, ranging from actors who are established to newcomers.

Production houses are also not fearful of letting new talent lead, and it’s paying off, with the emerging talent showing they are more than capable of it.

Such is the case with Luyanda Zwane, who portrays the role of Sibongile in the romance drama, ‘Sibongile and the Dlaminis’.

Born and bred in Durban, Zwane moved to Johannesburg in pursuit of her dreams.She was introduced to the arts in High school (Kingsway High School) where she took part in school musicals and drama competitions and studied drama as a subject.

The big move is paying off for Zwane.

She has been cast in productions such as BET Africa’s ‘Redemption’, Netflix’s ‘Miseducation’ and the historic ‘Shaka iLembe’.

“I’ve learned that when productions cultivate a safe and professional space for actors, actors thrive in everything they do,” explained Zwane to IOL Entertainment.

Her character on ‘Sibongile and the Dlaminis’ is a humble, respectful and intelligent rural young woman from Ixopo in KZN.

Her character’s dreams of going to university are shattered by her stepmother’s gambling addiction that ends up costing her.

‘Sibongile and the Dlaminis’ is Mzansi Wethu’s first local telenovela and stars an exceptional ensemble cast including award-winning actor Siyabonga Shibe, ‘Isibaya’ stars Ayanda Borotho and Zodumo Shange.Portraying Sibongile was quite an interesting journey for the young actress, as she had to navigate the tough challenges her character experienced.

“I just allowed her to lead me,” explained Zwane about how she tackled the character.

“Sibongile uses prayer as her antidote or her remedy to the pain she goes through.

“The first thing you want to do as a human being if you are facing a tough situation … You want to solve it with your power and might but some things are way beyond us. Some things need prayer to work out.”Luyanda Zwane is fast becoming an actress to watch in the industry. Picture: Supplied
She explained that her role on Netflix’s ‘Miseducation’ challenged her a bit, as her character is Xhosa and she found it hard jumping from Zulu to Xhosa, but production ensured she excelled as directors were patient with her and provided a dialect coach.

As an emerging actress, Zwane has been putting in the work needed to hone her craft, working with platforms such as Actor Spaces – a digital publication that identifies and promotes excellence in the local acting sphere.

Zwane shared that such spaces are paramount in the industry, as they give emerging talent a space to build, dream big and explore different aspects of the industry.

“Platforms such as Actors Spaces are important, as they help emerging talent to be put out there so that other people can recognise them and possibly give them work.

“It also helps emerging talent create good and sustainable relationships within the acting industry,” she said.

Zwane is certainly one to look out for on the screens as she is appearing on numerous shows, acting alongside the best and getting to hone her skill at every moment.

‘Sibongile and the Dlaminis’ airs every Monday to Wednesday, at 6.30pm on Mzansi Wethu (DStv channel 163). ‘

RHOD star Slee Ndlovu portrays the character of Xoliswa, while Nonhle Jali plays Thandiswa and Vuyo Dabula plays the role of Bentley Majozi.

The publication indicates that Jail and Ndlovu’s characters are a matchmade in KwaMashu and business soulmates as they are both driven and will stop at nothing to maintain their dominance in the world of business.

 

The pair will captivate Uzalo viewers with their unapologetic determinations, while Dabula’s latest character will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

News of the trio joining the Durban-based soapie come after Stained Glass TV confirmed the departures of fan-favourite characters Sibonelo and Wizard played by Wiseman Mncube and Nkanyiso Mnchunu.

‘UZALO’ RENEWED
SABC1’s soapie Uzalo, which remains South Africa’s most-watched TV show with over 5 million viewers has reportedly been renewed for another season.

The TV show which is currently in its nineth season stars former The Queen star Sibusisiwe Jili, The Wife star Lindah Majola, Isibaya star Thembi Nyandeni, Masoja Msiza and many more.

The Broadcasting Research Council of South Africa (BRCSA) August 2023 figures reveal that the Durban-based soapie, Uzalo scored over 5 million viewers, while Skeem Saam secured second position with over 4 million viewers.

ALSO READ: ‘Goodbye sweethearts’: Vuyo Dabula dumps ‘Generations: The Legacy’