As Mzansi celebrates women’s month, actress Lerato Marabe believes it is time for more women to stop hiding in the shadows and take control of productions.

Lerato, who has won over Mzansi with her role as Pretty on Skeem Saam told TshisaLIVE that while more needs to be done, she is happy to see more women taking charge in the entertainment industry.

“At first, women were not given the big roles on screen but that is changing. We are starting to see more female heroes and women leading films. The thing is, women are overlooked when they can do the job just as well or better (than men).”

Despite the changes Pretty said not enough was being done behind the scenes to break stereotypes.

“Women are always seen as part of the makeup or wardrobe team only. It is time that more women step into directing or producing. Of course, it is happening but it is happening slowly and more needs to be done. The time for women to be in the background is over,” she added.Lerato has also seen the change in her own character, with Pretty going from a “stagnant” supporting character to one who tells her own complex story.

“She’s changed a lot over the last few years, she has gone through adolescence and I am really falling in love with the character. This is like real life.”

Lerato, who finished matric last year said she was focusing her energy on acting and learning other ropes behind the scenes

South African Springbok wag Rachel Kolisi left many fans concerned after a video of her getting hit with a rugby ball on her head was shared on X. The incident happened while Rachel stood among her husband and other players on the group’s tour bus during the nationwide trophy parade this week.

 

 
Social media users have been left shook after watching the video because Rachel appeared to be genuinely hurt. Recent reports reveal that the fan who threw the ball has since apologised.On Saturday evening last week, then Springboks defeated New Zealand to become the only country in the world to win the Rugby World Cup four times.

The amazing achievement is still being celebrated by South Africans across the country who came out in numbers to welcome the players home from France on Tuesday this week.Some of the players wives have also joined them on their tour bus which is country travelling around SA for their World Cup trophy parade.

A shocking scene from yesterday’s parade shows Siya Kolisi’s wife Rachel get knocked over the head with a rugby ball.

In the clip, she crouches down in pain while those around her check if she’s okay.

Take a look at the video below:

Itumeleng Khune resumed his relationship with Sphelele Makhunga in 2019 and the couple would go on to marry in June 2022.

Khune is reported to have paid Lobola some time ahead of their eventual wedding and public scrutiny has not always been good for this couple.

The model, influencer and Varsity College graduate is also a mother of two.

 

WHO IS SPHELELE MAKHUNGA KHUNE?
Makhunga also runs Eminence, a décor and event firm that plans festivities, baby showers, and birthday parties.

In addition, she founded Eminence Florist, whose roses and flowers are sold in Johannesburg garages.

On her Instagram profile, Makhunga often advertises her enterprises, but not much is known about her life prior to meeting the Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana stopper.

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Makhunga has uploaded footage of herself trainingin their home gym with her husband, as well as a progress film of her muscular growth with personal trainer Blckvreka.

Makhunga and Khune welcomed their second child, a bay girl named Ziyanda, in June 2021. Amogelang, their first child, was born in February 2020.

INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER
She is popular on Instagram in her own right sporting over 176,000 followers and repping for the Naturalistas with her stunning looks.

Makhunga now lives in Johannesburg with her husband but she originally hails from Durban and still visits the city often.

She holds a Bachelor of Education from Varsity College. Makhunga has handled the spotlight gracefully, establishing a solid family unit with their two girls and backing her husband through some tough times on the pitch. She has proved herself to be a capable businesswoman, effectively managing her enterprises outside of her responsibilities as a mother and wife.

Marise Pollard has been married to Springbok star Handre since December 2017 and she has even relocated to England with the flyhalf after his move to Leicester.

 
The couple have been dating since all the way back in 2013 while Marise was a student at the University of Pretoria and Handre was breaking through the ranks at the Bulls.WHO IS MARISE POLLARD?
Marise was born to Gideon and Tanya Malherbe on 3 March 1996 and she grew up on the family farm near Bloemendal in the Eastern Cape.

ALSO READ: Irish legend lauds Springboks’ defensive mindset

She is part of a family of five with two younger brothers Fanie and Richard coming along after her to join the Malherbe brood.

Marise Pollard would go on to attend Paarl Girls’ High School. After she matriculated she enrolled in the University of Pretoria to study a BED – ECD Foundation Phase Teaching graduating in 2018.The couple were married in a stunning ceremony at the Cavalli Estate, located in the Cape winelands.

Marise donned a classic white wedding gown and flowing veil that swept down to the floor accented with transparent back covered in jewellery, while the groom wore a simple black tux, brown tie and shoes cutting a handsome figure.

ALSO READ: All the rugby on TV this weekend and how to watch

The Pollard’s enjoyed an exotic getaway for their honeymoon, enjoying a trip to Labadee, Haiti.

WHAT DOES SHE DO?
ALSO READ: Who is Saskia Snyman – The wife of the tallest Springbok

Marise has built a following as a fitness blogger and amateur athlete enjoying marathon running, cycling and tennis.

She enjoys a role as a brand ambassador for fitness clothing line Burnt and has won national championship gold in her own sporting pursuits.

The couple have adopted several dogs since getting together, and both of them love their four-legged furry family members.

American actor Matthew Perry of the hit sitcom “Friends” was laid to rest at a Los Angeles cemetery during a private funeral attended by family and co-stars on Friday, US showbiz media reported.The 54-year-old, known for his role as Chandler Bing in “Friends,” which aired from 1994-2004, was found dead six days ago.

 
“The service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles near Warner Bros. Studios,” People reported, citing an unidentified source. It said the funeral service lasted around two hours.Forest Lawn Memorial Park, a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills popular with celebrities, did not respond to AFP’s request for confirmation.

Several other US media outlets, including celebrity news website TMZ, also reported that Perry was laid to rest at a “low key” funeral attended by castmates Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow.Perry’s mother, father and stepfather also attended, according to the media reports.

The cause of Perry’s death is not yet known. An initial post-mortem examination was inconclusive and the results of toxicology tests have not yet been releasedTMZ cited sources saying that no illicit drugs were found at his home, although several medications were discovered including anti-depressants and anxiety medication.

Perry had battled addiction and serious health problems for years.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse