Popular Mzansi DJ, and media personality, Lamiez Holworthy gave an emotional speech at Ditebogo Junior Phalane’s funeral.

Lamiez, who pledged to pay for the tombstone, could not hold back her tears when she took the podium, saying she felt compelled to speak on issues in her country, especially as a celebrity hailing from Pretoria.

As a community what are we doing to empower each other. What are we doing to stop the crime? I am tired of talking because that is not enough. May this child’s death not be in vain. May this be the answer that you needed to stand up and fight, not only for your country but for your community. As a new mother I’m always scared when I look at my child,” she said.

“As a woman the fact that I could be raped, I could be killed any day, is scary. But having to look at my child and know that an animal can kill him for what is mine is not right. I urge you as black people, can we bring back our pride in ourselves and each other. Can we stop turning a blind eye to the injustices that happen in front of us. Can we stop celebrating thieves calling them ‘Lepara’.

Ditebogo Phalane

“May this be the end. I don’t know about you but I’m tired. I cannot raise my child while things are like this. We will make sure that Ditebogo gets justice.”

In a devastating turn of events, the vibrant world of South African television has been plunged into mourning as news emerges of the untimely deaths of two esteemed members of the Shaka Illembe production team.Shaka Illembe, a riveting series chronicling the saga of King Shaka of the Zulu Kingdom, has captivated audiences across the nation with its gripping narrative and stellar performances. Produced by Bomb Production for Mnet and aired on DSTV 161 Mzansi Magic, the show’s profound impact on viewers has solidified its place as a cultural phenomenon.

The brainchild of visionary creators Angus Gibson, Desiree Mark Markgraff, Teboho Mahlatsi, and Nhlapho Mtaka, Shaka Illembe embarked on its maiden voyage in June 2023, with Season 1 marking a triumphant debut.

The indomitable Nomzamo Mbatha, portraying the formidable Queen Nandi KaBhebhe, and the charismatic Senzo Radebe, embodying the regal presence of King Senzangakhona KaJama, brought the rich tapestry of Zulu history to life with their electrifying performances.

As Season 2 loomed on the horizon, anticipation reached a fever pitch among fans eagerly awaiting the continuation of Shaka Illembe’s epic saga.

However, the jubilant atmosphere surrounding the show’s production was shattered by a calamitous incident that sent shockwaves rippling through the entertainment industry.

Reports from MDN News, a trusted source of information, revealed the grim truth: death had cast its dark shadow over the set of Shaka Illembe, leaving devastation in its wake.

According to sources, an alleged outbreak of food poisoning ravaged the production team, claiming the lives of two beloved members whose names have yet to be disclosed.

“The legacy of Season one of Shaka Illembe reverberated across screens nationwide, igniting the imaginations of viewers and setting the stage for a triumphant return,” expressed a spokesperson for ZiMoja, shedding light on the profound impact of the series.

“Tragically, a few weeks ago, the tranquility of our set was shattered by the insidious specter of food poisoning, which claimed the lives of two cherished colleagues.”

Among the casualties was an assistant make-up artist, whose vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication endeared them to all who had the privilege of working alongside them.

The identity of the second victim remains shrouded in mystery, leaving behind a void that echoes with the sorrow of a shattered community.

In the wake of this unfathomable tragedy, concerns have been raised regarding the potential ramifications for the production timeline of Season 2.

With hearts heavy and spirits weighed down by grief, the cast and crew of Shaka Illembe find themselves grappling with the profound loss of their colleagues, as uncertainty looms over the future of the series.

As the industry mourns the irreplaceable souls lost in this heartbreaking ordeal, we join together in honoring their memory and cherishing the indelible contributions they made to the world of entertainment.

South African media personality and businesswoman DJ Zinhle has ruffled feathers with a comment about unemployment in a radio clip that has since gone viral.

DJ Zinhle, real name Zinhle Jiyane, said “The one thing about the SA youth is that they are not just unemployed but a lot of them are unemployable. They don’t have the skill that is required.

 
She added: ” It bugs me how long it takes for us to fill positions as Era.”

Era By DJ Zinhle is a fashion accessory brand. There are several stores in local malls and they are seeking to employ staff for their new branch in Witbank.”To find the right person for our stores, it takes longer than it should in a country that has so much unemployment,” Zinhle explained.

She received backlash on social media as unemployment is a hot-button topic in a country where the official unemployment rate stands at 32.9, according to StatsSA.

@NalaThokozane said: “DJ Zinhle and those who agree with her are talking nonsense. Zinhle herself only have Matric from Siyamukela High School.”

“Fellow South Africans when you don’t support celebrities like DJ Zinhle or Pearl Thusi they complain about us being unpatriotic but when we do the first chance they get they insult us. Why isn’t helping to upskill people then,” said @afroghanga.

Zinhle took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain and apologise for the confusion her statements caused.She said: “Firstly. I apologize if I offended anyone.

“I wasn’t attacking the youth at all, as a small business owner I do employ & train people, but this doesn’t even start to solve the problems we are facing as the South African youth. I could do more with support from the government.

“How do we up-skill our youth so that they are ready for employment?

“Are we in denial that we are not getting the jobs we want because we do not have the skills required?

“Are we in denial that not all the people are getting the education they need to be employable?

“You guys are speaking from a one-sided view of graduates who have matric, a diploma etc – and can’t get jobs, I’m not saying they don’t need the assistance, they do but we need to think about the youth holistically so we can challenge the people in power.”

Radio and media personality Sizwe Dhlomo came to her defence and explained in a tweet: “Guys, DJ Zinhle is not admonishing the youth in that interview, she’s advocating for them. She’s saying the quality of our education & development doesn’t put them in the best position to be competitive in the job market.”

Zinhle is married to SA music producer Bongani Mohosana, known professionally as Mörda or Murdah Bongz. They share a daughter Asante. Zinhle also has a daughter Kairo Forbes, whose father is the late rapper AKA.

Trigger warning: This article contains information and video footage of physical assault. Viewer discretion is advised.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, 54, broke his silence and apologized after an 8-year-old video resurfaced, which showed him brutally beating ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, 37.

The surveillance video from 2016 captured the music mogul grabbing, shoving, and kicking his then-girlfriend before dragging her through the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel.

Sean “Diddy” Combs released a video on Instagram addressing the “gut-wrenching” video of him assaulting singer Cassie Ventura“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f—ed up — I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses,” said the Last Night singer in a video, posted Sunday, May 19. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

After the incident, “I went and I sought out professional help,” he said, noting that he went into therapy and rehab.

“I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to being a better man ecaptured him and the Me & U singer during their stay at the since-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.

Dated March 5, 2016, the hotel surveillance footage included clips from multiple camera angles and showcased the moment Cassie exited a hotel room only to have Sean run behind her with a towel around his waist.

DJ Zinhle has issued an apology after being lambasted for her take on unemployment in South Africa.

A clip of the Umlilo hitmaker’s interview on 702 recently surfaced on social media where she said; “One thing about the South African youth is not just that they are unemployed, a lot of them are unemployable. They don’t have the skill required. It bugs me how long it takes for us to fill positions as Era. Just to find the right person for our shops. It takes longer than it should in a country that has so much unemployment.”Zinhle, who has shops in Guateng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, came under fire with many questioning whether she was suggesting the youth of South Africa are lazy.

In a series of X posts, Zinhle clarified her views and apologised to those who were offended.

“I apologise if I offended anyone. I wasn’t attacking the youth. As a small-business owner I employ and train people but this doesn’t start to solve the problems we face as South African youth,” she wrote.

“I could do more with support from government. How do we upskill our youth so they are ready for employment? Are we in denial that we are not getting the jobs we want because we do not have the skills required? Are we in denial that not all the people are getting the education they need to be employable?

“You guys are speaking from a one-sided view of graduates who have matric, a diploma and so on and can’t get jobs. I’m not saying they don’t need assistance, they do, but we need to think about the youth holistically so we can challenge the people in power.

“This is not because they are lazy, it is because there are no opportunities. I hope you forgive me for offending you but this was not my intention. I will continue with my small businesses to do my part in training and upskilling the youth where I can.”