On Monday, talented local rapper Gigi Lamayne shook the internet when she sent out a series of tweets slamming the South African Hip Hop industry.

You industry is the pits SA. I hope you’ll support me when it’s all said and done .

— #AlbumMode (@Gigi_Lamayne) March 8, 2021

I’ve had to fight since I joined This industry. Your artists Are worse though. They are traitors to the culture . I was apparently too dark and ugly to make it now people wannna smile ? Why?

— #AlbumMode (@Gigi_Lamayne) March 8, 2021

Chatting to us recently, the hitmaker delved deeper into what her tweets entailed. “It comes with feeling that the industry is quite connection based. We’re superficial in the sense that we’re trying so hard to mimic American culture that we have forgotten how beautiful we are.” She explains. “I find it a Sho Madjozi and a Focalistic are the epitome of what South African Hip Hop should look like in terms of their sound. They both rap in their language but most of all, they incorporate the production and the sound into what I feel the standard should be.The rapper also exposes the corruption that is in the industry. “I’m very angry at the South African industry because we find that talent is not the first thing being pushed now. Like I said, its connection based – who knows who and who is closing doors on who. It’s a very superficial space to be in until you become Indie and have your own team and then collaborate with a major label.”

Lamayne, who’s had her fair share of disappointments shares advice on how musicians can maintain their peace and happiness in this cut-throat industry.“If you want to be happy in this industry just follow your rules. Listen to your fans and incorporate what you want to incorporate. Sadly, we live in a time when you don’t even hear the good music anymore because it’s been overshadowed by this influx of wannabe American rappers.” She said. “If you want to be respected in Hip Hop now, you have to be the one who mimics better.”

Actress and songstress, Letoya Makhene-Pulumo and her wife, Lebo Pulumo have been in the headlines this week for allegedly being broke, being robbed and for being stalked! The couple began trending 48hours ago for allegedly not paying a R2000 bill at a restaurant in the north of Johannesburg a month ago, then trended again when it was reported that someone is stalking them.The Pulumo’s have rubbished claims that they are broke and have opened a case of intimidation, defamation of character at the police station as they believe someone is stalking them and trying to destroy their image by spreading rumours on social media.

They have opened up about being stalked and robbed to several media outlets such as TshisaLive, Citizen etc. where they refused claims that they are broke by stating that they have a healthy bank balance and they’re willing to reveal their bank balance to the world to prove that the allegations are false.
They also believe that someone has been following them and the same person who is stalking them might be the same person spreading lies about them on social media and the same person who robbed the Generations actress a while ago.

The newlyweds are frustrated and scared for their lives as they are private people who don’t usually share their daily whereabouts because they don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.Lebo stated: “My wife and I wine and dine about three times a week. Now explain to me how we can be broke if we can afford to go out so much. We can send you our bank balance and it’s quite healthy.”

“There’s a guy who has been stalking us for a while and he’s the first person who posted about this (R2000 bill left unpaid thing) on his Facebook. My wife and I wine and dine about three times a week and we have our usual places we go to. We were made aware of the Facebook post by this guy which we believe was where the rumour started that we didn’t pay the bill, which was about three weeks ago,”

A Police spokesperson at the Sandton Police Station confirmed to TshisaLIVE that the Pumulo’s case of intimidation has been opened. The spokesperson stated: “We can confirm that a case of intimidation was opened at Sandton Police Station and investigation is underway.”

It is unclear who the mystery man that began the Facebook post is at this stage!

Today, 10 March 2021 marks the birthday of Cornet Mamabolo’s firstborn Omphile Mamabolo. Wishing his daughter a happy birthday, the actor said that it’s time Omphile became a sister of two.Some of his fans interpreted this as a hint that the father of two could be expecting baby no 3. His longtime friend and colleague on Skeem Saam Clement Maosa took to the comment section and asked if T’Bose and his wife are expecting. Cornet is yet to respond to Maosa’s question.

 

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In 2019, the actor and his sweetheart tied the knot at a beautiful traditional wedding. The ceremony trended on social media as pictures of the special day made the rounds. In attendance were his industry friends, family and co-stars from Skeem Saam including Austin Rethabile who plays Noah and Thabo Mkhabela who stars as Leshole Mabitsela.

 Sharing a snap of himself on set recently, Mamabolo reflected on the opportunities that Skeem Saam has afforded him. “The beautiful thing about this craft is that I’m able to live in worlds that my own personal reality can never afford me. It is that imagined world & reality that feed my soul.” He said.
“What is more beautiful about it is the ability to live truthfully & believe to an extent that the audience is touched in the comfort of their home. It is this moment that an actor believes, takes direction & LIVE in the writer’s world truthfully, words and acting becomes a reality… many die having not explored the complexity of their imagination & creativity.”

In other news, it’s been reported that Skeem Saam actress Lerato Marabe who plays Pretty Seakamela on the soapie recently tied the knot. Reports suggest that she got married traditionally over the weekend. Marabe shared some snaps of herself through her Insta stories dressed in traditional bridal wear. This led many to believe that she’s officially off the market.

The media personality and businesswoman who was trending recently for kissing a customer who bought her eggs and for the return of her reality show, Zodwa Uncensored on Moja Love has posted several images of herself in class on her Instagram with the caption: “School Bag Student Zodwa Wabantu @starquality_management 1st Day at Class got my Books📚👩‍🎓💼”

She’s opened up to Daily Sun about her first day at school; how she will juggle her businesses, career and school and also revealed the reason she went back to school.

She stated in the interview:

“My first day at school was a bag of mixed emotions. I was excited and nervous at the same time, but I really enjoyed myself. Everyone was welcoming and friends. It was better than I imaged it would be. My first day was not hectic. We had a brief introduction to what we’d be doing throughout the course, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for me because I’m ready for every challenge on the way.Although at first I felt small that after all that I’d achieved I have to go back and sit behind a desk and learn, I realised it’s not something that one should be ashamed of. I hope one day my story will inspire others.

When you want something you make time for it. I will make sure I plan everything properly so I have time to attend classes and study. In life we have to make sacrifices to get what we want.”

ZAlebs reported recently that her hit reality show Zodwa Uncensored which premiered for its second season on Moja Love, was well received by Mzansi and fans can’t get enough of it.

 

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Here were some reactions from her followers after she revealed she’s gone back to school:

I hope ugqokile lapho eskoleni skhokho ungadidisi utishela🤣🤣🤣🤣all the best lovie👏

You don’t know how happy I am for you🙌❤️

Congratulations 🔥🔥🔥🙌

All the best boo❤️
‘m happy for you Skhokho 🙌👏😍

Keep on inspiring us🙌🙌

Ngikufisela konkhe lokuhle sesi!!❤️❤️

I love you 😢♥️❣️🙌

Mara Zodwa😢❤️🔥

I’m jealous now🙌

Good luck with your with studies

The nationwide lockdown due to the global pandemic has caused many people to lose out on their income and livelihoods. When the new normal started Candy Tsa Mandebele had been hit very hard. Due to the pandemic, many artist’s main source of income, which was performing on stages and clubs, were barred so their pockets were hit very hard.

At some point, Candy had to rely on R600 from her elderly mother to buy groceries, as she could not afford them. “I applied for relief from the department of sports, arts and culture but haven’t received anything. It is difficult,” she told TshisaLive at the time.

Minister Bathabile Dlamini also sent her a food voucher to help her through these difficult times. With all the help she has been receiving, she still had to make the decision of packing her belongings and head straight home which is in Bolobedu, Limpopo.
On Facebook she released a statement where she details why she decided to move. In a separate post she wrote that she had to move from Johannesburg after living there for 25 years, “Packing my belongings after 25 years in Gauteng due to COVID-19 was not easy but I had to.”

The statement reads: “Candy Tsa Mandebele, like many entertainers in the South African entertainment industry, had a difficult choice to make, she packed her belongings and moved to her house in Bolobedu in Limpopo, opting to operate her business remotely from the comfort of her quiet Gasedibeni Village House While this is not a permanent move, Candy Tsamandebele is happy to be at home with her granddaughter and the entire family.”Superstar Sjava also had to relocate home to his mom in KwaZulu-Natal.

“We are not getting paid, we can’t work…so this is a very difficult time for artists right now. Truly speaking, we don’t know what we’re going to do now – our things have stopped.“I’m even back home because I can’t make money. We’ve been suffering, we’re from the bottom – the ghetto – I’m sure we’ll survive.”

Linda Sebezo also had been hit hard and was not embarrassed to voice out her hardships. “It never rains but pours. I just received an email that my application to the Basa relief fund has been declined because they have reached capacity. I ask again, sizolithaphi ke usizo?…I have to rely on my mother’s pension to put food on the table, such a sad reality,” she said in a Facebook post.