Music producer DJ Maphorisa says the lockdown has left many South Africans broke.
Image: Instagram/DJ Maphorisa
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, DJ Maphorisa has spoken out on the economic impact the lockdown to contain the coronavirus has had on poor communities.

The star had a serious moment on Twitter this week, reflecting on the state of the country and calling for an end to the lockdown.

He said it would be better to die trying to make coins than to die broke.

“Why should we die broke? Rather die trying. This is sad man. Lockdown must end. This doesn’t make sense anymore,” he said.His comments split opinion, with some claiming the only reason he was speaking out now was because the “amapiano numbers” are dropping.

Meanwhile, comedian Thenjiwe Moseley took to Instagram to share a similar warning, adding that many more South Africans would die of poverty than the coronavirus.

She also slammed corruption in the government’s response to the pandemic.

“The truth of the matter is most of us will be killed by poverty. Uyadela wena one tender nawe osebenzela uHulumeni. Thina nje o No work No pay sivika indlala more than Covid-19. As a parent will you tell your children the truth?” she asked.She said bills were not on lockdown and many were surviving on charity or savings.

“Four months without pay is not a joke. Lapho our bills are not on lockdown. Ngicabanga the single mother onganamuntu acela kuyena. You know the ones who have had to survive on their savings for the past four months and they don’t qualify for child grants because they are technically employed, even though they have been unable to work since level five.”

The lockdown has led to several major companies retrenching staff, leaving thousands without jobs.

A video allegedly showing workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant holding a prayer meeting after being retrenched went viral on social media this week.

It drew hundreds of reactions, including from actress Rami Chuene and musician Prince Kaybee.

Somizi Mhlongo with his late mother, Mary Twala.
Image: Instagram/Somizi
Somizi Mhlongo has expressed his pride that his late mother Mary Twala’s last gig was in Beyoncé’s international film, Black Is King.

Mary appears in one of the last teaser videos the US superstar shared with the world in anticipation of the pro-black project that features artists from all over Africa as Beyoncé celebrates all things black.

Mary joins Connie Chiume, Warren Masemola, Nandi Madida, John Kani and other SA artists who feature in the project.

Her son couldn’t be prouder if he tried.

“My mama’s last gig. Super proud son” Somizi said on Twitter.

Mary is one of the greatest artists to come out of Mzansi with a career that spanned more than six decades. She died a few weeks ago aged 79.

Watch the snippet below to see Mary.The hype on social media for the visual album and film is so crazy that one may be tricked into believing South Africans have seen it, but that’s not the case. The film will only air in South Africa on Saturday.

Nandi also took to Twitter to thank Mzansi for the love thrown her way since since people found out about her involvement in the highly anticipated film.

“Want to thank you ALL for your support! A lot of great things are happening in my life careerwise, having a new TV show, being nominated for two Samas, being featured in Black Is King as well as great news next month! I am overwhelmed with the love!” Nandi said.

Watch the longer clip from Black Is King below.

Ntsiki Mazwai had a lot to say in her bombshell social media video, and Connie Ferguson and other “dumb as f***” media favourites won’t be happy. Never one to shy away from sharing what she thinks, poet and social activist Ntsiki Mazwai has not minced her words on what she really thinks of local black celebs, Connie Ferguson’s acting, and black excellence.

In a very intimate video of herself in the bathtub, Ntsiki said The Queen and award-winning actress Connie Ferguson is nothing special.

“I think she is a pretty girl who is likable and it’s fine. I don’t take anything away from her but I don’t think she’s an amazing actress. Ntsiki fully goes in on black struggles saying that black people are still mentally enslaved and that mentally they are still looking at white people for direction.

Black excellence has been defined for and by the culture. It is the mindset to look within oneself, and act in ways that help and progresses black communities.

“Until black excellence is speaking for black people I won’t be applauding with you guys. You can call me a hater every single day, I don’t care. As long as your black excellence is wearing white people’s hair and twanging, I am sorry I won’t come to that.”

Ntsiki says her definition of black excellence is black people fighting for black people, fighting for the land and economy, not about the “bag” (money).

She then says the “chosen blacks” that sit at the top are picked because they are “stupid” and will keep quiet when racism occurs in the workplace.

“Us black people don’t have agency. When white people say this is your black excellence we go there running, sayink okay guys black excellence shine, shine. Kanti that time it’s not even black excellence. It’s just a black person who was able to lick white people ass because, as you noticed black excellence are all your media faves if you look at it.

“Us black people don’t have agency. When white people say this is your black excellence we go there running, sayink okay guys black excellence shine, shine. Kanti that time it’s not even black excellence. It’s just a black person who was able to lick white people ass because, as you noticed black excellence are all your media faves if you look at it.

 Things You Didn’t Know About Bukamina Cebekhulu. Bukamina plays Gugu, Imani’s older cousin on Muvhango. Since joining the show last year her character has grown and she has quite a fan base. Here are 10 facts you might want to know about her.

 

 

 

year old Bukamina was born in Kwazulu Natal and moved to Johannesburg in 2008 to study.

2. She studied Live Performance and Production Design at AFDA and she graduated in 2010/2011.

3. The talented actress has been working in TV production for the past six to seven years

4. Bukamina went on to work as a production assistant for ATTV
5. This is where she was working when she auditioned for Muvhango, a show she grew up watching.

6. She’s had small roles on two shows: iNkaba and SABC1’s Duma Ndlovu drama Ingozi, which led to her landing Gugu.

7. She heard about the auditions while filming on Ingozi, she auditioned and voila! she landed her big break.

8. She and fellow actress Zonke, who plays Imani are great friends on and off the set.