OHANNESBURG, South Africa – South African hitmaker DJ Maphorisa said he was “speechless” after his protégé Sha Sha became the first Zimbabwean artist to win a BET award on Monday.

Sha Sha announced her arrival on the world stage after winning the gong for Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act at the BET awards which honour black excellence in entertainment and sport.

The record-breaking feat would mostly likely never have been achieved for the 26-year-old had she not been introduced to Maphorisa, who has produced a string of hits for the Zimbabwean – earning her the title of ‘Queen of Amapiano’, the new sound causing waves in South Africa and the region.

A stunned Sha Sha tweeted “what just happened?” moments after she was named a winner, edging fellow nominees – Nigeria’s Rema; Celeste from the United Kingdom, Hatik from France, Young T & Bugsey from the United Kingdom and Stacy of France

n outpouring of tributes came from Zimbabwe, led by MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, who congratulated her for “this wonderful achievement personally, and for your country.”

“That very sweet moment when our votes actually count,” Chamisa tweeted. “You have done all of us proud.”

Youth, sport and arts minister Kirsty Coventry posted a congratulatory message urging Sha Sha to “keep raising our flag and spreading the light.”

“Thank you for representing Zimbabwe,” singer Jah Prayzah also tweeted.

Born Charmaine Shamiso Mapimbiro (hence Sha Sha) in Bulawayo, the singer was exposed to diverse cultures at an early age.

“I was born in Bulawayo and stayed there for a bit. We then moved to Mutare then Harare. But most of my years were in Mutare because my dad is from Mutare,” Sha Sha said in a February 2020 podcast interview with MacG posted on YouTube.

Sha Sha had two stints in South Africa as a child. Her first stay in Johannesburg was brief, but she returned for a longer stay in the Vaal Triangle where she did her Grade 6, 7 and 8.

Cape Town – 16 March marks the day Maps Maponyane was born and his rumoured girlfriend Nomzamo Mbatha has a special message for him!Happy 30th birthday to Actress, Philanthropist and MC Nomzamo Mbatha. She starred in shows like Tell Me Sweet Something,All About Love,The Jakes Are Missing and Isibaya,she’s currently with the American sequel ‘Coming To America 2’. She’s the Brand Ambassador of Puma South Africa,Neutrogena,Audi South Africa, McDonalds South Africa and Goodwill Ambassador…All the best to her 🎊🎉🎁🎂❤.

The 27-year-old actress recently shared a video of her model ‘best friend’ on Twitter and captioned it: “My muse when I need to find the perfect lighting & shot for my pictures. (sic)”

She added: “Thanks for tolerating the madness. Smart. Thoughtful. Amazing. Happy Birthday mfethu! @MapsMaponyane”

The pair, who seem to have a close relationship, have been rumoured to be together since playing an on screen couple in their movie Tell me sweet something in 2015.The former “Isibaya” star tweeted “Trust the process. Setting my table” along with the hashtag, #CAASignsNomzamo.
Nomzamo will be seen in Paramount’s forthcoming “Coming 2 America”. She will star alongside Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones and Tracy Morgan in the sequel to the 1988 hit comedy classic.

Hulisani Ravele is taking over the talk show space.
Image: Gallo Images/Oupa Bopape
Move over Oprah, there is a new talk show queen in our lives: Hulisani Ravele.

The radio personality has been capturing hearts for years with her presenting, but is now transitioning to a different phase in her career with her social media talk show series, The Heart to Heart with Hulisani Ravele.

“About a month ago I took a big leap of faith and made the decision to breathe new life into a project I had buried four and a half years ago because it didn’t come out the way I had envisioned it,” she said.

So far, she has uploaded two episodes, the latest featuring radio veteran Bob Mabena.

The pair had loads of fun as they spoke about the industry, his family, being an introvert and grief.Taking to Instagram, Hulisani spoke about trusting the process of change and redirection.

“My utmost trust in God, my angels and my ancestors has lead me to my best self over the past three months or so. Trusting the shift, trusting the time spent alone, trusting who they have me spending more time with and less time with, understanding why that is, being at peace with it.

“Trusting in the things that don’t go my way, trusting in the truths that are now too loud to ignore so I have to face them, and I did, and it feels marvelous, darling.”

She said she had been speaking to a friend and sharing the things happening in their lives. They spoke of the courage that was needed to let go of things and “people we thought we would never be able to survive without”.

“My mantra this year has been ‘I deserve and I want the best of everything’. My mind and my words were saying that,. My actions had to start backing it up.”

MamKhize said Somizi’s speech at his mom’s funeral touched her profoundly.
Image: Instagram/MaMkhize
Wealthy businesswoman and Somizi’s friend, Shauwn Mkhize, has shared that his mother’s recent death has reminded her of a profound lesson, and she encouraged her followers to keep the lesson for themselves.

Somizi’s mother, the legendary actress Mary Twala, died on July 4 and was buried on Thursday at a funeral adhering to Covid-19 regulations, with mourners restricted to no more than 50 people. Shauwn was one of the close friends selected to be present.

The reality star took to her Instagram to send condolences to her friend after the funeral, and shared the words from Somizi’s speech that gave her food for thought.

“What a graceful, respectable farewell ceremony. Somizi, my friend, you did well. Your words today were very profound and so real it has touched me. Some of the things we take for granted without realising the impact,” she said.

Shauwn said she believes Mam’ Mary was a powerful ancestor who would help Somizi reach even greater heights from the spiritual realm.

“I believe you will shine even more and will be unstoppable because of your new additional powerful powers that look after you, and your new angel. Be strong. I love you.

“I still don’t know which is the better time to lose your parents – when you are young and have no understanding or when you are older.”

Check out some of the videos and snaps Shauwn shared from Mary’s funeral.