Actress Phindile Gwala has had her fair share of criticism since she joined the acting industry over ten years ago and says she’s worked out how to deal with unconstructive criticism.
In an interview with TshisaLIVE recently, Phindile explained that it didn’t just magically happen that she grew a thicker skin to go with her career in the public domain. She explained that it took her a few years to understand that she doesn’t have to take people’s unkindness as a “perk of the job”

I’ll be honest and say that in the beginning (of my career) I used to catch feelings when people criticised me. It used to pain me so much but as I grew I learned to understand that people will never be satisfied. Whether you do good or bad, they will continue to talk.

“Now I am in that stage in my life where critics don’t do any harm to me. You can criticise me all you like. However, I don’t want negative energy around me so I’ve since decided that I block anyone who brings it … because I don’t want to go that route in life where I have to attend to everyone’s’ pain.

As you know, hurt people hurt people and they always try to drag you down to their level and I have no time for that.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has rained on Phindile’s parade, as she was just enjoying doing the international promos for the film Looking For Love which stars her and Celeste Ntuli, but she is looking forward to coming back to the small screen soon.

In the meantime, the actress has been busy with her first love, theatre plays, and monologues to ensure that she keeps her skills sharp.

And even though all signs may point towards 2020 not being anyone’s year, she’s hasn’t given up on her dream roles emerging in big productions this year.

“2020 is still my year! Yep, I said it,” Phindile said. The one thing she knows for sure is that she will never quit!

Somizi Mhlongo has been working on his latest project and it gave haters heart palpitations.

The all-rounder gave fans a glimpse of his cooking show Dinner at Somizi’s, that was supposed to be on his YouTube channel, but will be playing at 1Magic DSTV channel 103.

His first episode will premiere on July 10 at 7pm and the first guest is Isono: The Sin actress Rami Chuene.

1Magic released the trailer of his highly anticipated cooking show and fans cannot wait to feast their eyes and indulge in the energy given off in the Mhlongo-Motaung household.

In the trailer, Somizi and hubby Mohale laugh and have a good time with Rami Chuene as they joke about her beef with the Fergusons and also delve deeper into her personal life.

The first episode will also see Somgaga paying tribute to his late mother Mary Twala.

sibaya actress Ayanda Borotho, has penned a heartfelt tribute to talented actor Muzi Mthabela, who exited the show recently. Muzi’s journey on Isibaya came to an end on last night’s episode, and it was a tear-jerking moment for avid watchers of the showViewers also criticized the storyline and said, he should not have died a painful death, instead the writer should have said he followed Qondi.

The actor portrayed the character of Duma and he has captivated Mzansi with his brute character and impeccable acting skills. Sadly, the time for him to bow out of the show after a few years came, and he gave a stellar performance.

His former colleague Ayanda described him as a person who is unmoved by circumstances, and unshakable by people. She said his spirit roars like lions.Ayanda wished him all the best, said may his humility continue to be his greatness.

Veteran actor Lydia Mokgokoloshi is taking a break from acting after skyrocketing to fame with Skeem Saam.

The 80-year-old entertainer is renowned for her portrayal of matriarch Koko Mantsha since the soapie’s inception in 2011.

The show told Sowetan yesterday that while viewers will see less of her on-screen, Mokgokoloshi is still part of the show on a recurring basis.

Last Friday, fans were left wondering if they will ever see her character after she moved away from Turfloop in Limpopo, where the storyline is predominantly based.It was explained in the storyline that Koko was going to her home for some peace of mind and to spend quality time with her brother Josias (Mahuma Rapetsoa).

“She will still be in and out of the story. She just won’t be shooting as much as she used to,” said Skeem Saam spokesperson Sumaya Mogola. “Our shooting schedule gets really hectic at times and we don’t want to wear her out.

“She is at a very sensitive age so she needs as much rest, care and comfort as possible.”Mogola clarified that the decision for Mokgokoloshi’s sabbatical was taken before the Covid-19 pandemic hit South Africa.

“The decision was made before lockdown, so I can’t really say that Covid-19 is the sole reason,” Mogola said.Mokgokoloshi became a household name as the wicked Mma-Nkosheng in popular 1980s Pedi drama Bophelo ke Semphekgo.

Born in the small village of Botlokwa in Limpopo, she was a school teacher for more than 20 years in Soweto.

In her late 40s in 1984 she decided to pursue her acting passion.

In 2017 Mokgokoloshi was introduced as a “national treasure” as she received the honorary Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).“Thank you to [the] Skeem Saam crew and all those who are playing with me.

“I really feel honoured to be called granny and I feel so proud to be a granny, although sometimes I can be so cruel and injure you with a needle pin.

“If you came into my house without informing, remember you can be injured somehow.

“I’m so happy and honoured. I honour those who are writing the scripts, dressing us and the production companies.”

-TshisaLIVE

The River viewers have been waiting in anticipation for the moment when Lindiwe lifts the veil on Nomonde and Vero’s antics, which included making the family believe Nomonde had been kidnapped.Lindiwe’s sixth sense alerted her from the get-go that Nomonde’s return had ulterior motives written all over it. Nomonde is drowning in debt, so she and Vero came up with a plan to get her out of that situation. The only problem is they underestimated Lindiwe’s intelligence.

It didn’t take Lindiwe long to realise the game Nomonde was playing but her hubby Zweli, on the other hand, is convinced that Nomonde will die if they don’t pay the R6m ransom the kidnappers have demanded in exchange for Nomonde’s life.Meanwhile, fans had no choice but to stan a queen who won’t allow herself to be played. They found themselves stanning even harder when Lindiwe told Zweli to his face that she was tired of pretending she cares enough about Nomonde to part with such a large amount of money.