When Zozibini Tunzi marched in the Black Lives Matter protests in New York City, the latest Miss Universe kept thinking how young people in her native South Africa died fighting for the same cause 44 years ago.South African students were marching against systemic racism,” said Tunzi, 26, recalling the 1976 Soweto Uprising when tens of thousands of students protested against apartheid laws that segregated and controlled the black majority.
So many years later, that’s still happening, not only in South Africa, but across the world,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview from New York, where she is spending her year as Miss Universe.As one of only a handful of black women to have won the title, Tunzi was intending to use her influence to challenge racism, inequality and perceptions of beauty even before the Black Lives Matter protests erupted in the United States.

More than a quarter of a century after the end of apartheid – a system of segregation and white minority rule – South Africa is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world, according to the World Bank.

Researchers say the cost of staying out of school is great.
Image: Thulani Mbele
After nearly 11 weeks, 90% of children are still not allowed to go to school or see their friends and family outside their homes as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown — compromising their education, welfare and mental health.

The ongoing school closures are not in the best interests of children, say researchers at the Stellenbosch University department of economics, Prof Servaas van der Berg and Dr Nic Spaull.

Based on the government’s current plans, by the end of term 2 (August 7), grade 7 and 12 children will miss only 25% of normal school days, but their grade 4, 5, 8 and 9 peers will miss 57% of scheduled school days up to that date.

“By August 7 2020, at least four million children will have missed more than half (57%) of the number of school days that are normally scheduled up to this point. Teachers will not be able to complete the entire remaining curriculum in the limited time available. Inequality is likely to increase since poorer learners and schools are least able to catch up. International research on the cumulative effects of learning losses and subsequent income losses indicate that many of the losses in both learning and income are long term in nature and can be measured five years after the event.”

Calculating the risk of death from Covid-19 ranges from a 1-in-76,878 chance (0.001%) for those aged 0-19 years, the researchers argue that “the relatively low mortality risk from the virus needs to be contrasted to the significant additional mortality risk from acute malnutrition and associated mortality in children (especially pneumonia, diarrhoea and HIV/Aids) arising from the lockdown”.

Semi Tee has dedicated his new album to his mother.
Image: Semi Tee/ Instagram
Semi Tee has dedicated his upcoming album I’m Only TweentyOne to his mom for being his biggest supporter from the start.

In an interview with TshisaLIVE, Semi said the album, which will be released on June 19, consists of 11 tracks featuring the likes of Focalistic, Kammu Dee, Njelic and more.

“I dedicate this album to my mother as a token of appreciation for the love and support she gave me from day one. She raised me single-handedly. I will always be grateful and do everything that I promised her,” he said.

Semi said that it took him four years to learn how to produce his own unique style of amapiano. He believes his patience and passion is paying off.

“I really appreciate all the love and support that I’m receiving from my fans. I’m just an artist trying to use my talent to the best of my ability. I’m humbled that my home country loves what I do,” he said

He added that Covid-19 affected him in getting more gigs and he missed an opportunity of performing in the UK.

“I’m planning on making more music to entertain my fans during the lockdown. I’m also working on my second project with Kammu Dee. We will be dropping our EP very soon – and many more.”

He has already released two singles from his album – Mercedes featuring Focalistic and Stayla featuring Kammu Dee and Njelic.

“The singles are available on all digital platforms – I hope everyone likes them!” he added.

Zakes Bantwini talks about how important is for young people to have education.
Image: Jessica Levitt
In commemoration of Youth Day, singer and producer Zakes Bantwini is using his influence to help motivate young people from disadvantaged backgrounds on the power of education.

Coming from humble beginnings to accomplishing a lot in the music scene, Zakes has expressed that if you keep to a goal of who you want to be, you can accomplish it.

“I am a result of coming from a poverty stricken background, to where I am today. So my life is a motivation. If you were to look into my life or watch my interviews, with that I don’t even have to motivate you. My life itself is a clear indication that if you dream, you become what you want to be,” he told TshisaLIVE.

Zakes explained that though fame seemed nice, getting an education is essential.

“Everything that you want to do you need some sort of education for you to excel in it. So, with just great talent you can only be just that great … but with that great talent plus schooling, you become even more amazing. It’s like greatness on steroids.

“That’s why, as young people, school is important so that you are able to sustain yourself throughout your life. You don’t want to be called a one-hit wonder and fall out on any business you’ve embarked on because of no educational background of understanding what it is that you’re doing.”

Last month, the musician left many in awe when he revealed he had been accepted to study the business of entertainment, media and sport at the prestigious Harvard Business School.

“The reason I decided to enrol at the business of entertainment, media and sport at Harvard Business School was because we just launched a new company that represents athletes and entertainers.

“I wanted to learn and understand how I can scale that particular business so that I can make it international and have the decision to go, hence my decision to study at one of the most prestigious universities.

Linda Mtoba is really loving being a mother.
Image: Via Linda Mtoba Instagram
Actress Linda Mtoba has opened up about her journey to motherhood and the societal pressures of getting back into shape shortly after having her baby.

The actress welcomed her baby girl in October last year and has been on cloud nine ever since.

However, in an interview with Bona magazine, Linda got candid about how she was expected to quickly return to the way she looked before having a baby.

“I felt that something was wrong with me. I couldn’t understand why my body wasn’t going back to normal … I really had to work hard at accepting myself. It’s not just a physical thing but an emotional one too,” she said.

Linda revealed that since having a baby, she had stretch marks on her legs and more cellulite.“My breasts are not as high and perky as they used to be. These are all the things I can’t really do much about. No amount of exercising or dieting can take that away because it’s embedded in my skin and body now.

“I’m only going to do a boob job after I’ve had all my kids. In fact, I’m going to do a mommy makeover.”

In July last year, The River actress announced that she and hubby Steven Meyer were going to become parents and expressed how their love would be “personified”.

While on her journey to being a new mother, the actress was open about her pregnancy and all the milestones and challenges she went through.

With the birth of her child, Linda shared on Instagram how happy and in love she is.

“My blessings. I look at them and tears just flood out my eyes because I’m so happy and so in love. My heart gets so full that it overflows and needs an exit point, so tears fall cause my heart contains it all,” she said.

Living under lockdown has given Linda more time at home to spend with her daughter Bean and hubby.

Just last week, however, the actress expressed how she felt strange posting about her happiness during these dark times of racial tension and femicide on the socials.

“I’m feeling very odd about posting on social media when there’s so much going on in the world. I post Bean because she lights up my life and it’s currently full of darkness. It’s a little hard for me to just share a happy picture,” she revealed on Twitter