Khanyi probes deeper and wider in the new Season of Katch it with Khanyi
Katch it With Khanyi continues into its second season on Friday, 18 July 2014 at 6PM on eKasi+, Channel 105 only on OpenView HD. The talk show is fittingly presented by South Africa’s most controversial personality, Khanyi Mbau, and this season she probes some of SA’s most intriguing personalities. Celebrities and politicians often claim that tabloids embellish information to create drama. The show presents a platform for South African personalities to set the record straight and give viewers insight into their lives. The series takes on the tone of a hilariously bubbly chat with celebrity friends as Khanyi digs deep into their lives. The first episode will feature Nelson Mandela’s grandson, businessman Ndaba Mandela. Ndaba is the quintessential Mandela; tall, good-looking and ambitious. At 30, he already resembles his grandfather’s respectable demeanour. Alongside him, Khanyi will be chatting to the prominent and ambitious media man Kojo Bafoe, editor for Destiny Man. Khanyi finally manages to pin down kwaito’s prodigal son, former member of TKZee Tokollo Tshabalala who has had a life of fortunes and an equal share of misfortunes. From that to chatting to SA’s It Girl, Nomzamo Mbatha about her meteoric rise to fame, her new projects and setting the record straight about her rumoured engagement to Idol’s Khaya Mthethwa. Pallance Dlala is also in studio to talk about his new role as S’bu on Rhythm City, as well as Maps Maponyane, model turned actor. He is currently shooting a big screen film alongside the sultry Nomzamo Mbatha. “The talk show genre requires a strong, intuitive and colourful host. Engaging and probing people of different social standings is a mammoth task that our host, Khanyi, has come to master. A second season means the show has not only worked, but it is a must watch in local programming,” enthused Monde Twala, Group Head,e.tv Channels Division. Host Khanyi Mbau guests Ndaba Mandela (left) and Kojo Bafoe . New Location Not only is eKasi+ bringing you a fresh new season, the show’s location moves from its former Vilakazi Street studio to the iconic Orlando stadium. “The venue has a rich heritage and boasts magnificent paranomic views of Soweto. It is not every day that a non-sport specific show is shot at a stadium, and hopefully guests will enjoy and relax in this space,” said Keshni Rajoo, Manager: Production and Programming at etv. This season, Khanyi will also engage with her famous guests on their opinions of topical issues in Mzansi. From blissfully bitchy moments to compassionate insight, this talk show series aims to highlight the highs and lows of the celebrity world from the stars themselves. In season 1 Khanyi engaged with the likes of Kelly Khumalo, Lulo Café to Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF)...
Jozi’s Favourite Hang-out & Snack-out Spots
By Mariam Mahomed Sometimes the hustle and bustle of our great city gets a bit too much and we need a little time out. We need to breathe, enjoy the smell of freshly roasted coffee, indulge in a culinary journey, soak in the atmosphere and just be delighted by the city and its people. Luckily for us, Joburg has a number of places where we can do just that. Here’s a list of Joburger’s Top 5: Father Coffee From the most divine, roasted coffee to the minimalist, but warm, interior Braamfontein’s Father Coffee comes to the top of the mind when thinking about a good cup of unwinding in Johannesburg. The simple black and white design of their cups makes the perfect Instagram moment ensuring that your social media needs are fulfilled as well. Sha’p A side walk ‘shisanyama’ stand located in the ever popular Maboneng precinct , Sha’p is the answer to every South African’s prayer for some lekker braai meat without all of the effort. Sha’p offers a selection of traditional sides along with a relaxed outdoor setting where you can enjoy your braai the same way you would in your own backyard. Hard Rock Cafe I once overheard someone say that Hard Rock is the place you go to for the American experience without the expense. The interior boasts sophisticated technology with fascinating LED screens and lighting incorporated into the design. The collection of the most epic Rock n Roll memorabilia adds to the Hard Rock experience and makes their burgers and sides taste that much better. 4th Avenue Roasters Parkhurst’s 4th Avenue is without a doubt one of Jozi’s treasures with the boutique stores, the laid back atmosphere and the strong , awakening aroma of freshly roasted coffee from the tiny , ‘legendary pink’ bistro. 4th Avenue Roaster’s gives you exactly what you need to recharge and take on the rest of the day in this prime neighbourhood and if it’s too hot for a cuppa then their decadent iced coffees is a must. Andiccio 24 Andiccio 24 gives you the freedom of eating what you want at any time you want to eat it. Just by ticking a few boxes, you get a freshly made pizza that has exactly what you asked for , even at 2 am in the morning. That’s democratic eating, I’d say. If all of this freedom of choice isn’t enough their black velvet cupcakes are to die for. What are your go to spots in Jozi? Images: fathercoffee.co.za , joburgstyle.co.za , jhblive.com, 4thavenuecoffee.co.za ,...
Finding Luck in the Desert
By Mariam Mohamed The Namibian desert, a perfect place for safaris and tours or, if you’re South African electro band GoodLuck, recording an album. After the record-breaking success of their début album the trio bid a short farewell to their well-equipped Cape Town studio and took to the desert to take advantage of the rhythm of the zebras, the ocean and the Fish River Canyon for their second album – Creatures of the Night. Together with the album, the band has created a 90 minute film – This Might Sound Crazy- documenting their adventure as well as a moving social campaign – #WhatWouldWeBe – to better engage with their fans. Represent chats to GoodLuck to find out the details, and the stories, surrounding these campaigns. What exactly led you to recording in the desert without the comfort of your high-tech studio and your homes? We always knew that following up our debut album that did incredibly well (with nine radio singles, five number ones) was going to be a tough challenge, and when the time came for us to think about recording a follow up album we consciously knew that we had to be super creative and really strive towards a concept that was relevant and profound. It was Ben who came up with the ‘lightbulb’ moment one day when he approached the band and said, “I think this might sound crazy, but why don’t we record our new album outside in the Namibian Desert!” This idea was based upon the assumption that it is possible to recreate the silent aesthetic of a studio environment, especially on the Etosha Pan and at Deadvlei in the right weather conditions. We thought would be able to channel the beauty of the Namibian landscape into our writing and recording process if we put the singers and musicians in an environment that inspiring! Who wants to be stuck in an air-conditioned studio for weeks on end anyway? We’re from Cape Town! What, from the desert as well as from your other journeys and experiences, inspired the music on this album? There’s a saying that says an artist is the product of their cumulative experiences and we definitely conform to that. We have been very lucky to tour Europe and Africa every year and travelling gives us a great perspective of how we see the world, and eventually that comes out into our music. We are all also big fans of the outdoors and nature, and so you will find that there is an ‘organic’ element in every GoodLuck song. People often say that our music is best for road trips, well to be honest they’re 100% right because half our...
Crime, love, corruption, freedom: It’s all centre stage in riveting new Mzansi Magic homegrown drama series
The mix of crime and love and corruption and freedom that has come in the wake of the birth of democracy in South Africa takes the spotlight in a brand new, homegrown drama series on Mzansi Magic. Saints and Sinners, a 13-part drama kicks off in August. It is a gripping family drama centered on the lives of two very different families, living in the south of Johannesburg. The show is being produced by Penguin Pictures and stars a superb line-up of acting talent, including, Nthati Moshesh, Tumisho Masha, Nomphilo Gwala, S’dumo Mtshali, Tshepo Maseko, Warren Masemola, Sibulele Gcilitshana, Yonda Thomas and Siyabonga Radebe. Inspired by a quote by Nelson Mandela (“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”) Saints and Sinners focuses on the new struggle faced by South Africans – an inner quest that revolves around economic freedom, issues of identity, the fall of traditional family structures, and lack of cohesion within the nucleus and community at large. The two families at the heart of Saints and Sinners represent this struggle in such a compelling way that the series is likely to become essential viewing alongside other homegrown Mzansi Magic dramas like Rockville. “We are excited about the debut of Saints and Sinners which follows on the huge success of Rockville. Our dramas tell poignant, resonant stories that allow the viewers to self-reflect as much as they are entertained. We aim to tell stories that are rooted in character driven narratives with a meaningful edge, speaking to the state of our country from an individual perspective. Saints and Sinners will showcase how we are connected as people through the choices we make, which affect others” says, Nkateko Mabaso, Director of Local Interests Channels at Mnet. One of these families is the upwardly mobile Khumalos. Headed by matriarch Mamohato and her two attractive daughters, Phindi and Boni, the Khumalo family lives in the upmarket suburb of Bassonia. The other family is that of hard-working Lulama and Thabang Moloiswa who live in a modest home in Diepkloof with their adored son, 12-year-old Tshepiso. The Khumalo and Moloiswa families present two contrasting South African ideals. Driven by a fear of poverty, the Khumalos’ aspirations appear to be entirely materialistic, and they are not averse to bending the law to achieve their ends. Meanwhile, the Moloiswas’ driving force is to alleviate poverty in their community, and to share their knowledge and expertise to create a better South Africa for all. But their altruism will be sorely put to the test during the course of the...
South Africa’s rock heavyweights added to the TribeOne Dinokeng Festival line-up
The TRIBEONE DINOKENG music festival has announced more of South Africa’s biggest rock heavyweights confirmed for the Thunder Valley Main Stage, performing throughout the weekend of the 26, 27th and 28th September at what is set to become Africa’s biggest music festival. The Thunder Valley Main Stage is one of the TribeOne Dinokeng main stages and musically has a focus on Rock, Pop, Alternative and related music genres. The producers are currently planning a mind-blowing line up of rock, pop, alternative, metal, and other music-genre-related acts to fill all three days on this stage and will be announcing new acts on a weekly basis. The first line up of local rock acts have been confirmed and include some of the biggest rock heavyweight acts including Fokofpolisiekar, Gangs of Ballet, Zebra & Giraffe, Black Cat Bones, Van Coke Kartel, Shadowclub, Taxi Violence, Wrestlerish and Al Bairre. The festival, which has already confirmed massive urban superstars such as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Nicki Minaj, J Cole, Kid Ink, D’banj, Wizkid, Fally Ipupa, Sarkodie, Khuli Chana, Keko, AKA, Redsan, Alikiba and Xtatic to name a few, and will also be catering for rock lovers with the Thunder Valley Main Stage – a stage for the best in local and international rock music acts. The stage runs all weekend, starting early afternoon on the Friday until after midnight and again from early morning until just after midnight on the Saturday and Sunday and are set to be jam packed with the best in local and international acts. The Sunday lineup will end slightly earlier to allow festival to depart should they wish to and for fans that wish to stay on and depart the Monday, they can migrate to the Dance Village which runs non-stop 24 hours a day from the Friday right through to the Sunday. More acts will be announced over the days ahead, so keep watching this space for more info. Fokofpolisiekar is Francois van Coke (lead vocals), Hunter Kennedy (guitar), Johnny de Ridder (lead guitar), Wynand Myburgh (bass) and Jaco Snakehead Venter (drums). The band has become known for their explosive live performances and raw on-stage energy. Controversial and ever questioning in their lyrics as well as their lifestyle, the band has generated much controversy in the South African media. Five times SAMA nominated, MTV MAMA award winning band, Gangs of Ballet is a Durban band comprising of four musicians and friends – three of which have undertaken studying Music at University level. Their sound cannot be pinned down to one specific genre but rather experiments with an eclectic mix of alternative, melodic, anthemic, and electronic and dance. Gangs...