Innholdsfortegnelse for 31 December 2015 i Drum English

THIS is our last issue of the year! Between DRUM’s two offices, which are based in Johannesburg and Cape Town, we have produced 52 weekly magazines in 2015 and a couple of brand extensions that remain on the shelves for more than three months. DRUM is not just a print brand that is at the forefront of news, entertainment and lifestyle in SA - it’s also a special brand which speaks to the hearts and needs of all South Africans. This year alone, the DRUM team produced DRUM HAIR, specifically tailored to give South African women tips on how to take care of their hair, and to inspire them with the latest local and international trends. Moreover, we also produced DRUM WEDDINGS especially for you - to celebrate with those…

NALEDI MODISE NO Jacob Zuma has turned out to be the country’s worst leader due to continuous scandals. I feel he could have handled cases like Marikana, Nkandla, Omar al-Bashir and Operation Fiela differently. I don’t trust him; his leadership is secured by power. MAMOSIDI THAHANE NO Because of the money that he took to build that ugly house instead of helping people who live in the rural and urban areas. They still struggle with many things like water, houses for those who live in shacks and jobs for those graduates and matriculants who can’t find jobs. NDUMISO NGWENYA YES He has been honest about everything. Even though he built his Nkandla home from other people’s money, he needed to. SEBASTIAN DE VILLIERS NO He’s illiterate, no offence. He can’t…

LEGENDARY ex-Bafana Bafana skipper Lucas “Rhoo” Radebe is living proof of the old saying: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. In spite of his success, the 46-year-old who made history when he became the first African to captain an English Premier League team (Leeds United) in the 90s, has had to battle some major personal hurdles, including the tragic death of his beloved wife. Feziwe, the mother of two of his children, died of bowl cancer but heart-broken Lucas still managed to find the joy in life after her passing, which is just one of the reasons he was recently elected as a Joywalker ambassador for Johnnie Walker whisky. Lucas, who is also the subject of a relaunched biography titled Lucas: From the Streets of Soweto to Soccer Superstar,…

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REBECCA’S STORY Rebecca Vilakazi (26) is from Diepsloot, Soweto. “Since giving birth, I have struggled to lose the weight around my waist. When I go to work, I wear jeans and big T-shirts because they hide my big tummy. I also buy clothes that camouflage my tummy as it’s my biggest insecurity.” HER REACTION “I’ve always underestimated myself. The DRUM team has given me a boost, and lessons on how to carry myself. Most importantly, I have learnt how to minimise my tummy, and dress for my age especially when I start looking for better career prospects.” OFF TO CHURCH Cinch your waist with a broad belt to create the illusion of a slimmer waistline. WORKING GIRL Geometric patterns and prints are great for covering up body issues. Wear items…

NEW LOOK FOR AN OLD CHAIR This plastic chair, found in a dump, looked like an ideal candidate for upholstering. We got to work and transformed it. YOU NEED TOOLS: 4 mm stone drill bit Cordless drill Screwdriver 16 mm plywood Measuring tape Pencil MATERIALS: Old plastic chair Epoxy glue Wood screws Black metallic spray paint Contact glue 3 cm thick high-density foam rubber Textile material of your choice (something durable that won’t stretch much) Pair of scissors Needle Staple gun Sponge or paintbrush 12 buttons covered in the same fabric Thread Metal beading strip Nails STEP 1 Clean the plastic chair thoroughly. STEP 2 This one was slightly wobbly so we secured the seat to the metal frame with epoxy glue. Do your own repairs to make the chair…

Try to arrive at least 10 minutes before your workday begins. This will give you time to have a cup of coffee or tea and greet your colleagues. Check your e-mails or phone messages when you arrive, even if you don’t have time to read them fully or respond immediately. Deal with the urgent messages right away and leave the rest for later. If you need to talk to people about work or schedule appointments, call or e-mail them early in the day. You’re more likely to catch people at their desks at the beginning of the day. Plan the major part of your day. Check your to-do list and refresh your memory about any meetings you might have scheduled. When you’ve done this, use your diary or calendar to…

American singer--producer VaShawn Mitchell no doubt makes great albums. If you consider One Place Live that he recently produced for songbird Tasha Cobbs or any other albums he did for hotshots such as Smokie Norful and Bishop Paul S. Morton. So it’s no surprise that his latest release, Unstoppable, is as musical as it’s accessible, and it’s equally a great validation for its co-producer, Daniel Weatherspoon (on the piano). Highlights on the CD include You Carried Me and the slow-moving Watching.…

AQUARIUS 21 Jan – 18 Feb The scene is set for a happy time with your friends, celebrating the dawn of a new year. Networking Mercury moves into your sign and retraces his steps towards the end of the week. Give thought to your connections and the people in your life. You might want to assess the value of friends. YOUR LUCKY NUMBERS 19, 39, 10, 5, 18, 21 PISCES 19 Feb – 20 Mar When it comes to romance, lucky Jupiter in your love horoscope starts your new year on a promising note. However, your tendency to fall in love with love is currently heightened. It would be wise to do a reality check lest you set yourself up for disillusionment. YOUR LUCKY NUMBERS 17, 9, 43, 20, 48,…

CHANGING HER WAYS The Harlem native recently hinted that she won’t be engaging in online battles any more. “Am I hanging up my fighting gloves? Yeah. I’m a lady. I don’t wanna be dealing with that. Now, when you feel the adrenaline going, you stop yourself. I’m done with that. I’ve done it already. You’ve seen me curse people out. Let’s do something else now.” Yes, let’s! STRAIGHT-TALKER Since blowing up on the airwaves with her début album, Broke with Expensive Taste, Azealia has built quite a reputation for herself as she says exactly what’s on her mind, even when she rubs people up the wrong way. She’s had online spats with everyone from Nicki Minaj to Rita Ora, A$AP Rocky, Lady Gaga and Iggy Azalea. LISTEN UP! If you…

Candice Sutherland, from SHA Specialist Underwriters, gives us a few pointers to help empower you against cybercrime: Treat your mobile device as a mini computer and install antivirus software. Track your bank account. Enforce an effective password policy (8-10 characters with numbers, uppercase letters and symbols). Learn how to wipe your devices remotely. Change default passwords. Be aggressive when updating and patching (a piece of software designed to update a computer programme to fix or improve it). Be careful when using free Wi-Fi hotspots and cloud storage (a service model in which data is maintained, managed and backed up remotely and made available to users over a network, typically the internet).…

HE’S AN outspoken young man with a great sense of humour, and recently he was given an opportunity that changed his life. It was a chance that many South Africans only dream about – to sail across the world. TOUGH BEGINNINGS Lourance Magane (23) was born in the rural village of Groblersdal in Limpopo, where he says young people don’t get many opportunities to travel. By the age of 16, both his parents had died and the young Lourance had to raise his brother, Sello, who was eight years old at the time. “When my parents died, my family was not there to step in and take care of me and my brother because they thought I was a problem child,” Lourance tells us. “So we lived on our own…

OUR SPORTS stars kept us entertained on the field, and sometimes off it, this year. It wasn’t all good news. We kicked off the year with Premier Soccer League players like Itumeleng Khune making ridiculous salary demands on their clubs. Then the Proteas crashed out to New Zealand in a thriller of a semifinal at the ICC World Cup; and later, the Springboks lost to old foes the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup semifinal. But there was light at the end of the gloomy tunnel: track star Wayde van Niekerk raced into the history books, and boxer Tsiko Mulovhedzi punched his way to victory. Here are our favourite sports stars of the year. TSIKO MULOVHEDZI (28) Tsiko “Cruel Junior” Mulovhedzi was the poster boy for professional boxing after…

REMEMBER when we waited with bated breath to see Madiba’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, become a movie? We doubted that anyone could do justice to our national icon on the big screen. Who could possibly pull off such an intimidating role? In the end, the man they chose for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom was a British actor, musician and DJ. And despite criticism, he wowed the world. Even Mzansi was in awe, as Idrissa Akuna “Idris” Elba managed to get his tongue around a few tricky isiXhosa words. That was in 2013. Fast-forward two years and Idris is now grabbing our attention with his first album, mi Mandela, and his documentary, Mandela, My Dad and Me. The Golden Globe Award winner was forced to cancel his trip to…

University and school aren’t easy. We’ve worked throughout the year and it’s time for the results. We all want to pass but at times we have to face failure. I don’t like calling it failure, but “life lessons”. Learn from mistakes and plan for 2016 to correct 2015’s errors. Wishing everyone a blessed 2016. TSHEPISO YA KWA TAPALA, E-MAIL It’s time to look back at our nation’s sporting success, – often achieved in spite of the administrators involved. For me, Wayde van Niekerk’s 400 m gold at the IAAF World Championship stands head and shoulders above everyone else’s achievements, and he deservedly got the Sportsman of the Year award. A special mention also goes to Anaso Jobodwana for his bronze medal in the 200 m. Finishing third in the same…

AFFAIRS, BABY DADDIES, FIST FIGHTS AND MORE SFISO, CARS AND FAMILY FEUDS Gospel singer SFISO NCWANE caused a stir when he “donated” a R2 million Merc to his pastor for “saving his life”. The lavish gesture prompted a backlash, and secrets were revealed. Sfiso’s baby mamas alleged he’s not maintaining their children and his estranged mother claimed to be living in poverty. He denied the maintenance claims and made up with his mom. THE DJ ZINHLE, AKA AND BONANG LOVE TRIANGLE BONANG MATHEBA wasn’t named Drama Queen of the Year at the 2015 Chevrolet Feather Awards for nothing. Who could forget DJ ZINHLE publicly announcing that her break-up with her baby daddy/rapper AKA was due to his five-month affair with none other than Queen B? The Top Billing presenter gave…

THEY’RE industrious, young and enviably talented. Their faces are instantly recognisable when they walk into our Auckland Park offices on a chilly afternoon. Sthembiso “SK” Khoza, Solomon Sebothoma and Neo Ntlatleng from Mzansi Magic’s telenovela The Road are impossibly good-looking in real life. It’s no wonder they have the ladies swooning at their screens. But surprisingly, they all seem oblivious to that fact, as we discover when they warmly greet us prior to their photoshoot. SK has brought his adorable daughter and she certainly takes after her dad – she’s definitely not camera-shy. The atmosphere is jovial and full of good-natured banter as they strike different poses. NAUGHTY NEO It’s been a busy year for the indomitable trio, which is why Neo admits he needs a time-out. “I want to…

Ghd Platinum Styler R2 899 WHY YOU NEED IT Straightening or curling your hair every morning can be a hassle, but with this lightweight and easy-to-handle straightener you’ll only need one stroke per section to get your desired look. An added bonus is that this handy tool has an on/off tone. Avon Mega Effects Mascara R189,90 WHY YOU NEED IT This mascara is not like any ordinary mascara: from the packaging to the wand and all the way to the brush, it’s so different. With a few strokes, your lashes look fuller and longer. Unfortunately, it’s not ideal for curly lashes, but it works wonders for all the other types. Skin Republic Nail + Cuticle Repair R42,99 WHY YOU NEED IT Nails and hair need protein-enriched products to be their…

ICE CREAM COOKIES AND CREAM Beating the custard until thick traps air in the mixture, giving the ice cream a light texture. PREPARATION: 10 MIN COOKING: 25 MIN FREEZE: 10 HR SERVES 6 375 ml (1½ cups) milk 375 ml (1½ cups) cream, whipped 1 ml (¼ tsp) vanilla seeds 6 egg yolks 180 ml (¾ cup) caster sugar 115 g Oreo biscuits, chopped 1 Put a medium loaf pan in the freezer while preparing the ice cream. Put the milk and cream in a saucepan. Scrape the vanilla seeds into pan. Bring to a boil. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly. 2 Using a whisk, beat the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until thick and pale. Pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while…

CAN I GET HIS MONEY? Q My boyfriend died and his company’s Provident Fund is refusing to give me money because we were not married. What should I do? Please help. EMILY, SMS A There are many ways to ensure that your loved ones receive your money when you pass on. The best way is to list them as beneficiaries to any life policy, fund or insurance cover. What you need to do is to find out exactly what the requirements are for their payout. If need be, take someone with you who has experience with these things and they can also listen and ask questions and get the clarity you need to see if there will ever be a payment made to you. If you were married under customary…

BIRTH CONTROL AND PREGNANCY Q Can I conceive while using Petrogen birth control? I’m using it but I recently had unprotected intercourse and didn’t get my monthly cycle. I am also gaining weight. Should I be worried? LUMKA A If you have had your Petrogen injections as recommend, a pregnancy is highly unlikely. Also, it’s normal for you not to get your period as a change in the menstrual cycle is the most common side effect of birth control. In fact, after a year of use, about 50 % of women will stop getting their periods. Their periods usually return when they discontinue the shots. Some women experience weight gain and you can talk to your doctor rather than just stopping Petrogen all together. Please note that this form of…

GROWING up, his dream was to work in a bank – that was where he thought all the money was kept. In his imagination, banking was the highest paying job since they “have all the money in the world”. But Buhle Cele (28) took a slightly different route. After passing matric with flying colours, he ended up as a chief dealer at one of the biggest packaging companies in the country, Nampak. The daily duties of a chief dealer include making sure that the whole Nampak group has liquidity (available cash) in local and foreign currency. “If there is a shortfall of money in the group, I will go and source funds from different banks that Nampak has partnered with. The same goes for foreign currency,” he explains. When he…

MUVHANGO Carol finds out who settled her hospital bill. Muvhango makes contact with the mysterious night visitor. While the search for a missing Imani continues, Thandaza (SINDI DLATHU) meets with the man who claims to know her whereabouts. Thandaza chases an inyanga out of her house. Morapedi demands to know from Carol if Lerumo is Khutjo’s father. ISIDINGO Will Nikiwe open her heart to S’khu before it’s too late? Nikiwe prepares to play dirty to defend the company from a predatory Barker. Lerato finds out what Sechaba (MOTLATSI MAFATSHE) paid for her engagement ring and Sechaba can’t bring himself to accept that he is living beyond his means. Nikiwe’s attempt at framing Nina is set to blow up in her face. SCANDAL! Ndumiso and Gontse (GABISILE TSHABALALA) decide to choose…

1. HINDI IS THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE OF WHICH COUNTRY? A. Malaysia B. Pakistan C. India D. Indonesia 2. HOW MANY SIDES DOES A DECAGON HAVE? A. Five B. Ten C. Seven D. Eight 3. THE UKULELE IS A VARIANT OF WHICH TYPE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? A. Piano B. Drums C. Brass instrument D. Guitar 4. KEVIN DE BRUYNE PLAYS FOR WHICH ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM? A. Chelsea B. Man City C. Liverpool D. Man United 5. WASABI IS A CONDIMENT THAT ORIGINATES FROM . . .? A. Botswana B China C. Japan D. Kenya 6. HOW MANY YEARS MAKE UP A MILLENNIUM? A. Thousand years B. Hundred years C. Fifty years D. Ten years 7. WHO IS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION? A. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela B. Robert Mugabe…

SORRY to break it to you, but all those super-sweet things you do for your BFF just aren’t enough. Why? Because you need to look after yourself, too! Not only will it make you feel all sorts of awesome, but it’s also great for your health and wellbeing in the long run. “When we nurture and love ourselves, we can take risks and go from a life of the ordinary to the extraordinary,” psychotherapist and counsellor Diane McGeachy (counsellingsouth.com.au) explains. So, to help you load up on all the kindness you can handle, we’ve made a too-easy timetable to follow. Keep a note of how you feel after you complete each task. Then, you can look back on how great a week you’ve had, all thanks to a little TLC.…

SHE IS mostly known for her political career as an astute leader in the Democratic Alliance. Over the years, Mbali Ntuli’s political career has grown from youth leader to counsellor and now Member of the Provincial Legislature in KwaZulu-Natal. This impressive 27-year-old seems to be a Jack of all trades: She is also studying towards a Master’s degree in Public Governance while working as a shrewd businesswoman who operates taxis in her community. “I was born into the taxi industry. My father founded the KwaZulu-Natal Taxi Association and was the biggest operator at the time,” she says. Tragically, she lost her dad, Bernard “Big Ben” Ntuli, when she was eight years old, after he was caught in the crossfire of what she describes as the peak of taxi violence in…

THEY’RE no one-trick pony: the versatile Soweto Opera Quadro has also dabbled in classical jazz, African jazz, Afro-pop and Christmas music. Formed in 2003, the quartet comprising Elliot Koena, Edward Mabunda, Bokang Sehau and Luvuyo Mgweba, has since toured extensively. We caught up with Bokang, the group’s tenor, to chat about their music and life away from showbiz. How can you sum up Soweto Opera Quadro? The group was established by musicians from Soweto and its surroundings. It consists of four singers and displays lots of talent with wonderful sounds through voice and instruments. Collectively we have performed in over 30 opera productions such as Verdi’s Rigoletto, La Traviata, Un Ballo in Maschera, Izibongo zikaShaka and many more. Do you write all your songs? As much as we write original…

VIEWERS will instantly recognise her as the bubbly TV sexpot who mingles with the rich and famous and wears stunning outfits. But off-screen that’s far from the truth. In reality, KAMOHELO BOMBE is a hands-on girl who believes in old-fashioned grunt work. Currently on SABC1’s daytime talk show Shift, she’s a hit with viewers because of her multi-lingual skills. Kamo also works behind the scenes as a producer at Soweto TV. For all her success on TV, the 23-year-old successfully switches roles when she heads back to her second home in the farming town of Zuurbekom – where she busies herself with broiler farming. We followed the petite beauty to her farm in Zuurbekom and watched the transformation as she swapped her designer clothes for farm overalls. “TV is my…

SPREAD KINDNESS IN 2016 AS 2015 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year that was – the dreams and plans we had, the highs and lows life dealt us and the joy and suffering we experienced. Don’t be too discouraged with how the year turned out. Let’s take comfort in the fact that we are alive and can fight another day and let’s decide to spread some kindness in 2016. First, be kind to yourself. Don’t be too discouraged that you did not reach all your goals. As Madiba said, “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” Then, love those close to you unconditionally. No one is perfect, so let’s be more…

SHE MIGHT be petite, but she sure knows how to roll with the punches, no matter how hard the blow. Even losing her plush TV job didn’t get this celebrated actress down. Katlego Danke (37) just puts on a brave face and gets on with her life. She’s graced our small screens for many years, from Backstage to Generations, somehow managing to remain relevant in an unforgiving industry where many struggle to find jobs, let along keep them. But Katlego has maintained an impressive résumé throughout her 13 years in showbiz. From a stint on Afrikaans soapie 7de Laan to a movie role and from theatre to presenting PowerBall, Katlego has captured the public’s attention and gained their respect. As the year comes to an end, we take time to…

WE EXPECT to be greeted by young girls in skimpy dresses as we enter the upmarket business establishment. The owner isn’t known for holding back when it comes to serious entertainment: Kenny Kunene is best known for infamous sushi sessions where men gobble their food off the bodies of semi-naked women. But there’s nothing of that nature in this trendy place, in the heart of one of Johannesburg’s wealthiest suburbs. Instead, we’re greeted by a smartly dressed staff member who assures us that Mr Kunene will be with us in a moment. And within minutes, Kenny (45) emerges from the staircase of the double-storey building wearing charcoal pants and smart shirt with a tie and designer sunglasses. The businessman/politician/socialite looks very much in control for a man who has been…

WALK THIS WAY TIP Choose gladiator sandals that fit your calf or sandals that support your body and look good on your feet like supermodel Alek Wek’s. But make sure your feet are well-groomed, too. HATS OFF TIP Accessorise your look with chunky gold and white jewellery like model Eva Marcille, and we love the nails! BAG IT TIP Pack all your beach goodies in a holdall and look stylish like Mary J. Blige. STOCKISTS Ackermans 0860-900-100; DRUM Shop at spree.co.za (or go to drum.co.za and click on Spree); Exact 0860-104-764; Fashion Express 0860-104-764; Foschini 0860-104-764; Jet 0800-203-925; Legit 0800-203-925; Mr Price 0800-212-535; Shoe City 0860-900-200; Witchery 011-879-1000; Woolworths 0860-022-002 We make every effort to provide accurate prices but mistakes may occur. DRUM and the suppliers do not bind themselves…

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETROOT PREPARATION: 10 MIN COOKING: 15 MIN SERVES 4 4 yellow or red beetroot, scrubbed 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil salt and freshly ground pepper COUSCOUS 375 ml (1½ cups) couscous 125 ml (½ cup) sultanas 60 ml (¼ cup) sunflower seeds, toasted 2 rounds feta cheese, roughly crumbled 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice 20 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil 10 g fresh basil Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Grease a baking sheet with foil and grease with non-stick spray. 1 Cut the beetroot into thin slices and arrange on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 10-15 minutes or until done. 2 COUSCOUS Put the couscous in a glass bowl. Pour over enough…

FEMALE BEARD Q I have a beard growing on my chin. This stresses me out, as I’m a woman. How do I get rid of it? ANONYMOUS, E-MAIL A A hormonal imbalance is the most likely cause, but it would be inappropriate to diagnose you without knowing more of your history. To get rid of it – besides using a tweezer or waxing the hair – we must determine the cause. I suggest you visit your GP for a diagnosis and advice. IS A ‘BRAZILIAN’ SAFE? Q How safe are Brazilian hair-smoothing treatments? I’ve read that many of them contain formaldehyde which can cause cancer. CONCERNED, SMS A Formaldehyde exposure is associated with certain types of cancer. Some Brazilian hair-smoothing treatments use a substance that is derived from formaldehyde, and…

FOR MANY people, saying “no” to unreasonable requests and demands from family, friends, coworkers and even from their own children is extremely difficult. Very often, they’re afraid that by refusing the request they might cause the other person to become angry or disapproving, or that their refusal will create some form of conflict. Some mothers will avoid saying “no” to their children out a fear that their children will become angry and stop loving them, says Gail Dore, a life skills trainer and author of Bully-Proof (Struik Lifestyle, R175 from Takealot.com), a book that teaches children skills to be assertive. “This form of non-assertive behaviour is not emotionally healthy for anyone and can leave the individual angry at themselves for giving in and becoming a ‘doormat’ to others,” she adds.…

QUALITIES NEEDED To be a currency dealer you need to be dedicated, disciplined, willing to learn constantly, patient, a realist, self-controlled, logical and organised. You must also be able to work under pressure. QUALIFICATIONS There is no specific formal education but at least a tertiary degree in a relevant field is required. The University of Cape Town offers a Bachelor of Commerce degree (between R50 000 – R62 500 per year). CAREER PROSPECTS Some countries require licensing and certification, while others do not. Currency traders or dealers can work independently or for larger banks and financial institutions. Working for a company usually requires more rigid standards of formal education and training. SALARY According to www.payscale.com, the average monthly salary of a forex dealer is R25 000 per month, depending on…

THE YEAR is almost over and most of us are ready to make fresh plans for 2016. It is always a good idea to evaluate the past so that we don’t repeat our mistakes but build on the things we did well. Ecclesiastes 7:8 tells us that: “The end of a thing is better than its beginning . . .” It means that when you’re at the end of something you can truly test whether what you promised yourself at the beginning was realistic or not. The end of the year, therefore, is a moment of facing the truth before you jump into the next year. PLAN PROPERLY, ACCEPT FAILURE Perhaps not everything you desired in 2015 was good for you. In Luke 14:28, the Bible speaks of a man…

GREAT SECURITY One night a robber breaks into a home. As he’s scratching through the desk he suddenly hears a voice say, “Jesus is watching you!” He cries, “Who said that?!” But there’s no answer, so he carries on. Once again he hears the same thing, “Jesus is watching you!” The robber looks around the room only to see a parrot. “Who do you think you are?” he cries, irritated. The parrot replies, “Buddha.” The robber says, “What kind of a name is that? Who names a parrot Buddha?” The parrot says, “The same person who named their Rottweiler Jesus!” THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES A 92-year-old man is sitting by the side of the road, crying his eyes out. A policeman stops to ask him what’s wrong. “Well,” says the…

IT TOOK him over a year of constant practise to get a grip on his wheelchair. It was more than merely directing the chair to where he wanted it to go – he was also aiming to whack a tennis ball with a racket as he moved around a court. Alwande Skhosana (15), originally from Harding in KwaZulu-Natal, looks back on those days and smiles. They might be far behind him now, but they also provided valuable lessons that have made him number one in the junior boys’ local ranking, and number four internationally, in wheelchair tennis. A FIGHTING SPIRIT Alwande was just five years old when he walked into King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban to have an operation on his legs. He has never walked since. Cerebral palsy,…

NOT MANY households can boast two musical giants under one roof, but this one prides itself on a mother and son who are both artistic success stories. The many trophies that shine brightly on the coffee table bear testimony to their achievements. Multiple award-winning singing sensation Lusanda Mcinga has been setting the gospel music scene ablaze for many years. And judging by her son Betusile’s success, it’s clear that the apple did not fall far from the tree. MOTHER AND SON There’s a lot of activity around Lusanda’s home in Mthatha’s Chris Hani township as she warmly welcomes us for the photoshoot. Recently the softly spoken musician triumphed at the Crown Gospel Awards, where she was named Best Female Gospel Musician. With 17 albums under her belt and a number…

IT WAS CERTAINLY a day to remember for the South African entertainment landscape: SAVuka TV, SA’s new video-on-demand (VOD) app, was launched with great fanfare by its creators Pecil Productions, a local film production house founded in 2010 by Percy Mthethwa and Siphamandla Kunene. “The app allows content providers ownership of the content they produce, while consumers get the very best of local entertainment on the go,” said Pecil Productions in a statement. “The videos – dramas, reality shows, documentaries and other lifestyle programmes – are typically eight minutes in length and the content partners benefit from a profit share model.” Held at Pecil Productions studios in Northcliff, north of Johannesburg, the launch was chockfull of Jozi’s leading actors, including KATLEGO DANKE, SONIA SEDIBE, MENZI NGUBANE, and many more. “I’m…

WHAT a year it has been for fashion! We look at how some of our favourite stars blew us away on the red carpet. One of the dresses that made headlines was LUPITA NYONG’O’s elegant Calvin Klein number with pearl details, which she wore to the 87th Annual Academy Awards. It got everyone talking, not just because it was exquisite, but because it was stolen from her hotel room! Fortunately, it was recovered. JENNIFER LOPEZ looked angelic in Elie Saab at the Oscars, while model CHRISSY TEIGEN looking all sorts of perfection rocking a gorgeous Zuhair Murad gown with a thigh-high slit. Model CHANEL IMAN likewise donned Zuhair Murad at the amfAR gala. She was a showstopper when she glided down the red carpet. Also at the amfAR party, Russian…