Weekend Argus Saturday 2025-05-24

Secrets We Keep had my attention with its title alone. I mean, how can you not be drawn in by something that promises buried truths and quiet scandals? And being a six-episode Danish mystery thriller, I knew I was signing up for some serious slow-burn drama, the good kind. Created by film-maker and actress Ingeborg Topsøe, known for her work on Dogma and The Charmer, often exploring themes of identity, marginalisation, and power, the mystery series on Netflix offers an intense, often uncomfortable, look at what happens when a vulnerable person disappears in a world designed to ignore her. At the centre of the series is the disappearance of Ruby Tan, a young Filipino au pair working in a wealthy neighbourhood. The community - all glass homes, yoga mats, matchas…

I can’t resist watching high-profile names getting roasted. It’s a therapeutic laugh at the end of a long day. Of course, there are drawbacks and not every roast fires on all cylinders. And The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille is a perfect case in point. The political figure, who is also referred to as GodZille and GogoZille, is no stranger to public scrutiny. Being in the hot seat is commonplace for her. At 74, all I can say is, ‘Wow!’ Her youthful appearance belies her age. If fighting the good fight means ageing backwards, I’m here for it. As far as candidates go, she was a solid choice. However, I am not cosigning the list of roastees. Talk about an oddball line-up of Loyiso Gola, Bongani Bingwa, Rian van Heerden,…

Miley Cyrus has given fans a sneak peek into her upcoming album, Something Beautiful, which is set to drop on May 30. The 13-track album promises to be a soul-stirring ride, featuring collaborations with notable artists like Brittany Howard and Naomi Campbell. In an Instagram post featuring a 23-second teaser for her album, which includes a short film, she stated, “All 13 songs have a special place in my heart.” According to the track list, the album will take listeners on a journey through themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. With songs like End of the World and More to Lose, she is exploring deeper emotions. The standout tracks, Walk of Fame and Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved, feature the iconic Naomi Campbell and Grammy-award-winning musician Brittany Howard. Cyrus teamed…

With health experts ringing alarm bells over the dangers of excessive sugar intake, South Africans are unwittingly at risk, consuming significantly more than the World Health Organisation’s recommended limits. A recent study by Wits University found that local diets harbour alarming levels of sugar, with individuals potentially consuming between 12 to 24 teaspoons daily, far exceeding the recommended six teaspoons. “Hidden sugars are often sneaky and can add up quickly throughout the day without us even realising it,” explained Mbali Mapholi, Laager Rooibos partner dietitian. “Many snacks and drinks that aren’t noticeably sweet still contain sugar, meaning that many of us may be consuming a lot more sugar than we realise.” Understanding hidden sugars When discussing the sugar lurking in our food, it’s vital to differentiate between natural sugars and…

As a cold front descends upon several regions of South Africa, residents are warned to brace for plummeting temperatures, damaging winds, and the possibility of snow in mountainous areas. The South African Weather Service has sounded an alarm of significant weather changes expected to sweep across KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, and parts of Lesotho this week. Forecaster Tokelo Chiloane emphasised the need for caution, particularly for those in KZN, where strong winds could wreak havoc. “We expect these damaging winds to be a concern in some parts of the province, as well as along the coast. If the temperatures are as frigid as forecasted, residents, especially in mountainous areas, might experience snowfall,” Chiloane stated. In light of these weather changes, individuals need to take precautions…

In a visually driven world, where social media platforms dictate beauty standards, many individuals find themselves navigating the complexities of skin aesthetics. A surge in skin bleaching practices aimed at achieving a lighter complexion co-exists with increasing popularity for darker skin tones attained through tanning. Yet, both trends present alarming health risks that necessitate a closer examination. Dr Dilshaad Asmal, a dermatologist at Mediclinic Cape Town, says the quest for lighter skin is deeply rooted in socio-cultural and psychological influences. “In numerous cultures, particularly those within Indian, Asian and African communities, lighter skin is historically synonymous with beauty, elevated status and even better marital prospects. Unfortunately, global media continues to amplify this narrative, portraying lighter skin as more desirable,” she explains. The most common bleaching practices In SA alone, a…