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‘Panic or heart attack but wait for experts’: Suicide rumours surrounding KCi addressed 

He was a people’s person but was only discovered days after he died. Mthobeli “KCi” August’s family say they are distraught after his death. “We called him on Christmas Day and couldn’t reach him, to realise the time we couldn’t reach him he was in trouble.” The former Umhlobo Wenene…

5 Jan 2024 6AM 2 min

What the bones say about SA in 2024

An unexpected coalition, an election date, a new sports star, astrologer and sangoma Rod Suskin throws the bones on what lies ahead for South Africa in 2024. Last year he predicted a good sports year and so it was as South Africa shone internationally, with Banyana Banyana performing magnificently in…

4 Jan 2024 5AM 2 min

‘Mbongeni Ngema's legacy will continue through his songs and powerful narratives’

A memorial service for veteran playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema was held at the Playhouse theatre in Durban on Wednesday. Ngema died on December 27. His brother Nhlanhla Ngema penned a tribute letter describing how the veteran playwright’s legacy will continue to resonate through the melodies of his songs and power…

3 Jan 2024 10AM 4 min

Veteran playwright and showbiz icon Mbongeni Ngema dies in car crash

Mbongeni Ngem was born in 1955 in Verulam KwaZulu-Natal, he started his career started his career as a theatre backing guitarist. He wrote the musical Sarafina! and co-wrote Woza Albert!, both of which won numerous awards. Ngema also became a household name for writing hit songs, including Stimela sa se…

28 Dec 2023 12AM 2 min

‘Rest, I’ll take care of your family,' Vusi Nova says in tribute to Zahara

When Vusi Nova visited Zahara on the Thursday before she died he had hoped the songstress was getting better.  “I walked in there as usual, she was in a private [hospital] room sitting without all those pipes. She had removed them and was smiling,” he said. “I said to her:…

23 Dec 2023 6AM 3 min

'Zahara was a unique artist like the flower she was' — industry colleague

Industry colleagues, family and friends gathered at the East London International Convention Centre on Friday for the memorial service of Bulelwa Mkutukana, the award-winning singer known as Zahara. Zahara died on December 11, a few weeks after being admitted to hospital. 

22 Dec 2023 8AM 5 min

Zahara’s last unreleased song

Zahara’s producer has shared an unreleased song the late star recorded. Mojalifa “Mjeks” Thebe said: “This is the last song me and Zahara did in studio; the real song is an up-tempo high-spirited song. “I feel Zahara knew what was coming and she prophesied and made a song that is…

22 Dec 2023 7AM 4 min

RTMC goes undercover to arrest cops and motorists for bribery

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is on an undercover mission to arrest officials and motorists guilty of bribery. Last week it arrested nine officials for fraud and corruption in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal after complaints from members of the public. The corporation has again warned corrupt law enforcement officials that…

21 Dec 2023 6AM 1 min

'Load-shedding outlook in the short term looks upbeat': Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says in the short term the load-shedding outlook is “upbeat”. He provided an update to the media on Thursday morning on the country's electricity grid. Ramokgopa says South Africans can't celebrate an end to load-shedding just yet as most businesses and industries are closed for the festive season. The…

21 Dec 2023 4AM 1 min

uMkhonto weSizwe party links itself with ANC MK and speaks on Zuma's role

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party speaks to us about its political formation. The party does not yet have a policy but it's hoping to prioritise load-shedding, deal with illegal foreigners and land expropriation. “We are coming from the background that when the ANC from the [19]60s was in trouble, uMkhonto…

20 Dec 2023 8AM 13 min

‘I am not a criminal,’ says student accused of murdering Kirsten Kluyts

Bafana Mahugela, the man accused of murdering Kirsten Kluyts, says the only crime he committed on the day of her murder was taking off her clothes. He appeared at the Alexandra magistrate's court on Monday and Tuesday for his bail application.Mahugela told the court he is not a criminal. 

20 Dec 2023 2AM 3 min

Zuma's 'not voting ANC' announcement will affect ANC: political analyst  Ongama Mtimka

Underestimating former president Jacob Zuma’s announcement that he won’t be voting for the ANC would be foolhardy, says political analyst Dr Ongama Mtimka. Zuma announced at the weekend he will no longer vote or campaign for the party he once led and has been a member of for more than…

19 Dec 2023 7AM 5 min

Zahara's sister recalls the star's painful final moments and call

She could die at any time, Zahara's family was told as they watched the heart rate machine while praying The sister of Bulelwa Mkutukana — better known as Zahara — broke down recalling the star’s words, “I’m dying”, two days before being admitted to hospital. Lumka Mkutukana said she was…

14 Dec 2023 9AM 4 min

‘I learnt my lesson,’ Somizi on Zahara joke at the SAMAs

As fans and friends gather in Johannesburg to honour songbird Zahara, some fellow stars admitted “we’ve been unkind to Zahara”. Popularly known as Zahara, Bulelwa  Mkutukana, died on Monday evening after being admitted to a Johannesburg hospital just over two weeks ago with liver complications. On Thursday a memorial service…

14 Dec 2023 7AM 4 min

Lala ngoxolo Ma’Sthathu: A tribute to Zahara 

Born Bulelwa Mkutukana in the Eastern Cape on November 9 1987, Zahara started singing as a street performer in East London. She began showing a love for music at the age of 6 and was appointed the lead singer of a Sunday school choir in her hometown Phumlani. Zahara was spotted by TK…

12 Dec 2023 3AM 3 min

ANC being 'bewitched' to weaken it, says Mbalula

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the ANC's political opponents are “bewitching” his party. Mbalula was welcoming back to the ANC alleged former EFF members.  He told the crowd they should defend “the people’s movement” ... “2024 is our 2024, we are going to defend freedom and we will defeat our…

11 Dec 2023 5AM 3 min

Nzimande complains parliament making him account 'too much'

Minister Blade Nzimande has complained he is being called too often to account in parliament. The minister of higher education, science and innovation was appearing before a parliamentary portfolio committee at its last meeting for this year. Nzimande said being called “too much” to account to the committee does not…

8 Dec 2023 8AM 6 min

‘Our purpose is to serve, not satisfy our stomachs’ — Mashatile

 Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the purpose of public servants is to serve the people and not think of self-enrichment. He was giving the keynote address at the anti-corruption summit held at the University of South Africa on Friday. The world is observing International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9. 

8 Dec 2023 5AM 2 min

Nzimande suggests prioritising certain degrees and programmes for NSFAS funding

Higher education, science and innovation minister Blade Nzimande says perhaps National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding allocation should be prioritised according to certain degrees and programmes based on the country’s needs. But before this “discrimination”, as the minister called it, there should be a large college sector that can…

8 Dec 2023 4AM 2 min

'Merit is in the ANC and we can prove it,' says Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

“Merit and the ANC are not mutually exclusive and we can prove it,” says minister in the Presidency for women, youth and people with disabilities Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. She was speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday about the National Youth Development Agency (Nyda) Amendment Bill. The bill provides for additional…

6 Dec 2023 10AM 2 min