LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Nov

11

2020

Lupita Nyong’o produced ‘Americanah’ adaptation scrapped by HBO Max

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO AFTER news of a series adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah coming to television screens hit social media in 2019, HBO Max has announced that they have scrapped the project. The news comes after the announcement by Variety that one of the show’s producers, Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o was forced to leave the project due to conflicting schedules and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Americanah novel by Ngozi Adichie tells the tale of a young Nigerian woman named Ifemelu, who immigrated to the United States to attend university before her subsequent return to the Nigerian capital of Lagos…

Nov

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Kenya’s social star Elsa Majimbo wins at E! People’s Choice Awards

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO VIRAL sensation Elsa Majimbo has bagged her first international award as a comedian - and it’s all thanks to her many fans across the globe. Majimbo was awarded the ‘African Social Star of 2020 at E!’s People’s Choice Awards, which were held virtually in the United States. She beat out Nigerian vlogger Dimma Umeh and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa, who were placed in second and third place respectively. Fans and social media users worldwide were encouraged in the month of October to vote for their favourite stars in over 40 categories across pop culture, music,…

Nov

09

2020

By The African Mirror

#Jerusalema hitmaker wins Best African Act at the 2020 MTV EMAs

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African history and trendsetting musician MasterKG - whose hit Jerusalema attracted over 150-million views - has notched another prestigious award. MasterKG and his fans are celebrating after he won the coveted Best African Act at the 2020 MTV EMAs. The hitmaker is over the moon after his latest achievement. In a recorded speech, an excited MasterKG thanked his fans and supporters who helped propel Jerusalema to dizzy heights. “I would love to thank my sister Nomcebo, my team Open Mic Productions and everyone who supported MasterKG. Thank you so much. To all my fans all over…

Oct

19

2020

By The African Mirror

Beyoncé and Adidas to release second IVY PARK collection

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO NINE months after the successful sold-out collection between first-time collaborators Beyoncé’s IVY PARK and Adidas, the two brands are returning with a sophomore collaboration for the spring/summer season. The German athletic brand announced last year that they and Beyoncé’s IVY PARK label would be joining forces to create a sneaker range that many feel would arguably be the biggest sneaker signing since Kanye announced and dropped his Yeezy range with Adidas. Beyoncé’s collaboration with Adidas was undoubtedly a success with her first solar orange/maroon-themed collection selling out in the beginning of 2020, after being on sale for no…

Oct

17

2020

By The African Mirror

“They see savages, even when we wear their suits, speak their King’s English and worship their God.”

LITERATURE

WILLIE CURRIE LADY Florrie returned to Johannesburg in February 1906. She was met at the station by her husband, Lord Sudden, and the new Governor of Transvaal Colony, Lord Selborne, who had replaced Lord Milner. The Rand Mines Native Band was playing the Radetzky March with gusto, and the gathered crowd was in a festive mood. As had been expected of her on arrival, she had greeted the Rand Mine managers and their wives, as well as a number of members of Milner’s Kindergarten, who had stayed on after his departure to assist the new governor. Among them were Lionel…

Oct

17

2020

By The African Mirror

New African-made films challenge Hollywood stereotypes

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

NAZANINE MOSHIRI and ANGELA UKOMADU PRODUCERS of two African-made films premiering on Netflix this month believe their work will show there's subscriber appetite for movies that go deeper than the Hollywood stereotypes that often make African viewers groan. Subscribers to the world's largest streaming service can now watch Poacher, a Kenyan drama about elephant poaching and Òlòtūré, a Nigerian thriller about a journalist whose world falls apart after she goes undercover as a sex worker. The films avoid the simplistic portrayals that viewers in Africa often resent, the producers say. Netflix has begun screening more content produced in Africa, and…

Oct

15

2020

By The African Mirror

Polyester from pollution? Fashion’s next generation goes green

BEAUTY AND FASHION

THIN LEI WIN FROM using custom-made, biodegradable fabrics and 'living' clothes that photosynthesize to polyester created from planet-warming carbon dioxide, European start-ups are on a quest to transform one of the world's most polluting industries: fashion. The business is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined during the pre-pandemic period, said the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A sizable chunk of fashion's emissions - up to 40% - comes from the manufacture of polyester, the most-used fabric, said Benoit Illy, co-founder and CEO of French start-up Fairbrics. "If we can bring emissions from…

Nov

15

2020

By The African Mirror

African science fiction: rereading the classic Nigerian novel The Palm-wine Drinkard

LITERATURE

IN 1952 The Palm-wine Drinkard became the first West African novel written in English to be published internationally. That it was written by Amos Tutuola, an unknown Nigerian clerk who took to writing to alleviate boredom, meant the book caused a stir. To this day, it’s celebrated as a key example of African fantasy. NEDINE MOONSAMY, Senior Lecturer, University of Pretoria But more recent analysis suggests that the Western view of Tutuola as a fantasy writer is slightly patronising, because it overlooks how seriously his work engages with African reality on its own terms. Similarly, my reading of the novel…

Oct

23

2020

By The African Mirror

Naomi Campbell is tired of the angry black woman trope

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO ONE of the world’s biggest supermodels returns to grace the cover of American Vogue after an absence of two decades, speaking on her strong background, her outspoken nature being seen as angry, and her efforts in increasing the visibility in fashion for black people. Naomi Campbell makes an appearance as the cover star of the November issue in a white Dior Haute Couture Dress, making it her first with the American version of the magazine after her last cover shoot in 1993. Naomi Campbell’s Vogue cover by Ethan James Green. Picture: Instagram/naomi Described on the cover as a…

Oct

22

2020

By The African Mirror

BLACKPINK’S Lisa joins MAC as global ambassador

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO SOUTH Korean pop sensation Lisa has continued her global trailblazing by becoming beauty brand’s MAC newest global brand ambassador. The BLACKPINK vocalist joined the esteemed list of A-list ambassadors from October when the brand made the announcement via the website and social media. The new announcement makes Lisa - real name Lalisa Manobal - the first female K-pop singer to land a covetable beauty role with MAC. Lisa will be a frequent face on MAC’s collections and campaigns, inspiring some of the brand’s new projects in the role. “I have always been a fan of MAC! I like…