LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Sep

02

2021

Book predicts ANC’s last decade of political dominance in South Africa

LITERATURE

THE declining political dominance of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has increasingly attracted scholarly attention since 2009. Political analyst Ralph Mathekga’s new book, The ANC’s Last Decade: how the decline of the party will transform South Africa, is a welcome addition. CHRISTOPHER ISIKE, Professor of African Politics and International Relations , University of Pretoria The ANC’s electoral fortunes have steadily declined in the last three national elections; 2009 (65%), 2014 (62%) and 2019 (57.50%). But, since the 2016 local government elections saw the party lose some of its former strongholds, including four major metropolitan municipalities, the question has…

Feb

04

2021

By The African Mirror

Hip hop and Pan Africanism: from Blitz the Ambassador to Beyoncé

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

HIP hop is many things. Most recently is has become more of commodity, a commercial venture, but it has always been and remains a global culture that represents local realities. It speaks about where one is from – through rap lyrics, DJing, graffiti or breakdancing – by incorporating local slang, references, neighbourhood tales, sounds and styles. MSIA KIBONA CLARK, Associate professor, Howard University Hip hop emerged in the 1970s in the South Bronx, in New York City in the US, among young, working class African Americans as well as Caribbean and Latino immigrants. Hip hop culture’s connection to African musical…

Sep

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigerian-born Tunji Balogun named Def Jam CEO & chairman

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER MUSIC Executive Tunji Balogun has a new title under his name. Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced that the media executive will be moving to the top role at Def Jam Recordings, the massively successful US recording label known for being the home to Jay-Z, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and many more. "I grew up on Def Jam's music – collecting, listening to and studying their albums and singles – those early moments as a young fan have had a lasting influence on who I am today," Balogun said. Balogun is currently the Executive Vice President of A&R…

Feb

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Beyoncé preps fans for #IcyPark

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO MONTHS after dropping the second collection with Adidas for Ivy Park, R&B singer Beyoncé is back with more, thrilling fans with shots of her upcoming third drop with Adidas. Beyoncé’s athleisure brand teased their third drop, titled #IcyPark, by taking fans to the snow slopes with a collection inspired by winter wear, featuring the faces of model Hailey Bieber, rapper Gucci Mane, and fellow R&B singer Kaash Paige. The brand posted a teaser video on Instagram showing a collection of sneakers, logo-adorned faux-fur coats, and reflective jackets all against a gorgeous backdrop of snow-capped, wintry mountaintops that resembled…

Feb

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Disney takes Black Panther to TV

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO MARVEL’S Black Panther is coming to your TV. Entertainment company Walt Disney Co. has announced that director Ryan Coogler is developing a TV series based on Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’, set in the technologically-advanced nation of Wakanda, to be shown on the company’s streaming site Disney+. The series by Disney forms part of a five-year television deal that was struck between Disney and Coogler’s production company Proximity Media. Coogler said their work with Disney will go way beyond the Wakanda series. “We’re already in the mic on some projects that we can’t wait to share,” he said. “Ryan Coogler…

Sep

01

2021

By The African Mirror

15 million African viewers to stream movies online

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD THE number of streaming subscribers in Africa is expected to jump nearly 200 per cent to 15 million by 2026, according to new estimates, as the pandemic forces Africans to look for entertainment at home. Movie streaming services are projected to rack up millions of subscribers in Africa as the raging COVID-19 pandemic changes the entertainment habits of most Africans. New estimates show subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) on the continent will jump 194.72 per cent to 15.06 million in 2026, up from 5.11 million expected in 2021. According to Digital TV Research, the threefold increase indicates the nascent market…

Feb

06

2021

By The African Mirror

Cardi B dazzles with visuals for new single ‘Up’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO CARDI B is back with a new single titled ‘Up’ and the recently premiered music video visuals are to die for. The New York rapper teased fans with the cover art for her new single during the week, her most recent since the release of her chart-topping 2020 single ‘WAP’ which featured rapper Megan Thee Stallion, and was certified Gold by RIAA seven days after its release. The video for Cardi’s new single ‘Up’ shows that budget was not an issue with her singer delivering her catchy bars in gorgeous attires like her black crystal-adorned corset fitted with…

Feb

05

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s Pearl Thusi to star in Netflix’s ‘Wu Assassins’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER TOP South African actress, radio presenter and model Pearl Thusi is to star in Netflix’s martial arts series ‘Wu Assassins’. ‘Wu Assassins’ is an American supernatural series about a young Chinatown chef named Kai Jin (played by Iko Uwais) in present-day San Francisco, who learns that he comes from a line of ancient assassins, and uses his enhanced martial arts skills to stop modern day criminals from reeking havoc around the world. Picture: Twitter The action series features emerging and known faces in the cast including Tommy Flanagan (from Sons of Anarchy), Byron Mann, legendary actor Tzi…

Feb

12

2021

By The African Mirror

GQ celebrates “Modern Love”

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO GQ Magazine is celebrating a new age of love. The American magazine’s March edition spotlights the relationships of singer Ciara and NFL footballer Russell Wilson, Tennis champion Naomi Osaka and rapper Cordae, and sports power couple FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe and WNBA champion Sue Bird. Titled “Modern Love”, the March issue is “an exploration of the many forms and facets of love today.” “For the three print covers of this special project, we turned to three couples who are setting exciting examples for what love can look like in 2021 (and beyond).” Each feature tells…

Aug

05

2021

By The African Mirror

See the top 10 Miss South Africa finalists

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO MISS South Africa will crown their new queen after Shudufhadzo Musida’s covid-19 interrupted reign comes to an end. The pageant announced their top 10 contestants vying for the prestigious title and crown, which will be crowned in Cape Town’s Grand West Arena. The top 3 winners from the group will also represent the country on three international pageant stages: Miss World; Miss Supranational and Miss Universe. This year’s judging panel consisted of four former beauty queens: Melinda Bam (Miss SA 2011), Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (Miss SA 2010); Tamryn Green (Miss SA 2018) and Liesl Laurie (Miss SA 2015). The…