LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Feb

27

2021

The importance of remembering Kenyan artist Rosemary Karuga

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ANNE MWITI, Lecturer, Kenyatta University A vast chapter of the still mostly untold story of women’s art in Kenya starts with Rosemary Namuli Karuga. Karuga passed away on 9 February 2021 at the age of 93. She was one of the pioneers who made major contributions to contemporary art on the continent and is recognised as one of the finest East African artists of her generation. Karuga is known for her collage works depicting pastoral and domestic African scenes, commonly villagers and farmers and animals. They would go on to be shown internationally, but she only began to produce commercial…

Feb

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Fighting for Black women’s rights

LITERATURE

JOYCE PILISO-SEROKE ACTIVIST and community organiser Joyce Piliso-Seroke fought overseas and at home in the struggle against apartheid, eventually joining the Commission for Gender Equality in 1999. I was still working for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) when Thenjiwe Mtintso resigned from the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on 1 April 1998 to take up the full-time political position of deputy secretary-general of the ANC. She had completed just two years of her five-year term. Since I had vowed to continue my involvement in South Africa’s transitional process beyond the end of the TRC lifespan, I was excited to…

Feb

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Vanessa Bryant slams Meek Mill over Kobe lyric

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WIDOW of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant has lashed out at American rapper Meek Mill for the use of Kobe’s name in his song, calling the rapper’s actions “extremely insensitive and disrespectful”. Meek Mill released his new single titled ‘Don’t Worry (RIP Kobe)’ where the rapper mentioned the way in which Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash. In the song, the rapper from Philadelphia said: “Yeah, and if I ever lack, I’m goin’ out with my chopper, it be another Kobe.” Vanessa Bryant voiced her anger on an Instagram story, writing: “Dear @meekmill, I find…

Feb

25

2021

By The African Mirror

Cardi B opens up to Mariah Carey

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER CARDI B has as many layers as an onion. She does not come off as someone who struggles with self-confidence judging by her large personality, daring fashion looks or her risqué covers, but she told Mariah Carey that it was a big factor in her going under the knife. The New York rapper sat down with the R&B queen of confidence Carey for her cover story in Interview magazine, speaking about her journey to superstardom, the insecurities that she faced growing up in the Bronx and “I’m Trini and I’m Dominican, and there’s a lot of Dominicans…

Jul

22

2021

By The African Mirror

Megan Thee Stallion brings hot girl summer to Sports Illustrated

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MPHO RANTAO MEGAN Thee Stallion has brought her famous ‘Hot Girl Summer’ energy as the cover star for Sports Illustrated (SI). The Texan rapper was unveiled as one of the cover stars for the annual SI Swimsuit issue, along with transgender model Leyna Bloom and Tennis champion Naomi Osaka. All three women appearing on the cover is a historic feat, with Osaka as the first female black athlete; Haitian and Japanese woman; Bloom being the first transgender model of colour, and Megan Thee Stallion being the first rapper. Previous cover stars of the swimsuit issue include Beyonce, model Tyra Banks,…

Jul

22

2021

By The African Mirror

Kenneth Ize and Karl Lagerfeld launch collection

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO KENNETH Ize and Karl Lagerfeld have officially revealed their collaborated collection. The rising Nigerian designer launched the collection with Maison Karl Lagerfeld (KL), the luxury label founded by the late Chanel designer and Ize’s inspiration, even though Ize and Lagerfeld have never met. Ize was shortlisted as a semifinalist for the 2019 LVMH prize - the same year that Lagerfeld died. Maison Karl Lagerfeld announced in June 2020 that they would be releasing their first collaborated collection with Ize as their first black designer collaboration. “It was very important for me to express where I’m from, because it…

Feb

23

2021

By The African Mirror

Not one more time: Dance music duo Daft Punk split

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

FRENCH electronic music band Daft Punk have announced they are splitting up, industry title Variety quoted their publicist as saying on Monday, ending a 28-year collaboration that spawned dance hits including "Around the World" and "One More Time." The group, known for performing while dressed as robots in metallic helmets, posted a video on YouTube entitled "Epilogue," with an image that flashed on screen bearing the dates 1993-2021. Variety quoted their publicist, Kathryn Frazier, as saying they had split, but without providing details. Frazier's firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Daft Punk were a duo of…

Jul

21

2021

By The African Mirror

Star Black designer Virgil Abloh gets bigger role at LVMH

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MIMOSA SPENCER VIRGIL Abloh, fashion's highest-profile Black designer, is getting a bigger role within French luxury group LVMH, which is taking a majority stake in his Off-White streetwear label. Abloh, 40, a U.S. national who also works as a DJ and visual artist, was hired by LVMH in March 2018 to create menswear collections for Louis Vuitton, the luxury giant's biggest revenue driver. He will continue in that role while also working with the group to launch new brands and partner with existing ones in a variety of sectors beyond fashion, the company said on Tuesday. His arrival at LVMH…

Feb

23

2021

By The African Mirror

The Elsa Majimbo, Valentino collaboration

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOCIAL Star Elsa Majimbo has secured another “bag”, this time with top Italian brand Valentino. Valentino announced on Twitter that they were to collaborate on a ‘special project’ with Majimbo and that the details on the collection would be released soon. “Valentino is proud to announce a special project with writer, actor and comedian Elsa Majimbo (@ElsaAngel19), culminating into a soon-to-be-released collaboration,” the fashion house announced on its social pages. The 19 year-old comedian took to her own social pages to announce the news. “I am SO proud and excited to announce my entry into high fashion…

Feb

22

2021

By The African Mirror

The South African play that’s tackling the scourge of the street drug whoonga

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE drug whoonga has plagued South African communities for at least a decade, yet only gained significant public attention when it appeared more visibly in the inner-city and surrounding suburbs of Durban, the major city in the country’s KwaZulu-Natal province. DYLAN MCGARRY, Senior Researcher in Educational Sociology at the Environmental Learning Research Centre, Rhodes University Also known as nyaope, whoonga is a street concoction of B-grade heroin, rat-poison (strychnine) and various other chemical components. It’s most commonly sprinkled into a hand-rolled cigarette and is easily accessible and sold more cheaply than other street drugs. Withdrawal, known as “arosta”, is reported…