LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Apr

15

2021

Book Review | Remnants of Miriam Tlali

LITERATURE

BARBARA BOSWELL EDITED by esteemed feminist literary critic Pumla Dineo Gqola, Miriam Tlali: Writing Freedom presents a kaleidoscopic view of Miriam Tlali’s life and writing. The book’s most significant contribution may be that it renders into print, for the first time, a previously unpublished play by the pioneering writer. The text of the play, Crimen Injuria, landed fortuitously with Gqola after a chance encounter at the State Theatre in Pretoria, where a stranger offered it to her, having found it at the theatre. Understanding Writing Freedom’s significance hinges on understanding the significance of Tlali in South African literature. Born in 1933 in Doornfontein, Johannesburg, Tlali…

Apr

15

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigerian icon Fela is long overdue for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SCROLLING through the comments made on YouTube on Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s music, one comes across remarks such as: “The greatest unknown musician who ever lived”, “Why isn’t Fela’s music more widely known?”, “His music beats everything I’ve ever heard before” and “Why am I so late to this?” SANYA OSHA, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Humanities in Africa, University of Cape Town The truth is that during Fela’s extraordinary lifetime, the Nigerian’s notoriety as an engaged citizen fighting for social justice was what usually attracted attention – and not his music. His public persona as a cultural renegade, an incorrigible iconoclast…

Jul

08

2021

By The African Mirror

Lookbook: Thebe Magugu debuts at Pitti Uomo 100

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO THEBE Magugu made his menswear debut at Italy’s Pitti Uomo showcase, with his latest collection titled “Doublethink”. Inspired by Western films and George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, Magugu gave the audience a gaze into the gaucho-masculine world of exposing corruption in Africa, turning the Florentine salon, at the Fortezza da Basso, into an interrogation room. 2019 LVMH winner Thebe Magugu. Picture: Instagram Magugu was chosen as Pitti’s first black guest designer for its 100th show edition. “I like to express my opinions through my clothes and reflect what happens in my own country and continent,” he told WWD. …

Apr

14

2021

By The African Mirror

Miss South Africa unveils costume for Miss Universe

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO MISS Universe South Africa has revealed her costume ahead of her departure for the U.S. Natasha Joubert will be jetting off to Florida, where she will participate, on her country’s behalf, in the 69th Miss Universe pageant. The current Miss Universe and longest-reigning queen in its history, South Africa’s own Zozibini Tunzi, will crown her successor on the final night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Joubert, with the Miss South Africa organisation, unveiled her costume and evening gowns for the preliminary rounds of the pageant where each contestant will showcase their national costume and complete…

Jul

06

2021

By The African Mirror

DJ cop shows South Africa the other side of that blue uniform

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

JAMAINE KRIGE “I see them as twins and I love them both,” Constable Lucky Matome laughs as he describes juggling his two lives; one, a kwaito music artist, the other that of a policeman in the South African Police Service. “When you have twins you cannot say one is more beautiful than the other, because they are different but identical, and they are both your children. Like twins, I must treat them equally and give them equal attention, so that one does not suffer because of the other,” he said. His police work is important and it allows him to…

Apr

14

2021

By The African Mirror

Lagos Fashion Week to go ahead

BEAUTY AND FASHION

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER LAGOS Fashion Week has been confirmed for the autumn/winter collection previews by designers across Africa and the global diaspora. The week of showcasing new fashion collections would take place in April, and that some of the collections featured would come from some of Africa’s most successful, and up and coming designers, it was announced on Instagram. The theme for this quarter’s event is “Woven Threads II: Moving in Circles’ in partnership with Fashion Revolution. The theme is a continuation from its first edition of Woven Threads that showcased traditional craft by designers that adopted more responsible approaches…

Apr

12

2021

By The African Mirror

Kanye’s Yeezy sneakers headed for millionaire status in Sotheby’s sale

BEAUTY AND FASHION

JILL SERJEANT THE Kanye West sneakers that helped turn athletic shoes into coveted fashion items are going up for sale at Sotheby's, carrying an estimate of more than $1 million. The sneakers were the prototypes for the Yeezy line developed by West and Mark Smith for Nike, and revealed by the rapper during his performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Sotheby's said that the Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes are being offered for private sale, starting on Monday. The auction house described them as among the most valuable sneakers ever brought to market. Sneakers have become collectors items in recent…

Apr

12

2021

By The African Mirror

See LeBron James in ‘Space Jam 2’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SPACE Jam is back twenty-five years later, this time with a new NBA superstar. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James shared the official trailer of the sequel on Twitter, which he is starring in as the main character. James will be joined by Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang in his first major starring role for ‘Space Jam 2: A New Legacy’. In the sequel, LeBron James plays a heightened version of himself who struggles to form a close bond with his son named Don, who dreams of being a videogame developer. Joining…

Apr

20

2021

By The African Mirror

Beverly Naya launches new clothing line

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO NIGERIAN media ‘It Girl’ Beverly Naya has ventured into fashion with her new line. Called ‘Be Naya’, Naya launched her line as a ready-to-wear collection that would range from dresses, jumpsuits and stylish sets in Ankara print for the everyday woman. “Be Naya is for the confident and fearless woman, the one who knows she can have it all because she’s worth it! I want women to feel amazing in my pieces and I want them to feel and ooze confidence in every room they walk into.” The actress and television presenter spoke to Nigerian publication Bella Naija…

Apr

19

2021

By The African Mirror

Oscars show reinvented as a movie — with masks, longer speeches

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

JILL SERJEANT THE Oscars ceremony next week will have the look and feel of a movie, giving winners more time for speeches, while coronavirus masks will play a major role, producers of the show said on Saturday. The coronavirus pandemic and a trio of new producers have led to a reinvention of the traditional show where the world's highest movie honours are handed out before a seated theatre audience of more than 4,000 A-list stars and industry executives. Much of the April 25 ceremony will instead be held at the Art Deco Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, where a…