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ANELISA PHEWA joins the ensemble of GREGORY MAQOMA’S powerful dance opera GENESIS: The Beginning and End of Time, now playing at @joburgtheatre

Created by internationally acclaimed choreographer Gregory Maqoma, GENESIS fuses movement, music and poetry to explore the cyclical nature of history, the human condition and the enduring pursuit of liberation. Drawing inspiration from the ideas of Aimé Césaire, Frantz Fanon and Steve Biko, alongside the poetic resistance of Nina Simone, the work interrogates how the past shapes the present and how agency can be reclaimed in the face of power.

PHEWA, whose work spans theatre, television and film, continues to build a dynamic body of work on stage and screen. He can also be seen in Showmax’s LLB Season 2, further showcasing his range as a performer.

Developed through a deeply collaborative process with poet Karthika Naïr, movement analyst Shanell Winlock-Pailman, the musicians of Ukhoikhoi and the dancers of Vuyani Dance Theatre, with design by Willy Cessa and lighting by Oliver Hauser, the production blends contemporary dance, theatre and live music into a visceral exploration of memory, power and renewal.

Performances run 19–22 March 2026 at Mandela Theatre, Joburg Theatre.

#AnelisaPhewa #Genesis #GregoryMaqoma #VuyaniDanceTheatre #SouthAfricanTheatre ContemporaryDance AfricanStorytelling Showmax

ANELISA PHEWA joins the ensemble of GREGORY MAQOMA’S powerful dance opera GENESIS: The Beginning and End of Time, now playing at @joburgtheatre

Created by internationally acclaimed choreographer Gregory Maqoma, GENESIS fuses movement, music and poetry to explore the cyclical nature of history, the human condition and the enduring pursuit of liberation. Drawing inspiration from the ideas of Aimé Césaire, Frantz Fanon and Steve Biko, alongside the poetic resistance of Nina Simone, the work interrogates how the past shapes the present and how agency can be reclaimed in the face of power.

PHEWA, whose work spans theatre, television and film, continues to build a dynamic body of work on stage and screen. He can also be seen in Showmax’s LLB Season 2, further showcasing his range as a performer.

Developed through a deeply collaborative process with poet Karthika Naïr, movement analyst Shanell Winlock-Pailman, the musicians of Ukhoikhoi and the dancers of Vuyani Dance Theatre, with design by Willy Cessa and lighting by Oliver Hauser, the production blends contemporary dance, theatre and live music into a visceral exploration of memory, power and renewal.

Performances run 19–22 March 2026 at Mandela Theatre, Joburg Theatre.

#AnelisaPhewa #Genesis #GregoryMaqoma #VuyaniDanceTheatre #SouthAfricanTheatre ContemporaryDance AfricanStorytelling Showmax

SYDNEY NDHLOVU STARS AS MONDISA IN SHAKA iLEMBE SEASON 2
Created and produced by BOMB PRODUCTIONS for MULTICHOICE GROUP, with MZANSI MAGIC as the broadcaster, SHAKA iLEMBE is piloted by director ANGUS GIBSON and executive producers DESIREE MARKGRAAFF and NOMZAMO MBATHA, alongside historical and cultural advisor PROFESSOR HLONIPHA MOKOENA. The series score for SHAKA iLEMBE was composed by South African composer PHILIP MILLER in collaboration with artist MBUSO KHOZA.

In this new season, SYDNEY NDHLOVU joins the cast as Mondisa — a character whose presence adds intrigue, tension, and depth to the series. Beyond this role, NDHLOVU has performed in acclaimed theatre productions, contributed to NETFLIX SA and E.TV shows, and produced one of South Africa’s most successful online comedy platforms. With an eye for African storytelling, he continues to carve out a distinctive voice both on screen and behind the camera.

Catch SHAKA iLEMBE SEASON 2 every Sunday on MZANSI MAGIC (DStv 161) and streaming on SHOWMAX.

#SydneyNdhlovu #Mondisa #ShakaIlembeS2 #ShakaIlembe #ZuluEpic #ZuluHistory #SouthAfricanTalent #AfricanStorytelling #Showmax #MzansiMagic #BombProductions #ShakaZulu #SAHistory #AfricanDrama #SouthAfricanActor

ARSEMA THOMAS makes their professional stage debut as Clare in CHIARA ATIK’S provocative play POOR CLARE, directed by BLANCHE MCINTYRE at ORANGE TREE THEATRE in LONDON.

Today, on WOMEN’S DAY in SOUTH AFRICA, marks the FINAL PERFORMANCE of this celebrated production — a successful run that has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.

Critics have hailed ARSEMA’s performance as “immaculate” (THE GUARDIAN), “forthright and assured” (WHAT’S ON STAGE), and “a portrayal of intelligence, intensity and humanity” (NICK WAYNE).

A sharp, witty, and moving reimagining of the life of Saint Clare of Assisi, the play explores capitalism, class, inequality, and what we are willing to sacrifice to change the world. Set in medieval Assisi with modern humour, it follows Clare’s radical transformation from privilege to purpose!

NOW audiences in SOUTH AFRICA and across the world, POOR CLARE will be available to stream online from 12–15 AUGUST.

Tickets are available via the ORANGE TREE THEATRE website.

ARSEMA THOMAS makes their professional stage debut as Clare in CHIARA ATIK’S provocative play POOR CLARE, directed by BLANCHE MCINTYRE at ORANGE TREE THEATRE in LONDON.

Today, on WOMEN’S DAY in SOUTH AFRICA, marks the FINAL PERFORMANCE of this celebrated production — a successful run that has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.

Critics have hailed ARSEMA’s performance as “immaculate” (THE GUARDIAN), “forthright and assured” (WHAT’S ON STAGE), and “a portrayal of intelligence, intensity and humanity” (NICK WAYNE).

A sharp, witty, and moving reimagining of the life of Saint Clare of Assisi, the play explores capitalism, class, inequality, and what we are willing to sacrifice to change the world. Set in medieval Assisi with modern humour, it follows Clare’s radical transformation from privilege to purpose!

NOW audiences in SOUTH AFRICA and across the world, POOR CLARE will be available to stream online from 12–15 AUGUST.

Tickets are available via the ORANGE TREE THEATRE website.

ARSEMA THOMAS makes their professional stage debut as Clare in CHIARA ATIK’S provocative play POOR CLARE, directed by BLANCHE MCINTYRE at ORANGE TREE THEATRE in LONDON.

Today, on WOMEN’S DAY in SOUTH AFRICA, marks the FINAL PERFORMANCE of this celebrated production — a successful run that has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.

Critics have hailed ARSEMA’s performance as “immaculate” (THE GUARDIAN), “forthright and assured” (WHAT’S ON STAGE), and “a portrayal of intelligence, intensity and humanity” (NICK WAYNE).

A sharp, witty, and moving reimagining of the life of Saint Clare of Assisi, the play explores capitalism, class, inequality, and what we are willing to sacrifice to change the world. Set in medieval Assisi with modern humour, it follows Clare’s radical transformation from privilege to purpose!

NOW audiences in SOUTH AFRICA and across the world, POOR CLARE will be available to stream online from 12–15 AUGUST.

Tickets are available via the ORANGE TREE THEATRE website.

ARSEMA THOMAS makes their professional stage debut as Clare in CHIARA ATIK’S provocative play POOR CLARE, directed by BLANCHE MCINTYRE at ORANGE TREE THEATRE in LONDON.

Today, on WOMEN’S DAY in SOUTH AFRICA, marks the FINAL PERFORMANCE of this celebrated production — a successful run that has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.

Critics have hailed ARSEMA’s performance as “immaculate” (THE GUARDIAN), “forthright and assured” (WHAT’S ON STAGE), and “a portrayal of intelligence, intensity and humanity” (NICK WAYNE).

A sharp, witty, and moving reimagining of the life of Saint Clare of Assisi, the play explores capitalism, class, inequality, and what we are willing to sacrifice to change the world. Set in medieval Assisi with modern humour, it follows Clare’s radical transformation from privilege to purpose!

NOW audiences in SOUTH AFRICA and across the world, POOR CLARE will be available to stream online from 12–15 AUGUST.

Tickets are available via the ORANGE TREE THEATRE website.

Masasa Mbangeni voices Nomali in the african futurist heist game, Relooted.

In Relooted, you join a diverse crew operating out of a futuristic Johannesburg. Gamers strategise, stealthily sneak past security, and execute high-stakes parkour missions - all to reclaim 70 real-life African cultural artefacts stolen and displayed in Western museums. The game adds to its gameplay a layer of social commentary. Having sparked conversations around african artefacts being held in foreign museums - currently over 500 000 artefacts are held in museums across the world. Most having been acquired during colonial-era military campaigns, purchases at unfair exchange rates, or outright looted, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Produced by the South African game company Nyamakop, currently one of the largest independent game studios in Sub-Saharan Africa, Relooted is their second game following the successful Semblance which made Nyamakop the first game studio to release a new IP on a Nintendo console.

The game will be available on Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox Series XS.

#masasambangeni #relootedgame #africanfuturism #afrofuturism #voiceacting #heistgame #indiegamerelease #gamingwithpurpose #reclaimthestory

“I’m holding out for the great South African film.” In an unwavering interview on Filmatic, veteran actress Moshidi Motshegwa speaks to Manqoba Shongwe about her decades-long journey, her deep belief in spirit-led storytelling, and why South African artists must return to the heart of art — not fame.
Moshidi, a SAFTA-winning performer known for her powerful screen presence and unshakeable standards, reflects on the sacrifices, philosophies, and courage it takes to honour storytelling fully. “There is a young person — or older — who’s going to make that film that represents us unashamedly,” she says. “It will go to the core of who we are... and we will feel it.”

Watch the full interview now on YouTube via Filmatic. #MoshidiMotshegwa #Filmatic #SAIcons #ScreenLegend

This Year at QUEERTOPIA 2025, DESIRE MAREA took to the stage in a memorable performance that resonated with attendees and echoed across Johannesburg’s Constitutional Hill. His set at QUEERTOPIA, a festival celebrating and reimagining queer spaces through art, music, and dialogue, was a memorable part of his growth as an artist.

DESIRE MAREA, hailing from Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, continues to push creative boundaries with his latest conceptual piece, A LUTA CUNT NOIR. This performance, a fusion of music and movement, explores the liberation of the black erotic body, weaving through MAREA’s rich discography. Collaborating with choreographer LEBO OTUKILE and featuring artists like SANELE NGUBANE and ZONKE SIBANDA, the show was a polyphonic celebration of African heritage, merging traditional and contemporary dance forms to challenge the perceptions of black eroticism.

His performance at QUEERTOPIA was one of the many platforms showcasing his impact, continuing to open doors and foster inclusive dialogues through his artistry.

#ThrowBack #desiremarea #queertopia2025 #othervillagepeople #ALutaCuntNoir #southafricanartists #globalartistry #culturalnarratives #wmg #wmgrep

CHRIS DJUMA stars in director EIRIK SVENSSON’S new feature, SAFE HOUSE, recently premiered in Norway.

Inspired by real events, the film unfolds in the heart of the Central African Republic, where aid worker Linn (KRISTINE KUJATH THORP) runs a field hospital near a vast refugee camp amid a brutal civil war. When Albert (CHRIS DJUMA), a Muslim man fleeing a violent Christian militia, seeks sanctuary, Linn must decide between protecting her team or standing for humanity.
Based on the 2013 standoff at a Doctors Without Borders hospital, SAFE HOUSE is a tale of morality, survival, and the courage to protect a single life.

During the premiere, director Eirik Svensson honoured Djuma on stage, commending his work on the film.

@chrisdjuma_ @fantefilm

SHE TAUGHT LOVE wins Best Independent Film at the African American Film Critics Association Awards (AAFCA).

This big achievement is a testament to the power of storytelling and the brilliance of black talent, as the AAFCA continues to celebrate the trailblazers shaping film and culture. Hosted by Amber Ruffin on 19th February the night was filled with joy and recognition.

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has been a driving force in amplifying Black voices in cinema since its founding in 2003. Recognising exceptional achievements across the film industry, the AAFCA has become a cornerstone in honouring the diversity and excellence of African American storytelling.

WMG is proud of Arsema Thomas for their outstanding performance in this unforgettable film directed by Nate Edwards and also starring Darrell Britt-Gibson.

Stream @shetaughtlovemovie now via Disney+ and Hulu.

#SheTaughtLove #AAFCA #BestIndependentFilm #ArsemaThomas #AfricanAmericanCinema #FilmAwards


Sources:
https://www.vibe.com/gallery/2025-aafca-awards-recap-1235044392/16th-annual-african-american-film-critics-association-aafca-awards-2/
https://www.instagram.com/shetaughtlovemovie/p/DGTcUeuy-Is/?img_index=3

JARRED THOMPSON's debut novel, THE INSTITUTE FOR CREATIVE DYING, has been awarded the prestigious UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG DEBUT PRIZE.

A complex psychological thriller, the novel explores themes of morality and death, set within a NORTHCLIFF house in JOHANNESBURG where five strangers grapple with the end of life. With its macabre and deeply engaging narrative, THE INSTITUTE FOR CREATIVE DYING challenges perceptions of the human psyche and societal beliefs.

A MASTER’S IN ENGLISH graduate, Johannesburg-based THOMPSON is a rising South African writer and emerging screenwriter whose poetry has been featured in TYPE HOUSE LITERARY MAGAZINE, SKY ISLAND JOURNAL, and NEW CONTRAST JOURNAL. His fiction has appeared in THE JOHANNESBURG REVIEW OF BOOKS and IMAGEOUTWRITE, while his short story, CHANGING I’S, was longlisted for the COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY PRIZE. Winner of the 2020 AFRITONDO PRIZE, THOMPSON's talent has been recognized by numerous accolades, including two NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL GRANTS and scholarships for creative writing.

THOMPSON’s debut is a testament to his creativity and bold approach to psychological fiction, marking him as a distinctive voice in South African literature.

THE INSTITUTE FOR CREATIVE DYING is available for purchase at leading bookstores.

#jarredthompson #instituteforcreativedying #UJDEBUTPRIZE #UNIVERSITYOFJOHANNESBURGDEBUTPRIZE #universityofjohannesburg #southafricanwriters #psychologicalthrillerbooks

WMG proudly congratulates CHRISTA SCHAMBERGER, the first South African casting director to win a DAYTIME EMMY AWARD at the 51st Award Ceremony for Outstanding Casting, in recognition of her work on Netflix's AFRICAN QUEENS: NJINGA. The project, executive produced by JADA PINKETT SMITH and WILL SMITH, among others, brought the story of QUEEN NJINGA OF ANGOLA to life with a cast that reflected authenticity and depth. Christa shares this prestigious award with the renowned OLISSA ROGERS, marking a significant achievement for South African casting directors on the global stage.
The Emmy win highlights Christa’s dedication to the art of casting, a career she has cultivated over decades. Having worked on acclaimed productions (BLACK SAILS, 10 000 BC and RED DUST) and cast for directors like CLINT EASTWOODS and MIRA NAIR, to name a few. As a female led business owner, Christa has been a key figure in elevating South African talent within the film industry. Her expertise and commitment to authentic storytelling have paved the way for local actors to thrive in international projects, making her a trailblazer in the casting world.
This award not only honours her individual accomplishments but also underscores the growing influence of South African creatives in the global film and television industry. WMG celebrates Christa’s incredible achievement and applauds her continued contribution to opening doors for new generations of talent.

Credit:
Journalist - @shadyreads
Photographer - @itsarthurdlamini
Designer/Stylist - @eta_by_eta

#emmy #southafricancasting #christaschamberger #africanqueens #njinga #olissarogerscasting #daytimeemmys

WMG proudly congratulates CHRISTA SCHAMBERGER, the first South African casting director to win a DAYTIME EMMY AWARD at the 51st Award Ceremony for Outstanding Casting, in recognition of her work on Netflix's AFRICAN QUEENS: NJINGA. The project, executive produced by JADA PINKETT SMITH and WILL SMITH, among others, brought the story of QUEEN NJINGA OF ANGOLA to life with a cast that reflected authenticity and depth. Christa shares this prestigious award with the renowned OLISSA ROGERS, marking a significant achievement for South African casting directors on the global stage.
The Emmy win highlights Christa’s dedication to the art of casting, a career she has cultivated over decades. Having worked on acclaimed productions (BLACK SAILS, 10 000 BC and RED DUST) and cast for directors like CLINT EASTWOODS and MIRA NAIR, to name a few. As a female led business owner, Christa has been a key figure in elevating South African talent within the film industry. Her expertise and commitment to authentic storytelling have paved the way for local actors to thrive in international projects, making her a trailblazer in the casting world.
This award not only honours her individual accomplishments but also underscores the growing influence of South African creatives in the global film and television industry. WMG celebrates Christa’s incredible achievement and applauds her continued contribution to opening doors for new generations of talent.

Credit:
Journalist - @shadyreads
Photographer - @itsarthurdlamini
Designer/Stylist - @eta_by_eta

#emmy #southafricancasting #christaschamberger #africanqueens #njinga #olissarogerscasting #daytimeemmys

ARSEMA THOMAS (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgeton Story) to lead the upcoming Hulu film “SHE TAUGHT LOVE,”. Arsema stars alongside DARRELL BRITT-GIBSON (JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH).

The film centers around Mali (Arsema Thomas) and Frank (Darrell Britt-Gibson) navigate the turbulent waters of love, as they find themselves drawn together amidst personal struggles and life’s unpredictability’s. Their journey challenges them to confront their pasts and embrace the vulnerability required for true intimacy.

“SHE TAUGHT LOVE” is said to be a a celebration of black love and complexity, viewed through a modern lens. NATE EDWARDS makes his film directorial debut and writing debut of co-star DARRELL BRITT-GIBSONAND produced by MARGINAL MEDIAWORKS and ANDSCAPE, the film promises to deliver a contemporary narrative that resonates deeply within today’s societal context.

ARSEMA THOMAS shines in their portrayal of Mali. This role further highlights their growing influence and versatility in the entertainment industry, building on their impactful performances in both television and cinema. “SHE TAUGHT LOVE” from Andscape— the premiere Black-led content studio of Disney-ESPN—is set to debut on @hulu and in select theaters on September 27. @arsemathomas @shetaughtlovemovie

Official trailer:

https://youtu.be/8uxXrsZ_zyI?si=hYbn7863WPfkG3UQ

#ArsemaThomas #SheTaughtLove #Hulu #DarrellBrittGibson #MarginalMediaWorks #Andscape #BlackLove #newrelease

South African Actress Masasa Mbangeni Teams Up with Skin Renewal for New Campaign

Masasa Mbangeni, known for her versatile roles on both stage and screen, has signed a campaign deal with Skin Renewal. Founded by Dr. Maureen Allem and Victor Snyders, Skin Renewal stands as a leader in the South African medical aesthetic sector, boasting 20 clinics across major cities.

The campaign is orchestrated by DNA Brand Architects, a top PR consultancy headed by Sylvester Chauke. Known for their innovative approach, DNA is handling the account through seasoned professional Luyanda Mhlongo, aiming to fuse Masasa’s compelling persona with Skin Renewal’s prestigious brand.

Masasa Mbangeni, celebrated for her roles, most recently Netflix’s “The Heart of The Hunter” and acclaimed performances on “ETV Scandal!”, joins this partnership right before announcing two exciting new projects. This collaboration marks a significant step in her flourishing career, highlighting her ongoing influence in the entertainment industry.

#MasasaMbangeni #SkinRenewal #DNABrandArchitects #Campaign