This past Saturday, Mama Oprah Winfrey proudly saw the first class of South African girls graduate on Saturday from her $40 million school in South Africa.

“Victory Day! All girls are off to college. Some start tomorrow here in South Africa!” – Oprah

This was the inaugural graduation of the class of 2011 at Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls on January 14, 2012 in Henley on Klip, South Africa. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girl celebrated the graduation of 72 girls. Wearing white dresses, the girls were cheered on by their families. These girls are primarily from from disadvantaged backgrounds and all passed and all of them are going for further education!

Amhlope! Makorokoto! Congratulations girl…you go!

Halala!!

From our Guest Blogger: Duduzile Chiloane

The word BRAND seems to be flying around a lot lately here in South Africa with local celebrities referring to themselves as brands. That’s great, if it’s the right celeb. But let’s be honest, some are misusing the word (and you & I know the one’s *wink* #NoNameCalling).

In marketing terms, a “brand” would refer to a product or service that distinguishes itself within its respective market. Don’t get me wrong, there are celebrities that deserve to refer to themselves as brands. They are the kind that rarely refer to themselves as brands. You know what I mean? Their “swag”, however they have parlayed it, does all the talking. Just because you have just made it within the entertainment industry does not mean that you can now refer to yourself as a brand….yet.

Here are some South African brand heavy weights…

Nonhle Thema (*ahem*…)

Bonang Thema (adore her style & humility)

Kabelo Mabalane (who doesn’t love Bouga2Shoes?!)

Sizwe Dhlomo (Caesar Leo DeJaneiro, however he says *smile*)

First things, first. Being on a few magazine covers or hosting the most hip and happening events does not certify you as a brand but rather as a celebrity who knows their job. In an industry where people come in and out, a person has a one hit wonder then introduces themselves as a brand. Yeah…no. Having a line of branded clothing or being invited to events does not also qualify you as a brand but rather a hustler who is trying to get noticed. *I see & I salute you* Keeping going! Don’t stop! Because it takes blood, sweat and tears to get to the point when & where one could call themselves a brand.

Talking about blood, sweat and tears….

Tata Nelson Mandela

People like the great Tata Nelson Mandela, whose name is worth more than one can calculate, deserve to be referred to a brand. Tata Mandela could sell out anything associated with his name. Trust me. Even in the sunset of his life. How is that for brand power!

Having aligned themselves with reputable brands, they keep growing and gaining reputable deals that allow them to grow. Not only should a celebrity concentrate all their energy and efforts within one industry but rather spread their wings and explore other areas that are available. Not forgetting that doing some charity work won’t hurt while climbing the ladder to being a brand.

Till one can fulfil the definition, celebrities shouldn’t rush to label themselves as brands…

Follow me on Twitter: @DeeChiloane

Happy Sunday Great Ones!

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Count-down begins for the July 18th!

What about it, you ask, especially if you are nowhere close to Southern Africa. Well, recall in 2009, the United Nations declared July 18th “Nelson Mandela International Day” (Tata Mandela’s birthday) to mark the South African anti-apartheid leader & legendary icon’s contribution to peace. Tata Mandela spent 67 years making the world a better place.

Tata Mandela preparing for his birthday, which is tomorrow with his family in Qunu. With him, from left to right, is Zaziwe Manaway and baby Ziphokazi Manaway, his daughter, Princess Zenani Dlamini, and Zamaswazi Dlamini and baby Zamakhosi Obiri.

Tata Mandela turns 93 on July 18th, and the call has gone out for people everywhere to celebrate his birthday –  Mandela Day – by acting on the idea that each person has the power to change the world.

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” – Nelson Mandela.

Many South Africans and indeed most Africans from all walks of life will respond to the call to mark the day by spending 67 minutes to change the world around them. For 67 minutes, we are challenged to reach out to those less fortunate and try to do something to improve their lives.

What will you be doing with your 67 minutes?!

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Here is JR, aka Tabure Thabo Bogopa Junior South African rapper & his uber fab contribution. He’s South Africa’s hip hop phenomenon and he just released this track in commemoration of Mandela Day.

Check it out:

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LOVEIT.COM!

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Happy, Happy Tuesday!

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Hope you guys are #WINNING! Hahaha! Seriously, you have to keep up with the momentum. Stay STRONG to finish off the week great!

Winnie Madikizela Mandela

So we have not really heard much about the Winnie Mandela biopic, starring Jennifer Hudson as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela herself and Terrence Howard as Nelson Mandela, except for the much derided TRAILER.

See below:

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Well, Jennifer recently spoke about the sacrifices that she had to make in order to give a realistic portrayal of one of Africa’s most powerful but enigmatic woman, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. I think a South African accent would have been first thing but then again, the movie is mostly for a Western audience who may have limited knowledge of African accents *sigh*. I will always contend that roles of significant African men & women should be played by African actors & actresses. I do understand the economics of the movie business. Bottom line. But at the sacrifice & expense of whom? I seriously digress…

Jennifer Hudson

More on what Jen had to say about the sacrifices she made for her role as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela:

Jennifer Hudson has revealed she didn’t see her son during filming for her upcoming movie, because she wanted to get into character.

The 29-year-old is starring alongside Terrence Howard in the title role of Winnie which is due for release later this year. Jennifer plays anti-apartheid activist and former South African President Nelson Mandela’s wife in a new biopic about her life.

Part of Jennifer’s preparations for the role was to remain locked inside of a cell day and night during filming where she went through the motions of Winnie’s confinement.  The star – who has an 18-month-old son David Daniel Otunga Jr. with her partner David Otunga – has revealed that she didn’t have any contact with her child throughout filming in South Africa in order to mentally prepare herself for the role.

“I was only playing her for four months, but this was her life, what she went through, and that’s a story that is so worth being told. I wanted to make it as real as possible, even down to being away from the baby – I didn’t see him the whole time I was away,” she revealed in an interview with Pride magazine.

The singer-and-actress says that even though the crew tried to convince her it was OK to have contact with her son, Jennifer decided to live in absolute solitude. The American star says that she wanted to do the role justice and so pushed herself to her absolute mental limits in order to make it as realistic as possible.

“I remember the crew saying to me ‘We can bring the baby here,’ and I was like ‘It’s OK.’ Winnie was away from her children, and she couldn’t see them either. It made it that much more real to me, being away from my baby too. I got to feel what Winnie felt, and that’s basically what it takes to make the character that much more real to me.”

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Your Thoughts On Jen As Winnie Mandela?!

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Photo: Zimbio / Getty Images

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I find it very hard to do this post but feel it is necessary as the word is spreading fast that former South African leader Dr. Nelson “Madiba” Mandela has passed away. The rumours are said to have started on Twitter a few days ago. The Nelson Mandela Foundation picked up on this rumour and immediately issued a press release stating that the 92 year old hero is healthy and on holiday. However, just recently Mandela was admitted into the Milpark hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. At first it was said that he (Mandela) was there for his routine checkups. It was then later learned that Mandela was being treated for some sort of lung disease…the point is Mandela is still alive and everyone can stop getting their wires crossed.

The media are still being prohibited from entering the hospital and have since crowded outside the hospital hoping to get a snap of the Mandela family members. Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Mandela was reportedly seen entering the hospital yesterday afternoon and eyewitnesses say she left the hospital weeping. This led to the media assuming that something had gone horribly wrong.

With so many assumptions, hear-say and speculation going on, those not in touch with fast paced news outlets may be led to believe that their hero is no more. People from Mandela’s birth home in Qunu village have already sent out prayers and are keeping close contact via cell phones etc with what is happening in Johannesburg.

Personally, I believe that Mandela’s situation has been blown out of proportion thanks to social media where people followed the same rumour. It’s crazy to think how one person could tweet “RIP Nelson Mandela” and within minutes, almost the entire country is weeping.

An update came in this morning that Mandela has been discharged from hospital and is now resting at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg.

This is a very private matter that needs to be handled with care and respect especially from the public. Yes Mandela has been hospitalized and yes as a nation we should keep him and his family in our prayers but NO that does not mean we can go around making false claims/assumptions that may appear as a “joke” to you but an issue of disrespect to another.

Get well soon tata Madiba, wishing you a speedy recovery.

For related articles read: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Motlanthe-arrives-for-Mandela-briefing-20110128

Image courtesy: news24.com

From your girl Allegro Dinkwanyane-“I’m just saying”, so have your say…

How harmful do you think social media are?

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So looking forward to seeing how “WINNIE”, the movie turns out. So as we have been reporting, both Jennifer Hudson & Terrence Howard are are currently in South Africa filming the biopic based on Mrs. Winnie Madikizela Mandela. The movie is set to hit movie theaters sometime in 2011.

Peep some recent flicks of the actors on the set of their movie:

Terrence Howard as Nelson Mandela (at least he got that hair do right!)

Jennifer Hudson as Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela

At this point, “que sera, sera” (whatever will be, will be)…

Your Thoughts?!?

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Holla back & let us know that you did….

Muah & ♥ ya for it

Source: Pointemout

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So we shared with you guys the first promotional stills from the controversial biopic, “WINNIE” starring Jennifer Hudson & Terrence Howard. (Controversial on so many levels! Where does one begin…whatever…I digress…) My prayer is that “they” do Mrs. Winnie Madikizela Mandela justice. God knows she has had many challenges in her life-time in addition to being “a mother of a nation” during the imprisonment of her then-husband, Nelson Mandela.

While we await to see the finished product, which hits theaters next year, Terrence Howard was seen in & around Johannesburg practicizing his South African accent. As we reported to you all, Terrence plays Nelson Mandela, a supporting role to Jennifer Hudson who is in the lead role as Winnie Madikizela Mandela…lofty roles for both to play!

So apparently Terrence took “time out of his schedule to watch a soccer match and enjoy lunch with some of the youth of Johannesburg. The Hollywood star shared some words of encouragement with the children.”

Check the video below:

In other words, he took time from his schedule to practice his South African accent…who we kidding here!?!?! (yet we will always ♥ Terrence Howard)

Does TERRENCE Sound South African To You? Much Like Nelson Mandela!?

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Holla back & let us know your thoughts….

Muah & ♥ ya for it

Photo: Zimbio / Getty Images

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Happy Mandela Day y’all!!! Mandela Day is an annual celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and a global call to action for people to recognize their individual ability to make an imprint and change the world around them.

In 1985 the apartheid regime offered Nelson Mandela freedom on condition that he ceases all political activity. After 22 years in prison, he said the following in a letter read by his daughter, Zinzi:

“I am not prepared to sell the birthright of the people to be free…. I cherish my own freedom dearly but I care even more for your own freedom.” - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

How Will You Spend Your 67 Minutes On This Mandela Day?!?

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Holla back & let us know your thoughts….

Muah & ♥ ya for it

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67 minutes is all he asks for! Happy birthday Madiba.

July the 18th, now known as Mandela Day is a day that every South African and many others across the world hold close to their hearts. This is the day that former South African president Nelson Rolihlahla “Madiba” Mandela was born. After years of service and sacrifice to “his people”, he finally reaped what he had sowed when apartheid in South Africa was a thing of the past. He sacrificed his own freedom for the freedom of others and in this respect he became a global icon.

Madiba is known as the minute with the “magic” to make things happen, which is why people believe in “Madiba Magic”. The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela Day and the 46664 (his prison number) campaign are just some of the great initiatives he has dedicated his time to. He has called on the world to give to those in need, spread the awareness about HIV/Aids and secure education for all. For he believes that “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” and what better way to start dreaming if not through education.

Today is Mandela Day and as we celebrate this great icon on his 92nd birthday, let us not forget to spare at least 67 minutes of our time to do good and spread the love to those in need (be it community service, donations, praying for the sick or simply lending a shoulder to cry and an ear to listen).

Much can be said about this global icon but sometimes words fail to describe his nature. Madiba is most definitely one of a kind, and as the phrase goes: When Madiba asks, the world answers! (I hope you will answer to his call on Mandela Day).

From us here at Farai Today: Happy 92nd birthday tata Madiba and God bless you…

From your girl Allegro Dinkwanyane – “I’m just saying, with much love & respect“, so have your say…

What good will you be doing with your 67 minutes on Mandela Day?

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Holla back & let us know your thoughts….

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

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According to news reports, Terrence Howard has signed up to portray Nelson Mandela in the biopic of his controversial wife Winnie Madikizela Mandela, who will be portrayed  by Jennifer Hudson. Jay Hud is already locked in to play the lead role of Winnie.

It’s all based on Marie du Preez Bezdrob’s book Winnie Mandela: A Life, and Darrell James Roodt will kick off filming at the end of the month.

Jennifer Hudson out and about recently in NYC looking fashionable & very trim!

Producers have also announced that in the sequel, the role of Nelson Mandela will be played by Don Cheadle*.

* To be finalized

So what do you think of Terrence Howard playing Nelson Mandela? Shouldn’t a South African actor at least play Nelson Mandela in this biopic? I mean Morgan Freeman just played Nelson Mandela in Invictus?

What Do You Think?….

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Holla back & let us know your thoughts….

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

Photo: Essence