Home Archive for March 2024

"BOOMBAP CHRYSALIS PART 1" - RELEASING MARCH 29, 2024

Dive into the heart of transformation with Veenus as she releases her eagerly anticipated EP, "Boombap Chrysalis Part 1," on March 29, 2024. This groundbreaking debut marks the beginning of an audacious journey that has been carefully unfolding from 2020 to 2023, symbolizing an era of profound personal and musical evolution for the artist.

"Boombap Chrysalis Part 1" emerges as a vibrant tapestry of love in its myriad forms—self-love, friendship, romance, and a collective hope for what lies ahead. Through each track, Veenus invites her listeners into a deeply introspective space, navigating the intricate layers of emotion and experience that define us. Her unique blend of boombap beats with soul-stirring melodies carves out a new niche in the music world, promising a listening experience that is both refreshingly original and nostalgically familiar.

Crafted with the intent to explore and express the multifaceted nature of love, Veenus's work stands as a testament to the power of music as a universal language of connection. "Boombap Chrysalis Part 1" is not just an EP; it's an initiation into a journey of self-discovery and growth. As the first installment in what promises to be an epic musical saga, Veenus sets the stage for a future where the only constant is change, and the potential for transformation is limitless.

Veenus, speaking on her debut, said, "This EP represents a cocoon stage for me—a period of intense growth, reflection, and transformation. Each song is a chapter of my story, and I'm thrilled to share these experiences with my listeners. It's about love in all its forms, and I hope it resonates with everyone who hears it."

"Boombap Chrysalis Part 1" is just the beginning. With this launch, Veenus not only shares her musical talents but also her journey of evolution, inviting listeners to join her as she navigates the complexities of life and love. Mark your calendars for March 29, 2024, and prepare to be part of Veenus's groundbreaking voyage.

"Boombap Chrysalis Part 1" will be available on all major streaming platforms from March 29, 2024.

LISTEN HERE

Ntokozo is a proud mother to a twelve-year-old son Solly, who is on the autism spectrum. Whilst raising her unique little square peg single-handedly, she is also a full-time public relations professional. In this mix, she stands at the intersection of two worlds: the corporate sector and the journey of raising a child with autism as a Xhosa native, where societal understanding of autism is still evolving.

Creating a balance can be particularly challenging at times. There have times when she has had to leave meetings and rush to her son’s school to attend to emergencies that relate to her son’s health issues. This can be complicated if your work environment does not foster flexibility, and if you are not completely honest about your child’s needs to your employer. Ntokozo’s advice here is to be open and transparent.

After a decade spent as a mom with a child on the spectrum, this Autism Awareness Month, Ntokozo felt compelled to share insights on how African corporate mothers parenting children with autism can navigate the complexities of balancing work and motherhood in this unique cultural landscape.

Her son has taught her the importance of practicing a routine, which has helped her thrive in managing her schedule at work. This way she is able to manage his needs at school, attending his therapy sessions, medical appointments, as well his extra murals. Her number one tip is learn from your child and understand that your circumstance at home is your normal. Children on the spectrum love to know what is going on and are not too keen on surprises, so let your child know what you are doing on a daily basis.

For example, on her work-from-home days, Solly knows mommy has a meeting on Thursdays at 11am. With this on his radar, he gets on with his tasks that she has prepared for him for the day. If he is on holiday or when he gets home from school, the first thing he will ask her is how her meeting was.

Embrace cultural sensitivity. It is an opportunity to educate.

Solly and Ntokozo have learned to embrace cultural sensitivity, which has the potential to negatively impact yours and your child’s mental health. Before her son was diagnosed in 2013, she knew nothing about autism and had to learn by reading and talking to other parents who were managing children on the spectrum. With this in mind, Ntokozo is always prepared to educate others about it to foster understanding in our social circles.

Another issue is language. Speech therapy and early intervention programmes may influence your child's language development, as they might have to navigate between English in therapy and Xhosa or other home languages at home. It is essential to celebrate and preserve their linguistic diversity while supporting their communication needs. It took Solly three years of speech therapy to get his first word out at the age of five. Today he speaks three languages, so Ntokozo encourages parents to be patient.

Connect with other parents. Share experiences and strategies for support.

Prioritise self-care to navigate the unique challenges of balancing career aspirations with the demands of motherhood and autism parenting. Seek out support networks, engage in stress-reducing activities, and practice self-compassion to sustain your well-being and resilience in the face of adversity.

Ntokozo has a mom support group that meets once a month, and they all have children on the spectrum. This group is her lifeline. It is so important to find other moms and lean on them for support. Tap into community resources and support networks for families affected by autism in your area. Engage with autism advocacy groups, and access therapy services. You can also visit Autism Resources South Africa , a newsletter about autism parenting and also stocks sensory toys.

It is very important to build a holistic support system that addresses your child's unique needs, while empowering you to thrive in your career. This may include childcare arrangements, therapy services, respite care, and family support networks that cater to both your professional and parenting responsibilities. They have been actively doing play therapy with Michelle King who specialises on children on the spectrum. These sessions build positive social skills for Solly.

Champion awareness and advocacy

Take an active role in raising awareness and advocating for greater understanding and acceptance of autism within your workplace, community, and beyond. Be brave and challenge stereotypes to promote inclusive practices that celebrate diversity.

As we celebrate World Autism Month, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive world for individuals with autism and their families, bridging cultural divides and fostering acceptance, understanding, and empowerment for all.

Together, we can navigate the complexities of balancing work and motherhood, while celebrating the unique strengths and contributions of every individual, regardless of neurodiversity.

By John Hunt, Managing Director, Mpact Recycling

In an age where environmental concerns are at the fore, our team at Mpact Recycling urges various industry sectors to visualise the potential of circularity beyond packaging as the basis of a more innovative, sustainable, and resilient world.

Not only a compelling and provocative thought, but a tangible destination for the collecting, sorting, and recycling journey of waste.

In recognition of Global Recycling Day, Mpact Recycling encourages businesses to continue adopting circular principles. The circular economy is inclusive, and it offers industries worldwide the opportunity to reimagine products, processes, and systems, and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Technology

Consumer tech is one of the fastest-moving industries, with an alarmingly short amount of time between market entry and market saturation or standardisation when it comes to innovation and product or technological developments.

The most expensive smartphone, television or computer available in 2014, doesn’t come close to an entry-level product made in 2024. At the same time, products are pivoting to “smart”, silicon-based modes of operation. Rapid development means that it’s impossible to “future-proof” even the most expensive products. Between the upgrade obsession and constant advancements in the tech space we balance quality of life with quantity of waste.

Textiles and fashion

Fashion was more sustainable than it is today, before trends were harnessed by industry to artificially stimulate buying culture, people kept only a small selection of clothes (and textile products in general). Consumers relied on artisans like tailors and haberdashers to keep clothing in a healthy, wearable state and clothing was rarely thrown away. Every item was designed to last. Handing clothing down to younger family members wasn’t just viable, it was the norm.

Today, fashion is an industry that has become notorious for its lack of sustainability. The term ‘fast fashion’, relating to the increased cycle of production, retail, and discarding of clothes, continues to drive the creation of waste.

We have the technology to break down existing clothing into their base materials, which could then be remade into new, fashion-forward, garments over numerous cycles – why are we not using it?

Agriculture and food

Before grocery stores and supermarkets, we lived off crops of grain, fruits and vegetables. We used seeds and cuttings, reared livestock, and catered for our own eggs, meat, dairy, and hide.

The shift from agrarianism to consumerism has changed our relationship with food to one defined by excess and waste. It’s not just food packaging going to landfills (these are, fortunately, mostly recyclable and the packaging industry is working towards solutions that ensure that all packaging is recyclable), but the food itself – a lot of it perfectly edible, but not recyclable.

One solution for this is mainstream adaptation to artificial foods. The artificial meat industry already exists and is currently thriving as a novelty, served in expensive restaurants and wealthy homes. The potential of cultured meat as a mainstream product, however, is vast – offering truly affordable, sustainable access to protein that’s not associated with deforestation and habitat destruction for grazing land.

Construction

Landfills are mostly comprised of construction waste like bricks, concrete, tiles, metal and wood – so finding ways to repurpose these materials is crucial for sustainable development.

A brilliant example of repurposing? Container homes. Many people utilise old shipping containers for all manner of building as they’re cheap, structurally sound, relatively modular, and durable. The problem with containers however, is they’re only available in set sizes, offering few options with regard to room layout.

Recycling could be a crucial part of construction if the technology to convert rubble back into base building materials existed. This tech would produce high-quality materials that could be used in construction projects, making for an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution. More importantly, this would keep rubble out of landfills, minimising the compound environmental impact of construction projects.

Towards a circular future

The circular future presents a transformative vision for industries worldwide, where innovation, sustainability, and circular design principles intersect to create a more resilient and eco-conscious global landscape. By adopting a circular approach, we can rethink the way we produce, consume, and dispose of products, ultimately creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

About Mpact Recycling

Mpact Recycling is the leading collector of recyclable packaging (such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and cans) in South Africa. As a division of the Mpact Group, their branches provide a place to store, sort, and bale recyclable materials collected from both pre- and post-consumer sources. The company plays a crucial role in promoting the importance of recycling in Southern Africa, collecting over 700,000 tonnes of recyclables in 2022 alone.

In addition to its recycling operations, Mpact Recycling runs various community-facing programmes, such as the Ronnie Recycler Schools Programme, which educates young learners about recycling and sustainability. The company has also established community drop-off sites and a Residential Estates Recycling Programme, providing convenient access to recycling facilities for individuals and communities across the country.

Mpact Recycling has two head offices located in Tulisa Park and Germiston, respectively, and 15 operational branches spread across Gauteng, the North-West Province, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. For more information on Mpact Recycling, please visit www.mpactrecycling.co.za

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/Awsbm6bKF5M

The first two episodes of Koek are now streaming on Showmax, and early reviews are glowing. “The series… creates an almost impossible Holy Trinity of television: a cast with actors who give career-best performances; a script that casts a spell; and an overarching vision that manages to weave even the smallest details into a perfect TV tapestry… It's also funny - often laugh-out-of-your-stomach funny," says Afrikaans TV site Terloops, while Huisgenoot adds, “This series is like no other.”

Of course, it’s hard to talk about a career-best performance for Sandra Prinsloo: Koek has competition there from films like The Gods Must Be Crazy, Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor, and Die Seemeeu, TV shows like Konings and Erfsondes, and, of course, the beloved soapie, Egoli: Plek van Goud.

But Prinsloo’s turn in Koek as a brandy-drinking, cigar-smoking, leopard-print-loving, and kidney-stealing mob boss and mother is certainly up there as her most memorable - and completely unlike anything that came before it.

Rozanne Els caught up with the stage and screen legend to find out more about her first Showmax Original:

Tell us more about your character, Moekie.

Moekie is great because she is so far removed from who I am, although what happens to Moekie happens to almost every woman, so it wasn't hard to find common ground.

She starts out as a very ordinary housewife, but then she has a big disappointment in love and decides to take revenge and change her life. She completely changes from a bland housewife to this hectic woman in animal print who takes over her husband's syndicate.

So she is a delightful, outrageous, over-the-top character, but she also has a big heart, a hell of a big heart. And when she loves, she loves with all her heart. That's why she gets hurt so often.

She also has this complicated child, [Stephanie, played by Llandi Beeslaar]. But she loves her; it's her child. No matter what this child does, she still loves her and she tries to protect her - until the point where she can't anymore.

Would you say your wardrobe matches Moekie's?

Never! (laughs) No, not at all, but there are some things from my wardrobe that I used, now that you ask. I'm not one for animal print but Moekie's wardrobe was great. I don't know where they got the stuff, but they got great stuff.

How would you describe the relationship between Moekie and Christelle, played by Cindy Swanepoel?

Well, in the beginning, she doesn't like Christelle at all, but then she sees Christelle's dilemma. Christelle's situation is actually exactly her situation – or at least, what Christelle initially thinks. And Christelle becomes indispensable to her; Moekie needs her in her business. So by hook or by crook, she wants to keep her there, but she also feels sorry for her.

What stands out to you about the project?

It was just one of the most wonderful productions for me to work on; it was really fun for me. Working with a text that is so good and so out there is absolutely a miracle. It is not a very South African approach at all, especially not an Afrikaans approach (laughs). It's outrageous, and that is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Of course this is a good thing! So that we ruffle our feathers a little, you know, so that we shake ourselves out of our complacency about what nice people we are when we really aren't. It's just to say, ‘Hmm, you're all such goody-two-shoes on the surface, but look what you look like when you dig a little deeper.’

The other great thing is that we are an incredible cast. It's such a lovely cast. Ashley [de Lange] and Dawid [Minnaar] and I recently worked together on Die Moeder [a stage production directed by Christiaan Olwagen], so we know each other, which made it easy and fun. Dawid also played a completely different type of role here. He also plays something that’s against his nature.

This is my first time working with Cindy, but it was wonderful. Cindy’s a very good actress, so easy to work with and such a lovely person.

So the whole process was just incredible.

What do you think the viewers' reaction will be?

I haven't the faintest idea. Hopefully, they'll recognise themselves in the characters and the storyline and they'll laugh about it because I think it's bloody funny. It's dark humour, but it's damn funny. It is a production that is so rich in every way – in characters, in textures, in dialogue, in action. It has everything in it. And it is just such an unusual text. This is not your everyday kind of series. But you have to have a bit of a strong stomach if you want to watch this series, I think! (laughs) Viewers will have to challenge themselves.

The Equalizer 3, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Retribution, Icahn: The Restless Billionaire & Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches

THE EQUALIZER | First on Showmax | Stream now

Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington reunites with his Training Day director Antoine Fuqua and his Man on Fire co-star Dakota Fanning to bring us the third and final chapter of The Equalizer.

Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past, finding a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy until events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his new friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.

A #1 box office hit in the US last year, The Equalizer 3 was nominated for Best Action/Adventure Film by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films and is up for NAACP Image Awards for both Washington and Fuqua this March.

Independent (UK) says the film “neatly counterbalances Fuqua’s baroque, blood-and-guts action with Washington’s ability to command attention while sitting perfectly still.”

You can also binge the first three seasons of The Equalizer’s spinoff series, starring Queen Latifah, on Showmax.

PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE | Stream from 31 March

A #1 box office hit in the US last year, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie takes our favourite pups to a whole new level, on a whole new adventure.

When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups! But things take a turn for the worse when the pups' arch-rival Humdinger and a mad scientist plot to steal the superpowers. For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true, but with the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, she will have to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.

The sequel to 2021’s blockbuster PAW Patrol: The Movie features the voices kids know and love from the TV series, along with Emmy nominee Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) as Skye and multi-award-winning Sweet Tooth star Christian Convery as Chase. Parents can listen out for the voices of Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Chris Rock, Lil Rel Howery, Serena Williams, James Marsden, and Kristen Bell, as well as Kim Kardashian and her children North and Saint West.

In their 4/5-star review, Common Sense Media recommends the movie for kids aged 5+ (there’s a little more peril than in the previous movie), saying it’s, “another winning instalment in the PAW Patrol universe… the adorable rescue pups continue to charm little kids and their parents, and this sweet sequel reminds all viewers that even the tiny can be mighty.”

RETRIBUTION | Stream from 25 March

Oscar nominee Liam Neeson (Taken) stars in Retribution as a father whose normal commute becomes a twisted game of life or death, with kids strapped in the backseat, a bomb under his seat, and a mysterious caller giving him increasingly dangerous instructions.

Eswatini-born Tony nominee Noma Dumezweni (The Undoing, Only Murders in the Building, The Little Mermaid) co-stars, along with South African actress Embeth Davidtz (who made her Hollywood debut opposite Neeson in Schindler's List). Also look out for the likes of Emmy nominee Matthew Modine (Stranger Things) and Jack Champion (Avatar: The Way of Water, Scream VI).

Variety says Retribution is “Speed in a Mercedes Family SUV,” adding that, “At 71, Neeson has lost none of his sullen machismo, and this booby-trapped-car movie whizzes by…”

ICAHN: THE RESTLESS BILLIONAIRE | Stream from 13 March

Nominated for Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary at the 2023 News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Icahn: The Restless Billionaire explores the fascinating contradictions at the heart of the famed financier, Carl Icahn, who amassed close to $20 billion dollars over the last half century and was at the forefront of some of the most legendary business deals of our times.

In the HBO documentary, Oliver Stone reveals that Icahn was the inspiration for the character of Gordon Gecko in his classic film Wall Street - and for Gecko's now iconic 'greed is good' speech. The role won Michael Douglas the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

The New York Times calls the documentary "right on the money."

FREDERICK DOUGLASS: IN FIVE SPEECHES | Stream from 20 March

Revolution starts with a voice. The HBO documentary Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches brings to life five legendary speeches from the most famous American anti-slavery activist in history to further understand his story and the story of America.

After his escape from slavery at age 20, Frederick Douglass went on to become arguably the most famous Black man in the nineteenth century, known for the power of his words. Entirely self-taught, Douglass was a powerful writer and master orator, crafting speeches that called out American hypocrisy and challenged the nation to live up to its founding principles.

Inspired by David Blight’s Pulitzer Prize winning biography, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, the Emmy-nominated documentary is narrated by Black Reel Award nominee André Holland (Moonlight, Selma), with Oscar nominees Colman Domingo (Rustin, The Color Purple, Euphoria, Fear the Walking Dead) and Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction, Rustin, Westworld) among the actors giving voice to Douglass’ speeches.

Classics on the couch

Showmax is also bringing back a host of classic movies this March, including:

• The box office smash hits Fast and Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (all 7 March)

• Queen & Slim, named Best Movie at the BET Awards, starring Daniel Kaluuya (11 March)

• The Oscar-winning war film Zero Dark Thirty, starring Jessica Chastain (18 March)

• The Oscar-nominated animations How To Train Your Dragon 2 and How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (both 18 March)

• The People’s Choice Award winners for Best Comedy: Knocked Up, starring Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl, (4 March) and Liar Liar, starring Jim Carrey (28 March)

• The 40-Year-Old Virgin, winner of the Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy, starring Steve Carrell (4 March)

• Teen Choice Chick Flick winner The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black (21 March)

• #1 box office hits like Kindergarten Cop, starring Arnold Schwartzenegger (25 March); The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, starring Brendan Fraser (all 14 March); and the hit animation Kung Fu Panda 3 (28 March).

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Debut Album Relaunch by Jazz Saxophonist and Composer, Linda Tshabalala

VEENUS UNVEILS HER MUSICAL METAMORPHOSIS WITH EP

Balancing corporate life and mothering a child with autism - An African perspective by Ntokozo

The Power of Choosing the Right Household Appliances - Creating Harmony at Home

Nedbank International Polo 2024

Visions of a circular future: Every industry needs to embrace circularity

Technology

Textiles and fashion

Agriculture and food

Construction

“This is not your everyday kind of series.” Screen legend Sandra Prinsloo on Koek

Best movies & docs on Showmax this March