The South African theatre scene is abuzz with excitement as the highly anticipated ‘PULA! The Musical’ makes its grand mark at South African State Theatre for four days from 30 November -  3 December 2023.

‘PULA! The Musical’ is an exhilarating production that will transport audiences to another world of music, dance, and drama. Set in Botswana, it tells the story of Pula, or rain, which is highly cherished in the semi-arid country in Africa.

The production explores themes of love, loss, and hope, drawing on universal experiences that will resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Directed by the revered choreographer and astute creative - Andrew Letso Kola, it features a talented cast and band, showcasing a unique blend of music, dance, and theatre that is both modern and fresh, yet rooted in the rich history of Botswana and Africa. The show also features original music and choreography, with a focus on telling a powerful and meaningful story through movement and song.

"We are thrilled to bring PULA! The Musical to The State Theatre," says Production Director, Kola. "This production is a celebration of our African heritage and showcases the immense talent of our local performers.The Musical uses a combination of contemporary and traditional dance styles to create a visually stunning and emotionally charged performance that will stay with viewers long after the curtain falls. This offering is testament to the saying - music knows no bounds. We are one through music and dance, and we want to share this with our fellow brothers and sisters across the continent and the world."

The dances are deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Botswana and the African continent, incorporating elements of traditional folklore, history, and mythology into their performances. The music is a celebration of life, love, and the human experience, drawing inspiration from the country's rich cultural heritage and diverse musical traditions. The production brings together a team of talented musicians, dancers, and performers to create a dynamic and engaging performance that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Featuring a 30-member CAST, and a 7-piece band, PULA - The Musical is a must-see event for anyone who loves theatre, music, and storytelling. PULA!

Tickets are on sale now at www.webtickets.co.za  and demand is expected to be high, so book your seats early to avoid disappointment.

For more information, visit www.statetheatre.co.za or:

Facebook: PULA The Musical

Instagram: @pulathemusical

As a result of high inflation, interest rate hikes and the increase in food prices, South Africans are feeling the pinch financially.

Due to financial pressures, many people are driven to taking on credit to get through tough times. According to the 2022 Q3 Eighty20/XDS Credit Stress Report released in December last year, 60% of middle-income salaries go towards servicing credit accounts.

The most well-known rule in personal finance is to live within your means, however with so many South Africans living from paycheque to paycheque, many are relying on credit facilities to help cover their expenses. This is especially true over the festive season when many households incur extra expenses.

“It is important that individuals manage their credit responsibly, as it impacts their long-term financial future,” says James Williams, Head of Marketing for Wonga. “Taking the necessary steps to meet your credit obligations can ultimately pave the way towards successfully meeting your financial goals.”

“Having access to credit requires the responsibility of being financially literate in order to be in control of your money,” he continues. “Before entering into a credit arrangement, one also has to be honest with themselves and be realistic about what they can afford.”

Williams shares five ways that enable one to manage debt more responsibly:

1.     Build a budget and stick to it

A realistic budget will give you a clear indication of what your expenses and income are. Make a habit of analysing your bank statement and highlighting the unnecessary items you spend on. This will increase your awareness about your spending patterns and affordability.

2.     Pay your bills on time

This will save you from a bad credit rating and stress from additional costs due to missed payments. Keeping a healthy credit profile enables you to borrow money when you need it most, and help you access lower interest rates  when buying high value items such as your dream home or a car.

3.     Know how much you owe and who you owe 

Determine exactly how much debt you owe, and to whom. Keep an up-to-date list of all your debts, including creditors, total amounts, monthly repayments and deadlines. Some debts are more expensive than others, so target the debt that carries the highest interest rate first.

4.     Curb impulsive spending

Understand your triggers for impulsive spending and devise a strategy to avoid them. For example, set aside a grocery budget with a strict list to stop you from spending on things you did not budget for. You can also set an amount to spoil yourself with the luxuries you enjoy to reward yourself for sticking to your financial goals and meeting them.

5.     Avoid over-indebtedness 

With all forms of credit, make sure that you only borrow what you really need. Focus your credit spending on things that will benefit you in the long term, such as renovating your home or furthering your studies. It is the type of debt that builds wealth, leaving you better off than you were.

“To determine whether your credit load is more than you can afford, you'll want to calculate your debt to income ratio by comparing the amount you owe to the amount you earn,” concludes Williams. “This way you can avoid feeling overwhelmed with debt and manage to stay on top of your repayments.”

For more financial information and advice on how to become #MoneySmart visit the Wonga Money Academy.

This week, Massmart’s Game and Makro will become the first retailers in South Africa to stock and sell the incredibly popular Feastables Chocolate Bars – created by the world’s most successful Youtuber, “MrBeast”.

James Stephen Donaldson, known professionally as MrBeast, is an American YouTuber, credited with pioneering a genre of YouTube videos that centers on expensive stunts and challenges. His tens of millions of followers also enjoy gaming and philanthropy content on his other channels. This month it was confirmed that the Feastables logo will be added to the Charlotta Hornet’s NBA jerseys – further proof of the massive reach this product has with audiences across the globe.

Racking up over $10 million in sales in the first few months of their launch, the 5-ingredient chocolate bars are taking the world by storm. Katherine Madley, Massmart’s Vice President of Marketing, says that the retailers are excited to launch Feastables to the South African market. “The future of retail is about innovation and ensuring you are keeping up with trends and demand. Since Feastables are hugely popular overseas, we saw the opportunity to be the first to launch them in the local market and expect that our younger customers will be excited about the launch.” Madley notes that this is another important step toward future-forward retail from Massmart, who were also the first to launch locally designed user-generated content through the Game GAME on Roblox this year. 

The retailer plans to integrate the Feastables launch into its Game GAME on Roblox in an exciting way once the product has launched in stores. The game has thus far amassed over 150K plays and is expected to keep growing through innovative additions such as this.

As of 20 October, all Game and Makro stores will stock four variants of the chocolate bars – Milk Chocolate, Deez Nuts (milk chocolate with peanut butter), Crunch (milk chocolate with puffed rice) and Original Chocolate – and have priced them competitively at R49.95 per bar.

Images of the bars can be found below: