Life Of A Street Kid

Midnight Uzo features Kwaito idol, Professor in her new love song, Hayi!

She is a singer, songwriter and trombone player. Skhumbuzo Mazibuko (28), fondly known as Midnight Uzo releases her highly anticipated single titled “HAYI”, featuring Durban-Kwaito royalty, Professor.

The Afro-House single encapsulates the use of additions, twirls, auxiliary sounds, emotive lyrics and a jazzy melody, Midnight Uzo dares to step out of her Pop-Funk comfort zone. With an unrestricted style and sound, she has been able to break away from being labelled or boxed under one genre.

“Hayi is essentially a love song about longing to see someone dear to me. People can interpret it how they wish in their own lives. It can be the longing to see a partner, family, or friend. But it is essentially a song of longing for love.

Having Professor bring his unique Kwaito voice to the song made a big difference. The song is of international sound, and his lyrical prowess just made it then relatable to home.” - Midnight Uzo

Listen to the song HERE

About Midnight Uzo

She is an Honours student specialising in Musicology at Stellenbosch University. Her love of music started young, being from a musical family and being in a choir from a young age. Her mother and politician Bathabile Dlamini encouraged her to follow her dream.

She is a creative researcher who incorporates her research and the arts and is interested in learning about and performing in many spheres of the entertainment industry. She has mainly staged as a singer trombonist throughout her university career. She has served as a radio DJ host and producer and is a World Champion choir singer with Stellenbosch University choir and is an advocate of the LQBTQIA+ Community.

Being the daughter of a politician, she finds herself having to cement her own brand away from that of her mother and family. She is a passionate musician and activist with dreams of her own. Midnight Uzo has also accepted her calling as a sangoma/healer and acknowledged that she “walks with the spirit of the elderly.” She is a singer and trombonist and spent her university career playing music professionally.

As the countdown to the highly anticipated celebratory event for the radio icon Wilson B Nkosi begins, T&S Platinum Concerts is pleased to announce that Brenda Mtambo, the sensational Afro-Soul songstress, and the renowned South African comedian and radio host, Skhumba, will be joining the magnificent line-up of the Wilson B Nkosi Celebrates Thirty-Seven Years on Radio Gala.

The gala, set to take place on 29 June 2024 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, aims to celebrate the remarkable career and significant contributions of radio icon Wilson B Nkosi to the South African music industry.

Brenda Mtambo, South Africa’s revered Afro-Soul music powerhouse, singer, and songwriter, is set to rock the Emperors Palace Centre Court stage, featuring a selection of her greatest hits and soulful melodies, taking the audience on an entertaining journey of her music.

Brenda Mtambo is a remarkable, soulful vocalist known for her mesmerizing performances and exceptional vocal prowess. With a fusion of traditional and contemporary influences, she has captivated audiences with her emotive delivery and powerful stage presence.

“Brenda's artistry is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, and her music reflects a rich tapestry of influences that resonates with a diverse audience. Her passion for music and commitment to her craft are evident in her charming live performances. Her unique style and captivating voice have earned her a dedicated following of fans who appreciate her soul-stirring musical expressions, and we are excited to have her celebrate the legend with us and give our event patrons an unforgettable experience,” says T&S Platinum Concerts.

Skhumba, known for his superb comedic talent and charismatic personality, is the perfect choice to lead the star-studded event. With his engaging stage presence and vibrant energy, Skhumba is set to bring an extra element of excitement to the event, ensuring that guests are entertained and that the celebration of Wilson B Nkosi's legendary career is truly unforgettable.

This event promises to be an elegant soirée, featuring delectable cuisine, exceptional company, and outstanding musical performances from some of the biggest names in the industry. Headliners such as Sjava and Mafikizolo, are expected to deliver electrifying performances, while renowned DJs including Msizi Shembe, Sentle Lehoko Paul Mtirara, Collen Zondo, Bambo Johnson, Morda, and Tbose will showcase their unique sounds and styles, creating an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

The Wilson B Nkosi Celebrates Thirty-Seven Years on Radio Gala is expected to attract Afro-soul enthusiasts from across the country, offering an evening of celebration and appreciation for one of South Africa's most beloved radio personalities.

Tickets for this prestigious event are available at Computicket, starting from R500 per person. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime event! Join us in honouring the remarkable career of Wilson B Nkosi.

In an era where financial literacy is important for personal success, the gap between those who are financially literate in South Africa and those who are not is still wide.

As our country’s economic growth continues to be stunted by high levels of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, financial literacy is becoming increasingly important - more especially important for young adults. Financial literacy equips one with the knowledge and skills to manage money effectively, make informed financial decisions, and plan for the future.

Understanding the basics of finance helps foster a culture of saving and investment, which can contribute to economic growth and individual prosperity.

More and more however, young South Africans are required to navigate complex financial systems, avoid debt traps, invest smartly and start their saving journey so that they can build a foundation for sustained financial stability.

“Strategic financial planning and good money management skills are extremely important in order to achieve your long-term financial goals,” says James Williams, Head of Marketing at Wonga. “We encourage young people to think carefully about where they can invest their money, starting from when they receive their very first salary.”

“One does not need to earn high income to start investing,” he continues. “I encourage young people to get an early start on managing their finances, and over time find ways to increase their income to help secure their future for the years to come.”

Williams shares the top five things that the youth should invest in to set them up for a successful financial future:

1. Education: The transformative power of education in unlocking opportunities for personal and professional growth is unmatched. The options are wider with new career paths in technology and digital. Short courses through platforms like Udemy and GetSmarter are fully remote, and are advantageous in increasing one’s income. Alternatively, most universities like the University of Johannesburg, CPUT, UNISA and DUT offer online courses.

2. Entrepreneurship: Unemployment is at a staggering 32.9% in South Africa, and many young people are being forced into creating their own income stream. The Wonga Side Hustle Survey conducted in 2023 found that the more time spent on a side hustle, the better the chances are of growing it into a sustainable venture and potentially a main source of income. Respondents who spent over four hours a week on their side hustle make between R5 000 and R10 000 per month, showing that investing time into their businesses results in higher income. Those wanting to benefit off side hustles can look for opportunities within their community that need a solution with low capital costs or use their skills to offer tutoring services in a subject you are passionate about, or offering an after hour mobile nail bar service for working individuals or stay at home moms, The list is endless.

3. Property: Property can be a stable and lucrative investment option, and can be considered ‘good’ debt. Investing in property allows an individual to acquire larger and more capital-intensive assets. It is important to repay these consistently and on time as per the agreement with the bank, as this builds a good credit profile and opportunities to access preferential interest rates.

4. Savings and emergency funds: Preparing for unforeseen circumstances is a safe way to ensure that financial goals are met and avoiding having to take out unnecessary credit. A simple example is having to replace car tyres in the middle of the month or repairing equipment for a side hustle. Make saving a habit using various options that cater for short and long term saving and shop for savings account options that can earn you higher interest.

5. Health and wellness: Health and wellness is true wealth. Prioritising these reduces medical expenses, earns loyalty points and most importantly enhances overall mental and physical well-being. Start early to take care of your health by participating in wellness programmes such as Vitality, or Adidas and Nike running clubs to earn points from healthy lifestyle habits. It is also a great way to network with other like-minded people.

“As personal finance becomes more digital, financial planning and how you manage it are constantly changing,” concludes Williams. “Staying educated and informed helps you choose a better path on how you manage your money.”

The prestigious Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards concluded its 3rd annual ceremony at The Capital on The Park in Sandton, on 22 June. Celebrating the remarkable achievements of young African brand owners who have redefined industries and demonstrated exceptional excellence in building their own brands, the awards ceremony was hosted by the talented TV presenter, radio personality, MC and voice-over artist, Kgosi Rankhumise, alongside the esteemed former Miss Botswana, Palesa Molefe.

From a competitive pool of 76 nominees from across Africa, with votes from over 30,000 individuals, the winning brands have demonstrated exceptional impact and innovation in their respective fields. The Top 16 YOBAs celebrate not only entrepreneurial success but also the significant contributions of youth-led initiatives to the African business landscape.

And The Winners Are…

1. Top Agriculture - Optimum Poultry

2. Top Apparel - Active Lifestyle

3. Top Creative & Arts - Karabo Poppy

4. Top East Africa - The Hills Collection

5. Top Education & Literature - Sivuyile Mentorship Academy

6. Top Food & Beverages - Ghemere

7. Top Footwear & Accessories - Khonkhe Kuhamba Kahle

8. Top Hair & Beauty - Young Barber

9. Top Health & Wellness - Zuri Nutrition

10. Top Homeware - Kimmy's Creation

11. Top Manufacturing - Grace Gras Empire

12. Top Media - Millennial Mindset Media

13. Top NPOs & Charities - Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation

14. Top Personalities & Influencers - Robot Boii

15. Top SADC - Batoka Africa

16. Top Services - Mdu Cleaning Services

17. Top Technology - Bothlale AI Solutions

18. Top Travel & Tourism - Bee Travel

19. Top West Africa - Kemz Mama

In addition to these remarkable winners, Robot Boii was also honoured as the Overall Top Brand, embodying excellence as a personality and influencer within the industry. Robot Boii expressed his gratitude,

“The Overall Top Brand award is personal to me. In all my interviews I always tell my people to not build careers, but brands; because when you are a brand you can change careers and not die when a career dies – you can do multiple things at the same time, understanding that it is all possible.”

Professor Bonang Mohale - chancellor of the University of the Free State, former president of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), professor of practice at the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) in the College of Business and Economics and chairperson of The Bidvest Group, ArcelorMittal and SBV Services – received a well-deserved standing ovation after his powerful and thought-provoking keynote speech. In a nutshell, he mentioned that it is time to empower ourselves and that true wealth lies in transformative philanthropy, where genuine leaders prioritise the development of others, recognising that ego and arrogance are obstacles born from insecurity. In his speech, he also mentioned that embracing vulnerability as a strength and rejecting the false nobility of poverty are essential steps toward true empowerment and effective leadership.

Furthermore, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, in collaboration with Brand SA, proudly presented the first Global Excellence Award to South African fashion icon Thebe Magugu. The award celebrates and honour local youth-owned brands that are excelling in their fields and challenging status-quo. Reflecting on his achievement, Thebe Magugu remarked,

“Winning this award is special. It’s always nice to see clapping around you. It’s nice to see people who can acknowledge the difficult path we’ve taken in fashion, and it’s such an incredible validation for me. I want to continue making my people from home proud.”

Founder of the YOBAs, Pat Mahlangu, expressed his enthusiasm about this year's winners:

“The 2024 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards have showcased excellence and innovation of young African brand owners. The winners are not just building brands; they are driving positive change across the continent and we are here to witness it.”

The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards extends heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and ingenuity in shaping the future of African entrepreneurship.

For more information on the YOBAs please visit, www.top16yoba.africa

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