
Industry Talks with Tessa Twala aims to be binge-worthy empowerment of women
Industry Talks with Tessa Twala: Episode One brought together three remarkable actresses to discuss various aspects of the acting industry.
Inspired by LA Mag's Actress Roundtable, this new show aims to become a binge-worthy platform that highlights the journeys, struggles, and successes of women in entertainment.
Read more: CCBSA Drives Economic Growth and Youth Empowerment Across South Africa
Despite setbacks and disappointments in her acting career, Waterfall-based entrepreneur, actress, and model Twala has chosen to focus on other fulfilling areas of her life, using her platform to inspire and uplift others.
As Twala continues to navigate the challenges of the entertainment industry, she remains dedicated to her passions and values, committed to telling meaningful stories, supporting emerging talent, and creating safe spaces for women in the industry.
The first episode, which premiered on July 7 on the Bro Beans Studio YouTube Channel, features veteran actress Shannon Esra, passionate arts advocate Dippy Padi, and Shonisani Mawisa, who has experience in both theatre and television.
Through Industry Talks with Tessa Twala, the creators envision a future where African women in entertainment are recognised, celebrated, and empowered to reach their full potential. By sharing their stories, they aim to foster a supportive community that uplifts and inspires each other.
The show airs every second Monday on the YouTube channel.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
'When Irish Eyes Are Not Smiling' by Anne Lapedus Brest
About the book Anne Lapedus Brest writes with exquisite empathy for herself and others as she relives her carefree life growing up in Ireland. She retells the anguish of her dad's ophthalmologist offices burning down and of children at her school telling her her parents had died in the fire. Her dad's office had burnt down but her parents were alive. This taunting triggered a deep-seated anxiety in Brest. Anne emigrated to South Africa at the age of 14 during the height of apartheid and she found the laws incomprehensible. She writes about starting over, dealing with a school bully, her dad's depression and untimely death, her friendships and family and falling in love for the first time. EXTRACT THE SOUTH AFRICAN LIFE Eunice belonged to her own church called 'Apostolic' and would go off every Sunday in a huge blue cloak with a big white cross stitched onto the back of it. Sometimes she had her church meetings in her room, and she would sing with her friends. Ma would send in Lecol and sandwiches and biscuits, Robert and I would sit by the back door listening to them singing, enthralled. Their rich and melodious voices would rise and fall, their harmonies were something so beautiful, I had not heard anything like it before, and the men have rich beautiful deep voices, and the women have strong clear voices all blending so beautifully together. Eunice made our school lunches, polished our shoes, did the cooking, and washed the windows. We knew she had two small children from a little framed photograph in her bedroom, but other than that we knew so little about her. When Ma would go to the OK Bazaars to buy food, Eunice would never mention that sugar was finished, as long as there was still one tea spoon of sugar in the jar - that meant the sugar was not finished. It took us years to get used to that. Our ironing lady was a Xhosa named Catherine. She came from the Transkei in the Cape. 'You give-eh me schooleh dress-eh, and me, I iron-eh for you'. African people are not allowed to be in the cities unless they are working. There is a 'curfew' for them to be off the streets at a certain time. They have to have a 'Pass' to show they are working for an employer. Eunice has a Passbook, and she calls it a 'Dompas' but at that time I wasn't yet aware what it meant nor the horrors associated with Africans not having their Passbook on their person at all times. Our belongings had arrived from Ireland in a 'lift', a few months after we moved into Becker Street. Huge crates made of rough wood, and all of us help with the unpacking. Ma says we keep them as something to sit on, as we had absolutely no furniture at all. They were not comfortable and we got splinters from them, but Ma said it wouldn't be for long. Just until Da got on his feet. Da had a great job at Selwyn Super, an optical shop in the Noord Street station. He loved it, went in every morning without fail, he was in great form all the time, and he and Ma feverishly wrote letters to the family telling them everything about our new lives. Ma lands herself a wonderful job with 'Springbok Safaris' in Eloff Street corner Commissioner, working for Bill Olds, the owner, and she learns how to handle tours and the tourists. She was very good and very efficient and Mr. Olds gives her an increase before she even gets her first salary cheque. She comes home with brochures and pamphlets of wonderful places around South Africa, and beyond, the Garden Route, Durban, The Eastern Transvaal, and outside South Africa, Rhodesia and the Victoria Falls, Swaziland, Basutoland, South West Africa. The Victoria Falls look spectacular. The 'new life' Da promised us, was really great. Da bought us new furniture, slowly but surely. A lovely yellow melamine kitchen table and chairs to match the melamine cupboards in our kitchen. Some armchairs for the front room, or lounge as they call it here. The house is taking shape, lovely bedspreads now on our beds and our ornaments are on the mantelpiece, and pictures are up on the walls. I love my bedroom. I have a small record player in it and I have started buying records with pocket money Da gives me. The first few months had been hard, we had to make do, but now our little house is perfect. Jenny comes home with me one day after school. I tell her about the boat trip over, and how hard it was to leave Dublin, and all the time she is saying 'Shame, Annie-get-your-Gun, shame hey?' She tells me her Mom works as a hairdresser and sometimes she has to stay very late at work, or even go away to work in hair salons out of Johannesburg, and how hard she has to work to keep their little family going now that they are all living together again as a family. And her Mom being sick and in and out of hospital a lot of the time it is so hard for the family. She said that the twins had hardly known the older children by the time they had all moved from various family homes in Bertrams back into their new home in Bellevue East. 'But what is actually wrong with your Mom, Jenny, is it her heart?' I asked her one day. 'No it isn't, Annie, it's not her heart.' She didn't say more, and I didn't ask ~ but I did want to know, because whatever it was, it still kept Jenny and Adelaide away from school. Sometimes it was a day, sometimes more. Jenny and I love tanning. We spend weekends at the Yeoville Baths together. We can talk and talk for hours, or we can just lie reading our books and not talk at all. Sometimes we lie on our backs and listen to the music on peoples' transistor radios. One day some girl there playfully teased me and says that I must be using 'Tanorama' which was a kind of fake-tan girls used, as my legs were so brown. I started to laugh but Jenny almost attacked them. She was furious. 'Don't you dare say anything about my friend's tan, hey?' They backed off immediately and I asked her what that was all about, as I had been flattered by their assumption, it meant I had a good tan. 'I suppose so, Annie-Get-Your-Gun, you right, hey, but if she had said that to me, I would have gone mad, but it's different for you.' I wasn't sure why it was different, but I kept quiet. People are still asking me how I can be Irish and Jewish. 'How can you be Jewish if you come from Ireland?' 'T never heard of an Irish Jew.' 'Have you not?' My answer was always the same. 'Well, just because you haven't heard of Irish Jews, doesn't mean that they don't exist, poephol!' I loved throwing in that word, and though it is a playful insult, they laughed when I said it, and regarded me as one of them. Some of the 'in' girls would also ask me about Ireland, and if we have cars there or if we went by horse and cart. But they asked me in fun, not like Helena used to do, and now it didn't upset me at all, I loved to talk to them about Ireland. I missed Ireland, and longed for the day I could go back and visit everyone again. But the longer I was in South Africa, the further away Ireland started to become. It was like another life. As though a million light years were in between the time we left and now. But Pop and Granma were in special places in my heart, and my soul. I missed them and little Fluffy terribly.


The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
LIV Golf coming to South Africa: Date and venue CONFIRMED
LIV Golf has announced Steyn City in Johannesburg is set to host the first-ever LIV Golf South Africa from 20-22 March 2026. A multi-year commitment, the announcement represents a landmark moment for the league as it expands to the African continent for the first time, extending LIV Golf competition to five continents across the globe. Early bird tickets for LIV Golf South Africa are now available for purchase HERE, including a select number of Club 54 Hospitality Tickets and three-day Ground Passes to enjoy a festival of world-class golf, live music, and family-friendly experiences. A three-day early bird Ground Pass will cost you R2 193.17 down from R2 436.86, while Club 54 Hospitality Tickets will set you back R50 443.20. Free admission for children 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. The tournament will spotlight Stinger GC, the league's all-South African team, captained by 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and featuring fellow countrymen Dean Burmester, Branden Grace, and 2011 Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel. The team is expected to enjoy strong home support in March, as they compete for both individual and team titles in a field of 54 of the world's best players across three days in front of passionate local fans. In addition to home team Stinger GC, they'll be joined by a host of international stars including current 2025 season points leader Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC), Brooks Koepka (Smash GC), Phil Mickelson (HyFlyers GC), Jon Rahm (Legion XIII), Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC), Cameron Smith (Ripper GC), Dustin Johnson (4Aces GC), and many more. The LIV Golf field is comprised of 18 major champions with a combined 28 major championships, bringing many of the sport's biggest stars to South Africa. The Club at Steyn City, located just north of Johannesburg, is known globally for its prestigious championship golf course designed by Nicklaus Design. With sweeping fairways, dramatic scenery, and a legacy of hosting professional tournaments, the course will provide the perfect setting for LIV Golf's debut in Africa and an exciting venue for broadcasters to showcase around the world. Post-play concerts and engaging fan experiences have become hallmark features of LIV Golf events, creating a unique festival atmosphere at every international stop. South Africa will be no exception, with marquee music entertainment to be announced in the event leadup. 'Bringing LIV Golf to South Africa is another significant moment in our journey,' said Ross Hallett, LIV Golf Executive Vice President, Head of Events. 'The country has a proud sporting heritage with passionate fans and world-class talent, and Steyn City will be an incredible host venue to celebrate this next chapter. We currently have events in Asia, Europe, Australasia, North America and today we add Africa, marking another exciting opportunity to showcase LIV Golf to a new audience and market. 'Our league is committed to driving the sport forward through competition, an innovative format, new investment opportunities, and collaborative partnerships that support progress throughout the communities we serve. We are incredibly grateful to have the support of the South African government and especially the Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. Together, I know we will deliver a truly unforgettable experience to fans in Johannesburg, drive economic impact and tourism in the region, and showcase all that South Africa has to offer.' 'It's always special to compete at home, and I'm incredibly proud to bring LIV Golf to South Africa for the first time,' said Oosthuizen, captain of Stinger GC. 'For Branden, Charl, Dean and I to play in front of our fans, friends, and families will be an unforgettable experience. 'South African sports fans love their golf, and I am sure they will turn out in large numbers to support Stinger GC. South Africa has given so much to us, and now we get to give something back.' 'We are enormously proud to showcase Johannesburg and South Africa on the global stage, with our world-class lifestyle estate and golf course as shining examples of local excellence,' said Steven Louw, CEO of Steyn City Properties. 'We look forward to partnering with LIV Golf, Gauteng government and other stakeholders to share our country's exceptional golfing experience with the world, and to play a role in advancing the sport we are so passionate about.' 'This is a special moment to announce that the world's most dynamic and innovative new golfing format will make its historic debut in South Africa,' said Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. 'This will be a proud moment for our nation, showcasing our vibrant sports culture and world-class hospitality to a global audience. 'The all-South African Stinger GC team is also testament to our country's rich golfing heritage, and we need to get behind our boys as a country when they are here, so that they can win their nation's inaugural tournament. 'Visitors will truly feel that they are in Africa, with access to a Big 5 reserve with lions and elephants – Dinokeng – less than an hour's drive from Steyn City. No LIV event will be anything like this one and we are confident that the world's golf lovers will make travelling to ours, the world's most beautiful country, a must-do trip on their calendar. 'LIV will also help to popularise golf in South Africa, and I also look forward to using the big concerts each day as a platform to show off our amazing home-grown, internationally competitive entertainment. We take our hats off to LIV as an organisation for heeding the call to include Africa on their calendar if they wish to call themselves a truly global brand. This is what we want to see for other sports too, from Formula One to the Summer Olympics. 'We are excited to work with LIV Golf's team to deliver a festival of sport and culture that will inspire fans, boost tourism, and create lasting opportunities for our communities, because LIV has committed to reinvesting into the countries that welcome them.' More details on additional hospitality packages, grounds passes and entertainment for LIV Golf South Africa will be unveiled soon. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
DHC to host free screening of God's Work
A MOVIE inspired by the homeless in eThekwini, debuting at the 46th Durban International Film Festival, will be screened for free at the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) today, at 13:00, and at Watercrest Ster-Kinekor on Sunday, July 27, at 17:00. The film is already receiving rave reviews. An audience member at the SA premiere on Sunday at Suncoast confirmed the impact that God's Work elicits. 'It makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable … in all the right ways,' said the viewer. God's Work, billed as 'a portrait of resilience, a meditation on memory, and an unflinching gaze into the unseen lives of those discarded by the world', is directed by Durban-based award-winning director and writer, Michael James, and produced by Sithabile Mkhize alongside co-producer Marco Orsin. James was inspired to make God's Work while volunteering at DHC during the lockdown. The DHC, working with the eThekwini Municipality and other NGOs and faith communities, organised emergency shelters for 1500 people across Durban during the pandemic. The centre itself hosted 100 sick and disabled homeless men whom James spent time chatting to, and it inspired him to tell their stories on film. Also Read: SA film showcases Durban beachfront globally 'The film should make audiences feel discomfort,' said Dr Raymond Perrier, director of the DHC. 'And yes, something must be done. Leaders need to speak out, and the politicians and religious leaders need to listen, and respond, and support all of us endeavouring to make a difference.' The film is set in the heart of Durban. A derelict building offers a fragile sanctuary to a group of homeless men surviving on society's margins. Blurring the line between reality and fiction, the film follows Simphiwe, played by SAFTA award-winning actor Thobani Nzuza (eHostela, Uzalo, DiepCity), and his crew as they navigate addiction, poverty, performative politics, and the lure of fleeting fame. With Simphiwe fighting demons only he can see, and moving performances by a strong supporting cast, including Mbulelo Radebe, Omega Mncube, Siya Xaba, Zenzo Msomi and Nduduzo Khowa, the film is a raw exploration of survival, brotherhood, and the human desire to be seen before disappearing. 'This is not just a film about homelessness, it's a story about power, loss, resistance — and what it costs to stay human in a world that's abandoned its soul,' said Mkhize. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here