Latest news with #Bantu
India.com
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Bantu AKA Vedant Sharma From Sitare Zameen Par- The Shy Boy Who Waits For Time To Pass Quickly!
New Delhi: Ever since the trailer release , audiences have been eagerly awaiting the spiritual sequel to the 2007 superhit Taare Zameen Par, Sitaare Zameen Par. Amidst all this, the makers are keeping the momentum alive by introducing the cast and now, it's time to meet Vedant Sharma, aka Bantu. Vedant Sharma will be seen playing the character of Bantu in Sitaare Zameen Par. As the makers introduced his character through a video, Vedant described Bantu as a shy person who frequently scratches his ears, believing it helps time pass more quickly. The video showcases a fun anecdote, when his mother visited the set after six months, she was surprised to see everyone doing the same! Adding to the charm, Vedant's father revealed that Vedant is very fond of Genelia Deshmukh, and his love for her is clearly visible. As the makers shared the video of Vedant Sharma's video as Bantu, they further wrote, "Scratching my ears so 20th June arrives early. #SitaareZameenPar #SabkaApna ApnaNormal trailer out now, 20th June Only In Theatres." Aamir Khan Productions proudly presents 10 rising stars: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar. Directed by R. S. Prasanna, who previously helmed the barrier-breaking blockbuster Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, now returns with the biggest collaboration with Aamir Khan Productions' Sitaare Zameen Par. Made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Sitaare Zameen Par stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh in lead roles along with the 10 rising stars. The lyrics are penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and music is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The screenplay is written By Divy Nidhi Sharma. The film is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, with Ravi Bhagchandka as the producer. Directed by R. S. Prasanna, the film will be released in theatres only on 20th June, 2025.
Daily Maverick
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Ramaphosa gets braaied and fed to Trump's Maga at the US-SA Boerewors Summit
Cringe diplomacy reigns as timid South African delegation stumbles into Trump's made-for-TV unreality show. There is a genre of comedy, probably as old as laughter itself, that asks the audience to baste in the sauce of the protagonist's humiliation. Not being a classicist, I have no idea if this kind of thing appeared in, say, Euripides; not being an Africanist, I have no notion of its prevalence in pre-contact Bantu poetry. I seem to remember some of it in Shakespeare, but don't quote me. It is certainly a feature of British sitcoms. Think Basil Fawlty, John Cleese's splenetic hotelier from the Fawlty Towers series, who bumbled himself into excruciating social mishaps. Or Ricky Gervais' The Office, where David Brent snivelled his way into disastrous interactions with his colleagues at a dead-end paper factory. Cringe comedy is now a staple on television and in the movies. It's also a staple of international diplomacy. Consider the unfolding of the much-anticipated Boerewors Summit betwixt President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald J Trump, which unfolded in and around the Oval Office on Wednesday, 21 May. There sat Ramaphosa as Trump played a video montage of Julius Malema's greatest hits, wearing a face that suggested 'recently embalmed'. It was an arse-clenchingly difficult experience. But welcome to the era of cringe geopolitics. And remember, if it's free to watch, you're the product. Braai (front) pack Give Ramaphosa this much: he knows how to pacify cranky white supremacists. Remember when he talked a whole bunch of trigger-happy (yet, sadly, broke) apartheid people off a ledge? Neither do I. But we're constantly reminded of it by Ramaphosa's apologists, who insist that he is to negotiation what Kim Kardashian is to lip filler. In advance of the Boerewors Summit, so named because, as my colleague Rebecca Davis has pointed out, Trump doesn't like to hear ladies talk (AKA DEI), Ramaphosa stacked his delegation with men. And indeed, it's as if Ramaphosa & Company planned to set up a braai in the Oval Office and jaw about golf and stuff. Johann Rupert was on the dance card, as living, walking, breathing proof that nothing has ever been taken from white people in South Africa. And maybe to furnish Trump and Melania with a host of luxury goods-cum-bribes, as has now become the norm? There were also golfers on the list, good ones, and there is nothing Trump loves more than golfers – a sport he would later describe as a sort of messianic rite of passage akin to walking over hot coals while carrying a small planet on your shoulders. It escaped no one that the delegation was stacked towards white folks. This abused minority group was finally having its moment – a visit to the White House, never more appropriately named, to meet the Grand Vizier of the latest franchise of the Ku Klux Klan. They carried gifts – although none as eye-catching as the luxury Bribe Airways 747 recently handed over to the Pentagon by Qatar – and they were ready to smooth the white sheets, bribe the administration with a Starlink deal memo and try to get some business done. The thing about braais, though, is you never know how they're going to end. Once the sausage hits the flames and the third Klippies and Coke is poured, it's game on. The only thing missing was the rugby. Sausage in Chief Twenty-first-century politics is indiscernible from entertainment. In fact, it is entertainment. Trump not only understands this, he embodies it. He not only embodies it, he doubles down on it. Ramaphosa, on the other hand, lives comfortably in and around 1998. The South African Constitution has been drafted, he's been deployed to business, he's farming large draft beasts, and all is well across the land. Unhappily, time moves on. In his various roles since those halcyon days, which now includes more than a decade as either deputy president or president, he has cut an enigmatic figure. 'Enigmatic' is a euphemism for someone who refuses to speak to the press, and prefers to communicate by reading off an iPad into the blinking eye of a television camera. This means that there was no one on Earth less prepared for a press scrum in the Oval Office, apart from death row prisoners held in solitary confinement, or medieval friars at the tail end of a vow of silence. The initial parts of the meet-and-greet seemed to go according to protocol, minus the usual blips. And it was clear, as everyone filed into Trump's lair, that the South African delegation was determined to stay on message and come home with some of that delicious Foreign Direct Investment. And, at first, it did go well. Soft and obsequious, careful not to ruffle the Big Bwana's hairdo, Ramaphosa laid out the case for South Africa as an investment destination. He made Trump aware that 600 American businesses flourish to varying degrees in the country, and that it remains a place replete with 'critical minerals' – a term that made Trump twitch like a slumbering lion that catches wind of a buck, and may have doomed South Africa to a barrage of intercontinental ballistic missiles in the near future. Trump seemed bored, mostly because he was. This meeting was, for him, nothing at all to do with business and the usual diplomatic niceties. Which is why, after Ramaphosa's pitch was done, he began playing videos of Julius Malema's greatest hits. On screen, the lights in the Oval Office darkened for dramatic effect, a supercut of Malema singing Dubul' ibhunu played for what seemed like an Andy Warhol film installation amount of time. The braai had begun. And it turns out that the South Africans were the boerewors. Flames thrown What unfolded next was an ambush that should have been anticipated, but wasn't. Give Trump this much – he has tried to get the entire world to play along with his Oval Office slugfests, but so far only Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has been willing to stand up for himself and push back against the administration's lies. Ramaphosa shifted vaguely in his seat like a puppet whose master was in the toilet doing coke with a fallen congressman. After Trump showed a video of a protest in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, featuring white crosses lining a roadside – not grave sites, as he implied, but rather a memorial to victims of South Africa's unacceptable levels of violence – and after Trump shoved reams of paperwork into his hands, all the South African could muster was a weak, 'I haven't seen that.' Trump showed nothing more than the usual stuff circulated by Maga. What was required now was a forceful rebuttal, a reminder to those pre-sent that there is no 'white genocide' in South Africa, and that minority rights are protected. It was time to own the internet and the nightly news shows with a polite but determined speech. Crickets. Instead, Ramaphosa deferred to John Steenhuisen in his capacity as minister of agriculture. He gave a short, standard DA campaign speech. Trump then threw to the golfers, whom he seemed to regard as second sons, who couldn't muster a full-throated pushback against Maga lies. In fact, Retief Goosen was spectacularly inarticulate, but nevertheless it seemed to thrill Trump that he could speak at all. Then came Johann Rupert, in keeping with the theme of white grievance, insisting that he was the greatest victim of Malema's agitation. (Tell that to the township folks shaken down by the EFF's racketeering troops, but that's a story for another day.) The handbag salesman also wasn't able to say THERE IS NO CAMPAIGN OF WHITE GENOCIDE, perhaps because he was too busy tapping Ronald Lamola on the shoulder and referring to him as 'this one'. Oh, and incidentally, a black woman spoke for several minutes. It was a shambles, but one that should have been anticipated. Trump's intention was simple – to throw red meat to his base as it came off the grill. It was the equivalent of asking Ramaphosa, when was the last time you beat your wife? And the only reply was simpering. Tongs for the opportunity I'm aware that there are those who thought that the Boerewors Summit went about as well as it could have. Clearly, I disagree. The second Trump administration is hardly an American anomaly, but a culminating point on America's long imperial arc, and a return to an expansionist, transactional mode that existed back in the 19th century. You either understand this, or you are unfit for a leadership role in 2025. By visiting the Imperium, Ramaphosa and his delegation should have realised that they were bit players in a larger drama – Trump's acceptance of the role as the White Supremacist in Chief. Yes, business is important, but if there is nothing in it for this administration, it doesn't matter what Ramaphosa says or does, they'll do what they want when they want, with no deference to diplomatic niceties. In other words, it's time to grow up. The message should have been: we're open for business, but we're closed for input in our sovereign affairs. The second Trump regime is an authoritarian gong show, a DEI initiative for drunks and failsons, and a vast empire's noisome death grunt. The moment demanded strength. It demanded a braai master. And that is indeed an ironclad rule in South Africa – never let another person touch your braai tongs. As the refugee farce unfolds, and as the lies pour in from Trump's team of bullshit mongers, it would be wonderful to return to business as usual. But that's not to be. Maddeningly, like all South African reporters in the past 30 years, about 98% of my work concerns the failure of the ANC to do even the basic work of governance with honesty and competence. I'd like to get back to that. But there's a braai happening. It's free for all. Which means we're the product. DM
TimesLIVE
22-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
ANC struggle hero Gertrude Shope dies peacefully at home, aged 99
ANC stalwart Gertrude Shope has died at the age of 99. According to the party, Shope, also known as MaShope, died peacefully at her Gauteng home on Thursday morning. 'A lifelong revolutionary, MaShope was a leader of profound discipline, courage and humility. From her early activism to the dawn of democracy, she served the Struggle with unmatched commitment in the underground, in exile and in the democratic parliament. 'As former president of the ANC Women's League, head of the ANC Women's Section in exile, and a member of the ANC NEC, she played a pivotal role in shaping the political direction of our movement and the emancipation of women in South Africa and beyond,' said the organisation on Thursday. Shope, who was one of the oldest members of the party, is a former trade unionist and the first Women's League president. Shope had been exiled in countries like Botswana, Tanzania, Czechoslovakia, Zambia and Nigeria, where she fought for the rights of workers and women. 'Even in retirement, MaShope exudes an air of majesty and dignity as a sage of the age, belonging to the same illustrious historical galaxy of revolutionaries that includes Charlotte Maxeke, Ruth First, Fatima Meer, Helen Joseph, Sophia de Bruyn, Ruth Mompati, Lillian Ngoyi and many more,' wrote former minister Naledi Pandor in celebrating Shope's life a few years ago. Shope was born in 1925 in Johannesburg and grew up in Zimbabwe. She was 29 when she joined the ANC, leaving her work as a teacher in protest against Bantu education. As part of the Federation of South African Women, she fought to make women's struggles part of the wider Struggle for a free society.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
From coral reefs to ancient ruins—5 ways to explore Tanzania's islands
With almost 900 miles of tropical Indian Ocean shoreline, Tanzania is as much a coastal destination as it is a safari hotspot. The warm islands sitting off the coast of this East African nation are steeped in heritage, lined with sandy beaches and fringed by coral reefs. Often known as the Swahili Coast, the region is a fascinating swirl of Bantu traditions and Islamic influences. The marine life here — which includes whale sharks, a legally protected species in Tanzania — is a huge draw for travellers and a natural wonder that locals are working hard to protect. From relaxing on Pemba Island's untouched beaches to wandering the historic streets of Zanzibar, here are five experiences to savour across Tanzania's eastern islands. For first timers to Tanzania, Jumeirah Thanda Island provides a luxurious introduction — sugar-soft sands, turquoise shallows, tropical greenery and a five-suite villa with two traditional bandas. Its position between Tanzania and Mafia Island makes it a strategic base for exploring the area. It's also situated within the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, where the region's underwater biodiversity is on full display. Visitors to Jumeirah Thanda Island can join members of the conservation team on snorkelling excursions along the reef or take low tide walks in search of starfish and octopus. 'The reserve is a safe haven for fish to reproduce and for juvenile fish to grow to adult size,' says the island's marine biologist, Rianne Laan. 'There's a thriving population of juvenile blacktip reef sharks here; green turtles are coming back to the island to nest; and species like the giant grouper, eagle rays and fish eagles are returning, too. And from late October to early March, the waters between Shungimbili Island and Mafia Island are home to whale sharks.' There are also opportunities to get involved in hands-on conservation — for example, visitors can fill their own rope for the nursery with coral fragments or fill a coral frame which will then be put back onto the reef. 'This up-close and personal experience with the corals often leads to a much deeper understanding and appreciation of this delicate ecosystem." Similar conservation projects are in progress around Tanzania's coastline. Mafia Island Marine Park offers educational programmes for both locals and visitors, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, while the Blue Alliance is working to protect more than 40 threatened species in the Pemba Channel Conservation Area, as well as the Blue Corridor — a channel that acts like a superhighway for whales. Don't be put off by the shady name (which likely comes from morfieyeh, the Arabic word for archipelago) — this island is somewhere to enjoy at your leisure. Often seen as a low-key alternative to Zanzibar, Mafia Island is complete with soft sands, traditional fishing villages and a surrounding marine park. It is also possible for visitors to spot whale sharks on the western side of Mafia Island, close to the island's main town, Kilindoni. Most commonly seen between October and March, these gentle giants are the world's largest fish — and they're every bit as awe-inspiring as they sound. Tiny, green and surrounded by mangroves, Chole Island sits on a bed of fossilised coral — although its uniqueness springs from more recent history. The island was once a trading post on the Swahili Coast. The ruins of an old German prison and custom house can still be explored, as well as the remnants of an abandoned mosque. In addition, the island is a sanctuary for flying foxes, also called fruit bats, which can be spotted roosting in the daytime. Blessed with gentle hills and great dive sites, verdant Pemba Island is a slow-living destination. You'll find just a handful of lodges, which in turn means the long, powdery beaches tend to be near-deserted. Traditional dhows (wooden sailing boats with a long thin body and one or two masts) and wooden mtumbwi (long canoes made from single tree trunks) can still be spotted sailing across the clear waters offshore. The island is also famous for its aromatic cloves, which are hand-picked by local farmers. Few places in East Africa are so synonymous with tales of the past as Zanzibar. Technically named Unguja, this island, along with slightly smaller Pemba Island and Mafia Island, make up the Zanzibar archipelago. Zanzibar is best known for its rich history and its UNESCO-listed capital, Stone Town. Beyond the dominant Swahili culture, you'll find Arab, Persian and European influences — all intermingling in the town's mazy streets, where coral and limestone buildings evoke a storied past. This paid content article was created for Jumeirah. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
08-04-2025
- National Geographic
From coral reefs to ancient ruins—5 ways to explore Tanzania's islands
With almost 900 miles of tropical Indian Ocean shoreline, Tanzania is as much a coastal destination as it is a safari hotspot. The warm islands sitting off the coast of this East African nation are steeped in heritage, lined with sandy beaches and fringed by coral reefs. Often known as the Swahili Coast, the region is a fascinating swirl of Bantu traditions and Islamic influences. The marine life here — which includes whale sharks, a legally protected species in Tanzania — is a huge draw for travellers and a natural wonder that locals are working hard to protect. From relaxing on Pemba Island's untouched beaches to wandering the historic streets of Zanzibar, here are five experiences to savour across Tanzania's eastern islands. 1. Take part in coral reef restoration on Jumeirah Thanda Island For first timers to Tanzania, Jumeirah Thanda Island provides a luxurious introduction — sugar-soft sands, turquoise shallows, tropical greenery and a five-suite villa with two traditional bandas. Its position between Tanzania and Mafia Island makes it a strategic base for exploring the area. It's also situated within the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, where the region's underwater biodiversity is on full display. Visitors to Jumeirah Thanda Island can join members of the conservation team on snorkelling excursions along the reef or take low tide walks in search of starfish and octopus. 'The reserve is a safe haven for fish to reproduce and for juvenile fish to grow to adult size,' says the island's marine biologist, Rianne Laan. 'There's a thriving population of juvenile blacktip reef sharks here; green turtles are coming back to the island to nest; and species like the giant grouper, eagle rays and fish eagles are returning, too. And from late October to early March, the waters between Shungimbili Island and Mafia Island are home to whale sharks.' There are also opportunities to get involved in hands-on conservation — for example, visitors can fill their own rope for the nursery with coral fragments or fill a coral frame which will then be put back onto the reef. 'This up-close and personal experience with the corals often leads to a much deeper understanding and appreciation of this delicate ecosystem." Similar conservation projects are in progress around Tanzania's coastline. Mafia Island Marine Park offers educational programmes for both locals and visitors, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, while the Blue Alliance is working to protect more than 40 threatened species in the Pemba Channel Conservation Area, as well as the Blue Corridor — a channel that acts like a superhighway for whales. Rianne Laan has been working as Jumeirah Thanda Island's resident marine biologist since 2017. Jumeirah Thanda Island is surrounded by five hectares of soft golden sands. 2. Spot marine life off the coast of Mafia Island Don't be put off by the shady name (which likely comes from morfieyeh, the Arabic word for archipelago) — this island is somewhere to enjoy at your leisure. Often seen as a low-key alternative to Zanzibar, Mafia Island is complete with soft sands, traditional fishing villages and a surrounding marine park. It is also possible for visitors to spot whale sharks on the western side of Mafia Island, close to the island's main town, Kilindoni. Most commonly seen between October and March, these gentle giants are the world's largest fish — and they're every bit as awe-inspiring as they sound. 3. Explore historic ruins on Chole Island Tiny, green and surrounded by mangroves, Chole Island sits on a bed of fossilised coral — although its uniqueness springs from more recent history. The island was once a trading post on the Swahili Coast. The ruins of an old German prison and custom house can still be explored, as well as the remnants of an abandoned mosque. In addition, the island is a sanctuary for flying foxes, also called fruit bats, which can be spotted roosting in the daytime. These traditional wooden sailing boats, known as dhows, were historically used for fishing and trade. 4. Relax on Pemba Island's pristine beaches Blessed with gentle hills and great dive sites, verdant Pemba Island is a slow-living destination. You'll find just a handful of lodges, which in turn means the long, powdery beaches tend to be near-deserted. Traditional dhows (wooden sailing boats with a long thin body and one or two masts) and wooden mtumbwi (long canoes made from single tree trunks) can still be spotted sailing across the clear waters offshore. The island is also famous for its aromatic cloves, which are hand-picked by local farmers. 5. Discover the fascinating history of Zanzibar Few places in East Africa are so synonymous with tales of the past as Zanzibar. Technically named Unguja, this island, along with slightly smaller Pemba Island and Mafia Island, make up the Zanzibar archipelago. Zanzibar is best known for its rich history and its UNESCO-listed capital, Stone Town. Beyond the dominant Swahili culture, you'll find Arab, Persian and European influences — all intermingling in the town's mazy streets, where coral and limestone buildings evoke a storied past. Stone Town is the historic centre of Zanzibar and an excellent example of a Swahili trading town. Photograph by Moiz Husein Storyteller, Getty Images There are one-stop flights available to the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Glasgow. From here, travellers can reach Jumeirah Thanda Island via the island's private twin-engine helicopter, or by flying to Mafia Island and then making a short transfer by private boat. All of the islands featured can be explored from Jumeirah Thanda Island, an exclusive retreat for up to 18 guests, complete with a luxury five-suite villa and two traditional bandas. For more details, visit This paid content article was created for Jumeirah. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
