Latest news with #Bobo
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Actor Oscar ‘Madluphuthu' Mgudlwa remembered as ‘humble and patient' at memorial service
'Our dad tried his best and had a beautiful heart,' said one of Mgudlwa's sons at the memorial service. Family, friends and colleagues gathered in Randburg to bid farewell to actor Oscar Mgudlwa, popularly known as Madluphuthu, at his memorial service on Wednesday. 'He was a humble and patient person, and he rubbed off those good qualities on us,' said actor Innocent Masuku, who is still fondly known as his character name from Yizo Yizo, Bobo. Mgudlwa died a week ago, and the cause of death has not been revealed. He was 49 years old. 'He was not just an actor. We were planning to host a lot of programmes together, but that won't happen. So I'd like to say rest well, my dear friend,' said Masuku. One of Mgudlwa's sons, Asanda, said his father was a good-hearted person. 'Our dad tried his best and had a beautiful heart. He loved his family and his kids a lot, even his friends. He loved them a lot. He prayed a lot and gave us advice,' Asanda said. The actor is survived by four kids. The son was one of the first people to make his father's passing public on the day he died. ALSO READ: Actor and comedian Madluphuthu reportedly passes away Mgudlwa a pioneer Mgudlwa was one of the pioneers in the low-budget movie industry, which experienced significant growth around the 2000s when DVDs were prevalent. In films such as My sh*t father and My Lotto Ticket, Madluphuthu 1 and Madluphuthu 2, Mgudlwa became an instant celebrity through his character of intellectually disabled and hilarious Madluphuthu. The films, whose DVDs were priced under R50, were a staple in most townships due to the infectious humour that most black people in those areas could relate to. Before building a name for himself in film and comedy, Mgudlwa had a stint as a Kwaito musician. He worked with the late Mapaputsi in 2001, and prior to that, he released an album with Mina Nawe's Man Child in 1998. Mgudlwa was from Daveyton, in Ekurhuleni. Although not as prominent as he once was in his heyday, Mgudlwa remained appreciated within the industry at the time of his death. The likes of film and TV director Mandla N were in attendance at his memorial service, as was hip-hop artist Kwesta, singer and actor Jamela Vuma, affectionately known as J Ross. The latter said that he and Mgudlwa's changing rooms were next to each other while they were working on a project. 'Every morning, we started with prayer. I'm sure the second month from when the show started, we were always together. I think the last day on set, we prayed as a cast. I know where he is now, he is with the Lord,' shared Vuma. NOW READ: Lerato Kganyago Ndlala on winning on Deal or No Deal: 'The timing couldn't have been better'
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Movies that are definitely not going to the dogs
Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook. Spotlight this week takes a closer look at the latest Marvel reboot and two South African films shining bright at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). Based on Alexandra Fuller's best-selling memoir, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight depicts eight-year-old Bobo's life on her family's Rhodesian farm during the 1970s Bush War's final stages and Robert Mugabe's rise to power. Directed and adapted by Embeth Davidtz (Matilda, Schindler's List), and with high audience and critical acclaim, the film stars talented newcomer Lexi Venter, Zikhona Bali and Rob van Vuuren. At cinemas and at DIFF. The Fantastic family face a daunting challenge as they defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic herald, Silver Surfer. T he Fantastic Four: First Steps is directed by Matt Shakman (2011 Game of Thrones) and the film features Hollywood's finest including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn in this very personal battle. At cinemas. Audiences can look forward to a thorough comedy indulgence in a heartfelt story where sardines meet pageantry in quirky local big screen movie Lucky Fish. A small sardine-canning company runs into financial problems and turn to desperate measures to save the company by any means — a very unconventional beauty contest. Directed by Joshua Rous and starring Jack Devnarain, Mayuri Naidu and Meren Reddy, Lucky Fish is at cinemas and the DIFF. For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies. Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events. Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns. Competition and giveaways Name the ravenous space god in T he Fantastic Four: First Steps, now showing at cinemas nationwide. For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by July 30. Terms and conditions apply. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants' personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Ar ena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Salt Rock actress Lexi Venter shines in big-screen debut
From the moment Salt Rock actress Lexi Venter emerges from candlelight in the opening shot of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, it is clear her face is one to remember. The talented nine-year-old leads the film adaptation of Alexandra Fuller's memoir of the same name, which had its South African premiere at the Durban International Film Festival at Suncoast Casino last Saturday. Remarkably, the film marks the big screen debut for Lexi and the directorial debut for Embeth Davidtz, who also wrote and starred in the film. Told through the eyes of young 'Bobo' (Lexi), the film explores the turmoil as Zimbabwe transitioned from colonial rule to independence in 1980. Bobo is the youngest surviving child of a white farming family unwilling to accept the change, with her father Tim (Rob van Vuuren), an army reservist, and mother Nicola (Davidtz), an alcoholic, each spiralling in their own way. Bobo's older sister, Vanessa (Anina Reed), also has local ties. Although Anina hails from Cape Town, her Ballito-based grandmother, Margie Reed, proudly attended the premiere on Saturday to support her granddaughter's big-screen debut. Despite the hardened, occasionally hateful outlook of her parents and their community, Bobo looks at the world with open-heartedness and youthful empathy. Lexi plays the role with sensitivity and grace, anchoring a film that otherwise may otherwise have been a difficult sit. 'It became clear to me, in the ugliness of what I had to show, that I had to show it through a beautiful lens,' said Davidtz at the premiere. 'So, I had to find the most special child with a sunny disposition and a cinematic face.' That child was Lexi, cast through an open audition in 2023 when she was just seven. Though new to film, she had stage experience in ballet and took to the role naturally during filming near Johannesburg. 'What surprised me is how many people are involved to make a movie and how many times we had to retake the same scene!' said Lexi. 'It was very easy because Embeth was there to help me and everyone was so kind. It was just lovely being on set.' Lexi's entire family played a part. Her mother Vanessa helped supervise, her fether Riaan filmed a few shots, her brother Logan acted and did stunt-double work and even her dog Shadow appeared on screen as Bubbles. Filming was not without its challenges and Lexi remembers a few scenes being particularly difficult. 'There was one was when I was on a horse and the dog was barking and Nicola was screaming and shouting and the horse was turning and twisting and it was so hard to do and I had to remember my lines. It was just crazy!' she said. 'Most of it came naturally, but the sad scenes were pretty difficult for me. I thought of my rat dying because she passed away.' Lexi's performance has received widespread praise and she is already auditioning for other projects. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight will screen again at The Pavilion on Sunday, July 27, with limited seats available. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What will happen to your pet if you die? Why animal experts suggest you 'put a plan in place' to avoid a 'nightmare' for your dog
Just before Christmas last year, an energetic English bulldog named Bobo found himself without a home. His young owner had passed away unexpectedly — the victim of a motor-vehicle accident — and there was no plan in place for Bobo's care. In the face of a terrible tragedy, the man's family felt that they couldn't accommodate the rambunctious four-year-old pup. Luckily, they were able to place him in a foster home through Travelling Tails K9 Rescue in St. Catharines, Ont., and he was eventually adopted out. That's a happy ending for a dog who lost both his owner and home in an instant. 'Sometimes, it's not that simple,' says Travelling Tails co-founder Sarah Agner. 'Maybe there's a pet that has aggression issues, hasn't been socialized or has certain ailments.' It can be harder to find homes for those animals. Rescues are also overwhelmed right now, which means they may not have the time or resources to care for every pet that shows up on their doorstep. 'People are out of control with breeding,' Agner says. 'It's like nothing I've ever seen before. I had some dogs that were dropped off in a box on the side of the road. They were days old and I ended up bottle feeding them. I probably have 16 to 20 owner surrenders each week.' If you have the ability to put a plan in place for your pet, then do Agner Your pet could also end up in a shelter, which is a stressful situation for many animals. 'If you have the ability to put a plan in place for your pet, then do it,' Agner says. 'You can save your dog a nightmare trip to the shelter and a lot of anxiety.' Where do I start? Don't assume that someone you know — your partner, parent, child or best friend — will take your pet if something happens to you. Instead, you need to talk with that person about your plans. 'It gets overlooked way more than people realize,' says Agner. 'When you're behind the scenes, you see how often it happens.' Initiate frank conversations with your loved ones to come up with a plan for your pet if the unthinkable happens. Ideally, you'll secure someone who already knows your pet to step in if necessary. Then, make it official. How do I add a pet to my will? Ask your lawyer to add a 'pet clause' where you can name the guardian (or guardians, in the case of multiple animals) that you would like to care for your pet, says Ariel Fried, an estate-planning lawyer at Mann Lawyers in Ottawa. You can also add contingent guardians to the list in case your first choice dies or their situation changes, like if they have kids and decide they don't want to bring an animal into their home. Once you've named every potential guardian in your will, Fried suggests noting that your estate trustee or executor can make the final call on pet care if all other guardians fall through. 'If you've named someone as an estate trustee, you expect them to do a good job with your estate,' says Fried. 'You should also be able to trust them to make a proper decision for your pet if all else fails.' Does naming a pet guardian in my will guarantee they will care for my pet? Unfortunately, no. 'They don't have to take the pet if they don't want to or if they're unable to,' says Fried. 'If they don't feel that they're the right fit, they can definitely turn down the gift.' That's why it's so important to have a conversation with any potential guardians before naming them in your pet clause. What should I do if I have no friends or family to take my pet? Some people don't have a supportive network that they can rely on. If you find yourself in that situation, reach out to local shelters, humane societies and rescues — especially if you're elderly or dealing with a serious illness. They can help you put a plan in place for your pet if something happens. At that point, you can also ensure that they have all of the information they'll need including medical information, notes on behavioural issues, vet contact info and more. What other documentation do I need? Compile all relevant information for your pet and update it regularly. 'Once you're gone, there may be no other way to figure out these things,' Agner reminds. Let your pet guardian know where to find the document. You can even tack it on the fridge. Consider adding these notes to the list: Pet name, birthdate and microchip information Vet name, phone number and address Diet and allergies Illnesses and conditions Medications and doses Behaviour concerns and quirks Do I need to change my will every time I get a new pet? You can, but it will cost money every time you want to make an adjustment. Instead, you might want to create a generic pet clause for any pets you have now or may have in the future. How do I leave money for my pet's care? 'A lot of people consider their pets their children,' says Fried. 'However, in jurisdictions across Canada, pets are considered personal property.' That means that you can't leave an inheritance to your dog or cat. Instead, you have a few options: Cash legacy (gift): Fried recommends setting aside a cash gift for the pet guardian to cover future expenses like food and vet bills. You can include a condition that the person can't accept the money without also accepting the pet. The problem with this option is that there's no guarantee the guardian will actually use the money for the pet. Once they have the cash, they can do whatever they want with it. Trust: You can create a trust for your pet, but Fried says this route can be complicated and costly. 'Typically, people aren't leaving a lot of money for their pets,' he notes, 'so the fees for setting up a trust can really eat up the amount.' Pet insurance: If you have pet insurance, you may want to check that it is transferrable to the pet guardian in the case of your death. What should the amount of the cash gift be? According to Fried, the average amount people leave for pet care is $5,000 to $15,000 — though current vet fees could far surpass that range. For a better estimate, speak to your veterinarian and consider your pet's age and medical history. Keep in mind that you may outlive your current pet and have a different pet (or more than one pet) in the future. 'Ensure that the sum in your will covers all pets,' says Fried. 'Sometimes, people give a lump sum of $15,000 to all pets. Others say, 'I want to leave $5,000 per pet,' for example.' The bottom line Your pet is like family and you want them to be safe and happy. If something happens to you, make sure you have a plan in place so they won't end up scared, anxious and alone. It's the best thing you can do for your animal.
Time Out
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight makes its South African debut
Joburg film lovers, clear your calendars for 25 July. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, the moving new adaptation of Alexandra Fuller's best-selling memoir, is finally getting its South African premiere. Directed by South African-born actor and filmmaker Embeth Davidtz, this is a story rooted deeply in African soil. Shot in South Africa and adapted for the screen by Davidtz herself, the film offers a rare and emotionally layered portrayal of Zimbabwe's transition from colonial Rhodesia to independence. At the heart of it all is eight-year-old Bobo, played by newcomer Lexi Venter, a young white girl navigating a childhood shaped by grief, shifting family dynamics, and a land at war. The story unfolds through Bobo's eyes, bringing tenderness, innocence, and emotional truth to a time often only seen through historical or political lenses. 'Even in the middle of pain and inherited racism, love and transformation are actually possible,' says Davidtz, who also stars in the film. 'This story helped me process my own childhood in apartheid-era South Africa.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sony Pictures Classics (@sonyclassics) With a stellar local cast that includes Zikhona Bali, Fumani N Shilubana, and Rob Van Vuuren, the film is both intimate and expansive, telling a personal tale against a backdrop of war and cultural upheaval. Behind the scenes, a powerhouse production team backs the film, including executive producers Anele Mdoda, Frankie Du Toit, and Trevor Noah, and acclaimed producers Helena Spring and Paul Buys. Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film now comes home, offering South African audiences a chance to witness this poignant coming-of-age story where memory, identity, and healing are front and centre.
