Latest news with #Drum
News24
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News24
KwaMashu-born runner, Nate Ngcobo, beats paralysis odds in Comrades Marathon
Instagram He was among the 22,000 who took to the streets of KZN this past weekend. He finished the 98th Comrades marathon in just under 8 hours. From Pietermaritzburg to Durban, Nate Ngcobo paced himself through the 90 km. Surprisingly, after completing the race before 2 pm on Sunday, Nate was still full of fun. Joking around with Drum at the Omo marquee after the ultramarathon, he says that all he needed after his victory was ice cream. 'I had an ice cream when I got here, I needed the hydration. What's left is an ice bath or cold shower and rest.' Despite it being his 7th Comrades Marathon, Nate is still as optimistic, competing with nobody but himself, like it's his first time, each time. 'I would wake up around 4 am to watch the Comrades Marathon when I was growing up but I didn't have any ambition to participate in it because I was fully focused on soccer.' From a very young age, he was athletic and sporty in school. 'I have been in sports and athletics all my life, but how I got into running is that I had a terrible accident almost over two decades ago, which left me paralysed for months,' he tells Drum The athletic DJ takes us back to the heartbreaking day. 'I was back home in KwaMashu, Entuzuma, it was drizzling a bit, and I was driving with my friend. The next thing I know, the car was rolling. The friend came out of the accident with no scratches, but it threw me out, and I bumped my head on the road, so I had to get an artificial bone in my spine for support.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thembinkosi Nate Ngcobo (@natejpy) He was left heartbroken after he was told, upon being discharged from the hospital, that he would never be able to participate in contact sports, which included soccer. To recover, he invested in physiotherapy and ended up pivoting into running. Read more | Galxboy takes on Africa's richest square mile with new flagship store 'Here's how I discovered running: I went to the gym regularly and spent a lot of time on the treadmill. There were some guys who were playing squash at the gym's workshop, and they saw my running pace and saw something in me. Then they invited me to run with them outdoors and join their club. A year later, I fully recovered, and I participated in my first Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon. What began as recovery became a purpose. Today, he runs with joy, strength, and gratitude. For Nate, running is not just therapy — it's his anti-aging drug. Joining him at the marquee, Caster Semenya proudly commends the resilience of all the other runners at the marathon. 'Being at Comrades this year is a powerful reminder that greatness isn't just about winning - it's about showing up and staying the course. Resilience means pushing through, even when it hurts, keep playing on,' says Caster.
News24
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Emtee celebrates rising like a phoenix after MetroFM award win - ‘I have no regrets'
He makes music that resonates deeply, weaving together poignant lyrics and captivating storytelling. For him, the microphone serves as a powerful instrument of healing. For the first time in years, he was nominated at the MetroFM awards. Back in 2015, Emtee gave us Roll Up, We Up and Pearl Thusi in his debut album which were all hits, marking him as the Hip Hop superstar to look out for in the game. After leaving Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2019 to launch Emtee Records, Emtee faced a decline in his music career, plagued by controversies. However, he recently celebrated a comeback by winning Best Album at the Metro FM Awards for his 2024 project, DIY 3. Proudly, he accepted the award on stage with his kids, who he calls his biggest motivation. 'I do not consider this a comeback but if that's what people want to call it, then cool. I can run with that. In any situation, I always feel the need to be in the studio as much as I can, so I've been doing what I've been doing almost my whole life which is making music no matter what happens,' he tells Drum. Speaking about how it feels to take an award again for the first time in years, he says it feels like a genuine victory this time around. Read more | Emtee speaks out on alleged abuse: "While she was holding me by my neck, I could see evil in her eyes" 'It feels good to take an award home. I'm not new to winning but this one feels really genuine because at least this time around nobody said anything about me buying an award and most people were genuinely happy for me so it's great.' Talking about the making of the award-winning album, he says he learned of the beauty of working hard in silence and seeking his purpose. 'Making this album was cool because it was during a time where I was being scrutinised by people who mostly don't even know me like that so I had to be in studio. While a lot of negative things were said about me and I love that because working hard in silence can be so rewarding especially because I didn't have anyone to push me to wake me up regardless of how I felt about what was being said about me.' Despite the tough few years, this affirmed him that he still has superstar potential. To him, it wasn't just an award. It was an inspiration to others to never give up on their dreams. 'Never give up on your dreams and people can have opinions, judge us as creatives and forget that we are human but what matters most is what one thinks of themselves. I think I'm meant to beat odds and overcome any challenge God grants me. Giving up on anything is the last thing on my mind,' he imparts some advice. Despite facing tough times without support, he continued to work in the studio and pursue his passion, even when many in the industry had written him off. 'I never left the industry at all. I can understand why people would think that. One of the reasons is because there's people who feel like they have the right to declare someone's career over and the beauty of it all is that while everyone talks like they always do, I'm in the studio so they don't know the tricks I have up my sleeves to shock them and I don't fault anyone for thinking or feeling that way because I have had a roller coaster of a life.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hustle (@emteethehustla) He shares with Drum how glad he is to have his hard-work shows. 'The past few years of my life have not been the best but I'm grateful because I'm able to pick who I surround myself with, who I share what with and how I move going forward because I have learnt that it's easy to shift the blame on me because I'm the face, the brand and to a lot of people it just sounds juicy to associate my name with negative things because everyone assumes that they know what it takes to become the guy in the front line leading a generation of artists and creatives.' Through it all though, he says his three kids kept him grounded and focused on the bull's eye – his musical success. 'Unlike a lot of my peers, I'm a parent of three and my responsibilities differ from a lot of my peers. Like every other album of mine, I take on a new journey and this time around it's for my well-being and to be more realistic about life in general and to become the mogul or idol I've always wanted to be and lead the next generation the right way.' Read more | Emtee mourns the death of his manager and childhood friend Earlier this year, he celebrated 10 years of his musical career with a one-man show that boasted the performances of Sjava and Big Zulu. 'The one-man show was not me taking a chance or rolling a dice. It was mainly to celebrate a decade of my commercial career. It was also to show that I'm dedicated and loyal to what I do and to remind those who truly support me that I'm a real musician and to set the tone as I go full on as the professional that I truly am in essence,' he elaborates on it. Looking back on his journey, the rapper says he has no regrets, but he does wish that he had never met certain people in his life. 'I sometimes wish I never met certain people because I don't think I have it in me to sabotage myself regardless of what happens. My intentions have always been pure and whole. Whether I'm helping someone or receiving help and sometimes that gets misunderstood or taken the wrong way.' 'I wouldn't change anything about my journey. If not me then who? At the same time, I wouldn't wish this journey on my worst enemy and it's my story, my journey and legacy to embrace otherwise how will I inspire the kid who's losing hope?, he adds' Emtee promises that more music, visuals and shows are yet to come from the superstar as he rises like a phoenix while raising his kids and 'carrying on with the fight to live and grow'.
News24
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
How playing a 'Ben 10' put Generations: The Legacy actor Sicelo Mabaso in the spotlight
When young actor Sicelo debuted on one of South Africa's leading shows, "Generations: The Legacy," playing the character Samkelo, viewers were immediately captivated by his undeniable charisma and passionate performance. His character quickly became the center of a steamy storyline featuring a romance between his younger character and the older Lucy Diale, portrayed by veteran actress Manaka Ranaka. The relationship plot reached its climax when the pair locked lips in a passionate scene that set social media ablaze. Sicelo Mabaso believes that portraying a "Ben 10" (a younger man dating an older woman) has helped highlight society's double standards regarding age in relationships. While men dating younger women is often accepted without question, the reverse frequently faces scrutiny and judgment. Drum magazine recently caught up with the talented young actor to learn more about his journey into acting and the significant break that "Generations: The Legacy" represents in his career. The controversial storyline has not only showcased his acting abilities but also sparked important conversations about relationship dynamics in South African society. His charisma extends far beyond the small screen, this we find out when we catch up with him. He's on set, but he decides to squeeze us in, and just like his captivating character, he's determined to let us in on the magic that is his character. Sicelo tells Drum that his role has exposed the societal double standards that exist, where one gender is more welcome to date an older partner while the other partner is prohibited. Read more | Connie Ferguson celebrates Shona's heavenly 51st birthday 'Playing a Ben 10 has really exposed the double standards within society where a young male dating an older woman is frowned upon, but a male dating a younger woman is acceptable. It goes back to the expectation that a male is bigger than a female in a relationship, that males are the head in a relationship, instead of equals,' he says. 'The reality is that a female has as much to contribute in a relationship as the male does.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by A C T O R S P A C E S (@actorspaces) His current role is entertainment breakthrough, although he's not new to the acting scene, as he has acted in The Ferguson Films' Unmarried season three, and in a Netflix series. Growing up, he recalls how much he enjoyed circus performances. 'As a kid, I remember that whenever circus tents came to my town I would always attend performances whenever I could. I then started enjoying watching movies on TV, that small box made me feel some type of emotion. I enjoyed the laughter the actors' brought to my household. The character of Samkelo is my biggest break,' he explains. Read more | Gqeberha: The Empire star Kay Bikitsha mourns the loss of her mother In his pursuit of a career in showbiz, Sicelo obtained an undergraduate degree from Rhodes University and he subsequently went on to obtain a post graduate degree honours in theater and performance. He maintains that he shares some character traits with Samkelo. 'We are both very charismatic, and I'm also very resilient, in what I want to pursue. Playing the character has been awesome and so has the response from the viewers, who enjoy the character's personality and drive. Just like Sam, I also believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to,' he concludes.
News24
29-04-2025
- Business
- News24
How Gift Mankga went from software engineer to successful rabbit farmer
Rabbits are known for their calm and peaceful nature, soft fur, and playful antics. These gentle qualities make them delightful pets and charming companions, especially for children. For 28-year-old Gift Mankga from Lebowakgomo outside Polokwane, Limpopo, these furry creatures have become more than just pets—they're the foundation of his profitable business venture. Mankga has become a well-respected rabbit farmer in his community. His passion for animals led him to breed rabbits and sell both their meat and urine to local and international markets. The rabbit urine, which costs R30 per liter, is highly sought after for its medicinal properties and use as fertiliser, while the rabbits themselves sell for R200 each. "It takes about 3 months for a rabbit to grow from being a kitten to a size where it is ready to breed or be consumed. They can breed more than two times a year," Mankga explains. His customer base is diverse. Read more | Limpopo man builds thriving poultry empire - 'Prioritise quality over quantity' "My clients include local people, butcheries who buy meat, and both local and international product farmers demanding urine to fertilize their crops." Despite not having formal agricultural qualifications, Mankga has built a successful farming operation. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Limpopo in 2018 and worked in India as a Software Engineer before starting his rabbit farm in 2020. To grow his business, he further obtained a degree in Human Resources and Business Management through distance learning. During a visit to his 15-hectare farm, Mankga told Drum magazine that rabbit farming for both meat and urine is a promising and growing lucrative business that isn't expensive to run. Mankga grows his rabbits by feeding them fruits, vegetables, and pellets. "They eat green leaves of both vegetables and fruit trees, maize, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, bread, porridge, weeds, samp, Lucerne grass, and rabbit pellets," he says. One of the benefits of rabbit farming is its accessibility: "You can keep them in a small space inside the house, and they will breed and produce high-quality urine. Their waste is also good for the garden as fertiliser." Rabbit urine offers several advantages as a natural fertiliser: Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—essential nutrients for plant growth Cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilisers Enhances soil fertility and improves soil structure Promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms Sustainable and eco-friendly option Read more | At 80, Johannes Mamogale's 20-year vegetable garden still thrives Rabbit farming, also known as cuniculture, offers numerous benefits: High reproduction rate: Female rabbits can have up to 12 babies per litter and multiple litters per year Low startup costs compared to other livestock farming Cost-effective feeding: Rabbits are herbivores that thrive on easily accessible vegetation Rabbit meat is a rich source of protein, low in fat, and packed with vitamins and minerals Growing market demand both locally and internationally Environmentally friendly: Rabbits produce less waste and require fewer resources than other livestock Despite his success, Mankga faces several challenges: High costs of medication and veterinary care Need for quick identification and treatment when rabbits get sick Maintaining a conducive and warm environment for the rabbits Water shortages and loadshedding Limited veterinary support Difficulty accessing land and obtaining financing Fluctuating feed prices Balancing his professional job with farm operations Currently breeding 1,000 rabbits per cycle, Mankga dreams of expanding his business to supply 1,000 rabbits weekly to abattoirs. His goal is to create job opportunities for young graduates in his community to handle the day-to-day operations of his rabbit farming business. "Rabbit farming brings a smile to my face and my wife Boipelo Makgata's face. Their behavior is therapeutic," he says. His advice to unemployed young people: "Do research, identify a gap in the market, and take a risk. It is all about the willingness to take a risk and the opportunity the market presents.
News24
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Singer Mthandazo Gatya makes a return with One-Man Show
Despite his meteoric success in the music industry, Mthandazo Gatya remains remarkably humble. His signature sound continues to distinguish him from other musicians—a winning formula that has served him well throughout his career. At first glance he appears coy, but that is because of his palpable humility, something he hasn't lost despite his meteoric success. When Mthandazo Gatya started out in the cutthroat music industry, he didn't have it easy, but he steadily worked to prove himself and to solidify his place in the business as a force to be reckoned with. In 2023, he did his first ever live show at the Vaal and to his surprise, it was a sold out affair and now he's gearing for another installment of a live show, as he believes the demand is there, but admits that 'I know there demand is there, but I've been caught up with other things.' The singer will have a One-Man Show where he will be performing with a live band. Speaking to Drum, the star explains that his One-Man-Show is a celebration of his music and the journey he's walked since he became an artist. 'My one man Live Show is a celebration of my music. I'm looking to engage with the crowd and take them down memory lane with some of their favourite songs from my catalogue,' he says. 'It's going to be a night of fun and creating memories.' Read more | 'It's a game of patience' – Mthandazo Gatya on finally winning music award From enlisting the services of his industry friends, to having surprise acts, the singer is determined to make this experience memorable for his fans. He plans to go all out to make this an experience to remember for his throngs of fans who will be in attendance. 'I will be bringing live band element to strip down some songs and give a fuller experience with the sum up this experience I will be bringing my friends in song the likes of Anzo and Cici as my supporting/surprise acts on the night. This year, I'm going to be doing a lot of live shows and making new music,' he says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mthandazo Gatya (@mthandazogatya) Mthandazo has first-hand experience of the brutality of the music business, as he's had his fair share of obstacles, but he's made a success of his career, and now he wants pay it forward by affording some unsigned artists the same opportunity he's been given to live is dreams. He already has artists on his radar that he's looking at signing into his record label this year. 'When I started out, it wasn't smooth sailing. I went through many challenges, so this is the reason I'm looking at signing new artists into my label this year and there are a couple of artists that I'm keen to sign. There are some artists that I've seen that I think would be perfect to work with and that plan will unfold during the course of the year,' he reveals. The award-winning musician is penciled to take to the stage on May 8 at Hard Rock Café in Sandton.
