Latest news with #Gomora
IOL News
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From studio to screen: Sean Trimz's role in shaping SA's soapie soundtracks
Sean Trimz is a multifaceted artist, songwriter, record producer and record executive who has quietly shaped the soundscape of some of South Africa's most popular television shows. As a multifaceted artist, songwriter, record producer and record executive, he has quietly shaped the soundscape of some of South Africa's most popular television shows. Sean Trimz, born Dumisani Mlaudza, hails from Katlehong and was raised in Vosloorus. His music has been featured in hit shows such as 'Isidingo', 'Gomora', 'Uzalo', 'Isibaya', 'Isithembiso' and 'The Queen'. Despite his pervasive presence in millions of households, Trimz has deliberately stayed out of the limelight, focusing instead on building a sustainable career and growing his record label, Certified Clique Music. Trimz's passion for music started early, singing in school choirs during primary school, where he discovered his love for songwriting. He began recording in 2011 and, by 2013, launched his own record label. His professional breakthrough came with the 2015 single 'MyTurn', which brought him initial recognition. Over the years, he released several significant projects, including 'Thang For Ya', 'Eastside', 'Eastside 2.0', 'Freedom', and the 'No Validation' EP, which impressively hit number one on iTunes within an hour of its release. Reflecting on his music being a staple in popular TV dramas, Trimz shared, 'It feels really good because that's where music sells itself. Having my music play on TV changed a lot for me. These shows are licensed and marketed internationally, so they gave me global reach." "I even get direct messages on Instagram from people around the world who discovered my music through those shows.' His music, embedded in the fabric of South African storytelling, resonates far beyond local borders. Though his sound is widely recognised, Trimz has intentionally kept a low profile. He explained, 'I don't want to be famous - but broke. That's never been the goal. I've always been focused on building a solid, sustainable music career that generates real income - not just hype.' This practical mindset has guided his career choices, valuing longevity and financial stability over fleeting fame.
News24
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Ama Qamata on her career journey – ‘I'm hungry for growth'
Ama Qamata's newest role comes with the emotionally charged series, Marked. Ama hopes to venture into theatre and get more dramatic and gritty roles to show her growth. The actress is passionate about taking care of herself holistically and empowering young girls. ___________________________________________________________________ She's grown into quite the sought-after talent in South Africa's film and TV industry. Ama Qamata has come a long way since her TV debut in the sitcom My Perfect Family and bagging lead roles in hit shows like Gomora and Blood and Water. Now at 26 years old, Ama has solidified herself as a thespian not afraid to dive into the drama of gritty characters with complex stories. Her latest role is in the Netflix original series Marked, where she stars as Palesa, the sickly daughter of Babalwa (played by Lerato Mvelase), a law-abiding cash-in-transit security guard who goes through desperate measures and plans a daring heist to pay for Palesa's life-saving surgery. The actress is also a passionate philanthropist, committed to giving back and being a role model to young girls in South Africa and beyond its borders. We caught up with Ama to learn all about how she's grown in the entertainment industry. What really resonated with you about playing Palesa on Marked? 'When I first got the script to audition for it, I was a bit nervous because, obviously, she goes through a lot and I didn't know if I could go into that space that Palesa's going through. So, I think for me, it was kind of a challenge and I was really excited about that, like to just do something different, I've never played a character like this before. So, that was something that I was quite looking forward to.' What do you hope viewers will take away from Palesa's story? 'I think just hope. I think that a lot of people go through so much and we don't even know about it, I know that Palesa's one ... When she opened up about what she was going through, I know that took a lot for her to kind of express that to her friend and to tell her what she's going through. But I think that a lot of times, people go through things and we feel like we have to go through it alone. And I hope that it just brings hope that you don't have to go through something alone.' Getting into more dramatic roles with productions like Marked and Fight Like a Girl, how do these projects reflect your passions and the kind of actress you are and want to be? 'I think it reflects just how I'm hungry for growth. I really like acting, I like playing around and I felt, after Blood and Water, I was really boxed, a lot of people just saw me as one thing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ama Qamata (@amaqamata) 'So, I think just getting opportunity to play characters – not to say that it was not challenging, the other ones weren't challenging, they were – but just to show that I can do more, guys. You can call me for other things. I'm an actor. I love playing, I like exploring. I really appreciate just the base of understanding and playing other human beings and what they're going through.' What would be some of your dream roles? 'Oh my gosh, I've actually been saying that I really want to do theatre. That is something that I think I would love to do because I did it in school – and I hate using the word good or bad because I don't feel like that really exists – but I don't think I was really good at it. 'And, being a Virgo, I'm such a perfectionist. So, if I'm not good at something at first attempt, I'm done. But I think just to go back and really try to exercise that muscle and get that stamina. I feel like theatre is an actor's playground. It really is for actors, so I'd really like to do that.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ama Qamata (@amaqamata) How would you say you've grown personally and professionally since your TV debut? 'I've grown so much. When I first started shooting and when people kind of started getting to know me, I was what, like 20 years old? I'm 26 now. So, it's been quite a journey of discovery, of learning boundaries, of learning what I want, what I don't want, understanding that I don't have to say yes to everything. 'Being very picky about like who I want to work with, what I give my energy to. I think when you start out, you're so eager to please and to be liked. And I still am those things because I love my job. I still want to be good but that doesn't come before my self worth and the work that I want to put out. So, ja, I think just being more intentional about what I do, who I choose to work with as well.' What kind of selfcare rituals do you do to ensure that you protect your peace? 'I am very much into taking care of myself, and that's holistically. So, what I eat. I train, I exercise actually. Even when I'm not acting, when I'm on set, I'm in lessons with a coach for hours a day. So, ja, I just take care of myself, honestly.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ama Qamata (@amaqamata) Tell us a bit about some of the philanthropic initiatives you hold dear to you? 'What I'm really keen about and what I'm passionate about is literally, I think just the empowerment of young females and young women in South Africa. I think that it's so interesting, when we were shooting Fight Like a Girl in Congo, the director [Matthew Leutwyler], he has an orphanage and foundation called We Are Limitless, and basically they sponsor young kids who go to school and give them opportunities to also study abroad. 'And we were just having a conversation about philanthropy and he was saying that in his organisation, what they've done and what they've realised is that when they empower girl children, they actually empower the whole community because they give back. Whereas the men, yes, they can empower them, but then they kind of just are thinking about themselves. Like, what can I do to further my life and not really thinking about how can I give back to home. 'So, I thought that was quite an interesting thing and quite true. So yeah, I think just really passionate about giving back to young women. That's something that I hold close to my heart.'
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Beyond the spotlight: Ntobeko Sishi's candid confession on rejection's silent struggles
He recounted losing his mother at the age of six in a TikTok snippet. Image: Instagram We don't always know what battles the person next to us is fighting. There's a quiet kind of pain that often goes unnoticed. It doesn't scream, it doesn't ask for help it simply sits beneath the surface. And too often, we carry it with us, pretending it doesn't hurt. A viral interview featuring South African actor and musician Ntobeko Sishi recently cracked open this silence. Known for his breakout role as Ntokozo in the hit drama "Gomora", Sishi shared a raw, deeply personal story of loss, rejection, and ultimately, forgiveness. His words not only moved thousands online but also unearthed a universal truth: sometimes, we are grieving people who are still alive. 'Rejection has been a huge part of my life … and trying to make it have less of a negative impact on me has been the biggest challenge,' Sishi confessed on "The Inside Show" podcast with George Avakian. In a TikTok snippet, he relays how he lost his mother at just six years old. What followed was a painful twist: just four years later, his father, his only remaining parent disowned him. At 10, he found himself alone at Durban airport, unsure of where he belonged. That kind of abandonment, he said, never really leaves you. This experience is far from uncommon. The pain of emotional abandonment. While we often discuss the grief that follows physical death, the emotional toll of being rejected especially by family is less understood but equally devastating. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology highlights that social support is a critical buffer against the negative impacts of grief and rejection. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading But what happens when that support is missing? Or when family the people we're told to rely on are the very source of our wounds? Rejection by a caregiver can result in long-term impacts on a person's self-esteem, attachment style, and ability to trust others. And yet, this form of grief is rarely named or acknowledged. We don't talk enough about when your own blood wants nothing to do with you. The truth is that many people silently endure this type of emotional exile. And they carry it with grace as if it never happened. He recalled: 'My mother always told me, 'it's okay to cry at night. But when the sun rises, put on a smile and walk with grace'. Your pain doesn't need to be worn on your face.' But sometimes, silence is heavy. Sometimes, it needs a voice. Grieving the livingThere's a name for this: ambiguous loss. Coined by family therapist Dr Pauline Boss, it refers to a type of grief that lacks closure. It's what you feel when a loved one is physically present but emotionally absent, or, in Sishi's case, when they've walked away entirely. 'You wrestle with these things for the rest of your life, there was me constantly trying to fit in, …oh you not wanted here, okay, let me go here, no you're not wanted here but now I'm at a place like I'm actually not wanted anywhere I'm gonna go where I want to be.' Unlike death, where society offers rituals like funerals and mourning periods, ambiguous loss is often invalidated. People may say, 'But they're still alive,' as if that erases the pain. But studies show that unresolved grief from emotional estrangement can be just as intense if not more than traditional mourning. Why forgiveness is not about forgetting In 2020, Sishi received a message from a stranger claiming their father was in the hospital. Against all odds, he went. And there, standing at his father's hospital bed, Sishi did something remarkable: he chose forgiveness. 'As angry as I was, I couldn't say anything. He was on life support … So I just forgave him,' he said. Netizens praised Sishi for dealing with a difficult situation in a mature and mature manner @Oratile, wrote, "Every day, it becomes apparent that everyone has a story." @Kay Mpete added, "And he played a role where he had loving parents, I can only imagine what that was like emotionally and mentally 💔." @Thickleeyonce wrote: "Ugh man this made me cry 🥺🥺🥺." @Lebogang added: "Oh sishii 💔😭😭😭I literally cried when you said 'rejection has been a huge part of my life'." @Omphimetse Senokwane added: "Parents don't know how much they destroyed us. My parents made me a mess of a human; they are not here, and I have so many questions." Forgiveness is for you, not the other person. It doesn't mean reconciliation. It means choosing peace over pain. And peace is a powerful healer.
The Citizen
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Gomora edges Midlands to secure promotion to Motsepe Foundation Championship
Gomora United FC took on Midlands Wanderers in a tense ABC Motsepe League national playoff semi-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, on July 5. Gomora United, representing Gauteng, defeated Midlands, representing KwaZulu-Natal, 1–0, sealing their promotion to the second tier of South African football. Read more: ARMSTA shows support for Gomora United FC On Saturday evening, the stakes were high, with both teams gunning for promotion. The first half ended in a stalemate, with neither team able to break the deadlock despite promising chances. Gomora United nearly took the lead, just under eight minutes after a handball by Midlands' player Philani Khumalo inside the box resulted in a penalty. Captain Thapelo Maleka stepped up to convert, hoping to give Gomora an early lead, but Midlands' goalkeeper, Ngobani Langa, blocked the spot kick, stretching far enough to tip the ball off to the left post. Gomora maintained momentum, while Midlands pressed forward with their own attacking threats. Early in the second half, Midlands conceded another penalty when Siduduzo Dlamini fouled Siyabonga Mashinini inside the box. This gave Maleka the opportunity to redeem himself, after missing the first penalty. Langa was left standing still after Maleka's powerful spot kick to the left, giving Gomora the lead at just under 67 minutes. Midlands searched desperately for an equaliser, but could not find the breakthrough, despite their repeated attempts to score. Although they lost against Gomora, Midlands' hope for promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship are not entirely shattered. They will have another shot at promotion through the third/fourth place playoff. This is because an additional team from the ABC Motsepe League has to be promoted to fill the void left by Royal AM's exit from the professional ranks. Gomora United's win against Midlands, and The Bees victory against Thames FC, guarantees their promotion. The two semi-final victors will go head-to-head in the finals on July 6. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News24
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Actor Sishi opens up about loss and childhood - ‘Rejection has been a huge part of my life'
At first glance, he appears to be a well-groomed young man with a bright demeanor. However, in an honest conversation, the young actor revealed that he has grappled with feelings of rejection since childhood. Actor Ntobeko Sisi popularly known for his role as Ntokozo Dlamini on Mzansi Magic show Gomora has opened up about the life experiences that made him who he is today. He rose to fame as an actor and soon showcased his musical talent by releasing an EP and several singles. In a candid podcast interview with The insideshow podcast hosted by George Avakian, the young creative shared glimpse of his childhood and how those experiences shaped the young man he is today. Having lost his mother at just six years old, Ntobeko relied on his father for provision and safety however somewhere along the way his father rejected him and sent him on the earliest flight to Durban at just 10 years old. 'I lost my mom was I six years old. After that I was with my dad and then he switched up and said you're not my son, you have to go back. He put me on a flight at 10 years old. I got to the Durban airport, I didn't know where to go.' He says that after that encounter he never saw his father again but had hope that one day he would. 'He passed away five years ago. I got a DM it said our dad is in the hospital. I went and I was there. As angry as I was, I couldnt say anything because the guy was in machines and stuff so I just forgave him.' 'Rejection has been a huge part of my life and I let go of that part of my life. Not letting it have a negative impact on me has been challenging.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE INSIDE SHOW (@theinside_show)
