Latest news with #IOLEntertainment
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
M-Touch continues to celebrates triple win for ‘Kwelanga 2. 0' at Metro FM Music Awards
Born and bred in Pretoria, the young talent, real name Bulelwa Tibane is among the producers on the hit song "Kwelanga 2.0" Music producer M-Touch continues to enjoy the acclaim for his recent collaboration with Bassie and Ranger on the track 'Kwelanga 2.0.' 'Kwelanga 2.0', featuring TMan Xpress and Lee McKrazy, won three awards at the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards; Best Music Video, Best Amapiano Song, and Best Collaboration Song. Having seen the success of 'Kwelanga', M-Touch admits that he had expected to walk away with one award but three was the cherry on top. M-Touch shared with IOL Entertainment how he knew the song would be a hit as soon as Bassie was done recording. 'I couldn't stop playing it thereafter, I kinda knew it would be a hit'.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
'Skeem Saam' stars Tiisetso Thoka and Mogau Keebine discuss the impact of their affair storyline
'Skeem Saam' actors Mogau Keebine and Tiisetso Thoka portray Mapitsi and DJ Thomas on the long-running drama series. Image: Supplied/SkeemSaam 'Skeem Saam' knows how to grip viewers with a storyline and the latest revolving around the adulterous affair of DJ Thomas and Mapitsi Maputla has been no different. The pair, both radio presenters at Berry FM, have been entangled in an illicit relationship. The twist? Mapitsi is a married woman and her husband, T'bose, has no idea what's been going on behind the scenes. That is, until the affair was accidentally exposed, live on air, thanks to Kamo's meddling. In an interview with IOL Entertainment, the actors behind the characters Tiisetso Thoka and Mogau Keebine, shared that when they first read the script of how their character's secret would be exposed, had quite a reaction. 'I immediately had goosebumps thinking of the aftermath,' said Thoka. 'It meant the whole of Turf would know about the affair and the chances of Thomas losing his radio gig were high.' Keebine was just as shocked and worried about how the characters would recover from such a huge blow, being exposed on the whole community radio station. 'It was a very exciting time to be reading the script I was shocked and I was also very proud of how the writers just didn't go the conventional route of, you know, them being caught in the act, they exposed themselves,' said Keebine. Character Insights The storyline was a challenge for both actors and they both prepared for it by reading up on scenarios on how people felt or reacted when they were caught cheating or when they caught their partner cheating. For Keebine, who is married in real life, the storyline brought personal challenges. She had to prepare her family ahead of the episodes, reassuring them that it was all just a role. She also admitted she disagreed with her character's actions. 'I had to put my feelings about what Mapitsi and Thomas were doing aside and play the role of a broken-hearted, lonely, married woman with two kids who was finding affection from someone else.' The radio station setting added an element of pressure on the characters they had to act professionally when on air, even on days they were not getting along off-air. 'Eventually it put so much pressure on the affair because of our fights,' said Thoka. Mapitsi is already dealing with the pressures of her personal life. When her husband T'bose came back from overseas, it wasn't all smooth sailing, he didn't find her attractive, her wardrobe choices. 'He was kind of almost borderline agreeing with the listenership of the radio station, and you put that together with having just been pregnant and having had a baby," explains Keebine. 'There's insecurities about weight and physical appearance, and there's obviously like a disconnect between Mapitsi and T'bose an emotional disconnect between them at the time. 'I guess, you know, Thomas came in at a time when Mapitsi was very emotionally vulnerable and feeling lonely in her relationship. The radio station's audiences' emphasise on appearance after having a baby was an added pressure. 'I think the main pressure came from what was happening in her personal life because I think if Mapitsi had felt more reassured and more connected to Tbose as her husband, things probably wouldn't have gotten to where they did," said Keebine. Audience Reactions Audiences have been loving the storyline, many have been waiting for the day DJ Thomas and Mapitsi get caught. On Facebook, posts about the storyline have been flooded with comments, and on the week of the big expose May 12 - 16, the median rating pull was around 3.7 million viewers and Friday's fiery episode pulled around 4.3 million. Thoka reveals that the real-life audience reactions have been crazy. 'It's funny how most people take this seriously and think it's real life.' More than 50 people have approached him and told him how disgusted they are by what he is doing with Mapitsi. 'I'm used to handling such situations because it's not the first time it has happened. Mostly, I avoid going out in the public,' he said. Through social media, Keebine got mixed reactions to Mapitsi cheating, from women understanding where the character was coming from and disappointment from men, who were hurt by their respectable Makoti's change of ways. 'There was a huge group of other women who were like, we cannot wait to see Mapitsi's downfall when all of this is revealed, because I am not representing women well. 'I liked that as much as, you know, it's not nice to hear about the character that you're playing, but I like that women are standing up for their character as women and saying that, no, we are not like this. This is a bad representation of most of us, even though it is what happens. The adulterous storyline is not without lessons, Keebine says it reminds us that 'it will always end in tears'. 'Be careful, tread lightly, and also be aware of your emotional state, so that you don't fall into the trap of unintentionally catching feelings for someone who you're not supposed to be looking at in that kind of way, from Mapitsi's perspective,' said Keebine. 'You can't expect a person to be the way you envision them to be according to your expectations. Human beings have feelings and make mistakes too,' adds Thoka. 'But it also tells us about the results of those mistakes. How your decisions can alter your life so drastically.' As the scandal continues to unfold, viewers remain glued to their screens, wondering: Will Mapitsi and T'bose reconcile? Will DJ Thomas still go through with paying Lobola for his girlfriend? And will the listeners of Berry FM and the people of Turfloop, ever forget what happened live on air? IOL Entertainment
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Skeem Saam's Tiisetso Thoka and Mogau Keebine discuss the impact of their affair storyline
'Skeem Saam' actors Mogau Keebine and Tiisetso Thoka portray Mapitsi and DJ Thomas on the long-running drama series. Image: Supplied/SkeemSaam 'Skeem Saam' knows how to grip viewers with a storyline and the latest revolving around the adulterous affair of DJ Thomas and Mapitsi Maputla has been no different. The pair, both radio presenters at Berry FM, have been entangled in an illicit relationship. The twist? Mapitsi is a married woman and her husband, T'bose, has no idea what's been going on behind the scenes. That is, until the affair was accidentally exposed, live on air, thanks to Kamo's meddling. In an interview with IOL Entertainment, the actors behind the characters Tiisetso Thoka and Mogau Keebine, shared that when they first read the script of how their character's secret would be exposed, had quite a reaction. 'I immediately had goosebumps thinking of the aftermath,' said Thoka. 'It meant the whole of Turf would know about the affair and the chances of Thomas losing his radio gig were high.' 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 ✕ Keebine was just as shocked and worried about how the characters would recover from such a huge blow, being exposed on the whole community radio station. 'It was a very exciting time to be reading the script I was shocked and I was also very proud of how the writers just didn't go the conventional route of, you know, them being caught in the act, they exposed themselves,' said Keebine. Character Insights The storyline was a challenge for both actors and they both prepared for it by reading up on scenarios on how people felt or reacted when they were caught cheating or when they caught their partner cheating. For Keebine, who is married in real life, the storyline brought personal challenges. She had to prepare her family ahead of the episodes, reassuring them that it was all just a role. She also admitted she disagreed with her character's actions. 'I had to put my feelings about what Mapitsi and Thomas were doing aside and play the role of a broken-hearted, lonely, married woman with two kids who was finding affection from someone else.' The radio station setting added an element of pressure on the characters they had to act professionally when on air, even on days they were not getting along off-air. 'Eventually it put so much pressure on the affair because of our fights,' said Thoka. Mapitsi is already dealing with the pressures of her personal life. When her husband T'bose came back from overseas, it wasn't all smooth sailing, he didn't find her attractive, her wardrobe choices. 'He was kind of almost borderline agreeing with the listenership of the radio station, and you put that together with having just been pregnant and having had a baby," explains Keebine. 'There's insecurities about weight and physical appearance, and there's obviously like a disconnect between Mapitsi and T'bose an emotional disconnect between them at the time. 'I guess, you know, Thomas came in at a time when Mapitsi was very emotionally vulnerable and feeling lonely in her relationship. The radio station's audiences' emphasise on appearance after having a baby was an added pressure. 'I think the main pressure came from what was happening in her personal life because I think if Mapitsi had felt more reassured and more connected to Tbose as her husband, things probably wouldn't have gotten to where they did," said Keebine. Audience Reactions Audiences have been loving the storyline, many have been waiting for the day DJ Thomas and Mapitsi get caught. On Facebook, posts about the storyline have been flooded with comments, and on the week of the big expose May 12 - 16, the median rating pull was around 3.7 million viewers and Friday's fiery episode pulled around 4.3 million. Thoka reveals that the real-life audience reactions have been crazy. 'It's funny how most people take this seriously and think it's real life.' More than 50 people have approached him and told him how disgusted they are by what he is doing with Mapitsi. 'I'm used to handling such situations because it's not the first time it has happened. Mostly, I avoid going out in the public,' he said. Through social media, Keebine got mixed reactions to Mapitsi cheating, from women understanding where the character was coming from and disappointment from men, who were hurt by their respectable Makoti's change of ways. TV: Skeem Saam ratings This past week's drama driven by the Mapitsi storyline pulled some decent numbers for the show. The week's median ratings pull was around 3,7-million viewers, peaking with the fiery episode on Friday which pulled around 4,3-million. The numbers will… — Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) May 20, 2025 'There was a huge group of other women who were like, we cannot wait to see Mapitsi's downfall when all of this is revealed, because I am not representing women well. 'I liked that as much as, you know, it's not nice to hear about the character that you're playing, but I like that women are standing up for their character as women and saying that, no, we are not like this. This is a bad representation of most of us, even though it is what happens. The adulterous storyline is not without lessons, Keebine says it reminds us that 'it will always end in tears'. 'Be careful, tread lightly, and also be aware of your emotional state, so that you don't fall into the trap of unintentionally catching feelings for someone who you're not supposed to be looking at in that kind of way, from Mapitsi's perspective,' said Keebine. 'You can't expect a person to be the way you envision them to be according to your expectations. Human beings have feelings and make mistakes too,' adds Thoka. 'But it also tells us about the results of those mistakes. How your decisions can alter your life so drastically.' As the scandal continues to unfold, viewers remain glued to their screens, wondering: Will Mapitsi and T'bose reconcile? Will DJ Thomas still go through with paying Lobola for his girlfriend? And will the listeners of Berry FM and the people of Turfloop, ever forget what happened live on air? IOL Entertainment
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Zikhona Sodlaka marks 20 years in entertainment with nationwide masterclass tour
Zikhona Sodlaka is celebrating 20 years and she's paving the way for those who come next. Picture: Supplied/Moonstone Agency Image: Supplied/Moonstone Agency Celebrated actress, producer, and cultural powerhouse Zikhona Sodlaka is commemorating two decades in the entertainment industry and she's doing it with intention and heart. As she enters this milestone year, Sodlaka launches a nationwide masterclass tour designed to uplift, educate, and inspire the next generation of South African creatives. With a career that spans television, film, and theatre, Sodlaka has become a defining voice in South Africa's cultural narrative. From her powerful performances to her unwavering authenticity, she has left an indelible mark. Now, she's embracing a new chapter of mentorship and legacy-building. The Zikhona Sodlaka Masterclass is described as more than just a workshop. It's an interactive and immersive experience aimed at nurturing talent and empowering creatives with practical tools from finding and owning their unique voice, to navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry and building a sustainable career. 'The broad stroke of storytelling in its simplicity is what storytelling is about, and my interpretation of it is what I am excited to share,' says Sodlaka. 'It's about storytelling, self-belief and creating with purpose.' 'This industry has given me so much, and now I want to give back in a way that's honest, vulnerable, and useful,' she adds. 'These sessions are not just about me they're about building the next generation of fearless creators.' 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 ✕ The masterclass tour will make stops in major cities across the country: Gqeberha – May 31 Bloemfontein – June 1 Cape Town – June 28 Mpumalanga – July 5 Durban – July 28 Johannesburg – August 30 This tour is just the first of many initiatives planned for Sodlaka's 20th anniversary year. A full slate of projects and celebrations will follow, all reflecting on her journey as an artist, storyteller, and cultural icon. IOL Entertainment
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Lunathi Mampofu gets personal about her role in 'Inimba'
Award-winning actress Lunathi Mampofu is receiving praise for her powerful performance in Mzansi Magic's latest drama series, 'Inimba'. In the show, she plays Zoleka Mabandla, a driven woman forced to choose between her family and her career, a role that has resonated deeply with her. Speaking to IOL Entertainment, Mampofu unpacked the character and the storyline describing it as an emotional experience and pure healing. 'There's a lot of things that we as women deal with and not to say men don't, in this story but I've also had to deal with in my life, as a single parent and the ups and downs, the difficult decisions that we have to make.
