Latest news with #LaughAfricaComedyFestival
The Citizen
7 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Embracing the humour in life's chaos
From exploding chip packets to traffic jams, life's small crises are made easier when we embrace humour in the chaos. Life is full of small battles that test our patience, dignity and, sometimes, even our will to live – like trying to open a packet of chips without it exploding all over your lap. Some people call these minor inconveniences, but let's be honest: they feel like full-blown crises in the moment. There's a universal rule in life: no matter how early you leave, traffic will still find you. It's like a jealous ex – you think you've escaped it, but suddenly it's right behind you, flashing its hazards and refusing to let go. You tell yourself to stay calm but five minutes into a standstill, you start over-analysing everything. Why is that taxi skipping the queue? ALSO READ: TV's 'The Four Seasons' makes you think Why is this bakkie in the fast lane? Meanwhile, the car next to you is pretending to be on a very important call, but you know they're just talking to themselves for entertainment. We've all been there – stuck in a painfully awkward conversation with someone you barely know, desperately searching for a way out. Person: 'So, how's work?' You: 'Oh, you know … busy.' Person: 'Yeah, same.' ALSO READ: 'Ma, are you crazy?': Helen Zille's sons react to Showmax Roast Awkward silence as you both suddenly find the ceiling very interesting. At this point, your only options are: make a weird joke that noone understands, or pretend your cellphone is ringing and make an emergency escape. There are few things in life as humbling as assembling furniture. 'You start with enthusiasm, armed with an Allen key and misplaced confidence, only to realise two hours later that you've somehow built a bookshelf that looks like abstract art. The instructions don't help either. 'Attach panel A to slot B.' Cool, except slot B does not exist and panel A is missing. By the time you're done, there are three extra screws lying around, staring at you judgmentally. ALSO READ: Rob van Vuuren brings 'Namaste Bae' to Laugh Africa Comedy Festival You pick the shortest queue at the store, feeling smug about your decision – until you realise the person ahead of you is paying with coins and has exactly one million items in the trolley. At this point, you consider abandoning your trolley and living off whatever is left in your fridge, but it is day three of surviving on mustard and half a tomato. At the end of the day, life is full of these small struggles that make us laugh, cry, and question everything. But if you can find humour in the madness, then maybe – just maybe – you're winning.
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
JJ Tabane, Londie London and more talk about Helen Zille's Roast
Whether it is her hard-hitting journalism or the indelible mark she has left in South Africa's politics, DA federal chair Helen Zille has become known for her approach to public affairs and media. Never afraid to jump in front of the camera with viral stars and meme kings and queens, May 16 will see her survive her first Comedy Central Roast. From Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff to US President Donald Trump, the Roasts have been a popular stage for big-name Hollywood figures and has-beens alike, who are honoured for their achievements through insult comedy. Speaking to Zille on the event's red carpet, TimesLIVE asked whether this was her downplaying some of the contentious and divisive remarks made in the past that have offended many in and out of politics. Zille said she was more than keen to leave people feeling hot under the collar. 'I'm here to ruffle some more feathers. I'm here to take feather-ruffling to the next level,' she said. We spoke to a stars who will take to the stage to find out what they think about Zille's upcoming Roast. NAMBITHA BEN-MAZWI I think this is a smart rebrand. We get to see a side of her that is more likeable for the target audience, which is us, the youth. Politics is very serious and there's a lot we can get into, but I try not to get into it publicly. These are my dinner-party conversations. However, I think it's a very smart strategy and after tonight I think there will be a huge audience that follows her and sees her in a different light. I see the Martha Stewart strategy here. It will be a rebrand and you won't see it coming. JJ TABANE She has to account for the things she's said. My view is that her tongue is a double-edged sword. That's what I'll be taking the Mickey out of. PRINCE DUBE Tumi Morake on the red carpet at the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival in Sandton. Image: Thapelo Morebudi If Donald Trump or Justin Bieber can be roasted, who is Helen? You know what? After this, can we get Cyril [Ramaphosa]? Even Jacob Zuma, we are here for it. TUMI MORAKE What makes it great — and we've watched a lot of American ones — we want somebody who is on top of people's minds and they've affected people one way or another. They have a large body of work and with Helen we had to cut down on the things we want to talk about. She is the perfect fit for this. LONDIE LONDON All I can say is you guys need to look out for this Roast. Nothing is going to be downplayed. Everything about Helen is out there, so she can be roasted about it. That auntie has a lot of issues, from the things she did in the 2010s to her issues with Zuma. It will be an interesting Roast.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Helen Zille says she wouldn't have done Showmax Roast if her mother was still alive
DA federal council chair Helen Zille has revealed she wouldn't have accepted the invitation to be guest of honour at the 2025 Showmax Roast if her mother was still alive. The Roast, part of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, was held at the Sandton Convention Centre in May and will premiere on Showmax this Friday. Zille said her mother was sensitive to criticism, often taking personal offence when someone spoke negatively about her daughter. 'She suffered every time someone said something nasty about me,' Zille said. 'I'd say, 'Mom, this is politics,' but she'd take it so personally. She used to say I was too sensitive for politics, but the truth is she was too sensitive for me to be in politics. I'm actually relieved she never had to witness the social media era; I don't think she would've survived it. I'm glad she lived in a time when the worst things people said about me were only in newspapers.' Zille's mother died in 2015. Zille admitted she had no idea what the Roast entailed when she accepted the invitation, thinking it was an invitation to a Sunday lunch. 'I thought, 'That's like a Sunday lunch — sure!' It sounded like an invitation to a roast chicken. So, I said yes. Only later did I realise it was something else entirely.'
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘Ma, are you crazy?': Helen Zille's sons react to Showmax Roast
Helen Zille admits she initially thought Showmax was inviting her to lunch when it approached her about the roast. The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille premiers this Friday on Showmax and Zille spoke to media about participating in the comedy show. Picture: Supplied DA leader Helen Zille admitted she had no idea what a comedy roast was when she was first approached about becoming the next celebrity to be roasted on Showmax. 'When I told my sons, they said, 'Ma, do you even know what a Roast is?' And I had to admit, 'No, I don't. What is it?' They were like, 'Ma, are you crazy? You're putting yourself out there for a toasting! You're going to be chewed up.' I said, 'That's fine. I get chewed up every day,' said Zille, narrating how her two sons took the news of her being roasted. The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille premieres this Friday on Showmax, and Zille spoke to the media about participating in the show, which is premised on a celebrity being made fun of by other celebrities. In 2024, media personality Minnie Dlamini was roasted. Zille's roast featured former Comics Choice Comic of the Year Loyiso Gola, media personalities Bongani Bingwa, JJ Tabane and Rian van Heerden, reality TV stars Londie London and Mel Viljoen. Zille admits that when Showmax approached her about the roast, she thought she was invited for lunch. 'They said, 'Do you want to do a Roast?' and I thought, 'That's like a Sunday lunch – sure!' ALSO READ: Royals in the crowd: Meghan and Harry enjoy Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter concert Zille not taking herself too seriously The controversial politician said she took part because she wanted to show her grandchildren that she could have fun and not take herself too seriously. 'I have this image of being such a fierce and terrible person — someone unable to take a joke – and of course, that's not true. I'd like them [grandkids] to know a bit more about the real me, all the different sides. Especially the fact that we need to be able to laugh at ourselves.' Speaking about some of the celebrities who participated in the roast, Zille said she found them interesting and that they are 'good at what they do.' However, she is honest about not knowing the reality TV personalities London and Viljoen. 'The only people I have no clue about are The Real Housewives – Mel Viljoen and Londie London. I don't know if they're from Desperate Housewives or The Real Housewives,' said Zille. 'I know nothing about that world, so that'll be new for me. But the rest I know, and I think they'll handle this kind of exchange well.' The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille was part of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival at the Sandton Convention Centre in early May. NOW READ: Adam Howard: SA's adopted son who fell in love with the music and never looked back
TimesLIVE
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Shakespeare's love tragedy reborn as a pop musical
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. This week's Spotlight entertainment offering features a modern retelling of star-crossed lovers Juliet and Romeo, a local drama garnering attention, a streaming delight for Star Wars fans and highlights from last week's Laugh Africa Comedy Festival. A reimagining of Shakespeare's most famous tragic love story, Juliet & Romeo is reborn as a pop musical for a new generation. Directed by Timothy Scott Bogart (Spinning Gold, The Jungle Book: Search for the Lost Treasure) and with Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward in the title roles, you can expect forbidden love, political intrigue and the power of music to collide. The film co-stars Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett and Jason Isaacs and promises to be a fantastic cinema outing. Seasoned local director Karabo Lediga (Queen Sono, Emoyeni) brings the story of high-flying banker Lesego returning unannounced to her childhood home on an apparent sabbatical from life. A powerful family secret threatens to upend the relationship between doting, but overbearing mother Doris and Lesego. Sabbatical stars Mona Monyane, Clementine Mosimane and Loyiso Gola, and is on at cinemas. Don't miss this week's interviews with the cast and coverage of the local premiere. The series Andor was created as the prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and features a new episode every week. In Season 2 war is afoot and everyone is tested with betrayal, sacrifice and conflicting agendas during the formative years of rebel spy Cassian Andor. Streaming on Disney+ and starring Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård and Forest Whitaker, the Empire is on full defence against the Rebel Alliance threatening to take over the throne. 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 giveaways Win double movie tickets to see Juliet & Romeo at a Ster-Kinekor cinema by answering a question. For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by May 14. 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 Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
