Latest news with #Palesa
TimesLIVE
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
DJ Tira sets the tone for this year's Durban July with Mzansi's sought-after A-listers
The countdown to the Hollywoodbets Durban July has begun and DJ Tira's Afrotainment team is gearing up for another spectacular year at the Afrotainment Marquee. On July 5, the team will bring their unique blend of style and entertainment to the event, themed 'Marvels of Mzansi'. Recently, the Palesa hit maker and the Afrotainment crew gathered at Avianto Hotel in Muldersdrift for a stunning photo shoot to kick-start their journey to the much-anticipated opulent event. DJ Tira's wife Gugu Khathi, singers Zee Nxumalo, Mawhoo, DJ Maphorisa, Ashley Ogle and Sweet Guluva, donned bright-coloured garments, setting the tone for an unforgettable event. For Gugu, the Durban July has become a cherished tradition. 'It went from an idea. From the smallest photo shoot to what we do now. It's been years, and each year, this day is the most important,' she said, highlighting the significance of the event. This year marks 14 years of DJ Tira having his Afro marquee at the Durban July and he's built a reputation for doing it bigger and better. He says this year he is taking things up a notch. 'The love and passion for what I do [is what keeps me going]. I love entertainment, I love looking good. I love being a leader. I love showing the way. And now I am showing the way for Durban July, how to dress and how to look,' Tira said. 'We always work with who's hot. When it comes to the Afrotainment shoot, we always work with whose currently trending.' Mawhoo, who will be attending the event for the first time because she usually attends the after-parties, plans to dazzle with elegance. She advises first-time attendees to put their best foot forward too. 'Look good, look nice. It's not a competition, just wear something that's going to make you feel confident and that you'll be proud of.' Ashley Ogle, also a first-timer, is excited about her appearance. 'I think of it (the event) as glam and Zodwa Wabantu. Now it's going to be Ashley Wabantu. I'm looking forward to seeing all the looks.'
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Miss Teen Legacy South Africa
Riverside High School in Vereeniging's Palesa Pahle represented Gauteng at the Miss Inspirational Teen South Africa at the Protea Hotel OR Tambo. Palesa was crowned Miss Teen Legacy South Africa 2025. Other titles she won include: Best in Social Media, Overall Public Choice Winner. She will also have the opportunity to represent South Africa internationally very soon. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
eNCA
08-05-2025
- eNCA
'It's been hell' - Mum relays painful fight for justice after child's rape
File: A sign left as a protest against gender violence at the scene of a rape and murder. GettyImages/RapidEye Editor's note: Pseudonyms have been used to protect the identity of a minor JOHANNESBURG - A Gauteng mother is torn between fighting for her daughter and walking away from a justice system she believes has let her family down. For the past three years, Maria Ngcobo* and her husband, Ben Ngcobo*, have been seeking justice after their nine-year-old daughter, Palesa*, who was raped, allegedly by her school principal. The incident reportedly happened in 2022, months after the family relocated from Pretoria to Johannesburg. Palesa was six years old at the time. Maria says the principal, who also managed the school transport, dropped Palesa off at home after 6pm – much later than usual. She noticed something was amiss when the child entered the house with the zip of her trousers down. "When I questioned her about it, she began crying. I stopped asking and began assisting her to undress. That's when I noticed her underwear was wet," Maria recalls. She contacted a female teacher from the school, but when the woman could not help, Maria turned to her neighbour, who took them to a nearby clinic. An examination confirmed that Palesa had been raped. Maria says at first Palesa was reluctant to disclose who had violated her. She later told the police, after they made it clear that she was safe with them. "She said it was him who did that and he threatened to kill her and the entire family if she ever told anyone," Maria recalls. The principal was arrested and later found to have been running an unregistered school and using a fraudulent ID. The man was released on bail. Maria and Ben say the case has been plagued by delays, changes in investigators, allegations of evidence tampering, and issues with DNA testing. They also claim to have been followed by suspicious vehicles, leading them to relocate multiple times for safety reasons. "I am frustrated. I was even telling my husband let's just drop this case because one day we will lose our lives. It cannot be that a rape case has been dragging since 2022. We have done everything in our power, but we are sent from pillar to post. The justice system has failed us," Maria says. She has noted a change in her daughter's behaviour since the incident. Maria says the child is not coping well in school, has become very distant and is no longer the bubbly Palesa they used to know. Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that a rape case had been opened and that the matter was before the Germiston Magistrate's Court. She said the accused was charged with rape and contravention of the Immigration Act. She directed the family to register any questions or complaints with the case prosecutor. The matter resumes on 8 May. BY Zandile Khumalo
