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IOL News
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From SA to Hollywood: a star-studded roundup of 2025's celebrity weddings
Former Miss SA, Natasha Joubert-Vermaak is amongst the many celebrities that said 'I do" this year. Image: Instagram Love is definitely in the air this year! One would say that 2025 is the year of marriage and celebrating the union of two people, as we have seen a lot of wedding content from celebrities this year, be it international or local, traditional or white wedding. Zozibini Tunzi and Luthando Bolowana Former Miss SA 2019, Zozibini Tunzi, walked down the aisle in March. She exchanged vows with Luthando Bolowana in Cape Town. Tunzi also had a traditional wedding the following weekend after her white wedding at her home village in Tsolo. For her white wedding, the beauty queen wore a stunning off-the-shoulder lace dress with white flowers and beadwork all over it. While for her traditional wedding, Tunzi wore a beautiful white, black, orange and blue Xhosa attire. 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 Zozibini Tunzi with her husband Luthando Bolowana, who got married in March this year. Image: Instagram/@Zozitunzi Natasha Joubert and Enrico Vermaak Miss SA 2023, Natasha Joubert, is another beauty queen who went to the chapel to say, 'I do'. She tied the knot in March to her longtime partner, Enrico Vermaak, in Cape Town. The 27-year-old wore a stunning full-sleeve dress that featured beautiful beaded work from her neck down to her stomach. Natasha with her husband Enrico Vermaak on their wedding day in March this year. Image: Instagram Candice Modiselle and Sechaba Sello TV host and actress Candice Modiselle exchanged vows with Sechaba Sello in an intimate and traditional ceremony in April. Modiselle looked as beautiful as ever as she wore a stunning blue traditional off-the-shoulder Tswana dress. The gorgeous dress, which had two different shades of blue, was paired with a headpiece styled to perfection. Candice and Sechaba Sello on their wedding day in April. Image: Instagram Demi Lovato and Jonathan Lutes US singer Demi Lovato tied the knot in May to her partner of three years, Jonathan 'Jutes' Lutes, in California in the presence of friends and family. Lovato walked down the aisle in a beautiful off-the-shoulder satin white gown and slayed in three stunning outfits on her wedding day, and looked as beautiful as ever. Demi Lovato and her husband, Jordan "Jutes" Lutes on their wedding day in May. Image: Instagram Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors secretly tied the knot in March in a small ceremony. Good and Majors tied the knot after two years of dating. While many publications have revealed the wedding news, the couple haven't shared any content from their wedding day. Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors tied the knot in March. Image: Bang Showbiz Robin Thicke and April Love Geary US singer-songwriter Robin Thicke married his long time fiancée, April Love Geary on May 30 in an intimate beachside wedding in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. Geary wore a gorgeous white lace dress featuring long sleeves, a high neckline, and a dramatic open back. The model changed her ceremony dress later on for the after-party into a white short dress that also had an open-back. Robin Thicke and April Love Geary on their wedding day in May. Image: Instagram Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen US actress Hailee Steinfeld said 'I do' on May 31 in California to Josh Allen. Steinfeld dazzled on her wedding day as she wore a white strapless wedding gown, accessorised with a long tulle veil and opera gloves. Pictures and videos of the wedding day were leaked on the internet; however, the newlyweds have not shared anything about their special day on their social media pages.
Eyewitness News
9 hours ago
- General
- Eyewitness News
Initiation season in South Africa: Why state regulation clashes with customary laws
It's nearly winter in South Africa, which means the opening of winter initiation schools is approaching. These rituals mark a transition to adulthood and are deeply ingrained culturally. But they're often the subject of headlines because of deaths and safety issues. Now government is looking to tighten its enforcement of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021. We asked Anthony Diala, a scholar of African customary law, to break down the issues. WHAT IS TRADITIONAL INITIATION IN SOUTH AFRICA? Traditional initiation is a cultural rite of passage. Millions of South Africans observe varying forms of initiation rites to mark significant events such as birth, puberty, adulthood, marriage and death. Initiation reflects important ancestral ties, values and cultural identity. These rites vary from community to community. Male initiation among the Xhosa people of the Eastern Cape province, for example, includes circumcision and seclusion in specially constructed lodges away from communities. Initiates learn survival skills, cultural traditions and social responsibilities from tribal elders. Some training involves rituals and dietary restrictions. Female initiation prepares girls for social roles as wives, mothers and aunts. Initiation ceremonies by the Bantwane of Mpumalanga province, for example, teach appropriate social and sexual behaviour for very young girls through a six-week rite of passage. They include real and symbolic circumcision. (Symbolic circumcision means a slight cut or 'nick from a trained health worker' rather than full circumcision.) In traditional communities, initiation to adulthood reflects intimate connections between farming practices, seasonal changes and ancestral rites. It reinforces the relationship between human development and agricultural productivity. So, it typically coincides with critical farming seasons and crop cultivation cycles. WHY ARE INITIATION PRACTICES REGULATED? From my research on the interaction of legal systems, I know the state is mandated to protect public wellbeing. The Customary Initiation Act of 2021 asserts the state has a 'duty to set norms and standards' for initiation practices. There are good reasons for this. Initiation practices are sometimes accused of violating bodily autonomy and other human rights. There's concern about the abduction of boys into initiation schools, questionable consent of initiates, the risk of physical injury through negligence, poor hygienic conditions and unqualified traditional practitioners. Since 1995, hundreds of male Xhosa initiates have died from complications. Thousands have suffered penis amputations due to practitioner incompetence. This health risk is the strongest argument for state regulation. But criticisms of initiation schools also reflect negative attitudes towards indigenous laws. Some Africans condemn their own indigenous practices because they have embraced western culture and its notions of civilised behaviour. The Europeans who colonised South Africa used Christianity, Eurocentric education and new systems of work to alter the behaviour of their subjects. They created new cultural values for Africans, who went on to replicate these values. South Africa adopted a western-style constitution and uses its foreign values to regulate indigenous practices. WHAT DOES THE NEW REGULATION PROPOSE? The Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs recently invited comments on Draft Customary Initiation Regulations. These will regulate the enforcement of the Customary Initiation Act by clarifying the roles of the National Initiation Oversight Committee and provincial initiation coordinating committees. The Customary Initiation Act itself demands the registration of initiation schools and traditional surgeons. It requires written consent from parents or legal guardians for minors and forbids initiation for children under 16. It even restricts initiation seasons to school holidays. HOW DOES REGULATION REFLECT A CLASH BETWEEN CUSTOMARY AND COMMON LAW? Indigenous laws cherish communal welfare. Common laws prioritise individual wellbeing. While indigenous laws emerged in agrarian (farming) settings, the laws imposed by European colonisers developed in industrial societies. The clash of cultures has been intense in the courts. European colonial judges refused to enforce customs they considered contrary to public policy, natural justice, equity or good conscience. This enabled them to 'civilise' African behaviour. Today, the 'civilising' role is performed by Africans themselves using the constitution's bill of rights. The Customary Initiation Act wants to transform initiation practices to reflect the values in the bill of rights. Sections 15, 30-31, 39(3) and 211 of the Constitution recognise customary law and mandate courts to apply it. But the bill itself emerged from foreign ideas. Specifically, it came from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Western powers adopted this with zero input from indigenous Africans. So, state regulation of initiation practices continues to make European laws culturally superior to indigenous African laws. WHAT'S THE WAY FORWARD? Obviously, the state is obliged to protect everyone's human rights, including those of initiates. But traditional communities also have a constitutional right to practise their culture without undue state influence. Therefore, a balance needs to be struck between protecting teenagers and preserving culture. In striking this balance, everyone must keep in mind the agrarian origins of initiation rites and the colonial origins of the modern South African state. In the precolonial era, families and tribal leaders had the duty of protecting initiates. There is no reason why this should not continue. State regulation should be limited to establishing minimum health standards and providing training for traditional practitioners. In my view, it should leave age participation guidelines and informed consent to traditional authorities. This would be a sign that the state respects indigenous law as a legitimate source of law in South Africa. To assuage health concerns, some initiation rites can be performed symbolically. Traditional practitioners can be trained to incorporate modern health knowledge without compromising cultural authenticity. This will improve health standards. Hopefully, it will also reduce negative perceptions of initiation practices. This article first appeared on The Conversation. Read the original article here.
TimesLIVE
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
EMBO festival to celebrate Winnie Madikizela-Mandela through music, culture and debate
Soweto is about to come alive with the rhythms of resistance and the power of voice as the City of Johannesburg prepares to host the EMBO Festival, a two-day celebration honouring the legacy of one of South Africa's most iconic freedom fighters — Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Taking place on June 7 at the Soweto Theatre, this festival is more than just a cultural event: it's a bold reimagining of how history can be remembered, retold and reclaimed. This year's theme places Madikizela-Mandela's Xhosa heritage and fearless activism at the centre of a powerful programme that fuses debate, live music and historical reflection. The event will feature artists such as Medudutsane Basadi, Lungiswa Plaatjies and Mr Vee Sholo . EMBO, meaning 'origin' or 'source,' is a project with a purpose: to move the stories of African heroes from the margins into the heart of public consciousness. Through an Afrocentric lens, the festival aims to unearth histories that have been overshadowed by colonial narratives, presenting them in vibrant and meaningful ways to a new generation.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Royal rebels in Munich: Anele Mdoda and hubby enjoy time in Germany
While in Germany, the couple had the opportunity to mingle with retired footballers Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcântara. Anele Mdoda and her husband Bonelela 'Buzza' James enjoyed their time in Germany over the weekend. Picture: zintathu/Instagram Broadcaster and entrepreneur Anele Mdoda and her hubby Bonelela 'Buzza' James enjoyed Germany over the weekend. The newlyweds spent the weekend in Europe to watch the UEFA Champions League final, which was held in Munich, Germany. Since tying the knot in April and making their relationship public, the pair has shared videos and images of each other on their social media pages. The couple also attended the recent Polo where Mdoda was dressed as the 'matriarch who had to look after the family business after all the men were offed by the enemy'. Photos of their traditional wedding were widely shared on social media over the weekend. James is a respected lawyer and Xhosa royal from the AbaThembu tribe. ALSO READ: WATCH: 'From radio queen to royal queen': Reactions as Anele Mdoda ties the knot James hops on the husband doing everything trend The couple hopped on the 'My Name Is' trend, where the husband introduces himself and lists the chores he does around the house, while the woman simply says her name. The trend pokes fun at the daily lives of married couples and how they split chores. Soon after landing in Germany, Mdoda and her husband played the game by posting James, seemingly doing all the work while on holiday. 'Hi, I'm Buzza James. I've got all the luggage, got the room key, did the check in,' says James while his wife just puts on lip gloss on her lips. 'Hi, I'm Buzza James, I found the restaurant and I ordered the food and the beers,' said James in their version of the social media trend. Looking cute, with beer in hand, Mdoda just said: 'Hi, I'm Anele,' and took a sip of her beer. While in Germany, the couple had the opportunity to mingle with retired footballers Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcântara. 'What a dream! The city is electric & PSG's aiming for glory. Munich's got that final buzz in the air, and it's pumping. This is not just another game; it's the pinnacle of football, where swagger meets legacy,' James wrote in excitement before the game. Mdoda and James were part of a group of soccer fans that were flown to Germany by Champions League sponsors Heineken to watch the final between eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan. SuperSport presenter Tshepang Mollison, a social media influencer popularly known as Twiggy Moli was one of the other South Africans who watched the game live at the stadium. While some got to watch the game live at the stadium, a handful of South African fans gathered to watch the match at the Dome in Nasrec, South of Johannesburg. There were performances by Kwesta, Anatii, and recent Metro FM award winner K.O. Broadcaster Robert Marawa hosted the House Ultimate Champions League Final Viewing Experience. 'It is a big occasion, not just for football lovers but for socialites,' said former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, speaking to The Citizen on the day. 'But the main attraction is the game.' NOW READ: Holding cell drama in Mozambique: Scotts Maphuma in 'hot water' over no-show
The Herald
2 days ago
- General
- The Herald
From California to an Eastern Cape village — a volunteer's story
When C alifornia-born teacher Janet Wolfertz arrived in the small village of Viedgesville, she turned heads. 'At first, I think my presence in Viedgesville was understandably a bit of an anomaly. What is this strange old white lady doing walking the streets with her overloaded backpack and a massive tote bag full of toilet paper rolls? 'But it didn't take long for me to be welcomed wholeheartedly by the school staff, learners and the broader Viedgesville community. 'From the hugs from workers at the Wholesale and KwikSpar, to the honour of being asked to speak to the ikrwala (a young man who has just graduated from initiation school) at an ulwaluko (initiation) ceremony, to the squeals of learners rushing to help me carry my stuff to school in the mornings — I couldn't ask for a more powerful sense of warmth, love and acceptance.' Wolfertz, a Peace Corps volunteer and veteran teacher with a career spanning more than two decades, arrived at Viedgesville Primary School in April 2024 and spent a year teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). She left the school on April 29 this year. Speaking before her farewell, Wolfertz said she could hardly believe she had spent a year at the school. 'When I arrived in Viedgesville, I was excited for the opportunity [and the challenge] to collaborate with Xhosa teachers and learners and discover new, practical and engaging ways to teach science, technology, engineering, art and maths,' she said. 'Originally from California, I have a strong background in education, software development and stage and film production. 'I've always been passionate about travelling, experiencing other cultures and working with children to explore hands-on, creative learning.' Her work at Viedgesville Primary included creating and teaching lessons in STEM and arts, developing classroom materials using local and recycled items and co-planning with teachers. ' Whether we're creating cardboard looms for measurement, investigating circuits with foil and old Christmas lights, or building rockets out of used soda bottles, the focus is always on making learning meaningful and accessible. 'Students respond eagerly to activities that let them explore and create. 'Our projects are often improvised — using paper to simulate coding blocks, learners to represent robots, and recycled materials to design structures and experiments. 'The lessons may not look like they come from a well-equipped STEM lab, but the students' excitement and growth show me that the learning is impactful. 'Each day, I watched their confidence grow as they tackled challenges that stretched their thinking — often while my own understanding of the Eastern Cape curriculum was evolving alongside theirs,' Wolfertz said. She said her time at Viedgesville Primary was interesting and challenging. 'As I've delved deeper into my role, I've encountered challenges that required flexibility and a willingness to shift focus. 'Limited resources are ongoing, infrastructure issues constrain the feasibility of projects and occasional disconnects between the curriculum and learners' realities mean that not every idea works. 'For instance, the grade 7 technology curriculum is often out of sync with what's practical or relevant to the learners. So, the children and I often explored new concepts together, learning side by side.' Collaboration and community engagement were key and she would often involve the broader community in the learning process, connecting with neighbouring schools to share resources and ideas. 'Despite my limited isiXhosa, I've joined fellow teachers in presenting maths to parents, hoping to spark greater shared investment in education.' Wolfertz said what she found most inspiring about the school was the pupils' curiosity and creativity. 'There's a strong oral tradition here and students are eager to share stories. 'While many struggle with English, I've seen meaningful growth in their efforts to communicate, especially in understanding technical vocabulary and concepts. 'That being said, I also strongly believe, and research supports, that immersing young learners in a second language early on is essential for their success. 'What a gift it is to be fluent in two languages. While I'm not a literacy teacher, I've tried to support literacy through story-based science lessons, and by encouraging learners to write and share stories with younger learners. 'I believe literacy is more than just reading — it's about giving students the tools to understand their world and express their ideas. 'The road to Viedgesville Primary School hasn't always been easy to navigate, but with the vision and dedication of Ms [Pindelwa] Mda, the support of the Peace Corps, the contributions of this incredible community and the pure joy and eagerness of the learners, I am constantly reminded that this journey has given me far more than I could ever hope to give in return,' Wolfertz said as she bade the school farewell. This special report into the state of literacy, a collaborative effort by The Herald, Sowetan and Daily Dispatch, was made possible by the Henry Nxumalo Foundation
