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News24
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘If it doesn't feel authentic, I don't do it,' Lawrence Maleka on his career journey
We caught up with actor Lawrence Maleka. His role in The River won the hearts of many South Africans. He has since hosted shows like Big Brother and many high profile events. He is now set to host Friends of Amstel: The Challenge. ____________________________________________________ He captivated fans in The River, then light up Netflix in Lobola Man, a refreshing and humorous take that reimages the traditions of lobola in a modern world. Now, as Friends of Amstel returns for its highly anticipated second season, we catch up with Lawrence Maleka to dive into everything he's been up to since we last spoke, from career highlights to creative evolution. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lawrence Maleka (@sirlawrencemaleka) Stepping into the world of Friends of Amstel: The Challenge 'I think the biggest thing about is that it's more about community than anything else. Everything else is just an excuse for everyone to hang out with one another. Once you start watching the show and get engulfed in it, you're there for the personalities,' he shares excitedly. Lawrence returns to host the second season of Friends of Amstel: The Challenge, premiering 14 June 2025, on eTV. The show features prominent South African music stars like DJ Tira, Makhadzi and Nasty C, alongside DJs LKG and Lamiez Holworthy. This South African reality competition where musicians and fans battle with their friends in music and friendship challenges. It's an opportunity for viewers to get to see a different side of the celebrities they look up to. 'I think Friends of Amstel brings South Africans into a world where everybody is having fun and we're just competing against each other. This format of the show is definitely one that South Africans resonate with, seeing that it's back by popular demand.' Lawrence notes that it will be an energetic celebration of South African music culture, friendship bonds and entertainment with unpredictable twists and exciting personalities. Reflections on previous projects The actor is no stranger to delivering powerful performances, and his portrayal of Ace Ngubeni in Lobola Man stands out as one of the highlights of his career. 'As people, as Africans, as South Africans, we have a rich culture and history that sets us apart from the rest of the world. This is one of those customs and traditions that we engage in – the bringing of two families together, breaking bread, and celebration of ancestry,' he shares. When he was first called for the show, he thought he could do it and it was a no brainer for him. READ MORE | Colleagues bid Lawrence Maleka farewell as he closes his chapter on The River - 'Thank you for giving us Zolani' With the director Tamang Mulea and Kat Reti from Burnt Onion Productions, their reunion as people who worked together when they were much younger was something he enjoyed. The actor says he has been blessed to work with industry peers and people he considers friends. Even as he only agrees to scripts he feels a particular connection to, he's had moments where he was able to feed off other actors in the their acting spaces. A message he sends to the younger version of himself 'Well done. It's going to be a very rough road. It's going to be a very challenging road. You've done well in picking the individuals you want around you. You've done well in making the hard choices early. And everything you're going through right now is temporary.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lawrence Maleka (@sirlawrencemaleka)
News24
01-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- News24
How Tasty Nation is feeding busy lives with real South African flavour
In a fast-paced world where time is a luxury, convenience has become the new currency, especially when it comes to food. Ready meals have surged in popularity, offering quick fixes for busy families and professionals. But often, these convenient options fall short on nutrition, quality and cultural authenticity. That's where Tasty Nation is shaking things up. This proudly South African food brand is redefining what it means to eat well on the go, by bringing traditional home-cooked flavours into the ready-meal space without cutting corners. From mogodu and samp to pap bites and malva pudding, Tasty Nation is putting heritage back on the plate. A TASTE OF HOME, MINUS THE HASSLE South African cuisine tells stories ... of generations, celebration, struggle and togetherness. But preparing dishes such as tripe or slow-cooked beans takes time, skill and ingredients that aren't always easy to find. It's no surprise then that many people, especially younger South Africans, often turn to mass-produced meals, even if they lack the taste of home. IN PICTURES | Tasty Nation saw that gap and decided to fill it. Says CEO Kelly Lewis: At Tasty Nation, we believe that convenience should never mean compromising on quality or cultural authenticity. Our mission is to bring the rich flavours of South African tradition to busy families, without sacrificing the taste and ingredients that make these dishes so special. Their range of frozen heat-and-eat meals is available in selected Pick n Pay stores nationwide. The recipes are grounded in tradition and passed down through generations, but made accessible to anyone, even those who've never cooked tripe in their life before. For lifestyle content creator Tsakani Khoza, Tasty Nation's ready meals are a lifesaver. A full-time employee with a demanding nine-to-five job, Khoza still makes time to engage with her growing TikTok audience – a blend of fans interested in fashion, home hacks and everyday inspiration. But when it comes to food, she admits, there's not always time to go all-out. These meals feel like something my gran would've made. I love that I can just pop them in the oven or microwave, and, in a few minutes, I'm eating something that tastes like it took hours. I don't have to compromise on flavour or culture just because I'm busy. What began as a frozen meals range has now grown into a fully fledged culinary destination. In January 2025, Tasty Nation opened its first quick-service restaurant in the heart of Sunninghill, Johannesburg. Inside, you'll find vibrant decor, upbeat music and a menu packed with South African favourites, from Gatsby sandwiches to steaming bowls of nhloko. The restaurant also stocks the brand's frozen meal range, giving customers the chance to enjoy tradition both on site and at home. Since its launch, the eatery has drawn in loyal customers, earned a feature on eTV's The Morning Show and enjoyed coverage on radio stations across the country. FOUNDED WITH PURPOSE Tasty Nation is part of Hodari Foods, a company with deep roots in retail, catering and hospitality. But what makes the brand especially compelling is its mission: to ensure that every South African, no matter their schedule or skill level, can access home-style meals that honour our collective food heritage. With plans to expand both its product range and restaurant footprint, the company remains focused on its founding values: authenticity, quality and accessibility. In a world where culture can get lost in convenience, Tasty Nation is a delicious reminder that we don't have to choose one over the other.
