Elsa Majimbo's South Africa throwback: laughs, love and a controversial crime joke
The 24-year-old took to X on July 2 to share how much she loves Mzansi; however, netizens found her post rather insulting considering SA's crime rate.
'I miss living in South Africa so much. I miss groove, I miss watching people's phones get stolen in real time, I miss biltong and braai and Savanna. One of the best stages of my life,' the award-winning comedian said.

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eNCA
19 hours ago
- eNCA
Provocateur Demna takes on slumping Gucci
PARIS - Celebrated, controversial and clearly up for a challenge, fashion designer Demna is set to step into one of the most difficult jobs in the luxury clothing industry next week as chief creative at struggling Gucci. The 44-year-old, who fled the war-wracked Georgian region of Abkhazia as a child and dropped his surname "Gvasalia" in 2021, will bow out with a last show for Balenciaga on Wednesday before switching to Gucci -- both firms owned by France's luxury giant Kering. "Demna's contribution to the industry, to Balenciaga, and to the group's success has been tremendous," Kering chairman and CEO Francois-Henri Pinault said at the time. "His creative power is exactly what Gucci needs." Investors were not so convinced and shares in Kering, which counts on Gucci as its main profit generator, fell around 12 percent on the day of the announcement before slumping even further. Other more established and mainstream designers from Hedi Slimane, Maria Grazia Chiuri or Pierpaolo Piccioli had been linked to the vacancy. Some analysts have questioned whether Demna's recipe for success at Balenciaga -- which leant heavily on provocative, streetwear-influenced design and showmanship -- can be replicated at the more classic Italian house. "He is iconoclast and ironic, which is good to attract attention toward a small brand like Balenciaga," Luca Solca, a luxury analyst at the Bernstein brokerage, wrote afterwards. "However, we are not sure the strategy would work as well for a bigger brand." Demna's final show for Balenciaga will take place on Wednesday during Haute Couture fashion week in Paris and he will join the Italian label the very next day. During a decade at the Spanish-born but Paris-based brand, he drove sales and attention sharply higher with a mix of headline-grabbing creations as well as personal publicity -- not always positive. He achieved notoriety with his $2,000 "Ikea" bag, a luxury leather version of the 99-cent original. He followed it up with an $1,800 garbage bag -- the so-called "trash pouch" -- in a show in March 2022 that was dedicated to Ukrainian refugees. Demna's lowest point came in February 2023 when he was forced to apologise for an ad campaign that appeared to reference child abuse and had underage models in what looked like bondage gear. He has plenty of fans among Gen Z tastemakers, however. Annual sales at Balenciaga were estimated to be $350-million when he arrived and had surged to about $2-billion in 2022, according to GQ magazine. Gucci's fortunes have headed in the other direction: they slid 23 percent last year, prompting Kering to fire creative director Sabato de Sarno after only two years in the job.

IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Strutting style: designers pull out all the stops for the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience
The Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience has always been the epitome of style and elegance. And the participants have been lining up for a shot at the grand prize. This year's theme, "Marvels of Mzansi", was interpreted in various ways, which included earthly tones and colours that scream Mzansi, like yellow, green, orange and red. Close to 100 participants stood in line to have their chance at winning a share of the grand prize at the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience. The fashion was elevated with everything from jewels, beads and, as always, extreme fascinators! Models showcased in various categories including Exceptional Raceday Hat/Fascinator, Classic Racewear, Most Striking Couple and HDJ Young Designers Award. Vuyi Ngobese, Sandile Mngadi, Happy Makhumalo Ngidi and popular Mzansi designer, Kathrin Kidger, are on the judging panel. Speaking about their interpretation of the theme, local designer Pregasen Govender from The House of Apple Blossom said that he went with a beach theme. "Looking at Durban, most tourists come for the beach and the seaside, so I decided to go with the blue and white and all the porcelain groves. "Being an Indian, I accessorised with Indian jewellery. I also thought about the foreigners in Durban, so my male outfit sums that up. I also added a protea flower as a symbol of our national flower."


Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Mail & Guardian
Saturday's Durban July set to boost local economy by R700m
South Africa's fashion industry, traditionally synonymous with the event, will showcase the work of professional designers and upcoming talent at the Durban July Fashion Experience Tens of thousands of horse racing punters, fashionistas, foodies and other visitors who descend on eThekwini to party at the Hollywoodbets Durban July this weekend are expected to contribute around R700 million to the city's GDP. Africa's largest horseracing event, themed Marvels of Mzansi, is expected to generate significant economic activity and create 4 000 jobs, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said at the launch of the event at Westown Square in Shongweni. Xaba said the city's tourism and hospitality sectors anticipate an 80% hotel occupancy rate as visitors converge for the horseracing and fashion spectacle, which celebrates South Africa's cultural heritage, diversity and landscapes. 'The direct spend is estimated at R278 million, with a total of R700 million contribution to the eThekwini GDP, and a total number of 4 000 jobs to be created,' Xaba said. The economic impact will be generated at the racecourse and at side events, including Fact Durban Rocks, Any Given Sunday, Anywhere in the City and Mojo's July Weekend, across the city. 'Our law-enforcement agencies have developed an integrated safety plan, supported by the private security industry. Visitors are guaranteed a safe stay in the city with high police visibility, particularly around the Greyville precinct and other strategic sites across the municipality.' South Africa's fashion industry, traditionally synonymous with the event, will showcase the work of professional designers and upcoming talent at the Durban July Fashion Experience, a collaboration between the city and the Hollywood Foundation. Twenty-five designers will present Marvels of Mzansi collections, featuring three categories, including the Young Designers Awards, with 10 student finalists competing for bursaries and a fashion travel package, the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars. Nine emerging designers supported by eThekwini's Fashion Development Programme will vie for a R250 000 business development prize and the Invited Designer Showcase, which will display the collections of six established designers. Gold Circle sponsorship and marketing executive Steve Marshall 'Its impact on racing is undeniable — it's the most prestigious race in South Africa. It's got a prize of over R5 million and it's the race that every trainer, owner, jockey, crew or breeder wants to win. It's in their dreams,' Marshall said. Hollywoodbets brand and communications manager Devin Heffer said the event brought together key sectors across the city. 'This race means so much to so many people, not just the racing industry, but everyone is intertwined. All the public, hospitality, tourism, the government, the GDP — everything is affected and infected with July fever,' he said. Xaba said he was speaking to hospitality stakeholders to enhance visitor experiences and align with future development plans. The city was investing R600 million annually in bulk infrastructure for catalytic projects, such as the R15 billion Shongweni Development and the R25 billion Sibaya Precinct Development to elevate tourism infrastructure. 'We are also looking into how we can invest more resources including setting aside a budget to improve tourism infrastructure,' Xaba said. 'The Hollywoodbets Durban July is more than a race — it is a catalyst for social cohesion as it unites South Africans through the passion of sport, the expression of cultural pride and the glamour of fashion,' Xaba said. 'We are really looking forward to the 5th of July and we are ready to roll out the red carpet for our visitors because Durban is open for business.'