Latest news with #BloodAndWater
News24
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News24
Halala! Blood & Water star, Khosi Ngema, is engaged
In the last couple of months, we've been ululating and sending out congratulatory messages to Mzansi celebs who are walking down the aisle to say 'I do'. The latest to join the squad is Khosi Ngema, announcing her engagement and sending our hearts into overdrive. Khosi Ngema (25) is a South African actress and songwriter born in Johannesburg. Khosi rose to fame in May 2020 when she made her acting debut in the popular Netflix series 'Blood and Water.' She played Fikile Bhele, a talented swimmer at a prestigious high school. In the storyline, Fikile is rumoured to have been abducted at birth and is believed to be the sister of the main character, Puleng Khumalo, who is portrayed by Ama Qamata. She has since taken the industry by storm with her talent as she's featured and made appearances in many more Netflix movies, such as her recent debut in 'Meet the Khumalos', portraying Sphe Sithole acting alongside the legendary and late Connie Chiume, Khanyi Mbau, Vusi Khumalo and Ayanda Borotho. Khosi recently announced the exciting news of her engagement to her Instagram followers. 'Hellooo, I come back. Lil bit of life lately. Your girl is ENGAGED!! Hello?!! This year has been quite reflective and called me to take a little hermit break to focus on growing and cooking up some stuff. It's been interesting, weird, exciting, at times testing and full of surprises. Some I can't wait to share! Anyway, how's the year been for you? Sending kisses!' reads the caption View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kho'si (@khosingema)
Mail & Guardian
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
The Future is Streaming Now
South Africa's Boldest Young Storytellers and Talent Find a Home on Netflix As the Mail & Guardian unveils the 2025 edition of its iconic 200 Young South Africans list, with Netflix returning to support the Film and Media category, the spotlight intensifies on a generation boldly redefining what's possible, united by a powerful shared mission of championing diverse voices and elevating the stories shaping South Africa's future. With South Africa witnessing the rise of a bold new wave of filmmakers, producers, writers, and creators, streaming entertainment platforms like Netflix have built a great footing for the expansion and recognition of local stories. Institutional support for the next generation of creative talent is growing, and each year, Netflix continues to invest meaningfully. International players too are no longer just watching from the sidelines and are actively backing a new era of storytelling, one where local narratives command global attention. In South Africa, this can be seen on screen and behind the scenes on Netflix titles putting young creatives front and centre. Shows and films such as Blood and Water with a young cast including Ama Qamatha, Kgosi Ngema and Dillan Windvogel, Jiva! Created and written by Busisiwe Ntintili and starring Nxolo Dlamini, Miseducation created and produced by the Ramaphakela siblings from Burnt Onion Productions and Go! Starring breakout young star Thandolwethu Zondi. At the heart of the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African Awards is the importance of representation, both in front of and behind the camera. Youth reflected in stories that are diverse, and dignified is powerful. For a generation that has often been overlooked or stereotyped, representation means possibility. It means legacy and belonging. Netflix has, in recent years, launched talent skill development and capacity building initiatives in the film & TV industry, including post-production and writing workshops, skills accelerators, on the job training and scholarships for aspiring creatives as part of their ongoing skills development work and the global Netflix Fund for Creative Equity. For many M&G 200 YSA alumni in the creative space, this support translates into something more than inspiration, it becomes opportunity. For South Africa's youth, inclusivity is the difference between dreaming with clarity and stumbling in the dark. It's seeing yourself, hearing your language, and recognizing your township, on screen, in headlines, in the boardroom, and on stage. That's what makes the M&G 200 YSA and Netflix so important. They not only validate the dreams of young South Africans but celebrate and document their progress. Netflix's involvement amplifies that impact, giving this cohort not just recognition, but also a potential bridge to bigger stages. Beyond Entertainment: Building Legacy This year's ceremony will bear witness to brilliance, as the 2025 class of honourees steps forward and embodies the collective promise of a generation determined to leave the world better than they found it. While the spotlight on the Film and Television category celebrates the creative force of young storytellers, other categories such as Business and Entrepreneurship, Science and Technology, Civil Society, Health, Arts and Culture, and Climate Justice will showcase changemakers driving transformation in boardrooms, labs, classrooms, courtrooms, and communities. Whether innovating in fintech, disrupting agriculture, advancing gender equity, or fighting for environmental justice, each award will be presented to those rooted in equity, and impact.
News24
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Zikhona Sodlaka celebrates two decades in acting and reflects on motherhood
She first captured hearts with her roles in Tsha Tsha, Soul City, and made a brief appearance on Generations. Actress Zikhona Sodlaka marks 20 years in the entertainment industry with nationwide Masterclass Tour starting in Gqeberha. Two decades ago, South African television was introduced to a young actress whose presence would leave an indelible mark. Since then, she's become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, transforming from rising star to revered veteran, all while maintaining the same authenticity that made Mzansi fall in love with her. Now, as she prepares to celebrate her 40th birthday, the actress and producer, Zikhona Sodlaka reflects on her journey in the entertainment industry — not with nostalgia, but with purpose and power. The evolution of me has been like any other woman's evolution,' she tells DRUM. 'Coming from being a kid just finishing your teenage years and growing into a woman, starting to find your voice, as a human, and as an artist. I've developed a tone, a voice, and a language I want to run forward with.' From her gripping portrayal of Mandisa on The Wife to her menacing turn as NomaRussia, Zikhona has always chosen roles that are real, gritty, and emotionally charged. Her characters aren't just performances, they are lived experiences. 'I choose my roles according to the story of that woman. If the storyline is overdone, there's no need for me to do it. It needs to grab my full attention.' Whether she's a supporting actress on Blood & Water or performing in a theatre production, Zikhona pours herself into her characters. 'I need to sit up at night and go, 'Mhmm, what could have happened?' Then I can take it and go to town with it.' Turning 40 and clocking 20 years in the industry would be enough reason to celebrate, but Zikhona is doing more than that. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zikhona Sodlaka (@zikhonasodlaka) She's kicking off a nationwide masterclass tour, beginning in her home province, the Eastern Cape, aimed at inspiring and uplifting the next generation of South African creatives. 'The masterclass has become something like, 'Hey guys, we've achieved something. Let's share it.' I thought turning 40 and celebrating 20 years in the business is a nice time to say, 'Okay, cool guys, this is how far we've come.' Then we go back, inherit another 20 years, and come back again.' The Zikhona Sodlaka Masterclass is more than just a celebratory tour, it's a space for reflection, skill-building, and growth. 'This industry has given me so much, and now I want to give back in a way that's honest, vulnerable, and useful,' Zikhona says. 'These sessions are not just about me, they're about building the next generation of fearless creators.' Zikhona is not just an actress anymore, she's a businesswoman and mother too. Her production company, Zikhona Sodlaka Productions, is four years old and growing steadily. 'There's no time to be afraid to run with it. It's a lot of work to establish your own business in this country, but I've been pounding at the rock,' she says. The company aims to tell stories that matter, stories that reflect real people. 'Some of the work I'm creating, I'll star in it too. That's the whole point, creating stories so riveting that you'd want to participate in them yourself. But I'm also creating platforms for others, old and new talent, to leave their hearts on stage.' she says. She's also a proud mother to a four-year-old son, a role that she embraced fully even while filming Blood & Water. 'I became a mom in front of everyone. I was pregnant throughout shooting, gave birth, and returned to work immediately after,' she says. 'There's nothing special I've done. There are many women who are pregnant and working, carrying their kids at work. I've just taken my ride as a working mom and ran with it.' Read more | Tebogo Thobejane pleas for privacy as ex-boyfriend's attempted murder bail hearing postponed As someone who has consistently portrayed powerful Black women on screen, Zikhona believes it's her duty to reflect them as they truly are. 'It's my responsibility to show Black women the way they really are. It's then up to you to decide they are strong,' she explains. She may have come of age on our screens, but today she stands as a mentor, a mother, and a creator who refuses to wait for permission to do meaningful work. And if her past 20 years are anything to go by, her next chapter promises to be even more trailblazing. 'Watch this space,' she says with a smile. 'There's a lot coming.'
