Latest news with #Gomora
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Beyond the spotlight: Ntobeko Sishi's candid confession on rejection's silent struggles
He recounted losing his mother at the age of six in a TikTok snippet. Image: Instagram We don't always know what battles the person next to us is fighting. There's a quiet kind of pain that often goes unnoticed. It doesn't scream, it doesn't ask for help it simply sits beneath the surface. And too often, we carry it with us, pretending it doesn't hurt. A viral interview featuring South African actor and musician Ntobeko Sishi recently cracked open this silence. Known for his breakout role as Ntokozo in the hit drama "Gomora", Sishi shared a raw, deeply personal story of loss, rejection, and ultimately, forgiveness. His words not only moved thousands online but also unearthed a universal truth: sometimes, we are grieving people who are still alive. 'Rejection has been a huge part of my life … and trying to make it have less of a negative impact on me has been the biggest challenge,' Sishi confessed on "The Inside Show" podcast with George Avakian. In a TikTok snippet, he relays how he lost his mother at just six years old. What followed was a painful twist: just four years later, his father, his only remaining parent disowned him. At 10, he found himself alone at Durban airport, unsure of where he belonged. That kind of abandonment, he said, never really leaves you. This experience is far from uncommon. The pain of emotional abandonment. While we often discuss the grief that follows physical death, the emotional toll of being rejected especially by family is less understood but equally devastating. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology highlights that social support is a critical buffer against the negative impacts of grief and rejection. 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 But what happens when that support is missing? Or when family the people we're told to rely on are the very source of our wounds? Rejection by a caregiver can result in long-term impacts on a person's self-esteem, attachment style, and ability to trust others. And yet, this form of grief is rarely named or acknowledged. We don't talk enough about when your own blood wants nothing to do with you. The truth is that many people silently endure this type of emotional exile. And they carry it with grace as if it never happened. He recalled: 'My mother always told me, 'it's okay to cry at night. But when the sun rises, put on a smile and walk with grace'. Your pain doesn't need to be worn on your face.' But sometimes, silence is heavy. Sometimes, it needs a voice. Grieving the livingThere's a name for this: ambiguous loss. Coined by family therapist Dr Pauline Boss, it refers to a type of grief that lacks closure. It's what you feel when a loved one is physically present but emotionally absent, or, in Sishi's case, when they've walked away entirely. 'You wrestle with these things for the rest of your life, there was me constantly trying to fit in, …oh you not wanted here, okay, let me go here, no you're not wanted here but now I'm at a place like I'm actually not wanted anywhere I'm gonna go where I want to be.' Unlike death, where society offers rituals like funerals and mourning periods, ambiguous loss is often invalidated. People may say, 'But they're still alive,' as if that erases the pain. But studies show that unresolved grief from emotional estrangement can be just as intense if not more than traditional mourning. Why forgiveness is not about forgetting In 2020, Sishi received a message from a stranger claiming their father was in the hospital. Against all odds, he went. And there, standing at his father's hospital bed, Sishi did something remarkable: he chose forgiveness. 'As angry as I was, I couldn't say anything. He was on life support … So I just forgave him,' he said. Netizens praised Sishi for dealing with a difficult situation in a mature and mature manner @Oratile, wrote, "Every day, it becomes apparent that everyone has a story." @Kay Mpete added, "And he played a role where he had loving parents, I can only imagine what that was like emotionally and mentally 💔." @Thickleeyonce wrote: "Ugh man this made me cry 🥺🥺🥺." @Lebogang added: "Oh sishii 💔😭😭😭I literally cried when you said 'rejection has been a huge part of my life'." @Omphimetse Senokwane added: "Parents don't know how much they destroyed us. My parents made me a mess of a human; they are not here, and I have so many questions." Forgiveness is for you, not the other person. It doesn't mean reconciliation. It means choosing peace over pain. And peace is a powerful healer.
The Citizen
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Gomora edges Midlands to secure promotion to Motsepe Foundation Championship
Gomora United FC took on Midlands Wanderers in a tense ABC Motsepe League national playoff semi-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, on July 5. Gomora United, representing Gauteng, defeated Midlands, representing KwaZulu-Natal, 1–0, sealing their promotion to the second tier of South African football. Read more: ARMSTA shows support for Gomora United FC On Saturday evening, the stakes were high, with both teams gunning for promotion. The first half ended in a stalemate, with neither team able to break the deadlock despite promising chances. Gomora United nearly took the lead, just under eight minutes after a handball by Midlands' player Philani Khumalo inside the box resulted in a penalty. Captain Thapelo Maleka stepped up to convert, hoping to give Gomora an early lead, but Midlands' goalkeeper, Ngobani Langa, blocked the spot kick, stretching far enough to tip the ball off to the left post. Gomora maintained momentum, while Midlands pressed forward with their own attacking threats. Early in the second half, Midlands conceded another penalty when Siduduzo Dlamini fouled Siyabonga Mashinini inside the box. This gave Maleka the opportunity to redeem himself, after missing the first penalty. Langa was left standing still after Maleka's powerful spot kick to the left, giving Gomora the lead at just under 67 minutes. Midlands searched desperately for an equaliser, but could not find the breakthrough, despite their repeated attempts to score. Although they lost against Gomora, Midlands' hope for promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship are not entirely shattered. They will have another shot at promotion through the third/fourth place playoff. This is because an additional team from the ABC Motsepe League has to be promoted to fill the void left by Royal AM's exit from the professional ranks. Gomora United's win against Midlands, and The Bees victory against Thames FC, guarantees their promotion. The two semi-final victors will go head-to-head in the finals on July 6. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News24
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Actor Sishi opens up about loss and childhood - ‘Rejection has been a huge part of my life'
At first glance, he appears to be a well-groomed young man with a bright demeanor. However, in an honest conversation, the young actor revealed that he has grappled with feelings of rejection since childhood. Actor Ntobeko Sisi popularly known for his role as Ntokozo Dlamini on Mzansi Magic show Gomora has opened up about the life experiences that made him who he is today. He rose to fame as an actor and soon showcased his musical talent by releasing an EP and several singles. In a candid podcast interview with The insideshow podcast hosted by George Avakian, the young creative shared glimpse of his childhood and how those experiences shaped the young man he is today. Having lost his mother at just six years old, Ntobeko relied on his father for provision and safety however somewhere along the way his father rejected him and sent him on the earliest flight to Durban at just 10 years old. 'I lost my mom was I six years old. After that I was with my dad and then he switched up and said you're not my son, you have to go back. He put me on a flight at 10 years old. I got to the Durban airport, I didn't know where to go.' He says that after that encounter he never saw his father again but had hope that one day he would. 'He passed away five years ago. I got a DM it said our dad is in the hospital. I went and I was there. As angry as I was, I couldnt say anything because the guy was in machines and stuff so I just forgave him.' 'Rejection has been a huge part of my life and I let go of that part of my life. Not letting it have a negative impact on me has been challenging.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE INSIDE SHOW (@theinside_show)
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Thabiso Bapela's character promises to shake things up on 'Muvhango's' last season
Thabiso Bapela has joined the cast of 'Muvhango'. Image: Supplied Thabiso Bapela, this June will be making his debut on SABC 2's 'Muvhango'. Bapela takes on the character of Letlotlo Maribe, a role that invites reflection on love, masculinity, and emotional truth in a society still wrestling with what those words mean. 'I'm drawn to people who are trying to figure themselves out,' Bapela says. 'They might look like they've got it all together, but beneath the surface, something deeper is always at play. That's real. That's human.' Bapela doesn't offer spoilers when it comes to his newest character, but his perspective hints at what audiences might expect. 'He is bold. He walks into a room like he belongs there. 'But you start to realise, not everything he projects is as certain as it seems. There's something unresolved beneath all that confidence.' As an actor, Bapela is no stranger to Mzansi screens he has had roles on 'Gomora', 'Giyani - Land of Blood', 'The Queen' and 'Kings of Jo'burg'. His 'Muvhango' character Letlotlo arrives at a time when audiences are craving more than surface-level characters. 'He fits into this world, but he also shakes it a little,' Bapela reflects. 'And I think that's the point.' In a country where public conversations about gender, love, and emotional accountability are becoming more urgent, Letlotlo is a timely addition. His character does not represent perfection or resolution, but rather the honest messiness of figuring it out. 'He's a man of this moment,' Bapela explains. 'Someone who challenges the idea that being strong means having it all figured out. He is honest, sometimes to a fault. But deep down, he is still looking for acceptance.' 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 This is something Bapela connects with on a personal level. 'I know what it's like to carry expectations, to try to make sense of how you were raised and what kind of man you want to become. Letlotlo is flawed, sure, but he's searching. And I think that's deeply human.' While some viewers may be drawn to the character's charm, others may find themselves confronting their own assumptions. And that, according to Bapela, is exactly what makes the role worth playing. 'This isn't just about entertainment. If it gets people talking or thinking differently about how to show up in relationships, then the character has done his work.' The long-running soap "Muvhango" is in its final season, ending in August, and will be saying goodbye to viewers with a bang. Bapela remarks that the show's success was achieved through blending indigenous traditions, European influences, and global trends, in resonant storytelling that is made by Africans, for Africans, with excellence. Bapela debuts as Letlotlo Maribe on Muvhango, Monday, June 2, on SABC 2. IOL Entertainment
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
A wet and wild affair in ABC Motsepe League
In a thrilling ABC Motsepe League encounter, title-chasing Gomora United FC flexed their muscles with a dominant 2-0 away victory over Wits, narrowing the gap on log leaders Highlands Park to just seven points. Read more: Roosevelt High School girl's soccer gives a powerful performance in a 5–1 victory against Allen Glen The visitors from Alexandra came out firing on all cylinders, determined to take advantage of the opportunity to claw back points in the title race. From the first whistle, Gomora looked hungry, piling early pressure on the home side with a flurry of attacks and back-to-back corners. Their persistence paid off midway through the first half when they were awarded a penalty following a defensive lapse from Wits. Up stepped Thapelo Maleka, who calmly slotted it home to the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way, to give his side the lead and swing the momentum firmly in Gomora's favour. But Wits was not ready to roll over just yet. Mfumo Khosa came close to equalising when his thunderous strike rattled the post, while Obakeng Rathebe's shot hit the side netting as the home side started to build momentum towards the end of the half. Despite the late surge from Wits, Gomora took a narrow 1-0 lead into the break. The second half was all about Gomora. Despite heavy rain making conditions tough underfoot, the visitors maintained their composure and possession, turning the screws on Wits' defence. Roger Majafa had an early chance to double the lead but sent his shot wide. Gomora continued to turn up the pressure, and their dominance finally bore fruit when Sydney Tsoane delivered a sublime curling cross into the box. Majafa made no mistake this time, latching onto the delivery and firing past the keeper to make it 2-0, emphatically sealing the result. Also read: Exciting soccer action at the Engen Knockout Qualifiers Wits tried to rally late on, but their efforts fell short against a resolute Gomora defence. As the final whistle blew, the visitors walked away with three crucial points, moving to 64 on the table with a game in hand. Highlands Park remains top with 71. Wits, meanwhile, remain in 8th place on 40 points, with coach Kgabo Ditsebe admitting the penalty was a turning point. 'We tried our best to contain them in the first half. After the penalty, everything changed. We lost the ball too much in the central areas, and although we pushed our forwards up, it didn't work out.' Ditsebe remained optimistic, stressing the importance of making the most of their remaining fixtures. 'Every game now is crucial. We have to push for better results going forward.' As the title race heats up, Gomora FC are showing no signs of slowing down, and with form like this, Highlands Park will be watching their rearview mirror closely. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Keeping healthy with soccer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
