Latest news with #GraceMondlana
TimesLIVE
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Mandela Day career expo proves education is still the real power
Bolt South Africa hosted a Mandela Day career expo at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on Friday for 67 pupils from Fidelity and Namedi Secondary Schools in Diepkoof, Soweto, with celebrities reminding them of the importance of education. The expo showed the pupils there is more to success than likes and followers and that school still matters with celebrities Anele Zondo and Grace Mondlana, who are both university graduates, talking about their struggles to get where they are. Anele, who is an actress, presenter, musician and businesswoman, shared her story with the pupils, taking them back to the start of her journey. 'I knew I wanted to be on TV since I was 16, knowing that I want to be in Joburg, I studied media while I was busy with auditions and selling wigs just to get by and I graduated in record time. I am a media graduate,' she said. Even though she was building her career at the same time, she said it was important to get that degree as it taught her about the business side. 'School made me realise that you need to learn the business side of anything that you want to do, especially in the entertainment industry because talent is 50% and the other 50 is strategy.' Digital creator Grace Mondlana spoke about how she struggled in school but turned her life around using what she loved and was passionate about. 'I failed in grade 10 because I didn't know why I was in school but later I realised that my passion was content creation. When TikTok was first famous, we were all dancing in there and I realised that I want to bring something different to TikTOK, something authentic. 'Now I have a degree in education, I own my own car, own property and I am opening my own preschool in 2027.' Lerato Motsoeneng, senior general manager at Bolt South Africa, also shared powerful and inspirational words with the pupils, encouraging them to think about their future, work hard and never give up. 'No one helped me when I needed career advice but today, I want to help. I'm choosing five learners from here to mentor,' he said. Kgaugelo Shebe from EduChange and Research Foundation (ERF), who helped select the learners pupils, said they picked pupils who they knew were reliable and would show up. Some Namedi pupils who attended the expo said it was discouraging being labelled and judged as 'underperforming kids'. 'People judge us because of the class of 2024, forgetting that we are our own people and we have our own ways, I think that we will be better, we will bring change in Namedi, we will show them.' Grace left the pupils with an affirmation: 'I am enough, I am a priority, I am worthy, I am in control, I will succeed, I am deserving, I am capable, I am powerful and I am beautiful.'
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Celeb scoop: Grace Mondlana's controversial tribute and Mia le Roux's engagement steal the spotlight
Mia le Roux joyfully announced on social media that she is engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Luke Tenoever. Image: Instagram/ Mia le Roux Another week, another weekly scoop of celeb drama and gossip: from Mzansi to Hollywood! From funeral drama and long-awaited recognition to a joyful and sparkly engagement, here is your latest entertainment buzz for this week: Grace Mondlana criticised amid ex-boyfriend's funeral South African content creator Grace Mondlana's tribute to her ex-boyfriend, who died in a car accident, quickly drew criticism despite being a moment of grief. Mondlana shared memories as well as pictures of the memorial service, which invited criticism and opinions from the public. For almost three days, new information would come to light about their relationship and Mondlana faced backlash for attending the funeral and also sharing that she paid for the funeral and, without her, there would not have been a funeral at all, in a leaked WhatsApp voicenote. Grace Mondlana faced public backlash after she paid tribute to her late ex online, reminiscing about their five-year relationship. Image: Instagram/ Grace Mondlana Mia le Roux gets engaged Reigning Miss SA Mia le Rox announced on social media that is she officially engaged to her long time boyfriend, Luke Tenoever. The beauty queen also revealed that she has been engaged for a while but that she decided to let the moment sink in before sharing it with the public. Le Roux joins the list of Miss SA titleholders who either got married or engaged this year, including Zozibini Tunzi and Natasha Joubert. Mia le Roux and her fiancé, Luke Tenoever, shared their engagement news recently. Image: Instagram/ Mia le Roux Rachel and Siya Kolisi spark reunion rumours Springboks star Siya Kolisi was spotted walking with a woman who resembles his ex-wife Rachel Kolisi at the airport, and the internet is speculating that it is indeed Rachel, while others believe that it might be Kate Woods, the director of Adidas South Africa. This video that was shared by a TikTok user has garnered attention as many have shared their opinions about the woman who was spotted with the Springboks captain. Despite the online chatter, the identity of the woman remains a mystery. Fans are speculating about a possible reunion between Siya Kolisi and Rachel after he was spotted with a woman who resembled her. Image: Supplied Boity Thulo integrates music with interior design In a brief interview with 'Independent Media Lifestyle', South African rapper and actress, Boity Thulo, opened up about merging interior design and music. 'I want to figure out how to merge it with my voice and make it me, but still enjoy something that I've been wanting to explore for a long time,' Thulo said. 'For me, music and style, they're so similar. I like what I like. I want to express myself the way I want to express myself,' she added. Boity Thulo, the rapper, recently hinted at new music, revealing a chapter where she merges music with interior design. Image: Instagram Emtee pays tribute to AKA The rapper took to X to share a heartfelt tribute to the late AKA as he reminisced about their times together before his passing. He shared: 'Some y'all idols don't even know you exist. I shared stages, past blunts, cracked jokes and won awards together. I'm talkin' about the one and only @akaworldwide.' This is not the first time that Emtee has expressed a heartfelt gratitude towards the late rapper, as he once appeared on a podcast and revealed that AKA was one of the people who loved him for him and that he never judged him. Award-winning rapper Emtee recently paid a heartfelt tribute to the late rapper, AKA. Image: Supplied Khanyi Mbau became the first African to receive a nomination at the Netflix Reality Superlative Awards South African actress Khanyi Mbau made history and raised the SA flag high as the first African to receive a nod at the international Netflix Reality Universe Superlative awards. Mbau has been nominated under the category of Main Character Energy at the prestigious awards for her reality TV show stints on 'Young, Famous & African'. This also marks Mbau's first ever nomination since she embarked on her acting career 23 years ago. In a historic first for African talent, media personality Khanyi Mbau has received her inaugural nomination in her 23-year acting career, earning a nod from the Netflix Reality Universe Superlative Awards. She is the first African to achieve this recognition. Image: Instagram Young Stunna shares creative insights about his collaboration with Swayvee on 'US' remix Amapiano star Young Stunna jumped on the viral track 'US' by Nigerian artist, Swayvee, and shared the inspiration and creative process behind his verse on the song in an interview with 'Independent Media Lifestyle.' 'The song is about love, but I wanted to express the balance between the hustle and the heart. Even though I'm on the grind, the love is still there,' he said. He added that the visuals of the track will tell the full story of love, distance, connection and culture. Young Stunna shared the inspiration and creative behind proccess behind "US" remix. Image: File Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel captivate the masses with Igwijo In a recent playful TikTok clip, Kolisi gave fans a glimpse of Kriel belting out another igwijo (a traditional Xhosa style of call-and-response singing) tune. Igwijo is a remarkable tool for bringing people together - whether it's to celebrate victories, navigate grief or create a sense of belonging. Igwijo fosters emotional expression and the songs have become symbols of unity, celebration and inclusive patriotism. Springboks stars Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel go viral on TikTok after Kolisi shared a video of the singing igwijo. Image: File image Demi-Leigh Tebow shared that she gave birth and revealed the name of her baby Former Miss SA, Demi-Leigh Tebow, gave birth to her baby girl, Daphne Reign Tebow, on Sunday, July 6. The beauty queen has been embracing her new chapter as she shared with her followers a heartfelt post about the meaning behind her daughter's names captivated many who have followed her pregnancy journey. Tebow also shared with the world beautiful pictures of her newborn baby as she revealed that she is her and her husband's 'answered prayer'. Demi-Leigh Tebow holding her daughter, Daphne Reign Tebow. Image: Instagram/Demi-Leigh Tebow Mel B ties the knot for the third time to her hairstylist Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, affectionately known as Mel B, has married her hairstylist, Rory McPhee. The couple exchanged nuptials on Saturday, July 5, in the Crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, the very same venue where Princess Diana and Prince Charles once exchanged vows. Her wedding comes after she went through two divorces and a very public struggle with domestic abuse. Mel B has found love and recently tied the knot to celebrity hairstylist, Rory McPhee. Image: Mel B/Instagram
