Latest news with #Motloung
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Dowerglen High choir shines at national competition
Dowerglen High School's choir is on top of the world following their success in the annual Aesthetic Chambers Choir Competition. The 64-member choir recently secured second place in the Artist Inspired round. In August, they will advance to the third round of the competition, the Grand Yamaha Piano Round. Choir conductor Dingaan Motloung described the journey as an amazing experience. ALSO READ: Choirs across Ekurhuleni take part in festival 'It has taken a lot of patience to get where we are, but we have grown from small numbers to a strong group.' The choir initially started with six members, but as they showcased their talents, more learners joined, growing the group significantly. 'These learners have a lot of potential, which is evident through their talent and their singing,' said Motloung. In addition to progressing in the competition, the choir has been selected to record a song alongside Buhlebendalo, one of the co-founders of The Soil. 'We are so grateful for this opportunity. We need people to believe in the talent of our youth. We must grow and empower them,' said Motloung. Being chosen to collaborate with Buhlebendalo is a great honour for the choir. ALSO READ: Drakensberg Choir Boys pays tribute to their old boys Principal Alleta Manyaka-Hadebe said the choir's performance left her speechless. 'The learners do more than just sing. 'They perform professionally and take great pride in what they do. It moves me emotionally every time I hear them.' 'I am incredibly proud of each one of them and their talent. I look forward to seeing what they achieve next and wish them all the best,' she added. Manyaka-Hadebe also thanked the learners' parents for their support throughout the journey. Looking to the choir's future, she appealed to the community and local businesses for assistance in acquiring uniforms. 'We would like a set uniform for our choir so everyone looks the same and proudly represents the school,' said Manyaka-Hadebe. For support or enquiries, contact the school at 011 609 8227. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Filmmaker Thapelo Motloung launches Soweto Film Market, honouring a legacy
The launch was held at the Eyethu Heritage Hall in Soweto on Thursday afternoon. The uprising of youth in Soweto in 1976 was a protest against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in black schools. In addition to that, the remonstration was also against apartheid's chokehold on young black people's dreams. On Thursday, just a few days to the day that the historic protest took place 49 years ago, a young filmmaker from Soweto, Thapelo Motloung, launched the Soweto Film Market in the township—something that very few people could see nearly 50 years ago. 'We are free today because they had to fight, and for me to have a voice. I'm here today, 26 years old, and we are making this happen in Soweto. We've changed the narrative; we are innovators, we are change makers,' Motloung said, speaking to The Citizen. The Soweto Film Market has joined forces with the long-standing Soweto International Film Festival (SIFF). The market is born from SIFF's mission to elevate African voices. The Market is where creativity meets commerce. 'Teboho Mashinini, Hector Pieterson and them are in our history during this month, so it is also a commemoration to the heroes that have fallen.' The Soweto Film Market and SIFF will take place from November 19 to 22, 2025. ALSO READ: Playing Dad: How film speaks to fathers' desires and struggles of fatherhood Rewriting the future of African film Together with SIFF, the Soweto Film Market is rewriting the future of African film. 'How many other Thapelos are out there looking for platforms?… I've been rejected a lot of times and at a number of places,' he shares. 'The whole idea was, how do I service a Thapelo somewhere, someone who is trying to get into the industry,' Motloung says. 'Soweto did not have a market necessarily, and we're such a big township that is known globally. Coming up with a market was a matter of saying 'why don't we have trade in Soweto' because that's where the two Nobel Prize winners are from,' says Motloung, referring to the significance of the township. Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu are the two Nobel winners who resided on the same street in Soweto. He says the market is aimed at filmmakers, where workshops will be held, and industry skills will be shared. 'We have the festival side of things, where we're premiering a film every night here at Eyethu. During the day, we're at Soweto Theatre and in the evening we're here premiering first-time films at Eyethu cinema, which is the oldest cinema in Africa.' Located in Mofolo Soweto, Eyethu is one of the first black-owned cinemas in South Africa and a historic venue in Soweto, where memorable shows and funeral services of Soweto's most prominent were held. 'When you go through the venue, you get to realise that someone started and someone needs to take the baton — I'm here to take the baton,' said Motloung. NOW READ: Mzansi celebs dazzle in African royalty fashion at the 'Shaka iLembe' season 2 launch
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Dr Nandipha Magudumana takes legal battle for freedom to Constitutional Court
Dr Nandipha Magudumana's last ditch attempt to gain her freedom Image: X Dr Nandipha Magudumana is bent on making on making another bid for freedom, two weeks her the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) denied her appeal, now she is approaching the highest court in the land-the Constitutional Court. In a high-profile matter that has drawn huge media interest, Magudumana, who stands accused of facilitating the escape of convicted criminal Thabo Bester from prison, has been embroiled in a case riddled with complexity and intrigue. The couple's dramatic escape from South Africa to Tanzania in 2023 drew national attention, culminating in their eventual arrest and extradition back to South Africa. On May 16, the SCA dismissed Magudumana's appeal to declare her arrest and subsequent deportation unlawful, which has prompted her legal team to launch a fresh challenge. According to Machini Motloung, Magudumana's attorney, the decision to approach the Constitutional Court was reached after extensive discussions with his client. "The judgment creates common cause that South African authorities acted unlawfully by bringing Magudumana back as part of a disguised extradition," Motloung elaborated in an interview with TV channel Newzroom Afrika. At the core of their argument lies the assertion that Magudumana's consent to return was misinterpreted. Motloung explains that the court concluded she had expressed a desire to return home in her police statement at arrest—a notion that the defence strongly contests. "The key point is that one cannot consent to an illegality,' he argued, underscoring the gravity of their legal position. With the pressing circumstance of 38 charges against her and Bester, which include fraud, corruption, money laundering, and more, the stakes are undeniably high. The period ahead is critical not only for Magudumana but also for the broader implications it poses for the legal system's treatment of extradition and consent. As Magudumana's next steps unfold, her legal team remains resolute in their pursuit of justice. "We are seeking relief to have her further detention declared unlawful and set aside," Motloung stated. The hope for a fair hearing weighs heavily on both Magudumana and her supporters as they brace for the complexities of the constitutional review process ahead. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Nandipha Magudumana takes fight for freedom to Constitutional Court
Dr Nandipha Magudumana's last ditch attempt to gain her freedom Image: X Dr Nandipha Magudumana is taking her fight for freedom to the Constitutional Court. Magudumana, is accused of helping Thabo Bester escape prison and later, escape from South Africa to Tanzania in 2023. The pair were arrested and brought back to South Africa. On May 16, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed her appeal to have her arrest and deportation declared unlawful. Magudumana, Bester and their co-accused face up to 38 charges including fraud, corruption, money laundering, arson, and defeating the ends of justice. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Magudumana's lawyer, Machini Motloung, said following the SCA judgment, he scheduled a consultation with Magudumana where a decision was taken to approach the Constitutional Court for an application for leave to appeal the majority judgment. At the heart of the legal battle, Motloung explained, is common cause that, in terms of the judgment, the South African authorities acted unlawfully by bringing Magudumana back to South Africa "as a disguised extradition." He said the court further made a conclusion of law that Magudumana had consented, as evidenced by her statement to the police at the time of her arrest, in which she expressed a desire to return home. "How she is deemed to have consented could not pass the constitutional master that one cannot consent to an illegality. That is central to the argument. There are other factors in the majority judgment that we are dealing with extensively that we do not agree to, hence we are approaching the court for relief," Motloung said. Motloung explained that the relief they are seeking is to have Magudumana's further detention declared unlawful and set aside. He said Magudumana is hopeful that justice will be served. [email protected] IOL
