Latest news with #Rasta
Spectator
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
When did double-barrelled surnames stop being posh?
When the lead singer of Bob Vylan's name was revealed, it caused a fair amount of amusement. This anti-establishment musician who hit the headlines after ranting about the Israel at Glastonbury is actually called…Pascal Robinson-Foster. 'A posh double-barrel name is perhaps not the best handle for a self-styled Rasta radical. So he goes by the name Bobbie Vylan instead,' wrote veteran broadcaster Andrew Neil. But while it's vaguely amusing that Vylan's real name is rather less 'rock-n'roll' than his stage act suggests, Neil got one thing wrong: the era of double-barrelled surnames signifying poshness is over. Once upon a time, hyphenated surnames were a way of aristocrats displaying their social cachet. The upper class is full of Parker-Bowleses and Spencer-Churchills. The list of current earls in the Peerage of England includes a Chetwynd-Talbot, a Hastings-Bass, a Fiennes-Clinton, and an Ashley-Cooper. When, in 1964, the fourteenth Earl of Home faced the fourteenth Mr Wilson, it can't have been lost on the electorate that the former was a Douglas-Hume. It is no accident that the poshest pupil at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books is named Justin Finch-Fletchley. But times have changed, and now double-barrelled surnames can be more of a disadvantage than an advantage. Double-barrelled names have more recently reared their head as a political liability. When Annunziata Rees-Mogg, Jacob's sister and sometime Brexit Party MEP, embarked upon her political career, then-Tory leader David Cameron famously advised her to change her name to Nancy (also, curiously, the name of his own daughter: yes, the one he left at a pub). Less well-known is that Cameron also reportedly told her to drop the Rees; Nancy Mogg might have been the future, once. Under Cameron's leadership, there were reports that other Tory candidates were told to go single barrel: thus Simon Radford-Kirby became Simon Kirby, and candidate Scott Seaman-Digby became Scott Digby. But while politicians were dropping the hyphens from their names, the same wasn't true in other fields. In football, there has been a crop of stars with double-barrelled names, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Ward-Prowse, Emile Smith Rowe, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. It is a sign of the times that, whereas the men's and women's England football squads contain between them five double-barrelled names, Britain's Olympic equestrian team – surely the poshest sport – has none. There are proportionately far more double-barrelled surnames in elite football than rowing. All this reflects a wider trend. In 2017, it was reported that 11 per cent of couples now take on a double-barrelled name on marriage. It is difficult to work out what's driving this change. Is it that double-barrelled names are more common in mixed-race families (like Bobby Vylan's own), because both sides wish to preserve their cultural heritage? The shifting politics of double-barrelled names might also reflect an increase in single-parent families, or other deviations from the traditional norms of the nuclear family; single mothers quite understandably want to share a name with their children. Double-barrelled surnames can also carry some advantages. Aside from appearing to promote equality between the sexes, they also make people more distinctive, lowering the risk of confusion. Hence the full-back Kyle Walker-Peters, who plays for Southampton, is not the right-back Kyle Walker, who recently signed for Burnley. Names can still be signals of social class, with all that this implies: there is every difference, in the Shire of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, between the humble Bagginses and their snooty Sackville-Baggins cousins. But one should not be deceived by appearances: Ainsley Maitland-Niles could have been an excellent Victorian high court judge. In fact, he used to play for Arsenal.
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘It's all about ubuntu': Fans celebrate with world champion Proteas
Supporters were given another opportunity to interact with the world Test champions. Hundreds of people arrived at Nelson Mandela Square on Thursday to meet the Proteas players. Picture: Michel Bega South Africa's latest sporting victory had special relevance for some, while others were just there to bask in national pride, with hundreds of fans turning up in Sandton on Thursday to welcome the Proteas team home. After securing the country's first major cricket title in 27 years, beating Australia to win the World Test Championship final last weekend, the Proteas squad returned to a lively reception at OR Tambo International on Wednesday. And Cricket South Africa invited fans to participate in an activation on Thursday which gave supporters another opportunity to interact with the Proteas players at Nelson Mandela Square. 'A special occasion' Abdul 'Jack' Manack, who played 50 matches for the former Transvaal team between 1983 and 1993 (including a game at Lord's), was disappointed not to return to the world-renowned ground to see the Proteas win last week. He turned out, however, to welcome the team home. 'What happened over the weekend was a special occasion,' Manack said. 'This is what we need in the country, to unite our country, to bring our country together. It's all about ubuntu, it's all about transformation.' Former cricketer Abdul Manack with Proteas player Kyle Verreynne. Picture: Michel Bega Rasta joins the celebration Well-known artist Lebani Sirenje, better known as Rasta, also shared his appreciation for what the SA cricket team had achieved. 'Congratulations to the Proteas. They have won it and made us proud, so we are here to celebrate them,' he said. Most of the Proteas players, perhaps tired following their travels (and maybe some post-match celebrations), were admittedly a little shy about dancing on stage, despite being enticed. But skipper Temba Bavuma said they appreciated the turnout and it was clear by the reaction of fans just how much of an effect it had on people at home when they lifted the Test mace in London. 'You've really shown us what it means, what we did out there, and to see all you guys enjoy this moment with us makes us really proud of our efforts,' Bavuma told the crowd. Golden run for SA sport The world Test cricket title is the latest achievement on a golden run of form for South Africa in the sporting arena, with the country having shone in multiple sports over the last couple of years. Though the Test title ended a lengthy trophy drought, the SA cricket teams have been performing well, reaching multiple playoffs. The Proteas men reached the final of last year's T20 World Cup in the West Indies, and the Proteas women progressed to the finals of the 2023 T20 World Cup on home soil and the 2024 T20 showpiece in the UAE. In other sports, the Springboks won a record fourth Rugby World Cup title in 2023 in France, while South Africa earned six medals in four codes – swimming, athletics, cross country cycling and rugby sevens – at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Midway though this year, Dricus du Plessis has already defended his UFC middleweight title for the second time in a rematch against Sean Strickland, Rayno Nel has won the World's Strongest Man competition, and the national sprinting squad have secured three medals (including two gold) at the World Athletics Relays championship.
The South African
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
'Who the hell is that?': Rasta's Presley Chweneyagae portrait irks public
Rasta has done it again with another celebrity portrait that has left South Africans fuming. The Zimbabwean artist, Lebani Sirenje, unveiled his portrait of the late Presley Chweneyagae at his funeral on Saturday, 7 June. The service for he late actor took place at the Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria. On X, images of Rasta's painting of Presley Chweneyagae at the actor's funeral service had social media users up in arms. In the art picture, the painter shared his likeness of the Cobrizi star. In a second portrait, Rasta recreated the poster for Tsotsi, the 2004 feature film which gave Presley his breakout role. However, South Africans were not remotely convinced that the man in either of the portraits was the late screen star. X user @tlhonolo_ posted: 'Who the hell is that supposed to be?' Some were even angered by Rasta's attempt at creating Presley Chweneyagae's image. Another X user, @KkKakaza, added, 'Someone close to Rasta must tell him to hand himself over to the nearest police station. KZN SAPS is looking for him.' In 2023, the then Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, sternly warned Rasta over his portrait of the late singer Zahara. In one viral pic posted on X, the minister was seen chatting to Rasta. Like the portrait of Presley Chweneyagae, Rasta's painting of Zahara went down in flames on social media. Images via X: @lesufipanyaza Gauteng Premier Penyaza Lesufi posted on X at the time: 'The Minister @zizikodwa is seriously engaging Rasta on the sidelines about his drawings of Zahara.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Rasta faces fresh backlash over controversial new portrait of Presley Chweneyagae
Controversial Zimbabwean-born portrait artist Lebani Sirenje, famously known as Rasta, is back in the spotlight, and so is the criticism. This time, the target of his brush is the late actor Presley Chweneyagae, best known for his lead role in Tsotsi. Rasta unveiled the painting of Chweneyagae this week, and while some praised his effort, many social media users found the piece unrecognisable. ' Whether you love or question his work, one thing's for sure- Rasta shows up to honour our legends,' posted Tinashe Eugene Mushanguri on Facebook. 'Who is this supposed to be?' asked one user on Facebook, referring to the painting. He joked, 'Rasta has to be stopped. Seriously, we need a petition.' This isn't Rasta's first run-in with public scrutiny. Over the years, Rasta painted countless public figures, often at funerals or memorials, and each time, Mzansi has something to say. From Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to Oliver Mtukudzi, his art tends to trend, sometimes for the wrong reasons. But Rasta has always stood by his work. As the Presley portrait continues to trend, one thing is clear: Rasta's work, however it's received, has become part of South Africa's cultural fabric. Chweneyagae, affectionately known to many as 'Cobrizi' or 'Mokwepa,' passed away last week at his home in the city. He was 40. Chweneyagae rose to fame for his powerful performance in Tsotsi , the gritty South African drama that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006. You've probably seen a Rasta painting. But before all that, he was just a kid in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, born in 1977, drawing whatever caught his eye. He started sketching around age seven and never really looked back. No art degree, no formal training, just years of practice. More than ten years ago, he crossed the border into South Africa, like a lot of Zimbabweans trying to find something more. That's when he went pro. These days, he's known for painting portraits of famous people, mostly after they die, and like it or not, his work always gets a reaction. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Black America Web
09-05-2025
- Health
- Black America Web
What Exactly Did Bob Marley Die From?
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: Graham Wiltshire / Getty Bob Marley was more than just a musician—he was a cultural icon whose voice became synonymous with resistance, peace, and the pursuit of justice. Through timeless hits like 'One Love,' 'Redemption Song,' and 'Get Up, Stand Up,' the Jamaican singer-songwriter used his music to unite people across continents and inspire generations to rise against oppression and embrace love. His distinct blend of reggae, rock, and spirituality carved a new path for protest music, and his messages of equality and human rights continue to echo decades after his death. Born in the small village of Nine Mile in Jamaica, Marley rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His powerful lyrics and magnetic stage presence earned him worldwide acclaim and turned reggae into a global phenomenon. But just as Marley was reaching the pinnacle of his career, tragedy struck. According to People, Marley had just performed a two-night show at Madison Square Garden with his band, The Wailers, and was touring nonstop, before a seizure would change the trajectory of his career. While playing soccer with friends in Central Park, Marley had a seizure which ultimately helped doctors discover his acral lentiginous melanoma, a rare skin cancer that appears on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or under the nails. Cases of acral lentiginous melanoma make up just 2%–3% of U.S. melanoma cases—about 2,000 cases overall, according to Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine. By the time doctors discovered Marley's cancer, it had tragically spread all across his body. Notably, the singer and activist was notified about his condition before the cancer spread. People noted that the Jamaican superstar was diagnosed with the condition before his seizure after he paid a visit to the doctor to treat a lesion under his toe on his right foot. Marley was under the impression that the lesion developed due to a soccer injury, 'but an opinion from a second doctor who biopsied the spot revealed that it was cancer.' Doctors recommended amputating the infected toe, but Marley wanted to go a different route. The singer had the nail and some of the impacted tissue from the area removed for a skin graft, but that wasn't enough to fight off his cancer. Marley went years without medical treatment following the surgery, which led to even more damage. In 1980, the singer was given only a few months to live after his cancer spread to his brain, lungs and organs, but he remained hopeful that his health would rebound. 'Him say, 'Listen, we're gonna fight it, all right? Regardless of what the doctors might say or what they might do, we're gonna fight it. 'Cause a Rasta never give up,'' the superstar's physician, Dr. Carlton 'Pee Wee' Fraser revealed in 2012's Marley . Source: Watal Asanuma/Shinko Music / Getty Following his final performance in Pittsburgh, Marley passed away on May 11, 1981, in Miami at just 36 years old. Though his life was tragically cut short, his influence only grew stronger in the years that followed. In 1994, Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a recognition of the indelible mark he left on global music and culture, according to his website. His impact was further cemented in December 1999, when Time Magazine named his 1977 album Exodus the Album of the Century, while the BBC honored his anthem 'One Love' as the Song of the Millennium. Marley's popularity is reflected in the ongoing success of Legend , the greatest hits compilation released in 1984. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has consistently sold more than 250,000 copies each year and ranks among a rare group, only the 17th album to surpass 10 million in U.S. sales since SoundScan began tracking in 1991. Though he was never nominated for a Grammy during his lifetime, Marley received the Recording Academy's Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. This prestigious honor is awarded to artists who have made lasting contributions of artistic significance to the recording industry. That same year, the documentary Rebel Music , directed by Jeremy Marre and chronicling Marley's life and career, received a Grammy nomination for Best Long Form Music Video. Also in 2001, Marley's legacy was commemorated in Hollywood, where he was awarded the 2,171st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He joined the ranks of other music legends such as Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, and The Temptations. In 2006, Marley's presence was further honored in Brooklyn, New York—home to one of the largest Caribbean communities in the United States—when an eight-block stretch of Church Avenue was officially renamed Bob Marley Boulevard. The tribute was made possible through the efforts of New York City Councilwoman Yvette D. Clarke, highlighting how deeply Marley's message continues to impact communities far from his Jamaican roots. SEE ALSO: Watch Bob Marley's Final Trip To Africa To Perform Live In Zimbabwe 'Bob Marley: One Love' Review: A Legendary Life Told In Cinematic Cliff Notes SEE ALSO What Exactly Did Bob Marley Die From? was originally published on
