Latest news with #WakaWaka
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Cape Town, ready to make marimba history?
Forget front row seats – this is a full-blown, foot-stomping, record-breaking spectacle you'll want to be part of. On Saturday, 2 August, the city plays host to a world-first musical mission: over 1,000 marimbas unite for the largest marimba ensemble the world has ever seen to smash the current record of 505. That's right, the organisers Marimba Jam, are aiming to double that. There will be booming bass notes, bright xylophonic joy, and a medley of 'Waka Waka' and 'Jerusalema' to turn on the goosebumps. And this isn't just about breaking a record either. It's about breaking barriers as kids from 70+ schools across township, private and rural come together to jam in the name of ubuntu, rhythm and national pride. 'You can't feel sad when a marimba plays in C major,' says Kiara Ramklass, founder of Marimba Jam. She has been on a decade-long mission to spread joy through music. Want to join in? Venue: GrandWest Grand Arena Date: Saturday 2 August Doors open 4pm | Show kicks off 5.30pm Tickets: From R79 via Quicker Stick around for the post-record vibes: a live gig with Goodluck, art installations, djembe drumming, VR zones and more. Whether you're a music nerd, rhythm junkie or just here for the history, this is one event that hits all the right notes.
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Harpal Singh Randhawa: The Indian outlier who defied geography to build an African fortune
Next Story Sundeep Khanna Harpal Singh Randhawa carved a $5 billion fortune in Africa, a continent often overlooked by his peers. Harpal Singh Randhawa. Gift this article 'Pick yourself up and dust yourself off, get back in the saddle." 'Pick yourself up and dust yourself off, get back in the saddle." —from Shakira's Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) Shakira's 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem, which celebrated Africa's rising spirit, is a fitting metaphor for Harpal Singh Randhawa's audacious journey from the plains of Punjab to Zimbabwe's volatile mining fields. Unlike most other global Indian entrepreneurs chasing Western markets, Randhawa carved a $5 billion fortune in Africa, a continent often overlooked by his peers. His story, marked by calculated risks and resilience, ended abruptly and tragically in a plane crash when he was just 60. But he leaves behind a complex legacy that invites both admiration and some scrutiny. From Punjab to Zimbabwe Born on 9 August 1963, in Punjab, Randhawa was shaped by discipline at home and ambition outside it. After his schooling at The Lawrence School in Sanawar, he went on to pursue chartered accountancy in England. Also Read | How CR Bhansali exploited India's NBFC blind spots in the 1990s Subsequently, blending his father's military grit with sharp business instincts, he became an entrepreneur. His sister, Iqrup Dhamija, too, became a noted interior designer, reflecting the family's creative and driven ethos. Randhawa's son, Amer Kabir Singh Randhawa, a Stanford computer science graduate and pilot, inherited the same spirit but tragically died with his father in the crash. Randhawa's choice of Africa as his entrepreneurial canvas was bold and contrarian. In the early 1990s, as India's economy liberalized, spawning dozens of startups, he founded the Global Emerging Market Group (GEM), a private equity (PE) firm that invested in over 100 companies worldwide. By the time he passed away, the PE firm had amassed a $4 billion asset base. But it was the politically turbulent and economically unpredictable Zimbabwe, which finally threw off its colonial yoke only in 1980, that became his karmabhoomi. It is difficult to say if zeroing in on Zimbabwe was the bet of a visionary on untapped potential or a gambler's risky move in a region fraught with instability, but his success certainly suggests foresight. Randhawa's vehicle of growth was RioZim, a diversified mining group listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, which he bought into through GEM. From gold and diamonds to coal, nickel, and copper, his portfolio, spanning the Renco and Cam and Motor gold mines and the Murowa diamond mine, reflected strategic diversifications to serve as a hedge against market fluctuations. Unlike peers chasing quick profits, Randhawa invested in long-term asset management, navigating Zimbabwe's resource nationalism and forging complex partnerships. Through it all, his ability to read the shifting sands of power in the country set him apart. Mining in Africa often treads a fine line between opportunity and exploitation. While Randhawa's long-term vision fostered growth, the environmental and social impacts of his operations remain underexplored. RioZim also failed to live up to its promise as one of the country's top gold producers and, as of 2024, posted its fifth successive annual loss. His legacy That's not to deny Randhawa's success in building wealth. His estimated $5 billion net worth at the time of his death placed him in a rare league of African billionaires, alongside figures like South Africa's Patrice Motsepe, a mining magnate and philanthropist, and Indian-born entrepreneur Prateek Suri. Unlike Motsepe, whose public philanthropy softened his image, Randhawa operated with less fanfare, giving little thought to personal branding. Unfortunately, while his understated approach contrasts with the outsized personalities dominating the narrative of India's new billionaire class, it also leaves gaps in understanding his broader impact. In the past, Indian-origin entrepreneurs in Africa have faced unique challenges, including balancing local integration with a global mindset. Randhawa's skilful navigation of these waters, the ability to thrive under unfamiliar legal regimes, social expectations, and economic cycles, is a great lesson for wannabe entrepreneurs keen on treading less conventional paths. Sadly, on 29 September 2023, a RioZim-owned Cessna 206 bound for the Murowa mine crashed, killing Randhawa, his son Amer, and all aboard. The tragedy cut short an unusual career that was marked by risk-taking and the choice of roads less travelled. Randhawa's story challenges the narrative of global Indian success tied to Western hubs like Silicon Valley. Also Read | Alagappa Chettiar's legacy of fortune and philanthropy His legacy is that of an outlier who created opportunity in Africa's complexity, a reminder that the world's most compelling business stories often emerge in unexpected places. Topics You May Be Interested In Catch all the Business News , Corporate news , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘My home was falling apart': Shakira breaks silence on betrayal, heartbreak, & Piqué's alleged affair
Shakira, the Colombian pop star known for global hits and unmatched stage presence, recently shared insights on how life has changed since her 2022 breakup with Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué. Speaking during the 2025 Grammy Awards—where she received the award for Best Latin Pop Album—Shakira opened up about the emotional challenges she's faced. In an interview with Live From E!, she said, 'Life hasn't always been kind,' hinting at the personal struggles she's worked through since the end of her long-term relationship. The couple's separation came after more than a decade together, during which they built a life and a family. Despite the difficulties, Shakira noted that the journey made her stronger. She referred back to her 2009 single, saying, 'The she-wolf is still here.' How it all began on the world stage Shakira and Piqué's relationship started in 2010 during the filming of her 'Waka Waka' music video for the FIFA World Cup. Their connection quickly turned romantic, and by 2011, the two had gone public. Over the years, they welcomed two sons—Milan and Sasha—and were often seen together at public events and family outings. In earlier interviews, Shakira had expressed her discomfort with the idea of marriage. Speaking with 60 Minutes in 2020, she admitted, 'Marriage scares the out of me,' explaining she preferred the dynamic of being a partner without the formal structure of marriage. Signs of trouble and the end of the relationship In mid-2022, signs of separation began to appear. Reports confirmed that Piqué was living separately from Shakira, and the couple later made their split official. According to People en Español, Shakira was going through an especially difficult time—she had just found out about Piqué's alleged infidelity with Clara Chia Marti while her father was in intensive care. 'Everything happened at once,' she told the publication. 'My home was falling apart.' Following the breakup, Shakira released music that reflected her personal struggles, some tracks seemingly addressing themes of betrayal and emotional pain. Career sacrifices and a renewed focus on independence Shakira also spoke about the career sacrifices she made for the relationship. In an interview with The Sunday Times, she revealed that she had paused her professional life 'to be next to Gerard, so he could play football.' The time she invested in family life came at the cost of several opportunities, but she emphasized that she now feels more self-reliant than ever. 'I feel complete,' she said in an earlier 2023 interview with Canal Estrellas. Despite the hardships, Shakira appears focused on her music and personal growth.
Pink Villa
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Shakira Says Her ‘Life Hasn't Been Kind' After Breakup With Gerard Piqué: A Look Back at Their 11-Year Relationship
After more than a decade together, Shakira and Gerard Piqué's once unshakable relationship came to an end in June 2022. Since then, the global pop icon has spoken candidly about her emotional growth and the personal upheaval that accompanied their separation. Shakira recently addressed the aftermath of the split at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where she accepted the award for Best Latin Pop Album. 'Life hasn't always been kind,' she admitted in an interview with Live From E! at the event. As reported by The People, the singer emphasized that, while painful, her journey has taught her resilience. She also referenced her 2009 hit, stating that despite it all, 'The she-wolf is still here.' A romance that began on the world stage Shakira and Gerard Piqué first met in 2010 during the filming of her 'Waka Waka' music video for the FIFA World Cup. Their connection sparked quickly, and by 2011, they had gone public with their relationship. Over the years, they welcomed two sons—Milan and Sasha—and appeared inseparable. Despite the closeness, Shakira later revealed she had hesitated to marry. 'Marriage scares the out of me,' she said during a 2020 interview with 60 Minutes, preferring the unpredictability of being seen as a girlfriend rather than a wife. The collapse and consequences Despite their image, cracks had formed. By mid-2022, reports surfaced that Piqué was living apart from Shakira. This eventually led to the couple confirming their separation. As reported by People en Español, Shakira revealed that she learned of Piqué's betrayal—he allegedly cheated with his current girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti—while her father was in intensive care. 'Everything happened at once,' she said. 'My home was falling apart.' Months later, she released songs that seemed to channel that pain directly, some of which referenced infidelity and emotional loss. Shakira has also been transparent about the pain she endured and the sacrifices she made. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Shakira said she had put her career on hold 'to be next to Gerard, so he could play football.' Despite this, she feels more self-reliant than ever. 'I feel complete,' she said in an earlier appearance on Canal Estrellas in 2023.
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Valeen Montenegro is pregnant!
Valeen Montenegro is expecting her first child! In an Instagram Reel, the actress and comedienne flexed her baby bump and shared clips of her loved ones' reactions to the news. 'Been keeping a little secret,' Valeen said in her caption. In another Reel, Valeen with her friend and fellow artist Dasuri Choi danced to 'Waka Waka' by Shakira. Valeen flexed her growing bump with a white crop top. 'Isang BALITANG INANG good news on her birthday!!' Dasuri said in her caption. Celebrities like Carla Abellana, Megan Young, Jennylyn Mercado, Rocco Nacino, and many more commented their messages of congratulations. Valeen and Riel Manuel got engaged in 2022 and tied the knot in January 2024. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
