Simphiwe Ngema and Tino Chinyana on Wednesday shook the trends when they premiered their baby bump. The couple delighted fans, many who didn’t even know they were a celebrity couple, with awe-inspiring photos of a pregnant Simphiwe.

Elated as she shared the news, Ngema thanked God for the gift of pregnancy. “Indeed there is a God in heaven”, she wrote. “He wiped away my tears and gave me joy in abundance. You’ve brought hope and purpose to my life…”

Tino also expressed much gratitude as he gushed about becoming a daddy.

“Lord knows how long I prayed on this moment & to be answered in the most beautiful way possible”, the model and former Channel O presenter wrote in a heartfelt note on Instagram.

Adding, “I thank the Lord up above that you blessed me with your presence & showed me who I could truly be & for that I’ll forever be grateful. For this gift you have given me, I promise I will always love, care & be there for you & our seed. May our seed grow to be a leader of change, a leader of hope & serve the Lord in all their ways.”

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Indeed there is a God in heaven. He wiped away my tears and gave me joy in abundance. You’ve brought hope and purpose to my life. @tino_chinyani I will forever be grateful to you for this beautiful gift and for teaching me how to love again. I love you both with all my heart.

A post shared by Simphiwe Ngema (@simzngema) on Aug 12, 2020 at 12:04am PDT

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News of Bob Mabena’s passing sent shock waves throughout the country on Monday. The veteran South African broadcaster reportedly died at the age of 51 from cardiac arrest.

His indelible contributions to the creative industry, as well as to bringing smiles to the nation for decades, are being celebrated as precious elements of his legacy.

Known affectionately as ‘Bra Bob’, the Power FM Breakfast Show host and station manager is regarded as one of the most distinguished radio presenters in the country, and many from the current generation of media personalities have often hailed him as a central figure in the genesis of their dreams to work in the media.

In the 1990’s, Mabena gained popularity for a range of successful endeavors. Following the popularity, he gained at Radio Bop, he became a co-pilot presenter on Studio Mix on SABC 1, helping the show to become the highest-rated variety music show in the country at the time.

Not one to sleep on his appeal, Bob also dabbled in recording music back in the day. He worked with the likes of Thebe Sengaga and iconic South African soccer player, Doctor Khumalo on a popular song called Get Funky.

Condolences have been pouring in from everywhere as President Cyril Ramaphosa, the media industry, the sports industry, and locals continue to add their tributes for a life so well lived.

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It’s Women’s Month and that can only mean one thing; it’s time to celebrate women from all walks of life who kick ass! Quench SA is shining the spotlight on women who inspire us to step up to the best expressions of ourselves.

While this list is in no way exhaustive of the amazing women who are kicking down doors and paving the way for future generations, these are some 10 South African women in entertainment who are in their bags.

CASTER SEMENYA 

Photo Credit: Caster Semenya/Instagram

Caster Semenya embodies excellence in ways that are disruptive, transformative, inspiring, and for many who are seen as pariahs by the world, also healing.

There was a time when the ill-treatment she suffered at the hands of sporting bodies, who wanted to cool her blaze by interrogating the legitimacy of her womanhood, appeared to be nothing more than a hostile injustice.

But through her display of courage and authenticity, the Olympian has taught us that the battles she’s faced in a world so obsessed with heteronormative gender binaries mean much more.

Because the hand of God that raised her up to be one of the biggest athletes on the planet remained with her, her career has shown us two things: 1) Dragons exist and 2) They can be beaten.

BONANG MATHEBA 

She’s not known as the Queen B for no reason. When she’s about to sting, you stand back.

With more than 15 years in the South African entertainment industry, where she’s built a formidable portfolio across mediums that span broadcast television and radio, Bonang has become one of the land’s most admired celebrities.

The 32-year-old Mafikeng native has put in the work to build a gargantuan brand that has helped her to cross over to retail through her successful lingerie line with a leading retailer, her own brand of bubbly, a high rating reality TV series focused solely on her life, a bestselling book as well as a subscription app which her devoted fans use to satiate themselves with all things Queen B.

2019 marked one of the best years in Bonang’s career. She appeared on the famed Breakfast Club, where she distilled her rise to fame while displaying her mastery on the South African entertainment business. In the same year, she travelled the world and then parlayed that footage into a two-part docuseries, currently airing on SABC 1.

Watch and learn. 

ZOZI TUNZI

Earlier this year, Zozi Tunzi sparked a frenzy when she returned home to South Africa for the first time since being famously crowned Miss Universe in 2019. The 26-year-old proved triumphant in when she sauntered her way from the Miss SA crown, on her third attempt, to the Miss Universe crown.

And while pageants themselves remain a hotly contested topic in many circles, Tunzi garnered the applaud of women around the world, including Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, when she used the Miss Universe platform to deliver one of the most inspiring messages to the world.

“I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It is something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a long time”, Cosmopolitan Magazine recalls her saying.

“Not because we don’t want to but because of what society has labelled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity. That is what we should be teaching these young girls. To take up space. Nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself.”

“Take up space. Cement yourself.”

THUSO MBEDU

Thuso speaks onstage during the Young Creatives Awards Ceremony on November 16, 2018 in New York City.

She keeps a relatively low profile, shunning splashy displays of her celebrity online and trading all that attention for more time to focus on her craft, and it’s paid off!

Thuso Mbedu first rose up to the global radar when in September 2017, she scored an Emmy nomination for her moving portrayal of ‘Winnie’ on Mzansi Magic’s critically lauded drama, Is’thunzi.

Since then the 29-year-old, who hails from Pietermaritzburg in Kwa Zulu Natal, has shown us she’s been bitten by the Hollywood bug.

Having recently made the cut on VOGUE UK’s list of the most exciting new actors, Mbedu is currently filming The Underground Railroad, an upcoming American television on which she was famously cast as the leading lady.

MAKHADZI

A riot just about erupted when Makhadzi’s name didn’t appear on the nominee’s list for the 26th annual South African Music Awards.

Her blockbuster hit Matorokisi was one of the biggest street anthems of 2019 and helped the singer to ‘cross over’ and gain favour not only in every corner of South Africa, but across the continent.

Alongside Master KG, King Monada and Sho Madjozi, Makhadzi is regarded as part of the new wave of artists who have put Limpopo at the centre of the South African entertainment scene.

Her stage presence is so enchanting that the YouTube views for her performance on music show Massive Music have surpassed the 2 million mark, while her high energetic delivery at the DStv Viewers’ Choice Awards stole the entire show.

While her meteoric rise to the top of the charts in 2019 marks her well deserved big break, Makhadzi has been pushing her graft since 2012. She now boasts an impressive catalogue spanning six albums, proving that no one can stop one who is determined to test their limits.

Stay true to yourself and be you. No one can be youer than you. 

SHO MADJOZI 

Photo Credit: Getty Images for BET

We recently asked Sho how she always steps up to the ever-rising expectations that attend to her growing global fame during a media session for her Tik Tok collaboration, and she said discipline and commitment to delivering the best show in her performances is the secret that by now, shouldn’t be a secret.

You put in the hours in order to pull off a killer stage set.

It’s the rehearsals, the voice control, the lighting, the synergistic collaboration with the people responsible for the technical bits, the costumes, research and so much more. By the time we get to see Sho Madjozi stun crowds with her authentic Xitsonga flavour, sound and aesthetic with an urban twist, she has sweated bucketloads.

Her work ethic lies behind her rise to the world. She’s won a BET award, a Nickelodeon Award, enjoyed a viral hit and got the nod from John Cena, and amongst other things appeared on the Ellen Show.

Prepare. Never miss a beat. 

PEARL THUSI 

While she’s regarded as one of South Africa’s most loved celebrities, Pearl Thusi has managed to do something only a handful of actresses around the world have done – to score multiple roles on leading international shows.

She has also led a couple of acclaimed movies and now, becomes the first African actress to lead Netflix’s first African original production.

The 32-year-old Durbanite transitioned from TV presenting to acting full time.

In 2016, she showcased her thespian chops as ‘Dayana Mampasi’ on popular American thriller drama series Quantico. Since 2015, she’s appeared on movies Tremors 5: Bloodlines, Einfach Rosa: Wolken über Kapstadt, Catching Feelings, Kalushi and The Scorpion King: Book of Souls. 

In 2020, Thusi is most notably the talk of the town for her lead role on Netflix’s Queen Sono, which has been renewed for a second season.

NOMZAMO MBATHA

Mbatha has risen to the highest league of acclaimed actresses in the world, and she did all of that while also scoring herself various endorsement deals with leading global brands in sportswear, beauty cosmetics, and French champagne.

While fans mourned the departure of her character on Mzansi telenovela Isibaya, they could at least look forward to watching Mbatha at the cinema when Coming 2 America premieres. Besides, you can’t keep the girl confined within a limited space when she’s displayed the potential to become one of the most recognizable names around the world.

In 2019, Nomzamo Mbatha was unveiled as part of the cast for Coming 2 America, in which she stars alongside Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones and amongst others Kiki Layne. The movie

Aside from doing the absolute most as an actor, Nomzamo is also noted for her activism and philanthropy. She’s a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and was actively involved with the Global Citizen social awareness drive.

CONNIE FERGUSON 

Photo Credit: Connie Ferguson/Instagram

You’d regard this list to be nonsensical if it didn’t feature Connie Ferguson. You’d be right.

She’s at the top of the South African film and television production industry, where she’s built one of the best performing production companies and delivered an impressive list of the highest-rated drama series and telenovelas through the years.

Connie, who initially became a household name over her time-hallowed portrayal of Karabo Moroka on SABC 1 soapie Generations, used her experience and talent to cultivate an elevated business instinct to establishing Ferguson Films with her husband Shona Ferguson.

They’ve since given us Rockville, iGazi, The Gift, The Throne, The Herd, The Queen, The River and The Imposter. Besides picking up tens of prestigious awards, these titles have topped the list of the highest-rated shows on DStv

DJ ZINHLE 

Photo Credit: DJ Zinhle/Instagram

After taking somewhat of a breather from producing new music, DJ Zinhle made a triumphant return to the charts with Umlilo in 2019.

The song became one of best selling singles of the year, proving that the multi-hyphenate record producer, DJ, and businesswoman still has what it takes to deliver smashes and fill dancefloors.

Having first gotten her big break as lady spinning then vinyl on SABC 1 dance show Jika Majika in 2004, the trajectory of Ntombezinhle Jiyane’s career has been inspiring to witness. In between the hits, DJ Zinle managed to become one of the biggest celebrities in the continent and boasts some of the biggest social media following in Africa.

Zinhle, who owns her own line of watches, has been named as one of 21 Most powerful African women by Oprah Magazine and Glamour magazine’s Woman of the Year. In March 2020, she won the Forbes Woman Africa Entertainer award.

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