Latest news with #Rasta
The Citizen
a day ago
- 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
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Peter Andre accused of 'posing in modern blackface' after taking on Jamaican gangster role in 'profoundly disrespectful' new film
Peter Andre has been accused of 'posing in modern blackface' after playing a Jamaican gangster in a 'profoundly disrespectful' new film. The Mysterious Girl singer, 52, stars as lead character Gary Buckle in crime-comedy, Jafaican, which is set for release later this year. In the film, Gary is tasked with mastering a Caribbean accent and culture in order to pose as a Jamaican crime lord and pull of a heist to pay for his grandma's care. The Australian actor faced a large backlash after the trailer was released, which sees him don a dreadlock wig and attempt to speak in patois. Now, it's been reported that a Caribbean filmmaker reached out to complain to Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) - who is hosting the premiere - to make an official complaint about the film. However, GCFF is said to have defended the movie, citing Peter's hit 1995 song Mysterious Girl which they said had 'strong reggae influences.' The complaint is said to brand Peter's role in the film as 'an appalling act of modern blackface and a shameful display of cultural mockery masquerading as comedy.' The Voice claims that the complainant - who has remained anonymous - went on to brand the film a 'modern-day minstrel show, a deeply xenophobic mockery of Caribbean identity. The cosplaying of Rasta identity, complete with dreadlocks, is profoundly disrespectful.' They added that reducing the Rasta culture to a 'comedic prop' was in fact a 'grotesque insult'. GCFF are claimed to have responded: 'Peter Andre has a long history of music collaboration with Jamaican musicians… and co-stars with prominent Caribbean musician Sizzla in the film. 'The film is set out to showcase Jamaican culture not to mock it.' MailOnline has contacted GCFF and Peter's representatives for comment. Peter promoted the film on X/Twitter last week but deleted the post after fan backlash. Tweets read: 'Peter Andre starring as the lead character of a film called JAFAICAN where he's pretending to be a Jamaican and wearing a dreadlock wig is not something I was expecting to see in the year of our Lord 2025 but here we are...'; 'There's a movie coming out with Peter Andre in a dreadlock wig pretending to be Jamaican. Is this really what we're doing in 2025?'; Peter has even deleted his Tweet sharing the trailer, prompting one fan to question whether this means the movie will be pulled Taking to Twitter to express their uproar fans asked: 'Did I wake up in 1998?' 'Pardon me? A film, starring Peter Andre, as a JAMAICAN man, is due for release shortly. What is this utter f***ery and whooooo thought it was ok to sign this off in the year 2025, please?'; 'Why on earth has YouTube just recommended me a trailer for a film starring Peter Andre about a man posing as a fake Jamaican? Did I wake up in 1998?'; 'This is actually so gross and I don't know why Jamaica is always everybody's punchline. Wishing the worst for everyone involved especially you Peter Andre'; 'Just saw the trailer for @MrPeterAndre new film disrespecting Rastafari - a religion in Jamaica - and mocking Jamaican culture in general, guess what he plays - a white Jamaican criminal. 'I want to know why these people don't find stereotypes about their own culture to film'; 'Who tf signed this off in 2025???? Nobody needs Peter Andre in fake dreads, pretending to be Jamaican'; 'Sorry a film where Peter Andre has to pose as a Jamaican gangster to pay for his Grans care home. It might just be peak art'. One fan noticed Peter had deleted his tweet in light of the backlash as they asked: 'So Peter Andre deleted his tweet, does that mean Jafaican is being scrapped?' However the trailer didn't receive all negative comments after other fans shared their excitement ahead of the films release. Peter first shared the trailer on his Instagram over the weekend as he announced: 'The OFFICIAL trailer for JAFAICAN has just dropped! Coming to cinemas soon….' Peter first shared the trailer on his Instagram over the weekend as he announced: 'The OFFICIAL trailer for JAFAICAN has just dropped! Coming to cinemas soon….' The trailer didn't receive all negative comments after other fans shared their excitement ahead of the films release Revealing his upcoming promo work for the film he confirmed the world premiere will be at the Gold Coast Film Festival on May 9 and he teased that news on a UK premiere would be coming soon. Excited fans penned: 'Peter that looks amazing can't wait to see this brilliant'; 'Oh yes!!!! looking forward to this @peterandre can't wait'; 'I wish I could have watched this being filmed'; 'Omg so gassed'. Meanwhile his son Junior added: 'Been waiting too long for this!!! Can't wait!!' The controversial film comes just a month after Peter blasted Disney's woke live-action Snow White for 'putting people out of work' after the film replaced dwarf actors with CGI. Wading into the topical debate surrounding he film in his New Magazine column, insisting: 'I think it's important to leave classic films as they were'. Back in 2023, the film was delayed for a major overhaul after negative reception to the film having seven 'magical (non-dwarf) creatures'. Instead, the seven dwarves were replaced through the use of CGI. Peter wrote: 'Disney has been involved in a bit of controversy over its new version of Snow White for things like using CGI for the 'magical creatures' instead of the original seven dwarfs. 'It's important to remember that the original stories and films were very much of their time and, yes, there are definitely things that don't sit comfortably with today's audiences. 'I think it's important to leave classic films as they were. New films can be as diverse as ever, but recreating classics and putting actors out of working for CGI is not the solution.'
