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Lauryn Hill’s South African Visit Shows Why the DStv Delicious Festival Still Matters

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Lauryn Hill’s appearance at this year’s DStv Delicious Festival could have played out like any other major international booking, arriving, rehearsing, performing, then flying out. Instead, her time in Johannesburg unfolded in a way that made South Africans pay attention to more than just the setlist.

After returning home, Hill posted a detailed reflection on her visit. What stood out immediately was her decision to open with an apology in isiZulu. It came across as her recognising the people she was speaking to. From there, she went straight into the parts of the trip that stayed with her, and the picture she painted was far more textured than a typical “thank you, Joburg” message.

Photo: Google

Hill spent time with Ndaba Mandela and members of his family, which she described as grounding and informative. It gave her a clearer sense of the country’s cultural present, not in a ceremonial way, but through straightforward conversations. For someone who rarely explains her movements publicly, the detail in her post hinted at how seriously she engaged with the people she met here.

Her sons, Zion and YG Marley, were active throughout the weekend as well. Together, they teamed up with Grade Africa for a merchandise pop-up. The collaboration wasn’t treated like a quick branding moment. Hill said she took the opportunity to learn from the designers and young creatives involved, and that those discussions mattered to her. It was one of the few times a visiting global artist treated a local fashion partnership as something more than a photo opportunity.

Photo: Google

Hill’s styling choices also drew attention, mainly because they were so specific to the country she was in. She wore a red-and-black Sotho-inspired suit designed by Thebe Magugu, complete with feather detailing and an Isicholo-style headpiece. Her vocalists and dancers wore MaXhosa Africa. These weren’t token nods to local fashion; they were deliberate choices that placed South African designers squarely in view of an international audience.

Photo: Google

Her daughter Sara added another dimension to the trip by visiting a Johannesburg school during their stay. Hill mentioned the visit briefly but clearly, saying it stood out for her family. It was the kind of moment that didn’t show up on festival cameras but still shaped her experience of the city.

When Hill finally took the stage, the festival crowd responded the way you’d expect for someone of her stature. The performance included Wyclef Jean and appearances from her sons, giving the set a mix of nostalgia and a passing of the torch. Festival-goers had waited years for a moment like that, and Hill acknowledged the energy she received from the audience.

Photo: Google

What made her post interesting wasn’t only what she said, but how she said it. She spoke plainly about what she saw, who she met, and what she hoped to return for. That honesty made South Africans feel that she wasn’t just passing through.

For the festival and for Hill, the weekend ended up being more than a booking on a poster. It became a reminder of why international artists still look to South Africa for genuine engagement and why South Africans expect that respect in return.

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Lady Du launches Wine brand ‘Sip of Piano”

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Lady Du: Instagram

Lady Du, whose real name is Duduzile Ngwenya, has expanded her business portfolio with the launch of her wine brand, Sip of Piano. This adds to her growing image as an artist who plans carefully for life outside music. Widely known for popularising Amapiano, Lady Du continues to show interest in building other businesses.

She shared news of Sip of Piano on Instagram, explaining that the brand is self funded. Her message focused on taking action and seeing ideas through to completion. The name of the wine draws was inspired by Amapiano.

Lady Du: Instagram

Lady Du has also mentioned her decision to enter the wine market comes from a clear business mindset and a desire to diversify her income. She has spoken openly about the importance of investing in ventures that can grow over time and provide stability outside music. For her, entrepreneurship plays a key role in building long term security.

Read Also: Yolanda Mukondeleli Transitions From Big Brother Mzansi to DJ Booth

Sip of Piano joins a list of other business efforts she has pursued over the years. Her beauty salon in Kwa Thembisa, created employment opportunities for many people in her community. She also authored a book titled Fame or Business, where she shared her experiences in entertainment and lessons on financial discipline.

Lady Du: Instagram

Lady Du has not hidden the challenges she has faced along the way. She has spoken about financial losses earlier in her journey, which shaped her outlook on money. She often credits faith and consistency for helping her stay focused and move forward in life.

The general response from fans reflects how public figures are increasingly seen as entrepreneurs as well as entertainers. There is growing interest in watching artists take control of their financial futures. Her wine could find itself to top notch restaurants in Cape Town and other South African entertainment spots in the coming weeks.

Lady Du: Instagram

For Lady Du, Sip of Piano represents another step in personal and professional growth. The brand reflects careful planning, ownership, and a desire to build something lasting. As the wine prepares for wider release, it adds to her evolving story as someone who continues to expand her reach beyond music. Her journey highlights how creative success can open doors to new paths when paired with clear vision and steady execution.

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Alexis Ohanian Responds After Serena Williams Faces Online Backlash

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Photo Credit - Google

Serena Williams recently shared family photos from her sister’s wedding, expecting the usual stream of congratulations. Instead, she was met with comments questioning her skin tone, with some accusing her of “lightening” her skin, a claim that spread quickly online without any evidence.
Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, responded publicly, using X (formerly Twitter) to challenge the criticism. He wrote: “Where are all the comments from people who don’t understand how photography lighting works?” The message was clear: Serena’s appearance in the photos was influenced by lighting, not cosmetic alteration.

Photo Credit – Google

When some users tried to twist his response, Ohanian clarified further, pointing out that photos from the same event can look different depending on lighting and camera angles. His direct approach stood out at a time when vague, polished statements are often the norm for celebrities under scrutiny.
Williams has faced similar criticism before. In the past, she has directly addressed accusations about her skin tone, emphasising that differences in her appearance in photos are a result of lighting, not cosmetic changes. “I’m a dark Black woman, and I love who I am,” she said, shutting down speculation in straightforward terms.

Serena Williams – Instagram

Ohanian’s defence of Serena reflects a growing trend among public figures: confronting online misinformation head on rather than ignoring it. Social media users praised him for defending her clearly and firmly, noting that such directness is rare.
This incident highlights a wider issue, the intense scrutiny women, particularly Black women, face regarding their appearance. For Serena, the focus should remain on her achievements as a tennis icon and global role model, not on unfounded speculation about her skin. Ohanian’s response serves as a reminder that misinformation can be challenged directly and that public figures, with the support of those closest to them, can take control of how their stories are told.

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Loyiso Bala Opens Up About His Longstanding Friendship With Pearl Thusi Before Fame

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Photo Credit - Instagram

Loyiso Bala recently reflected on his relationship with Pearl Thusi. The account centred on a period long before either name carried public weight.

Bala’s account traces a friendship that began nearly two decades ago, long before either had settled into the roles that now define their public identities. At the time, there were no expectations attached, no audiences watching, and no reputations to protect. What existed instead was proximity, shared ambition, and the slow familiarity that comes from growing alongside someone rather than meeting them at the height of success.

Loyiso Bala – Instagram

In a message shared publicly, Bala described a bond formed well ahead of industry recognition. He referenced how life has since moved in practical directions: careers maturing, families expanding, and responsibilities shifting. The tone was casual and unsentimental, marked by lived detail instead of sentimentality. One moment he recalled was from his wedding almost 15 years ago, where Thusi caught the bouquet, a memory he recalled with lighthearted humour.

That sense of ordinariness is what gives the account its weight. Bala did not frame the friendship around milestones or achievements. Instead, he placed it within everyday moments. The emphasis was less on what they have become and more on how long they have known each other as people.

Pearl Thusi – Instagram

Their connection has also been referenced during more difficult periods. During the pandemic, public discussion around the Bala family’s living situation drew attention after reports overstated the circumstances. Bala later clarified that the narrative had been misrepresented. What remained clear, however, was that close friends were present during a disruptive period, offering support discreetly.

For Thusi, whose career continues to expand across acting, broadcasting, and music, the idea of a stable personal circle has often surfaced in her public remarks. Bala’s account aligns with that position, suggesting a relationship maintained outside professional cycles and public validation.

Photo Credit – Instagram

What makes this account notable is not longevity alone. Many public figures share long histories. What is less common is the willingness to describe those relationships without shaping them into lessons or symbols. Bala’s words do not attempt to elevate the friendship into something exceptional. They simply place it where it belongs: before the attention, before the expectations, and long before either career needed explaining.

The story captures a friendship that has lasted without the pressures of fame. It documents a connection that has remained intact not because it was visible, but because it did not need to be.

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