Lebo Mashile is celebrating the release of Strung by highlighting the work of South African film crews. As the psychological thriller reaches audiences, Mashile has focused on the people working behind the camera, saying South African film crews deserve greater recognition for the standard of work they consistently deliver.

The award-winning poet, actress and author plays Femina “Femi” Sithole, a domestic worker employed by a wealthy family hiding disturbing secrets. Mashile described Femi as a woman who is practical, disciplined and fully committed to her work. She said bringing the role to life was one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.

Chloe Bailey – Instagram

Strung follows gifted violinist Laila, played by Chloe Bailey, who accepts what appears to be a career-changing opportunity as a private music tutor. Once inside the family’s secluded home, she begins uncovering unsettling truths that transform the job into a fight for survival. The cast also features Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop, Coco Jones and Romy Woods, bringing together established Hollywood names with South African talent.

Although sharing the screen with internationally recognised actors was a significant moment for Mashile, she said the experience reminded her of the strength of South Africa’s film industry. She singled out the Cape Town-based crew for their professionalism, saying their technical ability helps productions use South African locations to stand in for places around the world while maintaining high production standards. Her comments reflect the country’s growing reputation as a destination for international film and television productions.

Lebo Mashile – Instagram

Mashile also acknowledged the people who helped shape her performance, thanking her long-time agent, acting coach and director Malcolm D. Lee. She credited their guidance with helping her develop Femi into a restrained but memorable character.

The actress also thanked her fellow cast members, praising their professionalism and generosity on set. According to Mashile, working alongside performers with extensive international experience gave her the opportunity to observe different approaches to working on set. Instead of focusing on celebrity status, she highlighted the work ethic she witnessed throughout filming.

Lebo Mashile – Instagram

Her praise comes as South Africa continues to strengthen its position as a destination for major international film and television projects. Competitive production costs, experienced crews and diverse filming locations have helped attract global studios, creating opportunities for local actors and technical professionals to work on large-scale productions without leaving the country. Mashile’s experience on Strung is another example of those collaborations creating more opportunities for South African talent to work on international productions.

For Mashile, the biggest takeaway from Strung is not simply appearing in an international thriller. It is the chance to remind audiences that every successful production depends on the people behind the scenes. By highlighting South African film crews, she has drawn attention to a part of the industry that rarely receives public recognition but plays an essential role in producing internationally distributed films.

South African music star Tyla is set to perform at AfroNation Portugal this weekend, adding another international festival appearance to her 2026 schedule.

The Grammy-winning singer is among the headline acts for the three-day festival, which takes place at Praia da Rocha Beach in Portimão, Portugal, from July 3 to July 5. She joins a lineup featuring fellow African stars Wizkid, Asake and Olamide, alongside American rapper Gunna and other artists performing across Afrobeats, amapiano, hip hop and R&B.

Tyla – Instagram

AfroNation has become one of the largest festivals celebrating African music outside the continent, attracting thousands of fans from around the world each year. Tyla’s inclusion in this year’s lineup adds another high-profile international festival to her growing list of performances.

Her return to the AfroNation stage comes three years after she performed at the festival in 2023, before “Water” became an international hit. Since then, she has won a Grammy Award, performed on major international stages and continued to build her global fan base.

Tyla – Instagram

Fans attending the festival are expected to hear a mix of her biggest hits and newer material. Tyla has also been building anticipation for her second studio album, APOP, which is scheduled for release later this month. The project has already been previewed with singles including “She Did It Again”, offering fans an early look at the upcoming album.

Her appearance also comes as African artists continue to feature prominently at major music festivals across Europe. AfroNation has built its reputation by bringing together established stars and emerging talent from across Africa and the diaspora, introducing their music to audiences from around the world.

Tyla – Instagram

This year’s edition features another extensive lineup, with organisers announcing artists in several phases ahead of the festival. Tyla’s place among the headline performers reflects her continued success on the international music scene.

The Portugal performance is expected to include popular songs such as “Water”, “Push 2 Start” and “Chanel”, while also giving festivalgoers a preview of music from APOP before its official release.

Mapaseka Koetle has officially closed a major chapter in her television career as she exited the character Dintle Nyathi from the soap opera Scandal!. The development is the end of a journey that has spanned years of performance within the fictional newsroom of the show.

She bid farewell on Instagram, where she wrote about how her career has evolved,

“Dear Dintle, 13 years ago, I met a character who would change my life forever. I didn’t just play you; I grew up with you.”

“Through every triumph, mistake, heartbreak and victory, you taught me resilience, strength and the power of starting over. You helped me shape the woman and actress I am today,” she wrote.

Photo: Instagram

She thanked everyone for giving her the chance to portray the character and said she won’t forget it.

“Thank you for opening doors I once only dreamed of walking through. Thank you for giving me a home, a purpose and memories I will cherish forever,” she added.

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Some of her co-actors said their goodbyes. Brighton Ngoma, who played Quinton Nyathi, bid farewell,

“To all my colleagues, past and present, well done fam”

Sivenathi Mabuya, who portrayed Xolile Langa (and later Medupe), said:

“Ohhh man.. No words. I just never thought this day would come when we’d say goodbye to one of South Africa’s most ICONIC shows. It all began with Xolile Langa Medupe… IYKYK!!!!”

Koetle said in several interviews over the years in which she discussed the demands of portraying a long running character, and the pressures of adapting to changing scripts. While she didn’t see the exit as a retirement from acting, she is open to new roles.

Photo: Instagram

For Scandal!, the exit of Dintle Nyathi closes a storyline era that has shaped the show’s identity. For audiences, it marks the end of a familiar presence in a fictional world that mirrors contemporary urban life in South Africa. .

The departure is being viewed as a structured transition, reflecting both the natural lifecycle of long-running television characters and the evolving direction of one of South Africa’s most watched soap operas.