Celebrity News
Annie Mthembu Returns to Reality TV, and This Time, She’s Calling the Shots
After three seasons on The Real Housewives of Durban, Annie Mthembu stepped away from the spotlight. For a while, viewers thought she might have left reality television for good. She focused on her family and business ventures, taking time to reset before deciding to return on her own terms.
Annie told Sowetan S-Mag that her decision to step back was influenced by the pace and pressure of life in front of the cameras. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” she said. “I needed to breathe, to be with myself and remember who I am outside the cameras.”
During her break, she devoted time to her work and personal life. According to her, that period allowed her to rest and regain perspective. “I finally felt like myself again, rested and ready to enjoy the experience this time around,” she explained.
Her next screen appearance will not be in Durban. She joins The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, a new Showmax series bringing together cast members from South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. The show was filmed in Brazil and condenses the action into a single location and a shorter filming schedule.
Speaking about her return, Annie said she wanted to approach things differently. “I’m not here to argue for the sake of it,” she told Sowetan S-Mag. “But I’m also not going to stay quiet just to keep the peace.” She described her focus as being on balance, handling tension without losing composure.
Annie added that she intends to set clearer boundaries about what she shares on camera. “I know what I’m willing to share and what’s off-limits,” she said. “People will see me having fun, connecting, even disagreeing, but not losing myself.”
From her comments, it’s clear she views Ultimate Girls Trip as an opportunity to enjoy reality TV on her own terms. She acknowledged that differences among strong personalities are inevitable but believes that honesty can make those moments more meaningful. “It’s about fun, about strong personalities meeting, and yes, there’ll be drama,” she said. “But this time, it’s drama that means something.”
Her perspective reflects a wider change within the reality-TV space, where more women are choosing to control their participation rather than allow producers to shape their narratives entirely. Annie’s return underlines that shift.
Showmax describes the series as a “fresh mix of familiar faces and new settings,” promising viewers a combination of travel, luxury and authentic conversations. For Annie, it represents another chance to show her personality and experience without being defined by past seasons.
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa premieres on Showmax on 28 November 2025. Annie says she’s looking forward to sharing the screen with women from across the continent. This time, she steps in with the confidence of someone who understands exactly what she’s walking into.
French Montana is set to headline two shows in South Africa this December. This is part of the launch of AFROTRAX, a new live entertainment series. The rapper will perform in Cape Town on December 4 before heading to Johannesburg for a second show on December 5, 2026.
The events are organised by AFROTRAX in partnership with PLAYY. The Cape Town show takes place at The Ostrich Farm. It will start from 2pm until midnight. The Johannesburg event is at The Canvas. It begins at 1pm and ends at 11pm.
Born Karim Kharbouch, Montana songs include “Unforgettable” featuring Swae Lee, “No Stylist,” “Pop That” and “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’.” Over the years, he has worked with Drake, Cardi B, Post Malone and Chris Brown.
Photo: Getty Images
“Unforgettable,” released in 2017, was one of his top hits and it reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
American rapper B.o.B will be a special guest at both events. His songs are “Nothin’ on You,” featuring Bruno Mars, “Airplanes,” featuring Hayley Williams, and “Magic,” featuring Rivers Cuomo.
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South African artists will also feature prominently across the two dates. The Cape Town line-up includes Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C, YoungstaCPT and 25K, alongside Jairic, Rarri, Kane as a DJ and Bassik.
The Johannesburg event will feature Cassper Nyovest, amapiano producer and DJ Kabza De Small, and rapper Blxckie. Lucasraps, Jairic, Rarri, K.Keed and Teddy Tumi are also scheduled to perform.
AFROTRAX says its events will offer a festival experience that extends beyond the headline performances, with music, food, lifestyle activations and hospitality options forming part of the programme.
Photo: Getty Images
The organisers have directed fans to PLAYY. Music for ticket access and latest updates about the event. Fans should consult the official ticketing platform before making arrangements.
The two shows will mark the launch of AFROTRAX in South Africa. With French Montana and B.o.B leading the international line-up, the events will bring American performers and South African artists together in December.
Nia Long has been honoured with the 2,857th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a major milestone in a career that has spanned more than three decades across film and television.
The actress was celebrated during a ceremony on Wednesday, September 16, where rapper Snoop Dogg and Michael producer Graham King served as guest speakers. Larenz Tate, Morris Chestnut, Tiffany Haddish, Mike Epps and Terrence Howard were among the stars who attended the event. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also declared September 16 Nia Long Day.
Photo: Instagram/@Nia Long
For Long, the occasion brought back memories of visiting Hollywood Boulevard with her mother, Talita Long, when she was young. She recalled looking at the stars along the famous street before eventually seeing her own name added to the Walk of Fame decades later.
Long’s career gained wider attention with John Singleton’s 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. She went on to appear in films including Friday, Love Jones, The Best Man, Soul Food and Made in America. Her television credits include playing Lisa Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as roles in Third Watch, NCIS: Los Angeles, Empire, Dear White People and #blackAF.
Her recent work includes Michael, Antoine Fuqua’s biopic about Michael Jackson, in which Long plays Katherine Jackson. The role also reunited her with producer Graham King.
Photo: Instagram/@Nia Long
During the ceremony, Snoop Dogg spoke about Long’s career and the importance of remaining true to herself in an industry where performers can face pressure to change. His appearance reflected the long-standing connections Long has built during her years in entertainment.
Long also used her speech to recognise the people who have supported her throughout her journey. She thanked God, her mother, her sons Massai and Kez, family members who have died and the women who have been part of her life.
She also reflected on her younger self, remembering the girl from Brooklyn with Caribbean roots who once questioned whether she could achieve the career she wanted.
Photo: Instagram/@Nia Long
The Walk of Fame recognition comes as Long continues to work in film and television. She is set to reunite with her Love Jones co-star Larenz Tate in the upcoming Netflix romantic drama Don’t Ever Wonder, where she also serves as executive producer.
The actress is also working on a memoir, while another project with Ice Cube, Are They Gone Yet?, is in development. The pair previously worked together on Are We There Yet? and Are We Done Yet?.
Long’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star adds another significant milestone to a career that has included some of the most recognisable films and television shows of the past three decades.
Shekhinah has announced that she is now a mother. She shared the news through a series of maternity photographs online.
The Suited hitmaker posted images from a beachside maternity shoot. She wore a beaded white two-piece outfit with a lace veil while looking in the ocean at sunset. The photographs were credited to “Aunty Bebe.”
Shekhinah also shared a message dedicated to her daughter. She described her child as a blessing.
“We are so lucky to have you with us, baby girl. I am leaving these pictures here as a forever reminder of the magic that is pregnancy and a time stamp to when life changed forever for the better. By God’s grace, you are here and more precious@ than we could have asked for… happy three months to our favourite girl,”
Photo: Instagram/@Shekinahd
The announcement came three months after the birth, meaning Shekhinah kept her pregnancy secret. The child’s father’s name was not mentioned.
Read Also: Ciara Is Pregnant, Expecting Her Fifth Child With Russell Wilson
Her decision to share the news after the birth follows how private she is. While Shekhinah has a successful career in music, she has kept family matters to herself.
The maternity photographs attracted reactions from Bonang Matheba, Boity Thulo, DJ Zinhle, Natasha Thahane, Ayanda Thabethe and Lungile Thabethe.
Photo: Instagram/@Shekinahd
Her appearance on Idols SA made her popular. She established herself as a singer and songwriter with songs including “Suited,” “Please Mr.” and “Different.”
Her debut album, Rose Gold, became a multi platinum release in South Africa. Her second album, Trouble in Paradise earned Gold certification.
The singer’s motherhood announcement comes as a new chapter in her personal life. By choosing to reveal the news through selected maternity photographs, she has shown the world she can be open when need be.
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