Celebrity News
Lauryn Hill’s South African Visit Shows Why the DStv Delicious Festival Still Matters
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.
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.
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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.
Zoë Modiga and producer Thembinkosi Banda, popularly known as BandaBanda, are at loggerheads. The disagreement is about the release of a new remix of “Thula”, a song originally released by BandaBanda featuring Modiga in June 2025.
The latest version, “Thula (Culoe De Song Remix)”, was released on September 4, 2026. It is credited to Culoe De Song and BandaBanda, featuring Zoë Modiga, and on streaming platforms.
Photo: Instagram/@BandaBandanow
Modiga said the release came out without her approval.
In a statement issued by her team, Modiga said she had no knowledge of the remix.
““I want to make it clear that I had no prior knowledge of, involvement in, or approval of the release in question,” Modiga said.
“I was neither consulted about nor did I give my approval for the release,”
According to Modiga, the dispute is bigger than the song. She said there are unresolved questions involving the rights, ownership and commercial arrangements.
Photo: Instagram/@BandaBandanow
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She instructed her legal representatives to address the matter. Modiga said she does not want the issue to become a public argument.
BandaBanda has given a different account.
In his response, he said the original “Thula” was released on June 12, 2025, and was later re-recorded live in 2026 as part of his ISIKHATHI project. He said the music was shared with Modiga before the remix came out and that the communications form part of the documented record.
BandaBanda also said there had been attempts over several months to resolve outstanding matters. He claimed that meetings were arranged and follow-ups were made.
Photo: Instagram/@BandaBandanow
The dispute is serious because Modiga and BandaBanda have a long professional history. BandaBanda has been involved in Modiga’s music over the years, including her 2020 album Inganekwane. Their relationship was both a romantic and creative one. BandaBanda has described “Thula” as a song about peace and quietness.
The two sides have placed very different versions of events on record. Modiga maintains that she did not approve the remix and has taken the matter to her legal representatives, while BandaBanda says there was communication and that attempts were made to resolve the wider professional issues.
The remix remains available on streaming services. But there are questions around approval, ownership, rights and commercial arrangements. Everyone is waiting for the courts to decide the case.
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