South African actress Nandi Mbatha is engaged. The actress announced the news on Instagram on November 10, 2026, sharing photographs of her engagement ring and celebrating her upcoming marriage.

“We’re engaged,” she wrote in the caption, confirming that her boyfriend had proposed.

The engagement came after Mbatha had hinted that she suspected a proposal was coming. In a TikTok video shared before the announcement, she explained that her boyfriend’s repeated questions about what she planned to wear had made her wonder whether he was preparing something special.

Photo: Instagram/@Nandi Mbatha

She said she had noticed his unusual interest in her outfit but decided not to investigate further, choosing to let the day unfold without spoiling the surprise.

The proposal took place beside a lake, with flowers and candles arranged for the occasion. The couple were also seen celebrating together after he asked her to marry him.

Mbatha referred to her fiancé as her “best friend” in her announcement but has not publicly revealed his identity.

Photo: Instagram/@Nandi Mbatha

She also included the hashtag #2027Bride, suggesting that the couple may be planning to marry next year. However, neither a wedding date nor details of their plans have been announced.

Best known for playing Simmy in the South African television drama Isithembiso, Mbatha has generally kept details of her romantic relationship away from public attention. Her engagement announcement offered followers a rare look at this part of her personal life.

For now, the actress has confirmed the news and shared her excitement about becoming a bride in what could be a major milestone for the couple in 2027.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has announced its first group of performers for its 2027 edition, with Simphiwe Dana, the Mahotella Queens, Ballaké Sissoko and Mohini Dey among the artists confirmed. The announcement also includes Bongeziwe Mabandla, The Joy, Internet Athi, Vuyo Viwe, Thandeka Mfinyongo, Emma Nissen and Yarwood.

The festival will run from March 4 to 26, 2027, under the theme March: The Month of the Mother City. The expanded programme will take performances and cultural activities to venues and public spaces across Cape Town, with the main festival weekend scheduled for March 19 to 21.

Photo: Instagram/@Mahotella Queens

Among the South African performers, Dana’s appearance with special guest Mabandla is one of the key pairings. Dana is known for combining jazz, soul and African musical influences, while Mabandla draws on folk music and isiXhosa songwriting. His albums include Mangaliso, iimini and amaXesha.

The Mahotella Queens will also perform, bringing their contribution to South African mbaqanga music to the festival. Formed in Johannesburg in 1964, the group became known for its vocal harmonies and recordings that helped popularise the genre.

The Joy, a five-member a cappella group from Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, will represent the country’s isicathamiya tradition. The group has gained international recognition through its performances and musical collaborations. Cape Town-born Internet Athi, whose real name is Athenkosi Cetyana, is also on the line-up. His music combines jazz, folk and R&B.

Flautist and composer Vuyo Viwe and musician Thandeka Mfinyongo are among the other local performers. Mfinyongo is an ethnomusicologist who works with traditional Xhosa instruments, including the uhadi and umrhubhe.

Photo: Instagram/@Mohini Dey

The international line-up includes Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko, Indian bassist Mohini Dey and Swedish-American vocalist Emma Nissen. Sissoko is known for his work with the 21-string kora and his collaborations with musicians across different genres, including French cellist Vincent Ségal.

Dey has performed with musicians such as Steve Vai and A.R. Rahman, drawing on jazz fusion, funk and progressive music. Yarwood, another announced performer, is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist whose music incorporates alternative soul and R&B.

The festival’s expanded programme will include masterclasses, panel discussions, an art exhibition, a fashion show and community performances. Confirmed venues include the Company’s Garden, Greenmarket Square, St George’s Cathedral, Artscape Theatre Centre, the Homecoming Centre, Texas Nightclub, Youngblood-Africa Gallery and Guga S’thebe in Langa.

Photo: Instagram/@Ballaké Sissoko

The Homecoming weekend will take place on March 12 and 13, with activities at the Homecoming Centre and Texas Nightclub. Free community concerts are scheduled for Guga S’thebe on March 14 and Greenmarket Square on March 17. The main festival weekend will run from March 19 to 21, with a family day also planned.

Known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has hosted South African and international musicians since 2000. Further performer announcements and programme details are expected ahead of the 2027 event. Early-bird ticket information is available through the festival’s official website.

Dating #NoFilter South Africa returned for its third season on Sunday, 18 October 2026, bringing a new group of singles to the dating show alongside a commentary team led by comedian, actor and television personality Jason Goliath. The series airs on Bravo Africa, DStv Channel 124, at 19:00.

The format follows singles as they go on blind dates, with a panel of South African entertainers providing commentary on their encounters. The panel watches the conversations unfold and reacts to the interactions, giving viewers a second perspective on the dates.

Photo: Supplied

Goliath is joined by 19 commentators from comedy, television, music and digital entertainment. The line-up includes Angela Linda, Carpo More, Carvin Goldstone, Celeste Ntuli, Dee Koala, Dillan Oliphant, Jesse Suntele, Jo-Anne Reyneke, Khanyi Mbau, Kim Jayde, Lilian Dube, Noluthando Shabalala, Nomthandazo Rubushe, Okay Wasabi, PD Jokes, Primo Baloyi, Rosette Ncwana, Rouge and Toolz.

Photo: Supplied

The cast brings together personalities from different corners of the local entertainment industry. Comedians Celeste Ntuli, Carvin Goldstone and Dillan Oliphant join musicians Dee Koala and Rouge, while actors and television personalities Khanyi Mbau, Jesse Suntele and Jo-Anne Reyneke are also part of the team. Content creators and presenters round out the group.

Season 3 also sees the return of Carpo More and Jo-Anne Reyneke, both of whom have appeared in the show’s previous seasons. Khanyi Mbau, Jesse Suntele, Lilian Dube and Celeste Ntuli join the commentary team for the first time, bringing new personalities into the show’s established format.

Photo: Supplied

Filming took place across Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. The season also features Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles as its headline sponsor, with vehicles transporting contestants to and from their dates. The journeys provide a setting for conversations and reactions before and after the encounters. Tata’s 1.2-litre Turbo Osprey SUV also makes its on-screen debut during the season. Telkom and Stretton’s Gin are associate partners.

Produced by Brainstorm Entertainment Media for NBCUniversal International Networks and Direct-to-Consumer, Dating #NoFilter South Africa is a local adaptation of the international dating format that originally aired on E! in the United States. The African version is the format’s fourth international adaptation, with NBCUniversal Formats responsible for global distribution.

Photo: Supplied

The South African series debuted in 2024, followed by a second season in 2025. Season 3 continues the format of pairing blind dates with commentary from local entertainers, with singles taking part in encounters that the panel observes and discusses.

The third season premiered on Bravo Africa on 18 October 2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 20 December 2026. Episodes air at 19:00 on DStv Channel 124.