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Soccer fever is in high gear as we speak! South Africa has been prepping to host the World Cup games when we all descend to the rainbow nation in May-June for the 2010 World Cup.

Alicia Keys at the Gotham Magazine Annual Gala in NYC this past Monday.

I just know that it is going to be BANANA’s in South Africa this coming Summer (U.S etc) and Winter (South Africa etc). I do know that Mzansi will rise to the occasion and show ‘em that we have always been ready to do this!

Official couple, Swizz Beatz (whose divorce from wife Mashonda has been finalized) & Alicia Keys

So to kick start the festivities, FIFA & Control Room have announced:

The first performing artists for the inaugural FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert. Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angélique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela will take to the stage at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg on the eve of the opening match of the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil. Further talent announcements will follow.

Billed as the greatest entertainment show to date in Africa, it will feature performances from major international musicians and African artists, as well as appearances by football legends past and present and celebrities from other fields. This historic music event will take place in front of a capacity stadium audience of 30,000 will be broadcast to hundreds of millions more worldwide. It is scheduled to begin at 20.00 local time (GMT+2) on 10 June.

“We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

FIFA has selected Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall and his company Control Room to organise and produce the concert. Control Room has masterminded some of the world’s biggest and most complex events, such as Live Earth 2007, which featured 150 artists performing on seven continents over the course of 24 hours to raise awareness of climate change.

“We believe sports and music transcend cultural, language and geographic barriers, and through the official FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, we will present the sights and sounds of unity and celebration for an unforgettable, must-see experience,” said Wall.

All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to 20 Centres for 2010, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building 20 centres across Africa offering education and healthcare services as well as football training to disadvantaged communities.

Ticket information
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime concert can be purchased as of today, either online at www.computicket.com or by telephone on (27) 083 915 8000. Tickets are priced at ZAR 450 (Outer Circle standing), ZAR 650 (Inner Circle standing), ZAR 850 and 950 (Upper Level seated), and ZAR 1,150 (Lower Level seated). Ticket prices include VAT, Computicket charges and Park & Ride for all ticketholders.

So who is going to be in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup games??? Holla back & drop your comments below!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!

Photo: Getty Images

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African chics continue to do big thangs in the ‘10!

Well, this is just exciting! Fellow blogger from Nigeria, Bella Naija (Uche Eze) tweeted that she will be featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show! Well, this is the second time Oprah features someone from Nigeria on her “around the world” – themed shows! The first Nigerian to be profiled was uber fab Nollywood actress Genevieve who was profiled in Oprah’s Famous People Around The World episode late 2009!

Genevieve Nnaji

The Beauty Around the World episode airs tomorrow in the U.S. (um, check your local listings for the time in your area). The show tomorrow leads off with singer/actress, Jessica Simpson who discusses amongst other things, her weight challenges, her reality show and John Mayer’s “kiss & tell” on her. Then later on in the show, Oprah’s international and all-around correspondent Lisa Ling interviews and profiles what people consider beautiful around the world….enter Bella Naija’s Uche Eze for her take on African beauty!

Kudos Uche! Get it girl!

Also today on Oprah film critic, Roger Ebert tried his new computer voice. First on his wife Chaz, then on Oprah!

Wow!

So will you be watching Oprah tomorrow? Holla back and leave your comments below!

Muah & ♥ ya for it!!

]]> http://faraitoday.com/2010/03/02/on-oprahs-the-beauty-around-the-world-show-tomorrow-nigerias-bella-naija/feed/ 1 http://faraitoday.com/2010/02/08/whos-your-daddy-the-president-zuma-saga-continues-with-an-apology/ http://faraitoday.com/2010/02/08/whos-your-daddy-the-president-zuma-saga-continues-with-an-apology/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:26:14 +0000 farai http://faraitoday.com/?p=4896

This just makes my heart ache & my head throb!

Bless the hearts of one of South Africa’s premier news-outlets, Mail & Guardian for trying to figure out exactly just how many kiddies have been fathered by President Zuma…

Maybe y’all can figure it out! Holla if you do!

President Zuma giving away his daughter Gugulethu (her mom is Home Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma)

I have to say that we still should respect the office of the Presidency. It is a sacred institution and I think that once we, as Africans understand the value of the office & the long-term implications and impact of the person voted into that office, then we will be more thoughtful, more cautious, more selective and much wiser in who we choose to elect into that office. This is for all African countries!

Yes, absolutely, let the will of the people prevail but remember also that in a democracy the people get the government, in this case, the President they deserve! Just sayin’!

And with that said, here is the apology from President Zuma regarding the recent news pertaining to the birth of his daughter with Sonono Khoza…

I have over the past week taken time to consider and reflect on the issues relating to a relationship I had outside of wedlock.

The matter, though private, has been a subject of much public discussion and debate. It has put a lot of pressure on my family and my organisation, the African National Congress. I also acknowledge and understand the reaction of many South Africans.

I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the Alliance and South Africans in general.

I reiterate that I took responsibility for my actions towards the family concerned and the child.

I reaffirm my commitment and that of my movement to the importance of the family as an institution. I also reaffirm my commitment and that of my movement to the values of personal responsibility, respect and dignity.

I recognise the responsibility of leaders to uphold and promote these values at all times.

Does President Zuma have to apologize for his personal life? If so, do you think that the statement was sincere? Heartfelt? Forgive & forget? What say you people? Please leave your comments below!

Muah!

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Regarding the birth of his 20th child with Sonono Khoza, comes this, from South Africa’s First Citizen, JZ….

L to R, Thobeka Mabhija, Nompumelelo Ntuli, President Zuma & Sizakele MaKhumalo

South Africa’s (first) First Lady, MaKhumalo (President Jacob Zuma’s first wife)

“I have noted recent media reports about aspects of my personal life.

I would request that the dignity and privacy of the affected individuals in this matter be respected.

I have noted too that these reports have been the subject of much discussion in the public arena by various organisations and people from all walks of life.

I have therefore decided, after some careful deliberation, to make public comment on a matter that is otherwise intensely personal. I had been out of the country when this matter arose.

I confirm that I have a relationship and a baby with Ms Sonono Khoza. I said during World Aids Day that we must all take personal responsibility for our actions. I have done so. I have done the necessary cultural imperatives in a situation of this nature, for example the formal acknowledgement of paternity and responsibility, including the payment of inhlawulo to the family. The matter is now between the two of us, and culturally, between the Zuma and Khoza families.

It is unfortunate that the individuals concerned have been unfairly subjected to harsh media exposure merely because of the position that I occupy. Our Constitution and our laws require us to protect children from harmful public exposure. The Constitution states that it is inappropriate to place at risk, the child’s well-being, physical or mental health, spiritual, moral or social development.

Both the Child Care Act and the new Children’s Act also provides for the protection of children from exploitation. The naming of the child’s parents has essentially exposed her to the public, which has serious implications in the long-term for her, and amounts to the exploitation referred to in the Act, because the media is making money out of the matter.

The media is also in essence questioning the right of the child to exist and fundamentally, her right to life. It is unfortunate that the matter has been handled in this way. I sincerely hope that the media will protect the rights of children.

Much has been made of the government’s policy on HIV and AIDS and this relationship. It is mischievous to argue that I have changed or undermined government’s stance on the HIV and AIDS campaign. I will not compromise on the campaign. Rather we will intensify our efforts to promote prevention, treatment, research and the fight against the stigma, attached to the epidemic. We will also continue with our campaign to ensure that every South African knows their HIV status, and that all those who need it have access to appropriate treatment.

We respect and uphold the freedom of the media. It is one of the freedoms we fought for, and which we will always defend. However, the President of the Republic, the mother and the baby are also entitled to the rights afforded to all South Africans in the Constitution. These rights cannot be waived just because of a position one occupies.”

….um,ok.

So….in your opinion, is President Jacob Zuma’s sex life a private matter? Tell us what do you think! Please leave your comments below.

Gracias, dankie, tatenda, siyabonga…thanks!

Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu, The Star

Check out these African girls repping at the 2010 M-NET Face of Africa TV series!

Supermodels Iman and Oluchi & fab South African designer, David Tlale will be judges in the Finale!

Other judges include Nduka Obaigbena (founder Arise Magazine & ThisDay Media Group),  John Kaveke (one of Kenya’s leading designer), Helen Jennings (Arise Magazine Editor-in-Chief) and Josie Borain (South Africa’s first Supermodel).

The 2010 Face of Africa Finale is taking place this coming Saturday, February 6th. The face-off (pun-intended) will be broadcast live from the Eko Hotel Exhibition Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. We caught up with one of the judges Helen as she prepared to head to Lagos, Nigeria for the finale!

FaraiToday.Com: About ten or so girls are competing for the Face of Africa award, the award that launched the modelling career of Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi. As one of the judges, what are you looking for in the next Face of Africa model?

Helen: We’ll be looking for runway and high fashion editorial appeal – do they have the height, figure, transmutable beauty and strong personality to cut in on international runway.

FaraiToday.Com: The contestants are from different parts of Africa, different African countries…is it possible to find a girl who would be a representative of the diversity that is Africa?

Helen: No one girl can represent the diversity of African beauty, that’s impossible. But one girl can do her part by making her own unique look work globally and representing her own country with pride.

FaraiToday.Com: Arise Magazine is really at the forefront of raising the standard in profiling African Fashion, African Designers…..I see that you & Mr. Nduka are judges, how did this come about?

Helen: M-NET approached ARISE as the perfect media partner for the event. We’ll both be judges, I cover the competition and interview the winner in the magazine and the winner will also model at the ARISE African Collective Part III show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York later this month. As ARISE is dedicated to promoting African fashion and culture around the world, we’re happy to be part of Face Of Africa.

FaraiToday.Com: You work out of the Arise offices in London, England and you have been involved in fashion & the arts for a long time and are very respected….how do African models/girls measure up with the rest of the world, in particular the West – where most of these girls have set their eyes on?

Helen: It’s true, the standard in modelling is set in Europe, where African/black models are under represented for various and complicated reasons. The ones that do make a name for themselves, such as Kinée Diouf (the latest ARISE cover girl) measure up in every way, as each issue of ARISE and Vogue’s Black Issue last year prove. The challenge now is to get more of them in magazines and on runways so that the debate of racism in fashion can finally be put to bed.

FaraiToday.Com: You will be judging with the legendary & iconic model, Iman, supermodel Oluchi, Arise Africa Fashion Designer of the Year, David Tlale, Mr. Nduka etc – should the girls be nervous, as in “be scared, be very, very scared?”

Helen: Of course not! They just need to be themselves and do their best. It will be a great night.

FaraiToday.Com: Yes, it will be an awesome night! Best wishes to you and to all the contestants! Thank you Helen & safe travels to Nigeria!

Here are the Top 12 Contestants for the 2010 M-Net Face of Africa competition.

19 year-old Benedicta Tweneboa-Kodua of Accra, Ghana

21 year-old Blessing Bassey of Lagos, Nigeria

22 year-old Diana Nekoye of Kakamega, Kenya

18 year-old Ernania Manuel of Maputo, Mozambique

21 year-old Esperanca Vemba (nicknamed Hope) of Luanda, Angola

21 year-old Lilian Mduda from Tanzania

22 year-old Lukando Nalungwe of Kabwe, Zambia

20 year-old Marvis Offor from Delta State, Nigeria

19 year-old Nardos Abebe of Ethiopia

Rozana Hall from Harare, Zimbabwe

22 year-old Thembi Kobedi from South Africa

23 year-old Tholakele Dlamini from Harare, Zimbabwe

The 2010 M-NET Face of Africa Finalists!

The winner will receive US$50 000 from M-Net plus a modeling contract with O Model Africa, which is helmed by the first Face of Africa winner Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi.

Pick your favorite to win & let us know! Please leave your comments below!

Love ya for it!

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]]> http://faraitoday.com/2010/02/03/exclusive-interview-2010-m-net-face-of-africa-meet-the-hottest-african-models-repping/feed/ 8 http://faraitoday.com/2010/01/27/you-ready-for-some-4play-check-out-south-africas-sizzling-hot-drama-about-love-sex-and-relationships/ http://faraitoday.com/2010/01/27/you-ready-for-some-4play-check-out-south-africas-sizzling-hot-drama-about-love-sex-and-relationships/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:16:58 +0000 farai http://faraitoday.com/?p=4395

So the girls on the upcoming eTV drama series 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, are looking for some love….and lots of it!

4 Play: Sex Tips For Girls will premiere on Tuesday, February 2nd on the South African TV network, eTV. This 13-part series is billed to cause a few blushes, much laughter, and some tears as it explores “the birds and the bees” with all its consequences. Viewers can expect heart-stopping truths about love, sex and relationships in the sizzling new local drama! Hallelujah!

According to Lynn Gaine, the show’s Executive Producer, “4 Play is deliciously sexy, frantically funny, and unbelievably real. It possesses that special wow factor that leaves you breathless, and gets you thinking at the same time. It’s the book of life for men and women that are old enough to know better, but young enough to take risks – all for love. South Africans have long been ready for a high-end glossy and sensual drama series, like 4 Play. It’s truly a stunner“.

Says the show’s Executive Producer, Harriet Gavshon of Curious Pictures, the production company producing the television show, “4Play deals with and celebrates women’s sexuality. It is sassy, sexy, glossy and funny. It will make you laugh as much as it will make you cry. We brought together an entire team of women writers and women directors – and then said: ‘Let’s have fun, let’s talk about ourselves, and let’s push the envelope.”

Check out flicks & additional profiles on the leading characters…

Amira Mokoena (played by my good friend Mbali Maphumulo)

Whimsical songwriter, Amira, lives in a fantasy world where Prince Charming is every guy she meets. A huge people person, 30-year-old Amira is loved by everyone, despite her fanciful notions and even her mother, who wishes her daughter would find a purpose in life, can’t stay mad at her for too long.

Seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses leaves Amira vulnerable to the cruelty of the men she quickly and frequently falls for. When her latest fairytale romance turns into her worst nightmare, will this princess be able to deal with reality and grow up?

Noma Mkhize (played by Portia Gumede)

Noma is a curvaceous 35-year-old hairstylist and the heart of the group. Sassy and a straight-talker, she regularly provides a shoulder to cry on for all of her clients and friends. Noma can always be counted on to give them her honest opinion about their endless relationship woes even if they don’t want to hear it.

Raising a teenage son on her own while running a business and being an amateur therapist leaves little time for romance for Noma, so she figures she doesn’t need it. But Cupid may have other plans in store for her. Will she run from it or embrace it with wild abandon?

Danny Gibson (played by Tiffany Jones)

Image consultant to the stars, Danny is an expert at turning plain Janes into devastating unattainable beauties and works the Jozi party circuit like a pro. A fun, fearless trendsetter, she’s also extraordinarily good at luring hunky men into her bed.

As a money-loving, business-savvy 32-year-old, Danny thinks relationships are a waste of time and she doesn’t want to be tied down.

Behind that seductive socialite facade, though, is a lonely woman with no real emotional connections. As the latest addition to the quartet, will Danny find that friendship and love can be as equally gratifying as hot, meaningless sex?

Nox Madondo (played by Kgomotso Christopher)

A handsome husband, two well-behaved children, a gorgeous home and a body to die for – Nox has it all. But why is she still so unhappy? Stylish, brainy and sexy, this 32-year-old revels in the luxuries of life and is rarely seen without makeup and designer clothing.
Money can’t buy everything, and certainly not a straying spouse’s fidelity, or the children’s love and definitely not happiness as Nox discovers over the course of the series. When a quest of self-discovery and appreciation beckons, will she go for it?

Mmmhhhh, y’all think Africa is ready to bring all this stuff to television? Sound off & leave your comments below…

Heart ya for it!

Here are some fab fashions on the runways at the recently ended Audi Jo’burg Fashion Week [20 - 23] held in South Africa. The designer is MACHERE….

ARE YOU GUYS FEELING HER FALL/WINTER 2010 COLLECTION? Let us know & drop your comments below!

Heart ya for it!

ps…Mama I want that “Kwaito Saves Lives” Tee!!!!

Photo: Simon Deiner, SDR Photo

I think 2010 is the year for Africans!

Y’all are just repping hard – working hard under the radar. I see you & I salute y’all!

This past weekend the cast and crew of Fela!, held a small cocktail party to welcome celebrity Executive Producers Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith to the team [Jay Z is also Excutive Producer]. Fela! is an amazing musical & dance extravaganza that celebrates & salutes the life of Nigeria’s revolutionary singer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, creator of Afro-Beat.

Tony Award winner winner Director& Choreographer Bill T. Jones co-conceived the musical Fela!, which he also directed and choreographed. The musical stage-play stars Sahr Ngaujah [first generation Sierra Leonean] and Kevin Mambo, who alternate in the title role.

From l to r – Kevin, Bill T & Sahr

Cast members repping Zimbabwe include…

Kevin Mambo – Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

my namesake, Farai Malianga – Musician

with Rujeko Sarah Dumbutshena – Ensemble

The star-studded opening was held last year on November 23rd at the Eugene O’Neill Theater. I covered the red carpet and after party for the opening![BANANAS!] Peep the video from Fela!

Flicks of  fab Africans making it happen on New York City’s Broadway…

with one of Fela’s sons [dude in the middle]

with Sahr Ngaujah (Sierra Leone) – Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

with Saycon Sengbloh – Sandra Isadore

with actor, Jeffrey Wright – married to Carmen Ejogo [her dad is Nigerian & her mom is Scottish]

with actor, Roger Guenveur Smith

Fun times!

Please, please, please support & continue to support Fela! by going out to see it! Buy tickets & check ‘em out at the Eugene O’Neill Theater. It is out of this world! It is a cultural but informative experience of Africa…

As usual, please leave your thoughts, comments….below! Heart ya for it!

Holla!

How exciting is this!!

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, after a lengthy search, SOUTH AFRICAN/British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw has landed the female lead opposite yummy actor Boris Kodjoe in Undercovers, director J.J. Abrams’ pilot for NBC, one of the major TV networks in the U.S.A. Abrams also will direct, marking the first pilot he has helmed since “Lost” in 2004.

Boris was born in Vienna, Austria, the son of Ursula, a German psychologist, and Eric Kodjoe, a Ghanaian physician…

This is reportedly an hour-long prime-time TV series which revolves around a domesticated husband (Kodjoe) and wife (Mbatha-Raw) who are re-activated as CIA agents after years of retirement. Think of this new  TV drama as being kinda like Mr & Mrs Smith meets The Bourne Identity! Abram Boris will play hubby, Mr. Steven Bloom and Gugu will play wife, Mrs. Samantha Bloom.

Gugu is the daughter of a [Black] South African doctor and a [White] British nurse. She hasn’t appeared on American TV but has done arcs on several popular British series including “Spooks” and “Doctor Who.”

Although Kodjoe and Mbatha-Raw are biracial, casting on the leads for the pilot was done color-blind, producers said, as they looked for the actors who best fit the characters and had the best chemistry…*Whatever’s!*

I am geeked that African actors have lead roles on U.S primetime TV! Just sayin’! And cannot wait to see sexy actor Boris on prime time….

Drop your comments below!

Heart ya for it!

Hiya,

Some trending topics from tweetville & in case you haven’t heard…

It’s official, talent judge, Simon Cowell is leaving “American Idol” to launch “The X Factor” in the U.S….Read More

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has signed a multi-year deal with FOX News to serve as a contributor across all FOX News platforms…Read On

Rihanna and Grey’s Anatomy star Justin Chambers step up to help a 26-year-old winter Olympic hopeful &  Nigerian Yale Law School Graduate Seun Adebiyi…Read On (peep Seun’s PSA for leukemia below)

Major League Baseball player, Mark McGwire admits to steroid use in the past in order to move forward…More Here

And in some random but sad news Nigerian artist, 9ice confirms marital split from his wife, Toni Payne [praying for you sis!]…Read On

Leave us your thoughts on any of the above or just sound off! We love to hear from ya!…Gracias!