On Tuesday, Canadian iconic novelist Antonine Maillet passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that extended beyond Canada’s borders. Maillet was the first non-European author to win the prestigious French literary award, the Prix Goncourt, in 1979 for her renowned novel Pélagie-la-Charrette. Born in 1929 in New Brunswick, eastern Canada, Maillet dedicated her works to introducing the world to the history and culture of the Acadians—French-speaking people in North America who faced persecution and deportation by British forces nearly 270 years ago. One of Maillet’s most significant contributions within Canada was the creation of the character La Sagouine, a floor washer who speaks in Chiac, a dialect blending Old French and English.

A painting by the renowned artist Banksy is set to be auctioned in London on March 4, with an estimated price of around $6 million. Sotheby’s auction house announced that the artwork, titled Crude Oil (Vettriano) is part of the collection of Mark Hoppus, co-founder of the band Blink-182, and his wife, who purchased it in 2011. The painting will first be displayed at Sotheby’s New York headquarters from February 18 to 20 before being moved to London, where it will be exhibited from February 26 to March 4. The artwork is a reimagined version of The Singing Butler (1992) by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, which originally depicts a couple dancing on a windswept beach, accompanied by a maid and a butler holding umbrellas. In Banksy’s version, however, the maid is replaced by two men in hazmat suits carrying containers of toxic waste, reinforcing his signature social critique.

IPASA- Minister of Culture and Arts, Zouhir Ballalou, said on Monday in Tipasa that the protection and preservation of heritage are among the essential missions of the sector, for which heritage constitutes the "engine" of cultural diplomacy.

South Africa has given Tyla’s cooking skills the thumbs up after she made pap, chutney and boerewors for British Vogue. The Water hitmaker, who recently signed a Nike endorsement deal, is Vogue’s March cover star. Tyla recently put her culinary skills to the test for the fashion magazine. The Push 2 Start singer left netizens in stitches after she pulled out maize meal from her handbag. Tyla prepares pap, boerewors and chutney for British Vogue Before making pap, chakalaka (chutney) and boerewors, Tyla made a margarita from scratch. She shared that she used to watch her mother make margaritas. After forgetting some of the ingredients, Tyla hilariously confessed that it was her first time making the cocktail. She said:

South African Safta-award-winner Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo recently bagged another gig after she posted a video of her after she shredded some weight. Recently, the star returned as the co-host of Colour Your Plate With Koo season four, which premiered on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, on SABC 2 alongside Mmule Setati and Sipho Mkhwanazi. KOO Marketing Manager Neo Dikamotse shared with Briefly News how excited they are as they kick off a new season of the cooking show. She said: "As we kick off the 4th season, we're excited to further embed our mission to inspire creativity in the kitchen while staying true to the flavours that have made KOO a household name."

The Kusho Bani hate train is not dying down anytime soon. The rapper has clapped back at the haters over their dislike for the song. However, this time, he took it a little too far. User ruffles Cassper's feathers by calling song ugly An X user got more than she bargained for when she criticised Cassper Nyovest's song, Kusho Bani. @lisakhat_ sent a silent dig at the rapper saying the song is bad. "Cassper's song is not nice, shame," she tweeted. In a separate post, she said she is allowed to provide criticism to songs even if they are from her favourite artists.

Briefly Award winner Mawhoo is getting ready to give her fans and followers a once-in-a-lifetime performance at the Secret Garden Festival. The star wowed fans with her recent post. Mawhoo rehearses for Secret Garden Festival Gucci singer Mawhoo thrives for perfection. The star, who has been praised for her unmatched beauty and electrical performances on social media, recently got her fans excited when she shared her rehearsal video on her page. Taking to her Instagram page, the singer said the event was scheduled for 1 March, and tickets were coming soon. Read the post below:

Rehearsals are underway for Bitter Winter – the highly anticipated new play penned by acclaimed South African playwright Paul Slabolepszy, which premieres at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino from February 20th – March 16th, 2025. Director Lesedi Job and cast members Andre Odendaal (playing Jean-Louis Lourens), Oarabile Ditsele (playing Prosper Mangane) and Chantal Stanfield (playing Felicia Willemse) are delving deep into the roles, finding all the nuances and back-stories of this character-driven piece that speaks to the human condition and tells the tale of a story of resilience and discovery. Bitter Winter offers a heartfelt exploration of the artist’s life. It celebrates the legends of South African theatre while shining a light on the new generation of rising stars making their mark on the global stage. This tender tale takes audiences along the winding, sometimes rocky road that many artists feel compelled to travel in pursuit of their dreams.

Showmax, in partnership with Lion Forge Entertainment, has announced that the highly anticipated animated series Iyanu will premiere in Africa on 13 June 2025. The African streamer also released the official trailer giving audiences a glimpse into the captivating story based on Nigerian culture and mythology. The entire first season will be available to binge across 44 African countries on Showmax. Adapted from Roye Okupe’s graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder – published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics (the powerhouse behind The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy) – the show is helmed by Okupe himself, who was born and raised in Nigeria and now serves as creator, executive producer and showrunner. The series is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, a leading Black-owned animation studio in North America.

I’m sure everyone is probably wondering what happened to our summer given the cold and rainy weather of late. But here’s something to warm the cockles of your heart, Paul Slabolepszy’s “Bitter Winter” is making its debut at Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre on February 20. The acclaimed playwright mirrors the world he’s spent the longest time in, paying homage to the legends gracing the South African stages. Explores through the lens of an artist’s life, “Bitter Winter” looks at the new generation trying to fill the giant shoes of their predecessors. Of course, the journey isn’t without disappointment and challenges but such is the path to success. Directed by Lesedi Job, it stars Andre Odendaal (playing Jean-Louis Lourens), Oarabile Ditsele (playing Prosper Mangane) and Chantal Stanfield (playing Felicia Willemse).

The much-anticipated “Taylor Swift vs Scooter Braun: Bad Blood” documentary will be on premièring on TLC on Sunday. This latest addition to the channel’s popular ‘vs’ format follows in the footsteps of “Johnny vs Amber,” “Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce,” and “Vardy vs Rooney: The Wagatha Trial.” The two-part documentary, produced by Optomen, takes an in-depth look at the headline-grabbing dispute between global pop icon Taylor Swift and music mogul Scooter Braun over the rights to Swift’s first six albums. In June 2019, Braun’s company acquired Big Machine Label Group for millions of rands, securing ownership of Swift’s masters. The singer, who had been vocal about her desire to own her music, claimed she was not given the opportunity to purchase the rights herself.

The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) is set to enthral music enthusiasts as it unveils its 2025 Summer Season. The show is set to feature two unforgettable concerts at The Playhouse Opera Theatre on Thursday, February 20, and February 27. With each performance starting at 7pm, the orchestra is eager to rekindle its cherished connection with the community of music lovers. Bongani Tembe, the chief executive and artistic director of the KZN Philharmonic, expressed his excitement. He said: “It is our great pleasure and privilege to welcome back our unique community of music lovers for our two-concert ‘Summer Symphony Season’ of 2025.”

After more than 16 years away from the music scene, Namibian rapper and songstress Loise ‘Snazzy’ Shilongo has returned. Her latest single is titled ‘Slay’, and she describes it as the starting point of a whole new chapter in her career. Speaking to The Namibian last week, Snazzy said: “I’ve always had this creative energy that has never left me. Music has always been part of who I am, and there comes a point when you just can’t suppress it any longer.” As a child, she says she was captivated by literature and poetry, which naturally led her to start writing poems at the age of 11. “When I was starting to get into hip-hop, I remember being amazed about how rappers just played with words, kept rhyming, and sometimes told stories through their rhymes. It intrigued me,” she says.

Ncuti Gatwa, the Rwandan-Scottish actor who made history as the first Black actor to take on the iconic role of the Doctor, may be concluding his time in the TARDIS sooner than expected, according to reports. Gatwa, who first captured audience attention with his breakthrough role as Eric Effiong in Netflix's "Sex Education," joined Doctor Who in 2023 following Jodie Whittaker's departure. However, just as his tenure begins to unfold, rumors suggest the actor is eyeing new horizons in Hollywood. "Ncuti doesn't want to be tied to the series beyond this and plans to relocate to Los Angeles with several Hollywood projects standing by for him," a source told British media outlet The Sun. The same insider claimed that Gatwa's team is concerned about fan backlash affecting his future career prospects.

Guinean singer Queen Rima has emerged winner of the 2025 RFI Découvertes Prize, beating other nine finalists including Rwandan songstress Boukuru. The jury, chaired this year by Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo and Guinean RnB artiste Soul Bang among others, deliberated on Monday, February 17, deciding the dancehall artiste who was participating for the third time in the final of the RFI Découvertes Prize. The name of the winner of the 2025 edition of the Prix Découvertes RFI was revealed during the morning show of Radio France Internationale (RFI) which is the main organiser of the music competition. Angélique Kidjo praised the talent and quality of the music showcased by the 10 finalists, which, she said, did not facilitate the work of the jury. “This reassures me that the next generation is there,” the Beninese star said.

Zimbabwe’s most trending youthful musician, Kudakwashe Royne Kachehiko, proudly carries the title of “man of the moment.” Better known as Oriyano, this multi-talented young man is in his early 20s and is simply unstoppable. From music production and fashion design to pencil art, poetry, and beatboxing, Oriyano effortlessly rules the scene. With six years of experience under his belt, the floodgates of success have finally opened for him. His fairytale journey has led many social media users to compare him to superstar Jah Prayzah, thanks to his remarkable talent. While flattered by the comparisons, Oriyano remains humble. He chooses not to dwell on the flattery but instead learns from Jah Prayzah and other superstars who came before him, such as Soul Jah Love and Andy Muridzo.

JOHANNESBURG. — Lesedi FM listeners can once again tune in to their favourite radio personality, Nyakallo “Ba2Cada” Leine, following his return after a controversial and uncertain hiatus. The station officially welcomed back the beloved presenter, who resumed his breakfast show duties on Monday, February 17, co-hosting alongside Seipati “Twasa” Seoke. Earlier this month, Ba2Cada, known for his engaging and motivational content, found himself at the centre of a management fallout that saw him barred from the Lesedi FM studios. His troubles began after he failed to show up for his scheduled slots on December 30 and 31, leaving both listeners and management unaware of his absence. A source revealed to “IOL” that the management only realised Leine was missing when the broadcast continued without him, sparking questions regarding his commitment.

Leone Island boss Jose Chameleone hospitalized after experiencing a serious health deterioration in the United States where he has been under close medical watch. In a social media video shared by the Chameleone’s caretaker Juliet Zawedde, the singer could be seen being attended to by health personnel before being whisked away in an ambulance. My Bestie is not feeling well today, he has been taken to the hospital…. I pray for you my dear friend, Chameleone I know you’re currently unwell. May the Lord grant you a healing touch and restore your health and strength. Comfort you in your pain and give you the courage to face this challenge. May you know that you’re loved and supported during this time. Julietr Zawedde captioned the post. Reports from the singer’s music camp have it that Jose Chameleone will undergo a pancreatic operation in a few hours from now.

Kadongo Kamu star and politician Sir. Mathias Walukaga has confirmed that he is in a serious relationship and will walk his lover down the aisle very soon. In an interview with Spark TV, Walukaga shared how his Valentine’s Day went down, revealing that he doesn’t have to wait for one day to show his woman that he loves her as every day is special considering they are cohabiting. Walukaga noted that he has been committed to his partner for the last seven years and they will soon legalize their relationship. Despite not revealing details surrounding his woman, unconfirmed reports suggest that the singer has been flourishing relationship with fellow singer Bettinah Namukasa.

Songstress Grace Khan is in trouble with Masaka Tycoon after she refused to turn up to an event she was paid to perform at on Valentine’s Day. According to comedian Mzee Kamaadi, he recommended Grace Khan to one of his friends who was looking at hiring one guest artist to perform alongside a karaoke crew and entertain partiers on Valentine’s Day at Masaka-Bukomansimbi based ‘Wabonna Leisure Park.’ Mzee Kamaadi allegedly confirmed the date with the singer who said she did not have any bookings on that particular date and when they agreed on her charge, he met her on the 26th of January at Maria Flo and paid the booking fee which was half the money she had asked for. They recorded a video promo which they shared on their social media platforms, confirming that she would be performing for the lovers on their much anticipated day.

Media personality Ann Taylor unveiled the face of her supposed new lover shortly after allegedly separating from her baby daddy, also renowned YouTuber Rogers Ssebunya alias SB4 Media. The Sanyuka TV presenter took to her social media platforms and shared a picture of her face to face with a yet-to-be-identified man with a caption of her expressing how she could not hide him anymore from her followers. The rumor about the couple having marital issues started circulating on social media last month with reports suggesting that Ann was having a secret affair and that SB4 had caught them red-handed with her lover in a car. They allegedly parted ways and stopped living together following the incident. Ann Taylor’s official launch of her lover came as a shocker to many who thought the couple were in a publicity stunt to have the media focusing on them. SB4 Media remains tightlipped about the situation.

Singer Ava Peace has opened up about her strong professional bond with the Team No Sleep (TNS) boss and manager Jeff Kiwa. In an interview with Galaxy TV, the singer denied having any extra relationship with her boss Jeff stating that the relationship is strictly professional and that it is built on respect and clear boundaries. Over the years, female artists have faced challenges working with male managers as they tend to shift their focus from business to engaging in romantic affairs. According to Ava Peace, she credited Jeff Kiwa’s management for sticking to the label’s objectives, and not veering off the course for sexual favors. “This is so straight and this is my first management team in my entire life that is strictly about work and nothing else.”

On February 2, fun lovers flocked to Scallas’ Cafe in Blantyre, formerly Shelter Club off Kwacha Road, to celebrate the 66th birthday of legendary events manager and music promoter ‘Sir’ Jai Banda of Entertainers Promotion. The popular slogan of “I am not a teacher, I am not a soldier, I am not a lawyer, I am not a manager, I am just an entertainer” echoed during the event to sanction his steadfast legacy which spans over four decades. Jai became a household name from 1980s to 2000 when he managed music events and musicians in the country. Later, he paved the way for his son, Tonderai, mid 2000 who took over as Entertainers Promotion chief executive officer. To many people, particularly musicians who have worked with him, Jai, widely known as Mr Entertainer, is an iconic figure who has devoted his life towards shaping the country’s music industry. For four decades, he has been promoting Malawian music through his Entertainers Promotions, a brand he registered in the 1980s.

Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has reacted to his being declared wanted by the police for allegedly assaulting officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA). In a statement, the police alleged that Portable took part in “a violent attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties.” Reacting, Portable took to Instagram in a series of rants on Tuesday, claiming he was being set up for wearing a vest bearing the image of Senator Adeola Solomon, popularly known as Yayi. He also insisted that he was mentally ill and receiving treatment at Aro Hospital. “I fear government. I am a federal government liability. Then I’m a madman; I have medications that I usually take. You can confirm from Aro Hospital. I have a card that certifies me as one of their patients.