Presenter Tatiana Durão announced this Monday, February 17, that the cycle with “Banda TV” has come to an end, showing herself to be deeply grateful for the opportunity. Tatiana shared a statement on her Instagram profile, where she stressed that she thanks the broadcaster for the trust it has placed in her over the years as a presenter, and recently as a production coordinator. “It was a period of great learning, growth and maturity, both professionally and personally. I take with me valuable memories, great lessons and the satisfaction of having contributed with dedication and passion to each project”, said Tatiana Durão. The presenter stressed that this journey continues and that she is open to new challenges and ready to embrace new opportunities on other broadcasters and platforms, “May the next chapters of this journey come”.

Gospel music saw a surge in popularity last year, with new artistes bringing fresh perspectives to the genre. Among my latest discoveries is Sylvie Simbi, a talented singer-songwriter crafting her sound from Italy while hoping to connect with listeners in Kigali—and, if all goes well, bring her music to a live audience there. The New Times caught up with her to learn more about her journey and vision. Excerpts: Can you tell us about yourself? Where were you born? What led you to gospel music? I’m Sylvie Simbi, a singer and songwriter born and raised in Rome, Italy, to Rwandan parents. Music has always been a part of me—whether singing in church, at school or listening to records at home. It’s been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I truly believe it was my calling. In 2011, I had the incredible opportunity to feature in an Italian song that topped the pop charts, followed by a tour where I experienced the thrill of performing before massive crowds.

South African popular disc jockey Heavy K lit up the stage at the private 30th birthday bash of businessman Tatenda Samukange in Harare over the weekend. Heavy K, who jetted into the country on Saturday afternoon ahead of the event, put up an electric performance as he dished out his hits. Heavy K’s appearance was particularly noteworthy; he flew in specifically for this private birthday party, adding an exclusive touch that only heightened the evening’s allure. His infectious beats set the tone for the night, while Killer T’s thrilling performance and Jah Prayzah’s melodious tunes further elevated the festivities. This star-studded line-up ensured that Samukange’s 30th birthday was not just another event but a memorable soirée that would be talked about long after the final notes faded. The event took place at Samukange’s stunning home in Pokugara Residential Estate, a location that perfectly matched the glamour of the night.

lack of originality and creativity is undeniably a growing issue harming the local creative sector. The situation is so dire that we may be on the verge of normalising this trend. While it may be uncomfortable to label someone a copycat, the increase in creatives imitating or replicating the behaviours, styles, and ideas of others has reached alarming levels. Historically, this problem was prevalent in the music industry, but it has now spread to other fields, including spoken word, film, television, dance, and even visual arts. This troubling trend promotes imitation over originality, effectively stifling the creative sector. While new talents continue to emerge, many lose their unique vision as the influence of the digital landscape dominates the industry. Some creatives who had bright futures have lost their way through imitation.

“At Vwaza, we want to move away from the subscription-based model that most streaming services use. We understand that people no longer want to keep paying monthly for music. We are bringing back the concept of music ownership, allowing fans to buy the music and own it forever, just like they did with CDs in the past,” he said. Fickson also said 80 percent of the earnings from music sales go directly to artists who are provided with real-time insights into their streams and earnings, allowing them to track their success and manage their finances effectively. He said: “Vwaza will offer better payouts with higher revenue splits and direct artist payments to ensure that musicians earn more and faster. They do not have to wait to reach a certain number of streams. “With the iOS version, we ensure that no one is left out. We put Malawian music in the hands of more people, creating opportunities for both artists and fans.”

Egyptian film “Dayy” (The Tale of Dayy’s Family) embarks on a new journey in the German capital as the film participates in the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. The film will have five screenings, with the first set for November 19, 2025. The festival will be attended by the film’s makers and stars, including director Karim El-Shenawy, lead actors Aseel Omran and Badr Mohamed, and writer Haitham Dabbour. Also joining them is the renowned star Ahmed Helmy, who appears in the film as one of several guest stars. The filmmakers have unveiled the first behind-the-scenes images, revealing that the movie was shot across more than 50 locations in various Egyptian governorates, creating a distinctive visual and production experience. Abdel Salam Moussa leads the film’s cinematography and captures the unique visual journey of the story.

Dr. Ayman El-Shiwi, Dean of the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts and Director of the National Theater announced that the play King Lear, starring Yehia El-Fakharany and directed by Shady Sorour Ali, will be staged again at the National Theater after Eid Al-Fitr 2025. Shakespeare’s King Lear tells the story of King Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. His youngest daughter refuses to flatter him, so he disinherits her. He then sets a condition that he will live with each daughter for a certain period while distributing his wealth. However, his daughters conspire to seize everything for themselves.

“The Brutalist” equaled the awards tally of “Conclave," scooping four trophies, including best director for Brady Corbet and best actor for Adrien Brody. Mikey Madison won the best actress prize for Brooklyn tragicomedy “Anora.” “Conclave,” which stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal corralling conniving clergy as they elect a new pope, beat “The Brutalist,” “Emilia Pérez,” Bob Dylan biopic “ A Complete Unknown " to the top prize. "Conclave” was also named outstanding British film and took trophies for editing and adapted screenplay. Supporting performer prizes went to Kieran Culkin for “A Real Pain” and Zoe Saldaña for “Emilia Pérez," which also won the award for best film not in the English language. Saldaña won for her role as a lawyer who helps the title character transition to a woman and out of a life of crime. She called the film “the creative challenge of a lifetime.”

Fahmy announced this during his participation in the ongoing Berlin International Film Festival — Berlinale (13-23 February). He added that this move is part of the early preparations for the CIFF's 46th edition. This marks Tarek's first official artistic director task after serving as the deputy artistic director. Tarek graduated from the Locarno Industry Academy in Beirut and the Durban Talents programme. He has worked as a short film programmer at the CIFF, Dublin International Film Festival, El Gouna Film Festival, and Manassat Film Festival. Moreover, he served as the Cinema for Development Project Manager at El Nahda Association (Jesuit Cairo). Tarek has a broad and impactful presence in the film industry, having worked as a Selection Committee member for the Durban Film Content Shop, consultant for MedFest Egypt, and advisor to the Goethe Institute Cairo.

A court has sentenced Egyptian director Mohamed Sami to two months in prison over assaulting the manager of a car maintenance center, the state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Saturday. The Sheikh Zayed Misdemeanor Court in Giza ruled to imprison Sami following a brawl which occurred because “the director accused the workers at the center of damaging his car.” The court also ruled to fine the manager of the maintenance center LE5,000. A fistfight broke out between Sami and the manager of a car maintenance center in Sheikh Zayed, after the director accused workers of damaging his car, which was estimated to be worth LE10 million (about US$200,000).

Yesterday evening, Saturday, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, supervised the official opening of the Moroccan Film Library at the headquarters of the Moroccan Cinema Center in Rabat. This new institution, like its international counterparts, aims to provide a national space specialised in preserving, documenting and restoring the national cinematic heritage, as well as screening national and international cinematic works. On this occasion, Bensaid stressed that the Cinema Library will work to establish strategic partnerships that will enable the retrieval and restoration of Moroccan cinematic and documentary works.

Badra Association for Communication and Social Development is organizing its nineteenth session of the International Festival of Poetry and Zajal on May 10 and 11, 2025 in Casablanca on the occasion of the birthday of Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. The association announces the beginning of the process of receiving entries for professional and amateur poets and Zajal poets, young and old, males and females. The association invites those wishing to participate in the festival to send two different poems via WhatsApp, and to bring five copies of each poem during the festival. It also opens the door to participation in its fifteenth collective poetry collection, and welcomes the participation of poets and zajal poets in this annual collection, which includes about one hundred and twenty poems distributed between free and colloquial poetry, in addition to zajal

KwaZulu-Natal police are said to be working on a case involving Musa Mseleku's son, Mpumelelo "Sbindi", following a fatal shooting. The case suggests that an unknown man entered one of the reality TV star's homes and confronted a female housekeeper, demanding to see one of her employer's sons. News Panther reports that the frantic woman alerted Mpumelelo for help; who, upon realising that the 25-year-old suspect was armed, fetched his gun and shot him four times - instantly killing him. While the police continue working on the case, alleged witnesses and neighbours suggest that the suspect may have been linked to Musa Mseleku's fifth wife, Samukelisiwe Khwela - a possible ex-boyfriend.

alentine's Day was dubbed Lerato Kganyago Day when the couple went viral because of Thami Ndlala's extravagant gifts for her. Lerato Kganyago showed people what she got up on Valentine's Day in 2025. Lerato Kganyago flexes for Valentine's Day On Instagram Stories, Lerato shared the almost-finished Ndlala Mall a day after Valentine's Day. The clip showed that a video of their romantic Valentine's Day was projected on the screen in the mall. Lerato revealed that the mall will include new restaurants, a barbershop, a hair extension store, apartments and a nightclub. Watch the video reposted by blogger Maphepha Ndaba:

Ntsiki Mazwai made allegations about the reasons why certain people were chosen for the Havana International Book Fair. The Indoda Yakho singer made serious accusations against higher-ups in the Department of Arts and Culture. Ntsiki Mazwai vents about Arts Department Ntsiki Mazwai took to X and wrote that she is fed up with seeing "Arts Ministers" allegedly providing industry opportunities to celebrities in exchange for personal favours. She claimed "another one" sponsored a chest augmentation surgery for an "IT girl." Ntsiki's rant comes after South Africa participated in the latest Havana International Book Fair. Attendees representing South Africa were meant to include "authors, poets, and literary figures", according to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. See the post below:

Singer Latinum Lati real name Tonny Mbangira has addressed allegations that he wasted away his talent when he started using hard drugs. The dancehall ragga sensation was known for releasing chart-topping hits, unfortunately at the height of his career, he veered off the course. News later came out that he had been committed to a rehabilitation center to curb his drug addiction. He was, however, reported to have relapsed and in an interview, Latinum confessed to using drugs but he says he was influenced by the fame and the people that managed his career. Having started doing music at a young age, Latinum was exposed to the toxic side of the industry and he was too naïve to control it.

Producers of the Apongozi TV Series, HD Plus Creations have honoured the legendary Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) broadcaster and actress late Maria Chidzanja-Nkhoma for her incredible contributions towards the production of the movie. Chidzanja-Nkhoma who was featured on Apongozi TV Series before her death on January 9,2021, acts the role of Apongozi in the movie series. Speaking on the sidelines of the official release of the all the 10-series of the Apongozi TV Series for online streaming on Friday, one of the directors of the movie Gift ‘Sukez; Sukali described Chidzanja-Nkhoma as one of the undisputable gifted actresses who added a yummy spice to Apongozi Series.

By Shaffie A Mtambo Malawian hip-hop artist Tay Grin has had enough of people telling him to find a wife. He has announced that he is planning a dinner party where he will reveal his real wife to the world. Tay Grin took to social media to express his frustration with people constantly asking him when he will get married. He revealed that he has been planning a surprise dinner party where he will invite five couples, and at the event, he will finally introduce his wife to the public. Tay Grin has kept his personal life private, and the news of his marriage has come as a surprise to many.

Musicians and creatives in Malawi have been encouraged to take advantage of digital stores to monetize their work and reap the rewards of their hard-earned creativity. This call was made by Vwaza Multimedia App, a local digital store that is set to launch its IOS-enabled version, providing subscribers with a seamless user experience. According to Bridgitta Flao Mwale, Operations Manager for Vwaza Multimedia App, the platform offers a lucrative opportunity for artists to earn significant revenue from their work. The app remits an impressive 80% of revenue generated from streams and downloads directly to the artist. By leveraging digital stores like Vwaza Multimedia App, local artists can tap into a vast market, increase their visibility, and earn significant revenue from their creative work.

In Malawi, Blantyre is unique for having produced many notable figures across various industries, Chilobwe standing out as the area where many musicians, footballers, radio personalities, and other celebrities emerged before Ndirande took the spotlight. Notably, some prominent figures who consider Chilobwe their home, along with others who have resided there, include Onesmus, Zeze, Suffix, Stich Fray, Joseph Tembo, Peter Mponda, Gabadinho Muhango, Dan Lu, Favoured Martha, and Grace Chinga. The list also encompasses Maggie Mangani, Lloyd Phiri, Fisher Kondowe, Collen Ali, Eliza Kachali Kaund, Emmie Kamkweche, King James Phiri, Soul Chembezi, Peter Banda, Madalitso Kalamula, Sir Patrick and many more.

The long-speculated union between Yanga star Stephanie Aziz Ki and fashion icon Hamisa Mobetto has finally come to fruition—the couple is now officially husband and wife! Their elegant Nikah ceremony took place today, February 16, 2025, at the Nnuur Mosque in Mbweni, Dar es Salaam, officiated by the Grand Sheikh of Dar es Salaam, Sheikh Walid Alhad Omar, alongside other esteemed Islamic clerics.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the multi award-winning Nigerian author has announced the birth of her twins with husband, Ivara Esege. She made the good news known during her interview with The Guardian where she also spoke about her new book, Dream Count, cancel culture and other topics. The 47-year-old author revealed that she welcomed her twins months ago but kept the news private because she wants to protect her children. Chimamanda disclosed that many didn’t know she got married in 2009, noting further that Nigerians are nosy people, which has made her a bit hesitant to talk about her family. Addressing the interviewer, Charlotte Edwardes, Chimamanda said, “You’ve met my babies. I want to protect my children. I’m OK with having them mentioned, but I don’t want the piece to become about them. “So, here’s the thing, Nigerians are nosy, they want to know about your personal life. Because of that, I am resistant. I very rarely talk about it.

Nollywood actor, Timini Egbuson has called out Nigerian musicians for not supporting their counterparts in the movie industry. The award-winning actor, whose latest movie, Reel Love is still in the cinemas explained that while Nollywood actors support the music industry, the musicians are in the habit of not returning the favour. Timini took to X to share his sentiment, ending it by suggesting he is not ready to have a full blown conversation on the topic at the moment. He wrote, “Really wish musicians supported Nollywood the way we support their music but that’s a conversation for another day.”

The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of veteran director Rotimi Raji, popularly known as Genius. Reports indicate that Raji was found lifeless in his bathroom on February 15, just a day after Valentine’s Day. The filmmaker, who lived alone in Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, reportedly slumped and passed away. His death was noticed after a concerned neighbor, alarmed by his unusual silence, repeatedly called out to him. Upon peering through an open window, the neighbor saw his motionless body on the bathroom floor. Authorities and family members were alerted, his door was forced open, and his remains were taken to the mortuary. His grieving relatives are now demanding a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of his sudden death.