In a state: Nigeria's military is hamstrung by corruption
It was hard to tell which way the votes would swing at this year’s Idols SA finale that happened last night at Carnival City, Johannesburg. The last standing contestants Karabo Mogane (24) and Mmatema Moremi (23) both gave impressive performances throughout the season, but South African audiences decided Mogane was worthy of winning the singing competition. He received most of the public votes and according to Idols, this season made history with a grand total of 78.8 million votes, surpassing last season’s previous record of 24.3 million. First time Idols judge, Somizi Mhlongo said he wished it were a tie because both Mogane and Moremi were equally deserving of the win.
Jazz and afro-pop singer Judith Sephuma took to the stage to perform a duet with Mogane of I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) by Aretha Franklin and George Michael, while Moremi was joined on stage by singer J Something to perform Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1968 hit song, Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.
Another highlight of the finale was Mhlongo’s dance performance to DJ Black Coffee’s We Dance Again featuring South African Music award-winner Nakhane Toure, who unfortunately looked like a backup singer, while Mhlongo took center stage.
The eight eliminated contestants also joined Moremi and Mogane in some group performances that consisted mostly of songs by international singers.
Mogane walks away with a recording contract from Universal Music South Africa, R700 000 cash from M-Net, Mzansi Magic and Telkom SA, a R225 900 Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium, fashion to the value of R100 000 from Truworths and R70 000 worth of musical equipment from Yamaha, among other prizes.
His studio album is set for release before Christmas time.
South African shows to compete at the Emmys
Puppet Nation ZA, Miners Shot Down and MasterChef SA are among the nominees at the International Emmy Awards taking place in New York City this evening. Rehad Desai’s film on the Marikana Massacre, Miners Shot Down, is competing for Best Documentary, Puppet Nation ZA is competing for Best Comedy while MasterChef SA will compete for Best Non-scripted Entertainment Series. According to Eyewitness News, the judges for the international awards are selected from all over the world, including South Africa. South African judges were involved in judging the best performance by an actor and TV movie mini-series categories. Urban Brew Studios’s drama director Herbert Hadebe has also been selected as an International Emmy Awards juror for the Best Performance by an Actor in a TV drama.
Nicki Minaj wins best rap artist at the AMAs
Nicki Minaj. (Reuters)
Hip hop artist Nicki Minaj’s fans have crowned her their favourite rap artist for 2015 at the American Music Awards that took place on November 22 in Los Angeles. Minaj (born Onika Maraj) also walked away with the award for favourite album – rap/hip hop for The Pinkprint.
Her award was met by mixed reactions on social media, with some people claiming that she was not deserving of the award in the heavily contested rap/hip hop category that consisted of hip hop stars Drake and J Cole.
“I know this award is about fans voting and I personally feel like I have the best fans on this planet,” she said in her acceptance speech.
Maraj also thanked fellow musicians, Drake, Chris Brown, Beyoncé and Meek Mill, who contributed to The Pinkprint. The brave Jennifer Lopez took to stage to pay tribute to Maraj in a medley of 2015’s biggest hits, by performing Maraj’s hit song Anaconda. The Anaconda hit-maker didn’t look impressed with Lopez’s attempt.
Other memorable performances of the night included Celine Dion’s tribute to victims of terrorist attack from all around the world. The Canadian singer performed Hymne a L’Amour, “giving the decades-old song new life with her powerhouse vocals while a montage of Paris landmarks and makeshift memorials outside Le Bataclan appeared on the screen behind her,” Billboard reported.
Pop singer Taylor Swift was the big winner of the night – winning three awards for song of the year (Blank Space), favourite album – pop/rock (1989) and favourite artist – adult contemporary.
Fashion from the SA Style awards 2015
Television presenter and radio personality Bonang Matheba won the Style Icon award at the 2015 SA Style awards last night in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Matheba looked elegant in a white figure-hugging gown by Gert-Johan Coetzee, who has dressed her on numerous occasions. The list of SA Style winners also includes businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo, model Lee-Ann Liebenberg, singer Lindiwe Suttle and broadcaster Ursula Chikana.
See the fashion below
Bonang Matheba. (Instagram)
Nomzamo Mbatha. (Instagram)
Lisa Koppel, aka Mrs Danny K. (Instagram)
Lalla Hirayama. (Instagram)