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Madrid v Liverpool: Meet the Champions League finalists

The Champions League final is set, and it will be Real Madrid taking on Liverpool later this month in Kiev, Ukraine.

Just a day after Real Madrid eliminated Bayern Munich in the semifinals, Liverpool did the same to Roma on Wednesday, setting up a gigantic clash in the final.

What’s their pedigree and how did they get here? A closer look at finalists Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Here are the stats

REAL MADRID (ESP)

Pedigree
UEFA club ranking: 1
European Cup finals: W12 L3
Last appearance: 2017, won 4-1 v Juventus

This season
Entry: group stage
P12 W8 D2 L2 F30 A15
Top scorer: Ronaldo (15)
Current league position: 3rd

Possible first-choice XI: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Isco, Casemiro, Modrić, Kroos; Benzema, Ronaldo

LIVERPOOL (ENG)

Pedigree
UEFA club ranking: 24
European Cup finals: W5 L2
Last appearance: 2007, lost 2-1 v Milan

This season
Entry: play-offs
P12 W7 D4 L1 F40 A13
Top scorer: Firmino, Salah (10)
Current league position: 3rd

Possible first-choice XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mané

Route to the final

Qualified: 4th in Premier League
Play-offs: 6-3 agg v Hoffenheim
Group E winners
Round of 16: 5-0 agg v Porto
Quarter-finals: 5-1 agg v Man. City
Semi-finals 7-5 agg v Roma

Have they met before?

Previous meetings: 5
Madrid wins: 2 (4 goals)
Liverpool wins: 3 (6 goals

2014/15 UEFA Champions League group stage
Matchday three: Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid (Ronaldo 23, Benzema 30 41)
Matchday four: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Benzema 27)

2008/09 UEFA Champions League first knockout round
First leg: Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool (Benayoun 82)
Second leg: Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Torres 16, Gerrard 28 47, Dossena 88)

1980/81 European Cup final
Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid (Kennedy 81)

*Stats do not include qualifying.

Tsitsi Masiyiwa announced as Keynote Speaker at Zim Achievers UK in May

African philanthropist and social entrepreneur, Tsitsi Masiyiwa has been announced as this year’s keynote speaker at the UK edition of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA), taking place in May.

Masiyiwa is no stranger to the awards, as she received the Chairman’s honorary award in 2016, for her contribution to charitable causes and children’s welfare.

“Tsitsi Masiyiwa has been an instrumental voice for a number of key initiatives and a champion of projects that have contributed massively to the growth and development of Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole,” said ZAA Chairman, Conrad Mwanza.

“She is a woman whom we learn from every day and who is always finding ways to support those in need, and we salute her for her incredible philanthropic work, as well as her personal commitment to promoting and fostering change.

“She is a credit to the community and a great ambassador. We are both honoured and delighted to have her as a keynote speaker,” Mwanza added.

Founder and co-chair of the Highlife Foundation (HLF), she established the organisation with husband, Strive Masiyiwa and has, for nearly two decades, dedicated her life’s work to orphaned and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda and Lesotho.

Morehouse College Commencement in Atlanta, with President Barack Obama, Mrs TsitsiMasiyiwa and Strive Masiyiwa Picture/econetwireless.com

She continues to empower disadvantaged children through education and harnessing technology to create employment opportunities for young people.

HLF offers holistic and innovative solutions to poverty and through her foundation, she has supported the youth with basic education and created opportunities that have enabled many of them to go on to college and vocational training.

Masiyiwa has also been involved in identifying and nurturing young talent and over the years, hundreds of gifted African students have been offered scholarships that cover an extensive range of opportunities, from high school right through to university, including top Ivy League colleges such as Harvard and Yale.

She championed the creation of a low-cost and high-quality amalgamated learning model, with the goal of providing quality education.

The model was formed using tailored content in Zimbabwe but has been adopted across Africa. Capernaum Trust, the largest privately-funded scholarship program in Southern Africa, has students in establishments that include Waterford Kamhlaba in Swaziland and Monash College in South Africa.

They have also established the Andrew Young Scholarship, a $6.4 million dollar fund that sends African students to attend, among others, Morehouse College in the US.

Meanwhile, this year’s awards will be held on Saturday 12 May 2018 at the Grange City Hotel in London. The upscale hotel is a stone’s throw away from the River Thames and overlooks the Tower of London and the iconic Tower Bridge.

 

Starting today, Instagram will filter bullying Comments

Instagram Co-Founder and CEO Kevin Systrom has announced that the application will be upgrading its offensive comment filter today, expanding it to automatically filter out bullying comments.

Comments containing attacks on a person’s appearance or character, as well as threats to a person’s well-being or health will be amongst those targeted.

“Starting today, Instagram will filter bullying comments intended to harass or upset people in the Instagram community, said Kevin Systrom.

“To be clear: we don’t tolerate bullying on Instagram. Our Community Guidelines have always prohibited bullying on our platform, and I’m proud to announce this next step in our ongoing commitment to keeping Instagram an inclusive, supportive place for all voices.”

Users will also be able to disable the filter if they’d like to see the unedited comments on their feeds as well, but it will be enabled by default.

Instagram will also be expanding their policies to guard against bullying young public figures on the platform.

“Protecting our youngest community members is crucial to helping them feel comfortable to express who they are and what they care about,” said the statement.

For now, the new anti-bullying filter is only launching for English-language comments, but Instagram plans to offer it in other languages in the future, too.

Real Madrid makes Champions League History

Since Madrid reached (and won) the first five European Cup finals between 1956 and 1960, only five other clubs had managed even three in a row – Benfica, Ajax, Bayern and, in the UEFA Champions League era, AC Milan and Juventus.

Two goals in each half from striker Karim Benzema who was making a start after being dropped in the first leg. was all they needed to secure a place to Kiev.

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates as he scores his sides second goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Muenchen at the Bernabeu on May 1, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Picture/ Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Remarkably, in all those previous cases, when one team reached three in a row, another club immediately matched that feat!

REACHING THREE OR MORE UEFA CLUB FINALS IN A ROW

European Cup/UEFA Champions League

 

Real Madrid
2016: 1-1aet (5-3pens) v Atlético Madrid, Milan
2017: 4-1 v Juventus, Cardiff
2018: v ?, Kyiv

Juventus
1996: W 1-1 (aet; 4-2 pens) v Ajax, Rome
1997: L 1-3 v Borussia Dortmund, Munich
1998: L 0-1 v Real Madrid, Amsterdam

AC Milan
1993: L 0-1 v Marseille, Munich
1994: W 4-0 v Barcelona, Athens
1995: L 0-1 v Ajax, Vienna

Bayern München
1974: W 1-1/4-0 (replay) v Atlético Madrid, Brussels
1975: W 2-0 v Leeds United, Paris
1976: W 1-0 v St-Étienne, Glasgow

Ajax
1971: W 2-0 v Panathinaikos, Wembley
1972: W 2-0 v Internazionale Milano, Rotterdam
1973: W 1-0 v Juventus, Belgrade

Benfica
1961: W 3-2 v Barcelona, Berne
1962: W 5-3 v Real Madrid, Amsterdam
1963: L 1-2 v AC Milan, Wembley

Real Madrid
1956: W 4-3 v Stade de Reims, Paris
1957: W 2-0 v Fiorentina, Madrid
1958: W 3-2 (aet) v Milan, Brussels
1959: W 2-0 v Stade de Reims, Stuttgart
1960: W 7-3 v Eintracht Frankfurt, Glasgow

Mukanya Gig — And the Lion Roared for the First time in 14 Years

An unassuming big crowd gathered at the Glamis Arena, obviously to watch the greatest musical export Zimbabwe has ever produced, Thomas Mukanya Mapfumo – But none could have foretold what they witnessed.

That Mukanya left Zimbabwe in his 50s only to return in his old 70s made others assume this was more of a sentimental gig than it was real entertainment.

70 years is an advanced age for any artist and expecting a longer performance from such is deemed ridiculous.

But Mukanya defied the laws, he defied his age. Dr Mapfumo went on stage a few minutes after 2 Am, our watch said 0208 am.

As the band played, eyes were glued to the huge stage gazing from left to right in anticipation of the lion that was about to emerge and roar for the first time in 14 years.

Out came the lion clad in all black with his long dreadlocks let loose from the same black floppy festival hat… And the lion roared his first word ‘Zimbabwe….’

The Roar was loud and The crowd went into delirium.

Once the crowd had settled, it was a Mukanya show, he placed his foot on the acceleration pedal and as we would later discover, this was not an ordinary artist.

We had missed him, he had missed us.

The night’s setlist was taken from a catalogue that contains hits after hits, anything that he played was loved.

But there were exceptions, whilst he played favourites like Bhutsu Mutandarikwa, Mugarandega, Jekiseni.

Loud cheers and deafening sing-alongs belonged to songs like ‘Pidigori ‘Waenda’, Nyoka Musango’ and ‘Chauya Chauya.’

For Pidigori, as another fan explained the loud cheers to Zimbuzz, was a fulfilment of the demise of former President Mr Mugabe. (he recited the lyrics to us as he made his point ‘Pidigori Waenda anga achinyanya kuvhaira’)

But again there was another special moment…another Dr, Oliver Mtukudzi joined Mukanya on the stage as the two danced to Nyoka Musango. It was special.

But the icing was on the new song Chauya Chauya, which was leaked onto the black market the past week and we wrote about it.

The song is a timely reminder to Zimbabweans to fully exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The reception to the song was massive, it did not sound like a new song, as again sons and daughters sang along to it.

The song got a rare attention, as Mukanya would play it again as he neared the end of his set. perhaps he wanted the message of elections to really hit home.

The memorable moment…

Like we said earlier, Mukanya went on stage at around 0208 am, our expectation, understandably so was that he would go for something under two hours..

He left the stage at around 6 am. And he still was sounding as good as the minute he started, in fact, he was gaining strength by the hour.

The master was delivering a lifelong lesson to a generation that it trying to make it in this concrete jungle of music.

The crowd was shocked, it was unbelievable that for a man, 72 years of age, he can drag on to such lengths.

The explanation…

Somewhat sensing the confusion on the faces of some fans, another dreadlocked elder in the VIP section approached this reporter to give an explanation of what was happening.

“Young man you are a journalist right,” he asked this Zimbuzz reporter. “Yes Baba I am,” this reporter replied.

“What is the name of this gig,” he asked rhetorically before he answered himself.

“Its called Thomas Mukanya Mapfumo Welcome back Bira, Now by rule, every BIRA will only end after the SUN has risen,” he tried to demystify the occurrence.

“So don’t be shocked by this long performance, he is doing exactly what you asked him to do, that’s how a BIRA is conducted.

We waited, but our wait was that of anxiety more than it was enjoyment.

And true his words, as soon as the sun was showing signs of struggle as it tried to hatch itself from the dark clouds, Mukanya sang Chamunorwa..and then another …By that time the sun was now visible.

He didn’t give a farewell, he just turned his back and walked away…And History was made. We were part of it. Entertainment Republic Made it Possible

Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards Nominees Announced

Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards Friday night announced the 2018 nominees for the awards which will be held at the Large City Hall on May 26.

This announcement came on the backdrop of a milestone $20 000 sponsorship from United Refineries Limited (URL) via its Roil brand.

Here are the Nominees

COMEDY

Outstanding Comedian

Mandla da Comedian

Hubert Dumisani aka MaForty

Clive Chigubhu

 

POETRY

Outstanding Poet

ASA

BLACKLILY

Tinashe Tafirenyika

 

DANCE AWARDS

Outstanding Contemporary Dance Ensemble

Anti Virus

Khaya Arts

Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble

 

Outstanding Male Dancer

Newman Takawira (Iyasa)

Julius Hlabangana (Ezimnyama)

Mbongeni Nxumalo (Iyasa

 

Outstanding female Dancer

Juliet Dube (Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble)

Praise Ncube (Khaya Arts)

Thandeka Mabhena (Sungura Masters

 

FASHION AND LIFESTYLE AWARDS

 OUTSTANDING FASHION DESIGN

Nkanyeziyethu Malunga

Nkululeko Ncube aka AraKani

Yvette Marguax Ndaba aka Sishebo

 

OUTSTANDING MALE MODEL

Shadel Noble

Welsh the stylist

Panashe Beaton

 

OUTSTANDING FEMALE MODEL

Princess Mpofu

Ashley Morgan

Mitchell Chikwengo

 

FILM & TV AWARDS

Outstanding Television Production/Program

Ekhoneni by Vincent Ngwenya

DlalaNgamla by Rasqueity

Isipho Sami by ThembelihleMoyo

 

Outstanding Film

Londisizwe – by Dumisani Manyathela

Jaiva Sibone – by Memory Kumbota

The Walk – by Daniel Lasker

 

Outstanding Film / TV Director

Daniel Lasker – The Walk

Memory Kumbota – JaivaS’bone

LONDISIZWE – Dumisani Manyathela

 

Outstanding Film / TV Actress

Precious Makhulumo – Isipho Sami

Bridget Dube in Londisizwe

NomvuyisoMabi– The Walk

 

Outstanding Film / TV Actor

Paul Conolly in The Walk

Prince Zulu – Ekhoneni

Percy Shoko – JaivaS’bone.

 

MEDIA AWARDS

Outstanding Arts Journalist Across Board

Bruce Ncube

Sindiso Dube

Bongani Ndlovu

 

Outstanding Online Media

Umthombo iConnect

Urban Culxure

Focus Magazine

 

OUTSTANDING MAINSTREAM MEDIA

SkyzMetro FM

Sunday News

Chronicle

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Mhondiwa Mhepo

Tinashe Charleson

Mgcini Nyoni

 

OUTSTANDING RADIO DJ

Babongile Skhonjwa

BK & TKP (Duo)

Emity Smooth

 

SCHOOLS ARTS AWARDS

 OUTSTANDING ARTS EDUCATOR (HIGH SCHOOLS)

Nkosi Mlibazi – Nketa High

Dansie Hlosokuhle Mhlanga – Empandeni Girls High

Bridget Sayers – Gifford Boys High

 

OUTSTANDING SCHOOL ARTS EFFORT

Gifford Boys High

Empandeni High

Eveline High

 

OUTSTANDING ACTOR (HIGH SCHOOL)

Sailas Matsika – Gifford

Henry Rakotama – Gifford

Bhekimuzi Khumalo – Mzilikazi High

 

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS (HIGH SCH)

Primrose L. Tshuma – Empandeni High

SihleMasuku – Maranatha High

GugulethuBhebhe – Nketa High

 

THEATRE AWARDS

 Outstanding Director

MatesuDube – Ihloka

Thabani H. Moyo – In My Skin

Khumbulani Mathe – Say Forgiveness

 

Outstanding Theatre Actor

Gift Chakuvinga – In My Skin

Ishmael Muvingi – Ihloka

Leonard Phiri – Ihloka

 

Outstanding Theatre Actress

Agnes Ncube – Blood Tongue

Lady Tshawe – Blood Tongue

Memory Mguni – Say Forgiveness

 

Outstanding Theatre Production

Blood Tongue – Nhimbe Trust

Ihloka – Umkhathi Theatre Works

In My Skin – Naughty By Nature

 

VISUAL ARTS AWARDS

 VISUAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bhekitshe Ntshali

Nonhlanhla Mathe

Israel Israel

MUSIC AWARDS

OUTSTANDING KWAITO/HOUSE/GQOM ACT

Badilla

Skaiva

Paula Paloma

 

OUTSTANDING ALTERNATIVE ACT

Khuxman

Willis Wataffi

Edith WeUtonga–Madalisto

Zinjaziyamluma

Hwabaratty

 

OUTSTANDING GOSPEL ACT

Mai Mwamuka

Women of Valour

Tholakele

T1

 

IMBUBE

Indonsakusa

Ukukhanya Kwezwe

Umdumo Wesizwe

 

OUTSTANDING TSIBILIKA/RHUMBA

Ndux Jr

Clement Magwaza

Martin Ndolwane

 

OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR BASED IN SA

Enerst Phosa – (Actor)

Bekezela ( Musician)

Zinjaziyamluma (Musician)

Mellisa Laung (TV Presenter)

 

OUTSTANDING SONG OF THE YEAR

Bekezela – BEKEZELA

Amaloja – Khuxman

Lizwile – Sandra Ndebele

Veleangikuzwa – Nceku

BathiAsoyami – Clement Magwaza

 

NEWCOMER

Maforty

Jam Session

K breezy

Charmaine Mudau

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Sandara Ndebele

Lorraine Stot

Tholakele

Edith WeUtonga

TKP

 

MALE ARTIST of THE YEAR

Khuxman

Bekezela

Cal-vin

BabongileSkonjwa

Carl Joshua Ncube

 

OUTSTANDING MUSIC ViDEO

Sandra Ndebele – Lizwile

Bekezela – Bekezela

Tytan – Penge Penge

T1nda –

 

CLUB DJ

DJ Yugo

Mackvusani

DJ Liz

DJ Slammer

 

SPECIAL AWARDS

OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR REST OF THE WORLD

Albert Nyathi (Poet)

NoViolet Bulawayo (Writer)

Insingizi (Musicians)

Donnel Mangena (Musician)

Avicii’s Family Implies He Died From Apparent Suicide

Less than a week after Avicii’s sudden passing, his family has released a second statement that seemingly offers more insight into the DJ’s cause of death.

“Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions. An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress,” the statement issued by his family began.

“When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most–music.”

“He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace,” the statement continued.

“Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight.”

As their comments concluded, “Tim, you will forever be loved and sadly missed. The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive. We love you, Your family.”

The 28-year-old star’s rep confirmed his untimely passing late last week. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” the statement read.

“He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”

A few days later, Avicii’s family broke their silence by thanking fans for their outpouring of love for the late DJ and expressed gratitude for continued privacy.

“We would like to thank you for the support and the loving words about our son and brother. We are so grateful for everyone who loved Tim’s music and have precious memories of his songs,” it read.

“Thank you for all the initiatives taken to honor Tim, with public gatherings, church bells ringing out his music, tributes at Coachella and moments of silence around the world.”

Locals give a Great response to the Smartphone Short Film Competition

The Smartphone Short Film Competition is living up to expectation with overwhelming and quick responses by aspiring local filmmakers.

Launched on the 12th of April, the competition that is the brainchild of the Zimbabwe International Film and Festival Trust in partnership with Alliance Française Zimbabwe has received great response with a lot of content creators joining the SSFC WhatsApp group, calling the organizers, as well as visiting the website to get more information on the competition.

After getting the first submission in less than two weeks, the organizers of the competition are optimistic that the competition is going to be a huge success and are looking forward to more submissions.

ZIFFT consultant and renowned filmmaker Miss Nakai Matema said there is great hope for the local film industry.

“The quick response to the Smartphone Short Film Competition is interesting and enlightening in terms of just what the youth of Zimbabwe feel about the journey and the direction in which Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole are going as they take a more profound space within the world’” she said.

Running under the theme “Being Zimbabwean”, the competition is encouraging the youth to speak out and think outside the political and religious boxes, and focus on their creativity.

The Smartphone Short Film Competition will close on the 27th of May and is sponsored by EcoCash and Elevate.To access the competition’s Terms & Conditions and the Application Form please visit any of the following:

http://www.zifft.org/

http://alliance.org.za/afzim.org/

Facebook- Zimbabwe International Film & Festival Trust

WhatsApp- 0776 620 545

Sekurutau, Mukanya dream date on Home soil

For Dr Thomas Mapfumo and Bryn Taurai Mteki aka Sekurutau meeting on home soil was never imaginable until this week when the two legendary musicians came face to face on a dream date as they reminisced about the good old days back in America and Zimbabwe.

The two who kept in touch although miles apart due to their hectic schedules met on a dream date in Harare for the first time in the last 14 years since Dr Mapfumo left the country.

“We relived moments in the US as we talked about life in general and how at one time I landed in trouble with one of the business partners in Oregon where Mukanya resides before I moved to Los Angeles California.

“My Business partner had declared a fake bankruptcy report and wanted to run away with my sculpture consignment worth millions of dollars and Mukanya came to my rescue by facilitating his lawyer to represent me while I was away on tour of Germany.

“But I was pleased that Mukanya got all my sculptures back. That’s how tight our relationship is and it goes way back.

I also took the opportunity to present him with our BrynBrands products such as still water, Dovi and Snacks among others as well as briefed him about The Saratoga story that I took over.

“We also held private discussions and also touched on piracy and identity crisis for musicians,” Sekurutau said.

Zimbabwe’s African Roots Music maestro Sekurutau said a callabo was in the works.

Dr Mapfumo who has been making headlines since his return said he was ready to work with any artist, which was a departure from his previous hardline stance on working with other artists.

And for Sekurutau this could be his chance to collaborate with Dr Mapfumo for his upcoming album.

Sekurutau is a businessman, multi-talented singer, songwriter and composer.

He also returned to stage after a 16-year hiatus during which time he toured and stayed in America and Germany and rejuvenated his act.

Sekurutau comes from a family tree of great sculptors with his father Richard Mteki and late uncle Boira Mteki being renowned sculptors of the first generation.

Apart from music and sculpture, Sekurutau is a businessman and founder of vast fast growing multi-million dollar BrynBrands Group of Companies  with interests in retail supermarkets, bottle stores, night clubs, real estate, butcheries and takeaways.

He also operates a transport business, mining and a clothing line, among others. Sekurutau recently launched BrynBrands emvura and DOVI peanut butter.

Rapper Tricky J and Lady Bee — A Perfect Controversial-Cocktail

Have you at any point known two extraordinary different individuals who have started dating, despite the fact that all rationale focuses on it being a formula for calamity?

Well, every once in a while, a song featuring two artists that are from completely different planets hits the charts and we are shocked how that came about.

Picture this a fine rapper Tricky J teaming up with hardcore dancehall chanter Lady Bee!!

We Just love it when our favourite controversial artists come together to create a record that combines their unique talents

The only logical explanation we have is that the two love controversy – Bum controversy to put it simply. So perhaps it was their love to see bums in videos that joined them together.

So what Bums have joined together let no man put asunder!!

The song ‘Get Set’ which dropped early yesterday ticks all the boxes for a major hit collaboration for 2018.

This is a song that will scoop awards.

You got to give it to Lady Bee, she rode that hip-hop beat like she was born for it. Known for her outrageous lyrics and dances, lady Bee brought her A game with class.

For Tricky J, the fine young man is a good rapper and has the image that can take him places, he only needs not to have a lot of those hiatus moments.

Tricky J is that boy who featured on the 2015 controversial song and video called Tambisa as well as the gTbeats Mare song, which inspired a lot of change in Zim Hip Hop.

The song is Great and you will love the Hip Hop/Dancehall combination make no mistake about that. But the lady who unapologetically grinds her rear off, twerking on the bed and in the hallway…That you will love more.

This collaboration is so good it can define both artists’ career.

The thumbnail to the video might be a little bit over the top, so we will only be pasting the VIDEO LINK HERE