Wednesday, June 18, 2025
spot_imgspot_img
Home Blog Page 5

“Izimangaliso” by Yumbs x Zwayetoven Emerges as a Viral Anthem of Hope from Soul Buddies Album

A standout track from the collaborative Soul Buddies album by renowned producers Yumbs and Zwayetoven, Izimangaliso, featuring Kailey Botman and Khanyisa, is capturing the hearts of listeners across the country.

 

With its powerful message of miracles and hope beyond current hardships, the song has struck a chord on social media and streaming platforms alike, amassing over 230,000 streams to date.

Izimangaliso, meaning “miracles” in isiZulu, speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the faith in brighter days ahead; themes that continue to resonate deeply with fans.

Its soulful, emotive delivery paired with rich, layered Amapiano production has positioned it as a modern-day anthem of upliftment.

The track is taken from Soul Buddies, the joint project released last year by multi-platinum producer Yumbs and rising Amapiano star Zwayetoven.

The 21-track album made an immediate impact upon release, garnering widespread praise for its musicality and collaborative depth. To date, the album has surpassed 1.6 million streams, showcasing the duo’s ability to curate a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-looking.

Soul Buddies featured an impressive lineup of South Africa’s top-tier talent, including MaWhoo, Mthunzi, Ami Faku, Nasty C, and Shekhinah.

One of the project’s most memorable moments was With You — a groundbreaking collaboration between Nasty C and Shekhinah, marking their first foray into the Amapiano genre.

The song made its debut at an exclusive media listening session, earning a standing ovation and widespread acclaim.

Rooted in the refined textures of “Private School” Amapiano, Soul Buddies is more than a musical release; it continues to be a celebration of friendship, artistry, and South African sonic heritage.

The album’s title paid homage to the beloved youth TV series Soul Buddyz, while reflecting the duo’s creative journey that began at the National School of the Arts.

Currently on his second official Clubhouse series, Yumbs has brought his vision to life through the Yamborghini Club—a curated experience hosted every last Sunday at La Familia Street Culture in Sandton.

The latest installment in April drew a sold-out crowd, all gathered to immerse themselves in Yumbs’ unique take on private school Amapiano.

From Photo Finishes to Festival Vibes: Castle Tankard Delivers Another Classic

The Castle Tankard 2025 once again solidified its reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s premier entertainment spectacles, drawing thousands to the Borrowdale Park Racecourse for a day of high-stakes horse racing and electrifying performances.

 

The event, a highlight on the country’s social calendar, seamlessly blended elite sport with world-class entertainment, leaving fans captivated from the first race to the final encore.

The spotlight shone brightest on the 2000-metre Castle Tankard race, where Action Zone emerged victorious in a heart-stopping finish, claiming the $25,000 winner’s purse.

The race, featuring 15 competitors, came down to a dramatic final 30 metres as Action Zone held off fierce challenges from Jaeger Moon (second place, $12,500) and Master Tik Tok (third place, $7,500).

The trio’s neck-and-neck sprint to the line left the crowd roaring—a fitting climax to Zimbabwe’s most prestigious horse racing event.

ACTION ZONE

As the cheers from the races faded, the energy shifted to the after-party, where the Chillspot Records roster turned the venue into a pulsating dance arena.

Despite the afternoon sun still blazing, the grounds were packed to capacity, with revellers jostling for space as the beats took over.

The lineup was a masterful mix of rising stars and established icons: Nisha Ts, Oriyano, and Delroy Shewe made their Castle Tankard debut, delivering high-energy sets to one of the largest crowds ever assembled at the racecourse.

For Alick Macheso and Enzo Ishall, the stage was familiar territory. They brought their signature flair, with Macheso’s sungura rhythms and Ishall’s dancehall anthems keeping the audience on their feet well into the evening.

Beyond the races and performances, the event’s success lies in its ability to merge elite sport, top-tier music, and unmatched atmosphere.

It’s not just a horse race—it’s a cultural experience, a place where high fashion, corporate networking, and street-party vibes collide under the Harare sky.

With another unforgettable edition in the books, the Castle Tankard has once again raised the bar for entertainment in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Sables Extend Unbeaten Run with Dominant 80-12 Victory Over Botswana

The Zimbabwe Sables extended their unbeaten streak in 2025 with a commanding 80-12 win over Botswana at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

 

The Sables, ranked significantly higher than their neighbours, displayed their strength from the outset, overwhelming Botswana with relentless attacking pressure.

The first half saw a flurry of tries, with co-captain Dion Khumalo and French-based international Shingirai Katsvere each crossing the line twice before the break.

Botswana managed to respond with an unconverted try but struggled to contain the Sables’ offensive power.

Botswana’s second-half efforts included a brilliantly executed try, but that marked the end of their scoring as the hosts continued to pile on the points, bolstered by fresh legs off the bench.

Reflecting on the match, Botswana captain Brandon van Zyl acknowledged the challenge his side faced:

“We always knew that Zimbabwe would be a tough outfit, but our goal was to put them under pressure and get some points on the board, which we did.

Our preparations were good, and I’m proud of the effort today. We’ll review the footage and identify areas for improvement.”

Dion Khumalo, who captained the Sables at just 22, shared his thoughts on the performance:

“It was a solid game. The boys put in a tremendous shift, and we’ll take the positives while working on the negatives.

Being skipper today was a privilege, and I want to credit the senior players, the technical team, and our incredible fans.”

The Sables now shift their focus to their next fixture, a highly anticipated return leg against Zambia in Lusaka at the end of the month.

Harare Sports Club provided a spirited atmosphere, with fans in full voice as they cheered the Sables to another emphatic victory.

Schweppes Holdings Appoints Stanley Muchenje as New Managing Director

Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited has announced the appointment of Stanley M. Muchenje as the new Managing Director, effective May 1, 2025.

 

This strategic move is expected to bring a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to the company, particularly in the areas of sales and marketing, where Muchenje has built a robust career over the past two decades.

Muchenje, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies and an MPhil in Marketing, previously served in various leadership roles within the company, showcasing his expertise and commitment to advancing Schweppes’ objectives.

His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the organisation as it seeks to enhance its market presence and drive innovation within the beverage sector.

His appointment follows the retirement of Mr. Charles K. Nkululeko Msipa, who stepped down at the end of April 2025 after a distinguished 20-year tenure.

Msipa has been instrumental in the growth of Schweppes, having previously led significant initiatives that positioned the company as a leader in the beverage industry across Zimbabwe and beyond.

POSB and Zimnat Forge Strategic Alliance to Broaden Access to Insurance Services

The People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) has joined forces with Zimnat General Insurance to launch a suite of insurance services, marking a significant step in expanding access to essential financial products across Zimbabwe.

 

Through this newly announced partnership, POSB customers can now access Zimnat’s motor vehicle insurance — both third-party and comprehensive cover — directly through the bank.

The collaboration also enables convenient payments and renewals for ZINARA and ZBC radio licences, streamlining a once-fragmented process into a one-stop banking experience.

Another key offering introduced is the Zimnat Hospital Cash Plan, which provides daily cash payouts to clients during hospitalisation.

Designed to cushion families from the financial strain that comes with medical emergencies, the plan exemplifies the two institutions’ shared commitment to delivering meaningful financial support.

“This partnership with Zimnat General Insurance allows us to provide convenient and accessible insurance solutions, ensuring that our customers can manage their financial needs under one roof,” said Mr. Garainashe Changunda, Chief Executive Officer of POSB.

“We are dedicated to continuously enhancing our service offerings and meeting the ever-evolving needs of our customers.

“As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we reaffirm our dedication to a customer-centric approach, leveraging partnerships and innovation to rapidly transform customer experiences and continue our legacy of innovation and inclusivity.”

Mrs. Betty Chiware-Togarasei, CEO of Zimnat General Insurance, highlighted the importance of the alliance in extending Zimnat’s reach: “Zimnat is excited to collaborate with POSB, a resilient bank with an extensive network, including in some remote parts of the country, to bring our widely sought-after insurance services to a broader audience.

“This partnership aligns with our mission to empower prosperity and provide innovative and reliable insurance solutions to the people of Zimbabwe. We look forward to a successful and mutually beneficial collaboration that benefits our customers and strengthens our communities.”

The partnership signals a growing trend among financial institutions to integrate banking and insurance services, a move that not only increases convenience for customers but also supports financial inclusion in underserved areas.

More insurance products are reportedly in the pipeline as part of the POSB-Zimnat alliance, promising customers a broader, more accessible suite of services in the near future.

Mukuru Derby Festival Delivers Drama, Flair and Early Season Talking Points

The curtain came down on a thrilling Mukuru Derby Day Festival this past weekend, as rugby enthusiasts flocked to Rolf Valley to witness some of the best schoolboy rugby Zimbabwe has to offer.

 

This year’s edition had a vibrant international flavour, headlined by the debut of St. Andrew’s College from Grahamstown, South Africa. They were joined by St. Alban’s College from Gauteng and the Sharks Academy from KwaZulu-Natal—adding much-needed quality and diversity to the competition.

Thursday and Saturday were the biggest days, with record crowds turning up. But it wasn’t just about the rugby—food stalls offering a variety of cuisines, lively corporate tents, and top-notch security made the event a true family affair.

Credit must go to St. John’s College Sports Director Chris Fourie and the entire St. John’s community for putting together such a well-organised event.

 

St. Andrew’s Light Up the Festival

Of the three touring teams, St. Andrew’s College were undoubtedly the pick of the bunch. They swept aside all their opponents, showcasing structured rugby and polished execution. They opened their campaign with an emphatic 46-3 win over St. George’s College, before seeing off a spirited Peterhouse side 46-24 in their second outing.

Their final match, played against hosts St. John’s College in the main game of the final day, was a thriller. St.

Andrew’s edged the Rams 41-39 in a match that had the crowd on its feet. Their rugby was a masterclass in precision—clinical ball-handling, pin-point passing, and effective use of their forwards to punch holes in defences. Unlike the typical Zimbabwean style of running everything from deep, St. Andrew’s favoured structure and control, and it paid off handsomely.

 

St. Alban’s Hold Their Own

St. Alban’s College kicked off their tour with a tightly contested 24-all draw against a fired-up Lomagundi College.

They followed it up with a 26-14 win over St. John’s College and closed their tour with a hard-fought 17-14 victory over Falcon College. They showed composure in tight moments and proved they can handle Zimbabwe’s top schoolboy sides.

 

Sharks Academy Too Strong for Steelers

The Sharks Academy had a one-sided affair against the Zambezi Steelers, running riot with a 67-10 win. Their speed and power were too much for the Steelers, and the scoreline reflected the gulf in class.

 

Lomagundi Fire Early Warning Shots

Lomagundi College were arguably the best Zimbabwean team at the festival. The Chinhoyi-based side put on some scintillating displays, with a backline oozing pace and flair.

Their link-up play between forwards and backs was smooth, and they were rewarded with wins over Churchill (29-20) and a dominant 39-15 dismantling of a highly rated St. George’s College team.

 

PE and CBC Disappoint

Prince Edward School, one of the traditional powerhouses, were a pale shadow of their former selves. They never really got going, suffering a heavy 35-14 loss to St. George’s and another 23-3 defeat to bitter rivals Churchill.

The Tigers looked disjointed throughout—kickers failed to find touch, the backline lacked direction, and attacking play was flat and uninspired. For a school known for running rugby, their performance was worrying ahead of the regular season.

Christian Brothers College (CBC) also had a rough time, going winless. They were outplayed by Falcon College 29-7 in their opener and later fell to Peterhouse 32-12.

 

Eaglesvale Show Grit

Eaglesvale continued to build on their growing reputation. They started with a 49-21 thrashing of Hillcrest and ended the festival with a gritty 8-7 win over Heritage. Their blend of physicality and flair could see them make serious noise in the co-ed league this season.

 

Looking Ahead

If this festival is anything to go by, Zimbabwean schoolboy rugby is heading into one of its most exciting seasons in recent memory. The inclusion of top South African schools has raised the standard, and it’s clear that teams like Lomagundi and Eaglesvale are setting the tone.

Now the big question,who can maintain this momentum when the real battles begin?

Featured image by Wonder Mashura

Zimbabwe Thrash Zambia 70–15 in First Leg of Battle of the Zambezi

The Sables began their 2025 campaign in dominant fashion with a commanding 70–15 victory over Zambia in the first leg of the Battle of the Zambezi at Harare Sports Club.

 

Despite conceding the first points through a penalty by Zambia’s Alex Mwewa, Zimbabwe wasted no time in asserting their authority.

Debutant Nyasha Shiripinda responded almost immediately, collecting the return kick-off and slicing through to score under the posts.

Linience Tambwera, who had a flawless day with the boot, slotted the conversion to give the hosts an early lead.

French-based prop Bornwell Gwinji then powered over for Zimbabwe’s second try, capping off a series of bruising carries from the forwards. Tambwera added the extras once again.

Captain Hilton Mudariki, marking his 51st Test cap, added a third with a trademark dart from close range, converted clinically by Tambwera.

Although Zambia struck back with a converted try of their own, the Sables remained in full control.

They ran in several more tries before the break, showcasing fluid backline movement and relentless forward pressure. The halftime score stood at 28–10, with Zimbabwe firmly in the driver’s seat.

The second half saw the Sables explode into another gear, scoring an avalanche of tries as fatigue and defensive frailties took their toll on the visitors. Zimbabwe’s depth off the bench maintained the pace, as the scoreline ballooned past 50.

By the final whistle, Zimbabwe had racked up ten tries in total, with Tambwera converting most of them, including several from difficult angles.

Zambia managed one more try in the second half, but it was a mere consolation as the Sables finished the job emphatically at 70–15.

After the match, captain Mudariki praised the team’s effort but acknowledged room for refinement:

“Super happy to have such a great win in front of the home fans. It’s good to see all the work we put in translating to the scoreboard.

“It was a good win but we made a lot of errors on the field and had some discipline issues on the park, but these are things we will easily fix.

“Playing at home is always the best, especially when we also get a win. The home fans played a huge role today.”

With a 55-point margin, Zimbabwe take a massive advantage into the second leg and look well poised to retain their dominance in this regional rivalry.

Half-time: Zimbabwe 28–10 Zambia

Full-time: Zimbabwe 70–15 Zambia

TikTok fined $600 million for sending user data to China

TikTok has been ordered to pay €530 million (around $600 million) for sending European users’ data to servers in China, a breach of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

 

TikTok has six months to bring its data processing into compliance, pending any possible appeal.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) found that TikTok violated GDPR laws because it couldn’t guarantee that data transferred to China would be protected to a standard equivalent to the EU’s.

The court singled out China’s anti-terrorism and counterespionage laws as potential risks that Chinese authorities could access European users’ data.

The video app was fined €485 million for sending the data to China, and €45 million for its privacy policy failing to adequately explain the data transfers.

TikTok updated its privacy policy in 2022, and the court deemed that new policy “compliant.” The company has also promised to invest €12 billion (about $13.6 billion) in data centers in the EU, but that wasn’t enough to sway the court.

Throughout the inquiry TikTok insisted that user data was only remotely accessed from China, and not stored on servers there.

Last month the company informed the court that it had discovered that “limited” European data had in fact been stored in China, and has since been deleted.

DPC deputy commissioner Graham Doyle warned that “further regulatory action” may be required for that additional breach.

This is the third-largest GDPR fine yet, with only Meta and Amazon ordered to pay more.

TikTok, which has its European headquarters in Ireland, has already been given a hefty GDPR penalty from the Irish court before, receiving a $367 million bill in 2023 for how it processes children’s data.

Zimbabwe announce Test squad for historic England clash

Zimbabwe Cricket has named a 15-member squad for the historic Test match against England set for 22-25 May 2025 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

 

The one-off fixture marks Zimbabwe’s first Test appearance on English soil in over two decades, the last such occasion having come in 2003.

Following a hard-fought one-all series draw against Bangladesh, the national selectors have made three changes to the Test squad.

Star all-rounder Sikandar Raza returns to the side, replacing Johnathan Campbell, while Clive Madande is back from injury to take over from Nyasha Mayavo as the back-up wicketkeeper.

Additionally, pacer Newman Nyamhuri reclaims his spot in place of leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa, with the team opting for an extra fast bowler in light of the expected seam-friendly conditions in England.

Zimbabwe Head Coach Justin Sammons expressed confidence in the group, saying: “In terms of performance, I expect us to play to a standard that can compete with one of the best teams in the world.

“I really want to see the guys walking out there believing that they belong, embracing and enjoying the moment.”

The landmark Test match against England will be followed by a four-day encounter against South Africa from 3-6 June at Arundel.

That match will serve as vital preparation for South Africa ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s, scheduled for 11-15 June.

The Zimbabwe squad is expected to depart for England on Friday to acclimatise ahead of the much-anticipated Test.

ZIMBABWE TEST SQUAD FOR ENGLAND TOUR:

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams

Parliament to summon Podcaster MacG after comments on Minnie Dlamini

Podcaster Macgyver “MacG” Mukwevho is to be summoned to South African parliament by Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike.

 

The Deputy minister says podcaster MacG’s statements about media personality Minnie Dlamini were a violation of Dlamini’s rights.

Letsike said MacG, whose real name is Macgyver Mukwevho, speculated about the reasons for the break-up of Dlamini’s past romantic relationships on his Podcast and Chill platform last month, implying her genital odour was to blame.

“These comments are disgusting and must be regarded as an unconstitutional violation of Dlamini’s rights to freedom and security of the person, equality and human dignity as enshrined in the constitution,” she said.

Letsike said she considered MacG’s statements to constitute “online gender-based violence” (GBV).

“What is alarming is MacG has a history of disparaging Dlamini and other women on the same platform.”

Letsike criticised cultural history that allows shameful behaviour towards women such as an apartheid era statute that regarded black women as legal minors, commodifying women through lobola regulations and controlling women’s mobility, sexuality, finances and labour, regardless of their standing in society as adults with autonomy and of sound mind.

Letsike noted statements by the public and viewers of Podcast and Chill as well as the condemnation by Moja Love of MacG’s disregard for women’s rights and gender equality in his utterances.

“There is no room in our democracy for misogynistic and demeaning utterances that perpetuate patriarchal iterations of gender relations.

We are encouraged that within the ranks of South African society we have people who are sober in mind to call out abhorrent tendencies that are a distraction from achieving gender equality.”

Content creators should be accountable and responsible in pursuit of human dignity and ubuntu.

“Broadcasters must enforce strict standards that prohibit hate speech and personal attacks and regulators should consider whether measures are warranted to prevent the normalisation of GBV on the airwaves.”

MacG’s comments will be reported to the appropriate constitutional and legal bodies, such as the Commission for Gender Equality, the Human Rights Commission and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa so they can look into the matter, she said.