Shahan Ramkissoon Hosts The Mommy Club Reunion

Renowned journalist and talk show host Shahan Ramkissoon is set to host the highly anticipated reunion special of The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice, premiering on Showmax on 31 October 2024.

Produced by POP24, The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice is the exciting second instalment of the beloved franchise that began with The Mommy Club featuring dynamic “it” moms from Johannesburg.

The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice offers an exclusive glimpse into the lives of glamorous mothers from Durban’s Indian community, showcasing their seemingly perfect lives. The show explores the vibrant dynamics among these mothers and their colourful extended families, revealing how they balance managing their personal empires while nurturing the next generation.

The cast includes Abigail Nepaul (41), Asharia Parsad (27), Christina Devraj (26), Devina Kowlas (43), Kim Jones (33), Lenore Goss-Matjie (45), Neetasha Singh Bugwandin (36), and twins Losh and Resh Naidoo (45). 

This groundbreaking reality show is a first-of-its-kind reality series that highlights the Indian community in South Africa, and Shahan is prepared to tackle the pressing themes and challenging conversations that arise. “I am known for being real, and this time will be no different. I aim to ask the questions that viewers have on their minds. It’s going to be unfiltered, no sugarcoating,” he says.

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Pigalle by Villamoura Reopens: Experience Halaal Fine Dining

Pigalle, a beloved dining institution in Sandton, is set to reopen its doors as Pigalle by Villamoura under new ownership on Friday, 1st November.  Now fully Halaal certified, Pigalle is ushering in a new era of dining with a focus on premium cuisine, offering a revitalized experience while maintaining the high standards of food and service it has long been known for.

To celebrate its grand reopening, Pigalle will be hosting an exclusive ‘Dining with the Stars’ weekend. Running from Friday, 1st November to Saturday, 2nd November, this event will feature special appearances by Dubai Bling personalities, Kris Fade and Ebraheem Alsamadi (aka The Blooming Man), both hailing from Dubai. Bookings are limited for this intimate dining experience and patrons can book by calling 011 889 8866.

Pigalle’s revamped offerings will now include a brand-new sushi bar, providing guests with a fresh and innovative take on the Japanese culinary tradition. Additionally, a stylish shisha & cigar lounge has been added, giving patrons a new way to relax and unwind while enjoying the restaurant’s renowned cuisine. The menu will continue to showcase Pigalle’s famous Mediterranean and seafood fusion dishes, ensuring that long-time patrons will find the quality they have always loved, now with an expanded offering and a more modern twist.

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Behind the Scenes with Marié Botha in “The Penguin”

The fourth episode of The Penguin is now on Showmax (and on M-Net at 9pm on Mondays), and the show takes a break from Oz Cobb (Oscar nominee Colin Farrell) to focus on the origin story of Sofia Falcone (Critics Choice Super Award winner Cristin Milioti) and why she’s known as The Hangman. 

Hailing The Batman spinoff for “the best episode of The Penguin yet,” Esquire says, “Episode 4 just proved this is one of the year’s best shows. Cristin Milioti went ahead and vaulted this series—and herself—into the Emmy conversation.”

IMDb agrees, with Episode 4 getting a series’ best 9.6/10 rating – pushing The Penguin into the 100 top-rated series of all time. 

Opposite Milioti, look out for South African actress Marié Botha as Magpie in the Arkham Asylum flashbacks.  

Botha was born in Pretoria and grew up in Joburg’s northern suburbs. Leaving South Africa at the tender age of 18 to chase her dream, she studied acting at New York University’s respected Tisch School of the Arts. After earning her BFA degree with honours, she enrolled in the masters programme at Yale School of Drama, as one of only 17 students in her class, selected from thousands. Once she had the MFA under her belt, Botha started building her life as a working actress in New York, where she has now lived for 14 years. It has been a varied tapestry of Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, indie films, commercial voice-over work and countless auditions. She also came home briefly to play in the TV series Erfsondes back in 2012.

Marie Botha and Cristin Milioti in The Penguin
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Steve Madden x Gert Johan Coetzee: A Unique Fashion Fusion

Steve Madden, the legendary American footwear brand best known for revolutionizing the shoe industry with unique and accessible styles, is partnering with the renowned designer and Creative Director, Gert Johan Coetzee for the SS’24 Fashion Show.  A captain in the industry, award winning and one of the most sought-after designers will be giving his signature touch to the brand. The collection will be a fusion of Steve Madden’s classic, rebellious style and authentic South African influences. 

The designs seamlessly blend Afro-inspired patterns and ornaments with Steve Madden’s iconic flair, resulting in a unique collection showcasing high fashion couture and street wear for both men and women. 

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Ruda Landman: Redefining Retirement in South Africa

Ruda Landman

Celebrated South African journalist Ruda Landman may have stepped away from the spotlight, but she’s proving that life after a high-profile career is far from slowing down. In a candid conversation on The Rocktirement Podcast series created by Circle Senior Living, Landman reveals how she’s defying the stereotypes of aging by embracing new challenges, giving back to young South Africans through her GRAD initiative, and maintaining her signature wit and wisdom. Her message? Age is just a number, and retirement is merely a new chapter in a life that’s still vibrant, dynamic, and full of purpose.

When asked about her time on Carte Blanche and some key lessons she learnt along the way that earned her success as a journalist and becoming a household name in South Africa, she revealed, “I’ve found I have a talent for listening—with my skin”. Known for her piercing interviews on Carte Blanche, her deep listening skills have always been her superpower, allowing her to connect with people in ways few others can. This same intuition has guided her into a new phase of life—where she continues to defy societal expectations around aging and retirement. “Don’t put me in a box just because I’m older. I’m still the same person I always was.”

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