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WONKA | First on Showmax | Stream from Friday, 6 December
Inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka stars Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Dune) as the young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time.
From Paul King (writer-director of the Paddington films) and Harry Potter producer David Heyman, the magical musical comedy was the seventh biggest blockbuster of 2023.
Chalamet won the Kids’ Choice Award for Favourite Movie Actor, while Calah Lane was nominated for a Critics Choice Award, Keegan-Michael Key for a Kids’ Choice Favourite Villain Award, and Olivia Colman for a Critics Choice Super Award. Also look out for Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa.
Wonka has an 82% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Guardian hailing the family film as “spectacular, imaginative, sweet-natured and funny.”
Disney Africa recently kicked off Spark Joy This Holiday, its largest festive campaign to date. Throughout the season, fans can experience the holiday magic with Disney, with delightful products that bring beloved Disney stories to life, holiday classics streaming on Disney+, festive programming across Disney Channel and Disney Junior, and the special Disney Chari-tree initiative in malls across the country in support of Reach For A Dream, which helps bring joy to children in need during this season of giving.
Comments Luke Roberts, General Manager, Consumer Product Commercialisation, MENA and Africa: “The holiday season is such a special time of year and Disney is using the power of its stories and characters to inspire joy and wonder in people all over the world. We are excited to launch Spark Joy This Holiday, a campaign that not only celebrates the special connection so many fans and families have with Disney, but also to celebrate this magical time of year together in many different ways.”
Hosted by James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), the Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking premieres on Wednesday, 4 December, on Food Network, and features special guests Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley).
Food Network viewers and legions of Harry Potter fans are going to have an extra special holiday season this year with the premiere of the brand-new series, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, on Wednesday, 4 December at 5 pm on Food Network Africa. Capitalising on the enduring love for Harry Potter – a global phenomenon that continues to captivate people of all ages around the world – the ground-breaking series blends legendary storytelling and fantastical edible creations in a never-before-seen competition that will have audiences at the edge of their seats.
James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) bring their exceptional charm and behind-the-scenes anecdotes as hosts of this most magical series, joined by esteemed culinary judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef. Across the six-episode season, they will also be joined by special guests Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), who will help in evaluating the competitors’ showpieces and also share their own film stories.
I’ve watched Graham Norton for years and always look forward to a fun filled hour of his talk show.
For almost 30 years, Norton has been a fixture in British television, offering up the perfect blend of wit, charm, and cheeky humour that keeps his audience — and his star-studded guests — coming back for more.
With nearly two decades of hosting on the BBC alone, Norton has established himself as a maestro of celebrity banter. His ability to create a relaxed atmosphere on set is unmatched, effortlessly drawing out amusing anecdotes from the A-listers who sit elbow-to-elbow on his sofa.
As Norton puts it, the show is like a TV party that gets the weekend started with a swing — and it’s one he’s still delighted to host after all these years.
“I’ve been doing this for so long, yet every time I sit in that chair, there’s still a buzz,” Norton shares. “It’s like riding a bike — familiar but exciting at the same time.”
Now celebrating the release of his fifth novel, Frankie, which he calls his “most ambitious yet,” Norton continues to surprise audiences with his versatility. With four bestselling books already to his name, his success as a novelist shows he’s just as talented behind the keyboard as he is on camera. But it’s his role as the host of one of the UK’s most beloved chat shows that keeps fans flocking to their screens.
The S.A. Agulhas II as seen from the ice floes of Antarctica. (credit: Nick Birtwistle)
In celebration of its exciting upcoming programming, National Geographic Africa recently hosted a brand immersion event in Johannesburg, that I attended. I was taken on a journey of discovery with various interactive installations themed according to its upcoming programming slate for National Geographic (DStv Channel 181, Starsat 220) over the summer, in addition to viewing the South African premiere of the much-anticipated documentary film Endurance.
Guests participated in engaging activities commencing with an “ungooglable” question challenge on arrival. Thereafter, we were transported to another world in the event venue, enjoying a sensory experience set up to mimic the wild Antarctic landscape, the setting for the Endurance film. Food and activities were crafted to engage the guests in the different programming properties, in a way that triggered the imagination and provoked a sense of adventure.
Guests at the event included content creators, media, affiliates and advertising sales partners. Participating content creators included Martin Meyer, Jo Judnick-Wilson, Rozanne McKenzie, Simone Dominique, Taryn Louch, Sara-Jane Makwala, Vanes-Mari Du Toit, Yolanda Bukani and Zuraida Jardine.
The television presenter Masa Kekana, MC for the event, shared her own experience in Antarctica, describing it as a pristine landscape unlike any other, before the Endurance directors Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin; Marine Archaeologist and Director of Exploration, Mensun Bound; and executive producer Dan Snow welcomed guests via a video message. The four paid a special tribute to the numerous South African crew members that were aboard the local icebreaker Agulhus II, the vessel deployed on the expedition that led to the discovery of the Endurance wreck, citing that they had set sail from the beautiful city of Cape Town, and the results show that team work really does make the dream work.
Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem 