The Fix: A Dystopian Thriller Premiering This Halloween

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You may not know this about me, but I started my career in the South African Film & TV industry back, in the early 2000’s. I was a Production Manager on various international commercials that were shot in Cape Town. Hence, whenever I get news about local shows and movies, or anything related to the local film and TV industry, I get really excited. The Fix, which was filmed in my hometown of Cape Town, looks so entertaining, and I am looking forward to its release.

The Fix, premieres on 31 October 2024 on Showmax, as its Halloween highlight.

Set in a dystopian future with toxic air, The Fix follows a model who takes a new designer drug at a party and suffers a shocking transformation. Pursued by forces with competing interests in the drug’s effects, Ella discovers that her mutations could save the human race.

Grace van Dien (Chrissy in Stranger Things S4) stars as Ella, opposite Daniel Sharman (Fear The Walking Dead), SAFTA nominee Keenan Arrison (Binnelanders), Clancy Brown (John Wick 4, The Penguin), and Nicole Fortuin (Alles Malan). 

Watch the trailer:

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World Stroke Week: Take Action to Stay Healthy

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Most people I know have been affected by stroke, one way or another.

My own grandmother died of a stroke and my mother from a brain haemorrhage, so it’s important to know how best to prevent having one.

World Stroke Week is between 28 October and 3 November and World Stroke Day is on 29 October, so it’s the perfect time to talk about stroke prevention. With one in four people worldwide expected to experience a stroke in their lifetime, it’s never been more important to take proactive steps to safeguard your health.

In South Africa, strokes continue to affect thousands of lives. But here’s the good news: up to 80% of strokes are preventable through small, sustainable lifestyle changes. 

Here are five simple, actionable ways you can reduce your risk of stroke, starting today.

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Shahan Ramkissoon Hosts The Mommy Club Reunion

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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

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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”

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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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