Drakensberg, South Africa – The rolling hills of Bonjaneni served as the backdrop for the third annual Rural Inclusion and Sustainability Film Festival (RISFF), a celebration of creativity and community empowerment. Over November 29-30, villagers gathered to explore themes of sustainability, conservation, and economic inclusion through the lens of film. This year’s festival at Emazizini village in Bonjaneni area near Bergville, KwaZulu Natal, struck a powerful chord with its diverse programming. Local and international films, such as the conservation-focused Rhino…

The “BRICS Melody” international festival was held in Ulyanovsk. The event was attended by 50 performers of traditional music from eight countries of the group. Visitors heard the sound of 25 instruments such as Indian sarangi, sitar and tabla, South African umahweyana, djembe, mbira, Arabic oud, Chinese guzheng, Ethiopian krar, Brazilian pandeiro, Iranian daf. During the three days, the city hosted concerts, masterclasses and lectures on the culture and history of the BRICS countries. They were attended by musicians, art…

The Rustenburg local municipality in the North West Province has announced plans to leverage the local entertainment industry as a key driver of economic growth and position the city as an entertainment tourism hub in South Africa. This announcement was made by Executive Mayor Sheila Mabale-Huma at the official media launch of the ‘Rusty White’ annual festival on Wednesday. Speaking at the launch, Mayor Mabale-Huma said the municipality will work with various stakeholders in the entertainment industry to enhance collaboration…

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk will host the country’s largest open-air film festival. A street cinema will be set up on the square in front of the Oktyabr Cinema and Concert Hall, where from 7 to 10 August it will be possible to watch short films (competitive and non-competitive programmes), documentaries and animated films of recent years. The festival will be organised by the State Autonomous Cultural Institution “Sakhalin Cinema and Leisure Association”. The Big Educational Tent will also be set up on the…

The international film festival was attended by filmmakers and film industry personalities from various countries including India, Iran, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Senegal and others. TV BRICS is the international media partner of the festival.This year’s competition programmes featured more than 40 films by emerging directors from Russia and countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The theme of the event was “The Special Language of National Cinematography”.Natalia Komarova, Governor of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra,…

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has confirmed that it has secured the rights to broadcast Africa’s multinational soccer competition, Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), following the failure of Supersport to do so a few days ago. The Total Energies AFCON 2023 contract, which comes with commercial rights that will boost the public broadcasters’ revenue, will allow households and individuals without access to the DSTV sports bouquet the privilege to watch the exhilarating soccer matches. “The SABC team is happy…

THE Durban July Experience is forecast to inject R130 million (US$7,2 million) to the economy of Ethekwini. The event will attract up to 48 000 attendees, amassing R65 million in direct spending and creating 1 500 jobs. eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda disclosed the figures ahead of the event set for this weekend. The mayor reassured visitors of a safe and entertaining Durban July. Kaunda said law enforcement agencies will be deployed to strategic areas. Approximately 100 Metro police officers will…

FROM its early days as a butchery and braai place, to now being a hugely popular venue frequented by all cultures and races from all over the world, Max’s Lifestyle has a fascinating history. It was once a one-room shack near a stream and was built in front of a former taxi rank in the year 2000. Many well-known local celebrities, sportspersons and politicians are to be found unwinding there. Last month, the tourism deputy minister of Namibia, Heather Sibungo,…

THIS pastime found to be popular in the world-famous Bali island of Indonesia is inspiring the growth of quad biking in the Zimbabwean resort town of Kariba. It has come in handy as stakeholders in devising strategies to diversify tourism offering in this northern Zimbabwean town. Kariba Quad Bike Adventures is the brainchild of Jacob Parichi (39), after he realised a gap in the local tourism space. In an interview, he mentioned how the idea drew inspiration from Bali. “I…

Limpopo model Kgaoletso Ntsoane has set her sights on scooping the South African title of Miss Teen World with the hopes of representing the country in South America later this year. Ntsoane, 18, is not just a beauty queen, but a self-motivated hard-worker who believes in using her brain power to inspire the lives of young people in her rural home village of Ga-Mphahlele Maijane outside Polokwane. She is currently preparing to participate in the South African leg of the…