World Aids Day

Hundreds of companies and people will be reaching out and hosting campaigns to teach us more about HIV/Aids today to mark World Aids Day.

The theme this year is "Universal Access and Human Rights" - focusing on to access to antiretroviral treatment and support for all people across the world. While Ubuntu Education Fund co-founder Banks Gwaxula says people are starting to face the future about HIV/Aids are now happy to get tested and even talk about the virus, there is still a lot to be done.

Here in SA we have the most amount of people living with HIV—5.7 million in 2007— in the world. HIV is increasing in every region of the world, and today is a day that we all stand together to recognise it and learn how to deal with it. Get tested, and know your status, so you can live smart and aware.

Rihanna: "bitter, pitiful, spiteful and angry"

Rihanna has put her foot down: the past is the past,and those who insist on bringing up the assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown in February 2009 are only making her look "bitter, pitiful, spiteful and angry".

22 years old, beautiful and successful Rihanna admitted in Interview magazine that she wants to move on. She said that it's her "tough and aggressive" screen that she uses to protect herself when on stage and in the public eye, but she, like every woman, has a vulnerable side: "I think a lot of people have a misperception of me. They only see the tough, defensive, aggressive side. But every woman is vulnerable. They have vulnerability."

Despite this plea, I don't know if Rihanna will ever lose the label that Chris Brown placed on her.

Liefling smashes SA movie records

Yup, it's an Afrikaans musical and before you judge it - it earned a little less than R2m at the box office in its opening weekend!

It got the top spot at 17 Ster Kinekor Theatres and at 12 Nu Metro outlets against competition from movies like Red, starring Bruce Willis, and Jackass 3D. Think a love story in the line of Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia! and High School Musical - but proudly South African and Afrikaans!

Just looking at it's opening weekend, Liefling got the highest earning for an Afrikaans film in 30 years, even earning more than some international hits like Slumdog Millionaire, Moulin Rouge and Chicago on their respective opening weekends!

Blue Bull, Deon Helberg in hiding

You may have seen the story break last week, so we have decided to update you on the drama that is unfolding in Pretoria!

Manda Reyneke, 47, who allegedly planned to have Helberg killed, was released on bail on Monday- she was arrested by the police last week after she apparently paid two Nigerians to murder him. Since she got out, Deon has gone into hiding as his family are still scared for his life, “after all, she’s walking around free, so what’s to stop her?” said Johan Lourens, Deon uncle.

To make things sound even more like a soapie, Manda Reyneke has said that she had an affair with Deon even when he was dating her daughter. The case has been postponed to January 27 2011, hopefully some truth will come out then!

The new "Michael" album a scam?

Italian-born Ricky Galliano claims that he was paid to impersonate the songs by the King Of Pop and thinks they may have been used for the album "Michael"...

Only done after MJ's death, Ricky says he was paid €2 000 per track to mimic MJ's voice exactly. Members of Michael's family have already said that they have doubts about the album release after his death, saying that they are not genuine. Last week, Michael's youngest brother, Randy, said: "some of the songs are him, and some aren't. I would bet my life on that."

Sony have dismissed claims so far, saying that they went to "extraordinary lengths" make sure that the tracks are genuine, but until proof is found either way - we'll never know...! Or do you?

Free movie if you live in Soweto!

Has Christmas come early in Soweto this year? NU Metro Home Entertainment think so, as they will be screening the American comedy 'Get him to the Greek' for free at Ster-Kinekor at the Maponya Mall on Thursday!

To be sure, we aren't the first to see the movie as it actually premiered internationally in June, but it's won't be hitting any other movie screens in SA so this is your only chance to see it on the big screen. The day is this Thursday, the 25th of November, and Nu Metro is giving away 150 tickets! Who said you can't have a good night out for free in Jozi?

If you can't make the show, never fear, the DVD will be available countrywide from November 29, so all is not lost.

Bieber takes American Music Awards

It is sweet being 16 - if you're Justin Bieber that is! Justin cleaned up at American Music Awards last night taking home the awards for best pop/rock male, breakthrough artist, album of the year for 'My World 2.0' and artist of the year!

Phew! He's officially the youngest artist to win the top AMA honor, and after getting his awards Justin invited Usher to the stage t celebrate with him, calling the R&B star "not only my mentor but my best friend and my big brother."

Other winners were:

Usher: Favorite Male Artist - Soul/R&B ('Raymond v. Raymond')
Rihanna: Favorite Female Artist - Soul/R&B
Eminem: Favorite Male Artist, Rap/Hip-Hop ('Recovery')
Lady Gaga: Favorite Female Artist, Pop or Rock
The Black Eyed Peas: Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Pop or Rock
Brad Paisley: Favorite Male Artist, Country
Taylor Swift: Favorite Female Artist, Country
Lady Antebellum: Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country
Carrie Underwood: Favorite Album, Country ('Play On')
Shakira: Favorite Artist, Latin Music
Muse: Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock Music
Michael Bublé: Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary Music

Pretoria mother hires hit-men

It is a sad day when stories like this come to the surface: Manda Reyneke, 47, of Silver Lakes in Pretoria has been arrested for hiring two Nigerian men (2 months ago) to kill Blue Bulls rugby player, Deon Helberg, 21.

Little did she know that the hired 'hit-men' had no interest in killing anyone, and they actually told Deon about what they were hired to do. Along with the police force’s Hawks investigation unit, they planned to trap her. To prove that they had 'done the job' of killing Deon, the 'hit-men' gave Reyneke a fake photo showing Deon on the ground looking dead. She paid them when she saw the photo and was arrested just after.

According to News 24, the reason she wanted him killed in the first place, was because she had fallen in love with him while he was dating her daughter some time ago. She showed no emotion when she thought he was dead. and none when she learned he was alive from the police.

Angelina cuts Bosnia shooting

This is to be the first movie to be directed by our steamy Angelina Jolie, but it's not quite going as planned.

The movie, about a wartime love story between a Serb man and a Muslim woman during the bloody 1992-95 inter-ethnic war in Bosnia, was to be shot in both Hungry and Bosnia. At first, Jolie herself was banned from even entering Bosnia after rumours in the local media said that the movie portrayed a relationship between a rapist and his victim sparked protests from women assaulted during the Bosnian War. Once Jolie handed in the script of the movie to prove the rumor was false, she was allowed to enter the country again to begin shooting. Her reputation though, now stained, has made her decide to film some of the scenes originally planned for Bosnia in Hungary instead.

She is now making moves to meet the Bosnian women's groups she offended to explain and apologise.

New princess for the UK!

Queen Catherine? no, not quite yet, but she is still living every girls fairytale as in Spring next year, Kate Middleton will marry a future king of England.

The announcement made only yesterday when royal officials announced that William and Kate -who's sporting Prince William's late mother Diana's oval sapphire and diamond engagement ring-will marry next year. This will be the biggest royal wedding since Charles married Diana in 1981 and we are sure there may be tear on the day when all remember Lady Di.

Jay-Z - "Decoded".

The phenomenon that is Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z; the man Forbes magazine predicts will be one of the richest 400 Americans by 2015 has let us all in, in his autobiography 'Decoded' where he translates 36 of his songs and his life.

From selling cocaine as a kid on the streets, to being one of the US's richest rappers, he has decoded his life and music for us in one phenomenal read that is being released in the US today. "I lost people I loved, was betrayed by people I trusted, felt the breeze of bullets flying by my head. I saw crack addiction destroy families -it almost destroyed mine- but I sold it, too," Jay-Z writes in "Decoded". Start keeping an eye on the shelves for when it hits SA!

Busting the Rhymes in SA!

Where will you be on the 28th of Nov? I have no idea, but we'll be at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durbs to welcome Busta Rhymes for his one-night only show!

After much planning, Busta Rhymes will showing us his stuff with R&B singer T Pain on the stage. Our SA boys won't be left out as award-winning kwaito group Big Nuz -who feature DJ Tira, Verd and Channel O's DJ Waxxy - will also be heating the stage just for you and me!

Tickets are pricey (between R380 and R900) but its a once in a lifetime opportunity! Especially since you can nab an autograph OR photograph with two of hip- hop music's greats before the concert on Sunday when they will be maxing-out on the the Sun Coast Casino Complex's East Coast Radio stage to mingle with fans.

Jolie-Pitt household update!

Angelina Jolie has recently been opening up about her home life, and we're all dying to find out what's inside! Life can only be interesting with six kids, a bulldog named Jacques and nannies who speak Vietnamese to Pax and Cambodian to Maddox.

While there has been speculation in the past about a rocky patch in their relationship, Jolie still describes hubby Brad Pitt "extremely handsome and the most sexy" - which we definitely can't argue with!

Fun at the The Feather Awards!

Bringing all the SA celebs into one place, this must be one of the funnest events of the year! This year, it was Generations star Sophie Ndaba (Queen Moroka) who got the The Socialite of the Year Award which is given to someone who never misses a party or even "the opening of an envelope or erection of a new stop sign"! Yes they are poking a bit of fun, and Ndaba said she is still very proud of the award.

Other awards given were too Nkhensani Nkosi (Best Styled Female Award), Kwela Tebza (Best Styled Male), Dr Precious Motsepe (Diva Extraordinaire of the Year) Kaizer Chiefs star Simphiwe Tshabalala was even awarded for being an inspiration in the world of sports. Role Model of the Year Award went to deserving and elegant musician Lira.

R Kelly - a lotta love and soul

R. Kelly will release his new album, "Love Letter", just in time for the holidays this year! This 11 studio album going to be carrying hits we've already heard on radio, like "When a Woman Loves," written and produced by three-time Grammy Award winner Kelly. A very special a holiday themed remix, "Love Letter Christmas," will also be released in the coming weeks. 'Love Letter' is due in stores nationwide on December 14. We all like the soft side of R Kelly, and after "When a Woman Loves" I can't wait to see what else he has to offer!

R3 million for 10-minutes on Generations?!

Is it generosity or a little fishy? Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -our Minister of Home Affairs- PAID a whopping R3 million to Generations, the SABC soapie, for the 10-minute cameo role she played in July this year.

Home Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa says that the Minister paid for the role herself, and the money didn't come from the SA taxpayer...at any rate, lets hope she isn't looking for a permanent role shall we? Acting does seem to run in the family as -you may already know- her daughter, Gugu Zuma plays the love-struck Lesedi Moloi in Isidingo. The question is, is 10 minutes in front of the camera really worth 3mil?

Idol Lloyd Cele following his dreams!

Universal Records have obviously seen something in the second-place winner of idols, as they have have guaranteed a him music contract!

This is only the start for Lloyd, as a Durban has put in an offer to sponsor him musical instruments for his 'band-to-be' AND he has a sponsorship offer from a clothing brand from the UK! Phew!

Winner Elvis Blue is also moving and shaking so we hope to see great things from these two boys!

New Afroteens

This new hip 'n happening band are taking the Cape by storm and we know this because they are booked up every weekend with a new gig!

Made up of 10 teenagers, between 16 and 17 years old, you know this group have their finger on the pulse when it comes to new moves, new vibes and a fresh approach.

"I think performing is our way of enjoying being teenagers," says bass guitarist Grant Allison. But apparently, they sounds nothing like a group of kids, and these upcoming starts deserve a listen!

Twitter under threat... from Julius?!

Poor old Julius Malema ... due to some fake Twitter accounts in his name, The ANC Youth League are calling for the shut down of social networking site Twitter.

This, we all know, will never happen. Twitter is a little bigger than the ANCYL gives it credit for, but they are actually is testing ways of minimizing this "phweeting" (phony Tweeting) of public figures and celebs - of which there are hundreds! Julius, you really aren't the only one, and definitely not the most important! But, such is the nature of Social Networking, although it can be harmful, it does just as much good.

A lesson in giving - from Idols

In a nail-biting show last night, the winner of Idols was announced: Former Jo'burger Elvis Blue! This is not the end of the story however, after beating his best friend L'loyd Cele by a 36% of the votes ( 2.5 million), he announced that he would be splitting his prize money of R500,000 L'loyd!

Now we don't see THIS very often! But we can all definitely take a page out of their book.

In the end he did still walk away with a brand new Ford Figo, a recording contract with Universal Record, R250,000 in cash, R50,000 musical instruments, and a R20,000 clothing voucher - which makes us all feel a little better!

SA's own Vampire Saga!

It's our lovely Ms.Christina Storm who's the star of 'Eternity', a thrilling vampire love-story that brings The Twilight Saga and True Blood together in one home-grown show spectacular!

Due for release in cinemas in December, you get too see the good, and the more sinister side of Joburg when the vampire and human world clash to fight in the Romeo and Juliette type story.

Well, it's whetted my appetite so all we can do now is wait and see what i brings! Eternity is set for release on 17 December.

More seats for Cape Town U2 concert!

According to Big Concerts, temporary seating may be added to the Cape Town stadium to accommodate all of us hopefuls without tickets to the U2 in Feb! Yay!

Although nothing is definite yet, if the organiser's plan is successful, about 6000 extra seats will be available for the concert. The last of the tickets were sold on Friday for Cape Town but we hear that there are a few more going for Jozi -so hurry up and buy!

Psssst! From tomorrow, you can have a look at our "What's On" section to get your social calender up-to-date every week for SA's main cities! Don't forget to have a look!