SA's very own teen rapper - watch out Bieber?

Only 13 years old, Mbekezeli Ndlovu from Soweto is off to perform in Austin, Texas, in the US in March for the South by South West (SXSW) Conference and Festival.

"I am so excited. When my manager told me the news I could not believe it. We were in the studio and I thought he was joking. I have a great team behind me, and have worked hard to make this possible."

Based in Dobsonville, Soweto, he is the perfect example of our own home grown talent, and the rest of SA ill hear his stuff when Ndlovu released his debut album '13 Experience', when he comes back fro the States.

Madiba on the mend

After the confusion of yesterday, we now know that Nelson Mandela is recovering from a collapsed lung but is expected to be out of hospital as early as today.

Last night, acting President Kgalema Motlanthe told SABC cheerfully that Madiba was “alive and kicking”, "I want to assure the nation and the world that the former president is in high spirits, and has been visited by his family and friends. Medically there is no need to panic. Mr Mandela suffers from an ailment common to people of his age..."

"I can assure all South Africans and the world that Madiba is in good hands."

Motlanthe and the Mandela family will address a news conference later today to give an official statement.

Mandela in hospital...

SA held it's breath as former president Nelson Mandela has spent the night in Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg for some routine tests last night. The Nelson Mandela Foundation has said that there is no danger and that Madiba "is in good spirits".

Being all of 92, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said that although he is still all right, Madiba is frail, and at 92, who wouldn't be? The reports of the Nelson Mandela Foundation have left SA feeling relieved, although it didn't stop the vigil set up outside the hospital last night.

Sala kakhule Tata!

Oprah's secret sister revealed

This is the first time it seems Oprah Winfrey has been rendered speechless, but wouldn't you if you found out you had a half-sister?

Oprah only found out about Patricia - single mother of two and her half sister - late last year while Patricia has know about the connection since 2007.

Vernita Lee, Oprah's mother, gave birth to Patricia in secrete with Oprah was just 9 and staying with her father. Vernita then gave Patricia up for adoption. Patricia, was was in foster homes since age 7, kept the knowledge of her connection to Oprah secret because she knew it would create a media frenzy, "she (Patricia) never once thought to go to the press. She never even thought to sell her story," Winfrey said.

Oprah to reveal a "Family Secret" today??

“I thought I’d seen it all. But this, my friends, is the miracle of all miracles” Winfrey said in a promotional clip.

Well, that's enough for me! There are millions of rumors flying around as to what the reality show diva could be on about - is it about the baby she lost when she was 14? Does Oprah have a half-sister somewhere in the wings?

Oprah's parents had her when they were just teens - she was brought up by grandmother, mother and father and stepmother at different times of her life leaving quite a few places where a family secrete could come out of!

Reality TV in SA taking off TONIGHT: Rivals in Romance

It's The Bachelor SA and it's starting tonight on M-Net Series at 7.30pm! Want to watch some sexy SA singles battling it out just for love? Then this may be for you...

Rivals in Romance is the MNet Series's take on E! Entertainments "The Bachelor" - or almost. In this version, you'll be watching 16 stunning ladies trying to win the hearts of two hunky bachelors! The men of the hours are commercial property broker Jonathan Klopper and Paul Phiri, a sales and marketing executive, both from Jozi and BOTH struggling to find the right woman. Will the ladies on Rivals in Romance help them out?

Get ready as each week, the ladies will be tested both their endurance and on how far they will go for love...

A new reality: Idols gets a new presenter!

It was announced yesterday that mama Mara Louw's judging days are over on Idols and fresh new singer and Metro FM DJ Unathi Msengana will be taking her place.

Although MNet won't comment, it is alleged that Mara cooked her goose after her controversial comments stating that Lloyd Cele, who came second in Idols last year, would have won if not for racism. She as also known to have had a drink of alcohol before the shooting of an episode.

M-Net spokesperson Lani Lombard has said however, that Msengana will "bring a fresh angle" and described Unathi as “a sassy, chic lady with tons of experience in the music business”. An incredibly excited Msengana said: "I am very excited because now I get to enjoy in abundance two of the things I love the most - music and people. This was a total surprise and I'm humbled by it."

Reality TV taking off in SA with Nonhle!

You may have seen her as the face of Dark & Lovely, or as a former Channel O presenter - either way, Nonhle Thema will be on all our screens with her new reality show "Nonhle Goes to Hollywood" on DStv's Vuzu Entertainment channel on February 9.

The series will show Nonhle's past and on-going struggle with trying to crack the movie and entertainment scene in the USA - she still travels back and forth between Johannesburg and Los Angeles, now trying to crack the industry there, and for all those aspiring to make your mark in Tinseltown, she has promised an "inspirational" journey.

She has had face time with stars like the Kardashians, Justin Timberlake, actor Boris Kodjoe, rapper 50 Cent and media mogul Ryan Seacrest, and even shared a gym with US singer Ne-yo, so this should be an interesting ride!

Golden Globes big winners

It was quite a party at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards - and as the list of winners is quite a lengthy one, we'll give you the bones of the night:

The 'Bradgelina' team, Justin Bieber, Sandra Bullock, Michael Douglas, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Pattinson just some of the hot names walking the red carpet on Sunday. There was a star suited for everyone’s taste this year! Edwar...erm, Rob Pattinson had to walk the carpet solo without Kristen Stewart, but was dressed to impress all of his fans! Bieber was also working his fans as he promoted his 3D film 'Never Say Never' by showing off his purple glasses.

Facebook flik "The Social Network" took top place nabbing four Golden Globe Awards, and making it a front-runner in Hollywood's Oscar race. Another winner of the big awards was the film "The Kids Are All Right,".

MJ hearing sheds some light

Last week, the 6 day hearing in Michael Jackson's death did reveal some interesting things. The story of the King of Pop's last days is a sad one, his body was shutting down, he was losing his hair and was having to bleach his skin everyday to try and hide the discolouration of his skin (a disease called Vitiligo).

The Judge also ordered Dr Conrad Murray to the stand for trial for involuntary manslaughter - he's accused of unintentionally killing MJ by letting him over-dose on the medication he was giving him. With no new developments after this, we will have to watch and see. Dr Murray still doesn't have enough against him for a conviction of neglecting his duties as MJ's doctor, but this is only the beginning.

Amor Vittone's fresh start to 2011 - with dance

Singer and African tap and modern dance champ - Amor will be showing her stuff as she features in the UK international dance show Strictly Tap Dance Fever at the Joburg Theatre from February 15 to March 6.

After what she has had to deal with recently - the drama of ex ex-hubby Joost van der Westhuizen - Amor really does need something new and uplifting for 2011, and it seems she's found it!
"I am very honoured and excited to be part of this show. I started my career in theatre, so returning to my first passion, which is tap-dancing, is wonderful" says Amor.

American Idol is back - but nicer than before?

American Idol is coming back into our living-rooms next week with -we hear- their own New Years resolution: To be nicer.

With two more celeb judges on the panel, the idea in this round is to support, coach and encourage the aspiring talent - no nastiness! With British judge Simon Cowell's seat now empty, I think they may actually get this right, but we will miss his caustic remarks.

In it's 10th season, the producer of Idols are hoping this 'new attitude' will get viewers and fans excited again in the show. Give it a try!

Khloe Kardashian pregnant?

It seems that TV reality star Khloe Kardashian and hubby Lamar Odom are expecting their first child-or so the rumors say...

This seems like quite a coincidence since the couple have just signed on to have their own reality program on E! - following fellow celebs like Mel B and letting the camera's in. What more could add to the drama but a kid?

What do they say brought this on? A family friend said: “Khloe was inspired by Kourtney having a baby. Lamar is happy and ecstatic.”

Golden Globe run-up

Not many of you will know, but every year, in the run up to the Golden Globes (that is this weekend!) a MISS Gold Globe is always announced!

The title of Miss Golden Globe is traditionally the child of a well-known celeb and gets the honor of helping out during the Golden Globe Awards ceremony - and for this, the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards, it's no different. This year, it's the lovely Gia Mantegna - daughter of Golden Globe Nominated Actor Joe Mantegna.

Gia is definitely someone to watch in the acting world - she hot and rising fast. At the mo you can find her in the series Gigantic. The globes will be on TV this Sunday!

Matrics: The wait is finally over

After a year of strikes and stress, the wait is finally over for all you who wrote your matric finals last year.

The pass rate this year is 57% and although after the disaster of last year we should be ecstatic with this result, it's still really low for a national average... and that's after also factor in that the marks were actually already raised across the board to get to this figure.

With only 8 percent of schools in 2009 having stocked libraries and 50 percent of all pupils between 16 - 18 having to share textbooks ALONG WITH the shortage of qualified teachers
we can only hope 2011 bring a better year for education and the government works at getting these basic problems right...

The provincial leaders were Gauteng, who got the highest pass in SA - the Western Cape came second at 76,8 percent, a 1,1percent increase from 2009! Maths and Physics seems to be the toughest papers as usual.

The Jackson family goes to court

Members of the Jackson family have attended the first court hearings trying Dr. Conrad Murray, the doc who is accused of being responsible for the death of pop star Michael Jackson.

Dr. Murray is accused of giving Jackson the wrong drugs in the wrong amounts that ultimately lead to MJ's death. It is also said that he didn't even call 911 quickly enough, if he had, The King would still possibly be alive.

Dr. Murray's lawyers have argued that MJ took the overdose himself, but the Jackson family lawyers are trying him for 'involuntary manslaughter' - basically for killing MJ 'by mistake' or not intentionally.

Queen Latifah wants to be a mom

Reality seems to have hit our Oscar-nominated Queen who says that she works too hard and is keen to settle down and have a family.

A devout Christan, Latifah believes that despite this, "it’s in the Lord's hands". In 10 years time, she wants to be “on cruise control, with a couple of kids under my[her] belt." Already 40 years old though, she needs to get a move on!

First Kardashian Idol

While the rest of us have things like "get fit" and "find a good job" on our new years resolution lists, Kim Kardashian brought in 2011 with a debut into the music world! She’s a clothing designer, a reality starlet, a model and now a studio singer!

Launching her single at the New Year's Eve party at TAO nightclub in Sin City all Kim said was: "Turn it up, DJ!". Yup, that's the song's title, not the most original but it's apparently got some potential. Let's wait and see!

This is only the start for the reality star and there are rumours that she's looking to work with Kanye West on her debut album!

New year resolutions for our local Celebs'

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays - and the choosing of New year resolutions was begun by the Romans. This was clearly a popular idea, because we still do it today! Have you made your list yet? Here are some of the things that some our local stars have been dreaming up...

While local drama queen Khanyi Mbau started off with a bad example of not making any resolutions at all because "I'm not going to keep them anyway" there are others with more focus this year: Media personality Bonang Matheba says she has travelling and getting into shape at the top of her to-do list, Lupi Ngcayisa is also looking to get his bod into shape - going one step further to say he wants to look and be like Kabelo Mabalane in 2011!

Get your pens out and start thinking!