Saturday Star 2024-08-24

Eksie Perfeksie addresses the burning question that keeps most people up at night: Can you really be friends with your exes, without causing chaos? The Afrikaans comedy on Showmax puts the question front and centre, showcasing how being friends with an ex could be a romantic disaster or the key to an unconventional happily-ever-after. The story begins with Dalene (Emma van Heyn) and André (Pietie Beyers). From the moment they meet, sparks fly – literally – leading to a hot-and-heavy restroom encounter at a restaurant. But what starts as a passionate encounter quickly turns into full-blown cringe when André realises Dalene’s besties aren’t just her girlfriends – they include her ex-boyfriends as well. Cue the chaos. Dalene’s exes aren’t just hovering in the background; they’re constantly popping up in her…

Nomzamo Mbatha’s journey to international success reached yet another impressive milestone after winning Best African Actress at the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam this week. Her performance as Queen Nandi in the hit series Shaka iLembe, which premiered on Mzansi Magic in June 2023, brought this honour home and she couldn’t be prouder. In an Instagram post, Mbatha shared: “Coming back home with a little extra weight in my luggage! God’s dream for my life is pretty cool to witness. Thankful for the spirit of surrender and hard work: to trust in the journey and believe in the kept promises.” Mbatha also expressed thanks to iNdlovukazi uNandi, the character she portrayed. This reflects the connection she feels with Queen Nandi, who was not only a symbol of strength and power but…

After watching Losing Lerato 2, which recently dropped on Netflix, I’m determined to watch the first movie, which was released in 2019. This movie had me in an emotional chokehold from start to finish. When it comes to film-making, Kagiso Modupe of Bakwena Productions is an expert on how to connect with the audience through powerful storytelling. He proves his Midas touch with this film franchise. The movie opens with Thami (Modupe) being released from prison 15 years after he kidnapped his daughter, Lerato. Now a beautiful, confident young woman, Lerato (Nefisa Mkhabela) is over the moon to finally have her father back. Despite the two learning that they are not related by blood at the end of the first movie, their bond remains stronger than ever. With so much…

A doctor’s visit can cost you an arm and a leg regardless of whether or not you have medical aid. But with new technology, you can now access a medical practitioner on your phone, for a fraction of the price. By simply downloading apps like Unu Health and October Health you can have access to nurses and doctors who can assist you with mental and physical health issues no matter where you are. “Telemedicine and virtual health care may seem intimidating at first, but they are designed to enhance your health care experience,” says Tania Joffe, CEO of Unu Health. “Unu Health’s innovative app puts medical care at your fingertips, offering a convenient, private and extremely affordable way to manage your health. Embrace this technological revolution and regain control over…

We’re living in convenient times where consumers are spoiled for choice when it comes to shopping experiences. Since Covid-19, many people started warming up to the idea of online shopping and, as it grows tremendously, retailers have no choice but to hop on the bandwagon. Dion Chang of Flux Trends, pictured, a local trends analysis company that distils, translates and packages trend insights into business strategy, breaks down the trends currently impacting the retail industry and the importance of online presence. He believes “seamless service and user experiences, considered design and a high-value shopping experience can draw customers from their hermit states”. With the age of the “hermit consumer” heralded by publications such as The Economist, consumers continue to turn inwards post-Covid-19, spending more time at home and acting accordingly…

In May, the National Department of Health in South Africa faced a significant setback for people with diabetes when it announced a potential shortage of insulin pen devices, directing health facilities to ration their distribution. This alarming news came after a tender process that failed to meet the demand. Novo Nordisk, the main supplier of insulin pens in South Africa, had previously provided over 14 million devices in just three years. However, due to supply issues, insulin manufacturers began offering only vials. This forced patients to revert to using syringes for their injections. Doctors Without Borders Southern Africa raised concerns about this shift, highlighting the risks that come with using vials instead of pens. They emphasised that switching to syringes could lead to complications for many diabetes patients, urging Novo…