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Remember When... with Andile Ndlovu

Remember When... with Andile Ndlovu

By Andile Ndlovu

This podcast is ALL NOSTALGIA!
I'm really going to be exposing my age here, but a lot of the interviews and topics on this podcast will celebrate people whose feats enriched and entertained us over the years - so, from sports to arts and entertainment and culture. You will hear from people who inspired me growing up (and perhaps you), and altered my worldview or ideas about what was possible.
If it sounds a little indulgent on my part, I'm sorry, but... it is MY podcast ;-)
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Remember When... Letta Mbulu Gave Us Not Yet Uhuru?

Remember When... with Andile NdlovuDec 15, 2020

00:00
30:07
BONUS EPISODE: Remember When... Isidingo gave us Philippa and Derek Nyathi?

BONUS EPISODE: Remember When... Isidingo gave us Philippa and Derek Nyathi?

ENJOY! 

May 31, 202246:08
Remember When... Vulindlela College was our dream school?

Remember When... Vulindlela College was our dream school?

[Audio clip(s) courtesy: etv.co.za]



Please! Did you heat that amazing theme song? It brings back so many memories of evenings spent on the couch in front of the TV, watching eTV’s youth drama “Backstage”.

It's true, many of the guests who have appeared on this show are not always the most obvious or expected, but I went with a woman who, when things were falling apart both on-screen and behind the scenes at Backstage, embodied resilience and remained integral to the story.

Grace Mahlaba (now the Creative Producer of #etvScandal) played Ipeleng Theledi right from the get-go, leading the young, beautiful and talented students of Vulindlela College - a school for the performing arts. It was almost like our FAME or in more recent times, Netflix’s Tiny Pretty Things. These students were ambitious and desperate enough for success to go for it no matter the ramifications. That was the same on Backstage. It was written by Collin Oliphant, who was at Mfundi Vundla’s Morula Pictures, and it introduced us Bonnie Mbuli who, believe it or not, was making her acting debut as the super bitch “Zandi”, there was Katlego Danke (currently on Gomora), Dini Nondumo (who’s now Head of Commercial Insurance at Standard Insurance Limited), and KB Motsilanyane (whose music I’ve always loved).

Ipeleng ran Vulindlela with the help of Katlego Rathebe, Naomi Singh, and Charmaine Jacobs.

I spoke to Grace Mahlaba about making the move to Cape Town to join the show, the shocking deaths of cast mates, the disruption caused by lawsuits between eTV and the show’s producers which a ultimately saw the show move to Joburg, and when she knew it was time to go.

Enjoy!

HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Jan 26, 202148:51
Remember When... Miss SA Teen still mattered?

Remember When... Miss SA Teen still mattered?

Some might argue that the Miss SA Teen pageant NEVER mattered, but don't forget that it gave us some queens who have gone on to make big waves in their respective careers. Sure, there have been some forgettable periods and winners, but the pageant also gave us Gina Athans, Phuti Khomo, Zizo Beda, and Celeste Khumalo. 

The latter was the las winner of the Miss SA Teen pageant in 2011. We talked about how her reign brought with it some traumatic times - including the return of her estranged (read: opportunistic) father, untrustworthy sponsors, public criticism of her TV acting abilities, her businesses going bust, and how being under lockdown has helped her reassess her career goals. 

This woman packed bags at Spar near her home while in high school, just so she could have cash for the Miss SA Teen 2008 pageant (she was a top 12 finalist and needed money for the trip and some clothes). Ultimately, she made top 5 that year - only to return to win it three years later.

I've also liked Celeste. I hope you like this episode. 

Enjoy!

HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

 

Jan 12, 202137:06
Remember When... the SABC learned that queer people exist?

Remember When... the SABC learned that queer people exist?

Now, I don’t mean to attack the public broadcaster here, so please don’t misconstrue the point of this episode.

However, there was this period between 2004 and 2009 when it seemed like the commissioning editors there were suddenly made aware that queer people exist in this country and because of their mandate to reflect our society in all its divergent cultures and identities, there was an obvious gap in terms of the representation of queer people on its platforms.

So, June 2004 Yizo Yizo 3 gave us Thiza and Thabang fell in love in varsity. You may remember Thiza had previously been in a romantic relationship with high school sweetheart Hazel.

In December 2006, just after the newly passed law that made same-sex marriage legal in SA, Steve Stethakis and Luke got hitched.

Weeks later, Society (also on SABC 1) gave us lesbian romance between Beth and Thuli

Then they set tongues wagging when they introduced us to China, Bokang, and Hector- who were in a complex love triangle. It was the first series to deal with the controversial topic of black gay men living on the DL - that is keeping their gay identity separate from the rest of their lives - for fear of excommunication among other worries.

If that was controversial because of its homoerotic content, the country’s favourite prime time show at the time, Generations rattled cages further when Senzo and Jason fell in love and went on to get married.

I should mention that in 2008, eTV also gave us the brief story of Stone and Thula on Rhythm City - where the former loathed himself for kissing another man and even turned to physically abusing Thula, before hopelessly turning to the church to seek deliverance.

It would take a few years before InterSEXions had Two-Step and Sizwe, and Zabalaza on Mzansi Magic had Victoria and Mapule, among others.

I reached out to Emmanuel Castis, who played Steve Stethakis on Isidingo, and Sechaba Morojele, the creator of After 9 to talk about these two pioneering projects and how it impacted their respective careers.


Enjoy!

HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Jan 05, 202148:45
Remember When... Soul Buddyz was our Life Orientation?

Remember When... Soul Buddyz was our Life Orientation?

Before we all became too cool for school, we all wanted to be part of the Soul Buddyz Club. No? Just me, then. But whether you joined the club or not, I'm certain you never missed an episode of Soul Buddyz on SABC 1. Hamilton (with those dreadlocks) being bullied. Thapelo losing his parents to AIDS and having to bring up his younger sister. Avril having to face the same uncle who used to sexually abused her when she was younger. But also, the tremendous camaraderie between the Buddyz. Are you kidding me? It was great TV! 

I caught up with actor, Jafta Mamabolo (who played Thapelo) to talk about how this role solidified his dream of becoming a revered screen actor, being a child star, and how his career has played out since that breakout role. 

Enjoy!

HOW TO REACH ME: 

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Dec 29, 202051:01
Remember When... Manning Rangers achieved the impossible?

Remember When... Manning Rangers achieved the impossible?

In the inaugural season of the Castle Premier League (now known as the DStv Premiership), Gordon Igesund led Manning Rangers to the impossible dream: the league winners title. Previous winners of the league (then known as the National Soccer League First Division) included Cape Town Spurs, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Mamelodi Sundowns - and the smart bet on the winner of the newly established competition would have been one of those clubs. But it was to be the team which had finished 12th in the season prior, which would shock all and sundry. 

How did they do it? 

George Koumantarakis, the man whose 17 goals helped Chatsworth-based Manning Rangers clinch the title that season, recalls how it all unfolded.

HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Dec 22, 202040:26
Remember When... Letta Mbulu Gave Us Not Yet Uhuru?

Remember When... Letta Mbulu Gave Us Not Yet Uhuru?

The story goes that when Mam' Letta Mbulu and Bra Caiphus Semenya landed back in the country in 1991, after 26-years of being in exile in the United States, she was left saddened by the "lack of ubuntu" and living conditions she found her people living in. She soon hit the studio to work on a new album - Not Yet Uhuru. 

She reflected on this, as well as her relationship with her life partner, and some of the current South African songstresses she enjoys. 

Apologies for the inconsistencies in the sound - this was recorded VERY unconventionally. 

Enjoy! 

MUSIC FEATURED: 

  1. "Not Yet Uhuru" - Letta Mbulu, 1996 Sony BMG Entertainment Africa (PTY) LTD


HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Dec 15, 202030:07
Remember When... We all fell for Penny Heyns?

Remember When... We all fell for Penny Heyns?

It is 19 July, 1996 and it is the Summer Olympics! All eyes are on Atlanta, where 10, 318 athletes from 197 countries have descended on the capital city of the state of Georgia. South Africa, competing in only its second Games since readmission after a 32-year absence, sends 84 athletes. Only of them is a young Penny Heyns. Five days later, she beats Australian, Samantha Riley, and American, Amanda Beard to the 100m breaststroke gold medal. it is South Africa's first gold medal at the Games in over four decades. Another two days later, she bests Beard and wins the 200m breaststroke event. It is unheard of - no swimmer has gone on to win both individual breaststroke events at the same Games. 

She became South Africa's darling. But why did it appear she had a love-hate relationship with swimming and being a celebrity, and are her victories really more enjoyable now than they were then?


HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Dec 08, 202050:31
Remember When... Idols & Popstars arrived in SA?

Remember When... Idols & Popstars arrived in SA?

Remember When.... At the dawn of a new millennium, the media mogul, Simon Fuller (also known as the man who launched The Spice Girls) successfully launched TV singing competition Pop Idol in the UK (which produced Gareth Gates and eventual Season 1 winner, Will Young)? Not long after that, the franchise launched in South Africa, and put the power of turning ordinary people into singing stars in the public's hands. Now in its 16th season, the show has gone on to launch the careers of contestants including Heinz Winckler, Brendan October, Zamajobe, Bianca Le Grange, Anke Pietrangeli, Karin Kortje, Khaya Mthethwa, Elvis Blue, Lloyd Cele, Thami Shobede, and Jody Williams. 

On public broadcaster, SABC 1, Coca Cola Popstars had just produced singing group, 101. The show tanked, but not before giving us Adilah, Ghetto Lingo, and the most successful group of the lot, Jamali! 

I spoke to Heinz Winckler and Jacqui Carpede (of Jamali fame) about the emergence of reality TV singing competitions and what that did for their careers. 

FEATURED MUSIC: 

  • "Once in a Lifetime" - Heinz Winckler, (C) 2002 BMG Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • "Love me for me" - Jamali, (C) 2004 EMI Music South Africa (Pty) Ltd)


HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Dec 01, 202050:59
Remember When... Yizo Yizo SHOOK the country?

Remember When... Yizo Yizo SHOOK the country?

How many of you were allowed to watch Yizo Yizo? I know I wasn't. In fact, I am pretty sure that for every household that watched it, there were two that didn't permit it. Of course, I always managed to sneak episodes at a friend's house. I recently rewatched the show - this time in the (dis)comfort of my own home -, and let's just say that as brilliant as it was, I get why it caused such a stir among parents and even Members of our Parliament! 

I spoke to a fave of mine, award-winning Sthandiwe Kgoroge, who played the conscientious Miss Zoe Cele on the show, about her role, the social impact of the series - and what it's like rewatching Yizo Yizo with her kids now. 


HOW TO REACH ME:

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush


Nov 24, 202031:32
Introducing: Remember When... with Andile Ndlovu

Introducing: Remember When... with Andile Ndlovu

If this podcast was an album, it would undoubtedly be Rihanna's R9. It's been in the works - at least the idea - for SO long that even I almost got over it. But just like we've had to dig through Robyn Fenty's back catalogue and reminisce, this podcast is similarly ALL NOSTALGIA!

I'm really going to be exposing my age here, but a lot of the interviews and topics on this podcast will celebrate people whose feats enriched and entertained us over the years - so, from sports to arts and entertainment and culture. You will hear from people who inspired me growing up (and perhaps you), and altered my worldview or ideas about what was possible. 

If it sounds a little indulgent on my part, I'm sorry, but... it is MY podcast ;-) 

HOW TO REACH ME: 

Email: andile.1987@gmail.com

Twitter: @vida15

Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush

Nov 09, 202001:03