With the announcement of the easing of the lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night, veteran actress Rami Chuene believes there’s no other place to be than SA.

Ramaphosa announced that the government will phase in the reopening of the economy, with phase 4 of the lockdown set to take effect from Friday, May 1.

This is to allow some businesses to operate and prevent the collapse of the economy, while also curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Ramaphosa said strict safety measures must still be followed, even with the easing of some lockdown rules.

Though many South Africans have complained about the lockdown restrictions, Rami said there was no other place in the world to be than in SA during the pandemic.

“I’m glad that we’re all taking the #lockdownextension very well. It’s gonna be a while before we run around again but I wouldn’t choose to be anywhere else but home. There’s no place like SA. God bless us all,” she wrote.Mzansi has been noted as one of the few countries managing to control the spread of Covid-19.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) praised the South African government. WHO executive director Dr Michael Ryan on Thursday said SA had done an impressive job in bringing the spread of Covid-19 under control.

His comments came as health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that seven more people had died of the virus on Thursday, bringing the total death toll in SA to 75.

Actress Rami Chuene says SA is the place to be during the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: Instagram/Rami Chuene
With the announcement of the easing of the lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night, veteran actress Rami Chuene believes there’s no other place to be than SA.

Ramaphosa announced that the government will phase in the reopening of the economy, with phase 4 of the lockdown set to take effect from Friday, May 1.

This is to allow some businesses to operate and prevent the collapse of the economy, while also curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Ramaphosa said strict safety measures must still be followed, even with the easing of some lockdown rules.

Though many South Africans have complained about the lockdown restrictions, Rami said there was no other place in the world to be than in SA during the pandemic.

“I’m glad that we’re all taking the #lockdownextension very well. It’s gonna be a while before we run around again but I wouldn’t choose to be anywhere else but home. There’s no place like SA. God bless us all,” she wrote.Mzansi has been noted as one of the few countries managing to control the spread of Covid-19.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) praised the South African government. WHO executive director Dr Michael Ryan on Thursday said SA had done an impressive job in bringing the spread of Covid-19 under control.

His comments came as health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that seven more people had died of the virus on Thursday, bringing the total death toll in SA to 75.

National Lockdown Extension Affects Season 4 Production Of ‘The Queen’
In a three page memo, Shona and Connie Ferguson of Ferguson Films who produce “The Queen” reached out to the cast and crew to outline the challenges faced by the production house in the time of the national lockdown and a way forward in shooting season four.

At the start of the lockdown, there were enough episodes of “The Queen” for fans to enjoy until May 8.

However, since the president’s call to extend the lockdown by another two week, Ferguson Films’s ability to produce more episodes have been abruptly interrupted – now the fate of the popular show hangs in the balance.

“The decision from our President on Thursday 9th April 2020 to extend the 21-day lockdown by a further two weeks until the end of April (30 April 2020) has, as with many industries and businesses, altered the plans and displaced the position that Ferguson Films had in place.

“Our priority is to inform and update all our valued Cast and Crew of the situation and position that Ferguson Films finds itself in as a result of the extension, and the effects that the extended lockdown has had not only on our productions but on the company as a whole,” read a part of the memo that was released to cast and crew.

It went on to say that shooting and completing season four by the end of May has become unrealistic and no longer financially viable with the budget remaining.

“There is no alternative but to extend the shoot by an additional four weeks (one month) taking us into June 2020 with the goal of completion by 30 June 2020. We hope you will all complete this unexpected journey with us and we can finish what has been the hardest, most challenging and by far the most eventful season of ‘The Queen’, with the same family, old and new family members alike,” it read.

It further described the ways in which payment will be made to the cast and crew saying that “contractually there are only two months left of the contract and two months budget available”. Ferguson Films said, originally they planned on paying their staff their full salaries, however, that is no longer possible.

They said they reviewed whether April be an entirely unpaid month or that cast and crew work “for free” in June.

After much consideration, they decided that the remaining two months salaries will be divided and split across three months.

“While we cannot accommodate three months of fully paid salaries, and equally do not want to instill any period of no work, no pay; the only possible outcome was to take the remaining two months of budget and split it across three months.

“While this is not our preferred course of action, it is our only available course of action if we are to maintain consistent payments for the next three months,” read the statement.

“We are forced to make this work with what we have available to us. While the possibility of this lockdown being extended beyond April cannot be disregarded, this is the tentative solution for the current socioeconomic circumstances.

“Should anything change between now and then, naturally we will review and address the new position and update accordingly. We ask you all for your understanding, cooperation and more importantly your support,” it said.

Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment said last month MultiChoice set aside R80 million to ensure cast and crew are paid in full, however would not disclose whether this will apply to the cast and crew of “The Queen”.

“Given our history and position in the industry, we have deep-rooted partnerships and long-standing commitments that have grown the industry for the benefit of many, both in front and behind the camera. They are the people who bring Africa’s most-loved stories to life.

“As such, last month MultiChoice Group set aside R80 million to ensure that current productions are able to pay full salaries of cast, crew, and creatives for the months of March and April. We believe this to be critical for the industry and in our view, simply the right thing to do.

“We are unfortunately not able to discuss any contract details in the media, as they are by nature confidential,” said Phahle.

Ambitiouz Entertainment throws shade at Amanda Black and Emtee
The disgraced record label Ambitiouz Entertainment’s new found Twitter presence is not so pleasant as the record label pokes fun at artists who have left the stable.

The two recent victims of their vindictiveness are Amanda Black and Emtee. Both the the rapper and performing artist have been vocal about the treatment and dislike for the label that has been brought to shame by many people.

Another factor they are most vocal about is getting their awards back form the label.

Their cries have been going on for some time now and the label remains mum about the issue. Instead they take jabs at them and their fans in an attempt to get a reaction.

The label posted a poster with Emtee’s most famous verse from his hit single Roll Up. The single is the first one he released under the label. This prompted a response from him and his fans and a lot of the comments are of enraged fans.

In Amanda Black’s case, the label shared a clip of President Cyril Ramaphosa putting on his face mask, of which the country turned into a joke. The audio was replaced with the chorus of Phumelela, sung by Amanda Black. She too, had a very rocky relationship with the label.

Emtee responded by saying the label did not write the song and he will get his accolades back from him.

“I’m getting my shit. Know dat.”

Amanda Black however responded with the words “Haibo” with an astonished emoji.

The Fergusons get dragged on Twitter after firing another actress
Following a report by Sunday World that Dineo Langa (née Moeketsi) is the latest actress to be shown the door on The Queen, which is produced by the Connie and Shona Ferguson (Ferguson Films), Twitter users have taken to the platform to express their views on the matter

According to the report, Dineo who portrays Kea Khoza on the popular Mzansi Magic telenovela and has been on the show since it’s beginning is alleged to have been given the boot by the show after asking for a three-month break to shoot a movie.

The actress is said to have received a letter from Ferguson Films informing her that after the she shouldn’t return back to work after the lockdown.News of the report has trended across social media with many expressing their shock over the show’s latest chop.

Now the drama surrounding The Ferguson’s and their treatment of actors who work for them began last year after actress Vathiswa Ndara’s explosive letter.

In a no-holds-barred 6-page open letter to the Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture, she incriminated the Ferguson’s; as they are the owners of the production house she was employed by.

Then a few months later actress Rami Chuene who portrayed Gracious Mabuza was shown the door due to some controversy behind the scenes with the shows’ makers The Fergusons.

Black Twitter has not yet called for the Ferguson’s to fall but Tweeps are definitely looking at the producers with a side-eye over the latest allegations.

DJ Tira and DJ Maphorisa to go head to head on Castle Lite in bed with
Veteran DJs, Tira and Maphorisa will be proving who is the best as they go head to head on the internet’s most heated battle.

The DJs will be battling it out on Castle Lite’s Castle Lite Unlocks in Bed With, a music and entertainment streaming show on YouTube.

Since the beginning of lockdown, brands and artists have taken to social media to keep people entertained. Castle Lite has joined in with their first episode featuring Nasty C and NoMoozlie and was hosted by American producer and rapper, Sway Calloway.

For this weeks episode which will be up on Wednesday 29 April and will be hosted by DJ Zinhle. Tira, who was recently accused of faking the whole DJ ‘thing’ has promised a good show as he will be pulling out all the stops.

“Tira was there before Gqom I’m pulling out my classics. Wednesday is going to be fun. #CastleLiteUnlocks.” he tweeted.

The live-streamed show aims to raise funds for the Solidarity Fund put in place to combat COVID-19. Castle Lite and the non-profit organization partnered to raise money to support the fight against the pandemic. By pledging R1 for every view on YouTube, they will help support families most affected by the lockdown and pandemic.