News of former Jam Alley presenter and actress Vinolia Mashego’s (V-Mash) death has sent shockwaves through the country on Monday evening.

The TV star known for her ‘larger than life’ personality was found dead at her home in Mamelodi, Tshwane.

According to her sister, Prelley Seale said the family were in a state of shock after receiving news of Vinolia’s death on Monday morning.

“It’s true. We got the news this morning. We are still shocked and we don’t know what happened to her.”

Vinolia was currently the host of Bheka Sik’bambile on Moja Love.

Since news of Vinolia’s death emerged, celebrities and fans have been flooding social media with fond memories of the veteran TV personality.

Rapper Cassper Nyovest shared that he would always remember V-Mash for all the wonderful childhood memories.

In a heartfelt tweet, Cassper wrote, “RIP V Mash. My childhood would have been boring and dull without you on our TV screens every week. A legend.”

Rip V Mash. My childhood woulda been boring and dull without you on our TV screens ever week. A legend.

— R.M Phoolo (@casspernyovest) April 6, 2020

Media personality Andile Ncube echoed the sentiments that Vinolia was the greatest there ever was in the South African entertainment industry.

“Not sure if it’s true about V-Mash but if it is, then ‘the greatest of all time’ has left the building … no-one has gone close to her artistry and genius as a host/presenter. #RIPVMash.”

Not sure if it’s true about VMash but if it is, then The Greatest Of All Time has left the building…no one has gone close to her artistry and genius as a Host/presenter. #RIPVMASH

— Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube) April 6, 2020

TV presenter Nandi Madida thanked Vinolia for being an inspiration to her.

“Just learnt that the lady and legend who inspired so many of us to be in the TV industry has passed on. What an icon! Thank you.”

Just learnt that the lady and Legend who inspired so many of us to be in the TV industry has passed on. What an icon! Thank you ♥️ #RIPVMash

— Nandi Madida (@Nandi_Madida) April 6, 2020

Already trending at number one on the Twitter trends list, fans continue to send their love and tributes to Vinolia whose legacy includes changing the entertainment game in the 80s and 90s.

V Mash was simply epic! She just had IT. She was gifted. I am sure she inspired many through her talent and ability. I am happy to have witnessed what she was all about. #RIPVMash

— #SuperFlava (@moflavadj) April 6, 2020

Somizi’s husband Mohale Motaung, left many tweeps breathing through the wound when he commented about how much stock of booze he has left. Mohale who is well known for living an opulent lifestyle had many convinced that, he has an entire bottle store at his place.

While South Africans have been sober for the past couple of days and still have to brace themselves for 2 more weeks, as the sale of alcohol was recently halted to help deal with the spread of Covid-19. Mohale bragged about the number of champagne, wine and vodka bottle’s he has left.

Many people have been frustrated by the closure of liquor stores but, Mohale is not feeling the pinch. Replying to a tweep he said, he has 25 bottles of champopo and 12 bottles of whisky. Where were we when they bought so much alcohol, he asked.

25 bottles of champagne, 6 bottles of sparkling wine, 2 bottles of Prosecco, 8 bottles of gin, 12 bottles of vodka, 4 bottles of whiskey, 1 bottle of aperol, 2 bottles of tequila, 1 bottle of Jägermeister, 72 ciders, 12 beers and 4 bottles of wine. https://t.co/5huCyr4YZt

— Mohale Motaung (@mohale_motaung) April 4, 2020

25 bottles of champagne, 6 bottles of sparkling wine, 2 bottles of Prosecco, 8 bottles of gin, 12 bottles of vodka, 4 bottles of whiskey, 1 bottle of aperol, 2 bottles of tequila, 1 bottle of Jägermeister, 72 ciders, 12 beers and 4 bottles of wine. https://t.co/5huCyr4YZt

— Mohale Motaung (@mohale_motaung) April 4, 2020

25 bottles of champagne, 6 bottles of sparkling wine, 2 bottles of Prosecco, 8 bottles of gin, 12 bottles of vodka, 4 bottles of whiskey, 1 bottle of aperol, 2 bottles of tequila, 1 bottle of Jägermeister, 72 ciders, 12 beers and 4 bottles of wine. https://t.co/5huCyr4YZt

— Mohale Motaung (@mohale_motaung) April 4, 2020

25 bottles of champagne, 6 bottles of sparkling wine, 2 bottles of Prosecco, 8 bottles of gin, 12 bottles of vodka, 4 bottles of whiskey, 1 bottle of aperol, 2 bottles of tequila, 1 bottle of Jägermeister, 72 ciders, 12 beers and 4 bottles of wine. https://t.co/5huCyr4YZt

— Mohale Motaung (@mohale_motaung) April 4, 2020

Former Jam Alley presenter and actress Vinolia Mashego, popularly known as V-Mash, has died, her younger sister confirmed on Monday afternoon. According to her sister, Prelley Seale who was still shaken, they received the news of Mashego’s death this morning.

It is believed that Mashego died at her home in Mamelodi, Pretoria. It’s true. We got the news this morning. We are still shocked and we don’t know what happened to her,” Seale.

This is a developing story.

We grew up watching her on Jam alley and she never disappointed us. I remember seeing her back on TV after a long break, I said to myself, if you are born to be a star, no one can take that away from you. Vinolia Mashego played her part in the entertainment industry. ? pic.twitter.com/s0AQhMJpGF

— Naledi Brown ?? (@NalediBrownSA) April 6, 2020

Actress Jessica Nkosi has just revealed her hidden singing talent through a #EngenGwijoChallenge she did in a recently shared video on her social media. She has challenged a couple of local celebrities like Moshe Ndiki, Vusi Nova, etc, who have also participated in the challenge, and she really can sing so well.

In the video, she can be seen in beautiful looking makeup while singing acapella. The star received positive feedback on her singing, including a humorous recording deal offer from Bonang Matheba, as part of her rumoured recording label.

‘@vusinova1 and @moshendiki were found shaking!!!!! ??? But okay ke… I had a little help ?????• I just had to take part in the #EngenGwijoChallenge …it’s to Educate, inspire and have fun while doing it. Reminding us to stay clean and be hygienic, sanitize, isolate and stay home ❤️ •. Thank you to my little sister @zamaswazibnkosi for her assistance ?????’, she captioned.

Businesswoman and reality TV star, Shauwn Mkhize is celebrating her birthday on Monday, April 06. Taking to her Instagram page crowned as the “Mother of the Nation”, Mkhize shared a sentimental post to her followers and fans. In the post she jokingly said that she had turned “sweet 16” and asked God for strength.

“Goodmorning day 11 of LOCKDOWN Guess who have just turned sweet 16. I am asking for god to give me the strength to lead and not disappoint you as you have crowned me THE MOTHER OF THE NATION happy birthday to myself and continue to stay safe. I thank the almighty God for yet another year.

The “Kwa Mam’Mkhize” star, who is spending her birthday under lockdown, made the nation fall in love with her again after her reality show aired on Mzansi Magic recently. People who watched it, got to see a different side of Mkhize, a more human side.

On her special day, Mkhize received hundreds of well wishes.

@lebzalelem said: “Happy birthday ? mother to the nation??”.

@martinameise said: “Happy born day akiri today is also my birthday my u be showered with all your desired blessings. Keya horata my twin?????”.

@sliezer_z said: “Happy birthday. Hope you have fabulous day filled with joy, love n happiness”.

@maleratomat said: “Happy birthday mother of the nation ??”.

Here’s what fans had to say.

The police minister has placed alcohol at the centre of violent crime in South Africa, which his critics have called ‘daft’.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has been highly criticized for his “oversimplified crime-fighting strategy” that was “daft” and “embarrassing”.

The police minister told City Press he wished the alcohol ban in the country could be extended beyond the 21-day national lockdown because of the significant drop in the number of violent crimes reported.

He told the publication: “It is a known thing that alcohol is part of the crime generators … [When it comes to] most people who are murdered or sexually abused, it usually starts on Thursday until the end of the weekend [and] those people will be found at alcohol outlets. My first prize would be that we shut down alcohol, but I know we cannot do that. Nothing tells me that taking alcohol will make life easier.”

Cele’s comment came after he highlighted the alarming figure of 87,000 gender-based violence cases reported during the nationwide lockdown.

Speaking at the National Coronavirus Command Council on Thursday tabling that police had already arrested more than 17,000 people since the beginning of the lockdown, Cele highlighted the concerning issue of domestic violence.

Although he couldn’t confirm the rate of arrests in relation to the reported cases, he did confirm that the figure of gender-based violence cases included a police officer who was arrested for allegedly raping his wife.

“87,000 people have phoned in reporting that there might be gender-based violence in their houses.”

Responding to a comment accusing Cele of “oversimplifying” his crime-fighting strategy, DA MP Phumzile Van Damme said it was “daft” and “embarrassing”, while others just could not imagine a South Africa without alcohol.

The South Africa singer, actress, and television personality took to Instagram to let the world know that she is in a relationship with another woman. This comes after Sunday World’s weekend report: ‘Letoya lesbian lover revealed’.

Letoya Makhene confirms new romance posted a photo of the newspaper headline and wrote “Well, it was only a matter of time before the world found out about us @lebokeswa. Here’s to our beautiful future together, my love. The woman Letoya is dating is Lebo Keswa. Letoya is a mother of four.

Your stories about you and my aunts have always been exciting, aunty Felicia! Thank you so much for your love and support during this time…it means EVERYTHING to us. Your presence as a mother has never come at a better time.
I LOVE YOU @Feliciamabuza ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/gQpjfM87mj

— Letoya Makhene (@letoyamakhene) April 5, 2020

Congratulations to @letoyamakhene and @LebohangKeswa on their beautiful new journey. The queer community celebrates this day with you, may love continue to win in this world. ?? #LoveWins #QueerLove21 pic.twitter.com/ESvRK0WPq9

— THE GAY SUPERHERO. (@MON_DEEE) April 5, 2020

In 2017, Letoya flaunted her boyfriend and father of one of her children, Tshepo Leeuw, on her social media platforms. Their relationship came after Letoya divorced Privilege Mangesi, her husband of nine years. Letoya revealed that their marriage was toxic and she suffered abuse. The two have three children together.

On 2 April , SA Federation of Trade Unions’ (Saftu) general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, tested positive for Covid-19 and has since been hospitalised.

Before his sudden hospitalisation, the 57-year-old took to Twitter to thank everyone who has been sending him well wishes and shared how his health has been since testing positive for coronavirus. “Thank you to everyone who sent me messages of support, they have strengthened me and my resolve to continue to fight against the coronavirus,” he said in a video.

With a visible shortness of breath, Vavi continued; “As I have said before, we will be the last standing and the coronavirus will run. We are determined, and we know that every battle must be won first in the mind before anything else.”

In the video, he is sitting at a desk with a bookshelf behind him. Vavi is wearing a mask that he seems to have lowered for the purpose of communicating clearly. He then went on to give all his followers an update on his health.

“I feel fine. I’ve just a bit of a heavy chest and lungs which I am going to have checked out by doctors now. They will also check my oxygen levels, but I think I will be fine thereafter, I need lots of rest. Everybody at home got tested and their results came back negative, except, unfortunately, the lastborn at home – my son’s seven-year-old twin. The doctor’s advice is that the kids run this thing off without taking any medicine. My wife’s result came back clear, she just needs to go again but I’m sure she’s fine,” he shared.

Vavi concluded by asking South Africans to continue praying for not only his family, but for the millions of people who have been affected by the virus, as well as the healthcare workers.

Watch the video here:

Admitted for hospitalization! Doctors just want to ensure! Thanks again! pic.twitter.com/DFijSsfPCW

— Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) April 5, 2020

Actress Makgotso M, like many of us, has had a bit of a downer since the start of the 21-day lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19. The star took to Instagram recently to share with her followers that they are not the only ones who are going through the most during this trying time. For the past two weeks I have been feeling very down, I have not been motivated to do anything, especially after my trip. I had to force myself to do some things and I felt very lazy,” she admitted.

She shared her coping mechanism and told her fans that since they have plenty of time on their hands, they need to carefully guard their thoughts. During the lockdown, you have a lot of time to be with your thoughts, and that can be a very dark place. Makgotso said people need to renew their minds by checking what they are thinking about.

“Watch and listen to things that will uplift and encourage you and things that will get you to the right frame of mind. Once the mind is defeated, you are defeated, because if you lose your mind what do you have? I want to encourage everyone to look after their minds and that’s very important.Makgotso shared that what keeps her going during the lockdown is spending time with the word of God and constant prayer.

“My mind is full of the content that I’m constantly looking at all the time, especially during this difficult time. We have goals and things that we want to achieve physically, emotionally and spiritually, so let’s use this time to do that. The actress encouraged her fans to make friends on the internet and pleaded with them not to isolate themselves mentally.

“Let’s use this time to be comfortable with people, talk with people and stay connected at all times. I would like to send a shout-out to the doctors, nurses, soldiers and people who are working at supermarkets, and every person who is still out there serving the public. I pray for God’s protection upon your lives.

Former Generations The Legacy Actress Letoya Makhene, who portrayed the character of Tshidi on the popular sudser, recently had many people shooketh when pictures of her, being lovey-dovey with another woman, spread like wildfire on social media.

The pair were kissing and holding hands, and one could see that love is indeed in the air. This raised many eyebrows about Letoya’s sexuality, on whether she is now a lesbian. Letoya was previously romantically linked with males, her marriage ended a few years back and, she is a mother of five kids.

Sunday World reported that the actress is now in love with another female. The actress took to her social media accounts to let the cat out of the bag. Letoya confirmed that, she has found love in the arms of Joburg businesswoman, Lebo Keswa.

The lovebirds officially came out to the public about their affair yesterday, with numerous posts on their social media accounts, and they are not bothered by the hate and slurs. Tweeps reacted to the news with mixed reactions. Some were very shocked that she is now in love with a woman after being previously married to a male and being a mother of 5 kids.