Culture

Talented South African siblings wow judges at ‘America’s Got Talent’ audition (Video)

Published

6 months ago

June 14, 2024

Talented Johannesburg, South Africa sibling singing group, Biko’s Manna, we’re the cynosure of all eyes at the audition of the 19th America Got Talent show on Thursday with all four judges giving them a resounding “Yes”.

The young group, made up of Biko (17), guitar player Manna (14) and Mfundo (9), popularly known as “Biko’s Manna”, were so good that they received a standing ovation from the crowd and judges including the ever-critical Simon Cowell could be heard saying, “I love them”.

The trio who performed Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy”, for their audition, stole the show and got a very positive response from the judges and audience.

The young siblings became viral sensation on TikTok where they have garnered millions of likes along with a lot of engagement on other platforms and were invited to audition on Season 19 of the show due to their popularity.

After their performance, Cowell said:

“Within 10 seconds, it’s like I know exactly the kind of music you want to make. You found your lane, it was beautifully simple.”

Another judge, Heidi Klum had this to say:

“It was worth the trip coming all the way from South Africa… We love reggae, we don’t hear it enough… It puts us in a great mood I love the three of you.”

Judge Howie Mandell said:

“You are young and talented… It’s early in the competition, but I think there’s a good chance that you’re going to walk out of here with a million dollars.”

On her appraisal, Judge Sofia Vergara said:

“You guys are amazing, you guys are happy. We can tell that you’re a family that love each other and I really think the best thing you ever did was come to AGT.”

The talented South African kids are currently touring and performing gigs on different stages across the United States. Last month, they made their second appearance on the Emmy-nominated ‘Jennifer Hudson Show’.

Click to comment

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

Culture

UNESCO lists Ghana’s Kente cloth as cultural heritage

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The iconic Ghanaian Kente, a piece of clothing, has been recognized as a cultural heritage on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The global recognition, according to the UN body, is coming under the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage highlights the cultural and historical significance of the vibrant, handwoven textile.

In a citation on its website, UNESCO describes the Kente cloth as “originating from Ghana’s Asante and Ewe communities and renowned worldwide for its bold colors, intricate patterns, and deep symbolic meanings, embodying the creativity and identity of the Ghanaian people.”

Ghana’s Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, described the recognition as a testament to Ghana’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

“This achievement places Ghana at the forefront of global efforts to safeguard and celebrate cultural traditions,” he noted.

In a statement acknowledging the recognition, Mercer said the “Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, UNESCO, and the artisans, cultural institutions, and traditional authorities who contributed to this milestone.”

“Special acknowledgement is given to the Bonwire and Agotime communities for their enduring role as custodians of the craft.

“As Ghana celebrates this historic moment, MoTAC reaffirms its dedication to promoting and preserving the nation’s rich cultural legacy.”