Culture

Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina to undergo therapy over xenophobic abuse

Published

1 month ago

September 5, 2024

Chidimma Adetshina who became Miss Universe Nigeria only on Saturday has revealed that she would be undergoing therapy following the xenophobic abuse she received in South Africa as a result of her nationality despite being born in the country.

Adetshina who was a finalist in the Miss South Africa beauty contest, sparked criticism as despite being a South African citizen, because her father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots and came in for severe xenophobic attacks by South Africans and became the subject of a government investigation.

The controversy reached its peak when SA Home Affairs department announced that her mother may have committed “identity theft” to become a South African national.

In the heat of the saga, she withdrew from the South African pageant and was invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria where won the contest.

After the Nigerian pageant, the new beauty queen made her intentions known in an interview with BBC Africa, saying she will be seeking therapy because of the saga.

Speaking on how she had been “suppressing her emotions” throughout the controversy, Adetshina said:

“It’s just not a nice feeling, I think I’ve been avoiding it a lot and only now it’s started to cloud me.

“It’s something I will work on and see a therapist because I feel like I have been suppressing my emotions… because what has happened… it wasn’t a minor thing, it was actually really major.”

Adetshina who was born in the South African township of Soweto, she could not comment on the South African government’s ongoing investigation into her nationality, as it was a “legal matter”.

“Even though it was a rough path for you, you really stepped up, I think I really give myself that title of a strong black African woman,” the 23-year-old law student said.

Commenting on the contest which she joined in its later stage amid disaffection from other contestants who had gone through various stages, she said:

“I do get where people are coming from, but at the end of the day, I also had my own journey, I had my fair share of going through the process.

“There might have been a slight difference, but I feel like I also went through the journey that they went through.

“I still see myself proudly South African… I still see myself proudly Nigerian,” she concluded.

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Culture

Online streaming platform Spotify increases price for its Nigerian premium subscribers by 40%

Published

2 days ago

October 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Online audio streaming platform, Spotify, has announced an immediate increment in price for its premium subscribers in Nigeria by over 40%.

In a statement announcing the price increase, the platform said the hike in the fee would allow the team to continue innovating on its product offerings and features, providing users with the best experience.

In the notification, Spotify informed that starting from their billing date in November, their subscription price would change from ₦900/month to ₦1,300/month.

The latest price update puts the Premium subscription plan at ₦7,000 ($4.40) monthly, up from the initial ₦5,000 ($3.14), indicating a 40% rise.

The platform had in April, hiked its Premium Plan price from ₦4,400 ($2.76) to ₦5,000 ($3.14).

However, it added that users who do not wish to continue paying for Premium at the new price can cancel via their account page.

Spotify has also introduced Offline Backup to its Premium users globally, allowing them to listen to music offline without needing to download, with the
Offline Backup appearing in the Home feed when users are offline, and can listen to more than five songs once they have offline listening activated.

Culture

Legendary SA gospel artiste Solly Moholo passes away at 65

Published

4 days ago

October 5, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Legendary South African gospel singer, Solly Moholo, has passed away following an illness shortly after his pre-album launch tour in Botswana.

According to his family, Moholo who was known and celebrated for his energetic performances and spiritual music, passed away on Wednesday, October 2, at the age of 65.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you that our beloved legend Solly Moholo has sadly passed on,” a statement issued by the family on Friday read.

The statement however, requested privacy as the family gradually comes to terms with their loss and prepare for Moholo’s funeral, with details about the memorial service to be shared on his official pages in the coming days.

Moholo who was born Solomon Molokoane, was a pivotal figure in South African gospel music, known for his unique blend of traditional gospel sounds and modern township influences.

A local media in a tribute to the singer, wrote:

“His powerful voice and uplifting lyrics resonated deeply with millions, making him a beloved household name in South Africa and beyond.

“Hits like “Ba Mmitsa Moholo Wa Dipelo” and “Ke Mo Afrika” became anthems in churches and community events, offering comfort, hope, and joy to listeners.

“Despite the loss, Moholo’s legacy will endure through his extensive discography, which features dozens of albums reflecting themes of faith and perseverance.

“His music not only shaped the gospel genre in South Africa but also addressed social issues, demonstrating his commitment to using his platform for good.

“Solly Moholo’s influence extended beyond South Africa, as he regularly performed in countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Lesotho, where his music was equally celebrated. His passing leaves a significant void in the hearts of fans across the African continent.”