In this week’s edition: Top 5 entertainment stories of 2018

Carlswald learner touches back down in SA following her Ted Talk address in New York City

Carlswald House Preparatory learner Ayanda Bokaba made South Africa, and the Midrand area especially, proud when she travelled to New York City to give a talk on how criticism affects people’s confidence at the Ted-Ed Weekend event which was held from 17 to 18 November 2018.

Ayanda told the Midrand Reporter that she enjoyed the experience of being on an international stage and was excited to have met others who worked just as hard as she did, to get to where they are.

In her speech, Ayanda said her grandmother taught her how to value herself; to turn something from negative to positive. “I need to go to my granny’s house to see her and thank her because, without her, I would not be here.”

Since blogging at the age of six, Ayanda hopes her channel will inspire people to ‘always strive to boost someone with positive criticism not destroy them with negative criticism’.

Jamela Vuma is set to collaborate with music legend Jonathan Butler in Los Angeles

Renowned Midrand musician Jamela Vuma is set to work on a gospel collaboration with South Africa’s international fusion jazz master, Jonathan Butler in Los Angeles this year March.

Vuma, aka JRoss said he is excited to be working with Butler on a song for his Living in Christ Vol. 2 album which is set to release in April.

According to Vuma, the collaboration with Butler couldn’t have come at a better time – it was shortly after he had picked himself up from a drug and alcohol abuse problem, and joined the church becoming a born-again Christian.

“There was a void that I was trying to fill with drugs and it came to a point where I had to choose and change my life around,” Vuma said.

“Working with Jonathan Butler is one of the good and positive things that came out of my transformation.”

Midrand resident, Jason Oosthuizen, launches new album

Since Midrand’s Jason Oosthuizen began playing the drums at the tender age of four, he has gone on to play in some of the best bands to come out of South Africa. In 2007 Oosthuizen joined the band One Day Remains and then went on to write Never Say Die – the theme song for the rugby Tri-Nations.

In 2010, he recorded a total of four studio albums with Cape Town-based rock band Van Coke Kartel as well as with the Gauteng-based band, Lost and Found. Going back to his music roots, Oosthuizen has become the frontman for Oooth in September last year.

November 2018 was a big month for the renowned drummer and musician, with the release of his solo debut album, Who Cares What You Think on 2 November. Oosthuizen also released a debut single and music video in November titled, Hands Under the Table.

The album, Who Cares What You Think, is available on the shelves and on streaming platforms.

JFray fulfils his calling through gospel music

Former Midrand High School learner Jared Fray started his musical journey as a rock fanatic. However, he is currently juggling house and gospel music under JRossbeats record label based in Midrand.

Fray whose stage name is JFray was born in East London and moved to Midrand in 1999 at the age of 11. During matric in 2007, he taught himself to play the guitar. He studied contemporary music at Damelin Bramley music school.

While still studying, he performed with classmates such as Anga Makubalo also known as Naak Musiq and Idols Season 6 finalist Boki Ntsime.

In 2016, it was another turning point for JFray as he turned to gospel where he started his journey with JRoss and the Global Business Roundtable Worship Team. He composed two songs for JRoss’ album Living in Christ Vol 1.

Kaalfontein’s D-Trix has some new tricks and tracks

Wilson Hlopheka Baloi is an upcoming musician who goes by the name of D-Trix. Midrand Reporter got to sit down with Baloi last year, who currently lives in Kaalfontein.

“I started to fall in love with music in 2005 but I didn’t have the opportunities to explore music because I’m originally from Limpopo and opportunities there are not as vast as in Gauteng,” he said.

D-Trix released his first album in 2017 and released his second album with rapper Kay last year.

Do you know of an up and coming artist in the Midrand area? You can share the details by messaging us on the Midrand Reporter Facebook page or emailing our news editor on nikitaf@caxton.co.za