News Brief
Rufaro Samanga
Jan. 18, 2019 04:14AM EST

The Commander-in-Chief of South Africa's Black Twitter is Actually a Zambian Blogger

The notoriously controversial parody account of Barry Roux is that of a male Zambian blogger.

Ask any South African about the go-to Twitter account for all the files on South African news and controversies, and they'll probably point you towards the parody account of Barry Roux. And if that name sounds familiar, it's because Barry Roux is the criminal lawyer who defended Paralympian 'blade runner' Oscar Pistorius in the massive trial, where Pistorius was charged for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines Day, back in 2013.

According to News24, the parody account known as Man's Not Barry Roux and has over 500 000 followers, is not run by a South African at all but in fact a Zambian blogger named Csho "Shepard" Chilala.

And so what, you may be asking? So what if we now know the identity of some guy running a parody account?

Well, the parody account has in the past released sensitive and quite confidential information about the South African political game which led many South Africans to speculate that the identity of the person in charge of the account was that of a disgruntled member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) or a member of the Crime Intelligence Unit.

It turns out, that it's just an ordinary guy, a blogger who hails from Zambia and not even South Africa.

What makes this so important is how his Sunday exposés were in fact just him allegedly releasing false information about crime syndicates, racist journalists and corrupt officials and hence potentially making him one of the most dangerous vehicles for fake news in the country.

An extensive investigation by the News24team uncovered how Chilala had slipped up multiple times and left an online trail on various other social media platforms which all made it all the more easier for the keen eye of a journalist to uncover his identity.

Here's how South Africans are responding to the news.











Music
(Kwesi Arthur/YouTube)

Ghanaian Rapper Kwesi Arthur Shares Visuals For ‘Pain Interlude’

Watch Kwesi Arthur’s inspiring new video for his latest single “Pain interlude.”

Kwesi Arthurhas released the music video to his song “Pain Interlude.” The visuals, which were entirely shot in black-and-white, chronicle the life of a boxer who goes through challenges, but ultimately overcomes due to his consistency and grit. The record “Pain Interlude” is a continuation of the Ghana music artist's journey as someone who's building his career and cementing his signature sound.

Kwesi Arthur, born Emmanuel Kwesi Danso Arthur Junior, hails from Tema, a metropolis in Ghana. The rapper, singer and song-writer first gained widespread attention with his 2017 single "Grind Day," which became an instant hit in Ghana and earned him several award nominations. Since then, Kwesi Arthur has released several successful projects, including his debut EP, Live from Nkrumah Krom in 2017, which features the hit single "Grind Day (Remix)" featuring Sarkodie and Medikal. He has also collaborated with other notable African artists such as Nasty C, Mr Eazi, and Davido.

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News
Photo by Adedamola Odetara

Places in Lagos to Have Fun this Weekend

Discover weekend events in Lagos, from beach parties, film screenings, and art exhibitions to nightlife.

After a frenzied guber election season, Lagos is back to normal. If you’re looking for fun places in Lagos, we've got you covered. Obi’s House was a blast on Monday, the weekly club party by DJ Obi held at the Hard Rock Cafe. For the art heads, Rele Gallery is extending the group show for “Bodies! Bodies! Bodies!” till March 25, featuring works from contemporary Nigerian artists.

On Saturday, Femme Fest returns this year, the women-led festival that has been a cultural staple since 2018. Sweat-It-Out, the Lagos collective hosting EDM parties, are still on a break since January. They come back in April, and we hope they return with a better experience.

Those looking for outdoor fun should be a little wary, though. The rains are creeping in and could show up when you least expect.

Silent disco party with House of Oni and Palazzo Lagos

Friday, March 24, 7pm

Silent raves, quiet clubbing, or silent disco are becoming a thing with Lagos nightlife. Hosted by Palazzo Lagos and House of Oni, join them this Friday and party with three yet-to-be-announced celebrity DJs. House of Oni has been sponsoring and curating silent events for a while. They are also involved with a non-silent pool party the next day, which brings us to the next lined-up event.

Venue: Dr Abayomi Finnih Park by Opebi Link Bridge, Oregun

Cost: From N3K

Party at The Good Beach

Saturday, March 25, 2pm

The Good Beach is one of the newest beaches in Lagos, with a vast idyllic space to relax and unwind. Come ready to dive, lounge, and party in your swimsuits and speedos.

Venue: Plot 10B, Water Corporation Road, trinity Avenue, Victoria Island

Cost: N5K

Exhibition at Rele Gallery

​Now till Saturday, March 25, 2 p.m.

Musa Ganiyy, Daniel Obasi, Ayanfe Olarinde, Yemi Osokoya, Jimi Agboola, Adaeze Omari, Dennis Onofua, Ojo Ayotunde, and Laja are the diverse artists whose works will be shown for an extended period at the Rele Gallery, ending on Friday. Titled “Bodies! Bodies! Bodies!,” the group exhibition brings distinct perspectives on exploring the body through the lens of politics, sex, spirituality, love, and history.

Venue: 32D, Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi

Cost: free

Femme Festival 2023

Saturday, March 25, 2 p.m.

It’s still Women’s Month, and no better way to celebrate than taking yourself to this year’s Femme Festival. It promises to be as exciting as past editions. Shop at the experiential vendor village from female-owned brands, party to a rotating set of female DJs, get entrepreneurial skills at the workshops, and discover a lineup of musical talents that includes Melissa, Bloody Civilian, Candy Bleakz, SGaWD, Qing Madi, and Winny.

Venue: Harbour Point, Victoria Island

Cost: From 5K for students (disclaimer, student ID needed)

Sunday at Ilashe

Sunday, March 26, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Beach parties in Lagos haven’t been the same since Sunday at Ilashe. For their Love Island-themed edition happening on Sunday, the venue will switch from Ilashe beach to Barva Beach, with hopes to attract a new, fun-seeking crowd.

Venue: Amuwo Odofin, Ilashe

Cost: From N30K

Night of Shorts

Saturday, March 25, 6 p.m.

Put together by Take One Productions, treat yourself to the screening of the anthology project Love, Life & Family. From young, undiscovered filmmakers, it will feature several short films like Onajite, Ukulo Iyi, A Moment’s Peace, Kill the Imposter, and Naked Woman. A red carpet starting by 5 p.m. gives the event an interesting flair.

Venue: Ozone Cinemas, Yaba

Cost: From N4K

Francophonie celebration at the Alliance Française de Lagos

Saturday, March 25 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.

In partnership with the Bulgarian, Swiss, and Belgian embassies, Alliance Française Lagos will be celebrating the diversity of francophone cultures with a two-day screening of films from Belgium: Infinite Garden (2017, Romance), Last Dance (2022, drama/comedy), and L’employée de Mois (2021, thriller/crime).

Venue: 9, Osborne Road, Ikoyi

Cost: free

Fresh pastries at Maison Kayser

Have a taste of Paris in Lagos by enjoying artisanal baked goods at Maison Kayser. From exotic creations to French classics, the bakery which doubles as a bistro offers freshness and quality, even with its gourmet foods. It’s also big enough to accommodate the kids in the play area.

Venue: 9, Osborne Road, Ikoyi

Cost: free

Dining at Amazonia Lagos

​Break away from traditional restaurant experiences, and indulge in the rainforest-inspired environment of Amazonia Lagos. Have cocktails in goblin totem cups, with the sounds of water mimicking rainfall, the gentle rustle of leaves, harmonized chirping of birds, and the occasional roar to give you a dining experience close to nature.

Venue: 5, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island

Cost: free

Music
Credit: Joshua Baraka.

Joshua Baraka Is Ugandan Music’s Next Big Thing

With the hit song "Nana," Joshua Baraka has solidified his position as a rising star in the East African music scene.

The infectious rhythms and empowering lyrics of Joshua Baraka’s “Nana” have captured the hearts of music fans in Uganda and beyond, earning the artist the number one spot on the nation’s music charts.

Baraka shared his thoughts on his success, early influences, and his plans for the future in a recent short conversation with OkayAfrica.

"It's crazy. It's my first time, and I feel humbled," Baraka mentions when asked how it felt to have the number one song in Uganda. His gratitude for the success is evident, and it's clear that he’s excited to continue making music and growing as an artist.

Musical Journey and Future Plans

Baraka's musical journey started in church with his mother, he was influenced early on by gospel music and Ugandan artists like Radio & Weasel, among many other “random songs” that inspired him along the way.

Ugandan artist Joshua Baraka poses with one hand behind his head.Credit: Joshua Baraka.

Looking towards the future, Baraka is intentional about collaborations and plans to diversify his music by getting into more spaces. "Definitely [need to do] more international collaborations with artists whose music I like,” he shares. His long list of artists and producers he would like to work with include Tems, Koffee, Dave, Samthing Soweto, and Sauti Sol.

Baraka's success has earned him both local and international attention, with fans eagerly anticipating new music. "I'm working on my album which God willing will come out in July," he reveals. "I'm also working on more collaborations… it's going to be a very lovely year for the people who like my music."

The “Nana” Effect

Joshua Baraka's passion and dedication to his craft is evident in his music. With "Nana," Baraka has solidified his position as a rising star in the East African music scene. The modern dancehall track seamlessly fuses Afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae elements to create a sound that is both infectious and empowering.

With its uplifting lyrics and memorable chorus, Baraka's smooth vocals and dynamic delivery make "Nana" an undeniable hit. The song has earned him the cover of the Made in Uganda playlist on Spotify, cementing his buzz.

"Nana" has captured the hearts of music fans across the continent and secured its place as the number one song on both the Apple Music Top 100 Uganda chart and Audiomack Uganda chart, as well as being the most Shazamed track in Uganda. It has even made its way onto the Kenyan charts, steadily climbing higher and gaining momentum.

As we move further into 2023, Joshua Baraka's "Nana" is just the beginning for this budding Ugandan artist.

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