Showbiz
South African Fashion Expands into Eurasian, Russian Markets
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Organized by the Fashion Foundation with the support of the Moscow Government, the second Moscow Fashion Week was held from March 2 to 7, 2024. As part of the bilateral cooperation agreements signed at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, directors of fashion weeks and councils from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and new members, including Ethiopia, Egypt and UAE, were represented.
Generally, most designers are keen on creating routes for new business and focusing on cultural exchanges a step forward in exporting brands beyond the United States and Europe.
The Moscow Fashion Week attracted designers from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Serbia, South Africa and other foreign countries, who had an excellent opportunity to showcase world-class brands with premium quality and long history to a wide audience and attract new buyers and customers. Designers and brand specialists used the chance to gain exposure and network with industry professionals.
The South African designers participated and presented their unique collections at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall.
Stephen Manzini, the organizer of the South African group’s participation in this spectacular grandest business event, is the founder and CEO of Soweto Fashion Week.
In this interview, Stephen Manzini offers his assessment and the importance of the Moscow Fashion Week and further emphasizes diverse fashion trends in the global markets. Here are the interview excerpts.
As the founder of Soweto Fashion Week, is it interesting to know the common sentiments among fellow Russian participants and other foreign designers during the recently held Moscow Fashion Week?
The current Moscow Fashion Week has been rebranded due to cities becoming global trendsetters. You will notice that all the big fashion weeks around the world are named after cities or towns (Soweto Fashion Week), hence, the rebranding from the Russian Fashion Week to Moscow Fashion Week.
It is my understanding that the sentiments are similar, and these include production challenges, costs of production, understanding and cracking foreign markets and differentiating between cultural and propriety in materials, as well as meeting business overheads at the end of each month.
What are your corporate views about potentials in South Africa for Russia, and in Russia for the South African designer industry?
Russia and South Africa have an excellent relations. Based on the existing cordial relations, I truly believe there’s great potential for both countries. The potential for South Africa in Russia includes access to an open and curious market. We bring our rich cultural background to the table, cultural materials, design, print and overall make which is very colourful based on tribal colours and inspiration. It’s something different for the curious fashions in Russia. It may be a niche market today B2C until with time it is tapped into the B2B economy.
Russia for the South African designer industry. I truly view it as a much easier transition. Our mainstream wear in retail stores is very much inspired by European apparel, if they can match the final price tags in the market, they should be able to make way in a short space of time B2B.
Have you anything to say about setbacks, challenges and policy blocs in penetrating the Russian and Eurasian markets? What are the popular complaints in the fashion industry?
One of the most popular setbacks, challenges and policy blocs include financial backing for South African design houses to expand into Eurasian and Russian markets. It is not only that; if you pay attention to the import-export index, it is mostly about importing to South Africa rather than exporting. Sometimes, little or too much leads to product dumping and fast fashion. The BRICS bilateral political agreements have made it easier and simpler for the removal or reduction of policy blocs to Russia and Eurasia.
Do you consider market competition and the changing corporate realities as challenges?
Of course, every business has to consider these factors. There are always bigger and international brands with advanced access to information or sometimes absorbing a traditional South African designer to get inside trade secrets on cultural propriety. This squeezes the emerging designer’s niche marking and forces them to close or better yet adapt and reinvent themselves. I reckon it is the same in Russia and Eurasian markets.
Do you think the media as part of a decisive factor in building effective cultural ties, including the fashion business, with Russia and South Africa?
Media is one of the decisive factors in my point of view. The media drives the narrative and paints a picture that makes ties desirable, it carries a message that will attract newer ties and build stronger current ones. Even more so in the fashion business which is driven by visuals that the media projects across the globe giving evidence and a track record of the ties.
From the above narratives, what measures or steps do South African designers together with Russian counterparts suggest for unlocking and tapping for cooperation?
The necessity to establish continual exchange until tangible results are realized. The goals we seek to achieve will not happen after a once-off attempt of continual media coverage, exchange, learning and adapting to each country and consumer needs. South African designers are all emerging in Russia and Russian designers are emerging in South Africa, this narrative alone suggests that there is a lot of work to be done and we look to achieve solid cooperation.
What other areas have you already identified, besides fashion, to engage in as part of fostering the scope of people-to-people gathering (public outreach) between Russia and South Africa?
I have identified a unique water purification process that caters for self-service or an intimate community which could work well in South Africa. The business of purified water is the future gold business in my viewpoint as we already have a shortage of healthy clean water in certain parts of South Africa. That’s another industry that needs to engage as a matter of urgent necessity.
Any wider possibilities such as the BRICS platform, both Russia and South Africa are members of this association?
As you may be aware BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) platform is expanding. That is the main focus at the moment, and emerging global markets are coming together to build for each other industries outside of Western Europe and the United States. It doesn’t get wider than that, in my point of view, as that is the future of the world.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Veteran Nigerian actor, Mr Kola Oyewo, is reported to have breathed his last at the age of 80.
A popular Nollywood actor, Mr Kunle Afod, confirmed the news of the passing of the scholar, dramatist and filmmaker on Friday in a post on his Instagram page.
Before his passing, Mr Afod recently visited the university teacher at his residence, where he made monetary donations to him.
In his post on Friday, he announced the death of the thespian, saying “Tonight, we lost a true legend. Kola Oyewo has taken his final bow.”
“His remarkable talent, timeless performances, and immense contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry will never be forgotten. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” he further wrote.
Recall that in an interview with Mr Afod, the deceased disclosed how his battle with prostate enlargement affected his acting career, which spanned over six decades.
Mr Oyewo began his acting career in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group after he was born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State.
During his lifetime, he acted in several movies, including Saworoide, Super Story, Sango, and Koseegbe, amongst others. He also played the role of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s play, The Gods Are Not to Blame.
In 1996, he became a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University and retired in September 2011 as a senior lecturer. He later moved to Redeemer’s University as the Head of the Department of Dramatic Art. He later worked at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, as a performing arts lecturer.
Big Brother Naija Reunion is on, the World Cup tournament is kicking off, or that new DStv/GOtv series everyone has been talking about just dropped, and somehow, you’re not at home. Maybe you’re in traffic, at work, or just not near a TV. In moments like these, the real question is no longer “what’s showing?” but “how do I not miss it?”
That shift is precisely why the DStv and GOtv Stream have become more than just viewing platforms. They are now part of how people actually experience television on the move, at home, on phones, and in real time.”
Whether it’s someone trying to catch a live show while commuting, watching highlights during a break at work, or simply preferring to stream directly from their device instead of using a decoder, these apps have quietly changed how entertainment is consumed.
But beyond streaming and access, many users still don’t fully understand how to navigate them properly. Here’s a simple guide.
1. Getting Started
Download the DStv Stream or GOtv Stream app from your device’s app store and sign in using your DStv or GOtv account details.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll land on the home page, where you’ll find a mix of live TV, recommended content, trending titles, and recently added shows.
2. Watching Live TV
One of the easiest ways to use the platform is through the Live TV section.
Simply:
-
Tap on Live TV
-
Browse available channels
-
Select the channel you want
-
Start watching instantly
This is especially useful for:
-
Big Brother Naija live broadcasts
-
Football matches and tournaments
-
News coverage
-
Reality shows
-
Live events
You can move between channels just as you would on a decoder.
3. Finding Shows and Movies
For viewers who already know what they want to watch, the search feature offers a quick way to find specific shows, movies, channels, or sporting events without scrolling through categories.
The platform also organizes content into categories, making it easier to discover something new.
4. Catch Up on Missed Episodes
If you missed an episode because you were busy, the catch-up feature allows you to watch selected programs after they have aired. Instead of waiting for reruns, you can simply search for the show and pick up right where you left off. This feature is especially useful during busy periods when it can be difficult to keep up with daily shows.
5. Explore Recommended and Trending Content
The home page regularly highlights:
-
Trending shows
-
Newly added content
-
Popular movies
-
Recommended titles based on viewing habits
If you’re not sure what to watch next, this section can help you discover content you may have otherwise missed.
6. Accessing Showmax Content
One of the biggest additions to the streaming experience is the integration of Showmax content.
Viewers can now access a wide range of Showmax movies, series, and entertainment content directly through the streaming platform, making it easier to move between live TV and on-demand viewing without constantly switching services.
From international blockbusters to local favorites, there’s significantly more content available to explore.
7. Creating a Personal Viewing Experience
The platform allows users to:
-
Continue watching from where they stopped
-
Save favorite content
-
Browse viewing history
-
Discover personalized recommendations
This makes it easier to keep track of ongoing series and find content that matches your interests.
With the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, live channels, catch-up viewing, on-demand entertainment, and Showmax content are all available in one place, making it easier than ever to watch what you want, when you want, and wherever you are.
The Big Brother Naija Season 10 reunion kicked off yesterday, and honestly, nobody was prepared for how quickly things went from zero to heated. From unresolved tensions to emotional confessions, it looks like the housemates came ready to finally say everything they’ve been holding back.
If episode one is anything to go by, the rest of the reunion is set to be explosive.
Here are some of the highlights from Episode 1 of the reunion:
Sabrina opened up about her early exit, saying that if she had stayed longer, viewers would have seen more of her personality, and that a love interest storyline likely wouldn’t have happened.
Tracy reflected on her time in the house, admitting she didn’t feel emotionally prepared for the experience. She also expressed that while she wanted a deeper connection with Kuture, things felt too physical for her.
Zita revisited her time in the house as well, insisting her fight with Mide was not performative and that she often felt cornered by how things played out. Mide, however, pushed back, saying Zita misunderstood her intentions and that she is not condescending.
Zita and Danboskid also addressed their failed “ship,” finally laying the relationship drama to rest.
Thelma had an emotional moment while defending herself in the Isabella and Kayinkumi situation, with tensions rising further when Big Soso jumped into the conversation, escalating things between her and Thelma.
We also saw more tension unfold between Tega and Thelma, with revelations that added even more weight to their already strained dynamic.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any hotter, the episode ended on a cliffhanger, with Kola and Doris going head-to-head, leaving viewers waiting for what comes next.
If this is just episode one, the rest of the reunion promises nothing short of chaos, clarity, and confrontations.
Big Brother Naija S10 reunion is clearly not holding back this year. You can catch all the drama at 10 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and 10:30 pm on Africa Magic Family on DStv and GOtv.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn