Entertainment
Music Icon Oliver Mapfumo Advises Winky D to Remain ‘Vigilant’ in the Face of Persecution

EXILED musician Thomas Mapfumo has urged Winky D to stand with the people and speak truth to power in the wake of the artist’s media blackout and run in with authorities.
Mapfumo, who resides in the United States, made these remarks following Winky D’s lack of airplay on national radio and ZBC TV since the release of his album Eureka Eureka last year.
“I performed with him in England and told him this fight isn’t for the faint at heart,” Mapfumo said.
“He needs to be vigilant. He should stand with the people and resist the pressure of the oppressors even if they try to sabotage or persecute him.”
“We see Zanu PF giving cars to some musicians while victimising others, who aren’t party cheerleaders,” Mapfumo added.
The frontman of The Vigilance Band has also faced criticism from the ruling party for his politically charged lyrics, which they claim cause despondency.
Zanu PF spokesperson Farai Marapira recently accused Winky D of abusing his artistic privilege to attack the government.
“It is unfortunate that Winky D, an artiste relevant (sic) because of a decided Zanu PF policy in the early 2000s to uplift local art has taken the same gift handed to him to attack the benevolent hand,” Marapira said.
“As a political party we have a right to assess his actions and respond politically also, of course as always within the tenets of the law. Let it be also known that as his musical star wanes he has decided to delve into politics to hopefully get attention and more views on his ailing musical career. A mammoth party like Zanu PF is not really bothered by a miniscule actor such as him because everyone seeks relevance by speaking about the party.” added Marapira.
A Human Rights Watch report released in January highlighted Winky D’s case and painted a concerning picture of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, detailing widespread violations by authorities.
“On March 4th, 2023, police shut down the show of popular musician Wallace Chirimiko, better known as Winky D,” the report states. “The reggae-dancehall artist had recently released an album with lyrics critical of social and political injustice, corruption, and the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe.”
The report went on to explicitly state: “The authorities’ continued suppression of meetings and gatherings by the opposition, artists, critics, and human rights defenders constitutes a blatant violation of the right to freedom of assembly.”
Furthermore, the report raises serious concerns about the August 23, 2023 elections, which saw Emmerson Mnangagwa retaining the presidency. Many observers, including the Southern African Development Community, deemed the elections as failing to meet constitutional and international standards, citing irregularities and a lack of impartiality from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
The report also detailed a climate of threats, intimidation, and violence against political opponents, further undermining the electoral environment.
Source: Standard
Entertainment
Top 10 Online Slot Machines to Play in South Africa in 2025
Online slot machines are more popular than ever on today’s safest South African casino sites, such as the official 10Bet African online casino and sports betting platform.
There are thousands to choose from to suit all types of players, and new ones are constantly arriving, meaning players should never get bored and always have something new to look forward to.
With that said, let’s dive straight in to discover the names of ten of the most popular online slot machines that are currently trending on South Africa’s safest iGaming platform.
Top 10 online slot machines to play in South Africa in 2025
The 10Bet online casino currently has over 1,200 feature-rich, computer-generated online slot machines from several top-tier, market-leading iGaming software providers, such as Pragmatic Play, Booming Games, Spinomenal, Yggdrasil Gaming, NetEnt, Red Tiger Gaming, and NoLimit City, to name a few.
The sheer volume can often make it difficult to decide what to play, especially for beginners who are new to online casinos. To save you endless scrolling to try and find an online slot machine that you think might be worth trying, why not check out these top 10 titles before trying anything else.
The 10 best online slots to play when you next log in to your 10Bet account are the following great games:
- 777 Strike online slot from Red Tiger Gaming
- Gates of Olympus online slot from Pragmatic Play
- Big Bass Bonanza Megaways online slot from Reel Kingdom and Pragmatic Play
- 64 Gold Coins – Hold and Win online slot from Booming Games
- Fruit Shop Megaways online slot from NetEnt
- Fire in the Hole online slot from NoLimit City
- Tut’s Twister online slot from Yggdrasil Gaming
- Piggy Riches Megaways online slot from Red Tiger Gaming
- Starburst XXXtreme online slot from NetEnt
- The Wild Wings of Phoenix DELUXE online slot from Booming Games
When you play online slot games like 777 Strike, you should find that most are playable from as little as R1.79 per spin up to around R1,000.00 or R2,000.00 per spin.
These popular slots work well on most modern computing devices, including laptops, desktops, mobiles, and tablets, and you have the option to play them either instantly in your web browser on the 10Bet website or from within the brand’s cutting-edge mobile app (works on iOS and Android smartphones).
Honourable mentions
If you enjoy playing any of the top 10 suggestions mentioned above, and want more ideas for what to play when you next log in to your 10Bet account, then you might also like to try Red Tiger Gaming’s Grand Wheel, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Dragon’s Luck Power Reels, Dynamite Riches, and Pirate’s Plenty – Battle for Gold online slots.
Pragmatic Play fans might like to try Madame Destiny Megaways, The Dog House Megaways, Sugar Rush, Sweet Bonanza, Big Bass Return to the Races, Joker Jewel’s Cash, and Congo Cash XL slots.
If you prefer Booming Games’ slots, try Jam Bonanza, Ultimate Hold ‘n Win, Big Bang Reloaded, Holly Jolly Bonanza 2, Hot Charge, and Payday Pig.
Some of NetEnt’s other most famous slots include Divine Fortune Megaways, Jumanji, Gorilla Kingdom, and Willy’s Hot Chillies, and some of the other most famous Yggdrasil Gaming slots that are worth checking out include 4 Fantastic Fish, Thor – Infinity Reels, Viking Go To Egypt, Big Bucks Buffalo Gigablox, and Armageddon 10K Ways, to name a few.
There are hundreds more games to choose from. It’s just a case of finding which software providers you prefer, what type of game mechanics, features and bonus rounds you want, and the type of theme you are looking for.
Understanding what type of slot you want to play can help narrow down your search and help you find what you’re looking for in no time.
Final thoughts
Don’t forget that you must be at least 18 years old to play any of the 10Bet Casino games in the real money mode. The important thing to remember when signing up to Africa’s number one iGaming platform is to gamble responsibly each time you log in to play your favourite slots (or any other games that you decide to play).
Fortunately, the 10Bet operator also encourages responsible gambling and provides a range of useful safer gambling tools, such as daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits, which can help players remain well within any sensible spending budget they devise before playing.
Finally, to ensure you always have a safe and fun time and never exceed your budget, make costly errors, or take bigger risks that you wouldn’t normally take, avoid playing while tired or intoxicated. Have fun, don’t treat gambling as a job, and remember to take regular session breaks.
Entertainment
Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival Moves to Matabeleland North
The Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival’s provincial finals are relocating to Matabeleland North this Saturday, where various dance groups will showcase their talents at the New Tavern Beerhall in Victoria Falls.
At the recent Matabeleland South finals held at Colleen Bawn Bar, Bolamba Performing Arts from Kafusi in rural Gwanda emerged victorious, impressing the audience with their captivating Sepata dance. They outshone nine other dance groups to claim the top spot.
Following closely behind were Inqama Yophondo with their Amabhiza dance, and Sekusile group securing third place with their Isitshikitsha dance.
With three provincial wins under their belt, Bolamba Performing Arts is aiming for national champion status this year. Africa Mathe, one of the group’s founders, expressed confidence in their ability to bring the trophy home to Matabeleland South province.
“In the three times we’ve made it to the finals, we’ve grown and learned from talents across the country,” Mathe stated, emphasizing their dedication to representing their community and province with pride.
“We’re determined to practice diligently, correct our mistakes, and hopefully bring joy to the people of Kafusi and the entire province,” Mathe added.
Entertainment
Castle Tankard 2024 Promises Thrills, Music, and Tradition at Borrowdale Racecourse
Everything is ready for the much awaited Castle Tankard, which will take place at the Borrowdale Racecourse on May 11, 2024. This legendary occasion is about to provide a day full of exhilarating entertainment and premier horse racing thrills.
This renowned event promises a thrilling day of entertainment and top-notch horse racing action.
Music lovers may look forward to incredible performances by Sungura veteran Alick Macheso and Orchestra Mberikwazvo, as well as Zimdancehall sensations Master H, Freeman and the HKD Band, and the Chillspot family, among the incredible array of musicians. Hip hop artist Bling 4 will also be performing with Fantan, guaranteeing a varied and captivating musical experience for guests.
The Castle Tankard, with the theme “Ride The Legacy,” has a rich history that dates back to 1960, securing its place as a beloved event on Zimbabwe’s sporting and entertainment calendar.
ALSO READ : Alick Macheso’s Lead Dancer, Majuice, Speaks Out on Suspension
This 64th event, which is sponsored by Delta Beverages and features Castle Lager as its flagship beer brand, is a victorious comeback after a two-year break caused by Covid-19 restrictions. Fans and horse racing enthusiasts alike are looking forward to the exciting races and vibrant atmosphere that the Castle Tankard is known for providing.