Emerging from Alexandra Township, Thapelo Lekoane is a seasoned singer/songwriter who realised her passion for music at the young age of eight. Since starting out in her church choir, Thapelo has forged her musical journey, featuring on many stages, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz being one of them. She acquired her Bachelor of Music Honours degree in vocal performance at Wits University (2012). Thereafter she worked for the esteemed music production company, Thatch Music, as a Music Director and Production Coordinator on events such as the SA Music Awards, the 2014 Presidential Inauguration, the Metro FM awards, Glo Caf soccer awards and many other broadcast events locally and internationally under the mentorship of James Bassingthwaighte. Thapelo had a memorable journey as a finalist on the first season of The Voice South Africa. She has since worked as a music director and a performer at the South African Tourism Awards and had the honour of being the first female music director for the Castle Lite Hip Hop Herstory event that celebrated women in Hip Hop and the arts. Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Thapelo during Saturday’s Role on Hellenic Radio about her latest album release TAPESTRY. Listen to the podcast!

A Better Life was commissioned and produced by The Market Theatre as part of the 45th year programming celebration. Making his eagerly awaited comeback to the theatre after ten years is the award-winning director and playwright Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom.  Grootboom’s A Better Life will make its premiere at the Market Theatre from 27 November – 19 December 2021. Featuring a star-studded cast who are household names in some of the famous telenovelas, Lele Ledwaba, Didintle Khunou, Saint Seseli and Thabo Malema. Tickets are between R130 and R150 and are available via Webtickets. During Saturday’s Role, Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to director, Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom. Listen to the podcast and find out more!

During Saturday’s Role on Hellenic Radio, our representative in Greece, Katerina Simboni Paraskeva pays tribute to Grigoris Bithikotsis, a Greek folk singer/songwriter with a career spanning five decades. He is considered one of the most important figures in Greek popular music. Listen to the podcast and find out more!

Sing your heart out and get into the festive spirit of the holiday season with a Christmas Carol Sing Along, a fun-filled event featuring the most loved carols and Christmas hits! The Christmas Carol Sing Along, presented by National Children’s Theatre, on Friday and Saturday 5.30pm and 6.30pm, is perfect for all ages and you can bring your whole family along, your best voice, blankets/chairs, and a picnic basket. The star performers; Christine Ludwig, RJ Benjamin and Chad Alexander will sing special duets and trios. The programme also features songs by the Saturday Workshop children and a guest appearance by the wonderful Renos Spanoudes as Father Christmas.

Cost:  R80

TEL: 011 484-1584

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @NCTheatreSA | Christmas Carol Sing Along

Instagram: @nctheatresa

Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Christine Ludwig during Saturday’s Role. Listen to the podcast!

During Saturday’s Role with Renos Nicos Spanoudes this week, our representative in Greece Katerina Simboni Paraskeva pays tribute to Roza Eskenazi, a famous Jewish-Greek dancer and singer of rebetiko, Greek folk music, Kanto and Turkish folk music born in Constantinople, whose recording and stage career extended from the late 1920s into the 1970s. Katerina also updates us on all the latest in entertainment news. Listen to the podcast!

During Saturday’s Role on Hellenic Radio, radio host, Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to an Artistic Director who has introduced a new innovative form of Abstract theatre, Mxolisi Masilela, about his current theatre production, ITSOSENG, showing at the TX Theatre which was also established by him in 2008.  Listen to the podcast!

In 2008 the “The Home Equity Leverage Plan” (H.E.L.P) was developed to assist over indebted homeowners who are permanently employed to save their homes from being auctioned. The focus grew, to securing a means whereby these indebted home owners could salvage their homes, improve their cash flow, credit health and retain their dignity. MattFin is passionate about helping those who desperately require financial assistance, and guidance in personal money management. During Saturday’s Role, radio host, Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to CEO of MattFin, Lyle Ryan Irwin. Listen to the podcast to find out more!

A new proudly South African manufactured sleep and loungewear brand, HUGIO, has been launched, along with its online store, just in time to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season.  HUGIO was developed for the market by Durban-born entrepreneur Chanayé Pillay from Sibaya, who was exposed to the clothing and textile manufacturing industry from an early age.  Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Chanayé during Saturday’s Role on Hellenic Radio. Listen to the podcast!

New Material, directed by Craig Freimond, with Carishma Basday, Vincent Ebrahim, Zakeeya Patel, Schalk Bezuidenhout, sees the much anticipated return of Cassim trying to figure out family, love, kids and comedy. Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Carishma Basday during Saturday’s Role on Hellenic Radio. Listen to the podcast and find out more!

During Saturday’s Role with Renos Nicos Spanoudes, our representative in Greece pays tribute to Giorgos Fountas. He appeared for the first time in the theatre in Nyfiatiko tragoudi ("Bridal Song") and his first film in 1944. He was awarded at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in 1966 and 1967 for his participation in his films With the Shine in the Eyes and Fever on the Road. He remained popular and he is best remembered for his role in the movie Stella with Melina Mercouri where he pronounced one quote, which was satirized in the movie Straight Story in 2006. He also appeared on several TV roles. Katerina also updates on the latest happenings in Greece. Listen to the podcast!