In this week's show, we look at some of the stories that made headlines and trended both locally and internationally. We also step out to quietly reflect on the year ahead at a financially reasonable, peaceful Nkwe Resort in Pretoria. In fashion-We chat with crochet designer Tshegofatso Chanda who is weaving her dreams into reality even on Paris Fashion Week runways. At the theatre-Mzansi Ballet evokes nostalgic and fairytale magic feelings with a ballet performance titled 'The ABBA Show: A Cinderella Story', inspired by hits from music group ABBA. Still, on music, we are serenaded by multi-platinum-selling, 21-year-old trailblazing, hit-making amapiano sensation Zee Nxumalo. Songstress TS Sebogodi also shares her story of courage, and recovery and sings from her new album 'Tsogo-The Rebirth'.

Here we are in 2025 and with this week's news wrap let's take a look at some New Year's Eve celebrations across the globe. In theatre, the classical sounds of ABBA "Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia," have been worked into Mzansi Ballet's 'The ABBA Show: A Cinderella Story', a culmination of the magic of music and a fairytale. We bring you a look inside the Pieter Torien Theatre at Montecasino. Some of the past years' most viral moments emanate from podcasters and their guests covering a range of topics. 'The Bubbling Explosion' is a documentary that looks at the South African podcasting landscape. Executive Producer, Nic Regisford and Parenting Podcaster, Lebang Kgosana join us. Stay tuned, as we find out what some of your wishes are in 2025! Happy New! The holidays are not over just yet. Circus Galassia is back in Sandton and under the big top, they are bringing the fun. Their range of international performers will leave everyone in awe. Take a trip down memory lane with Trendz Live. See as we revisit the OMG moments that made 2024, pure magic! One of the most exciting new talents in South Africa today is Musician, Bassie. Her collaborations with artists like Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa have cemented her place as an artist to be on the lookout for. Basetsana Maluleke joins us for a chat about her new work from her album titled 'Umculo'.

Hitmaker Kelvin Momo, award-winning fashion designer Lukhanyo Mdingi, milliner Crystal Birch, and visual artist Imraan Christian form part of an artist residency that had an experiential showcase that highlighted a fusion of art from a trip they took to Mexico in light of celebrating the origins of the partnerships history... Selepe Maifadi was out there to bring us all the action. Mzansis music took to a whole new level this year and as we celebrated a decade of Amapiano music. The sound is firmly chilling at the top of charts globally. As we wrap up the year we explore the top tracks and artists that are most listened to on global distributing streaming platforms. Selepe Maifadi attended the Spotify Wrapped event at the Constitution Hill to find out about our most loved hits for the year. 2024 was another massive year where Mzansi was shining bright on the global stage, especially when it comes to the culture. Our music, fashion, dance styles, lingo - NJE, everything about SA was widely celebrated and adopted in many parts of the world. It's only fair for us to look at those moments and give credit where its due. I am now joined by Digital creator, Entertainment Commentator, Blogger and Award-winning Brand PR Consultant Nombulelo Fox and Award-winning culture reporter, Bestselling author of Dinner at Somizi's, and Editor-in-chief of Sowetan S Mag Emmanuel Tjiya to unpack the unforgettable fashion moments. The festive season is a fantastic time to visit waterparks and go to the beaches with our families and friends. But while having fun in the sun, we must also put safety first, to avoid injuries and drowning. One of the coolest places to visit is Happy Island in Gauteng, where holidayers thrive on amazing water features and slides. Trendz producer Didintle Mookeletsi went to explore the park, but also get a few nuggets on how to remain jovial and safe. Picture rolling green vineyards, charming countryside architecture, majestic mountains, and the irresistible vibe of Cape Town. You don’t have to imagine it for long because, for the next five minutes, we’re bringing it all to life. Get ready for an unforgettable journey through this postcard-perfect experience, curated by our producer, Puleng Molebatsi, just for you Every town has a story to tell, and Thembisa is no different. This vibrant township holds key moments that shaped South Africa’s history. What stood out for us this time around was the inspirational story of guest house owner Sheila Sekitla. The woman behind the establishment of Thembisa's very first guest house back in 1992 when townships weren't known for having such. This is a true testament to resilience and hope. Here's a journey through history and a celebration of dreams fulfilled.

This episode gives us a glimpse into multi-award-winning artist Chris Brown's recent South African tour. Breezy pulled off a one-of-a-kind production, now dubbed the Breezy Bowl. We visit 'The BreadBox Bakery and Studio' for a colourful baking session to learn recipes that add to a perfect Christmas Lunch! Then we go on a sensory journey with a Beauty Entrepreneur who shared insights on her love of fragrances and how scents interact with our skin. We spent some time at the Shoshanguve Hotel which treats its guests to a five-star stay right in the middle of ekasi. Still on getaways, as if taking a trip to Asia we enjoy various cuisines at Waterfall in Midrand. Joining us in studio for some beautiful tunes musician Ntethelelo 'Ntethe' Mposwa discusses his triumphant return to Gospel music.

As we countdown to Christmas on this episode, we check out Santaland in Fourways, an adventurous and child-like magical space. Then it's lights galore as we visit the enchanting Christmas Village at Emperor's Palace. In the spirit of giving this festive, Mzansi Ballet brings hope, creating a unique tradition of distributing ballet shoes to uplift aspiring dancers across the country. We even decorate a Christmas tree live on set. In the arts, we chat with talented actress Didi Khunou who appeared in various productions, and tap into the works behind the scenes that create such greatness. In fashion, Mzansi's Best Dressed Woman of the Year, content creator and entrepreneur, Lisa Madibe, shares a few tips for how to be fashionably bold and authentic to self this festive season. We explore and admire furious, sexy classic vehicles at a showroom in Hydepark, just before we enjoy the best Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisines right here in Mzansi at Waterfall in Midrand. Finally, musician Njelic talks about his music, sharing it with others and also serenades us!!!

This payday weekend edition of Trendz Live was epic as per usual. We kick off by celebrating the vibrant pulse of the '90s by taking it back with Mzansi's legendary South African DJ, music producer, and entrepreneur, Oskido ahead of a big event celebration that is set to pay homage to Mzansi's rich cultural heritage in South Africa. We chatted to storyteller, writer, actor, producer and comedian, Phillip Dikotla who's set on delivering something special to audiences before Christmas in Cape Town and Johannesburg. We visit the Cheetah Outreach facility dedicated to raising awareness and protecting the majestic cheetahs, a place where visitors get a unique chance to connect with cheetahs and other animals while learning about conservation in a fun, interactive way. We also explore another element of the "More Than Music" program at the Sunsets Festival World Tour that took place earlier this month in Cape Town. This time we are exploring environmental awareness through mural artist, Hakopike who highlights the impact of plastic waste and sustainability efforts through art. We headed to Emperor's Palace, East of Jozi as chefs brought forth their best skills and culinary excellence for a prize. A recent Gourmet Fest showcased the vibrant synergy of skill, innovation, and empowerment within South Africa's food service industry. We explored skating at a skate park situated on a mall rooftop for an adrenaline-pumping session. Then we close off the show with award-winning musician, Richardo "Priddy Ugly" Moloi who is living it up and making his mark in the music industry with his versatile sound.

On this episode, we visit Hyde Park Corner for the lighting of a Christmas Tree, with legendary musician Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse adding his sparkle to the event. We are in conversation with Gauteng Tourism to discuss their campaign which promotes responsible practices during the festive season and exciting things to do in GP for families. In entertainment, we meet one of South Africa's most-loved TikTok dance content creators, Chad Jones who has taken social media by storm. Global fragrance creators landed in Jozi for some fun informative sessions, so we attended an enchanting scent experience at the gallery in Rosebank. In art, we experience the incredible artwork of Cape Town's very own sculptor Marco Olivier whose creations have taken the city by storm. Then we witness the reveal of a monumental sculptor by Daniel Popper, that perfectly fits the Sunsets Festival. Still on artistic brilliance, the Wits Art Museum is exhibiting the artwork of Dr Esther Mahlangu's career which spans over 50 years. Then we get tips on what adventures and luxurious places are available for you and your furry friends this festive season.

In a shorter episode than usual, we look at news around the world. Then, we are joined by multi-award-winning Culture Icon, Itumeleng Mokwatlo better known as Tumi Powerhouse in the creative industry, to find out more about the Feather Awards and everything else she is up to. Still on fashion, we attend the Braamfontein Fashion Show, where young designers showcase their designs and swag on the catwalk. Singer, actor, and musical performer Nicholas Nkuna—also known as NickSoul—has become a true South African talent and an international sensation. He's here to share about his latest album titled 'timeless'.