At 17, Joyce Malindi won her first beauty contest under the suffocating limits of apartheid South Africa. Fifty-five years later, she was back on the catwalk, silver curls gleaming and brown clogs clicking, in a pageant for grandmothers only.
The event in the Tokoza township outside of Johannesburg featured prayers, speeches and a performance against domestic violence, a national scourge.
But the main attraction was on the red carpet stretching down the community hall where grandmothers paraded with pride in a competition that is rare among the host of others for younger women.
“This takes me way back, brings my youth back,” Malindi, a great-grandmother of five, told AFP, breaking into a joyful jig to “Happy Mama” by legendary jazz musician Hugh Masekela.
In this version of a beauty contest there were no swimsuit or evening wear categories. Instead, women paraded in their Sunday best, from sleeveless summer frocks to bold orange headwraps, strings of pearls to traditional wear.
Floral fabrics and well-loved kitten heels hinted at celebrations past.
Supporters — mostly women from the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Group that organised the show — clapped, ululated and fiddled with their phones to record the spectacle.
Sukuma Mbokodo Support Groups Elderly Beauty Contest winners 2nd Princess Alinah Tshonisile (L), 77, overall winner Margaret Fatyela (C), 78, and 1st Princess Lidia Mokoena (R), 81, pose for a photograph after the prize giving ceremony in Thokoza on May 13, 2025. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)Nozizwe Khumalo (C), 77, gets her make up done prior to competing in the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Groups Elderly Beauty Contest in Thokoza on May 13, 2025. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
Feeling ‘young again’
At the makeup corner, the top request was for deep red and berry toned lipsticks but most contenders chose to let their bare faces and bright smiles shine. Nearby, a teapot served cups of chai beside trays of scones.
“They don’t focus. When you are doing their makeup they want to multitask, talk, bark instructions,” said 19-year-old volunteer hairdresser Ntokoza Ntshinga.
The youngest contestant was 63 years old and the oldest 81.
But it was septuagenarian Margaret Fatyela who took the silver-coated crown.
“We are now like school children,” she told AFP, seated next to her modest prize of tea set and a bag of toiletries.
It was the first time the former domestic worker and mother of eight had entered a pageant.
“I feel like I am young again, capable of doing everything,” she said, looking towards the first runner-up, Lidia Mokoena, who did not hide her beard.
Maria Molefe, 72, dances while competing in the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Groups Elderly Beauty Contest in Thokoza on May 13, 2025. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)Joyce Malindi, 72, reacts while competing in the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Groups Elderly Beauty Contest in Thokoza on May 13, 2025. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
‘Forgotten citizens’
Organisers said the event was intended to celebrate the grandmothers and great-grandmothers on whom South Africa’s largely impoverished society depends, even if they remain in the shadows.
Nearly four in 10 children are raised in homes headed by grandparents, according to official data, with many parents forced to relocate for work, a high rate of teenage pregnancies and AIDS-related deaths among the contributing factors.
“Often times the minute they take pension they are forgotten citizens, and all they do is look after great-grandchildren and grandchildren,” local official Bridget Thusi told AFP.
“To have programmes like this where they are celebrated and to forget the problems at home was really an amazing thing to see,” she said.
For Malindi it was a boost after losing her husband four years ago.
“At our old age, we thought that maybe because our husbands are gone, everything is gone, it’s the end of the world,” she said.
Washington, DC – A federal judge has ordered Georgetown University scholar Badar Khan Suri released from immigration detention, in the latest victory for US visa holders targeted by the administration of President Donald Trump for pro-Palestine stances or advocacy.
The ruling on Wednesday by US District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles comes shortly after two other prominent students targeted for deportation, Columbia University Student Mohsen Mahdawi and Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk, were ordered released from detention as their deportation cases move forward.
Speaking at a news conference following the hearing at the federal court in Arlington, Virginia, Khan Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, thanked supporters who demonstrated outside of the facility.
“I thank everyone who came out to support the cause of a truth-telling, speaking up and standing for Palestinian rights,” said Saleh, who is Palestinian American.
As with similar cases where visa holders have been targeted for deportation related to their pro-Palestine views and advocacy, lawyers for Suri Khan – who has Indian citizenship and a US student visa – argued ICE agents unlawfully detained him outside his Virginia home in March for speech that should have been constitutionally protected.
The Trump administration has taken the broad position that those constitutional protections do not apply to temporary visa holders or even US permanent residents. The question will likely eventually be decided by the US Supreme Court.
The administration has further relied on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to justify its actions. An obscure provision of the law allows the US secretary of state to deport any non-citizen deemed to have “potentially serious adverse foreign consequences”.
In a separate ruling related to Columbia University Student Mahmoud Kahlil in April, a federal judge adopted a broad interpretation of the provision, saying Kahlil was deportable based on Rubio’s claims he took part in “anti-Semitic” protests. That came despite the top US diplomat providing no further evidence.
Similarly, the Department of Homeland Security had previously claimed in a post on X that Khan Suri was “spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media”.
It added he “was married to the daughter of a senior advisor for to Hamas terrorist group”.
But speaking to reporters, Nermeen Arastu, one of the lawyers representing Khan Suri, noted that evidence backing up those claims has not been presented by government lawyers in court.
Arastu, who is also an associate professor of law at the CUNY School of Law, said it was notable that “the court today also pointed out that the government is kind of throwing around accusations in social media, but not presenting them in the formal courtroom setting”.
“And tied that to this due process concept that’s so important here to understand – that at the very basic level, you have a right to understand the allegations that are being brought against you,” she said.
‘Badge of honour’
Critics have further accused the Trump administration of targeting Khan Suri based on his familial ties. His wife is the daughter of Ahmed Yousef, a former adviser to assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh who left his position with the armed group more than a decade ago.
“He should have never been arrested and jailed for his constitutionally protected speech just because the government disagrees with him,” ACLU of Virginia senior immigrants’ rights lawyer Sophia Gregg, told reporters on Wednesday.
“He should have never been punished for his relationship with his wife or his father-in-law,” she said.
Like in the cases of Ozturk and Mahdawi, Khan Suri’s cases will proceed despite his release. He faces two separate legal proceedings, one in immigration court in the one challenging his arrest and detention in Virginia.
He remained in detention in Texas when the ruling was issued on Wednesday, his lawyers said, adding they were expecting him to be released shortly.
Saleh said at the court that she had recently spoken to her husband from the detention centre in Texas, where he was held.
“He told me if my suffering in the detention centre is because I married a Palestinian and because I spoke out against the genocide in Gaza, then I should wear it as a badge of honour,” she said.
The iconic voice actor David Graham, known for playing key voices in shows such as Doctor Who, Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig left a staggering amount in his will following his death last year
David Graham was known for his voice acting in Thunderbirds
An iconic voice artist’s will has been revealed following his death last year. David Graham died last year aged 99, leaving fans of Doctor Who, Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig devastated.
And now, probate documents show the star left an estate with a net value of £1,235,001. The gross value rose to £1,242,770. His nephew Jonathan Smith is said to have been among the beneficiaries, receiving 20 per cent of the estate. It’s said his will was made in 2010.
His niece Elizabeth Rehfeld reportedly was given 30 per cent, while smaller percentages were left to the actor’s friends. Among them were fellow Doctor Who star Christopher Benjamin.
Gerry Anderson’s son Jamie with voice actor David Graham
In a note to him, David said: “I would like Christopher to know that this small gift is a token of my gratitude for his devoted friendship to me throughout my professional life. Man has no better friend.”
Sadly, Christopher died in January this year, so he never had the opportunity to read the note. David also donated money to a number of charities. These included Prostate Cancer Charity, the Nightingale House Home for the Ages Jews, the North London Hospice, the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture, Jewish Care, Save the Children Fund, World Jewish Relief and the Actors Benevolent Fund.
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David Graham voiced Grandpa Pig
David was the voice of Aloysius Parker, the butler and chauffeur in Thunderbirds. He also appeared in its film sequels, as well as being the voice of the Daleks in Doctor Who.
More recently, he was best known for his voice as Grandpa Pig on kid’s animation Peppa Pig. The character, married to Granny Pig, is the father of Mummy Pig and Aunt Dotty and was called “Papa Ig” by his grandson George.
He also was heard on another kids show, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, shown on Channel 5. He voiced the characters of Wise Old Elf and Mr Gnome.
He also had brief appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street, The Bill and London’s Burning and BBC dramas Doctors and Casualty. He had roles in a number of other drama, comedy, and crime shows, including The Saint and The Avengers.
Anderson Entertainment and Jamie Anderson, the son of legendary TV and film producer Gerry Anderson, shared the news of David’s passing last year on his late father’s official social media account. Jamie, whose father created the science fiction television series alongside his wife Sylvia Anderson, described the late star as “a wonderful friend” who will be missed “dearly”.
Sharing the news of David’s death on X, formerly called Twitter, the managers of Gerry’s profile wrote: “We’re incredibly sad to confirm the passing of the legendary David Graham.
“The voice Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains and so many more. David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment. We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David’s friends and family.”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
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Transform your unused plant pots into a stunning and captivating water feature with this ‘innovative’ Amazon water kit that doesn’t rely on a power source or direct sunlight
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Turn any unused plant pot into a fountain with this wireless Amazon water kit(Image: Getty)
Get ready to use any old or disused plant pots with this Amazon water fountain set. It turns any unused container into a covetable water feature without the need for solar power or a nearby outlet. The Hydria Water Feature Kit has been touted by shoppers as a game-changer for easily transforming indoor and outdoor spaces.
Armed with customisable LED colour options and water patterns, this kit turns a stunning plant pot into a fountain seamlessly. That said, this stellar set is currently running low in stock on Amazon, so you’ll need to act fast to secure yours before they’re gone. If you do miss your chance, we’ve found several alternatives to shop instead.
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This water fountain set is selling fast on Amazon(Image: Amazon)
This water fountain promises a worry-free set-up and use. Its waterproof battery ensures up to 100 hours of continuous operation on a single charge. Alternatively, maximise convenience with a 3-month experience using the easy 1-hour daily timer, which is sure ot be perfect for long-lasting relaxation.
Transforming any space with vibrant LED lights that cycle through beautiful colours, this set is designed to create a calming and mesmerising atmosphere.
This water fountain kit effortlessly fits into any planter 30cm or larger and lets you create a beautiful water feature that enhances the aesthetic of your garden or home. Hydria’s sleek design integrates perfectly with its surroundings, adding both elegance and serenity with ease. Plus, this set boasts versatility, as you can conveniently switch up your water fountain’s look by switching between plant pots of your choice.
You can take full control with this set’s convenient remote, which lets you adjust power settings, light settings, and timer options. What’s more, one remote can control multiple units for added simplicity.
Having amassed plenty of 5-star reviews, shoppers can’t stop beaming about this water fountain kit, which is currently retailing for £99. One thrilled customer shares: “Fabulous fountain. Such a great design. USB charged, remote control and LED lights. Arrived fully charged and very well packaged. Mine came with the black and white mosaic and free pebbles feature as a bonus. So easy to set up, took me a couple of minutes. No need to sit there waiting for the sun to come out like solar water fountains, this one is such a clever design. I’m over the moon with it.”
Another fan shares their adoration, writing: “Loved the innovation here. Struggling to put in a fountain away from power source. Each and every solar one on Amazon pretty rubbish. This is much more powerful and not sun reliant. I put into plastic tubs, covered pump with filter foams and still working well in a mucky fish pond. Battery life superb but that’s why it’s not cheap.”
A third chimes in: “Such an amazing product! So compact and simple to set up! It looks beautiful in my apartment!”
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And another shopper beams: “I brought this for my conservatory. It’s lovely having a nice garden room but the sound of cars passing the house annoyed me so I wanted a nice background noise and this does it brilliantly! It looks smart, easy to use, and it’s great to have a natural water sound inside. Charged it and its still going! I thought it might be weak but its not, the water fountain is perfect size and looks great in my plant pot. I’m going to experiment with glass stones and see if they make a louder sound, so far I’ve tried plum slate and big pebbles which worked great. Great quality, great for garden rooms and giving a nice background sound. Battery is very good.”
In Mental Health Awareness Week, Emmerdale actor Jay Kontzle talks to The Mirror about he overcome childhood trauma with the help of psychiatrist and loving grandparents
Jay Kontzle spoke exclusively to The Mirror ahead of tonights episode
Drawn into a gripping whodunnit, Billy Fletcher is at the centre of a dramatic Emmerdale storyline, after his estranged wife Dawn confessed to him that she’d pushed her lover Joe Tate out of the window.
As Joe (Ned Porteous) fights for his life in a coma, Billy – played by Jay Kontzle – overhears Dawn (Olivia Bromley) confess to still having feelings for the injured villain.
Gutted, Billy threatens to go to the police if she doesn’t give him full custody of their kids.
“Billy has been doing all he can to keep his family together -and will always have hope he and Dawn can be together, but for now his kids are his priority,” Jay tells The Mirror. “He will do anything to keep his family.”
While Billy’s motives are twisted, Jay, 34, identifies with the importance he attributes to family.
Unlike his character, who he has played since 2017, he is very happily married to artist Mimi. who he lives with in Yorkshire, along with their kids Kaibo, eight, Zian, six, and Xiao, two.
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Dawn cheated on Billy with Joe Tate(Image: ITV/Mark Bruce/REX/Shutterstock)
And he is determined to give his children a stable upbringing, having tragically lost his single mum in a car crash when he was just four-years-old.
Forever grateful to his grandparents Ann and Mike Kontzle, who brought him up as kinship carers, after Louise, 23, a DJ at Manchester’s legendary Hacienda club, was killed on her way to a gig in Derby, he says: “They gave up their whole lives to push me forward.
“They got nothing for it and had no reason to do it other than their love for me.
“I would have been put in foster care and not enjoying the life I have now if my grandparents hadn’t taken me in.”
For this reason, Jay vehemently opposes the latest government cuts to kinship care support, and to therapy for adopted kids – urging Keir Starmer to reverse the decision – as financial help for therapy under the Kinship Care fund has been slashed by 40% per child.
Joe says children brought up in kinship care – by a relative or friend – usually because their parents are unable to care for them, have often suffered some form of early trauma.
He received therapy after his mother was killed and says that, combined with his grandparents’ care, it was “life-saving”.
“I had a child psychiatrist. She obviously massively helped me,” he says. “I remember doing toy therapy.
“My psychiatrist was incredible, such a really understanding person. Not only did I explain a lot of things to her, I actually felt valued as a kid.”
Jay with mum Louise (Image: Jay Kontzle)
Jay saw a psychiatrist from the age of five until he went to secondary school, due to the immense trauma of losing Louise.
Speaking to The Mirror during Mental Health Awareness Week, he continues: “My therapy really helped with building self-esteem. Mental health comes from feeling valued.
“I think it’s all well and good for adults to do positive things like going to the gym and doing what you can to feel better, but we’re social beings, and we need to talk to people.
“That’s especially for kids who are not feeling valued or not getting praised.”
Jay is immensely grateful that he was able to come out the other side, but that is only because of the support that he received from mental health professionals and loved ones.
He adds: “Foster carers do great work but being looked after by my grandparents really saved my life, as they already loved me and knew me. They didn’t need to be given a folder of all my likes and dislikes
“It’s ridiculous that they didn’t get the same financial support as foster carers and that’s still the case.
“And now things are getting even worse for them.
“My nan had to work two jobs to raise me, while also grieving for her daughter.”
Jay, who has the ring his mother wore when she died and plans to pass it on to his daughter Kaibo when she is older, really identifies with the current Emmerdale storyline in which Billy and Dawn are doing all they can to protect adoptive daughter Clemmie – who is thought to be the real attacker who put Joe in hospital.
They became 10-year-old Clemmie’s guardians as her real mum Beth was a drug addict.
Emmerdale fans saw Joe threaten to have Clemmie returned to care if she exposed his relationship with Dawn, after she discovered they were lovers.
Jay adds:” Its a cruel unforgivable thing to say to a child.
“Although Dawn is not related to Clemmie, she was her mother’s friend who stepped in to look after – rather than see her in foster care, so it’s very similar to kinship care.
“Dawn and Billy are trying to give Clemmie a better future. They are both protective of Clemmie.”
Meanwhile, Billy’s stepson Lucas and he and Dawn’s baby Evan are similar ages to Jay’s real life kids.
He adds: “My kids are everything. Watching them grow up just makes me really value life. They are such loving caring kids – always giving cuddles.
When Billy is distraught when Clemmie ( Mabel Addison) tells him about the affair
“I find it difficult to be sentimental because of my past, but the kids help me unlock that side.
“I want to push them to be driven and be successful in their lives and do as much as possible.”
Jay is certainly a shining example – with Emmerdale not being his first shot at fame.
Aged 17, he founded pop band The Mend, who were snapped up by former Take That manager Nigel Martin- Smith, and successfully auditioned for The X Factor – before being forced to leave the 2011 competition, as acts weren’t meant to already have a manager.
“We had to leave after Bootcamp – we didn’t even make it on screen! I was gutted,” says Jay.
Bouncing back, The Mend appeared on Britain’s Got Talent the following year, impressing a surprisingly excitable Simon Cowell so much that he jumped on one of his bandmates’ backs!
Jay says: “ Simon was saying ‘you guys are going to go far.’ He was quite childish, I didn’t expect him to be like that.
“We reached the BGT semi-finals but then got beaten by a dancing dog.”
Despite losing to Ashleigh Butler and her dancing dog, Pudsey, The Mend went on to support Little Mix before disbanding in 2016.
Jays band competed alongside Ashleigh who won Britain’s Got Talent with Pudsey the dog in 2012(Image: Ken McKay / Rex Features)
“The band was a good experience. We got as far as we were meant to. I learnt a lot – namely never take fame too seriously and think it is bigger than it is,” says Jay. “Afterwards, I was completely forgotten about until Emmerdale.
A year before joining the soap, he worked as a learning support assistant at Sandbach Boys School in Cheshire, teaching kids with attachment disorder and autism.
“I wanted to give back—help kids as I had been helped,” he says.
“I applied for the Head of Year 7 and 8 position, because I had a good rapport with the kids, and they were getting good grades – but then I got offered Emmerdale.”
While he loves every minute of his Emmerdale success, family will always be Jay’s driving force.
Determined to make his mum proud, he adds: “Everyone tells me she was such a bright light, really good energy, really funny. It’s something that I’ve always tried to live up to.
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“She had achieved so much in her life already when she died.
“I knew I wanted to do something with my life just to appreciate the life that she’s given up and make the sacrifices my nan and grandad made all worthwhile.”
EXCLUSIVE: James Argent’s girlfriend was left emotional in the street after her clash with the reality star, a passerby has exclusively revealed to the Mirror
James Argent’s girlfriend sobbed in the street a passerby has revealed
James Argent’s Swedish model girlfriend sobbed in the street after her altercation with the TOWIE star, telling a passerby: “I can’t believe what’s happened…we planned to have a family.” Nicoline Artursson was consoled by a witness who came to her aid just moments after the bust-up.
She told the passerby: “I’m in total shock…my life with Arg was so happy before this.” Former Miss Sweden Artursson was on a getaway with Argent, in Mijas, near Malaga, on May 5.
The passerby, who had been dining at a nearby restaurant, witnessed the commotion from across the road. The witness said: “I saw him throwing all his clothes off the balcony… And a lot of screaming in the house, and then he ran out with a large bag.
Nicoline was crying a lot and very nervous and agitated on the street, trying to call the police, but they didn’t speak English, so I went to help her translate. She said nothing like this had ever happened before.” The witness said the bust-up occurred around 11pm and both the police and Artursson’s mother later arrived after Argent had left.
The couple had been holidaying in Spain(Image: David Cummings)
“When she spoke to the police, she said he had behaved badly with her and the police said you should come to the police station to report it. They said to go with them in the police car,” the person said. “Her mother told her to grab some clothes and said ‘we’ll go’. I went home but I told them if they needed help, I’m here.”
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The passerby said that no idea that the couple in question were famous. The witness added: “I just saw a girl crying on the street trying to call the police, and I went out to help and translate. Then she stayed with the police, and I went home. She kept thanking me for being with her and helping her.”
Spanish police said Argent was later arrested for “an alleged crime of domestic violence”. The reality star appeared before the Court of Violence against Women, in Fuengirola, and was later handed a suspended prison sentence for a gender violence offence and given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years
He was banned from contacting Artursson, 32, during this period. Today, Artursson was seen for the first time with her mother in Spain texting on her phone. A second witness said Ms Artursson appeared “emotionally and physically devastated” after the bust-up. “We were out walking our dogs by the beach when we suddenly heard an aggressive man yelling,” they said. “We saw him throwing objects from the terrace of a nearby house. We were frightened by his shouts.
Argent was arrested over ‘an alleged crime of domestic violence’(Image: ITV)
“The man continued to throw things as she lay injured on the stairs. The situation escalated quickly, and we were scared and unsure of what to do. Another woman arrived to assist the injured woman, who was lying helplessly at the foot of the stairs. At that moment, the man slammed the door and fled. Within moments, concerned bystanders had gathered to help the woman, and the police arrived swiftly.”
The reality star has since spoken after his arrest. “I am devastated by what’s happened.” He went on to tell the Daily Mail that he hadn’t relapsed, explaining: “I am still three years and four months clean and sober.”
Argent rose to fame as an original cast member on The Only Way Is Essex, appearing on the ITV series from 2010 until 2018. Over the years, the 37-year-old singer has taken part in a number of reality TV shows, including Celebrity Super Spa, The Jump, Sugar Free Farm and Celebs Go Dating.
He has been banned from contacting Nicoline(Image: David Cummings)
TOWIE suspended Argent from filming in October 2014 when he failed a drug test. He later attended rehab before returning to the series. The reality TV star has regularly been an inpatient at centres due to his issues with drug addiction. Speaking in 2023, Argent said: “I battled with [drug addiction] for a number of years. But I’ve got through it and I’m doing alright. I’m doing well. I’m clean, sober, and I have been for a long time now.”
Weeks before the domestic violence arrest, Arg gushed over their relationship while attending Jess Wright’s Have A Heart Charity Ball on April 22. “My girlfriend is back in our beach house in Marbella but I’m representing us both tonight. Everything is good with us, it’s going really good, I’m happy,” he told the Mirror
When asked whether seeing pal Mark Wright welcome a baby with his wife Michelle Keegan, made him broody and want kids of his own, he laughed: “No comment.”
He previously spoke about Artursson to OK! Magazine saying: “I was walking to my gig at Elliott Wright’s restaurant in Marbella. All of a sudden I see this woman coming towards me. I was like, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful.’ She was just in her gym clothes, wearing no make-up. She’d actually just fed a stray cat.”
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He added: “To have her beside me is like a dream. She’s absolutely beautiful. She’s a combination of Julia Roberts and Claudia Schiffer. What I love about Nicoline is, even though she’s very humble, she’s very classy.”
