IT’S BEEN A WEEK of mixed feelings in the showbiz industry which was dominated by devastation in the entertainment community and fashion saga on socials. The New Times looks at the showbiz stories that made headlines last week. Rwandans mourn Buravan, Yanga The passing of Rwandan music sensation Yvan Buravan, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer and famous dubbing artist Yanga who was battling liver complications, on Wednesday, August 17, left the world of entertainment in Rwanda shocked and devastated. It’s becoming even more difficult for so many in the music industry to digest how the singer is gone at such a young age, yet he still had so much to contribute to local music. So many celebrities from all walks of life, including fellow artists, athletes and high profile officials joined in to express their sadness over the passing of Buravan and Yanga. While different radio and TV stations took an hour to play Buravan’s songs, some TVs did the same by screening at least one of the most popular movies that Yanga interpreted during his prime time of his dubbing career, as a gesture to show respect to how much the duo have contributed to the entertainment industry. Buravan’s body arrived in Kigali on Friday morning and was immediately taken to Rwanda Military Hospital-Kanombe’s mortuary pending burial on Wednesday, August 24, while the family of Yanga is still waiting for his body to be repatriated from South Africa where he breathed his last. Mugabekazi’s trial causes havoc, set free As Rwandans were still mourning the talented souls departed, social media went abuzz when it emerged that Liliane Mugabekazi was taken to court over charges of indecent dressing that could have seen her sentenced to up to two years once found guilty. The 24-year-old’s case sparked public uproar on social media with many people, including celebrities and influencers protesting how her case was exaggerated. Majority argued that there was another way to handle the situation than making it as a legal matter. Despite public outcry, police set a warning that nudity, public indecency will not be tolerated. The court decided to set Mugabekazi free and released her on Friday, explaining that the prosecution did not have enough evidence that would give them a reason to keep her in detention. Hamisa keeps affair with Rick Ross secret Much has been said about Tanzanian socialite Hamisa Mobetto and American rapper Rick Ross being in relationship but none wants to confirm it nor deny it. It is said that Hamisa and Ross met for the first time in late November in Dubai after flirting on Instagram for months. They shared a series of videos on social media, and Ross hit a nightclub where he performed accompanied by Hamisa, and their chemistry was undeniable. While at the club, they got cozy and even shared pictures on their respective social handles. Rick Ross started to show interest in the Tanzanian socialite turned model, after commenting on her photos with emojis. They eventually ended up falling in love. However, the socialite chose not to say anything about her relationship with the Maybach Music founder, upon landing in Kigali for Bianca Fashion Hub, Hamissa chose to keep the news away from the media, especially when asked whether it’s Rick Ross who gifted her the luxurious Range Rover car, a week ago. She said “I got it [the car] from my man. I have a man,” and asked whether the ‘man’ she was talking about is Ross, she said, “I don’t want to talk much about it right here.”
