It sometimes takes an interesting (or new) toy to get my two to play together.
Little sister and the animals all had a turn being pushed around on this little people train. Sometimes the little sisters escorted the animals off for a picnic on the lawn or to catch imaginary fish for the bear from the pool.
The Fisher Price Little People Big ABC Animal Train has sounds, music, lights and 5 little animals that the conductor can take on rides.
#tradeexchange
MIRA Premiere Episodes Saturday, 2nd April & Sunday, 3rd April at 17:30
Brand – new episodes of Season 2 of Mira, Royal Detective as a weekend stunt, 2nd and 3rd April at 17:30
Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family and extended community.
In one of the new episodes, “Mystery in the Sky”, when Mira sees a strange speck in the sky, her friends help her investigate what it could be.
Then in “The Case of the Message in a Bottle”, Mira and her friends follow the clues found in a message in a bottle.
Tune in for new episodes from Season 2 episodes of Mira, Royal Detective on 2nd and 3rd April at 17:30 on Disney Junior
T.O.T.S
Monday – Friday from 18th April at 14:00
“T.O.T.S.,” a heartfelt animated comedy series for pre-schoolers, explores the hilarious adventures of best friends Pip and Freddy, a tenacious penguin and a kind-hearted flamingo, who are the only non-stork delivery birds in-training T.O.T.S. As new members of the esteemed team, these junior flyers must use tender care in taking baby animals—kittens, cubs, calves, bunnies, puppies and joeys among them—from the nursery to their forever families around the globe.
In the first of the new episodes, “The Great Fredamingo” (Monday, 18th April at 14:00), Freddy mistakenly thinks he turned Pip into a penguin lovey with his latest magic trick. In “Ram-Bunctious Baby” – When JP tries to control a baby ram delivery, the little guy becomes more rambunctious.
Catch brand-new episodes of T.O.T.S from 18th – 22nd April 14:00 on Disney Junior
MARVEL SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS
Special Earth Day Event
Friday, 22nd April from 16:00 – 20:00
“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for pre-schoolers.
The series follows Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.
In the Earth Day inspired episode “Going Green” Team Spidey must stop Green Goblin from spewing his green gas all over the park in order to make it safe for the trees again.
Then in the episode “Coming Clean” – After Peter’s new invention begins swallowing everything in its path, he and Miles work to stop it.
Swing into action this Earth Day with Spidey and His Amazing Friends on 22nd April from 16:00 on Disney Junior
AMPHIBIA
Season Premiere
Monday – Thursday from 4th April at 17:50
“Amphibia” chronicles the adventures of 13 year old Anne Boonchuy, who is magically transported to the fantastical world of Amphibia. There she meets an excitable young frog named Sprig Plantar, his unpredictable sister Polly and overprotective grandpa Hop Pop.
In this new season Anne and the Plantars are transported from Amphibia to her hometown of Los Angeles, where the Frog Family must learn to navigate the complexities of this modern-day world, conceal their identities as talking frog people and search for a way home.
Catch Season 3 premiere episodes from Monday, 4th April at 17:50 on Disney Channel.
WALK THE PRANK
Season Premiere
Monday – Friday from 11th April at 18:40
The series is about practical jokers Herman, Chance, Bailey, and Dusty, who set up elaborate pranks and find real people to perform the pranks on. Their pranks usually involve supernatural, scary, funny or gross elements.
Blending scripted comedy with real hidden-camera pranks, each episode follows four kids’ antics in school and at home.
Season 1 episodes from 11th April at 18:40 on Disney Channel.
EASTER PROGRAMMING STUNT
EASTER PROGRAMMING STUNT
DISNEY MAGIC BAKE-OFF
Season Premiere
Friday, 15th April & Saturday, 16 April from 12:00 – 17:00
Catch up on back-to-back episodes of Disney Channels’ new baking show Magic Bake-Off, which combines the wonder of baking with the ingenuity of young pastry chefs.
Imagination rules and teamwork triumphs as three teams of two race against the clock to design a Disney-inspired cake, including classics such as “Star Wars,” “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” “Descendants,” “Zombies” and more.
Watch the entire season of Disney Magic Bake-Off on 15th and 16th April at 12:00 on Disney Channel.
After a two year wait to welcome Guests, Gold Reef City Nando’s can finally fire up their grills! Visitors to the popular entertainment precinct, in the heart of Joburg South, can now get their fix of the famous flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken after a long day of entertainment at the theme park or casino complex. This newest addition to the legendary Nando’s family has officially opened its doors
The brand-new restaurant joins over 1200 outlets in 20 countries, offering a menu that has something for every tastebud to enjoy either as a sit-down meal with family or friends or a take-away. From Err’day meals each for under R50 and refreshing Designer Drinks, the new store promises the same exacting, high standards that customers have come to know and appreciate.
Franchise owner Pravesh Algooram says he is pleased to finally open for trade and is eager to welcome guests to the restaurant after the effects of COVID-19 delayed the project.
“This project was on hold from March 2020 – it was certainly a long wait. But now that we are open, we offer our usual high Nando’s standard of quality food, excellent service and affordable pricing to reach out to our customers,” he says.
The store is situated within the casino complex at Gold Reef City and is open Sunday – Thursday 10:00 – 21:00 and Fridays and Saturday 10:00 – 22:00.
From the humble beginnings of a single restaurant in Rosettenville in 1987, Nando’s has grown into the largest South African restaurant group to expand beyond our borders.
Nando’s is best known for its authentic PERi-PERi flame-grilled chicken, which has captivated guests the world over. All Nando’s PERi-PERi recipes, from the extensive range of restaurant chicken-bastings to sauces, spices and others, remain a closely guarded secret. Flame-grilled and never deep fried; guest choose Nando’s chicken from a menu that includes full, half or quarter butterfly-cut chicken, burgers, pitas, salads and a host of other innovative bites. Whether you like it hot, mild or with lemon and herb, Nando’s chicken is legendary and has cemented itself in the hearts of South Africans everywhere.
If your mouth is watering after reading this, learn more about the brand and place an order via the Nando’s website, or join the conversation and bring the fire on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow me and Nando’s, then comment your favourite Nando’s meal the Instagram post and tag Nando’s
Premiere Episodes
Monday – Friday from 14th March at 15:15
Catch brand-new episodes from Season 4 of Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir from 14th March
Not only is Marinette Ladybug, the superheroine that protects Paris from the attack of villains, but she’s also now the guardian of the Miraculous. This means that not only does she need to keep her identity hidden, but also the existence of these turbulent, magical creatures, the Kwamis? Marinette now has to redouble efforts to protect her secrets and Ladybug will have to become stronger to face an indomitable adversary: Shadow Moth, who can now fuse the butterfly and peacock miraculous. New Episodes from Monday, 14th March at 15:15 on Disney Channel.
New episodes
Monday – Thursday from 14th March at 18:15
Set in the present day with flashbacks to the 1990s, the endearing daughter/father comedy revolves around outgoing middle schooler Sydney Reynolds who lives with her single dad Max in the house he grew up in, along with her free-spirited grandmother Judy. As Sydney navigates becoming a teenager alongside her bestie Olive, Max’s flashbacks of his childhood with his best friend Leo parallel her adventures, illustrating how life’s “growing pains” evolve but don’t really change.
New episodes from 14th March at 18:15 on Disney Channel.
Season Premiere Saturdays from 19th March at 18:30
Everyone’s favourite detective returns with Season 2 of Mira, Royal Detective from Saturday, 19th March at 18:30
Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family and extended community. Season two will include an episode highlighting the Islamic Eid al-Fitr holiday and episodes celebrating the festivals of Teej and Dasara, as well as four extended-length music- and dance-filled specials.
Tune in for new episodes from Season 2 episodes of Mira, Royal Detective from 19th March at 18:30 on Disney Junior
New episodes
Monday – Friday 21st March at 16:30
The PJ Masks are back for more heroics from Season 5, weekdays from 21st March at 16:30
The new season brought us new villains as well as familiar foes – Luna, Romeo, Night Ninja, Octobella and Pharaoh Boy. As they continue to combat crime, they discover more about their animal powers.
In one of the premiere episodes, The Camping Trip, Greg is scared on a camping trip and thinks his night-time powers will help him, but Orticia has something else in store.Catch brand-new episodes of PJ Masks from 21st March at 16:30 on Disney Junior
New Episodes
Monday – Friday 21st March at 17:00
“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for pre-schoolers.
The series follows Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.
In one of the brand-new episodes “Going Green” – Team Spidey must stop Green Goblin from spewing his green gas all over the park in order to make it safe for the trees again.Swing into action with Spidey and His Amazing Friends on 21st March at 17:00 on Disney Junior
At the end of a very long and very fun day at Gold Reef City, we went to the new Nando’s at Gold Reef City Casino.
When I received the invite to go to Gold Reef City with the kids, I was hesitant. It has been 2 years since we’ve done anything like this – but it was time…
We arrived at Gold Reef City and picked up our PR goodies from Nando’s at Gold Reef City Casino. We put the entry bracelets on and drove across to the theme park with our lovely Coolers from Nando’s.
The usual queues to get in was absent and then we got to the Kiddies Corner… and it was us and a few families.
The kids ran to the rides and jumped on as if they’ve done this before. They were in the air on elephants and balloons, scooting around rails driving a little car and chasing each other with bumper cars. They tucked into ice cream and Coke with eyes fixed on the colourful rides.
Just before 5 we ushered the kids onto the train back to the main gate and drove to the casino for a family meal at Nando’s. We had Pregos and Kiddies burger meals – and it was the perfect end to our day of fun! It was a our first sit down meal as a family since March 2020 in a restaurant. It was perfect.
PS. Did you know that you can walk directly from the theme park to the casino over the road via a bridge? You can also reenter the theme park as you have an entrance bracelet 🙂
Thank you Nando’s for inviting us out and reminding me just how much I missed fun days out and sit down food out of home with my kids! And those coolers you send us off with, I’ll be back!
FOUR EGGS, THREE CUPS OF FLOUR, TWO STICKS OF BUTTER AND ONE DISNEY DELIGHT! DISNEY CHANNEL AND TASTEMADE TEAM UP FOR AN IMAGINATIVE NEW KIDS BAKING COMPETITION SHOW, ‘DISNEY’S MAGIC BAKE-OFF’
— Radio Presenter Melanie Bala and singer Zwai Bala’s Daughter Peyton Sings Theme Song
— Multitalented Stars Dara Reneé and Issac Ryan Brown Set to Co-Host –
1 FEBRUARY 2022, JOHANNESBURG: “Disney’s Magic Bake-Off,” a competitive series for kids 6-14 that combines the wonder of baking with the ingenuity of young pastry chefs comes to Disney Channel this February. Whisking its way onto our screen from Monday, 7 February on Disney Channel, DStv channel 303, the show features young Peyton Bala – the 11-year-old daughter of Melanie and Zwai Bala, performing the theme song.
The 13-episode series is hosted by multitalented stars Dara Reneé (“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”) and Issac Ryan Brown (“Raven’s Home”), who, along with Disneyland resort pastry chef Graciela Gomez, will guide kid contestants through a series of challenges and surprises as they create the most extraordinary cakes inspired by the magic of Disney.
The Bala family were approached by local production company Audio Militia, who were looking for a young female vocalist to record the theme song and someone had mentioned to them that Peyton sings.
“Her dad Zwai and I discussed with her, whether she wanted to do it, as we believe that she should only do the (musical/performance) things she wants to do, with no pressure from us,” says Melanie. They were sent the guide vocals and track for Peyton to practise, before she went in to record under the watchful eye of her dad Zwai.
“We recorded the different versions of the vocals in about 90 minutes, with the producers and Peyton’s dad there to help where needed, as she can still be shy about singing in front of people. The final product was then sent off to the US for approval, which we received about a week later,” adds Melanie.
Peyton, a wonderfully talented young girl says she’s very happy and grateful to have received the opportunity to sing the song. “I was pretty nervous but the people I worked with, were very kind and they helped me a lot. I think the show is very cool and is lots of fun,” she says.
Imagination rules and teamwork triumphs in “Disney’s Magic Bake-Off,” as three teams of two race against the clock to design a Disney-inspired cake utilizing Tastemade’s – a modern media company – signature recipe videos and an enchanted pantry filled with a wonderful world of ingredients and surprises. Hosts Reneé and Brown, along with pastry chef Gomez, guide the kid bakers through a series of challenges, fun games, and unexpected twists, all designed to elevate the contestants’ baking abilities, techniques and creativity to new culinary heights. Each episode will declare a winning team to be named Disney Baking Champion. The winning recipe will become a featured Tastemade video.
Co-hosts Reneé and Brown are Disney fan-favorites of audiences of all ages worldwide. Reneé is captivating viewers in her starring role as Kourtney in the Disney+ hit series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” set to debut season two this Spring. The versatile performer is also known for her breakout role in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Freaky Friday” as well as her recurring guest star role on ABC’s hit series, “black-ish.” Brown is best known for his starring role as Booker in Disney Channel’s hit series “Raven’s Home,” now airing its fourth season. He first dazzled audiences singing on “America’s Got Talented” at the age of six. He went on to land recurring guest star roles in numerous hit series, including “black-ish” and “Devious Maids.” A talented voice actor, Brown can also be heard in several hit animated series, including “Puppy Dog Pals,” “Miles from Tomorrowland” and “The Owl House,” to name a few. As hosts of “Disney’s Magic Bake Off,” the powerhouse stars will keep viewers entertained and empower the kid contestants to have fun as they set out to become Disney Baking Champions.
Created by Tastemade, the series is executive produced by Emily Mraz (“Broken Bread”), Joey Lucas (“Beyond the Block”) and Julie Reading (“Alien News Desk”).
Ek het altyd gedink dis net slegte mense wat hul ouers weggooi. Ek het nooit eers daaraan gedink dat daar soveel meer aan sulke stories kan wees nie. Sulke mense was net sleg…
Toe eendag gooi ek my pa weg.
Die dag dat ek die vrou van Delmas ontmoet het terwyl sy aan my pa vasklou en my vyandig aangluur, was die dag wat ek besef het my pa het ons vervang. Dit het my soos ‘n vuishou op my hart getref, ek (en my ma, en my kinders) het niks vir die man wat my pa was, beteken nie.
Die vrou van Delmas en haar dogter het goed oog gehou terwyl ek my ma se goed gepak het. Toe ek die laaste boks wat in die kar kon pas in het, het die dam van emosies gebreek. Ek het op hom geskreeu. Ek wou he hy moes my hoor.
Ek kon voel hoe my woorde op die grond val sonder dat hy my seer hoor en iets het net in my gebreek.
Al die strooi wat ek van weet wat hy aangevang het, die gagga-vroue wat hy “verlief op raak”… Die vrou wat amper my ma se kar uit hom geswendel het – tot ek haar gedreig het. Die los ding was hy na my ma se huis gesleep het – terwyl ek langs my ma se doodsbed gesit het vir 5 weke… Die leemte wat ek as kind rondgedra het van ‘n pa wat eerder tyd saam enige ander kind wou spandeer en die handjievol kere in 20 jaar wat hy sy voete in my huis kom sit het…
In daardie oomblik, het ek verstaan dat ons net plekhouers was in sy lewe.
Ek kan myself troos met my ma se handgebreide truie (dis soos drukkies wat sy vir ons gemaak het) en in die spieel kyk om haar te sien maar net met my een skewe tand.
Ek dink nie meer alle mense wat hul ouers weggooi is slegte mense nie, want ek is ook nou een.
I want people to ask why I wasn’t there at the end
Why I didn’t read a beautiful letter
Didn’t speak through tears on my cheek
I want them to ask why your children didn’t visit like before
Why you weren’t welcome anymore
I want people to know that you weren’t the person they thought they knew
I want them to see you the way I see you without her
I won’t see you again
I won’t be at your funeral
I won’t write a letter
or shed a another tear
Just like you didn’t love me from my first breath
You didn’t love her at her last
You forgot to care that our world got ripped apart
Your mask had slipped
That is how I will remember you
So I guess that’s it then dear dad
I grew up thinking I was a disappointment, an unwanted girl
I grew up seeing you choose your family and friends’ sons over me
I grew up seeing you leave my court to watch them toss a ball
I grew old and still can count the times you visited on a single hand
I stood by you when I thought you needed it most
I didn’t yet know you betrayed us in her final hours
I didn’t know how far you would fall
You didn’t know that I still look at her in the mirror
and you didn’t know that I could walk away
I just wanted you to know that dear dad
I know this letter will never get to you, dear dad, but I had to let you know that I will never break, I will never be like you and I will always put my kids first.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but that would be the last time I would see him. That thought only hit home as I stood in my closet a few months later with a tiny folded white piece of paper from my mom.
She possessively snaked around him as we pulled up to the house on the mountain. He stood there with his hand on a little boy’s head, not stepping forward.
It was an awkward moment that reminded me that I would never be a son that he always wanted and that I would always matter less than other people’s children.
As we sat in the living room of the home my mom once occupied, I was determined to keep the tears from escaping – while that woman smugly sat there with her hand possessively on his arm with a defiant look of victory.
He was oblivious to my hurt. He was oblivious to what sat next to him.
I remember standing there shoving things into our car, tears streaming down my face. He didn’t want anything that was hers. He didn’t want to be reminded of the family that he had. He wanted to move on with that woman and her children and grandchildren. His new family.
As my dad and I hugged for the last time the dam of emotions escaped through my mouth. I desperately wanted him to hear me this time, I yelled at him but he just stood there. I could see that my words didn’t find a place to land. I could see he was hurt that I didn’t accept his relationship – just like the ones he had since before she passed.
As we drove down the mountain in a car full of my mom’s things, I cried. I could barely see the scenic road back to my older sister’s house. I knew that I had just seen my dad for the last time. It sat heavily in my heart. It was an inevitable end to a tragedy that started way too long ago.
I spilled it all in front of my sister’s teenagers. The women, the cheating, the lies – and now this woman that would be the last straw for a family that lost the one that mended clothes and broken hearts. I didn’t care that they would see him as I did. I wanted my final rejection and pain to be felt.
Communication between us died down to a trickle after that day. The daily calls I made since her passing stopped. I would sometimes send photos of my kids in the hope that it would spark a longing for family. It never did. He decided to marry that woman and be with that family instead. His abandonment of us was complete.
Last week I stood in the closet of our new house with a shoe box full of bits and bobs when I spotted a tiny folded piece of paper. My heart jumped because I recognized her handwriting. All the note said was ‘vir San’. It must’ve come from something she gave me years ago. It was such a special find that I now look at while sitting at my desk every day.
As I sat on the cold tiles in the middle of the walk-in, I was overcome with sadness. My heart stopped for one painful moment as I realised that I had lost both my parents in that hospital in 2019. The one bravely fought until the end to stay whilst the other had already planned on moving on with a new life that didn’t include reminders of a 44-year lived life.
As I shakily exhaled, I realised that it doesn’t matter how old I am, that first scar of feeling unwanted still hurts more than than the fresh rejection. A parent should love unconditionally – and always.
My bruised heart knows that I have learnt to be and do better than he ever could – because my mom was unconditional and I want to be like her, always.
