Members of Uthingo Lwamankosazana (Rainbow of Maidens) – the Wits society for young maidens – are preparing for Umkhosi Womhlanga, the annual Zulu reed dance ceremony honouring the king and celebrating maidenhood, while encouraging young women to embrace their cultural identities and traditions.
Uthingo Lwamankosazana aseWits prepares members for Umkhosi Womhlanga.
Students from different cultures celebrate their heritage together.
Members say young people are losing touch with tradition.
For some Wits students, preparing for Umkhosi Womhlanga, the annual Zulu reed dance ceremony set to take place September 5-6 2026, is about more than getting ready for a cultural ceremony: it is a chance to reconnect with traditions they fear young people are losing.
Uthingo Lwamankosazana is a society for maidens at Wits that brings together young women from different cultural backgrounds under the slogan ‘Maidens united in diversity.’ Second-year BCom Accounting student and chairperson Luthando Mdletshe said the society is not exclusively Zulu, and that women from any tribe are welcome to join. “We’re not just a Zulu maiden’s group,” she said.
For second-year BA Film and Television student Bulumko Ntluzo, who is Xhosa, being part of Uthingo has encouraged her to take pride in her own culture and traditions.
An image of Uthingo Lwamankosazana at Umkhehlo. Photo: Sanele Sithole
Umkhosi Womhlanga, held annually during the first or second week of spring every year, is a cultural festival in South Africa where tens of thousands of young women gather to celebrate womanhood and cultural identity. Members of Uthingo lwamankosazana pushed back on a common misconception that women who attend Umkhosi Womhlanga do so to be selected as wives.
Final-year BSc Astronomy and Astrophysics student Tania Nyanda said this, and other stereotypes have contributed to young people becoming disconnected from traditional practices. She said members attend the ceremony to pay their respects to the royal family and take part in prayer. Mdletshe described it instead as a celebration of ubuntombi (maidenhood), and a chance for maidens from different provinces to learn from one another.
Uthingo Lwamankosazana members have been preparing for the ceremony through a ‘Siyaya eMhlangeni’ camp and amahubo, which are traditional song practices held on campus. Second-year Bachelor of Education Student Nosipho Makhalima said the camp prepares members by advising them on how to conduct themselves and reminding them of the significance of Umkhosi Womhlanga.
Beyond ceremony preparation, the society doubles as a support network for young women in their 20s, navigating university life away from home. Makhalima described it as a safe and educational space where members discuss issues around relationships, sexuality, and abstinence in line with the traditional values promoted by the society and at its centre is a sense of sisterhood.
Ntluzo said young women often become disconnected from their traditions once they arrive at university, driven by peer pressure and fear of appearing “too traditional.” She added that social media has also shifted young people’s attitudes towards culture.
As Uthingo Lwamankosazana members prepare for this year’s ceremony, Uthingo Lwamankosazana continues to give Wits students a space to engage with culture, support one another and hold on to tradition while navigating university life.
FEATURED IMAGE: An image of member of Uthingo Lwamankosazane by Sanele Sithole
Diabetes health education could help Wits students make informed choices about food and their health.
Wits students need more diabetes education to make informed health choices.
Limited healthy food options make it difficult for students to eat well on campus.
Health professionals are urging students to make healthier lifestyle choices.
For many students at the University of the Witwatersrand, deciding what to eat between lectures depends on two things – what is affordable and what is quick to eat. However, with diabetes becoming a growing health concern in South Africa, health professional Sister Lebohang Ngubeni, from the Shout IT Out Campaign, says students also need to understand how their everyday lifestyle choices can affect their health.
Students regularly eat cheap, convenient foods such as bunny chow, slap chips, fried foods and sugary snacks, while also getting little or no exercise. In the long run, these habits can lead to weight gain and also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are too high, among other health problems.
TimesLive news recently reported on diabetes becoming South Africa’s leading cause of death. Dr Siyamak Saleh, who was commenting on the news report in a TikTok video, said, “HIV is a much easier condition to manage compared to diabetes! We need more health education.” It’s very important to know your blood sugar levels to help identify risks early on.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose, or sugar, in the blood. The body gets glucose from the food we eat, and insulin helps the body use that glucose for energy. With type 2 diabetes, the body can become resistant to insulin, which causes glucose to build up in the blood.
The latest mortality data from Statistics South Africa shows that diabetes mellitus was responsible for 27 692 deaths in 2023, making it the country’s leading cause of natural death.
Wits students have several takeaway options, including Sausage Saloon, Chinese Lantern, and Kara Nicca’s. Sima Boyisa, a first-year Wits student, said she struggles to find healthier options on campus.
“There’s never healthy food. If I don’t eat burger, a wrap or chips at the Main Dining Hall, which are affordable, there’s nothing [else] I can opt for,” said Boyisa.
While the food outlets offer students affordable and convenient meals, Boyisa experience highlights a question at the heart of the issue, which is: do Wits students have enough affordable, healthy food options on Campus?
According to Sister Lebohang, “students should be aware of lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking and lack of exercise because it can increase their risk of diabetes”. She advised students with a limited budget to prioritise vegetables, which they can buy at Food Lover’s Eatery in Braamfontein, drink more water and avoid fizzy drinks.
Students who are concerned and need information about diabetes, testing or management support can visit the Wits Campus Health and Wellness Centre. The main clinic is located on the lower ground floor of the Student Union Building, below the Matrix, on Braamfontein Campus East. Students on the Parktown Education Campus side can visit the satellite clinic at Highfield Accommodation House, on the ground floor.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits students queue for affordable takeaway meals at Chinese Lantern. Photo: Alice Dhlamini.
“Solar Mind” innovation uses AI to detect changes affecting solar panels and improve electricity generation.
Ten university teams competed in the Tata Consultancy Services Sustainathon South Africa 2026 Grand Finale.
More than 1 200 registrations were recorded, with 65 submissions from students across more than 40 institutions.
Durban University of Technology’s, Still Lazy Tech team won the R30 000 top prize with Solar Mind, an intelligent MPPT system.
TCS Sustainathon competition winners celebrating on stage. Photo: Nqobile Mtshali
A solar system designed to maximise electricity generation, an app that detects water leaks and AI tools aimed at improving agriculture were among the solutions showcased at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Sustainathon South Africa 2026 at the Radisson Blu, Sandton, on September 1.
The competition, themed “AI for Sustainable Futures”, challenged students to use technology to tackle problems linked to three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, and Affordable and Clean Energy.
More than 1 200 registrations were recorded for this year’s competition, with 65 submissions from more than 40 institutions. Ten university teams progressed to the finale.
Tata Consultancy Services, has hosted the Sustainathon in South Africa since 2022, giving students a chance to use technology to solve problems they see around them.
This year’s R30 000 top prize went to Still Lazy Tech from Durban University of Technology (DUT) for Solar Mind, an intelligent Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) system. This system helps solar panels maximise electricity generation by continuously adjusting their operating point to capture the most power available under changing conditions. The team’s AI model identifies conditions that affect panel performance, such as when a building casts a shadow over a panel during part of the day.
Sipho Mokoena, a member of Still Lazy Tech, said the team wanted to create a more affordable solution.
“A lot of these big companies, when they make these imported devices, they build them for industrial applications. No one is really building it for the South African market,” Mokoena said.
The team faced challenges while developing the project,“Funding, and university politics mainly,” said Mokoena. So now, they are looking at securing more funding, pursuing a master’s programme and eventually patenting Solar Mind.
Prototype of AI powered waste management machine created by CO Coders Eco-Pulse, students from the University of Johannesburg. Photo: Nqobile Mtshali
Langa Dube, regional director at TCS, said the company continues to support students through mentorship, technical guidance and intellectual property support after the competition.
“We did not want it to end on the stage,” Dube said.
Dube said about five or six projects are currently at advanced stages of prototyping. Technical and intellectual property support is also extended to students who want to develop their ideas further.
The other finalists presented solutions focused on healthcare, mental health, water security, agriculture, renewable energy and waste management.
A viral social media claim that foreign nationals make up 98% of Wits staff has been rejected by the university, which says the actual figure is 9%.
Claims that Wits’ has foreign nationals make up 98% of Wits’ staff went viral on social media.
Wits dismissed these claims and said that the correct figure is 9%.
Wits further added that internet users should refrain from spreading information that aims to divide the country.
After trending on social media this past weekend, the University of Witwatersrand has dismissed the viral claims that 98% of its staff are foreign nationals. Wits went to Tik Tok, Twitter and Facebook to dismiss the claims, labelling it “Fake News” and stating that international staff make up 9%.
The list of names that circulated was a screenshot of one page from the Wits academic staff list. The screenshot showed names from a Wits academic staff list but contained no accompanying statistics on the nationality of the university’s staff. The university also warned that the false information could contribute to division within the country. In a response on social media, Wits said, “Please refrain from sharing misinformation which seeks to sow division in our community and our country.”
Wits Vuvuzela contacted the Communications department at the University of Witwatersrand for further comment and verification of the claims. In its response, the university confirmed that international staff account for 9% of its approximately 5500 employees. The department also reiterated its earlier statement that the social media posts are misinformation.
Wits said its objective is to balance the development of South African leadership with the recruitment of international expertise where necessary. “Our objective is therefore neither localisation nor internationalisation in isolation, but a strategically balanced institution that develops South African leadership while drawing on the very best expertise available globally, where necessary” Wits commented.
The claim comes amid renewed debate over the employment of foreign nationals in South Africa, including concerns raised by the March-and-March movement about undocumented migrants and employment.
However, it remains unclear where the 98% figure originated on social media and Wits has called on members of the public to refrain from sharing the claim as well as verifying information before circulating it.
FEATURED IMAGE: The Great Hall at the University of Witwatersrand. Image by Zebrena Ralph
Wits Fine Arts students Camryn Jessie and Abdullah Saloojee presented their collaborative exhibition at The Point of Order.
The theme was inspired by Abdullah’s poem Citrus Soup.
Through installation, painting, and found objects, the duo leaves meaning open, hoping curiosity outweighs fear.
From August 27 to 28, 2026, fourth-year Wits Fine Arts students Camryn Jessie and Abdullah Saloojee presented a collaborative exhibition at The Point of Order in Braamfontein: There’s a Bug in This Citrus Soup.
The theme was inspired by a poem Abdullah wrote and shared with Camryn. It reads in part: “My conscience tends the sacred wound, my soup now cold from the ashes. The citrus leaks through my soul; When the water drys up, where do I go?”
An artwork by Abdullah Saloojee titled: Ant/One is many. Photo by: Naledi Maraisane
After weeks of analysing it, Camryn said she found a deep sense of want and disappointment in the piece, which became the anchor for the exhibition. The citrus, the artists said, speaks to intense tension and a state of limbo. The bug itself is left open to interpretation; it can be an insect, a stomach bug, or a technical bug. Essentially, the bug is meant to symbolise disturbance and discomfort.
That disturbance shows in how differently they work. Camryn’s artworks are installation-based. Her paintings act as a base, then she builds around them with tangible materials that give them life. Abdullah’s work is orientalist, an art form which blends realism and fantasy. Yet their pieces have blended so well that people cannot tell which piece belongs to whom. “Another thing that visually combines our work is our fascination with found objects,” Abdullah said. Those objects have been integrated into several artworks.
Abdullah wants his work to evoke sadness, but as a journey toward rediscovered hope. Camryn, in contrast, hopes her pieces “keep them on the verge, whilst still being curious but weird at the same time,” while evoking disgust and discomfort.
An artwork by Camryn Jessie titled: Early worms get eaten. Photo by: Naledi Maraisane
Both have intentionally stopped doing things the ‘traditional’ way within Johannesburg’s contemporary art landscape: “We disrupt the space in subtle ways by keeping things natural, because you don’t have to do things in a certain way,” they said. Their goal is to get people interested without feeling stupid for not understanding. “The bug is something you don’t fully understand, but it ignites a curiosity,” Abdullah said. “Even though there is something strange and unknown, and that you are a bit scared, we hope that the curiosity outweighs that fear,” Camryn added.
In the end, the metaphorical bug can be feared and embraced. The journey gives space to acknowledge and learn to live with its uncertainties, discomforts, and weirdness.
Camryn Jessie and Abdullah Saloojee posing for a picture in front of their found object titled: The Window. Photo by: Naledi Maraisane
FEATURED IMAGE: An installation by Camryn Jessie titled: Life leaks/life enters. Photo by: Naledi Maraisane
As students trade pen and paper for digital devices, research reveals that screen notes might be hurting memory, focus and learning.
A brain study reveals that handwriting activates deep neutral networks essential for memory and focus.
Typing relies on simple, repetitive key presses that cause students to forget key details.
Picking up a pen this September will help students actively engage with content to improve academic performance.
While many view a handwritten letter as a lost art, science shows that giving up pen and paper comes at a steep cognitive cost. September 1, marks World Letter Writing Day, an annual event meant to encourage people to put down their digital devices and write by hand.
A 2024 brain study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology proves that handwriting fundamentally changes how the brain learns. Researchers attached 256 sensors to university students to track their brain waves while they wrote with a pen versus typing on a keyboard.
The results showed that writing by hand activated widespread interconnected networks across the brain, particularly in areas responsible for memory formation and encoding new information. Shaping each letter requires careful visual and physical control, movement that stimulates deep brain connectivity and improves memory, spelling accuracy and attention.
By contrast, typing involves simple, repetitive finger presses on identical keys, engaging far fewer brain circuits. Students who type notes process information shallowly and forget key details quickly.
Lerato Seohatse, a senior consultant at the Wits Reading and Writing Centre, explains that writing functions as an active thinking process rather than a mere final product.
“At the Wits Reading and Writing Centre we work with the idea that writing is thinking,” Seohatse said. “Handwriting plays a big role in cleaning out ideas. It slows down the writing process and therefore, the cognitive processes involved in writing”.
Seohatse notes that starting with physical tools allow students to map out concepts freely without the pressure of perfection. “One might start with a mind map, which is so much easier to construct through handwriting. At this stage, the topic is explored freely without pressure. Good writing often starts with a pen on paper,” he added.
On campus, students confirm the visual and mental benefits of sticking to traditional pen and paper.
Keletso Molapo, a first-year BSc electrical engineering student relies on handwriting his school notes to retain information. “When I handwrite, I am able to store information easily. The more I hand write is the more information I am able to obtain,” he said.
Lethabo Mofokeng, a third-year bachelor of arts student double majoring in media and African languages, shares that “I think I performed better academically when I wrote my notes by hand. The main reason is that handwriting made me actively engage with information, I could summarize difficult concepts, underline important words and create my own structure instead of simply typing everything from a lecture or textbook,” Mofokeng said.
While digital devices offer speed, neuroscience and some student experiences suggest that picking up a pen this September might be the best revision tool for Witsies.
FEATURED IMAGE: A visual prompt asking if pen-to-paper writing is now reserved for formal signatures rather than everyday note-taking. Graphic: Rearabilwe Tsebela
The public lecture held in memory of Nokuthula Simelane highlighted how the impact of apartheid era crimes continues to be felt in contemporary times.
Nokuthula Simelane was only 23-years old when she was abducted.
Some say the TRC has failed a lot of victims and their families.
At the same time, Steve Biko’s 1977 Inquest was reopened this week at the Gqeberha High Court.
Imagine your loved one leaving the house under false pretences and never making it home; 49 years later and there is still no clarity on where she was or what happened to her.
On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Ditsong National Museum of Military History hosted a public lecture titled The Unfinished Business of Justice: Remembrance, Resilience, and the TRC questioning the continued failure to resolve apartheid era cases. The public lecture was given by the museum’s curator for insignia, Tinyeko Ndhlovu, to honour of the life of anti-apartheid student activist Nokuthula Simelane.
Simelane (23), code name ‘Mpho’, was an Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) operative. On September 10, 1983, Simelane met Norman Mkhonza, an ‘askari’ (state spy) linked to the Soweto Intelligence Unit. As a result, Simelane was abducted by the Apartheid Security Branch and brutally tortured for an extensive period and eventually murdered.
A police docket was opened in 1996, followed by a short-lived investigation with no leads. Despite years of legal action and attempts by her family to uncover the truth, no one has been arrested or held accountable. It was only in 2019 that Simelane’s death certificate was issued.
Simelane was a Bachelor of Administration in Social Science, majoring in Public Administration, student at the University of Swaziland (currently University of Eswatini), at the time of her disappearance, and just a month shy of graduating.
Discussing her legacy, Ndhlovu said, “Simelane’s life and disappearance speak to the courage of young women in the liberation struggle, the enduring need for truth about enforced disappearances, and the pursuit of justice for apartheid-era crimes. Her story remains a reminder that South Africa’s freedom was secured through profound personal sacrifice.”
A photo of Tinyeko Ndhlovu speaking at the public lecture. Photo: Sikelelekile Pahlana
A major reflection from the day was the failings of the TRC in providing justice for victims. “The TRC has failed us. A lot of families’ history is suppressed,” said Ndhlovu.
Asked about the significance of younger generations knowing this history, Ndlovhu said “history repeats itself. It is very important for young people to know the history of the country for what it was.”
FEATURED IMAGE: A photo of the public lecture presentation which includes a photo of Nokuthula Simelane. Photo: Sikelelekile Pahlana
While the country nears the end of winter, for some residents, the weather is alreadychanging the way theyoperate.
For ordinary South Africans, the climate crisis is not abstract.
A potentially strong El Niño on the horizon.
Behind climate statistics are people like Phumzile.
As Johannesburg nears the end of winter, the heat is already changing how some people work, study and make a living. For Phumzile Mhlangeni, a street vendor on Jorissen street, hotter days mean fresh produce is spoiling faster, forcing her to throw away stock she can no longer sell.
“I’m slower to stock now because of the heat. The fruits might rot and I fear that”, Mhlangeni said.
Her experience come as scientists monitor a potentially strong El Niño expected later this year, a warning climate change professor Jennifer Fitchett from the University of the Witwatersrand echoes.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that affects temperatures and rainfall around the world. In South Africa, its effects can vary, but Fitchett expects Johannesburg to experience a hot summer with potentially unpredictable rainfall.
Photo of street vendor, Phumzile Mhlangeni with her limited stock. Photo: Keletso Zwane
For Mhlangeni, the heat is already forcing her to change how she runs her business.
To adapt she now keeps her produce in a fridge at home and has started selling sweets, chips and cigarettes to bring in additional income.
Finding shaded areas to protect herself and her produce poses another challenge. Moving away from her usual spot has made it difficult for her regular customers to find her.
“Business is slower and people won’t go looking for me specifically if they can find someone else selling what I am selling,” she said.
The impact is not limited to people working outdoors.
The effects of rising temperatures are also being noticed by Wits students. Jessica Williams, a final year Bachelors of Social Work student said Johannesburg has felt increasingly warmer despite August being considered a winter month. Travelling between West and East Campus means she spends more time walking in the heat, making access to shade and water important.
Fitchett said climate change is adding another layer to the problem. A warmer baseline increases the risk of heatwaves and heat stress, particularly for people who work outdoors.
However, she cautioned against treating El Niño as a guarantee of extreme weather. South Africa does not experience every El Niño in the same way and seasonal forecasts cannot predict exactly what will happen in every area.
As the country moves towards a hotter summer, the uncertainty leaves businesses and communities preparing for conditions they cannot yet predict.
For Phumzile, the forecast is not simply about what may happen this summer. The effects of hotter weather are already changing how she works, what she sells and how much she earns.
FEATURED IMAGE: Photo of Street Vendor Phumzile Mhlangeni with a customer. Photo: Keletso Zwane
Wits offers support for students with disabilities, but for those whose conditions are not visible, stigma and fear of judgement can make asking for help difficult.
Wits has 1,126 registered students with disabilities receiving support through the Disability Rights Unit.
Wits has identified stigma and disclosure as barriers for students with invisible disabilities.
Students say asking for accommodation can be an emotional and undignified experience.
The Wits Disability Rights Unit (DRU) hosted a seminar on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to address invisible disabilities and the barriers students face in accessing support. For some students at Wits University, getting support for an invisible disability can mean having to explain something that other people cannot see.
These disabilities such as ADHD, autism, mental health conditions, and chronic illnesses may not be immediately visible. Zamo Mbhele, a psychologist speaking at the DRU seminar, explained that this can make it difficult for students to ask for support, as they often worry about how it will be perceived.
Wits itself has acknowledged that stigma can prevent students from disclosing their conditions. In 2024, the university released an article on disability inclusion, the university noted that for students with invisible disabilities, “fear of stigma often prevents disclosure”. It further noted that students with complex needs require tailored support and coordinated services. For those who disclose their disabilities, the DRU provides support such as academic accommodations, assistive technology, and other forms of learning support. However, students who shared their experiences at the seminar said having support available does not always mean that asking for it is easy.
A student completes a paperwork to register for support services at Wits. Photo: Khutso Ngwatoana
According to the Wits Disability Rights Unit , 1,126 students with disabilities were registered last year. This includes 307 students with neurodevelopmental disabilities, 175 with psychosocial disabilities and 133 with chronic illnesses. Yet these figures only show students who disclosed with the DRU. Many others with invisible disabilities may be struggling in silence, reluctant to register because of stigma.
Wits student Alexandra Makhlouf said the DRU has played an important role for her by creating a social space where she can meet other students with disabilities.
“There is still stigma about disability on campus, and having to meet other disability students on campus has played an important role for me,” Makhlouf said.
Another student at the seminar, who asked not to be named because of the personal nature of their experience, described the emotional difficulty of asking for reasonable academic adjustments such as flexible deadlines, access to quiet spaces, or changes to how they participate in academic activities.
“I find it so undignifying every time I need to ask for understanding and accommodation, and I’m in tears every time at home when I am trying to get accommodation for something and putting together my motivations,” the attendee said.
Mbhele shared that, “Belonging is the experience of entering a space without having to negotiate your legitimacy within it.”
These experiences show that, for students with invisible disabilities, sense of belonging can be difficult when they feel they have to repeatedly explain or prove their needs before receiving support.
Dr Leila Abdool Gafoor, Head of the DRU, said the university must ensure that every person’s voice is heard and create psychological safety so that students do not experience stigma when speaking about their needs.
The issue is not simply whether support exists, but whether students know where to find it, feel safe enough to disclose their needs and can ask for accommodation without feeling judged.
For Wits students with invisible disabilities, inclusion goes beyond physical access. It also means creating an environment where asking for help does not feel like having to prove that you belong. The question now is whether Wits can make its existing support easier to access for students who may already be afraid to disclose their disabilities.
Students, including a student using a wheelchair on Wits Campus. DRU said Wits must support both visible and invisible disabilities. Photo: Khutso Ngwatoana
FEATURE IMAGE: A disability access sign on Wits campus that represent physical disability. Photo: Khutso Ngwatoana
Inside the Dome, African tales are revived and retold anew.
Wits launches its annual Digital Dome Festival to retell African oral stories through Virtual Reality, dome animation and projections.
Fourth-year digital arts and animation students showcased their film projects.
The Dome takes African stories to the world while creating employment opportunities for students.
“You are already in the future. Others will arrive,” said Professor René Smith, Head of the Wits School of Arts, during the opening of the Digital Dome Festival, pointing to the transformative power of immersive media.
Wits University hosted its Digital Dome Festival between August 21 and 22, 2026 in collaboration with the Wits School of Arts (Digital Arts Division), the Naval Hill Planetarium, the University of the Free State, and cultural institutions including Electric South and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).
This year’s theme, Stories Spoken, Stories Seen, was inspired by diverse African oral storytelling traditions passed down through generations. African folktales were retold through immersive digital technologies like dome animations, VR experiences and projections. The theme and festival demonstrate that “Africa can shape the future of immersive media,” said Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at Wits.
Student screenings formed a central part of the programme.
An animated statue of Nelson Mandela from the Wall-E film. Photo by: Naledi Maraisane
The Nanabolele projection stood out. The two-minute film, based on a Sesotho mythological interpretation, follows Princess Thakane, blessed by her grandmother to hunt the Nanabolele — a water-dwelling, dragon-like creature that glows in the dark and travels hidden inside clouds or red smoke. She seeks its glowing hide to make gifts for her brothers returning from initiation.
“We wanted a story that could speak to a large amount of people. We started looking at African mythology and folktales,” said Tlhalefo Boshielo, a fourth-year Digital Arts student in animation and projection mapping. The Nanabolele VR experience placed viewers inside a non-physical world, bringing imagination to life through immersive technology.
On what inspired this year’s theme, Sasha Wessels, Digital Arts lecturer and organiser, said that in high school she was not allowed to learn about African languages or traditions, which felt like a robbery. “I left high school angry. I feel unknowledgeable about the country that I live in.”
Projects can be rented to other global domes for profit, creating employment opportunities for students. For this reason, Wessels does not allow students to use Artificial Intelligence (AI). “The issue with AI is that the moment you implement it, you can’t sell it.” However, she acknowledges AI as a useful tool in an industry long gatekept by the West.
Through immersive technologies, students are archiving, professionalising and making African oral traditions, history and storytelling exportable.
FEATURED IMAGE: Students experiencing VR technology for the first time. Photo by: Naledi Maraisane
South Africa’s growing illicit economy is putting everyday consumers at risk.
South Africa’s illicit economy is estimated to account for 12–15% of Gross Domestic Product.
The Consumer Goods Council South Africa’s #YourChoiceHasPower campaign is urging consumers to make informed choices.
Consumers are caught between affordability, accessibility and safety.
A gun threat against investigative journalist Govan Whittles, dangerous methanol in illegal alcohol and poison sold by street vendors are some of the scenes that stuck out in Someone Always Pays, a documentary series examining South Africa’s billion-rand illicit economy.
The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) launched its #YourChoiceHasPower campaign alongside the documentary, with the council estimating that illicit trade accounts for between 12% and 15% of South Africa’s GDP.
Photo of panel speakers at the launch of the #YourChoiceHasPower campaign. Photo: Nqobile Mtshali
Illicit trade is usually associated with cigarettes, alcohol and counterfeit clothing, but the problem stretches much further. Food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fuel and chemicals are also sold on the black market, meaning consumers don’t always know whether the products they buy are legitimate or substandard. Chief executive officer of CGCSA, Zinhle Tyikwe said reach of illicit goods is “becoming deeper and scarier.”
Economic pressure and unemployment can make cheaper illicit products attractive, creating a difficult choice between what people can afford and what is legitimate and safe. Tyikwe said, “It’s mainly unaffordability,” that keeps the market alive.
Illicit trade is not confined to poorer communities. Whittles’ team found illicit cigarettes being sold in affluent areas including Rosebank, Parkhurst and Sandton. The investigation also uncovered connections between different illicit industries and organised crime. “It’s all connected. It’s all organised crime,” Whittles said.
That interconnectedness helps explain why the cost of illicit trade extends beyond sales. Dangerous products can have consequences for ordinary people, while legitimate businesses can lose customers. Whittles said, “People pay with their lives,” and those who do not pay with their lives can pay with their livelihoods. His team encountered a shopkeeper who refused to sell illicit tobacco but struggled to attract customers because cheaper alternatives were available elsewhere.
The scale of the illicit economy creates further pressure on law enforcement. Whittles said authorities struggle to intercept and investigate every shipment, while Tyikwe said prosecution remains a problem, arguing that fines imposed on those caught selling illicit products are often insufficient to deter the trade.
The CGCSA says consumers can help disrupt this cycle by buying from legitimate outlets, being cautious when prices seem too good to be true and checking products before purchasing them. Its My CGCSA app allows consumers to scan products and access information about registered brand owners, while suspected illicit goods can be reported through the app.
FEATURED IMAGE: Cigarette’s showcased as examples of illicit goods at the launch of the #YourChoiceHasPower campaign. Photo: Nqobile Mtshali
Every August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, but are these celebrations honoring women by creating lasting change?
Young women still face high unemployment rates, which shows the need for action that supports women beyond August.
Events such as Her Africa offer women tangible skills, mentorship and opportunities.
Women’s Month should move past inspirational speeches and towards practical action that creates notable change.
During Women’s Month, events across the country focus on women’s empowerment, wellness, business networking, and women in the arts. But, are these events sustainable beyond Women’s Month? The impact of these annual events deserves closer attention.
According to Statistics South Africa’s (STATS SA) Quarterly Labor Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2026 women continue to face higher vulnerability to unemployment and remain concentrated in certain occupations. Young woman between the ages of 15 to 24 account for 38,2% of those unemployed and not currently in education or training (NEET).
Pictured is a graph showing the percentage of 15 – 24-year-old young women classified as NEET IN Q2:2025 and Q2:2026. Graphic: Chrislyn Majiedt
These figures suggest that the events that happen during Women’s Month need to offer practical skills, mentorship and opportunities that could turn inspiration into action past August.
On Friday, August 21, 2026, ALX South Africa (ALX SA), a Pan-African organisation dedicated to helping young people build in-demand digital, creative and entrepreneurial skills, hosted their Her Africa Women’s Month event.
Panellist Nozipho McLean, an actress and producer, spoke about the frustration of attending events and feeling inspired but not getting “the juice” of how to achieve success like the women she admired.
Nozipho McLean speaking at the ALX SA Her Africa event. Photo: Chrislyn Majiedt.
McLean’s ‘Long Story Long’, a podcast and live event series, addresses this by providing practical and implementable steps.
Amina Patterson, venture growth strategist and Wits commerce graduate, challenged the women in the audience to be ‘audacious’ and pursue the big ideas they have, whether it works out or not.
Audience member asking a question at the Her Africa event. Photo: Chrislyn Majiedt.
“Something that inspires me the most is seeing women go out and build their own products, whether it works or not you have done what 90% of the population has not done,” Patterson said.
Aisha Jackson, regional general manager for ALX SA, says the organisation has graduated 350 000 young people in six to seven years, with 20 000 of graduates based in South Africa and 60% being women.
Aisha Jackson, regional general manager of ALX SA, facilitating the Her Africa event. Photo: Chrislyn Majiedt.
“I’m sure that women are walking away with one thing that’s tangible, that they can tangibly change in their lives,” said Jackson.
The contrast between Women’s Month celebrations and the ongoing challenges reflected in the labor statistics highlights the need for events that provide women with useful tools they can use beyond August.
FEATURED IMAGE: A photo of the stage where the panel members of the ALX Her Africa event were seated. Photo: Chrislyn Majiedt
In episode six of We Should Be Writing season 7, the team unpacked the evolution of music as a form of expression and protest, through four decades in the South African context. The episode explores the journey of South African music and its consumers from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s and contemporary listeners. From the […]
