The annual Academy awards will finally settle the public’s burning need to know who will win the best actor category.
The 2026 Oscars Best Actor race has turned into a blockbuster showdown between Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme and Michael B. Jordan in Sinners. We have reached this point, because both dropped jaw-dropping performances, with Chalamet channelling a wild ping-pong hustler under Josh Safdie’s gritty lens, his third Oscar nomination after Call Me by Your Name and A Complete Unknown. Jordan slays dual roles in Sinners as vampire-hunting twins facing 1930s racism in Ryan Coogler’s epic film.
Jordan has got serious momentum after snagging the Actors Award formally known as the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. He won over Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another, and Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon. The Actors Award’s are purely voted by actors, who make up the Academy’s biggest voting group. That love from his peers could tip the scale big time when it comes to the Oscar’s.
Not helping Chalamet’s Oscar campaign is his recent comment about some of the most respected art forms of all time, ballet and opera. At a Variety-CNN event, he said “no one cares about” ballet or opera anymore, “with much respect,” sparking backlash from Whoopi Goldberg, Doja Cat, and arts advocates. The timing couldn’t be worse for the Oscar hopeful. This taking place during the peak of his Oscars campaign is horrible timing.
Chalamet messed up by disrespecting culturally significant art forms. Many fans were outraged and disappointed by his comments as well as confused, because his mother and sister are both trained ballet dancers.
The Oscars is no stranger to an intense battle within their categories. In 2005, Jamie Foxx and DiCaprio had a similar battle for their performances in Ray and The Aviator respectively, where everyone was waiting on the edge of their seats to know who would win.
Truth is, both gave powerful performances. Chalamet’s determination was felt through the screen, Jordan’s ability to play two convincingly different “cousins” – jaw dropping. And not to mention the other great actors in this category DiCaprio, Hawke and Wagner Moura performed brilliantly in their own right.
Whoever grabs the gold on March 16, 2026, between Chalamet or Jordan (or if it is a complete curveball), it’s a win for great acting either way.
FEATURED IMAGE: Who will win the best actor category at the 2026 Oscars. Graphic: Bonolo Mokonoto
The war in the Middle East deeply impacts the lives of people across the globe and South Africa is no exception.
Millions of people woke up to the breaking news on their screens, that the United States of America and the State of Israel, launched airstrikes targeted at Iran’s military bases and nuclear-related-infrastructure, on February 28, 2026. The prospects of a war started brewing after negotiations between the U.S and Iran in early February hit a dead end.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by attacks from Israel and the U.S, and the current death toll in Iran currently surpasses 1, 000. Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and targeting U.S military bases across the Middle East. The countries affected by the attacks from Iran include Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
But it was the confirmed closure of the Strait of Hormuz on March 2, that had an immediate global impact . According to Reuters, Iranian officials announced that the shipping corridor will be closed and any ship that attempts to pass through will be attacked.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which means global oil prices, inflation, food and petrol prices are likely to increase significantly in the short term.
South Africa imports oil in large quantities, most of its crude oil supply coming from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. This means that citizens will experience higher petrol prices and businesses will experience delayed goods from abroad. The impact was felt instantly as the minister of Mineral and Petroleum Gwede Mantashe announced an increase in fuel prices effective from March 4, as a result of the current international factors. The price of petrol increased by 20c and diesel by 65c, residents still await further changes as the war continues.
Behind the geopolitical strategies and missile attacks we watch from a distance are thousands of people whose lives have now been forever altered. Families are watching their homes and communities destroyed and those far removed from the shockwaves deal with rising costs and uncertainty.
As the situation unfolds, we are confronted with the fact that war is never limited to the countries fighting it, its impact is felt by everyone. We all mourn and feel the pain of those directly impacted.
Until the day global leaders choose dialogue and peace over destruction and violence, it will be us, ordinary citizens who continue to pay the price for their negligent and violent behaviour.
FEATURED IMAGE: Graphic depicting the joint allies the United States of America and the State of Israel, above Iran. Graphic by: Bonolo Mokonoto
After months of volunteer clean-ups and security upgrades, the heritage site welcomed visitors to the revived space.
The Braamfontein Cemetery wants locals to use the premises for educational and research purposes.
The cemetery has increased its safety measures around the area, as many visitors felt unsafe due to unsecured perimeters.
Visitors can ask for a security escort when venturing deeper onto the property.
The Braamfontein cemetery is regarded as one of the most historically significant places in Johannesburg, but some residents do not feel comfortable visiting due to safety concerns and negative experiences.
The cemetery reopened its gates on February 22, 2026 with increased security for grieving families and rebranded as a public heritage site open for walking tours and educational visits.
Volunteers cleaning up at the Braamfontein Cemetery. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
“Just walk, enjoy the space, enjoy the beauty of the architecture of the cemetery”, said Antoinette Morgan, from Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries (FOJC), a group under the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF).
“This cemetery has a lot of the old Rand pioneers – the early people who came to establish their life in Johannesburg”, said Morgan. The cemetery is home to many historical figures, such as “David Draper, who was the geologist who first had mass water production pumped up to the highfeld” and “of course Enoch Sontonga” she added.
The architecture at the cemetery beautifully captures its era. Nicola Noble from FOJC working with JHF, said: “The design of the crematorium almost hides its purpose, it is in the shape of – a neo- Romanesque chapel – it resembles a church.”
The crematorium at the Braamfontein Cemetery, with four furnaces. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Morgan said, “A lot of the perimeter fencing was missing on both sides, so people would just walk across the cemetery at will.”
“With a lot of work with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, we managed to get them to secure the perimeter fencing on both sides – it is still palisade but it is more secure”, she states that there are guards at each gate and roaming guards throughout the cemetery.
When people want to go deeper into the cemetery for research and feel uncomfortable, they can now ask a guard to guide them through.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.
FEATURED IMAGE: Graves taken at the Braamfontein Cemetery. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Many gathered to reminisce about the life of Professor Deepak Kar, whose legacy continues to have a lasting impact on all who knew him.
The memorial service of Professor Deepak Kar was hosted on February 25.
His colleagues shared their memories of him.
Professor Kar was a beloved scholar and mentor to many.
The memorial service for Professor Deepak Kar filled up Senate House with friends, colleagues and loved ones on February 25, 2026. Kar passed away on December 21, 2025, after a battle with cancer.
Kar was a well-respected and loved scholar and mentor. He was described as “A citizen of the world” by Professor Nithaya Chetty, dean of the faculty of science at Wits. This indicates how impactful he was to the lives of many on a global scale. He contributed extensively to the study of physics and advanced the global search for dark matter.
Kar was also known for his contagious laughter. “Indeed, Deepak carried those qualities with grace – and a cheeky laughter- he had a child-like curiosity that I found particularly charming,” said Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice- Chancellor and Principal of Wits university.
Chetty said, “In so many different respects I valued him as a colleague, in the official university obituary I described him as a larger-than-life character and I mean that sincerely, he had a tremendous zest for life.”
From left to Right: Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Professor Nithaya Chetty and Professor Deena Naidoo. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Audience members at the memorial service of Professor Deepak Kar. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi at the memorial service of Professor Deepak Kar. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Professor Nithaya Chetty at the memorial service of Professor Deepak Kar. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Dr Nandini Kar at the memorial service of Professor Deepak Kar. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Wits Choir at the memorial service of Professor Deepak Kar. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Dr Sukanya Sinha Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Manchester and a mentee of Professor Pak, shared a collective tribute from the students that were impacted by his life. “He would adjust his supervision style to each and every student, because he appreciated that everyone was different – every student needs to be handled differently,” she said.
“He really thought very highly of his students, and he thought that they actually could make a difference to the world [as he has done], and that is something- as students you would love to see in a supervisor,” said Dr. Sinha.
Vilakazi said beyond science, Kar represented a powerful, quite confidence that world class science and discovery can emerge from Africa and stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of the world.
The service indicated that he was and will continue to be a beloved member of the Wits community.
FEATURED IMAGE: The memorial service of Professor Deepak Kar image. Photo: Wits Marketing
Johannesburg’s water crisis is heavily restricting the daily lives of citizens.
For the past month, the City of Johannesburg has been struggling with a water crisis that has exposed serious cracks within local governance and infrastructure. What started off as a short outage has now spiralled out of control.
Residents have been frustrated by the lack of water services across Johannesburg the city. From Melville, Westdene, Parktown west and Emmarentia, some residents have gone more than 20 days without water.
Johannesburg can not claim to be a world- class African city, while its residents are standing in queues at water tanks for over three weeks. This lack of service delivery is inhumane. Water is a basic need, and the municipality needs to ensure at that this service is delivered to all residents efficiently.
Volunteers in Melville have organised communal water tanks with strict limits per household simply to ensure survival. For elderly residents and families with small children, the daily act of securing water has become exhausting.
Frustration has spilt onto the streets as peaceful protests are being carried out. Protests have erupted in Melville. Residents are angry at the lack of urgency shown by the government. All the while, some are missing school, work, being put through unhygienic conditions and emotional stress.
City officials point to ageing infrastructure, pressure management systems, maintenance backlogs and lack of coordination with Rand Water as part of the problem. The Government has announced intervention plans and committees aimed at stabilising the water supply. But for residents living day to day without running water, these long-term strategies offer little immediate relief.
The lack of planning and leadership is now being highlighted as residents are being impacted. The city of Johannesburg must move pass crisis management and implement sustainable and reliable service delivery.
When taps begin to run dry, this is an indication that governance has failed and South African citizens have to now pay the price.
FEATURED IMAGE: Two plastic containers of water, half empty. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
The increase in the minimum wage amount is not as impactful as the minister of labour and employment would suggest.
The minimum wage amount has increased to R30, 23 per hour from R28, 79 per hour.
The new minimum wage is still not enough to sustain South Africans.
Millions still struggle to cater to their basic needs.
The minimum wage amount is set to increase to R30,23 per hour, from R28,23 per hour as of March 1, 2026. South Africans are beyond frustrated by this small change.
“The income is basically the same, given that the economy is also changing. [The government] increasing the minimum wage doesn’t change the fact that things are also getting more expensive. If, lets say, they were increasing the wages, but the economy’s status was still the same at least [there] would be a bit of a change, compared to right now,” said Rose Mongwe, a third-year bachelor of education student.
The minimal increase, means Mongwe, whose mother is a domestic worker will not get an allowance increase this year. She uses what her mom can give her for toiletries and other personal needs. “It is not [as much] as I would want it to be but then it kind of helps here and there and sustains me when I’m unable to get some money for myself,” she said.
Muhammed Siyad the Regional Investment Growth Manager for Southern Gauteng at Absa said, “At the rate at which inflation is climbing, this increase of the minimum wage amount per hour I don’t feel it would affect any households in a positive sense, the reason for that is everything else is getting more expensive, its making it harder for people to manage based on the current salaries.”
Neo Bapela honours in bachelor of education said, “I feel like the [minimum wages amount] is very little, but also it goes according to peoples’ responsibilities, I might think that the money is enough for me, because I don’t have kids, I don’t have other responsibilities.”
The increase of the minimum wage amount does not keep up with the rising cost of living. Many households continue to stretch out their money, the increase of R1,44 offers little to no relief.
FEATURED IMAGE: Cash and coins. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
South Africa is again debating the name changes of provinces and towns.
Over the past month, there has been nationwide debate over the name changes of various towns and provinces. This puts into question South Africa’s history and if we should preserve the current names as a reminder or change them to honour our heritage.
Name changes carry real and expensive costs. The updating of maps, road signs, business branding and tourism material require funding and resources that could be used elsewhere. The country has a multitude of more pressing issues – such as a high unemployment rate, and water and electricity shortages- changing the names of provinces and towns shouldn’t be the top priority for the current economic climate of South Africa.
The Eastern Cape’s is currently undergoing a massive transformation on this front. Gayton McKenzie , the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, approved 21 geographical name changes, including renaming East London to KuGompo and Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town. This has been in line with public consultations and recommendations made from the South African Geographical Names Council.
The name changes are yet to be confirmed as it is the department’s ongoing commitment to ensure that the names highlight the country’s diverse heritage and history. Most residents in Eastern Cape are against the name changes highlighting that the towns historical identity and heritage should remain, as this keeps history intact.
Other residents argue that the changes are long overdue, as the original names are reminiscent of our history and it is important to keep reminders around, so that people do not forget. The renaming project can be viewed as a form of decolonialisation and reclaiming our history and instilling pride over the South African landscape.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini recently reignited the debate by calling for the removal of “Natal”, from the provincial name “KwaZulu-Natal”, he argues that before colonial efforts the area was simply called KwaZulu. The Zulu king is pleading with politicians to broaden the public debate about these historical boarders as they have been shaped by colonial authorities.
The African National Congress (ANC) has responded cautiously, particularly around the proposals to rename KwaZulu-Natal, stressing that it has not yet adopted an official position on the matter. The party emphasised that any provincial name changes must follow proper constitutional and legal processes.
As the debate continues, we need to critically ask ourselves what impact the name changes will have on the community, whether positive or negative, it will be the residents that deal with the massive changes, and their opinion is of high importance.
FEATURED IMAGE: Geographical name changes debate. Graphic by: Bonolo Mokonoto
Four seasons in, Bridgerton struggles with originality, yet it feels as genuine than ever.
Dearest gentle reader, in this highly anticipated new season of one of Netflix’s most-watched series, Bridgerton season four, part one, is not quite what we expected.
This season focuses on the notorious playboy Benedict Bridgerton’s love story and his quest to find life partner. He meets a lady named Sophie at a masquerade ball and makes it his mission to find her after she leaves the ball in a hurry. This season uses the Cinderella trope, but instead of a glass slipper, Sophie leaves behind a glove. This story line makes the story predictable, as many audience members are very familiar with this trope, it lacks originality.
A very interesting aspect of this new season is that we get an inside look into the servants’ quarters. We are offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the lives of the rich and royal are kept in-order by those who are rarely noticed in these spaces. It is reminiscent of renowned period drama, Downton Abbey.
Through this shift in perspective, the series highlights the invisible labour that sustains the grandeur of high society. Lady Whistledown makes a point of exposing and sharing the stories of these workers, further emphasising their importance in society.
A carriage driver remarks on the behaviour within the ton, stating, “It’s thrilling for them, chaos for us.” This line emphasizes the immense labour servants must perform to maintain the magnificence or grandeur of the balls and social events hosted during the debutante season.
Throughout the Bridgerton series, Benedict has been depicted as sexually fluid, which makes his search for a wife this season feel out of left field and somewhat out of character.
It would have been more compelling to watch him seek companionship with both men and women, ensuring that the character development establishing him as pansexual in previous seasons, did not go to waste.
The chemistry between Benedict and Sophie is undeniable. This is the first season where the main couple get to know each other in a friendly manner, and this was entertaining to watch.
The playfulness and gentle ease they have with each other is refreshing, from the conflict we initially see with the previous main couples in the series.
Despite the predictability and missteps on Benedict’s character development, Bridgerton season four succeeds in feeling emotionally sincere.
This may not be the most original chapter in the Bridgerton storyline, but it proves that familiarity, when written well, can still be engaging.
Vuvu rating: 7.5/ 10
FEATURED IMAGE: Bridgerton season 4 review. Photo: Netflix
Jozi Angels and 22onSloan fund and mentor innovative AI business ideas aimed to solve African problems, founders warned on how not to fumble the bag.
Start-up founders need to be financially literate.
Scaling soon is bad for businesses.
Mentorship and funding available for entrepreneurs with lucrative solutions to African problems.
Wits University is hosting the fourth edition of the Applied Machine Learning Days (AMLD) conference from January 26 to 29 at the Wits Science Stadium and investors are present to advice Artificial Intelligent (AI) powered business founders.
From left to right: Hayet Hammana, Bernadette Bule and Keshni Morar. Photo: Lulah Mapiye
Bernadette Bule, Wits alumni, and Business and Partnerships Manager at 22onSloane, the largest startup campus in Africa, based in Johannesburg, said there is a fundamental skill every founder must have.
“I’ve seen that a lot of founders lack financial literacy, which leads them to desire to scale their businesses way too early. Our programme looks at the stages of our BRL (Business Readiness Level), which is from zero to ten, and determine your business needs as per your BRL level,” she said.
Keshni Morar, Angel Investor at Jozi Angels, agreed. She said a lot of businesses scale prematurely, leading to their downfall. Morar’s core work includes funding and mentoring early-stage South African start-up’s.
“Sometimes they [founders] may not be the right person to scale the business. Understanding fundamentals of business and self-awareness really helps with transferring the power to someone who is more capable of getting the business where it needs to be,” she said.
There were many AI-powered startups at AMLD, from AI models designed to assist doctors with follow-ups, scheduling patients and sending appointment reminders to efforts to end the use of English as a lingua franca through AI-mediated one-on-one conversations amongst African descendants of different languages.
One of the co-founders of Masakhana, a company research and funding company aimed at democratising AI in South Sudan, Lydia Kila Taban said: “We have more than 2,000 spoken languages in Africa, but the technology we use does not understand most of our languages. This results in a lot of people being unable to understand technology as it is not in a language they speak and think in.”
Masakhana is working to solve this problem with the help of researchers, engineers, computer scientists and others passionate about preserving African languages and heritage. This is a perfect example of the type of solutions Jozi Angels is willing to take risk funding.
Bule said with great ideas and the right funding, young people could help put a dent in South Africa’s unemployment problem.
This might be the year the national treasury receives more than two thousand budget tips.
Budget speech to be delivered on February 25, 2026.
Students raise funding, infrastructure, and security concerns.
February 16, 2026, is the closing day to submit tips.
Some university students are eagerly welcoming the Minister of Finance’s call to send budget tips ahead of the second budget speech under the Government of National Unity (GNU), scheduled to be delivered on February 25, 2026.
According to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group, the invitation to send through budget tips began in 1999 under former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel. An effort to get civil society to actively participate in matters of national importance.
Since its inception, citizens’ participation has been limited. In 2023 minister’s office received over 2000 responses. Before and after that, the responses were fewer than a thousand.
Even though the Wits SRC Treasurer General, Somwabo Mhlahlo (22) believes this is one of those things the government does to tick a box, he is determined to contribute to the conversation.
Mhlahlo’s biggest concern is that many students previously funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are unable to register for the 2026 academic year.
“They have outstanding fees and cannot proceed with their studies because of the NSFAS cap on accommodation, it is the government’s responsibility to settle that debt,” he said. NSFAS currently caps accommodation allowance at R55,000 while residences on campus are currently charging between R55,685- R117,962.
For Sanele Segutya (23), a post-graduate student in Public Management, who spent three weeks in a public hospital in Cape Town due to a leg injury, resource allocation on public health services is most important. To offer services that are almost similar to those offered in private hospitals.
“The fact that I was in a hospital in itself is a privilege. My observations may have been surface level, but the nurses seemed frustrated all the time. At some point they had to discharge patients early because of a shortage of beds,” said Segutya.
Another student who is drafting a tip is eighteen-year-old Tsenolo Dampies, first-year student in Computational and Applied Mathematics. Dampies’ focus is infrastructure and security. “We need more cameras in crime hotspots, and more police stations where people can report crime as we all know that crime is on a rise in South Africa,” he said.
Witsies are using this chance to play a part in building the nation they dream of living in. If you were unaware that you have this power, you are being urged to click on this link, in no more than 300 words, state how you want your government to allocate funds, by no later than Monday February 16, 2026.
FEATURED IMAGE: Image showing South African Rands. Photo: Lulah Mapiye
The Vanderbijlpark scholar transport accident exposes how reckless driving and weak enforcement continue to cost lives on South Africa’s roads.
On Monday, January 19, a scholar transport minibus was involved in a devastating collision in Vanderbijlpark, situated south of Johannesburg. The tragic accident resulted in fourteen fatalities, sending shockwaves through Gauteng and the country at large.
As investigations continue, the 22-year-old driver appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Magistate’s Court, where the case took a drastic turn as he abandoned bail and additional charges were added. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed on Thursday, January 22, that the driver, Ayanda Dludla, now faces 14 counts of murder, upgraded from the initial charges of culpable homicide. Other charges include three counts of attempted murder, one count of driving without a valid permit and one count of operating an unlicensed vehicle.
Initial reports and video footage point to reckless driving during peak traffic. Too often, scholar transports operate in a grey area where unroadworthy vehicles, missing permits and unqualified drivers are treated as a miner issue, rather than a life-threatening risk for the lives of people on the road.
The tragedy that unfolded in Vanderbijlpark is not just a heartbreaking reminder of how dangerous our roads have become; it is an indication of the disappointing system that has repeatedly failed to protect even its most vulnerable users. For years, communities and road safety advocates have warned about reckless driving and weak enforcement from road officials.
The Department of Transport’s recent push to verify scholar transport operators, to ensure proper registration and the possession of valid documentation, is crucial. This raises an uncomfortable question: why did it take the loss of fourteen young lives for this urgency? Road stops after such a tragedy are not enough, enforcement must be consistent and uncompromising, not just reactive.
Scholar transport drivers are entrusted with young lives, and that responsibility needs discipline, patience and respect for the rules of the road. Reckless overtaking, speeding and a complete disregard for traffic laws are acts of negligence with inevitably devastating consequences.
Parents and community members should be empowered to play a role and verifying whether a scholar vehicle is properly registered, checking operating permits, and refusing to use services that cannot prove the above should be normalised. Communities should feel supported and not intimidated or discouraged when reporting unsafe drivers.
The way forward requires more than apologies and condolences. It demands stricter enforcement, routine vehicle inspections and serious consequences. The Vanderbijlpark tragedy must mark a turning point for South Africans. Our children deserve to travel safely to and from school, anything else is a failure we can no longer accept.
Investigations into the accident are ongoing and the case has been postponed to March 5, 2026.
FEATURED IMAGE: Bonolo Mokonoto profile image. Photo: Paul Botes
Johannesburg may often be defined as the economic hub of Africa but the quiet drum of a beat, is what makes it the capital of African entertainment.
What exactly constitutes a world-class city? Some would define Johannesburg as world-class purely on its standing as the financial and economic hub of South Africa, as the city is home to Africa’s largest stock exchange, the JSE. Others, however, would designate it as world-class city because of its rich culture.
What most South Africans have in common is their love and passion for entertainment, and specifically for music. The ever-readiness to have a good time. And for many South Africans, the common denominator to having a good time often involves music, whether it’s at a small braai, a sports gathering or a party, an activity many have come to recognise as “groove”. Music must always be present.
But this goes far beyond a small gathering. Going to a concert is unlike any other activity. Being surrounded by thousands of people with a shared love of music creates an electrifying state of euphoria.
The excitement of being united by one singular goal: to sing your heart out and have fun with the realisation that you’re inhabiting a space designed purely for unforgettable moments. It’s the thrill of seeing your favourite artist live, knowing this might be the only time you get to experience their performance.
The deafening cheers of fans as the stage lights flash, the beams echoing the crowd’s excitement. Every moment – the fun memories of singing along to your favourite melody, the endless photos and videos that will serve as proof – is worth it, leaving you wishing you could turn back time and relive it. South Africa is becoming the leading destination for international performers and Joburg has recently re-emerged as one of the foremost tourist destinations on the continent.
Behind the scenes: the stage crew assembles stage in preparation for upcoming event. Photo: Nthabeleng Phayane
But let’s be honest, the cost of going to these events is not cheap. Beyond the actual ticket, many concert goers have to consider the transport to the venue, the cost of food and drinks and most importantly, an outfit that will leave you feeling your best self.
For 33-year-old Rushe Cawa, her dedication to concert life comes with a practical plan, “I’ve got a secret fund that I contribute to monthly for concert tickets,” she admits.
Originally hailing from Cape Town, Cawa lives and works in Johannesburg and proudly describes herself as a “Johannesgirlburg.” “I can practically say that I’m from here,” she says, “I’ve been here longer than I’ve been in Cape Town,” highlighting her strong connection to the city, along with its culture.
“This is definitely a lifestyle for me,” she says with a hint of humour in her voice. “It’s the only time I take myself out of the house.”
Only cementing her love for live music, Cawa has been to multiple concerts and festivals across the country, one month she’s vibing at a jazz festival, the next she’s singing along at a soul and R&B session and then after that she is uplifted at a gospel gathering. Her ultimate drive for the endless shows, is FOMO (fear of missing out). “I don’t like to miss out on things,” she says.
For Cawa, it’s more than just about missing an event – she explains that it’s also a learning experience. “When you go to festivals, you expose yourself to a lot more genres than what you would normally listen to,” she says.
For anyone following her active TikTok presence, which acts as her diary of show accounts and knowledge, her passion is quite clear. Her commitment began early. Her first ever concert was The People’s Celebration in 2006, headlined by US rappers Pharrel and Snoop Dogg, and has remained her fondest memory. “It was mind-blowing,” she reminisces. “I think that is where my love for concerts started.” Even with her endless list of attended shows, she is not done yet as one single R&B singer remains on her checklist, “Cleo Sol!” she exclaims longingly as her secret fund continues to grow for that ultimate ticket.
The infrastructure to back it
But what makes music events in Johannesburg so appealing? What truly cements it as Africa’s go-to city for world tours? The answer is in the infrastructure.
Live music venues are paramount in making a show feel and look world class. Some of the biggest events in South Africa have been hosted in Johannesburg, including the 2018 Global Citizen’s Festival: Mandela 100, which celebrated the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. It was headlined by some of the world’s biggest pop superstars such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z. All which could not have been possible without the appropriate infrastructure.
To have a show of that magnitude starts with the scale. FNB Stadium (previously known as Soccer City) was originally built between 1987 and 1989. It is the largest stadium in Africa, with the capacity to hold 94 000 fans. It was upgraded in 2009 in preparation for the d historic 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was the first ever held on the African continent. Since then, it has become the primary venue for large music events.
However, Johannesburg’s appeal extends far beyond a single venue. Ellis Park Stadium, Teatro, Lyric Theatre and the Linder Auditorium are just a few of many, making Joburg the leader of entertainment on the continent.
Technical crew in action, brining the stage to life before showtime. Photo: Nthabeleng Phayane
The city’s strength lies in its reliable logistics, providing everything from the convenience of OR Tambo International Airport for touring artists to the high-speed Gautrain that quickens attendee travel. “We have the best road networks,” says Lumka Dlomo, destination marketing manager at Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC), and who has been involved in multiple events such as Joy of Jazz and Miss World 2008.
For Cawa, having all these venues in Johannesburg comes at a great convenience as compared to other venues in the country. “I’m not [that] open to traveling to Pretoria, it’s tough to travel all the way, unless it’s someone really big that I definitely want to see” she says. “The venues in Joburg just make sense,” she says.
The audience only ever get to witness the final performance of their favourite artist. But beneath the bright lights and the towering waves of speakers, there are countless people who work tirelessly in the background to ensure that the production of a show is truly world-class.
Who, then, are the masterminds orchestrating this amazing display? That engine starts with the promoters.
Big Concerts is the undisputed live entertainment company responsible for promoting and bringing almost every major international artist to South African arenas and stadiums in the last three decades. Their impressive portfolio includes global musicians such as One Direction, Elton John, and Justin Bieber. But behind the promoters is the critical backbone, technical suppliers such as Gearhouse Group, a leading technical supplier for the live event industry in South Africa. They are the essential suppliers who are consistently able to meet the standards of putting together a world-class stage.
Technical crew coordinate to lift and install equipment during event setup. Photo: Nthabeleng Phayane
When handling a major international show, Gearhouse confirms that their planning process can typically start up to a year or more in advance. In a written reply, the company informs me that: “We work to the timeline of the clients,” This process usually involves research, logistics planning and execution of a show.
With the commitment to constantly invest in the quality of their work, the company routinely acquires equipment for both local and international events. If a specific piece cannot be sourced locally, they lean on strong international supplier relationships ensuring that no element of production is compromised.
The core technical crew on show day is a lot of hands, “We will have around 60 local crew on site,” they estimate. In addition, Gearhouse attribute the seamless execution of production to the first stages of preparation as every show and venue differs. “A big aspect of it is the pre-production preparation.”
The company confirms that their biggest focus area “involves delivering events that meet clients’ expectations and requires attention to every aspect of our services and full compliance with health and safety regulations,” echoing Dlomo’s statement that “JTC’s job is to ensure that event organisers adhere to all bylaws and conditions of the municipality.”
According to Gearhouse, there is no single one element that defines a world class production, “It starts with the performance of the artist… a happy client equals world-class.”
The rhythm to economic injection
Live music events don’t just serve as entertainment for concert goers; they also provide a big economic boost for the country.
Ticket sales for live music in South Africa generated R1,4-billion in revenue, the largest on the continent, completely overshadowing other major African markets such as Kenya and Nigeria, which both generated only R17-million in live ticket revenue, according to PwC’s Africa Entertainment & Media Outlook 2025-2029.
Moreover, according to the South African Cultural Observatory’s 2022 Economic Mapping Report, the Cultural and Creative Industries contribute approximately 3% to national GDP, and Gauteng drives 46,5% of that economic activity proving that this isn’t just culture, it’s big business.
For instance, according to an article by TimesLIVE, R&B singer Chris Brown’s two-day sold-out shows held at Johannesburg’s FNB stadium in December 2024, contributed to a major events weekendthat generated an estimated R900 million to Gauteng’s economy.
Economic development MMC in Joburg, Nomoya Mnisi, confirmed the economic boost generated for the city: “The concert (Chris Brown’s) has demonstrated the power of world-class entertainment to drive tourism, job creation and business growth in our city.” Johannesburg’s appeal translated to financial value.
She further underscored the event’s importance saying: “We are proud to have hosted an event of this magnitude, which not only showcases Johannesburg as a global hub for arts and culture but also highlights our capacity to facilitate large-scale events that stimulate economic activity.”
It is no secret that events such as this support high-skill jobs, considering the meticulous planning that goes into making them possible. Dlomo states that there are many sectors that get a boost from massive events, these include transportation, accommodation, retail and security services.
When companies and entities often seek the support of the JTC, they ensure that a great percentage of local skills is used. “We encourage that there be a share of skill and access for the smaller businesses, so that they can be uplifted and developed to reach the standards of the big guys.” Dlomo says.
This commitment ensures that hosting world-class events not only injects cash into the city but leaves local businesses with the support and experience that they need.
A creative capital
Joburg is validated not just by the artists who visit it, but by those it exports such as Grammy award winners Tyla and DJ Black Coffee.
The Global Music Report 2025 reports that in the sub-Sahara, Africa saw a recorded music revenue growth of 22,6% and these revenues surpassed US$100 million for the first time. The report also highlights South Africa as the largest market in the region and accounted for 74,6% of the region’s revenues, following a growth of 14,4%.
Additionally, the city also serves as the land of opportunity for upcoming artists. Bangi Makopo, from Johannesburg, who has the hopes of making it big in the industry one day says that Joburg is the best place to thrive as an artist. “It’s the city that has the most promise for up-and-coming artists,” he says, “all the major record labels are here,” adds Makopo.
“Amapiano has put South Africa on the map in a major way,” explains Makopo. “The world wants to know what’s happening in South Africa, what don’t we have?” he asks.
Beneath the lights, Focalistic performs to a packed audience. Photo: Nthabeleng Phayane
We don’t just host global culture, we export it. Amapiano, a South African music genre which translates to “the pianos” in isiZulu, uniquely blends a myriad of other genres such as house, kwaito and jazz. It came up in the early 2010s and has been rising to the top since.
Confirming its popularity as a global phenomenon, Amapiano was streamed on Spotify over 1,4 billion times in 2023, with countries such as the UK and Germany being in the top five listeners of the genre according to Business Day.
A world-class audience
The vibe and energy of South African audiences and the connection they feel towards them are often said to be thing that makes artists love performing in this city.
Cawa attributes the uniqueness of Joburg’ concerts to its audiences. “A Joburg crowd is the best that you can be in, we love a good concert.” She describes it as “an auditioning mindset, for the next artist to come to South Africa.”
The attitude of concert goers in Johannesburg is different. “There’s a bigger appreciation for music as a whole in Joburg compared to Cape Town.” She says that given an option to be in an international audience or being a Joburg audience, she will choose the latter “I will always choose a Joburg crowd… Joburg feels like a warm hug,” she says.
As previously asked by Makopo, what don’t we have? The truth is, there’s not much that we don’t have, we have the infrastructure, the transportation, the big promoters and production companies and lastly, the fans that make up a world-class concert. That is what makes the music and entertainment industry in this country thrive.
This is what undisputedly defines Johannesburg as a world-class African city.
FEATURED IMAGE: Technical crew constructing a stage. Photo: Nthabeleng Phayane
Since her announcement as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille has dominated national headlines. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto dissect a media meet-and-greet with the mayoral hopeful. From her extensive political résumé to her controversial public utterance, we examine why the Democratic Alliance has chosen Hellen Zille as their candidate for the 2027 local mayoral elections. Additionally, […]
