By: Nomahlubi Charlie Thursday, the 19th of March, 2026, marked a distressing chapter in the small Nigerian town of Delta Asaba. The Ozoro festival, traditionally a time of cultural celebration, turned into a nightmare for many. In Oramundu Quarters, what was meant to be a festive occasion was marred by accounts of rampant violence against women. During this significant event, women and girls were advised to stay indoors during specific hours. Many unaware visitors, including

By: Amogelang Mogotsi In an era that is shaped by digital discourse, political decisions are no longer confined to institutions but are also interpreted on online platforms. South Africa’s ongoing political developments are sparking widespread debate among Generation Z, with many of the youth turning to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook to voice their reactions through memes, commentary, and viral trends. The speed at which information spreads on social media pl

By: Mukelani Cele Life hardly ever pauses gently. It shatters your plans, upsets your expectations, and puts you in a place you never meant to be in. In one instance, you are following the same routine as everyone else, school, applications, and plans for the future, and in the next, you remain stagnant as life continues for those around you. Because we are conditioned to equate movement with success and pauses with failure, that stagnancy may be unsettling. However, that com

By: Olwethu Mthethwa In recent years, there has been a growing debate about how history is taught in African schools, especially in South Africa. One important topic in this discussion is the role of Jan van Riebeeck in the school curriculum. Many educators, students, and activists are questioning whether his story should still be taught in the same way or even taught at all. This has led to calls for the discontinuation or reconsideration of his place in African education. P

By: Mukelani Cele We receive instruction from the beginning of school that life has a very clear, predictable path: you complete your coursework, go directly to higher education, and begin to secure a career. It seems like a conveyor belt of success, a straight line we are all supposed to follow without ever faltering. However, for many of us, that belt abruptly stops, resulting in what can only be called an unintended gap year, a period away from the security of a classroom

By: Ashleigh Mackintosh On July 10 th , 2025, the first case of the spreading Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was recorded in the Free State. Since then, it has successfully reached all nine provinces in South Africa, with widespread concern. It has left farmers at war as they are not only fighting against the disease but also calling for accountability from the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen. He states we are “chasing” instead of getting “ahead” of the disease spread

By Nomahlubi Charlie On the 13th of March 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa held a press conference announcing his approval of the deployment of 2 200 SANDF personnel across 5 provinces: Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and North West. The deployment aimed to assist SAPS with anti-gangsterism and illegal mining operations. The deployment timeline is from the 1st of March 2026 to the 31st of March 2027. Despite President Ramaphosa’s announcement of SANDF deployme

By Erin Arends Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, with 20 of the top racing drivers in the world competing for the Formula 1 Driver Championship title. More often than not, we see teammates turn to rivals as both drivers fight to be victorious. We saw it in the late 1980s at McLaren between Alain Prost and Aryton Senna, the 2013 RedBull duo of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, the infamous battle at Mercedes between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and now, in 2025, we

By Tsholofelo Robert Ledwaba Sivuyisiwe Wani is a UKAR graduate, with a double major Undergraduate degree in Psychology and Drama cum laude for Dramatic Arts. She then pursued her Honours degree specialising in Acting, Creative Writing and Applied Theatre, and is now furthering her Master's degree in Drama, specialising in Applied Theatre. To accomplish her thesis, Sivuyisiwe commenced a performative project in collaboration with the learners of Samuel Ntlebi Primary School

By Buhle Malgas In the quiet outskirts of Farmerfield farm, an abandoned school is being given new life. Where cracked walls and overgrown grass once stood as symbols of neglect, a vibrant vision is emerging, one that blends education, art, and heritage. This vision is called The Amai Academy,  a passion project led by Unathi Koboka, Rhodes Music Radio station manager, and Xolile Madinda from The Black Power Station. Set to open in January 2026, The Amai Academy  will house t

By Buhle Malgas When the bright lights of the National Arts Festival dim each July, Makhanda often goes back into its quieter rhythm. For many artists, the festival is a fleeting stage, a chance to showcase, sell, and return home until the next season. But for Mario, a Kenyan artist who arrived in June with dreams as vibrant as the characters he paints, the story did not end when the festival did. Mario’s paintings never even made it into the festival halls. Due to logistical

By Buhle Malgas It started with love: two men, one Xhosa and one Zulu, wrapped in beads, pride, and the joy of their union. Their wedding video, shared across social media, was more than a celebration; it was a statement: love doesn’t ask for permission. But not everyone saw it that way. Radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu posted a video reacting to the wedding, condemning the couple and using offensive language. He said the partner who was wearing a traditional Zulu attire was “