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BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

One of South Africa’s leading women in business, Shiela Yabo has been announced as the key-note speaker at the upcoming Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHer Conference in Cape Town.

Since 2003, Top Women has been South Africa’s leading gender empowerment brand; celebrating visionary organisations that prioritise gender empowerment as integral to their strategy for growth and success.

The brand, along with its valued partners, is dedicated to showcasing these organisations as leaders by example to be emulated across the economy – in a country where less than 50% of the population are men.

The well-established platform – comprising publication, digital, awards and conference – drives awareness locally and internationally around the value and impact of women in leadership.

I am excited and honoured to be delivering a key-note address at the @SBTopWomen EmpowHer Conference in Cape Town!

Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER seeks to equip women entrepreneurs with the skills to build successful enterprises that drive South Africa’s economic… pic.twitter.com/gbFq5wtRF2

— Shiela Yabo (@ms_yabo) May 18, 2023

Image: Twitter

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

A 22-year-old Walter Sisulu University (WSU) level 4 Bachelor of Science in Physics student, Buzwe Dlembula, has developed a Physical Science study guide for Grade 12 learners.

The idea came after identifying gaps in the currently prescribed high school textbooks he uses to tutor learners. He said that things are changing in terms of solving scientific problems.

“I never realised I liked Physical Sciences until I was in matric, from then, I realised my dream of assisting other learners to understand the subject better. This study guide is one of the many ways I try to simplify the subject that is considered difficult by many.”

The role of a scientifically motivated young generation is undeniable for the sustainable economic growth of any country.

Among the many science subjects in the school curriculum, Physical Sciences has a prominent role in determining learners’ acceptance into various in-demand university degrees and specifically in science.

“The Department of Basic Education has implemented changes in the content of the Physical Sciences. Teachers are taught about these changes in their regular teacher workshops by the department, however, the textbooks prescribed to learners still have the old content,” said Dlembula.

Dlembula added that he gets a lot of requests from schools to come and tutor matric learners in Physical Sciences, but he is unable to reach all of them. This study guide will assist the learners he cannot reach because it has all the content.

“The study guide is in line with the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) that guides teachers on what to teach and how to assess learners. I have approached the Department of Basic Education to take the study guide as one of the prescribed guides for learners,” added Dlembula.

Dlembula further said that he realised very late that he had a love for teaching and he uses tutoring to live that dream.

“Not everyone is going to get employed. If we have ways of making means without being employed, we therefore have to explore that. I still teach, but I have also employed myself.”

Dlembula is working with the WSU Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator for the printing of the study guide to make it available for orders.

Image and source: Walter Sisulu University

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Umbono Film Screening is an event that spotlights and supports local filmmaking. The selected films have a local youth production percentage of 80% or higher. In heritage and art spaces like UJ Arts & Culture, these screenings introduce people who typically watch commercial films to independent African films, thereby fostering audience development.

This will be accomplished through productive collaborations with industry players who share a commitment to expanding South Africa’s audience, fostering the growth of the film industry, and promoting the country as a destination for film tourists. Each film has its own recommended age range and all screenings are free.

Set in the heart of the Maluti mountains, in Lesotho; Skeletons grapples with social and political issues. This magical realist film casts a spotlight on matters of land and ownership. Stories of four multi-dimensional characters unfold in a space and time of absolute scarcity, and they wrestle to break free from the vicious cycle of oppression, Skeletons confronts the notions of home, belonging and identity.

​Skeletons brings a talented cast to the screen featuring Mpho Osei-Tutu in the pivotal role of Mmutla. Wayne van Rooyen as the thief Vince, who is on the run dragging with him an enslaved person, Roy, played by Jacques Blignaut and a clairvoyant enchantress, Lily, played by Carla Fonseca-Mokgata.

Directed by UJ Arts & Culture Resident Director Jade Bowers, written by Head of Division Pieter Jacobs and produced by Operations Manager Karabo Legoabe with choreography by Lakin Morgan-Baatjies and the talented Bonga Nkomo as Cinematographer.

Image and source: University of Johannesburg

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Makwande Art Residence is proud to announce their third and youngest artist in residency, Nthabiseng Boledi Kekana. The talented artist hailing from Alexander township, South Africa, is set to begin her 7-week residency in June of 2023 in the South of France.

Kekana’s invitation follows a mentorship relationship fostered over the last 2 years. The residency is proud to host an immensely talented young woman who, despite disadvantageous socio-economic circumstances, has continued to stay true to her gift and calling. ‘We are extremely honored to champion her voice by affording her an environment where she can grow and produce works that will be far ahead of her time.’, says Undiscover Canvass founder, Nomaza Nongqunga Coupez.

An excited, albeit nervous 24-year-old Kekana is looking forward to her first international trip. Raised by a single mother in one of South Africa’s poorest townships, pursuing her dreams has not been easy but has been sustained by a deep sense of purpose. The residency award is an affirmation of years of hard work and unbridled talent. She says ‘I do not have expectations because expectations can limit one’s experience. I simply want to fully embrace a new world and interpret it as I see it. I am keen to investigate European art beyond what I learned in art school, to draw lines back to its African influences.’

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Makwande Art Residency could not be prouder to propel Kekana’s upward trajectory. In an era where funding is next to non-existent for African female artists, the residency is grateful to the private donors who continue to believe in the African dream. Their generosity is a testament that Mkwande’s vision to support emerging African female artists is echoed within the global community. 

Image: Instagram

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Our parents are often the first role models we have, and our biggest inspiration and cheerleaders – it’s no different for David Kabwa who recently graduated with a master’s degree in Diplomatic Studies.

The young man took to social media to share his biggest motivation and inspiration: his father.

“My Father has always taught me that the “greatest talent that any human being possesses is hard work. As of yesterday, we have achieved the same milestone. We have both received our Master’s Degrees from the University of Pretoria. He has completed Master’s in the Health Sciences Faculty and specialises in Family Medicine as a Medical Doctor. Another commonality is that we share the desire to help people and contribute to the development of a better society. As I pursue my PhD, I am excited to soon share the title of ‘Dr Kabwa’.”

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Image: LinkedIn

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Ryan Mphahlele has become one of the best emerging middle distance runners at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), winning medals for South Africa in international competitions. After competing in the World Cross Country Championships in Australia in February 2023, Mphahlele has surpassed his recorded personal best running time in the 2nd Grand Prix of the Cape Millers/Endurocad Continental Tour on Monday, 17 April 2023.

He won the 1500-meter race in 3:32.90 minutes, beating the national champion, Tshepo Tshite.

His rise to athletics dominance became evident in multiple competitions such as the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country, IAAF and World Cross Country championships. In 2022, Mphahlele represented South Africa in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the CAA Senior African Athletics Championships in Mauritius (winning a silver medal).

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“The preparation for this year’s competitions started in November 2022 during the off season. We continued training at the UJ Stadium with the aim to target breaking the SA record and qualify for the world championships before the end of season,” says Mphahlele’s coach, Elvis Khoza.

Khoza says that this win bodes well for Mphahlele because he can shift his focus on competing in the University Sport South Africa (USSA) championships free from pressure to qualifying for upcoming events.

The senior African Championships medalist’s winning time was the second fastest of his career. His coach described him as a dedicated athlete who inspires his fellow runners.

Mphahlele specialises in the 800 and 1500-meter running distances.

This win qualifies Mphahlele for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest in Hungary which will be held from 19 to 27 August 2023.

Image and source: University of Johannesburg

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Congratulations are in order for South African comedian and Trevor Noah Foundation chairman, Trevor Noah, for being honoured for his commitment to expanding inclusion, opportunity and access to education at The Opportunity Network annual Night of Opportunity Gala in New York recently.

“My honest advice to you would be just to see yourself beyond yourself. Deconstruct yourself to your core parts — what makes you who you are — and then find people like that because they will walk the path that you did.” – Trevor Noah, Comedian, Author and Philanthropist.

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and the Aspen Institute present the 2023 Global Inclusive Growth Summit. Alongside the World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings, the Summit assembled a dynamic group of U.S. and global leaders for action-oriented discussions on national and international issues.

In a turbulent economic, environmental, and human context, the Summit was to enable private sector, social impact, and government leaders to partner in new ways on meaningful solutions and approaches.

Image: LinkedIn

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

There are a lot of apps that we can download that make our lives so much easier, and local South African, Keitumetsi Pule has co-founded another great one that you might want to download immediately.

Legal Standpoint is an award-winning, app-based legal tech startup which leverages digitalization to make legal resources more readily available to all South Africans. They serve both ordinary South Africans who wish to have a better understanding of the law and to access legal help more efficiently, as well as legal practitioners who wish to access a wider pool of clients and connect using their seamless, user-friendly platform.

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Legal Standpoint was catalysed by the inaccessibility of the law in South Africa which can be attributed to a number of factors, namely jargon-loaded legal texts that render it difficult to engage with and understand the law, as well as legal services which tend to be priced exorbitantly and are, consequently, out of reach for a substantial number of South Africans. As such, Legal Standpoint leverages technology to make legal resources more readily available to South Africans.

Not only is she pioneering her business, but Keitumetsi is also giving back to the community through her non-profit organization, Tshwelopele le Katlego, which offers tutoring services to students.

Catalysed by the Covid-19 pandemic, it was established to bridge the gap in South Africa’s education system by levelling the playing field for students who do not have access to adequate academic support such as tutoring.

Image: Instagram

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

55 South African men across the country are currently serving as vital mentors for 250 boys who are growing up without their fathers. This band of everyday heroes are volunteers for The Character Company (TCC), a non-profit organisation that has been implementing a mentorship programme for the past nine years.

Founder and Director of TCC, Jaco van Schalkwyk says, “Our goal is to turn the tide against the violence in South African culture by helping to raise boys to be good men through our activity-based programme. Our strength is our incredible team of mentors who make a solid commitment to the boys they mentor and embody the values and good character we aim to inspire in them.”

It is estimated that 70% of South African children are growing up in single-parent homes, and 4 out of 5 boys do not have a consistent, positive male role model in their lives. Broken masculinity is associated with the country’s high rates of gender-based violence, crime, gangsterism, substance abuse and other mental disorders.

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Five years ago, Thando Malepe was ministering to a group of children in Ivory Park when he was introduced to TCC. He says, “I fell in love with the work that The Character Company does and relate to it because I grew up without my father or any other positive male role model in my own life. At that time, I was concerned as I saw that we were losing our boys to Isikhothane, gang groups and substance abuse. TCC gave me an opportunity and a platform to enrol the boys I was working with under their MENtorship programme.

Through TCC, Thando has mentored over 20 boys, reliably meeting with his small group once a week as well as taking them on night walks, fireside get togethers and camps. Personally, he has found belonging in a community of men where ongoing learning from other men is prioritised and the challenges of masculinity in today’s world are openly discussed.

He says, “There are many rewarding aspects of being a TCC MENtor, an important one being the opportunity to have a space as a man to share your life struggles freely. We are supported by our senior MENtors, referred as Regional Characters, and your walk your own journey as Christian man of character with a mentor by your side. In this community of men who are not afraid to be vulnerable, we share the same interest in seeing our boys growing up to become better MEN, to make our country and world a better place to live in. Through my teachability, I have learned so much over these years and I have grown to be a better man myself, a better father, and MENtor.”

Image: Instagram

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Khumo Mphaka founded Exclusive Couch ZA, a division of a 100% black-owned entity Exclusive Group. Operating in the furniture sector, Mphaka credits his high entrepreneurial desire to build a solid clientele that will enable her brand to be the best in the industry as the driving force behind starting her business.

Mphaka adds, “Exclusive Group was established to bridge the gap between the upper, middle, and lower class in terms of providing quality home-styled products that would be affordable and accessible to everyone regardless of their social status.”

His vision and goal further validate why Statista Market Forecast projected that the South African furniture sector would grow by 12.90% (2023-2027) as the industry shifts and new opportunities emerge.

Fortunately for Mphaka, his driving force toward being an entrepreneur in an ever-evolving industry is his wish to create and build something that would generate opportunities and employment for other people.

When asked about the name, he points out that he wanted a name that stands out, explains why he is in business and sets the brand apart.

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When it comes to success, he interprets success as the ability to become who you have set out to be in life. “It doesn’t always have to be about money. Success can be the achievement of set goals, spiritual growth, and the ability to take steps to ensure that you become a better version of yourself every day.”

The journey might not always be easy, but there are satisfying moments, for Mphaka creating a brand that clients can easily talk about on social media with ease and having them express their satisfaction with their encounter with the brand is his most satisfying moment.

Image: Instagram