Liesl Bartlett

From incredible cosplay and talented artists to anime, books and family fun, Comic Con Africa 2026 once again proved why it has become such a highlight on Johannesburg’s events calendar. There are few places where you can walk through a convention centre and see a Stormtrooper, an anime character, a superhero and a family dressed up together, and nobody bats an eyelid. That’s part of the magic of Comic Con Africa. I’ve attended Comic Con Africa before, and, as always, I enjoyed myself.

If you’re staying in Cape Town this spring, you won’t have to step into a gallery to encounter contemporary South African art. The President Hotel, in collaboration with non-profit organisation Art School Africa, has welcomed artist Zarah Cassim as the latest participant in In Residence, an ongoing exhibition series that brings the work of Cape Town artists into the hotel’s everyday spaces.

If your idea of a perfect weekend involves superheroes, anime, gaming, comics, collectables and a little celebrity spotting, clear your diary for September. Comic Con Africa with Capitec returns to the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 24 to 27 September 2026, bringing four days of pop-culture fandom, entertainment and experiences to the city. Around 70 000 fans are expected to attend, with plenty to keep both die-hard geeks and curious first-timers entertained.