Mbali Mbatha

Sjava’s (Jabulani Hadebe) announcement as part of Break Out Events’ Tribute to Women concert has attracted mixed reactions due to the rape allegations faced by the musician in 2019. Kelly Khumalo was removed from the artist line-up of the 2023 edition of the same event, suggesting that Sjava’s appearance this year might border on double standards. Khumalo’s removal was motivated by investigations into the 2014 murder of her then-boyfriend and soccer star, Senzo Meyiwa.

A few days ago Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa officially signed an amendment to that country’s constitution, legitimising the extension of his presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. Mnangagwa’s term was set to end in 2028, however with the newly signed amendment the president is now expected to remain in top office until 2030. Dubbed the Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3, the bill has been dominating news headlines for some time now.

After steering SA’s flagship arts event through one of its most turbulent periods, National Arts Festival (NAF) chief executive Monica Newton is taking her final bow. The 2026 edition of the festival in Makhanda marks the end of her tenure — a journey that began just months before the pandemic upended the global arts industry and forced an unprecedented reimagining of the festival.