It was a night of celebration for South Africa’s golden girl, Tyla, who officially clinched her second Grammy Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Stepping onto the stage just days after her 24th birthday, the singer took home the trophy for Best African Music Performance for her hit, “Push 2 Start.â€
This victory marks a significant milestone in Tyla’s career, as she becomes the first artist to win this s
It was a night of celebration for South Africa’s golden girl, Tyla, who officially clinched her second Grammy Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Stepping onto the stage just days after her 24th birthday, the singer took home the trophy for Best African Music Performance for her hit, “Push 2 Start.â€
This victory marks a significant milestone in Tyla’s career, as she becomes the first artist to win this specific category twice since its inception in 2024. The category was a star-studded affair this year, featuring a powerful lineup of Africa’s finest. Tyla emerged ahead of Nigeria’s Burna Boy (“Loveâ€), Davido featuring OmahLay (“With Youâ€), and AyraStarr featuring Wizkid (“Gimme Datâ€), as well as Uganda’s EddyKenzo and MehranMatin (“Hope & Loveâ€).
“Push 2 Start†has been a standout track for the singer since its release on 11 October 2024. The song was introduced as a lead single for “TYLA +,†the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album. Produced by Sammy Soso, AriPenSmith, and Mocha, the track is a masterclass in the Popiano genre, a seamless fusion of Amapiano, Pop, and R&B that has become Tyla’s signature sound.
The song’s journey to the Grammy stage began with a viral tease at the 2024 MTV VMAs, followed by a high-profile music video directed by Aerin Moreno, which premiered in November 2024. Its success on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart throughout late 2024 and 2025 set the stage for this eventual Grammy recognition.
Photo Credit: Asake/Instagram
One of the many things to love about Asake is that his sense of style is just as intentional as his music. Yes, the music speaks for itself—hit records, Grammy nominations, sold-out stages—but when it comes to fashion, he refuses to be boxed in. He knows his lane, and he never overstays in one look.
One moment, he’s sharply dressed in a tailored grey two-piece for his Red Bull Symphonic performance. The next, he
One of the many things to love about Asake is that his sense of style is just as intentional as his music. Yes, the music speaks for itself—hit records, Grammy nominations, sold-out stages—but when it comes to fashion, he refuses to be boxed in. He knows his lane, and he never overstays in one look.
One moment, he’s sharply dressed in a tailored grey two-piece for his Red Bull Symphonic performance. The next, he’s stepping out with electric blue hair, completely switching the mood.
That instinct was on full display in Johannesburg, where Asake stepped out for his first-ever South African performance at the Goldrush Dome. For a night that marked both a personal milestone and the closing chapter of his Africa tour, he chose a look that felt considered without trying too hard: a tan corduroy matching set that did the talking.
The outfit featured a collarless jacket detailed with contrast black piping along the edges, finished with statement white buttons and front patch pockets. The wide-leg trousers echoed the same piping down the sides, creating a clean visual line from top to bottom. Underneath, a crisp white shirt kept things grounded, while chunky tan platform boots added a practical, almost utilitarian touch that worked perfectly for a live performance setting. Dark rectangular sunglasses and stud earrings rounded things off without distraction.
What really works here is the balance. The boxy jacket and wide-leg trousers play with proportion in a way that feels both throwback and current. The tan palette does most of the talking, while the corduroy texture and black piping quietly sharpen the look.
The night itself had plenty going on. Johannesburg showed up as Asake took the stage, closing out his Africa tour on a high. The set moved smoothly between familiar favourites and moments that felt specially built for the room, with orchestral arrangements sitting comfortably alongside the Soweto Choir’s harmonies, and performances from Focalistic and YoungJonn.
WIFT South Africa becomes part of a sisterhood of more than 50 chapters worldwide, united in their mission to reshape industries and champion women’s creative contributions.
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
Women in Film and TV South Africa (WIFT South Africa) has officially launched, marking a major step in empowering women across the country’s film, television, and creative sectors.Â
The organisation joins the Wom
WIFT South Africa becomes part of a sisterhood of more than 50 chapters worldwide, united in their mission to reshape industries and champion women’s creative contributions.
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
Women in Film and TV South Africa (WIFT South Africa) has officially launched, marking a major step in empowering women across the country’s film, television, and creative sectors.Â
The organisation joins the Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) network, which spans more than 60 chapters across six continents, all working towards a common goal of achieving gender balance in the industry.
The South African chapter is led by writer and director, Athi Petela, who serves as its first president. She is supported by a founding leadership team that includes Actor Spaces Co-Founder, Felicia Naiwa Sithebe (Programmes Lead), Hayani Africa Managing Director, Tumelo Moema (Head of Communications), and business consultant and entrepreneur, Andile Mqwebu (Outreach Lead).Â
Together, they are building a platform designed to foster opportunity, drive inclusivity, and create sustainable careers for women in the creative industries.
“Our mission is to build bridges across the continent and beyond,†Petela said. “It is about creating pathways for women to thrive, telling stories that reflect our diverse realities, and ensuring women are not just part of the conversation but at the forefront of shaping the future of film and television.â€
The chapter’s launch comes as Petela prepares to represent South Africa at the Women in Film and TV Conference, a flagship event of the Africa Creative Market. The conference, themed “Creative Bridge: Empowering Talent, Accessing Ecosystems, Unlocking Marketsâ€, takes place on 16 September 2025 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
She will appear alongside influential WIFT leaders from across the continent, including:
Njoki Muhoho, President, WIFT Kenya
Joke Silva, President, Forum for Women in Film and TV Africa (FWIFT Nigeria)
Fatou Jupiter Toure, President, WIFT Senegal
Juliet Ibrahim, President, WIFT Ghana
Tatapong Bayela, Vice President, WIFT Cameroon
The session will be moderated by Inya Lawal, President of WIFT Africa. While WIFT South Africa will host its official launch event in November at the Africa Rising International Film Festival, its presence at the Africa Creative Market signals the start of a strategic programme aimed at empowering women through mentorship, training, and leadership development; advocating for equity and representation across the creative value chain; unlocking markets to help women creators access funding, platforms, and audiences, and more.
By joining WIFT International’s global network, WIFT South Africa becomes part of a sisterhood of more than 50 chapters worldwide, united in their mission to reshape industries and champion women’s creative contributions.
Stacey Brewer’s journey into tech was anything but linear. A native of Johannesburg, she earned a BSc from Rhodes University and then spent time traveling overseas, working with high-net-worth individuals. She loved meeting new people, discovering new places, and immersing herself in new cultures. After returning to South Africa, she worked with FIFA during the World Cup and then pursued an MBA to secure a job abroad.Â
During her MBA at Gibs Business School, her
Stacey Brewer’s journey into tech was anything but linear. A native of Johannesburg, she earned a BSc from Rhodes University and then spent time traveling overseas, working with high-net-worth individuals. She loved meeting new people, discovering new places, and immersing herself in new cultures. After returning to South Africa, she worked with FIFA during the World Cup and then pursued an MBA to secure a job abroad.Â
During her MBA at Gibs Business School, her professors constantly highlighted the poor state of South Africa’s education system. Brewer was shocked to learn that while the country was spending a huge proportion of its budget on education, it ranked at the bottom of the world in various competitiveness reports. She was particularly struck by the 2016 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study assessment, which revealed that 80% of grade four students couldn’t read for meaning. Her thesis, inspired by this grim reality, focused on building a sustainable financial model for low-fee private schools.
The spark
Her research led her to Rocketship Education in the U.S., a pioneer in blended learning that used technology to drive cost efficiencies and create a data-rich environment for students’ understanding. Brewer was incredibly impressed by Rocketship’s ability to scale effectively and compete with more affluent schools while serving a community of second-language English speakers. She realised that technology wasn’t just an add-on; it was the core enabler for providing affordable, quality education.
Convinced that this model could work in South Africa, Brewer and her co-founder launched SPARK Schools. Two staff members from Rocketship Education, Bailey Thompson and Caitlin Burkholder, even moved from the U.S. to help get the venture off the ground. The first angel investor made an undisclosed investment without taking any shares, simply telling them to “go figure it outâ€. With additional capital from friends, family, and other high-net-worth individuals, they launched the first campus in 2013 with 160 students and 20 staff members.
The blended learning model
The biggest costs in any educational business are salaries and infrastructure. To address this, SPARK schools have a rotational system that staggers the use of physical space and personnel hours. Grade R to Grade 12 students rotate their school hours between physical classroom lessons and online lessons in a computer lab. SPARK Schools’ unique operational model allows the school to cut costs and still manage to keep it affordable enough for the students who need it the most. Unlike its competitors, predominantly Valenture Institute and Enko Education, which partner with existing schools to offer their services, SPARK Schools exists as a full entity on its own.Â
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A mix of the best and the worst
Today, SPARK Schools states that it educates over 17,000 children across 26 campuses and employs approximately 1,500 people, the largest number among its competitors in the industry. Around 64% of their staff are youth, a fact Brewer is extremely proud of, given the country’s high youth unemployment rate. The model’s affordability and quality have been proven effective, with some learners advancing two years in a single academic year. The use of technology creates a data-rich environment that allows for differentiated instruction, helping to close the learning gap for students who arrive several grade levels behind.
Despite the immense success, the entrepreneurial journey has been a mix of highs and lows. Brewer admits to having many days when she questioned her path, wondering why she hadn’t just pursued a “normal job.â€Â
Her lowest moment was during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a “really, really, really tough†time. Many families lacked the necessary resources for online learning and struggled to pay fees. However, her unwavering commitment to the students and staff, coupled with a strong support network of family and mentors, has helped her build resilience over time.
The path forward
Being a woman in the tech space is challenging, but Brewer doesn’t see it as a constraint. She believes that leadership is hard regardless of gender, and she feels she has earned her seat at the table without needing to constantly justify herself.Â
For Brewer, her dream is for SPARK to expand beyond South Africa and become a strong player across the continent. She wants to ensure that Africa gets a global voice as an innovator in education. With the recent appointment of Earl Sampson as CEO in April 2025, Brewer has shifted to a more supervisory role as the Chair and Strategic Advisor, focusing on product development, cross-border expansion, and new business models to ensure the organisation’s foundations are strong enough to serve more families, bridging the gap between Africa’s literacy and the rest of the world.
In two weeks, October begins, and that means millions of South Africans will turn to digital systems to access their South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant payments. As new payment dates roll out in the coming month, it is crucial for recipients, especially older people and those in rural areas, to understand the digital tools for checking balances, updating banking details, and tracking grant disbursements.SASSA grants are paid on specific dates to ensure a smooth process for recip
In two weeks, October begins, and that means millions of South Africans will turn to digital systems to access their South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant payments. As new payment dates roll out in the coming month, it is crucial for recipients, especially older people and those in rural areas, to understand the digital tools for checking balances, updating banking details, and tracking grant disbursements.
SASSA grants are paid on specific dates to ensure a smooth process for recipients. For October 2025, the payment schedule is as follows:
Older Persons Grant: October 2, 2025
Disability Grant: October 3, 2025
Children’s and Other Grants: October 6, 2025
The October 6 date covers key grants such as the child support, foster care, care dependency, and more. SASSA stresses that funds remain available for collection even after these official dates; beneficiaries do not need to rush on the exact day.
How to change banking details for SASSA
Postbank’s contract with SASSA officially ends on 30 September 2025. This termination date was confirmed by SASSA and communicated to Parliament, with assurance that grant payments will continue for all beneficiaries without disruption after the contract expires. SASSA cards, if still active, work at all ATMs, but a personal bank account is necessary as Postbank support phases out. SASSA urges beneficiaries to migrate to a preferred bank or retailer payment option and update records using secure official methods, which are explored in detail below.
Online update (SRD and general grants)
The online process works for the SRD grant and standard or general grants like Old Age, Disability, Child Support, Foster Child, and Care Dependency grants. Beneficiaries of these grants can change their banking details quickly using SASSA’s website or online portal.
Select the relevant option: “change my banking detailsâ€
Enter your South African ID number and registered mobile number.
You will receive an SMS with a secure link. Use it to update your new bank account details (bank name, account number, branch code, account type), and confirm via OTP.
Submit and wait for confirmation; future grant payments will be made to your new bank account.
In-person update (all grant types)
The in-person method at SASSA offices is available for every grant type, including those not covered by online systems or where special documentation or assistance is required. This method supports not only SRD and general grants, but also niche grants like Grant-in-Aid, War Veterans Grant, and cases where online channels cannot be used due to access, identity verification problems, or unique circumstances.
Go to your nearest SASSA office.
Take your ID, proof of your new bank account (stamped bank statement or letter from the bank), and complete the SASSA banking detail change form.
Fill out the form at the office, attach your supporting documents, and submit to a SASSA official.
The change will be processed, and you will receive confirmation; your next grant will be paid into your new account.
Verification for banking details typically takes 4 to 10 working days, and successful updates apply to future payments only.
How to check SASSA balance
Beneficiaries can check their SASSA grant balances using various methods. Also, now that Postbank will soon end its payment partnership, beneficiaries can use alternative methods. The most reliable options are:
USSD codes (mobile)
Dial 1203210# or 12069277# from the mobile number registered with SASSA, and follow prompts to see the balance. This method works on any basic cellphone and does not require airtime or data.
SASSA online portal
Log in at srd.sassa.gov.za or the official SASSA site, enter grant details, and view balance instantly if you have internet access.
WhatsApp support
Save SASSA’s WhatsApp number (082 046 8553). Send “SASSA†and then “STATUS†to receive step-by-step prompts, after which the current balance will be provided.
ATM and retail stores
If you have switched to a bank account or retailer card (e.g., Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Boxer, Checkers), use the card at any ATM or ask the cashier at participating retailers for a balance enquiry.
In-person at SASSA offices
Visit the nearest SASSA office for personalised balance assistance, using your ID and grant card.
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