News Bulletin of 24 September 2026, 7am

Nominees for the 2026 South Africa Fashion Awards have been announced, with public voting now open ahead of the awards ceremony which will be held on the 3rd of October at Hotel Sky in Sandton.
The awards have expanded to 21 publicly voted categories covering a range of the local fashion industry.

This year's nominees include established designers and fashion houses, stylists, photographers, beauty brands, retailers and industry executives.
The public can vote across all 21 competitive categories, with voting open to participants in Southern Africa and internationally.

An organisation in Nelson Mandela Bay, in Gqeberha, is turning gaming into a tool for change and community empowerment.
The Gaming for Youth Empowerment initiative is equipping young people with life skills, through the use of Esports, while promoting social inclusion, encouraging positive engagement through gaming.

The initiative aims to demonstrate how gaming can be used as a platform for youth development and empowerment.

South African conservation photographer Rifumo Mathebula has been selected for the Obama Foundation's 2026 African Leaders cohort.
The non-profit organisation Wild Shots Outreach announced Mathebula’s selection, describing the recognition as an acknowledgement of his work, where he uses photography and conservation to create opportunities for young people.
The organisation, which was founded in 2015, uses photography workshops, conservation, mentorship and practical skills development to introduce young people from disadvantaged communities, to wildlife, creating potential pathways into careers in conservation, tourism and the creative industries.

The Obama Foundation’s African Leaders programme brings together emerging leaders from across the continent and provides leadership development, networking and collaboration opportunities.
Mathebula has also contributed to programmes and partnerships beyond South Africa, including work in Botswana and Namibia.