Arts And Culture

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The Xhosa X-factor: For one day, Gauteng is being turned into an Eastern Cape homestead. Photo: Supplied

Gig Guide: Le Xhosa Nostra presents Umcimbi waseRhawutini, LEGO takes over Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and Artist Proof Studio pop-up in Sandton

Explore top events across Gauteng, featuring Le Xhosa Nostra's cultural celebration in Fourways, an exclusive Artist Proof Studio pop-up in Sandton, and Brickfair at Menlyn Park.

Behind the beat: Mkhonzeni Professor Langa’s music drew from familiar places, relationships and experiences, often exaggerating them for effect. Photos: Supplied

Professor is still telling our stories

Kwaito legend Professor reflects on over a decade in the music industry, his latest single 'Iskoqokoqo', and the enduring power of township storytelling in a changing digital…

Gig Guide: The weekend is for the 12th African Women Writers’ Symposium, Mimi Mtshali to perform Khaya Lami, ICA Live Art Festival returns, Our Origin Festival 2026 and Zoë Modiga returns with When The Rain Comes

Discover South Africa's top cultural events, featuring the Our Origin Festival in the Cradle of Humankind, jazz by Mimi Mtshali, Zoë Modiga's latest music, the African Women…

True colours: Thami Dish knows what it means to be perceived as dramatic, loud or difficult. But rather than apologising for those qualities, he sees them as another way of insisting on being heard. Photos: Supplied

Thami Dish is still making room for queer voices

Almost two decades since founding the Feather Awards, Thami Dish Willis reflects on the journey from knocking on doors for sponsorship to building an enduring institution…

Sisonke Xonti finds his way back to the light

Acclaimed saxophonist Sisonke Xonti reflects on fatherhood, family loss, and finding resilience as he returns with his third studio album, uKholo.

Creative: Festival founder Mbali Mashaba (inset) created a platform where people get to network, find collaborators and funders through a shared love for short films. Photos: Supplied

An African city takes centre stage at this year’s Reel to Reality Film Festival

Returning for its sixth edition across Johannesburg and Cape Town, the Reel to Reality Film Festival explores 'An African City' with a bold lineup of screenings, retrospectives,…

Sunnier forecast: Langa Mavuso’s album Therapy was written in the wake of his partner’s death. Now, a year later, he releases Therapy: The Other Side, his progress report. Photos: Supplied

Langa Mavuso is on the other side of grief

Marking a decade in music, award-winning singer Langa Mavuso releases ‘Therapy: The Other Side’, shifting from mourning and heartbreak to joy, abundance, and theatrical stagecraft.

Image: Supplied/Instagram

Tribute to the late South African music icon Babsy Mlangeni

A heartfelt tribute to the late South African music icon Bernard 'Babsy' Mlangeni, whose timeless melodies like 'Iphupho Lami' gave voice to hope, dignity, and liberation.

Indelible storyteller: Pilani is a singer-songwriter, poet and TV presenter with seven albums behind her and an eighth on the way. She has a Sama on the shelf, four Netflix syncs to her name and performances in more than 25 countries across Europe and Africa.  She also founded the Folklore Festival. Photos: Supplied

Pilani Bubu is defying gravity

Award-winning musician Pilani Bubu has spent 15 years writing her own playbook. As she releases her introspective new single 'Caged Heart', she reflects on creative independence,…

Musical life: Miriam Altman started by playing classic music, opera . . . then corporate. Now she’s into jazz. Photos: Supplied

Miriam Altman is finding a voice beyond the boardroom

Known for her leadership in economics and business, Miriam Altman makes an unexpected pivot to jazz with her debut album, The Butterfly Project, exploring themes of renewal and…

Exhibition: Sabelo Mlangeni turns our gaze towards the architectural heritage of South Beach . . . his camera does not disguise the attraction. Photos: Niamh Walsh-Vorster

Black folk frolicking - on Sabelo Mlangeni’s ‘Honeymoon’

In 'Honeymoon. The happily ever after?' at KZNSA Gallery, photographer Sabelo Mlangeni captures black joy, leisure, and desire alongside Durban's contradictions, scars, and…

Gig Guide: Sun Quintet return with Winter Sun, Olefied Khetha features Big Zulu on iStep Father Remix, 20 years of Back To The City and Vuyo Viwe is holding up a mirror of reflection

Back To The City marks 20 years with an all-star hip-hop line-up, alongside fresh releases from Sun Quintet, Olefied Khetha featuring Big Zulu, and Vuyo Viwe.

Perspective: Sol Plaatje was the righter of the wrongs of Western literature’s view of black people. Photo: Sol Plaatje Papers, Historical Papers Research Archive, University of the Witwatersrand

Mhudi’, a novel ahead of its time

Published in 1930, Sol Plaatje’s epic Mhudi challenged colonial perspectives and societal gender norms, establishing a pioneering milestone in South African and African literature.

The forgotten ANC poet-activist who warned the party about power

Long before the ANC took power in South Africa, activist-poet and lawyer Munzhedzi 'Zorro' Ramovha foresaw the dangers of liberation leaders succumbing to corruption, arrogance,…

Tributes pour in for Babsy Mlangeni who died at age 83

Tributes are pouring in for legendary South African singer, guitarist, and songwriter Babsy Mlangeni, who has passed away at the age of 83 following a short illness.