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Potent presence: Dr Zakithi Mkhize’s work lives in labs and lecture rooms but also on social media, in schools and in conversations with young women who need to be told: you belong here too. Photos: Supplied

Building belief beyond the laboratory

Dr. Zakithi Mkhize, a virologist specialising in HIV research and founder of Black Girl Scientist Media, is changing perceptions of scientists in South Africa. Through her work…

Guiding light: Thandi Orleyn says that without mentorship, a lot of people become frustrated and give up. Photo: Supplied

Women first but there is hope for everybody

Thandi Orleyn, president of the IWFSA, highlights how young South African women in 2026 are better positioned for career success than their predecessors, thanks to robust support…

Dikeledi Skonyela

Diamonds may be forged under immense pressure, but Dikeledi Skonyela believes the same is true of people. At 35, she is not only building a jewellery business — she is opening…

Kaylen Benjamin Healy

Three years ago, Kaylen Benjamin Healy walked into EleaThom Mentorship looking for guidance. Today, he is helping shape the futures of the next generation of aspiring lawyers,…

Anele Nkabinde

At just 21, Anele Nkabinde is already helping inspire the next generation of engineers. As secretary and South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) STAR…

Young South African designers are invited to create a signature lighting piece for Nando’s restaurants worldwide and accelerate their careers

Youth Day deadline set for Nando’s Hot Young Designer 2026 competition

Young South African designers are invited to create a signature lighting piece for Nando’s restaurants worldwide and accelerate their careers

There will not be another Maria McCloy

Those who loved her remember a woman who gave everything — to her art, to her city, and to every person lucky enough to have her in their corner

True mentorship is not about hierarchy. It’s about co-creation. Photo: File

Reimagining intergenerational mentorship for women

Mentorship should not be top-down, but rather a process that values collaboration and co-creation between young and older women

Francis Nyamnjoh’s novel a new grace for the old order

Echoes of Grace is a coming-of-age tale where faith, ancestry, and mentorship shape a young girl’s path to purpose

No boy is born an abuser: GBV can be eradicated before it starts

More than 300 000 men have learnt how to be good men, fathers, mentors, and role models through Father A Nation’s programmes

Photo by Phill Magakoe/AFP

Youth for Parliament: South Africa needs intergenerational leadership

Political parties and voters need to understand that a fundamental principle of democracy is that political systems should represent the desires and best interests of all citizens

An image frrom the forced removal series. (Deseni Soobben)

The Portfolio: Deseni Soobben

Deseni Soobben’s sensibilities have changed over the years, but she keeps revisiting the composition and design techniques she learned from her mentors

DOOM pictured with Peanut Butter Wolf, Stahhr and Madlib. (Image courtesy of Stahhr)
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Forever dope: Stahhr on lessons from DOOM

DOOM collaborator Stahhr shares game from the masked villain and how they crafted some of hip-hop’s dopest songs

Adeola Oagunju’s Higher Self, from the series Navigating a Dark Space (2017)

Extract from ‘The Journey: New Positions in African Photography’ — an introduction

A new book examines the great flourishing of photography across the African continent

Making the most of mentors

Young academics need mentors and sponsors

New lecturers and researchers need guidance on achieving targets, or risk being thrown into the deep end without being taught how to swim

Bhekisenzo “Vukazithathe” Cele is the subject of a new documentary by Standard Bank Young Artist for Music Nthato Mokgata
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Review: ‘Vukazithathe’, a portrait of the maskandi artist as a mentor and friend

Nthato Mokgata’s documentary ‘Vukazithate’, showing online at the National Arts Festival, tells an intimate story of his mentor and maskandi legend, Bhekisenzo “Vukazithathe” Cele