Beautiful News

09/08/2026

Dr Marlene le Roux made history at Artscape. Now, she’s helping shape a more inclusive future in the arts. As CEO, she’s the first woman of colour to lead the organisation, and is one of South Africa’s most respected and celebrated arts leaders – as well as a disability and women’s rights activist.

Yet she shies away from the attention. “I run away when people introduce me with titles and awards because I think, ‘Who are they talking about?’ I’m a really simple person,” she says. “The titles and awards don’t define me, although I use the awards to help others.” With every opportunity she has, Marlene advocates for policies of inclusivity, accessibility and equality to be put into practice.

As a polio survivor who uses a caliper and crutches, Marlene’s lived experience has shaped her approach to accessibility at Artscape, driving efforts to ensure the building is welcoming to people with different types of disabilities. She’s also helped transform the theatre that was built during apartheid for a whites-only audience into a space where people of all backgrounds can experience the arts.

And while her leadership has driven immense change, Marlene is quick to emphasise that Artscape’s progress is a collective effort by women. “Our CFO, our electrician, our stage hands, our technical team, they are all women,” she says. The value of this is not taken for granted.

In addition to shaping policies to be pro-women, Marlene has implemented significant, everyday changes that recognise the needs of a women-led organisation. Late meetings are avoided so that women who have households to manage aren’t delayed from going home, children of staff are welcome at work when needed, people have a dedicated time to raise concerns or discomfort to Marlene confidentially, and men are trained to foster a culture of respect.

This Women’s Day, Marlene shares more about the women who shaped who she is and what she stands for – and how their legacy lives on through her fight for inclusion today.



Artscape | Woman Zone CT | Marlene Le Roux

08/08/2026

Women's Day is often marked by speeches and celebrations. But what happens when the day is over, and women in South Africa continue to face injustice and abuse? For the past 20 years, the Artscape Theatre's Women's Humanity Festival has taken a different approach. Rather than simply celebrating women, the month-long programme connects them with legal advice, health services, and support networks that can change and even save lives.

This weekend, the Cape Town theatre will combine thought-provoking performances with practical support to empower women. Visitors can attend productions such as ABFAB DRAG and Divalicious Dames, events such as the Radio Tygerberg Sisters Conference, and screenings of Rachel Kolisi’s Falling Forward, with Rachel in discussion. There will also be the unveiling of the EVERYWOMEN textile art by Woman Zone, and panels with activists from Women for Change as well as Mildred Lesiea – who was part of the historic 1956 Women's March.

Alongside the performances will be financial literacy sessions, health screenings, free mammograms, legal clinics to advise people on everything from claiming maintenance to their rights as one of multiple wives in a traditional marriage, plus information about services such as the Thuthuzela Care Centres, giving people access to support they may not otherwise know exists. “So it's not just a tea party on 9 August, it's all inclusive, it's empowerment,” Artscape CEO Dr Marlene le Roux says.

On the morning of Women's Day, thousands are expected to gather for the Humanity Walk. Led by women, survivors of abuse and people with disabilities, the walk from the Civic Centre and back to Artscape commemorates the 70th anniversary of the original Women’s March while calling for a more inclusive South Africa. It culminates on the iconic Artscape steps, where Jimmy Nevis will perform his anthem, Prey.

The Women's Humanity Festival proves that art can do more than inspire. It can spark conversations, connect people with life-changing support, and build communities that practice, not just preach empowerment.



Artscape | Woman Zone CT | Women For Change

06/08/2026

The World Athletics U20 Championships kicked off in Oregon, USA yesterday, with Jaco van Dyk scoring our country’s first medal. The 16-year-old earned a bronze in the shotput event – and a personal best of 19.80m. Our track athletes also made an impressive start, with the South African mixed 4x400m relay team, consisting of Ryno Riekert, Davida Strong, Abelines Schoeman and Isabella Gunter setting the national U20 record with a time of 3:21.48. The championships have only just begun, but South Africa's young athletes are already proving their mettle on the world stage.



Image: Rita van Dyk

06/08/2026

The Commonwealth Games came to a close this past weekend, with Paralympic swimmer Nathan Hendricks earning our first gold in Glasgow and Team SA bringing home 28 medals. But we didn’t just win medals; we broke records, made history, and inspired budding athletes to dream of sporting success.

Young South Africans watched as Lara van Niekerk swam against all odds, defending her 50m breaststroke title despite a series of serious health setbacks over the last few years.

Sinesipho Dambile sprinted his way to gold in the men’s 200m, Christian Sadie swam to another gold and a Games record, and swimmers Danika Vyncke, Michael Houlie, Ruard van Renen, Olivia Nel, Aimee Canny, Erin Gallagher, and Rebecca Meder all contributed to setting African records.

Pieter Coetze produced multiple record-breaking performances in the pool – winning three individual gold medals and two as part of a relay, while Chad le Clos became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history when he won his 19th medal, then went on to bring his total to 21.

Beyond our track and swimming stars, we also earned podium finishes for pole vault and judo thanks to Kyle Rademeyer, Skye Knoester, Timothy Meuwsen and Donne Breytenbach.

And while a few names have dominated headlines, our team success is owed to every athlete who competed, advanced our position in the heats, supported their teammates, and embodied the spirit of green and gold. They’re inspiring the sports stars of tomorrow.

This week, South Africa yet again takes to the world stage at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, USA, with 16-year-old Jaco van Dyk making an impressive start by winning South Africa’s first medal – a bronze in shot put.

Meanwhile, the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 takes place from 15 to 30 August 2026. Keep an eye out, as the South Africans competing at these events will be the record-breakers, history-makers and champions we'll be celebrating in years to come. Let's back them from the very beginning. 🇿🇦



Images: Instagram/

Team South Africa | Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

03/08/2026

South Africa’s richly diverse culture deserves to be celebrated. But as more and more people chase global trends, particularly in fashion, we stand to lose sight of that heritage. “Traditional clothing is at risk of not being recognised by the coming generation,” Limpopo designer Phophi Mudau says.

To conserve Venda and Tsonga culture through fashion, she began experimenting with a sewing machine at her home in Matanda village, designing outfits that perfectly paired traditional patterns with modern styles. At the time, the concept wasn’t common in Limpopo. But now, the traditional fabric Phophi transforms into backpacks, suits, and ballgowns for her Pdesigns SA range is loved across the country. “The clothes I make allow people to express every version of themselves at the same time,” she says.

Phophi has since started an image consultation service in Johannesburg to help women understand what suits their body types and customise clothing for them. She has also designed a collection of bags in traditional fabric to appeal to younger generations. In doing so, she’s ensuring we can set new trends while honouring our culture. “I’m set on using as many of South Africa’s beautiful fabrics as possible to create garments that speak to the soul of our country,” Phophi says.



PdesignsSA

As Phophi Mudau flicked through the clothing rails, a frightening r...

28/07/2026

Our rooibos is world-famous. But can it survive a journey to space? Earlier this month, the Rooibos in Space project was launched at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town. A collaboration between the South African Rooibos Council, MaxIQ Space and the South African National Space Agency, the initiative will not only test how rooibos seeds develop in space, but also give school learners the chance to take part in real space science.

This October, three batches of rooibos seeds will begin their journey: untreated seeds, scarified seeds that allow water and air in, and scarified seeds treated with a protective coating against pests and diseases. They will launch from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of a NASA cargo mission to the International Space Station, where they will be exposed to microgravity and space radiation.

After six weeks, the seeds will return to Earth to be planted in the Cederberg alongside control seeds that never left. There, learners from seven schools will work with local farmers to monitor and compare each batch over the next 18 months. The study will test whether exposure to space influences seed germination, growth and plant resilience, while contributing to research into growing food for astronauts on future long-duration missions. While other crops have been tested in space before, this is a first for our indigenous plant. For generations, communities in the Cederberg have cultivated rooibos. Now, learners from the region will help write the next chapter of its story.

Learners across South Africa can also get involved by designing the official Rooibos in Space mission patch. Until 31 August 2026, those aged 12 to 18 can submit their original designs for the chance to win space-themed prizes. Through this STEM programme, they’re learning to take pride in our country’s heritage, reach for the stars and make history.



Rooibos Council | Parklands College & Christopher Robin Pre-Primary | South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

Images: South African Rooibos Council

25/07/2026

Chad le Clos has become the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history, claiming his record-breaking 19th medal as part of South Africa's bronze-winning Men's 4x100m Freestyle relay team.

Already South Africa's most decorated male Olympian, Le Clos continues to cement his legacy as one of the country's greatest sporting icons. He also broke a Guinness World Record in 2022 for the most gold medals won by a male swimmer in the FINA Swimming World Cup – a whopping total of 151.

Here's to celebrating another incredible milestone for Team South Africa! 🇿🇦



Image: (Instagram)

Team South Africa | Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games | Chad Le Clos

25/07/2026

Team South Africa has scored its first gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with visually impaired swimmer Nathan Hendricks winning the Men's S13 100m Freestyle with a time of 54.54.

Our SA swim team has made a splash from the start. Earlier that day in the heats, Danika Vyncke shattered her own African record in the Women’s S13 100m freestyle with a time of 1:05.13.

Pieter Coetze set a new Commonwealth record of 24.29 seconds in the Men’s 50m Backstroke semi-finals, bettering the 24.45 he swam in the heats earlier, which was also the first Commonwealth Games record of 2026.

Aimee Canny, Erin Gallagher, Rebecca Meder, and Olivia Nel secured bronze in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle final, setting an African record of 3:38.67.

Meanwhile, the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle relay team of Guy Brooks, Pieter Coetze, Chad le Clos, and Ruard van Renen also scored bronze in a time of 3:13.99, with Le Clos earning his record-breaking 19th Commonwealth Games medal.

What a way to kickstart the 2026 Commonwealth Games for Team SA! 🇿🇦



Images: and (Instagram)

Team South Africa | Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games | Chad Le Clos

21/07/2026

There’s never been a better time to be a South African rugby fan. This weekend, the Springboks claimed victory against Wales in the Nations Championship in Durban, while the Junior Springboks played the final of the Junior World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia – emerging as the ultimate victors with a spectacular win against the France U20 side.

The triumph makes the Junior Springboks back-to-back World Rugby U20 champions, mirroring the senior Springboks, who won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023.

What’s more, the Blitzboks – our Sevens team – were crowned 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship winners last month. Together, this marks South African success across three major rugby titles simultaneously. And if the recent performance of our Junior Springboks is anything to go by, we can look forward to plenty more victories from our Bokke.



Springboks | Blitzboks

Images: Instagram/

16/07/2026

Not long ago, Raymond Rampolokeng was introducing visitors to the overlooked birdlife of Soweto. Today, he’s helping birders from around the world discover South Africa through a much wider lens.

Many may not consider Soweto a birding heaven, but the surrounding wetlands boast an array of airborne life. Through Wits Bird Club and Birdlife South Africa, Raymond had the chance to discover more about them on a bird guide course. Earning the nicknames Birdman of Soweto and McBirdie, the Gauteng local made history when he launched Bay of Grace Tours, his hometown’s first birding tourism company.

Since then, Raymond has expanded his work with the addition of Africa Bird Tours. Together, the ventures are partnering with international travel companies to welcome birders and nature lovers eager to experience the country’s remarkable biodiversity. Alongside leading bird walks at BirdLife South Africa's annual Birding Fair in Pretoria, Raymond recently completed a Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) course, adding to his growing expertise as both a guide and coach.

Raymond’s vision is also taking flight beyond tourism. He’s developing McBirdie, a new outdoor lifestyle brand that includes a skincare range for people who spend long days in the field, as well as a fragrance collection.

Closer to home, he’s committed to creating opportunities within his community. His latest photography-focused experiences invite visitors to capture the beauty and history of Soweto, with curated tours showcasing places like Enoch Sontonga Hills and Orlando Dam through fresh eyes.

What began with a pair of binoculars and a fascination with the Cape Sparrow has grown into something far greater than a career. Raymond's passion for birds has become a thriving business, a platform for community tourism, and an invitation for the world to discover the unexpectedly wild side of Soweto.



Raymond McBirdie Rampolokeng Bay of Grace Enterprises and Projects
BirdLife South Africa BirdLife International

Raymond Rampolokeng brings the binoculars into focus as he pans the...