As South Africa’s wedding season reaches its peak, brides and grooms are embracing individuality like never before. The country’s bridal fashion scene is evolving, moving away from traditional white gowns toward more expressive, personalised designs that reflect each couple’s story. From sustainable fabrics to bold colour palettes and modern silhouettes, this shift is redefining what “bridal elegance” looks like in 2025.
Leading this new wave of creativity is Cape Town–based designer Rose Molteno, whose timeless couture pieces and bespoke gowns celebrate both South African craftsmanship and contemporary global trends. With over a decade of experience in the fashion industry, Rose has dressed countless brides and red-carpet clients, helping them bring their dream looks to life. She joins us as she visits Johannesburg this week to share the latest insights on what’s trending in bridal fashion.

As South Africa&rsquo;s wedding season reaches its peak, brides and grooms are embracing individuality like never before. The country&rsquo;s bridal fashion scene is evolving, moving away from traditional white gowns toward more expressive, personalised designs that reflect each couple&rsquo;s story. From sustainable fabrics to bold colour palettes and modern silhouettes, this shift is redefining what &ldquo;bridal elegance&rdquo; looks like in 2025. Leading this new wave of creativity is Cape Town&ndash;based designer Rose Molteno, whose timeless couture pieces and bespoke gowns celebrate both South African craftsmanship and contemporary global trends. With over a decade of experience in the fashion industry, Rose has dressed countless brides and red-carpet clients, helping them bring their dream looks to life. She joins us as she visits Johannesburg this week to share the latest insights on what&rsquo;s trending in bridal fashion.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

The Upside

Cape Town designer Rose Molteno on the new era of modern romance and sustainable couture

The story of sixteen-year-old Ransford Owusu Ansah has shaken Ghana to its core. The young footballer’s dream of becoming a professional player turned into tragedy after allegations emerged that his coach at the Siano Football Academy repeatedly sexually abused him over several months. His mother says Ransford fell seriously ill and only revealed the abuse when his health began to fail despite her efforts to seek help and justice, her cries went unheard until her son’s death in March this year.
Across social media, the hashtag #JusticeForRansford has united thousands of voices demanding answers and change. From celebrities to human rights advocates, many are calling for stronger oversight in sports academies and for those responsible to face justice. Ghana’s Ministry of Gender and police have confirmed an investigation into the case, the coach has since been suspended but the public remains sceptical. We are joined on the line by Robert Amoafo, Human Rights advocate and Director of Amnesty International Ghana

The story of sixteen-year-old Ransford Owusu Ansah has shaken Ghana to its core. The young footballer&rsquo;s dream of becoming a professional player turned into tragedy after allegations emerged that his coach at the Siano Football Academy repeatedly sexually abused him over several months. His mother says Ransford fell seriously ill and only revealed the abuse when his health began to fail despite her efforts to seek help and justice, her cries went unheard until her son&rsquo;s death in March this year. Across social media, the hashtag #JusticeForRansford has united thousands of voices demanding answers and change. From celebrities to human rights advocates, many are calling for stronger oversight in sports academies and for those responsible to face justice. Ghana&rsquo;s Ministry of Gender and police have confirmed an investigation into the case, the coach has since been suspended but the public remains sceptical. We are joined on the line by Robert Amoafo, Human Rights advocate and Director of Amnesty International Ghana

How the death of Ransford Owusu Ansah exposed gaps in child protection in Ghana’s sports academies

Artificial intelligence is changing how people search for and discover brands online. Traditional search engine rankings are no longer enough as consumers increasingly rely on AI-generated answers from platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini. According to Leanne Levine, Local Digital Lead at Sauce Advertising, this new era of Generative Engine Optimisation, will determine which businesses show up in these AI-driven results
For South African brands, especially those with multiple locations, this shift presents both challenge and opportunity. Visibility now depends on trust signals, structured data and consistent local information rather than just keywords. She joins us on the line

Artificial intelligence is changing how people search for and discover brands online. Traditional search engine rankings are no longer enough as consumers increasingly rely on AI-generated answers from platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini. According to Leanne Levine, Local Digital Lead at Sauce Advertising, this new era of Generative Engine Optimisation, will determine which businesses show up in these AI-driven results For South African brands, especially those with multiple locations, this shift presents both challenge and opportunity. Visibility now depends on trust signals, structured data and consistent local information rather than just keywords. She joins us on the line

Why businesses must adapt to AI-generated results or risk being overlooked

Across South Africa, boys are still being raised under an outdated code of masculinity that tells them to hide their emotions, face challenges alone and see gentleness as weakness. From a young age, they’re taught that toughness equals strength and that showing empathy or fear makes them less of a man but this emotional repression comes at a high cost. Studies show that men are far less likely than women to seek help when struggling and South Africa’s male suicide rate remains alarmingly high.
The Character Company, a non-profit organisation working with boys who grow up without fathers, is helping rewrite that harmful script. For over a decade, founder Jaco van Schalkwyk and his team have paired boys with positive male mentors or “social fathers” who guide them toward a healthier understanding of strength; one rooted in emotional literacy, compassion and connection. He joins us on the line Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder of The Character Company

Across South Africa, boys are still being raised under an outdated code of masculinity that tells them to hide their emotions, face challenges alone and see gentleness as weakness. From a young age, they&rsquo;re taught that toughness equals strength and that showing empathy or fear makes them less of a man but this emotional repression comes at a high cost. Studies show that men are far less likely than women to seek help when struggling and South Africa&rsquo;s male suicide rate remains alarmingly high. The Character Company, a non-profit organisation working with boys who grow up without fathers, is helping rewrite that harmful script. For over a decade, founder Jaco van Schalkwyk and his team have paired boys with positive male mentors or &ldquo;social fathers&rdquo; who guide them toward a healthier understanding of strength; one rooted in emotional literacy, compassion and connection. He joins us on the line Jaco van Schalkwyk, founder of The Character Company

Cape Town designer Rose Molteno on the new era of modern romance and sustainable couture

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