After keeping fans waiting for new music since her album Rebirth, Kelly Khumalo is back with her first single of 2026, Merry Go Round. The song takes its name from a relationship that found itself stuck in a cycle, not really moving forward but not quite coming to an end either. Written from her own experience and composed by Congolese producer David Matunda, Kelly turns that familiar feeling of asking, “Where is this actually going?” into a new song.
With ten studio albums behind her and a career that has moved across Afro pop, gospel and jazz, Kelly has always told her stories in her own way. Merry Go Round marks the start of another chapter, and it comes directly from what her fans have been asking for: new music. The single is out now on major streaming platforms, with Kelly also teasing upcoming tours and live concerts across South Africa.

After keeping fans waiting for new music since her album Rebirth, Kelly Khumalo is back with her first single of 2026, Merry Go Round. The song takes its name from a relationship that found itself stuck in a cycle, not really moving forward but not quite coming to an end either. Written from her own experience and composed by Congolese producer David Matunda, Kelly turns that familiar feeling of asking, &ldquo;Where is this actually going?&rdquo; into a new song. With ten studio albums behind her and a career that has moved across Afro pop, gospel and jazz, Kelly has always told her stories in her own way. Merry Go Round marks the start of another chapter, and it comes directly from what her fans have been asking for: new music. The single is out now on major streaming platforms, with Kelly also teasing upcoming tours and live concerts across South Africa.

Kelly Khumalo is back, and this time the story behind the song is personal

What happens when a fight for affordable housing becomes a six-year battle that reaches all the way to the Constitutional Court? That is the story at the heart of Mother City, a documentary following Cape Town’s Reclaim the City activists and their fight over the old Tafelberg School site on the Atlantic Seaboard. Now, after years of screenings at festivals around the world, the film is coming to cinemas across South Africa from the 1st of October, giving audiences the chance to experience this story on the big screen.
Mother City will be the first documentary to screen as part of Ster-Kinekor’s new strand celebrating classic and local film Directed by Miki Redelinghuys along with Pearlie Joubert, the film takes audiences inside the activism, legal battles and courtroom drama surrounding the Tafelberg site. Its timing is particularly striking following the Constitutional Court’s July 2026 ruling that declared the sale of the property unlawful.

What happens when a fight for affordable housing becomes a six-year battle that reaches all the way to the Constitutional Court? That is the story at the heart of Mother City, a documentary following Cape Town&rsquo;s Reclaim the City activists and their fight over the old Tafelberg School site on the Atlantic Seaboard. Now, after years of screenings at festivals around the world, the film is coming to cinemas across South Africa from the 1st of October, giving audiences the chance to experience this story on the big screen. Mother City will be the first documentary to screen as part of Ster-Kinekor&rsquo;s new strand celebrating classic and local film Directed by Miki Redelinghuys along with Pearlie Joubert, the film takes audiences inside the activism, legal battles and courtroom drama surrounding the Tafelberg site. Its timing is particularly striking following the Constitutional Court&rsquo;s July 2026 ruling that declared the sale of the property unlawful.

From a six-year housing battle to the big screen, how Mother City captures the fight for land and justice in Cape Town

The way South Africans are buying property is changing, and some of the old rules around home ownership are being rewritten. Women now account for 52% of properties registered to single owners in South Africa, and that figure rises to almost 70% when joint ownership is included. We are also seeing younger buyers approach property differently, with friends and siblings buying together and more people choosing to rent where they want to live while investing in a property somewhere else.
So, is the traditional idea of buying your first home still the goal or are buyers becoming much more strategic about how they get there Bradd Bendall, National Head of Sales of BetterBond, has been looking closely at these shifts and what they mean for both buyers and the businesses trying to serve them. From women entering the property market earlier, to younger investors looking at property as a steppingstone rather than simply a place to live.

The way South Africans are buying property is changing, and some of the old rules around home ownership are being rewritten. Women now account for 52% of properties registered to single owners in South Africa, and that figure rises to almost 70% when joint ownership is included. We are also seeing younger buyers approach property differently, with friends and siblings buying together and more people choosing to rent where they want to live while investing in a property somewhere else. So, is the traditional idea of buying your first home still the goal or are buyers becoming much more strategic about how they get there Bradd Bendall, National Head of Sales of BetterBond, has been looking closely at these shifts and what they mean for both buyers and the businesses trying to serve them. From women entering the property market earlier, to younger investors looking at property as a steppingstone rather than simply a place to live.

From renting while investing to buying with friends, are younger South Africans rewriting the rules of home ownership?

When we talk about finding the next Formula One star, we often think about the talent, the training and the competition, but what happens when great potential can’t afford to achieve their dream? For many aspiring African racers, the cost of travelling, competing and accessing the right equipment can make motorsport feel out of reach. Karting Africa, powered by WORR Motorsport, is looking to change that by creating a continental championship where young drivers can compete at a high level closer to home.
The idea gets a preview in Benguela, Angola, on the 10th and 11th of October 2026, where 39 drivers from 14 African countries are expected to take part in a showrun ahead of the planned Karting Africa Cup. The ambition is to build a five-round championship from 2027, with uniform equipment helping to put the focus firmly on the driver’s ability rather than who can afford the most expensive machinery. To further unpack we’re joined by Wesleigh Orr, founder and head coach of WORR Motorsport and founder of Karting Africa.

When we talk about finding the next Formula One star, we often think about the talent, the training and the competition, but what happens when great potential can&rsquo;t afford to achieve their dream? For many aspiring African racers, the cost of travelling, competing and accessing the right equipment can make motorsport feel out of reach. Karting Africa, powered by WORR Motorsport, is looking to change that by creating a continental championship where young drivers can compete at a high level closer to home. The idea gets a preview in Benguela, Angola, on the 10th and 11th of October 2026, where 39 drivers from 14 African countries are expected to take part in a showrun ahead of the planned Karting Africa Cup. The ambition is to build a five-round championship from 2027, with uniform equipment helping to put the focus firmly on the driver&rsquo;s ability rather than who can afford the most expensive machinery. To further unpack we&rsquo;re joined by Wesleigh Orr, founder and head coach of WORR Motorsport and founder of Karting Africa.

You do not need to leave Africa to prove you can race, the vision behind a continental championship for young drivers

You’ve made the sale, the goods are ready, the customer is waiting, and then you get to the question that can completely change the deal: how much is this shipment going to cost once it crosses the border? Tariffs, duties, customs and compliance can quickly turn what looked like a profitable international order into a much more expensive one. But here’s the interesting part: what if that tariff is not necessarily something you simply have to absorb? What if there are trade agreements that could give your business access to preferential or even duty-free treatment?
For South African businesses looking to export, understanding these agreements could make a real difference to the final price of getting goods into the hands of a customer. From AGOA and its access to the US market, to arrangements through SACU, SADC and agreements with markets such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, there are opportunities available, but they come with rules around the product, its origin, classification and documentation. Joining us is Francoius Coetzee, Managing Director of RSA Global

You&rsquo;ve made the sale, the goods are ready, the customer is waiting, and then you get to the question that can completely change the deal: how much is this shipment going to cost once it crosses the border? Tariffs, duties, customs and compliance can quickly turn what looked like a profitable international order into a much more expensive one. But here&rsquo;s the interesting part: what if that tariff is not necessarily something you simply have to absorb? What if there are trade agreements that could give your business access to preferential or even duty-free treatment? For South African businesses looking to export, understanding these agreements could make a real difference to the final price of getting goods into the hands of a customer. From AGOA and its access to the US market, to arrangements through SACU, SADC and agreements with markets such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, there are opportunities available, but they come with rules around the product, its origin, classification and documentation. Joining us is Francoius Coetzee, Managing Director of RSA Global

Your goods have crossed the border, but do you really know what they will cost you when they arrive? 

Nine women! Nine lives cut short. And now, a country once again asking how many more women have to die before simply moving through everyday life no longer comes with the fear of becoming the next victim. Police have discovered the bodies of nine women in Ekurhuleni over the past two months, with most of the victims believed to have been in their twenties and thirties. Investigations are continuing into whether the cases are connected, while memorial runs, vigils and protests have brought women together to mourn and demand answers.
Beyond the shock of these latest killings is a much bigger conversation about safety, policing and the responsibility of the state to protect people. Government has announced a specialised investigation team and an emergency strategy focused on law enforcement, safety, justice and support for victims and survivors. At the same time, activists have challenged advice that places the burden of staying safe on women themselves, arguing that women should not have to organise their lives around avoiding violence. Joining us on the line Greer Schoeman, Board member of The National Shelter Movement of South Africa

Nine women! Nine lives cut short. And now, a country once again asking how many more women have to die before simply moving through everyday life no longer comes with the fear of becoming the next victim. Police have discovered the bodies of nine women in Ekurhuleni over the past two months, with most of the victims believed to have been in their twenties and thirties. Investigations are continuing into whether the cases are connected, while memorial runs, vigils and protests have brought women together to mourn and demand answers. Beyond the shock of these latest killings is a much bigger conversation about safety, policing and the responsibility of the state to protect people. Government has announced a specialised investigation team and an emergency strategy focused on law enforcement, safety, justice and support for victims and survivors. At the same time, activists have challenged advice that places the burden of staying safe on women themselves, arguing that women should not have to organise their lives around avoiding violence. Joining us on the line Greer Schoeman, Board member of The National Shelter Movement of South Africa

Nine women, nine lives lost! Why are women still being forced to live with the fear of becoming the next victim?

If you have ever heard a song and thought, “This needs a different vibe,” Ace of Spades may be the man you want behind the decks. A graduate of the Soul Candi Music Institute, Ace has developed his own sound, Slow Jam House, bringing together soulful melodies, house, amapiano and those smooth mid tempo sounds that have earned him the title, The King of Slow Jam.
Through projects like Peace of Mind, Sunday Sessions, Road Trip Soundtracks and the Team No Sleep series, he creates mixes around moods, moments and places. He is also the man behind Behind the Bars Slow Jam and runs his own imprint, Team No Sleep. For Ace, music is about more than putting one track after another. It is about creating a feeling, setting a mood and giving people a soundtrack to remember.

If you have ever heard a song and thought, &ldquo;This needs a different vibe,&rdquo; Ace of Spades may be the man you want behind the decks. A graduate of the Soul Candi Music Institute, Ace has developed his own sound, Slow Jam House, bringing together soulful melodies, house, amapiano and those smooth mid tempo sounds that have earned him the title, The King of Slow Jam. Through projects like Peace of Mind, Sunday Sessions, Road Trip Soundtracks and the Team No Sleep series, he creates mixes around moods, moments and places. He is also the man behind Behind the Bars Slow Jam and runs his own imprint, Team No Sleep. For Ace, music is about more than putting one track after another. It is about creating a feeling, setting a mood and giving people a soundtrack to remember.

What happens when house, Amapiano and soulful vibes meet? ACE OF SPADES has the answer

Palesa Loretta Molefe’s story has taken her from Johannesburg to Australia and now back home again, but it is what she is building since her return that makes her story interesting. At the heart of it is In The (K)now, her podcast created to feel like a FaceTime conversation with your best friend, where you can talk about almost anything. Culture, entertainment, real life and the issues people are actually talking about.
More importantly, Palesa wants the podcast to create space for creatives and voices from urban communities who deserve to be heard, giving them an opportunity to share their stories, ideas and work beyond their immediate circles. She is also behind VYRA Active, an activewear brand focused on giving women a luxury feel without the luxury price tag. After spending years building a professional career in Australia, returning to South Africa has given Palesa a chance to reconnect with home and think about what she can create here.

Palesa Loretta Molefe&rsquo;s story has taken her from Johannesburg to Australia and now back home again, but it is what she is building since her return that makes her story interesting. At the heart of it is In The (K)now, her podcast created to feel like a FaceTime conversation with your best friend, where you can talk about almost anything. Culture, entertainment, real life and the issues people are actually talking about. More importantly, Palesa wants the podcast to create space for creatives and voices from urban communities who deserve to be heard, giving them an opportunity to share their stories, ideas and work beyond their immediate circles. She is also behind VYRA Active, an activewear brand focused on giving women a luxury feel without the luxury price tag. After spending years building a professional career in Australia, returning to South Africa has given Palesa a chance to reconnect with home and think about what she can create here.

Palesa Molefe left SA as a child, built a life in Australia, then came home with a much bigger purpose

What happens when people stop waiting for government to fix things and decide to take matters into their own hands? That is the question Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is putting on the table with his call for a Batho Pele Convention. In his recent proposal, he argues for a membership funded, self-sufficient movement focused on citizen agency, community action and rebuilding services from the ground up. It is an idea that connects closely with his work as a political thinker and researcher, including his book ‘Love and Violence: The Revolt Against Permanent Juniority’, which examines colonial violence, political identity and the experiences that shaped young people in the Vaal during the 1980s.
Ndlozi, who previously served in the National Assembly and held senior positions in the EFF, is now putting forward an argument that goes beyond elections and party politics. His proposal questions the role of political parties, funded activism and what he describes as a state that has abandoned many communities. So what exactly would a Batho Pele Convention look like, who would lead it and how would it work in practice? He joins us to further unpack

What happens when people stop waiting for government to fix things and decide to take matters into their own hands? That is the question Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is putting on the table with his call for a Batho Pele Convention. In his recent proposal, he argues for a membership funded, self-sufficient movement focused on citizen agency, community action and rebuilding services from the ground up. It is an idea that connects closely with his work as a political thinker and researcher, including his book &lsquo;Love and Violence: The Revolt Against Permanent Juniority&rsquo;, which examines colonial violence, political identity and the experiences that shaped young people in the Vaal during the 1980s. Ndlozi, who previously served in the National Assembly and held senior positions in the EFF, is now putting forward an argument that goes beyond elections and party politics. His proposal questions the role of political parties, funded activism and what he describes as a state that has abandoned many communities. So what exactly would a Batho Pele Convention look like, who would lead it and how would it work in practice? He joins us to further unpack

Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi wants citizens to take action, can communities rebuild what government has failed to deliver? 

What if your greatest inheritance is not what you received but what you decide to leave behind? This Heritage Month, Dr. Sonja Stribling is asking South African women to sit with a powerful question ‘What will they inherit because you lived?’ A retired U.S. Army Major, combat veteran, entrepreneur and business strategist, Dr. Stribling has brought her HERitage conversation to Johannesburg, challenging women to think about the wealth they build, the businesses they create, the opportunities they open and the patterns they have the courage to break.
Today, she works with entrepreneurs and business leaders on growth, leadership and turning their knowledge into income. So, what does it really take to build a legacy and how do we make sure the next generation inherits more than just our circumstances? She now joins us

What if your greatest inheritance is not what you received but what you decide to leave behind? This Heritage Month, Dr. Sonja Stribling is asking South African women to sit with a powerful question &lsquo;What will they inherit because you lived?&rsquo; A retired U.S. Army Major, combat veteran, entrepreneur and business strategist, Dr. Stribling has brought her HERitage conversation to Johannesburg, challenging women to think about the wealth they build, the businesses they create, the opportunities they open and the patterns they have the courage to break. Today, she works with entrepreneurs and business leaders on growth, leadership and turning their knowledge into income. So, what does it really take to build a legacy and how do we make sure the next generation inherits more than just our circumstances? She now joins us

From what was passed down to what we leave behind, Dr. Sonja Stribling on women, wealth, leadership and building a lasting legacy 

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

The Upside

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