NSFAS approves funding for over 626 000 first-time applicants

Source: Government of South Africa

NSFAS approves funding for over 626 000 first-time applicants

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has approved funding for 626 935 first-time applicants, while 427 144 continuing university students have met the progression criteria for support.

Briefing the media on the state of the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector and readiness for the 2026 academic year on Thursday, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela said NSFAS remains critical in enabling access to higher education for poor and working-class students.

However, he noted that sustained improvements in basic education, combined with broader economic constraints, continue to place pressure on the funding model.

“Short-term stabilisation measures are in place, while a medium-term sustainable funding reform is being developed. The missing-middle fund continues to scale,” Manamela said.

The Minister also acknowledged the critical role of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in expanding access to funding, particularly for students who do not qualify for NSFAS.

He said that during the 2025/26 funding cycle, SETAs are supporting more than 15 000 new bursary beneficiaries and nearly 8 000 continuing beneficiaries, with a combined value of close to R2 billion.

“This diversification of funding sources reduces over-reliance on NSFAS and strengthens system resilience,” he said.

Bachelor’s pass does not guarantee university admission 

Manamela used the briefing to address what he described as a persistent misunderstanding regarding university admissions for learners who obtain a Bachelor’s pass in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam.

He said that while 46.4% of candidates achieved a Bachelor’s pass in the 2025 NSC examinations, this often creates unrealistic expectations among learners and their families.

“A Bachelor’s pass does not guarantee admission to a university or to a specific programme. Universities apply faculty and programme specific requirements, including subject combinations, minimum symbols, and selection processes where demand exceeds capacity.

“Where learners and families experience disappointment, it is often not because of failure, but because of misaligned expectations. Our responsibility is to ensure that learners understand, early and clearly, the full range of credible post-school pathways, not only the most visible ones,” the Minister said.

A total of 28.1% candidates achieved a Diploma pass, while 13.5% obtained a Higher Certificate pass in the 2025 NSC examinations.

Manamela noted that with more than 40% of learners not achieving a Bachelor’s pass, the post-school system must be clearly differentiated, well-articulated and effectively communicated.

While welcoming the sharp increase in matric pass rates, the Minister said the outcome has placed significant pressure on the PSET system.

“The Post-School Education and Training System (PSET) currently has approximately 535 000 funded and planned spaces across universities, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, skills programmes, and workplace-based learning. This gap between success and capacity is real, structural, and longstanding,” Manamela said.

Manamela rejected claims that the post-school system is in crisis, saying it is undergoing deliberate reform.

“It is under pressure, but it is being deliberately reshaped. Education, training, and skills development in all their forms carry equal dignity and social value. Multiple pathways are not a compromise, they are a strength.

“Not every learner will secure immediate placement in their first choice but every learner must be able to find a credible, supported pathway into learning, skills development, and productive participation in society. That is the task we have set ourselves and that is the work we will continue to do,” the Minister said.

Second chance and community education

Manamela said Community Education and Training colleges remain central to inclusive access and are fully prepared for the 2026 academic year.

He said the colleges will accommodate youth and adults seeking the Amended Senior Certificate, participation in the National Senior Certificate Second Chance Programme, as well as occupational and skills programmes.

“The academic year commenced on 12 January 2026, with registrations for annual programmes closing on 27 February 2026, while short skills programmes remain open throughout the year,” Manamela said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

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Employment and Labour moves to close compliance gaps, expand worker protections

Source: Government of South Africa

Employment and Labour moves to close compliance gaps, expand worker protections

The Department of Employment and Labour has taken decisive steps to strengthen worker protections and close long-standing compliance gaps across key sectors, including security, municipalities and the creative industries. 

In a statement on Thursday, the department said it has officially withdrawn the 2003 Variation Notice that previously excluded the application of Section 34A of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), which governs the payment of employee benefit fund contributions.

The withdrawal restores the authority of labour inspectors to enforce the timely payment of pension, provident fund, retirement and medical aid contributions deducted from employees’ salaries. 

For years, the exemption created what the department described as “a significant enforcement gap”, leaving workers vulnerable to employers who deducted contributions but failed to transfer them to the relevant funds.

“With the exemption now removed, inspectors are empowered to verify whether employers have paid contributions into the correct funds, request proof of payment and contribution schedules, and take enforcement action wherever non‑compliance is detected,” the department said. 

The department said the intervention strengthens workplace-level accountability and provides enhanced protection for workers’ hard-earned benefits, particularly in the security sector and municipalities, where abuse has been widespread.

In a separate but related development, the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has published a notice indicating the department’s intention to classify performers and crew members in the film, television, advertising, artistic and cultural sectors as employees.

Many workers in these industries are currently designated as independent contractors, despite operating under conditions similar to permanent employment. The department said the move seeks to extend essential labour protections, including access to sick leave, maternity leave, severance pay, protection under the National Minimum Wage, and coverage through the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act.

The proposal would also ensure compliance with BCEA provisions on working hours, termination procedures and record-keeping, while extending rights related to fixed-term contracts under the Labour Relations Act.

According to the department, the proposed reform responds to “strong stakeholder submissions” and recognises the vulnerability of performers and production staff, who frequently operate without basic labour protections. It confirmed that the process could result in a sectoral determination tailored to the industry’s specific needs.

Stakeholders have 30 days from the date of publication to submit written inputs, while the Minister has requested the National Minimum Wage Commission to investigate wage levels and employment conditions in the sector.

“Together, these regulatory measures mark a clear step forward in advancing decent work in South Africa. They demonstrate a renewed commitment to closing compliance gaps, protecting vulnerable workers, and ensuring that employers across all industries uphold the country’s labour laws.

“The actions reinforce the department’s dedication to promoting fairness in the workplace, supporting a more equitable labour market, ensuring accountability among employers, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all workers,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

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Afreximbank announces termination of its credit rating relationship with Fitch

Source: APO

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has today officially terminated its credit rating relationship with Fitch Ratings.

This decision follows a review of the relationship, and its firm belief that the credit rating exercise no longer reflects a good understanding of the Bank’s Establishment Agreement, its mission and its mandate.

Afreximbank’s business profile remains robust, underpinned by strong shareholder relationships and the legal protections embedded in its Establishment Agreement, signed and ratified by its member states.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

Follow us on: 
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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

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Chief Executive Officer – Infrastructure Origination and Collaboration Platform | Africa

Source: APO

African Collaborations Group (ACG)

Remote (Africa / Europe base) | Significant travel
Start: Q1 2026

Download document: https://apo-opa.co/4bN4ntK

African Collaborations Group (ACG) (https://ACGAfrica.com) is appointing a Chief Executive Officer to lead a newly mandated infrastructure origination and collaboration platform in Africa.

ACG holds an Exclusive Mandate from a major African country to originate, structure, and take to bankability a flagship sport and entertainment district. This initiative will move from concept through feasibility, structuring, and financial close, laying the foundation for a scalable continental platform.

This is a platform-building CEO role, not an advisory or delivery position.

The opportunity

You will lead the origination of the first landmark project while building the systems, partnerships, and commercial models to scale future developments across Africa.

You will:

  • Establish ACG as a leading infrastructure origination and collaboration platform in Africa
  • Lead a flagship infrastructure origination project from concept to bankability and financial close
  • Structure complex transactions in partnership with governments, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and private capital
  • Shape commercial strategy, SPV structuring, and investor engagement
  • Build and lead a lean, high-impact core team and global consortium

You bring:

  • Senior leadership experience across early-stage infrastructure development, PPPs, sovereign or development finance environments
  • A strong track record in originating and structuring complex projects in Africa or comparable emerging markets
  • Commercial judgment, political fluency, and comfort operating in a high-autonomy, high-accountability setting
  • Demonstrable and proven experience in building out platforms from concept to implementation
  • An entrepreneurial mindset with an appetite for value creation and long-term upside
  • Experience in the sport and entertainment industry is advantageous but not essential

We offer:

  • High upside participation model aligned with project success
  • A focused fixed remuneration component
  • Direct access to governments, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and global capital networks
  • The opportunity to build and lead a platform with long-term continental impact

All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.

More information: https://ACGAfrica.com   

APPLY HEREhttps://apo-opa.co/4sTFmTZ

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Collaborations Group (ACG).

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Seychelles reaffirms commitment to Secretary of the South African Development Community (SADC) regional integration

Source: APO


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The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mr. Barry Faure, received the Executive Secretary of the South African Development Community (SADC), H.E. Mr. Elias Magosi at Maison Quéau de Quinssy on Thursday, 22 January 2026.

During their meeting, Mr. Magosi explained that it was customary for the Executive Secretary to pay a courtesy call on the President and Foreign Minister of a SADC Member State with each change of administration to outline the programme and strategic priorities of SADC.

Minister Faure expressed his appreciation to Mr. Magosi and the SADC Secretariat for deploying an electoral observation mission during the National Assembly and Presidential elections held from end-September to mid-October 2025.

Discussions further focused on regional economic integration. Mr. Magosi underscored the importance of strengthening intra-SADC trade, noting that increased imports and exports among Member States would yield long-term economic benefits. He also highlighted the need for effective implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), enhanced consultation with the private sector and sustained investment in infrastructure development as key drivers of regional growth.

Minister Faure stressed the importance of greater ownership and burden-sharing among regional states in addressing maritime crimes. He underscored that the accelerated development of the SADC Maritime Corridor Strategy is critical for Seychelles and the region, as it directly supports regional economic integration.

Minister Faure also emphasised on the importance of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), noting that its effective integration into the frameworks of international development organisations and international financial institutions remains essential. In this context, he called for SADC’s support in advocating for the MVI at the regional level.

Both parties reiterated their appreciation for the strong cooperation between Seychelles and the SADC Secretariat and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening this partnership in support of regional integration and shared prosperity within the SADC region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Republic of Seychelles.

Computer laboratory links children to digital world

Source: Government of South Africa

Computer laboratory links children to digital world

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza on Thursday handed over a fully equipped computer laboratory to learners at the Umdlamfe Secondary School in Esikhawini, Richards Bay.

The hand over of the high-tech computer lab forms part of government’s Back-To-School Programme.

HONOR South Africa, which delivered the laptops, partnered with the Department of Home Affairs to establish the laboratory in support of digital literacy and skills development at the school. 

The laboratory will ensure that learners are trained to become active participants in the artificial intelligence sphere while bridging the digital divide, particularly in previously disadvantaged communities.

The Deputy Minister hailed the unveiling of the laboratory, saying access to digital learning was a pivotal cog in the development of learners in the 21st century and will go a long way in ensuring a digitally equipped South Africa. 

Government, he explained, recognised the development of digital skills as a key element in the advancement of South Africa’s digital economy. 

This was underscored by the establishment of the Presidential Commission on the 4IR (PC4IR) by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 with a mandate to provide leadership for society to understand, navigate and assume agency over what will be the fundamentally altered future.

“The world has gravitated towards the 4th Industrial Revolution and this demands of us to be technologically savvy to be able to meet the challenges of this new and exciting phenomenon.

“The establishment of this computer laboratory demonstrates a commitment on our part to prioritise digital learning to put South Africa in a better position to seize opportunities and manage the challenges of rapid advances in the technological realm.

“We are excited that this facility will play an integral part in the learners’ academic improvement while preparing them to fully embrace the digital world through access to digital resources. This will, in future, enable them to navigate the digital economy, apply for jobs online, and explore various work opportunities,” he said.

CEO of HONOR South Africa, Fred Zhou, said the partnership with the Department of Home Affairs represented a cornerstone of digital literacy and infrastructure missions.

“We are proud to partner with the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Njabulo Nzuza, and the government of South Africa to invest in young minds and future skills. We hope the learners will use this opportunity to learn, explore and dream big,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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SA to champion African water investment agenda at global talks in Dakar

Source: Government of South Africa

SA to champion African water investment agenda at global talks in Dakar

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina will represent South Africa at a high-level international meeting in Dakar, Senegal, as preparations intensify for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.

The High-Level Preparatory Meeting, taking place from 26 – 27 January 2025, will set the direction for the global conference scheduled for December and help shape priorities, commitments and partnerships aimed at accelerating universal access to safe water and dignified sanitation.

A major highlight of the Dakar engagement will be a ministerial roundtable discussion on “Investments for Water: Financing, technology and innovation, and capacity-building”, which South Africa will co-host with France. The session is expected to focus on unlocking funding and innovation to address Africa’s growing water and sanitation challenges.

“South Africa will lead this discussion on behalf of the African continent and will use the platform to advocate for increased investment in water and sanitation programmes that strengthen climate resilience, support economic growth and advance human development,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said in a statement on Friday.

The meeting builds on momentum generated at the Africa Water Investment Summit held in Cape Town last year, where African ministers, financiers, investors and development partners committed to closing the continent’s water and sanitation investment gap. Dakar is expected to provide a crucial bridge between those continental commitments and the evolving global water agenda.

The department emphasised that water is more than a natural resource for South Africa — it underpins health, food security, energy generation, job creation and human dignity. Yet across Africa, millions of people continue to face water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and limited access to financing for critical improvements.

“By participating in the High-Level Preparatory Meeting, Majodina is working to ensure that African priorities translate into concrete investments and long-term solutions,” the department said.

The Dakar meeting aims to produce a shared roadmap towards the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will be co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates in December. Its outcomes are expected to influence the global water agenda and feed into several high-level international fora throughout the year.

South Africa views the engagement as an opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships, amplify African voices and ensure that preparations for the 2026 conference are firmly rooted in the continent’s realities, ambitions and opportunities.

Majodina’s programme will include high-level political dialogues, thematic discussions and bilateral meetings with representatives from multilateral institutions, regional organisations, development finance institutions and the private sector.

Beyond the investment-focused roundtable, discussions will also cover:

  • Water for people — the human rights to water and sanitation, particularly for vulnerable communities;
  • Water for prosperity — valuing water, the water-energy-food nexus, efficient water use and sustainable economic development;
  • Water for the planet — climate change, biodiversity, resilience and disaster risk reduction;
  • Water for cooperation — transboundary water governance, scientific collaboration and inclusive institutions, and
  • Water in multilateral processes — Sustainable Development Goal 6, the 2030 Agenda and global water initiatives. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK

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National Basketball Association (NBA) and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi Announce Long-Term Renewal to Bring More NBA Games and Activities to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Source: APO

The National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced an extension of their existing collaboration that will feature preseason NBA Global Games, expanded marketing activities, and the launch of an NBA Global Academy in the UAE capital. The long-term extension will also bring additional youth development and fan programming to Abu Dhabi and surrounding communities for years to come.

NBA Global Academy, which will be based in Abu Dhabi and serve as the global hub for the league’s NBA Academy program, will be a year-round elite basketball development and academic program for top high-school-age student-athletes from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world. The academy will include elite development programming for up to 20 local boys, basketball development activities for local girls and residential programming for up to 24 male prospects from the rest of the world.

“Extending our partnership with the NBA further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East and reinforces our commitment to our youth, inspiring our community, diversifying the economy, and elevating the emirate’s standing as a global destination,” said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “The establishment of the NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi will open pathways for Emirati and UAE-based athletes, coaches and sports professionals to learn from the world’s best, while our long-term hosting of the NBA Global Games will inspire the next generation. Beyond bringing world-class sporting events to our capital, the NBA’s youth programs and grassroots initiatives encourage healthy, active lifestyles and connect our residents to the universal values of sport. This multiyear commitment reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a hub for culture, entertainment and excellence, for both our residents and visitors alike.”

“Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in growing basketball participation and fandom in the UAE and across the Middle East,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “We look forward to building on those efforts in the years to come, including through the launch of an NBA Global Academy that will help develop elite-level players from the region and around the world.”

Additional details about future NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi, including the schedule and participating teams, will be announced at a later date.

The collaboration will see DCT Abu Dhabi, through its destination brand Experience Abu Dhabi, once again serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, China and Europe while expanding the territories in the destination partnership to also include Africa, Asia Canada and Latin America.  

The extended collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and the NBA will also feature the expansion of youth development programming that has reached more than 20,000 boys and girls since 2022, including plans to expand from the four existing Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Region to six leagues this fall and 12 leagues by 2028.

Abu Dhabi will also host two annual basketball tournaments featuring top youth and elite players from around the world, starting with the 2025 NBA Academy Showcase in Abu Dhabi, which was held at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus from Sept. 25-27 and featured top high-school-age players from four elite basketball programs: NBA Academy Africa (Senegal), IMG Academy (U.S.), INSEP (France) and the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

The NBA Academy program provides a holistic approach to player development and a predictable pathway to maximize their potential.  The program emphasizes health and wellness, character development, and life skills and gives athletes the opportunity to learn the game from coaches with professional, collegiate and international experience.  More than 150 NBA Academy student-athletes have represented their national teams at various levels, more than 100 have committed to or gone on to attend NCAA Division I schools in the U.S., and more than 40 have played, are playing, or have signed to play professionally, including 15 who have advanced to the NBA.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ featured two sold-out preseason games between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The games were part of a multiyear collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that features preseason NBA Global Games, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League, a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, an NBA 2K League exhibition event and a series of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and NBA Cares clinics promoting health and wellness while teaching the fundamentals of the sport and instilling core values including teamwork, respect and sportsmanship.

NBA games have aired in the UAE since the 1987-88 season.  Eight NBA teams have played preseason games in Abu Dhabi since 2022. Since the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games, basketball participation has increased by 60% in the UAE and basketball’s fanbase in the country has grown by more than 25%, according to YouGov research.

Fans can follow the NBA on Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3NzNau0) and X (https://apo-opa.co/49OROvs) (@ NBAArabic) for the latest updates, news and content in Arabic. NBA fans in the UAE and across the Middle East can shop online at https://NBAStoreME.com and at the NBA Store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi for the widest selection of official NBA merchandise in the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contact:
Catherine Hart
NBA EME Communications
+44 7834 900390
chart@nba.com

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit https://DCT.Gov.ae and https://VisitAbuDhabi.ae. For Abu Dhabi Calendar, please visit https://apo-opa.co/4jSi8t8.

About the NBA:
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2025-26 season featured a record 135 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, www.NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.5 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social impact platform celebrating its 20th year, drives change on issues facing fans and communities in the areas of health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and inclusion, and sustainability.

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Talentz MEDIA Releases Global & African Pulse Report on Entertainment and African Artists

Source: APO

Talentz MEDIA (https://TalentzMEDIA.com) has officially released the Global & African Pulse Report on Entertainment, a comprehensive industry insight document examining the current state, growth trajectory, and global influence of African artists and the entertainment ecosystem across the continent.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4r8OO48

The report delivers an authoritative overview of Africa’s fast-evolving creative industry, with focus areas including music, film, digital entertainment, live performances, content creation, and artist branding. It captures how African creatives are leveraging digital platforms, cultural authenticity, and cross-border collaborations to gain global recognition.

According to the Global & African Pulse Report, Africa’s entertainment sector is undergoing a transformational shift, powered by youth-driven innovation, streaming services, social media visibility, and independent distribution channels. African artists are increasingly positioning themselves as global cultural ambassadors, exporting sound, style, and stories worldwide.

“African entertainment has moved beyond local relevance to global impact. Artists across the continent are shaping trends, influencing markets, and building sustainable creative careers,” the report states.

Key Insights from the Report Include:

  • The rise of African artists in global music and film markets
  • Digital monetization trends and audience growth across Africa
  • Opportunities and challenges facing emerging creatives
  • The role of media, technology, and policy in industry development
  • Strategic recommendations for investors, media houses, and stakeholders

The report further highlights the importance of credible media platforms, fair compensation, intellectual property protection, and strategic partnerships in strengthening Africa’s entertainment value chain.

Talentz MEDIA calls on industry stakeholders, policymakers, creative entrepreneurs, investors, and cultural institutions to engage with the findings and support sustainable growth within Africa’s creative economy.

The Global & African Pulse Report on Entertainment is now available and serves as a vital reference point for understanding the future of African entertainment and its artists.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Talentz MEDIA.

Media Contact:
Talentz MEDIA
Email: admin@talentzmedia.com

About Talentz MEDIA:
Talentz MEDIA is a leading African digital media and entertainment platform committed to promoting African talent, entertainment news, creative excellence, and cultural narratives across the continent and beyond.

Website: https://TalentzMEDIA.com

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Suspect appears in court for attempted bribery

Source: Government of South Africa

Suspect appears in court for attempted bribery

A 22-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Pretoria North Magistrate Court this morning for attempting to bribe a senior Tshwane Metro Police official.

The suspect was arrested on Thursday by members of the Pretoria-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) unit.

It is alleged that on 9 January 2026, a Commissioner from the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department received an email from the suspect, who claimed to be an unsuccessful applicant in the City of Tshwane recruitment process. 

In the email, the suspect allegedly requested the Commissioner’s assistance to secure her appointment and offered a gratification of R10 000 in exchange for facilitating the process.

The matter was subsequently reported to the Pretoria Hawks’ SCI for further investigation. 

On 22 January 2026, a police operation was conducted, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect after she allegedly handed over an amount of R3 000 to the complainant at Wonderboom Junction Shopping Centre.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, commended the Serious Corruption Investigation team for their swift response to the complaint. 

He further urged public officials to promptly report any acts of corruption to the Hawks. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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