South African luxury fashion house MaXhosa Africa has officially made fashion history by becoming the first Southern African brand to stage a full runway show on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar.

Led by founder and creative director Laduma Ngxokolo, the monumental event marked the brand's triumphant transition from its 2023 independent presentation formats to earning a coveted, official slot on the prestigious Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode schedule.

This milestone Spring/Summer 2027 showcase took place amidst a star-studded Paris Fashion Week running from 28 September through 6 October 2026, positioning the African luxury brand alongside global titans like Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.

The collection, titled ‘Izihlwele Zivumile’ - an isiXhosa phrase translating to "the ancestors have approved" - reflects a deeply emotional 16-year journey for Ngxokolo. He described the showcase as a definitive new chapter reflecting on the generations that shaped the brand and the long road that brought them to Paris.

A central narrative piece of this journey was the introduction of the MaXhosa Africa Passport, designed as a physical symbol of the roots, travel, and cultural stories the team carries with them, culminating in a collection defined by cultural diplomacy and regal artistry.

In a deliberate move of cultural diplomacy, Ngxokolo staged the show within the gilded rooms of the South African Ambassador’s residence in Paris, hosted by Ambassador Ayanda Dlodlo.

Thebe Ikalafeng, founder and chairman of Brand Africa, noted that Ngxokolo appropriately chose the venue because charity begins at home. To deeply ground the European venue in African heritage, the traditional runway was entirely replaced with woven African straw mats.

Across this texturised runway, the brand debuted 54 unique looks heavily rooted in Pan Africanism, including a standout knitwear dress bearing the names of every African country, alongside an outfit referencing the United Nations' newly corrected map that accurately scales the African continent.

The artistry on display expanded far beyond the brand's signature knitwear, introducing dramatic, structured head and eye pieces that added an avant-garde dimension to the silhouettes.

The Regal Beaded Cowrie Crown, a crown-like headpiece embellished with cowrie shells and the white MaXhosa symbol, paid striking homage to ancestral royalty and instantly captured the hearts of international fashionistas. 

Bloemfontein-born rising star, model, radio broadcaster and media personality Angela Linda has added another major milestone to her growing career after joining the cast of the much-anticipated return of South Africa’s iconic television drama, Soul City.

After a 12-year hiatus, the historic edutainment series returns to television as Soul City: Let’s Rise, directed by Pheello Mofokeng and set to premiere on SABC 1 on Sunday, 30 August 2026.

Linda, who had been teasing fans throughout the week with behind-the-scenes glimpses from the set and camera setups, took to social media to announce the exciting development.

“I want to remind you guys that Bloem Child, your dreams are valid,” she told her followers, while encouraging them to tune in for the comeback.

In the new series, Linda will play a character who shares her first name, Linda.

The official daytime media launch was held this week at Urban Tree in Johannesburg, bringing together members of the cast, industry stakeholders and partners who shared the vision for the new season.

The revamped drama promises a bold, intergenerational storyline tackling some of South Africa’s most pressing social challenges, including gender-based violence, HIV, youth challenges, parenting and community resilience, while also celebrating sisterhood, love and collective action.

Linda also made a statement with her fashion choice at the cinema-style launch, arriving in green cargo pants paired with a floral, Chinese-inspired shirt.

Explaining her look, she said she was making a conscious effort to embrace colour.

“I almost wore black. The closest colour was white, but I ended up embracing colour. The vibe is giving Asia, somewhere in Japan,” Linda said.

The star-studded launch attracted several prominent figures, including veteran actress Salamina Mosese, Deputy Minister Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu, Gauteng Social Development HOD Shoki Tshabalala, as well as several former Soul City cast members.

Founded in 1992 by two doctors at the Alexandra Clinic, the Soul City Institute for Social Justice grew into a household name from 1994, using multimedia storytelling to tackle major public health and social issues affecting South Africans.

For Linda, the return of Soul City comes at an important moment, particularly as the country continues to grapple with complex social challenges.

“It’s so, so, so important that the show is back because I believe in the power of edutainment, the power of reaching out to all audiences and informing them on all the social issues that we are facing,” she said.

She added that the programme could go beyond raising awareness by helping audiences understand how to navigate and address the challenges confronting their communities.

Linda said she was particularly proud to be part of a production that seeks to educate and inspire a new generation.

“That is why Soul City is so important to educate. I am so proud of the entire production, the entire cast and Soul City as an institute itself for the important work that you are doing. We really hope that the audience receives us well,” she said.

As Soul City: Let’s Rise prepares to return to screens, Linda’s latest achievement marks another promising step for the Bloemfontein-born media personality, whose career continues to expand across broadcasting, modelling and television.

Award-winning South African hip-hop stars Kwesta and Nasty C are set to headline the highly anticipated Ngwathe Spring Festival, promising music lovers an exciting entertainment experience as the municipality welcomes the new season.

The festival is expected to draw crowds from across Ngwathe and neighbouring areas, with the star-studded line-up aimed at providing residents and visitors with a memorable celebration.

Organisers have confirmed that Katlehong-born rapper and songwriter Kwesta and Nasty C will share the stage with Ntate Stunna, Sjava and other performers at Fezile Dabi Stadium in Tumahole, Parys, on September 26.

According to the Edgar Legoale Foundation, the pairing of the two acclaimed rappers has attracted particular attention, bringing together different generations of South African hip-hop on one stage.

“The combination of big-name performers, a scenic Free State venue and strong community interest has turned the Ngwathe Spring Experience into the province’s most talked-about festival of the season,” said the foundation.

The Ngwathe Spring Experience forms part of a broader month-long programme in the area. Events leading up to the main festival include a tourism expo, camping experience, business breakfast and golf day.

The programme aims to showcase Ngwathe’s tourism potential, support local businesses and create a comprehensive lifestyle and entertainment offering for visitors.

Linked to the work of the Edgar Legoale Foundation, the festival is positioned as one of the biggest music and lifestyle events in the Free State this year.

From an aspiring radio host to a trailblazing pageant king, Ernest Mofokeng is living proof that the runway knows no gender.

For decades, the glitz, glamour, and competitive grit of the modelling and pageantry industries have been widely perceived as a woman’s world.

From towering high heels to historic crownings, the runway has traditionally been paved by female icons. 

However, 32-year-old Bloemfontein native Ernest Mofokeng is shattering that glass ceiling, proving that a modern man cannot just survive in this space, but command it.

Widely celebrated as the reigning Mr Central South Africa (MrCSA), Mofokeng is rapidly becoming one of the country’s most formidable multi-hyphenate talents. 

Born in November 1993, Mofokeng initially harboured dreams of dominating the airwaves, deeply inspired by local South African broadcasting legends. Instead, destiny guided him toward a different kind of mic and a much larger stage: the fashion runway.

Stepping into an industry heavily populated by women requires immense confidence, a thick skin, and undeniable talent. 

Mofokeng possesses all three. He recently clinched the coveted 'Best Male Model' award at Free State Fashion Week (FSFW), cementing his status as a premier face for the organization's anniversary events and seasonal rollouts. 

Whether he is walking for high-end boutique designers from Gauteng or anchoring luxury heritage showcases like the Qoai Fashion Show at Bloemfontein’s annual Lemo Fest, Mofokeng brings a distinct, powerful masculinity to the catwalk. 

His signature look, often featuring impeccably tailored formalwear and "Harvard-inspired" menswear has redefined regional style trends.

For Mofokeng, breaking into this industry was never just about wearing nice clothes; it was about leveraging a platform. 

He has seamlessly translated his MrCSA title into a vehicle for heavy-hitting social advocacy. 

Most notably, he has become a vocal champion for youth empowerment, spearheading the vital "Men Against GBV" (Gender-Based Violence) campaign. 

By using his visibility to challenge toxic mindsets, he is rewriting the script on what it means to be a male role model in modern South Africa.

While many know him from the flashbulbs of the runway, Mofokeng operates heavily behind the scenes as a shrewd entrepreneur, talent manager, and model coach. By collaborating with prominent regional talent networks like YEZ Models, he runs runway masterclasses and pageantry clinics, passing his hard-earned expertise down to the next generation of aspiring stars.

His digital footprint reflects this multifaceted hustle. 

On Instagram, his content is a masterclass in modern branding. Followers are treated to a dynamic mix of sleek runway portfolios, vibrant lifestyle promotion of local nightlife hubs, and raw, behind-the-scenes reels. He even captures the digital market via Facebook’s subscription feature, granting loyal fans an exclusive look into his personal journey through his "Becoming Ernest Mofokeng" series.