The seventh edition of Picnic in the North (PiTN) is set to rock Clarens on 5 December 2026 for its annual summer gathering.

Launched in 2020 the popular 500-guest event has grown into a major multi-day tourism attraction that has added a unique nightlife offering to the Clarens travel and leisure experience.

Speaking exclusively to Journal News Network (JNN) ahead of the showpiece, popular DJ, entrepreneur and PITN founder, Shaxe Khumalo, shared that the initial concept stemmed from a trip he took to the scenic mountainous Eastern Free State, noting that he was amazed by the beauty of Clarens and wanted to create a getaway for people to take a break and shake off year-end fatigue.

This year features a Caribbean Island theme, backed by corporate partners such as Vodacom, Mitsubishi, Martell, SAB, and Arabella Wines, with a strict no-cooler-box rule enforced.

A multi-city promotional campaign leading up to the main event includes stops at Cappello Bloem, IZA Rooftop, Mokone Lifestyle in Kimberley, and Black Spade in Thaba Nchu.

Khumalo highlighted that the event prioritises local youth empowerment by hiring runners, security, and event crews directly from surrounding areas like Bethlehem, Fouriesburg and Paul Roux.

“We want to make the people of the Eastern Free State feel completely integrated into the brand. But more importantly, it's about youth empowerment.

“We don’t want to bus in staff from Bloemfontein. The runners, cleaning crews, event security, and parking marshals are all hired locally from the surrounding areas,” he added.

Khumalo shared that his musical set relies on reading the crowd in real time rather than using a fixed tracklist.

“Unapologetically, I play for the women. When the ladies are happy, the vibe is right. I don’t plan a rigid tracklist. I assess the room, feel the energy, and choose my first song. Once they sing along, I know exactly where to take them. Whether it’s smooth RnB, classic Kwaito, or the latest Afrobeat anthems, it’s just about delivering good music,” he said.

To execute the event smoothly, Khumalo also revealed that he relies substantively on a dedicated operations team comprising his brother, Pablo Khumalo, as well as event specialist, Lesley Jennings, to execute the show smoothly.

“On the day of the event, I’m just the happiest guy there because I trust my team completely. My phone can even be off,” said the popular jock.

Supported by the Dihlabeng Municipality and the Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism, ticket sales are currently open via Webtickets.

Faku died on Monday while on tour in Switzerland at the age of 63.

Legendary musician Feya Faku has been remembered as a gentleman who loved to share his experience with others.

Faku died on Monday while on tour in Switzerland at the age of 63.

The trumpeter has been praised by industry colleagues as a musical giant.

Jazz and documentary photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi, said: "It’s a big shoe to fill, it’s a big tree that has fallen. I think we have to pick up as much as we can. His contribution in the arts as a whole is immense, it’s something we are going to live with for the rest of our lives and I hope and I wish we will be able to celebrate his legacy and that it remains as intact as it can be."

*This article was first published by Eye Witness News

Written by SADAG Project Manager: Krystle Kemp

Tertiary education should be a time when students look forward to bright futures with the world at their feet, but the sobering reality is that many are silently battling mental health struggles that cast long shadows over their potential. 
What should be years of growth and opportunity have become, for too many South African stu-dents, a period of anxiety, depression, and isolation as they navigate overwhelming pressures without adequate support.
Mental health challenges among South African tertiary students have reached alarming levels, with recent research showing that nearly half of undergraduate students at one Johannesburg University screened positive for probable depression.
Recognising the increasing pressures faced by students in higher education and the critical im-portance of proactive mental health support, Eduvos have strengthened its commitment to this vital area. As part of this ongoing dedication, Eduvos recently announced a new collaboration with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). 
This partnership aims to significantly enhance the mental health support services available to students at Eduvos, providing them with greater access to resources and assistance. This initia-tive is a direct response to the challenges students face and seeks to provide them with the nec-essary tools and support systems to navigate their academic journey while prioritising their mental well-being. 
Eduvos believes that by working closely with SADAG, they can create a more supportive and understanding environment for students struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
The Impact on Students
Mental health issues significantly affect young people in tertiary institutions, impairing aca-demic performance, reducing productivity, and increasing vulnerability to substance abuse. The transition to university life presents unique challenges that can trigger or worsen mental health conditions.
According to research conducted at the University of the Witwatersrand, 48% of surveyed stu-dents screened positive for probable depression. Similarly, a national student survey revealed high prevalence rates for anxiety disorders (37.1%) and disruptive behaviour disorders (38.7%), with social anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and ADHD being most common.
Key Contributors to Student Mental Health Issues
Several factors contribute to the mental health challenges faced by tertiary students:
Economic pressure: Students with financial constraints are more likely to experience depres-sion than those with better economic status. Black students attending Historically White Insti-tutions face elevated risks compared to white students.
Substance use: Cannabis use was associated with a 29% higher likelihood of screening positive for depression.
Identity and inclusion: Gender non-conforming students have a 30% higher risk of mental dis-orders, while female and sexual minority students face 20% higher risks.
Academic pressure: The transition to more independent learning creates significant stress for many students.
Taking Care of Mental Health
Recognising the urgent need for mental health support, SADAG recommends several approach-es:
Seek professional help: SADAG operates over 12 dedicated Higher Learning Helplines. The Higher Health helpline (0800 36 36 36) is available to all students nationwide, operates 24/7, and is toll-free.
Join peer support groups: SADAG offers free online bi-weekly Peer Support Group meetings.
Practice self-care: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, healthy eating, and mindfulness practices can significantly improve mental wellbeing.
Understand warning signs: Learning to recognise symptoms of mental health conditions allows for early intervention.
Reduce substance use: Given the connection with mental health issues, minimising alcohol and drug consumption is advisable.
SADAG's Commitment to Student Mental Health
"A few years ago we identified a need for more student-related Support Groups," explains SADAG Project Manager Krystle Kemp. "Starting to study at any tertiary institution can be a massive adjustment as students enter the adult world and become more independent. This can be incredibly challenging while trying to find a balance between students' social lives, studying and, in some cases, working simultaneously."
The collaboration between the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and Eduvos demonstrates a shared dedication to fostering environments that nurture the holistic well-being of students, enabling them to flourish in both their academic journeys and emotional lives. The initiative establishes and strengthens peer support networks and recognises the vital role that connection and shared experiences play in promoting mental wellness. One of the primary goals of SADAG and Eduvos is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health is-sues. This partnership aims to create a culture of understanding and acceptance, empowering students to seek assistance when needed. Eduvos and SADAG strive to ensure that students re-ceive the support they require to thrive throughout their academic journeys.
For more information about SADAG's student support services, visit
www.sadag.org or contact the Higher Health helpline at 0800 36 36 36.

As the world scrambled to roll out Covid-19 vaccines in 2021, millions of South Africans received mRNA jabs with confidence — unaware that top US health officials were sitting on growing concerns about serious heart-related side effects. 

A damning new report by US Senator Ron Johnson reveals that American authorities were alerted to a potential link between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and conditions like myocarditis and pericarditis as early as February 2021, yet delayed warning the public for months.

Implications for South Africa

Now, as South Africans report similar complications, questions are being raised about whether local authorities were also kept in the dark — and what that has meant for informed consent.

As many South Africans continue to report post-vaccine complications, the findings have reignited concerns around the adequacy of information provided to the public during the country’s rollout. 

For those who experienced symptoms like heart inflammation, the silence from health authorities now feels like a betrayal.

According to the 54-page interim report, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were aware of “large reports of myocarditis” among young vaccine recipients, but only moved to update the vaccine safety labels in late June 2021. 

This means millions of people across the globe — including in South Africa — received mRNA shots without being informed of these potential risks.

“Even though CDC and FDA officials were well aware of the risk of myocarditis following Covid-19 vaccination, the US administration opted to withhold issuing a formal warning to the public for months about the safety concerns,” the report states.

What is Myocarditis?

Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, inflammation of the sac around the heart, can cause chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, and in rare cases, long-term cardiac damage. 

Myopericarditis, a combination of both, has also been reported. While these side effects are rare, they appear more frequently in young males and often emerge shortly after the second dose of the vaccine.

South Africa relied heavily on Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine during its national rollout. The US report raises concerns about whether international partners like South Africa received the necessary data to make timely and transparent decisions about public health messaging. 

If US authorities withheld warnings, were local health departments in a position to issue appropriate guidance — or were they operating under incomplete information?

One pivotal moment came on 28 February 2021, when an Israeli health official contacted the CDC and FDA to flag 40 cases of post-vaccination myocarditis in young people. 

Despite the warning and Israel’s significantly higher vaccination rate at the time, the US chose not to act publicly for several more months.

During this silence, frontline doctors who attempted to raise red flags about the potential risks were reportedly censored or discredited. “Around the time of internal CDC deliberations over myocarditis,” Senator Johnson writes, “his office received a growing number of letters from doctors and other healthcare professionals who experienced suppression and censoring of this information they were experiencing.”

Eventually, on June 25, 2021, the FDA added warnings to the Pfizer and Moderna labels about the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. But by then, millions of people — including many South Africans — had already been vaccinated without that knowledge.

The report's release comes just a day after the FDA announced tighter requirements for booster shot administration, adding further fuel to the debate about transparency, trust, and accountability in the global vaccine effort.

Published - IOL Lifestyle

In a modern society where cancel culture reigns supreme, public figures face intense scrutiny often leaving many of them in career-ending backlash, damaged reputations, unemployment and lost opportunities.