Mvula

For many South Africans and cinema-goers around the world, the first introduction to Presley Chweneyagae came in the form of a quiet, intense performance that needed no bravado to leave its mark. As the lead character in Tsotsi, South Africa’s first film to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Chweneyagae brought an incredible depth to a troubled young man navigating the fractured streets of Johannesburg. His portrayal of a hardened gangster softened by an unexpected moral awakening resonated across cultural and geographic lines. The performance was so raw and so intimate that it elevated the film to international acclaim and marked the arrival of a new talent…

Across the rolling plains, dry veld and scattered villages of South Africa’s rural provinces, women hold families and communities together with quiet strength. They nurture children, tend livestock, manage small farms, and navigate complex social and economic pressures, all too often with little support. Their emotional resilience is formidable, but not limitless. Depression, anxiety, and trauma are widespread, yet the mental health services required to address these challenges are practically non-existent in the places where they are needed most. Recognising this dire gap, the Mvula Trust, in partnership with several grassroots health organisations, has launched a groundbreaking initiative,  a mental-health hotline designed specifically for rural women. The Rural Women’s Mental-Health…

When an 88-year-old Ndebele artist collaborates with one of the world’s leading car manufacturers on a colour-changing electric vehicle, you know the rules of luxury are being rewritten. And when that artist is none other than Dr. Esther Mahlangu, South Africa’s most iconic living painter, the fusion isn’t just stylish, it’s seismic. Earlier this year, BMW unveiled its new i5 Flow “Nostokana”, a futuristic electric car wrapped in programmable e‑ink panels that pulse with colour and pattern. But the real star of this show wasn’t the battery tech or German precision engineering. It was the unmistakable hand of Mahlangu: bold lines, geometric symmetry, and the vibrant palette of Ndebele heritage.…

In the bustling of Cape Town this winter, an inspiring initiative is quietly revolutionising how young South Africans engage with the future of technology. A new AI-focused Winter School Bootcamp is opening its doors to high school learners from under-resourced communities across the Western Cape, offering more than just a holiday distraction. Instead, it promises a life-changing immersion into the world of artificial intelligence, coding, and future-focused career paths. As technology rapidly reshapes the fabric of modern life, it is often the case that rural and township communities are left trailing in its wake. Access to high-speed internet, digital devices, and quality STEM education is patchy at best, and the…

This coming August, Pretoria will be transformed into a living tapestry of tradition and modernity as it hosts the highly anticipated Indigenous Craft and Music Festival 2025. The event is poised to be a landmark in the country’s cultural calendar, offering an immersive journey into South Africa’s vast artistic heritage. From the delicate weavings of ancestral artistry to the pulse of traditional and modern music, the festival promises to be a deeply human celebration, rooted in history, and alive with future possibilities. The festival will span multiple days, threading its way through Pretoria’s central parklands, historic sites and public squares. In doing so, it underscores an essential message, culture is…

In a world dominated by urgent headlines and daily chaos, it’s easy to forget that behind uniforms, titles, and duties are real people capable of extraordinary kindness. On the crisp Monday morning of June 2, 2025, a routine moment in Durban transformed into something heartwarming. Metro Officer Zama, a member of Durban Metro Police, unknowingly stepped into the spotlight for the best reason possible, genuine compassion. It all started when Lorraine Marriott and her daughter found themselves stuck on the side of the road. Their car had broken down in a stretch of Durban not known for its friendliness to stranded motorists. Vulnerable and unsure of what to do next,…

In the arid expanse of South Africa’s Karoo, where drought and water scarcity are part of daily life, access to clean drinking water has long been an urgent issue. Amid this harsh reality, a forward-thinking pilot project is introducing solar-powered water purification units to some of the region’s most remote communities. Designed for mobility and simplicity, these units harness the Karoo’s abundant sunlight to purify groundwater and limited surface sources, delivering thousands of litres of safe, drinkable water each day without the need for traditional infrastructure. Already, the impact is visible. In places like Victoria West, communities that once depended on inconsistent borehole deliveries now have a reliable source of…

Elon Musk’s journey from Pretoria to becoming one of the most influential figures in technology and space exploration is a story of relentless ambition. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has disrupted industries ranging from electric vehicles to private space travel, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. His impact extends far beyond his companies—his innovations have redefined global transportation, communications, and the push for interplanetary colonisation. Yet, despite his global success, Musk’s South African roots played a key role in shaping his outlook. Growing up in Pretoria, he developed a deep interest in science and engineering, which laid the foundation for his later ventures. His story is not just…

As climate change continues to reshape weather patterns across the globe, South Africa has found itself increasingly vulnerable to drought and water scarcity. For rural communities already struggling with access to safe, consistent water sources, these environmental shifts are not distant threats, they are daily realities. Amid this uncertainty, a centuries-old practice is gaining new relevance, rainwater harvesting. Organisations like The Mvula Trust have recognised that resilience starts with local solutions. By equipping communities with the tools and knowledge to harvest rainwater, they are not just improving access, they are empowering self-sufficiency, improving health outcomes, and strengthening climate resilience. In 2025, rainwater harvesting is no longer just a backup plan,…

​Born on December 22, 1979, in Mokwasele village, Modjadji, South Africa, Rali Mampeule’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in real estate is both inspiring and instructive. Starting as a street hawker selling boerewors rolls while pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree through UNISA, Mampeule’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to the real estate sector. In 2001, he began his career as an assistant real estate agent at Chas Everitt International Property Group in Bryanston, Johannesburg. By 2004, he acquired a Chas Everitt franchise in Midrand, becoming the first Black real estate top executive in South African history. Mampeule’s commitment to education saw him completing an Advanced Management…