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South Africa is set to take its musical talent to the international stage as Tembisa Serenade, a trio of young singers consisting of Lesedi Kahla, Alakhe Cita and Londele Bukali, prepares to represent the country at the International Junior Song Contest Our Generation 2026. The international television competition celebrates young singers and original songwriting, providing children and teenagers with an opportunity to showcase their musical abilities, share their cultural identities and connect with young artists from different parts of the world.

The 2026 competition final is scheduled to take place on 20 November in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. For Tembisa Serenade, participation presents an opportunity to showcase South African youth talent and culture on an international platform. Their journey also offers an opportunity to explore how the trio came together, what led to their selection, the inspiration behind their competition song and the message they hope to communicate to audiences through their music. Instagram · Twitter

As South Africa prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections on 4 November, the focus is on encouraging young people to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities. Local government plays a direct role in people's everyday lives, from the provision of basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation to the maintenance of roads and the development of local infrastructure. However, despite being among the most important stakeholders in the country's future, young people can become disengaged from the electoral process, particularly when frustration over unemployment, service delivery and political leadership influences their confidence in voting.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has called on young South Africans to turn out and vote, stressing that choosing not to participate means allowing others to make decisions on their behalf. This conversation will explore why young people should not underestimate the power of their vote, how local government decisions affect their daily lives, and what responsibility elected leaders have in addressing the concerns of younger generations. It will also examine how young voters can move beyond election day and remain actively involved in holding their local representatives accountable. Instagram · Twitter

As the 2026 academic year approaches its final examination period, university students are facing one of the most demanding times of the year. Between preparing for examinations, completing outstanding assignments, meeting academic deadlines and managing the expectations placed on them, many students find themselves physically and emotionally exhausted. For some, the pressure to perform academically is accompanied by financial difficulties, family responsibilities and the uncertainty of what life after graduation will look like.

Academic stress is often considered a normal part of university life, but there is a growing concern about how easily students have become accustomed to functioning under constant pressure. Long study hours, inadequate sleep, anxiety about results and the fear of academic failure can affect students' ability to concentrate, retain information and perform effectively. This raises an important question: when does the pressure associated with studying move beyond ordinary academic stress and become burnout? Instagram · Twitter

Varsity Vibe is a student-focused platform that connects students with discounts and deals from businesses across various sectors, including restaurants, retail, entertainment and lifestyle. By giving students access to more affordable products and experiences, the platform addresses the financial pressures many young people face while studying. However, beyond helping students save money, Varsity Vibe presents an interesting business model built around connecting a specific consumer market with businesses looking to attract new customers.

At the centre of this conversation is how Varsity Vibe generates revenue while offering students discounts. When businesses agree to provide reduced prices, they are effectively investing in the opportunity to reach a student audience and encourage spending. This raises important questions about how the platform secures business partnerships, demonstrates value to participating businesses, and turns its growing student base into a commercially valuable market. Understanding student spending habits and consumer behaviour may also create opportunities for businesses to tailor their products and marketing strategies to younger customers.

For young entrepreneurs, Varsity Vibe offers an opportunity to explore how a business can solve a real problem while remaining financially sustainable. From attracting and retaining users to managing partnerships, growing revenue and ensuring that discounts remain commercially viable, the platform highlights the balance between customer value and profitability. The conversation will unpack what it takes to build and scale a student-focused business, while exploring the lessons aspiring entrepreneurs can learn about identifying a market need, developing a sustainable business model and turning an idea into a profitable venture. Instagram · Twitter

South Africa’s trade relationship with the United States has come under renewed pressure following the reported decision by US President Donald Trump to terminate South Africa’s participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The programme provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the American market, allowing qualifying products to enter the US under reduced or zero tariffs. For South African businesses, this access has helped create export opportunities and maintain commercial relationships with American buyers.

The termination raises concerns about the potential economic consequences for South African industries that depend on exports to the United States. Sectors such as agriculture, automotive manufacturing and other export-oriented industries could face increased costs or lose some of their competitive advantage if their products become subject to higher tariffs. The impact, however, will depend on the products affected, the alternative trade arrangements available and whether businesses can find new markets for their goods.

For South Africa, the issue extends beyond trade figures to questions about jobs, investment and economic growth. Businesses facing higher export costs may reconsider expansion plans, while workers in affected industries could face uncertainty if companies experience declining demand. The decision also raises broader questions about South Africa’s trade and diplomatic relationship with the United States, the country's dependence on major international markets, and the steps government and businesses can take to protect the economy. For ordinary South Africans, the key question is whether these developments could eventually affect employment opportunities, household incomes and the cost of living Instagram · Twitter

two days to go before the Local Government Elections, the spotlight is on the City of Joburg

The city continues to grapple with challenges around service delivery, financial management, infrastructure maintenance and political instability, raising questions about accountability, administrative capacity and the effectiveness of successive administrations.

While political parties have put forward their mayoral candidates and outlined their plans for Johannesburg, the critical question is whether they have credible solutions to address the city's governance challenges.

Johannesburg is facing a crisis of political leadership, administrative failure or deeper systemic governance problems, and what the next administration must do to restore stability and public confidence

This coming Wednesday With local government elections approaching on 4 November, Johannesburg’s water challenges have become an important service delivery issue. How significant should water provision be when residents decide which political party to vote for?Water disruptions have raised concerns about infrastructure, municipal planning, accountability and the government’s ability to ensure a consistent water supply. WaterCAN has been vocal about the need for stronger government intervention and a more effective response to the crisis.

As we reflect on South Africa’s local government elections, we want to look beyond the election results and examine what they mean for ordinary South Africans, particularly young people.

Area Code is a fun and interactive mid-morning show on VOW, which airs weekdays from 09:00-12:00. This show aims to ease listeners into their mornings by keeping them up-to-date with the latest news and trends, while also serving as a student’s “go-to” for campus-related events and information. Instagram · Twitter

Area Code is a fun and interactive mid-morning show on VOW, which airs weekdays from 09:00-12:00. This show aims to ease listeners into their mornings by keeping them up-to-date with the latest news and trends, while also serving as a student’s “go-to” for campus-related events and information. Instagram · Twitter