Author: Prudence Makoge
It’s the same cycle: It’s January. The Christmas decorations are coming down, the “Detty December” dust has settled, and the “New Year, New Me” energy is vibrating through every diary and strategy session in Nigeria. If you are a business owner or a creative, you are probably looking at a blank 2026 calendar right now with a mix of excitement and mild panic. You’ve likely written down some big, audacious goals: “I want to hit 50k followers on Instagram.” “I want to make ₦30 million in Q1.” “I want my brand to go viral.” These ambitions are beautiful. But as…
New Orlando Pirates signing Andre de Jong has set his sights on helping the Buccaneers end their long wait for a league title, expressing confidence that the club has what it takes to challenge this season. The New Zealand international joined Pirates during the January transfer window and admits the timing of the move came with its challenges, but says the excitement of joining one of South Africa’s biggest clubs outweighed everything else. De Jong is one of the three Pirates signings during the January transfer, the others are Daniel Msendami and Mpho Chabatsane. “I’m extremely excited to join Orlando…
Photo Credit: Ciara/Instagram Ciara is back in Benin — this time on a much bigger stage. The Grammy-winning singer returned to the country in early January 2026 to perform at Vodun Days, just months after being granted Beninese citizenship, marking her first major public appearance in Benin since her naturalisation. She was naturalised in July 2025 through a legal framework created to recognise people of African descent whose ancestors were deported from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. The policy, overseen through the My Afro Origins platform, forms part of a broader state-led approach that combines remembrance, cultural heritage and…
Although the year has just begun, Violet Semenya is already advancing her career. The 2025 Ministerial Award recipient at the gsport Awards has just returned with Team SA from the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, where both South Africa’s senior and junior women posted a solid top-10 finish. Semenya expressed deep gratitude for this opportunity, noting it is a wonderful way to begin the new year. “This opportunity means a great deal to me. Being entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the national team at a World Championship is both humbling and affirming,” said Semenya. “It reflects years…
Photo Credit: Teniola Aladese/Instagram Grab your popcorn and clear your schedules, BNers! If you thought 2025 was a vibe, Netflix is making sure 2026 is an absolute cinematic feast. The streaming giant has just pulled back the curtain on its African slate, and between the gritty thrillers, steamy dramas, and the reality TV we all secretly live for, we are in for a very busy year. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the scenic views of Cape Town and the moody vibes of Accra, the continent is taking centre stage. Here is your ultimate guide to the African stories…
Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has explained Marco van Staden’s selection at hooker in a 6-2 bench for Friday night’s must-win Investec Champions Cup clash against Pau. The most interesting call is that of Springbok loose forward Marco van Staden as hooker cover, with Akker van der Merwe wearing the No 2 jersey at the Stade du Hameau. Regular starter Johan Grobbelaar has been given a rest having got through a mountain of work recently, according to Ackermann. “Akker can really do with a big block of playing time and if he can play for most, if not all of…
Created with the elegant Yoruba bride in mind, these beautifully curated bridal looks by Style Headquarters are a true celebration of grace and beauty. Each outfit stands out in its own way — unique, sparkling, and absolutely breathtaking. Atunbi — The Renaissance aims to change the game for Yoruba brides who want culture to crown their big day, with a modern twist. The name means “rebirth,” and that’s exactly what this collection delivers. Every detail has been carefully thought through, from the way each dress is structured to the striking fabric. The collection centres on three different hues for brides…
The message from McInnes has been clear all season – ‘judge us after two rounds of fixtures’. The campaign has now reached that stage.And if this is to be Hearts’ Judgement Day, Baningime’s red card somehow helped their cause for salvation.Going into this game, they were the heavy favourites. St Mirren are circling the drain, an injury crisis in midfield having ripped the heart out of Stephen Robinson’s League Cup winners.But being expected to win is not something Hearts have always been comfortable with. In their only blip in form this season, they were held by St Mirren, Dundee United,…
Photo Credit: Wunmi Mosaku/Instagram Pregnancy glow, is that you on Wunmi Mosaku? We were already obsessed with Wunmi’s performance in “Sinners,” but her 2026 Golden Globes red carpet arrival on 11 January just raised the bar. Not only did she look incredible in a bright yellow Matthew Reisman gown, but she also used the night to announce her second pregnancy. Talk about a major moment. The dress featured a high turtleneck style and a cape that added some serious length to her silhouette. Yellow is officially Wunmi’s colour, it felt fresh and looked amazing against her skin. She kept the…
Laura Wolvaardt, captain of the Proteas women’s team, has achieved superstar status, and if 2025 is anything to go by, we can expect another big year for the leader of the South Africa senior women’s national cricket teams. She is currently the world’s top-ranked One Day International batter, having scored 571 runs at the recent Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, including two centuries in the semi-final and final. She also just surpassed 2,000 runs in the 2025-ending Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, delivering match-winning performances for the Adelaide Strikers. After her contributions in Australia. The prolific batter returned…