The prestigious Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards concluded its 3rd annual ceremony at The Capital on The Park in Sandton, on 22 June. Celebrating the remarkable achievements of young African brand owners who have redefined industries and demonstrated exceptional excellence in building their own brands, the awards ceremony was hosted by the talented TV presenter, radio personality, MC and voice-over artist, Kgosi Rankhumise, alongside the esteemed former Miss Botswana, Palesa Molefe.

From a competitive pool of 76 nominees from across Africa, with votes from over 30,000 individuals, the winning brands have demonstrated exceptional impact and innovation in their respective fields. The Top 16 YOBAs celebrate not only entrepreneurial success but also the significant contributions of youth-led initiatives to the African business landscape.

And The Winners Are…

1.     Top Agriculture - Optimum Poultry

2.     Top Apparel - Active Lifestyle

3.     Top Creative & Arts - Karabo Poppy

4.     Top East Africa - The Hills Collection

5.     Top Education & Literature - Sivuyile Mentorship Academy

6.     Top Food & Beverages - Ghemere

7.     Top Footwear & Accessories - Khonkhe Kuhamba Kahle

8.     Top Hair & Beauty - Young Barber

9.     Top Health & Wellness - Zuri Nutrition

10.  Top Homeware - Kimmy's Creation

11.  Top Manufacturing - Grace Gras Empire

12.  Top Media - Millennial Mindset Media

13.  Top NPOs & Charities - Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation

14.  Top Personalities & Influencers - Robot Boii

15.  Top SADC - Batoka Africa

16.  Top Services - Mdu Cleaning Services

17.  Top Technology - Bothlale AI Solutions

18.  Top Travel & Tourism - Bee Travel

19.  Top West Africa - Kemz Mama

In addition to these remarkable winners, Robot Boii was also honoured as the Overall Top Brand, embodying excellence as a personality and influencer within the industry. Robot Boii expressed his gratitude, 

“The Overall Top Brand award is personal to me. In all my interviews I always tell my people to not build careers, but brands; because when you are a brand you can change careers and not die when a career dies – you can do multiple things at the same time, understanding that it is all possible.”

Professor Bonang Mohale - chancellor of the University of the Free State, former president of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), professor of practice at the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) in the College of Business and Economics and chairperson of The Bidvest Group, ArcelorMittal and SBV Services – received a well-deserved standing ovation after his powerful and thought-provoking keynote speech. In a nutshell, he mentioned that it is time to empower ourselves and that true wealth lies in transformative philanthropy, where genuine leaders prioritise the development of others, recognising that ego and arrogance are obstacles born from insecurity. In his speech, he also mentioned that embracing vulnerability as a strength and rejecting the false nobility of poverty are essential steps toward true empowerment and effective leadership.

Furthermore, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, in collaboration with Brand SA, proudly presented the first Global Excellence Award to South African fashion icon Thebe Magugu. The award celebrates and honour local youth-owned brands that are excelling in their fields and challenging status-quo. Reflecting on his achievement, Thebe Magugu remarked,

“Winning this award is special. It’s always nice to see clapping around you. It’s nice to see people who can acknowledge the difficult path we’ve taken in fashion, and it’s such an incredible validation for me. I want to continue making my people from home proud.”

Founder of the YOBAs, Pat Mahlangu, expressed his enthusiasm about this year's winners:

“The 2024 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards have showcased excellence and innovation of young African brand owners. The winners are not just building brands; they are driving positive change across the continent and we are here to witness it.”

The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards extends heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and ingenuity in shaping the future of African entrepreneurship.

For more information on the YOBAs please visit, www.top16yoba.africa

The highly anticipated 2024 Legends and Legacy Ball Africa Awards are set to take place on 13 July 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. This year’s event, a tribute to celebrating musical artistry and democracy in South Africa, promises to be an extraordinary celebration of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

In alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Imajin & Fusion South Africa and Imajin & Fusion Global, known for their experiential music events, are committed to advancing regional integration and fostering economic and cultural development across the continent. By expanding this year's event to South Africa, they aim to celebrate 30 years of democracy and the spirit of African unity.

Imajin & Fusion South Africa and Imajin & Fusion Global are going beyond the status quo by not only creating an unforgettable experience but also advancing sustainable development and business progress in South Africa and beyond. In the lead-up to the event and into the future, the event organisers aim to mentor youth within the music industry on ownership, acquisition of music, self-development, and guidance. There will also be business matchmaking opportunities designed to enhance the business development aspect for musicians and companies, celebrating cultural diversity in South Africa.

Lebogang Letsoalo, Country Director of Imajin & Fusion, South Africa, emphasises this mission, stating:

“Our goal is to empower the next generation of African musicians by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry.”

In celebration of unity and Africa’s vibrant culture, they are excited to announce the addition of legendary artists Koffi Olomide and Héritier Watanabe to the line-up. Their performances will add a unique dimension to the event, highlighting the diversity and richness of African music.

They are also honoured to celebrate the esteemed Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, as this year’s main honouree. The evening will feature a star-studded line-up, including Mafikizolo, DJ Zinhle, King Promise, Camidoh, and Princess MacDonald. These artists will deliver electrifying performances, paying tribute to Africa's rich musical legacy with renditions of Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s iconic music.

Event Details:

Date: 13 July 2024

Time: 18:00 (Red Carpet begins at 16:00)

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Tickets are available via TicketPro

The Legends and Legacy Ball has been an annual event by Imajin Advertising Company, now known as Imajin & Fusion Global, since its launch in 2011. Its debut event honoured Ghana’s music legend, Daddy Lumba. Since then, it has honoured three more Ghanaian music legends: Amakye Dede (2012), A.B. Crentsil (2013), and Kojo Antwi (2015).

On June 29, 2024, Phiri will unveil her extraordinary gift to the world with a live album recording at the Goshen City Church in Westdene, Johannesburg. The album is poised to be a transformative experience, blending traditional South African gospel elements with contemporary influences that highlight Nozipho's versatility as an artist.

Nozipho Phiri has mesmerized audiences in South Africa and beyond with her powerful soprano vocals as a lead and background vocalist for the internationally acclaimed gospel group, Joyous Celebration. Known for her emotive performances and commanding voice, Phiri has been a standout figure in the gospel choir. Now, the Empangeni native from KZN is stepping into the spotlight with her highly anticipated debut solo album.

Phiri's musical journey took flight in 2010 when she competed on South Africa's gospel show "I Want To Sing Gospel," landing in the top 10. She later joined the prestigious Joyous Celebration ensemble, where her dynamic performances on hits like "Mayenzeke," "Mukhulu Ujesu," and "Ngizokulandela" solidified her reputation as a vocal powerhouse. However, for this seasoned singer and vocal coach, Joyous Celebration was just the beginning.

"This album is a profound reflection of my personal faith journey," Phiri shares. "Each song is a heartfelt expression that originates from the depths of my soul's encounters with the grace of God." Throughout her faith journey, Phiri has faced challenging times, including the heartbreaking loss of both her sister and mother within a short span of time. Despite these immense trials, she discovered the necessity to delve deeply into her faith and persevere in ministering through music even amidst her grieving process.

As the highly anticipated recording day draws near, Nozipho tantalizes her fans with the promise of special surprises and potential collaborations. With a network of industry friends and colleagues at her disposal, fans can only speculate on which artists she will feature on her upcoming project.

For more information and ticket purchases, visit https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1546105888

Crafted at the advanced Atlantis Factory north of Cape Town, the 100U7K demonstrates Hisense's unwavering commitment to advancing display technology. The manufacturing of this groundbreaking TV at the Atlantis facility marks a historic achievement for Hisense, highlighting the company's relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of display technology.

The key features of the Hisense 100U7K are truly impressive and include:

·         A remarkable 144Hz refresh rate designed to deliver smooth motion and responsiveness, catering to the needs of both gaming and movie enthusiasts.

·         Utilization of Mini-LED technology, ensuring exceptional brightness and contrast, which brings scenes to life with remarkable clarity and detail.

·         Incorporation of Quantum Dot Colour technology, providing vibrant and captivating colours that enhance the viewing experience.

·         Integration of Dolby Vision IQ, offering intelligent picture optimisation based on ambient lighting conditions, resulting in lifelike realism and depth.

·         Inclusion of a built-in subwoofer for powerful, immersive sound, and AMD Free-Sync Premium for a seamless, tear-free gaming experience.

Speaking at the launch in Johannesburg, Luna Nortje, Deputy General Manager at Hisense South Africa, expressed her immense pride in introducing the groundbreaking 100-inch TV, stating, "I am proud to introduce the Hisense 100U7K, a groundbreaking 100-inch TV that exemplifies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of display technology and providing consumers with unparalleled viewing experiences. It is, indeed, an exciting and historic moment for us as a company, and certainly a positive move for the country’s manufacturing sector. This is only the beginning."

Hisense's dedication to advancing display technology has been globally recognised, with the company being named the Global No. 1 Brand in 100-inch TV shipment by Omdia. Additionally, Hisense has been honoured with the prestigious title of Best TV Brand for 2024 by Mybroadband, solidifying its leadership in the industry.

The launch of the Hisense 100U7K marks a new era of home entertainment in South Africa, setting the standard for immersive viewing experiences and cutting-edge technology.

The 100 inch TV is available exclusively at Hirsch’s stores nationwide. To find out more about the Hisense 100U7K, please visit www.hisense.co.za