Victoria Bay - The 2026 Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro is shaping into one of the strongest early-season World Surf League events in recent years, with an impressive international contingent confirmed alongside many of South Africa’s top surfers ahead of the June tournament at Victoria Bay. The event will feature a Men’s and Women’s QS 2,000 contest, alongside a Pro Junior tournament, officially launching the 2026/2027 South African Qualifying Series season. “The Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro is an important event for the African region and continues to build real momentum for professional surfing in South Africa," said Graham Stapelberg, WSL President: Africa Region and WSL President: Tours and Competition. "There is genuine energy around the sport right now, with strong talent emerging and more high-quality events creating opportunities for surfers to progress through the regional pathway. Rip Curl’s ongoing commitment to competitive surfing in South Africa has played a valuable role in that growth, and Victoria Bay remains one of the country’s premier high-performance venues.” International Talent Heads To Vic Bay Morocco will once again arrive with strong momentum following standout performances at the Port Alfred Easter Festival earlier this year. The Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup Port Alfred 2026 Qualifying Series winners Lilias Tebbaiand Teva Bouchgua have both entered the Vic Bay event, alongside fellow Moroccan surfers Ayman Gougali and Ninon Mattei. International depth also includes Hina-Maria Conradi from Reunion Island, while experienced Australian campaigner Philippa Anderson adds significant experience and firepower to the women’s division. Moroccan Teva Bouchgua © Kody McGregor South Africa’s Top Surfers Entered The event has also attracted many of South Africa’s leading surfers across both the QS and Pro Junior divisions. This includes the likes of Adin Masencamp, Connor Slijpen, and Teva Bouchgua, while the …
Crystal Children’s Choir Embarks on First-Ever Tour to South Africa With Three Collaborative Performances
May 2026 - The internationally acclaimed Crystal Children’s Choir (CCC), based in San Francisco and directed by Karl Chang, will make its highly anticipated debut tour to South Africa this June, marking the ensemble’s first visit to the country. Known for its vibrant tone, cultural versatility, and commitment to musical excellence, CCC will participate in a series of collaborative performances with leading South African youth and community choirs. This landmark tour celebrates cross-cultural exchange and the unifying power of music, bringing together young voices from across continents in shared performance. The tour includes three major concerts featuring collaborations with distinguished South African ensembles. A highlight of the tour is CCC’s collaboration with a distinguished group of South African choirs, each bringing unique artistry and tradition. The Meadowlands Chorale represents Johannesburg’s vibrant community music scene, while Cape Town’s Lyrikos Community Youth Choir and Parklands College Choir showcase dynamic youth talent. The tour concludes with the internationally acclaimed South African Youth Choir, known for its exceptional precision and powerful sound. Together, these collaborations highlight the richness and diversity of South Africa’s choral landscape. Each performance will showcase a diverse repertoire, highlighting both American and South African choral traditions, as well as collaborative selections that reflect shared musical heritage and global unity. PERFORMANCES & TICKET LINKS: * SOWETO: Monday, June 10, 2026, 5:30pm | The Morris Isaacson Centre for Music With Meadowlands Chorale FREE but need to book on: https://qkt.io/XHpSNz * CAPE TOWN: Friday, June 12, 2026, 7:30pm | Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre with Lyrikos Community Youth Choir and Parklands College Choir Tickets R50: https://qkt.io/8NPVxw * CAPE TOWN: Saturday, June 23, 2026, 4:00pm | St. George’s Cathedral with South African Youth …
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Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Attracts Strong Partner Support Ahead of June Event – Entries Close Tomorrow 26 May
The 2026 Rip Curl Vic Bay Pro is already building strong momentum ahead of its return to Victoria Bay in June, with growing interest from surfers, sponsors, and the broader surfing community ahead of the opening heats. The event will feature the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Men’s and Women’s World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000 event, alongside the Rip Curl Vic Bay Pro Junior Men’s and Women’s WSL Junior Tour contest. Entries for all divisions close on 26 May. QS Men - Entries Here QS Women - Entries Here JQS Men - Entries Here JQS Women - Entries Here Presented by Rip Curl South Africa in partnership with the World Surf League, the event marks the official start of the 2026/2027 Africa Qualifying Series season and is expected to attract many of the country’s leading surfers to the Garden Route for valuable early-season rankings points and prize money. Competitors in the 2025 event © Kody McGregor Strong Momentum Around Vic Bay There has been a noticeable sense of anticipation around the return of a major surfing event to Victoria Bay, one of the country’s most respected high-performance right-hand pointbreaks. For many within South African surfing, Vic Bay remains one of the most iconic contest venues on the coastline, and the return of a QS-level event to the bay has generated strong support around the event. Support from George Tourism and George Municipality has helped strengthen the platform around the event, while a respected group of partners and sponsors have aligned behind the series. Supporting sponsors include Bilt Surfboards, Bliz Eyewear, YETI, Red Bull, The Pottery in George, and The Royal St Andrews Hotel In Port Alfred. The latest brands to come on board are Sir Fruit and Betify, adding further momentum to the event. Action from the 2025 Vic Bay event © Kody McGregor Rip Curl Looking Ahead Rip Curl South Africa CEO Stuart Daykin said the response to the Vic Bay event had been …
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Park Lines BMX Tournament set for the 2026 South African BMX Freestyle Championships
Park Lines BMX Tournament set for the 2026 South African BMX Freestyle Championships Johannesburg, South Africa – The official 2026 South African BMX Freestyle Championships will take place at the highly anticipated Park Lines BMX Tournament on Saturday, 30 May at the SkyLab Skatepark in Johannesburg. The event is presented by LW Mag and Dragon Energy, in partnership with Garmin, Insta360, Monster Products, Fox, and Mongoose. BMX Freestyle riders from across South Africa will gather to compete for the national titles. The action-packed contest will showcase the very best in creativity, progression, and technical skill as riders push the limits with a variety of tricks and stunts in pursuit of championship points and their share of the prize purse. Park Lines will be hosted at the purpose-built, BMX-focused SkyLab Skatepark at the Jozi-X Adventure Park in Bryanston, Johannesburg. Invited riders from around the country will compete in the Pro Division, while the event will also provide a valuable platform for emerging talent to showcase their abilities in the Amateur Division. The park layout features a variety of obstacles designed to inspire creative riding and technical progression. Riders will compete in qualifying heats, where judges will evaluate performances based on use of park, tricks variation, style, difficulty, and amplitude to determine which competitors advance to the Finals. Pro Division riders will battle it out for their share of the cash prize purse, along with a Garmin Instinct 3 Smartwatch and additional prizes from the event’s official partners. In the Amateur Division, riders will compete for a brand-new Mongoose BMX along with other prizes. The tournament will conclude with the always exciting Best Trick Competition, open to all competitors. Riders will have their chance to throw down their biggest tricks in a jam style format competition, with the winner taking home an Insta360 action …
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Morgan State University Choir Returns to South Africa to Celebrate Africa Day
May 2026 - The renowned Morgan State University Choir returns to South Africa in May 2026 for its second concert tour, following its memorable debut at the 2009 Ihlombe! South African Choral Festival. This highly anticipated visit features a series of collaborative performances with leading South African ensembles, celebrating cultural exchange and shared musical heritage. Highlights include an Africa Day concert with the University of Pretoria Choir, followed by performances with the University of Johannesburg Choir, Quava Vocal Group in Soweto, the Tygerberg City Choir in Cape Town, and a final concert with Amici Di Lumine and the UCT Choir. Through these powerful partnerships, the Morgan State University Choir continues its legacy of excellence while building meaningful connections through music across continents. Concert Details: 20 May 2026, 19:30: Concert 1, “Africa Day” celebration concert With: University of Pretoria Choir Venue: Normaal Saal, UP Groenkloof Campus, Pretoria Tickets: Available on tixsa 23 May 2026, 17:00: Concert 2 With: University of Johannesburg Choir Venue: Dormus Dei Church, Randburg Tickets: R 100.00 p/p, available on Quicket https://www.quicket.co.za/events/369164-morgan-state-university-choir-usa/?ref=events-list#/ 24 May 2026, 15:00: Concert 3 With: Quava Vocal Group Venue: Holy Cross Anglican Church, Orlando West Entry: FREE with reservation on Quicket https://www.quicket.co.za/events/367565-morgan-state-university-with-quava-vocal-group-holy-cross-anglican-church#/ 27 May 2026, 19:00: Concert 4 With: Tygerberg City Choir Venue: St. George’s Cathedral, Cape Town Tickets: R 200.00 p/p, available on Quicket https://www.quicket.co.za/events/373319-morgan-state-university-choir-at-st-georges-cathedral/ 28 May 2026, 19:00: Concert 5 With: Amici Di Lumine & UCT Choir Venue: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Cape Town Entry: …
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Sandton’s Trusted Dental Team Launches New Home as Sky Dental Clinic Sandton
After more than twelve years of caring for patients in Sandton, Dr Andrew Sidelsky has officially launched Sky Dental Clinic Sandton, a new chapter for the practice previously known as Thinc Sandton. Sky Dental Clinic Sandton carries forward the same dentists, the same support team, and the same patient first philosophy that earned the practice more than 350 verified five star Google reviews and a 5.0 average rating. With over 7,500 patients treated to date, Sky Dental positions itself as Sandton's trusted dental team, a reputation built quietly over the years through word of mouth, repeat visits, and long term patient relationships. For anyone searching for a Dentist in Sandton, the practice offers continuity of care that is increasingly rare in the industry. "Great dental care starts with people you actually know" sits at the heart of the new brand. Sky Dental places heavy emphasis on continuity of care, with patients seeing the same clinicians visit after visit, building familiarity with their history, their goals, and their preferences. Dr Andrew Sidelsky, the practice's founder and clinical director, leads a multidisciplinary team that combines general dentistry with advanced aesthetic and restorative work. As an experienced Sandton dentist, Dr Sidelsky has spent more than a decade refining a digitally guided approach that brings together oral health, function, and facial aesthetics under one roof. Sky Dental Clinic Sandton offers a full range of services including general and preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, full mouth rehabilitation, digital smile design, dental implants, tooth whitening, clear aligners, and emergency dental care. Patients looking for a Cosmetic Dentist will find smile makeovers, veneers, and digitally designed treatment plans that map every step of the journey before a single procedure begins. The new website gives patients an easier route to book consultations, learn about each service, and meet the team behind …
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Zero Debt Recognised as One of the Best Debt Review Companies in South Africa
CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA - Zero Debt, one of the best debt review companies in South Africa, has built a reputation that independent platforms and thousands of verified client reviews now reflect clearly. The firm holds a 4.9-star rating across 731 Google reviews and ranks number one among debt review companies in South Africa on the Top 5 Best Debt Review Companies comparison platform, with an overall score of 98%. Founded in 2009 by Chris Craven, Zero Debt was established to help over-indebted consumers regain financial stability through structured and transparent solutions. Co-founder Daniel Havenga leads alongside Craven, and their combined experience has guided thousands of South Africans through the process of financial recovery. Working with a nationwide team of counsellors, attorneys, and financial specialists, the firm helps clients reduce monthly repayments, lower interest rates, and regain peace of mind. For South Africans struggling to keep up with monthly debt obligations, the firm's debt review and debt consolidation services offer a legal route to restoring control and protecting assets from repossession. Qualifying clients can reduce interest rates by up to 60%, and the sign-up process has been consistently praised for being straightforward and well-supported. Independent comparison sites reflect this. Alongside its Google rating, Zero Debt holds a strong Hellopeter score and earned top marks for both affordable legal fees and ease of sign-up. Among all debt review companies evaluated, no other firm came close to its combined score across all categories. Beyond financial services, the firm's website serves as an educational resource, offering articles and insights on budgeting, rebuilding credit, and staying debt-free after completing the process. Tools include a free callback request form, debt calculator, budget planner, and debt-to-income ratio tracker. For South Africans weighing their options, the volume of verified …
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Rip Curl Surf Events Set for Port Alfred Easter Festival | Key Details
Port Alfred - Rip Curl and the Royal St Andrews Hotel will anchor the 2026 Port Alfred Easter Festival surf programme with two key events at East Beach: the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel, supported by Sea Harvest, and the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup, a World Surf League QS event. Together, these events bring South Africa’s top junior and professional surfers into one high-performance arena across four days of competition. Event Overview What Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel and the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup (WSL QS 4,000 Men / QS 2,000 Women) When Thursday 2 April, 18h00: Opening function at the Royal St Andrews Hotel Friday 3 April, 07h30: GromSearch competition begins Saturday 4 April: GromSearch continues to completion, including Expression Session. Premier U16 and U18 finals held over Sunday 5 April: Rip Curl Cup WSL QS competition Monday 6 April: Rip Curl Cup continues through to finals, including Royal Alfred Marina Expression Session, GromSearch U18 finals, GromSearch Premier U16 finals, WSL QS Women’s Final and WSL QS Men’s Final Where East Beach, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa. High-performance right-handers run off the pier, offering ideal conditions for power surfing and progressive moves. Why The Rip Curl GromSearch presented by the Royal St Andrews Hotel forms part of the Surfing South Africa Junior Tour, a six-event series, with Port Alfred marking the third stop. As an official Surfing South Africa event, it plays a key role in identifying and developing the country’s top junior talent. The Premier U16 boys and girls winners earn qualification for the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final, along with travel support. The Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup is a WSL Africa event and the final stop of the WSL Africa QS season. Surfers compete for critical ranking points and qualification into the Challenger Series, with the …
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More Than Trees: How South Africa’s Forestry Sector Grows the Economy
International Day of Forests highlights the economic potential of South Africa’s planted forests JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s forestry sector contributes an estimated R8 billion to the country’s GDP, while supporting more than 150 000 jobs and livelihoods – many of them in rural areas where economic opportunities are limited. Beyond its direct contribution, the sector supports a further R58 billion in value-added activity across downstream industries, including sawmilling, pulp and paper, packaging and construction. Marking this year’s International Day of Forests (21 March), themed Forests and the Economy, Forestry South Africa (FSA) is highlighting the tangible role that sustainably managed planted forests play in driving inclusive economic growth. “The economic contribution of Forestry is often viewed through a very narrow lens, as a few large companies and obvious forest products, when in reality it’s a vast and diverse sector and its economic contribution reflects this,” says Dr Ronald Heath, Director of Research and Protection at FSA. Supporting jobs and livelihoods From planting and harvesting to transport, processing and manufacturing, forestry provides a stable source of income while sustaining a network of contractors, small growers and suppliers. Programmes such as Sappi’s Khulisa initiative are expanding this impact. The programme supports more than 4 400 small-scale growers and 1 000 SMMEs, supplying 5.9 million tonnes of timber from 34 000 hectares – creating an estimated R4 billion in value. Skills development initiatives, like Mondi’s Semi-skilled Artisan Initiative are also creating pathways into employment and enterprise, both within the sector and beyond. Merensky’s Komazi Woodwork Project is equipping unemployed youth with practical skills to start their own businesses, while supporting local schools through the production of desks and furniture. Strengthening rural economies through small growers Forestry is helping to unlock …
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Autism School vs Real Intervention: Rethinking Autism Support in South Africa
Johannesburg: As the world marks World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April, and Autism Awareness Month throughout April, urgent conversations are emerging around how best to support children on the autism spectrum. With current estimates now at 1 in 33 children diagnosed with autism, families, educators, and healthcare providers are being challenged to rethink traditional approaches. Globally, even pioneers involved in shaping diagnostic frameworks within American Psychiatric Association criteria have raised concerns that the autism diagnosis has broadened to the point where it risks losing clarity and usefulness. This underscores the need to focus less on labels—and more on meaningful, individualised intervention. The “Autism School” Misconception In South Africa, many parents instinctively seek out an “autism school” following a diagnosis. This is often driven by a desire for social acceptance and the reassurance that their child is placed in a structured school environment. However, this well-intentioned decision may not always meet the child’s developmental needs. Children on the spectrum frequently lack prerequisite skills for learning, such as: Compliance and the ability to follow instructions Functional language and communication Social engagement and interaction Imitation and learning readiness Without these foundational skills, a traditional or even specialised school environment may not set the child up for success. Why Environment Matters Placing a child in a setting where peers also struggle with communication and behaviour can limit opportunities for modelling appropriate language and social interaction. Children learn significantly through imitation, and without strong role models, progress can stall. Instead, what many children require initially is an intensive, one-on-one intervention programme, such as Applied Behaviour Analysis, delivered by a team of trained professionals. This approach focuses on closing developmental gaps …