It’s been quite an eventful year and we’ve been keeping a watchful eye on the people who have been pushing boundaries, shifting the atmosphere and making moves in different sectors. To ensure that no moment goes unnoticed, we roped in tastemakers and cultural commentators Mbali Tshabalala and Gift Makhubu to spotlight the moments that shook up the entertainment landscape.
From fashion runways to music stages, digital frontiers to grassroots creativity, 2025 was a year where women, youth and artistry were rewriting the rules. South Africa’s cultural scene didn’t just evolve, it radiated globally. These moments are where confidence meets creativity and where South African talent continues to set the pace for the world.
Basadi in Music Awards
A celebration of women owning the sound of the South African music industry, the Basadi Awards spotlighted local female musical performers, producers and executives. It underscored the power of women shaping South Africa’s sonic identity. The event also launched mentorship initiatives addressing gender gaps in production and festival line-ups.
Tyla’s Continued Global Reach
Tyla’s 2025 tour turned every stage into a global runway. Her fashion-forward performances, collaborations with international artists, and bold choreography showcased how South African pop can be both unapologetically local and irresistibly global.
Loice Dube’s AFI Privé Debut
Loice’s debut as AFI Privé’s lead designer fused township flair with couture precision. Her collection’s mix of edge and elegance embodied the rise of a new generation of South African luxury designers; authentic, confident, and world-ready.
South African Fashion Week Spring/Summer
Sustainability met style on the SAFW runways. Designers reinvented traditional beadwork and textiles into contemporary silhouettes, proving that fashion rooted in heritage is also fashion of the future.
Streetwear & Youth Brands Breakthrough
Young designers from Jozi and Cape Town transformed hustle into high fashion. Their social-media-fueled streetwear drops and artist collabs blurred the line between lifestyle and identity; redefining what it means to “wear local.”
Lee-ché Janecke’s Choreographic Rise
From Jozi studios to global stages, Janecke’s choreography brought Amapiano-inspired movement to viral dance challenges and music videos. Her rise spotlighted South Africa’s dance culture as a global creative language.
Beadwork as High Fashion
Bead artisans became collaborators with top designers, pushing traditional craftsmanship into haute couture territory. The results? Capsule collections that dazzled international buyers and empowered local makers.
Braam Culture Fest
Music, graffiti, streetwear and poetry collided in a single urban pulse. The festival’s inclusive ethos; staging creativity in civic spaces embodied the spirit of South Africa’s next-gen cultural renaissance.
Cape Town Photography Festival Launch
A first-of-its-kind platform for youth and documentary photographers, transforming public spaces into open-air galleries. The festival amplified township voices and visual storytelling rooted in everyday South African life.
International Brand Collaborations with SA Creatives
Global brands teamed up with South African designers, musicians, and artists for limited-edition drops; from sneakers to tech accessories, affirming that South Africa isn’t just participating in global culture; it’s setting the trend.
The Brutal Fruit Pink Table
As women continue to seek safe spaces that foster a sense of community, Brutal Fruit launched the Pink Table in Cape Town earlier this year; a platform which is fast becoming a movement. Inviting women to embrace their elegant power, affirming each one of us that we belong. This is also a celebration of friendship and sisterhood as women come together to pour into each other, share laughs, affirmations and positive vibes.
Rich Mnisi x TFG
In a move that merged high design with accessibility, Rich Mnisi’s partnership with TFG brought his bold aesthetic to a wider audience. The collaboration redefined what South African luxury looks like, unapologetically African, proudly mainstream, and deeply stylish.
Art Club and Friends x MRP
Playful, conscious, and rooted in local storytelling, Art Club and Friends’ collaboration with MRP proved that sustainability can be cool and commercially savvy. The collection celebrated youth culture, creativity, and a new wave of socially aware fashion.
Boys of Soweto Retail Store in Braamfontein
The style collective opened its first standalone store at 68 Juta Street, reimagining how retail is experienced in the heart of Braamfontein. Following their win as South African Fashion Streetwear Brand of the Year, the space blends culture, design, and street luxury in one statement move.
Lauryn Hill live at the DStv Delicious Festival
Music icon Lauryn Hill graced the DStv Delicious Festival with her powerful presence, and fans couldn't have been more elated. Draped in Maxhosa, she was a vision; effortlessly merging global superstardom with a touch of home. The crowd erupted as she took Mzansi down memory lane with classics from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, each note landing like a reminder of why she remains one of the most revered voices in music history
Lordkez x Cassper Nyovest — Aweh
One of the most unexpected moments to shake up the culture this year was the Lordkez and Cassper Nyovest collaboration. Aweh is a cross-cultural hit that resonates whether you’re deep into alternative R&B, rooted in hip-hop, or simply drawn to music that feels honest. The fusion R&B and Hip Hop is seamless, creating a synergy that feels fresh, brave and beautifully unpredictable. The hit track has managed to capture the attention of fans, blurring the genre, and audience lines.
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