GRYND 2026

Back for its fourth year, the ultimate content creator convention, GRYND continues to redefine the creator economy in SA. Presented by Y, the country’s iconic youth brand, the convention brings together the brightest minds, boldest brands and most influential content creators under one roof.

This is where professional creatives and creators alike gather at ATLAS Studios to learn, connect, collaborate and grow – turning passion into opportunity and influence into impact. From the nano creator just starting out to the mega influencer shaping culture, GRYND 2026 is where the future of content creation comes to life.

GRYND 2026 is all about unlocking the future, where leading voices within each content tier will focus on enhancing creators’ practical application of the latest digital tools, technologies, trends, and opportunities shaping the creator economy. Complementing these discussions, selected keynote sessions will feature live demonstrations and hands-on experiences, bringing innovation to life and ensuring a highly engaging, future-focused convention experience.

The GRYND 2026 speaker lineup features Y’s own Wasabi alongside Sushi who will cover ‘Collaborative Branding’, while Popi Sibiya will discuss ‘Subscription Monetisation’ and Sine Madondo will tackle ‘Characterisation’. The legacy keynotes will be given by renowned storytellers Grace Mondlana and Sinethemba Madondo, with the Grynd live segment led by “Because We Said So” podcast duo ZeeXOnline and Landzy Gama.


In addition, Grynd 2026 has curated an interactive exhibition space that prompts event goers to collaborate with each other and other taste makers. Each of the taste makers will host a-first-of-its-kind content set, giving attendees the opportunity to meet up and create content during the lunch break. These include:  Food Set – Dali Danger | Fitness Set – Libo Njomba | Stream Set – Sonwabile | Beauty Set – Phaello Tshabalala | Dance Set – Peanuts.

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Skin Certified SA Launches In South Africa

Nomzamo Mbatha

The Dermatology Society of South Africa (DSSA), supported by Neutrogena, has launched Skin Certified SA – the country’s first science-backed, dermatologist-governed certification standard for skincare creators and brands.


At a landmark event hosted by Nomzamo Mbatha at Level Three, Kramerville, Nomzamo
Mbatha, Neutrogena’s brand ambassador became the first-ever Skin Certified creator, having completed an online course via the new Skin Certified microsite.

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AI Empowered Summit: Transforming Business and Society

AI is everywhere, and whether you’re trying to get ahead of it or just make sense of it, the noise is real. What if there was one place to cut through the hype? One summit where you could explore how AI is transforming your business, your career, and your life?

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s already reshaping the way we work, hire, trade, treat illness, learn, and live. Whether you’re ready or not, AI is in your inbox, your sales pipeline, your investment strategy, your doctor’s office, your child’s classroom, and embedded in the data trails we leave behind every day.

Consider this: nearly 80% of hospitals now use AI to enhance patient care and streamline operations (Docus.ai – AI Healthcare Statistics, 2024). And according to McKinsey, generative AI could add up to US$4.4 trillion (R80 trillion) annually to the global economy. Yet as this powerful technology accelerates progress, it also raises urgent questions, about inequality, data privacy, misinformation, and the rapid disruption of entire industries.

Enter AI Empowered, a bold new summit inspired by EO Cape Town, designed to move beyond the buzzwords and into what’s actually happening now, and what’s coming by 2030.

Held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre CTICC on 7–8 August 2025, this two-day event features global and local thought leaders from companies like Google, Salesforce, MIT Centre for Collective Intelligence, Woolworths, Discovery, Amazon Web Services, Pepkor and more.

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Empowering Young Dancers: Joburg and Gqeberha Program

Joburg Ballet and Gqeberha’s Carl-Lee of Feet on Fire are proud to announce an extraordinary collaboration with Brown Ballerinas Global (BBG), an internationally-acclaimed initiative dedicated to redefining ballet by championing diversity and inclusion.

This partnership marks a monumental step in South Africa’s ballet landscape, offering young ballet dancers of all cultures, genders and races in both Johannesburg and Gqeberha an unparalleled opportunity to train with world-renowned professionals. Adding to the exemplary opportunity, 10 exceptional dancers from the programme will be selected to travel to the United States for the BBG USA Summer Programme, furthering their exposure to global ballet standards.

Founded by Paula Brown, a celebrated dancer, actress, choreographer, and singer with an illustrious career spanning Broadway, television, film, and global ballet education, BBG was born out of the need to create opportunities for dancers of colour. The organisation first launched at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., through the Social Impact Programme, and in 2023, successfully facilitated a cultural exchange that brought 33 South African dancers to the U.S. to experience world-class ballet training.

“The Brown Ballerinas Global summer intensives were created to foster diversity and inclusion in ballet. By offering these programmes, we empower young dancers, provide mentorship, and create access to world-class training that they may not have otherwise. Our collaboration with South Africa is a natural extension of our mission and an exciting step towards furthering cross-cultural exchange in the ballet world,” said Paula Brown, BBG Founder and Artistic Director.

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Joburg Film Festival 2025: A Celebration of Cinema and Legacy

The 7th edition of the Joburg Film Festival in partnership with MultiChoice Group, is set to kick off next month, featuring the world premiere of the highly-anticipated documentary Ernest Cole: Lost and Found.

This breathtaking film, which had its World Premiere at the renowned Cannes Film Festival in France and won the award for Best Documentary, highlights the life and work of one of South Africa’s most prominent and pioneering photographers, Ernest Cole. It promises to leave audiences captivated and inspired. Don’t miss your chance to witness the profound story of a man whose work transcended borders and whose spirit is now being honoured in his own homeland.

From March 11-16, 2025, Johannesburg will be transformed into a buzzing cinematic playground, from dazzling red-carpet premieres to exclusive industry networking. The festival is set to deliver an unforgettable immersive experience for film lovers and professionals alike, showcasing over 100 films from across the globe. Whether you’re into thought-provoking storytelling or heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat narratives, JFF 2025 is the place to be.

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