When Nexgen Training Academy celebrated its 5th graduation ceremony on 31 October 2025, it was more than a celebration of certificates. It was a testament to Adrian Wagener’s vision, the founder and director who has spent over a decade turning community passion into real opportunities for youth in the Eastern Cape.

Eleanor Douglas-Meyers At the Women’s Circle end-of-year event, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi reminded us why she is one of South Africa’s most powerful creative voices.

From standing on a chair in her grandmother’s kitchen to owning her own food trailer, Laurentia “Aunty Lau” George’s story is one of faith, determination, and the power of community.

From Glen Eden, East London, to stages around the world, Warren Driscoll is turning heads as the Eastern Cape’s very own answer to Queen. With a powerhouse voice, magnetic presence, and a flawless tribute to Freddie Mercury in Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic, he’s taking audiences from Cape Town to Canada on a journey of…

By Eleanor Douglas-Meyers | 041Online Roxanne Van Rooyen is a rising star from Kariega who has already made her mark on the international stage. She won Best Lead Actress for her debut performance in Rags to Riches and followed it up the next year with Best Ensemble, both at the renowned 48 Hour Film Project.

Summerwood Primary School teacher Bronwen Jonson has been nominated for a National Teaching Award (NTA) in recognition of her passion for coding and robotics.

Three Nelson Mandela University Conservation Management students from the George Campus stood out among the best presenters at the recent Southern Africa Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) Conference in Port Alfred.

Gqeberha’s Theodor Herzl High School can celebrate a huge achievement as Grade 11 learner Liyemah Funani clinched first place in the Regional round of the IIE Varsity College National High Schools’ Quiz (NHSQ).

Beaulah Louw’s story is a testament to perseverance, confidence, and the quiet strength women bring to male-dominated spaces. From her childhood in Grahamstown to her role as floor manager at Boardwalk Casino, her journey is both inspiring and relatable.

Nelson Mandela Bay is celebrating one of its own as final-year law student, Sikelelwa Gomba, earns a place at the highly sought-after BRICS Summer School South Africa 2025.