AGP Executive Report

Formula One in SA: A South African consortium led by Neal Froneman is working with Rothschild & Co on a bid to bring F1 back to the continent, including a proposed R6.7bn motorsport complex near Cape Town and a possible Kyalami route. Swimming Comeback: Tatjana Smith has broken her silence on returning to competitive swimming, targeting the 50m breaststroke ahead of the 2028 LA Games at the SA Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg. Heritage Day Plans: Johannesburg and Pretoria are gearing up for Heritage Day on 24 September with events like Pretoria’s Sphatlho Festival and other music, food and culture celebrations. Music & Performance: The Gauteng Guitar Quartet makes its first Bloemfontein visit on 8 October, pairing Bach and Pachelbel with new works and South African composer Neo Muyanga. Sport & Culture Crossover: Springboks vs Australia in Perth looms with squad rotation expected, while rugby’s wider calendar debate continues as fans question late starts. Fashion & Animal Welfare: World Animal Protection alleges ostriches are “live plucked” with pliers for luxury fashion supply chains, prompting fresh scrutiny of the feather industry.

Scorpion Kings Live: DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small turned FNB Stadium into an amapiano celebration for 74,000+ fans, with a genre-spanning pre-show and standout moments like a burning-piano performance and a crown-themed production. Fashion & culture: Rangers’ Olwethu Makhanya credits street-football and oversized boots for his technique after a dazzling display; meanwhile, Musa Mseleku’s wife MaKhwela sparked laughs with a viral runway walk. Food & consumer tricks: A Daily Maverick writer highlights how supermarkets use slow music, lighting and “bread-and-milk” aisle placement to steer what ends up in your trolley. Animal welfare: World Animal Protection alleges South African ostrich farms pluck living birds for luxury fashion, including brands named in a new report. Film & heritage: John Trengove’s Afrikaans apartheid-era drama The Smell of Apples lands in Toronto, while Hearts Remember premieres in SA for World Alzheimer’s Day. Sports spotlight: MEC Lebogang Maile congratulates Mamelodi Sundowns on their FIFA Intercontinental win.

Streaming & Film Watch: New OTT picks for the week (Sept 21–27) include Netflix thrillers like Shaque: Trust No One and Habeas Corpus, plus more fresh releases across major platforms. Cinema & Culture: JM Coetzee’s biblical Jesus trilogy lands on screen in Portuguese director Tiago Guedes’ daring saga Aquí. African Film Spotlight: The Hollywood African Cinema Connection returns to Cape Town (Oct 30–Nov 2) with African and Middle Eastern titles and masterclasses. Music & Entertainment: Pretoria’s Just 6 reflect on how “bathroom rehearsals” helped them reach Grammy recognition. Arts & Heritage: The Battiss Art Festival brings “Art for all” to KwaNojoli (Sept 24–27) to support the Walter Battiss Art Museum. Local Screen/TV Buzz: A roundup looks at Hollywood’s best (and worst) South African accents, while commentary argues politics and art can’t (and shouldn’t) be separated. Sports Meets Culture: KFC Mini-Cricket roots run deep for Eastern Storm’s Martin Khumalo, and Cape Town DJ Ready D ends a short political bid to focus on music. Infrastructure & Accountability: SANRAL and Public Works order probes into Moriel Infrastructure Group after viral threats against women linked to its founder.

GBVF Response: The IMC on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide says it has approved a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy after briefing on the deaths of nine women found in Ekurhuleni, with law enforcement, protection and survivor support prioritised. Sandton Threat Case: Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga urged businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama to hand himself over after a viral VLAMO Restaurant video allegedly showed him threatening women; authorities also probe possible links to his businesses and firearm licence concerns. Motorsport Tributes: Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie mourned race driver Robert Wolk, while Motorsport SA also confirmed SuperCars racer Marcel Angel died after a crash at Killarney. Music & TV: Mzansi Magic launches “VIP Lounge” for a glossy 90s/2000s lifestyle vibe, and Minnie Dlamini breaks silence on the latest “Podcast and Chill” controversy tied to her lawsuit. Sports Entertainment: SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says Springbok flyovers will return after the Cape Town safety backlash. Culture & Community: Port Shepstone Andhra Sabha held an eisteddfod celebrating Telugu youth talent, music and dance. Global Screen Buzz: “Resident Evil” sets a franchise-best box office start, while “The Diplomat” star David Gyasi faces backlash debates over casting in Greek mythology adaptations.

Rugby & Streaming: MultiChoice’s DStv tier overhaul has Springboks fans fuming, with critics saying premium rugby, F1 and cricket are still locked behind top packages while the rest feels padded; the Competition Commission’s ongoing sport-rights probe and consumer complaints are now front and centre. Springboks Buzz: Rassie Erasmus shared more “chiskops” pics after the coaching staff shaved heads following Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, as SA prepares for the Wallabies in Perth. Fashion & Ethics: After PETA protests and a CFDA president’s runway restraint scandal, the debate is back: should the fashion industry ban wool next, not just real fur? Local Food & Lifestyle: Gillooly’s Farm is getting a glow-up as Gillooly’s Gardens, with Coco & J curating the new Gather restaurant and Good Stuff Market. Arts & Culture: Marcel Angel’s death after a Killarney crash has the motorsport community mourning a long-time racing figure, while a Heritage Day guide highlights festivals, markets and family-friendly plans in Gauteng. Security & Women: A Sandton restaurant vowed “zero tolerance” after a viral video allegedly shows a man threatening to shoot women, with footage handed to police. Music: DJ Maphorisa says he helped rescue Kabza De Small from an exploitative deal, landing a reported R44m Sony Music arrangement.

Athletics & fashion: Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson debuted a Nike “Catwoman”-style speedsuit at London’s Athlos meet, saying she negotiated one “non-negotiable” about keeping her hair out despite the science. Football (club): Mamelodi Sundowns beat Saudi giants Al-Ahli 2-1 at Loftus to lift the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup and move closer to a possible showdown with PSG. Football (Afcon readiness): CAF boss Patrice Motsepe says Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda must accelerate stadium testing for Afcon 2027—“no postponement.” Local sport (motorsport): Cape Town racer Marcel Angel died after a crash at Killarney during the Extreme SuperCars event, with the rest of the programme cancelled. TV & dance: Strictly Come Dancing 2026 adds new South African pro Lethabo Monametsi, while Johannes Radebe steps into presenting. Music & culture: Scorpion Kings Live lands at FNB Stadium with amapiano and more, with gates opening 12:00 and a 9:00pm last-entry cutoff. Arts & film: The SA European Film Festival opens across Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban with a family-focused programme. Society & GBV: Minnie Dlamini urged South African men to “stand for something” after nine women were found dead in Ekurhuleni.

GBV Solidarity in Ekurhuleni: Men from Tembisa and Kempton Park marched against gender-based violence after nine women’s bodies were found, with the video going viral on TikTok and pushing calls for action. OnlyFans Age-Checks Questioned: UCT research into adult digital-sex work raises concerns that teenagers may access platforms via “managers” who bypass age requirements. Music Reconciliation Push: Bulawayo jazz singer Mkhiwa Omhle released Okuhlul’amadoda Kuyabikwa, urging Ndolwane Super Sounds founders Martin “The Big Boss” Sibanda and Charles Ndebele to reunite. New Music Comeback: Master Zhoe returns with the single Ngizama, featuring Fab G Mshanakagogo, after months refining his sound and business plans. Film Spotlight: Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil adaptation aims to match the games’ feel with a first-person, horror-first approach, hitting SA cinemas on 25 September. Fashion & Heat Guide: With El Niño expected to bring hotter, drier weather, local style advice highlights breathable fabrics like linen and cotton for summer wear. Lifestyle: A quick chocolate, banana and peanut butter breakfast smoothie recipe makes a “dessert-in-a-glass” start.

GBVF & femicide pressure: Ekurhuleni communities are demanding action after nine women were found dead, with residents marching to Kempton Park Police Station and calls for femicide to be treated as a standalone crime. Music & culture: Queen guitarist Roger Taylor releases Violence Insane In a Beautiful World, while Hollywood stars Taraji P. Henson and Tasha Smith praised South African actor Sdumo Mtshali and The Polygamist ahead of Tyler Perry’s Netflix film. Entertainment spotlight: Orville Peck drops Mule and reveals a real-life hookup lyric with an unnamed NFL player, and Film Fest Gent announces its bumper 7–18 October programme with tributes and major competition titles. Local TV & streaming: MultiChoice upgrades DStv Compact Plus subscribers to Premium for the same price, adding about 160 channels. Rugby identity: A feature looks at how Springboks built national identity and global appeal—fuelled by the Baltimore crowd’s sea of green. Arts & heritage events: New York’s “Return of the Buffalo” brings life-size bison puppets and Indigenous history into the streets.

Theatre & live performance: Melbourne Theatre Company has locked in David Adjmi’s Tony-record 70s rock drama Stereophonic for its 2027 season, bringing a buzzy international hit to local audiences. Film & regulation: South Africa’s Film and Publication Board has fined 21 non-compliant film and game distributors a total of R16.175m, including penalties for unregistered distribution and adult content breaches. Jazz & festivals: Sandton City Rooftop hosts the free Free the Jazz concert on 24 September (Heritage Day), feeding into the Joy of Jazz Festival with a lineup of DJs and emerging jazz talent. Sports & culture crossover: South African forward Relebohile Mofokeng scored on his Europa League start for Union Saint-Gilloise, the same day he was named in Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana squad. Music & controversy: Ed Sheeran’s tour backlash over a “Free Palestine” moment continues to ripple through supporting acts and public debate. Crime hits the arts world: Tributes continue after motorsport champion Robert Wolk was shot dead in Kempton Park, while broadcaster Owen Ndlovu was found dead after an abduction/hijacking.

Cricket & Culture: Steve Smith says he’s still traumatised by “Sandpapergate” and admits camera anxiety as Australia prepares for Tests in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town. Music & Film: Owen Ndlovu’s death has prompted SAMRO to condemn violence and criminality, while his former SABC role is being widely mourned. Local Screen Buzz: Enrico Hartzenberg’s Liefde Is Rooi has sold out cinemas ahead of its 24 September premiere. Crime & Safety: Nine women have been found dead across Ekurhuleni in two months, with police probing links between cases and prison gangs. Global Politics: Ramaphosa has withdrawn from public engagements after falling ill post-BRICS, as Xi Jinping health rumours continue amid denials. Fundraising: DJ Mag and Bridges for Music kick off the Top 100 DJs 2026 campaign, with David Guetta leading donations for music education in Langa. Sports Spotlight: Leon Bridges announces South Africa dates for November, bringing R&B to Joburg and Cape Town.

Cricket & Identity: Steve Smith says he’s still haunted by “Sandpapergate” as he prepares for South Africa’s Tests, describing flashbacks triggered by cameras and the trauma of his 2018 return. Football Governance: Ex-SAFA NEC member Jacob “Buddha” Mathathe alleges R6m in honorariums was timed to secure votes for Danny Jordaan’s re-election, reigniting vote-buying claims. Music & Culture: SinoMsolo and Russell Zuma are announced for the inaugural Simunye Fest (Oct 23–25), with organisers promising more acts and fan-interaction segments. Arts & Media Industry: South African filmmakers launch Motion Story Studio in Johannesburg, pitching a full virtual production workflow for local and international clients. Heritage & Jobs: Gauteng heritage sites face decline as failing services and security issues keep visitors away, threatening tourism and employment. Sports & Representation: IRFU women’s strategy head Lynne Cantwell backs athletes criticising Sydney Sweeney’s Novigo ad, arguing women should be valued for character, not bodies. Local Spotlight: South End Museum in Gqeberha aims to use South Africa’s rainbow-nation history to educate on displacement, migration and dispossession.

Film & Regulation: The Film and Publication Board says it’s fining non-compliant distributors heavily (over R16m total) and will brief media on how content creation has evolved, ahead of a 30-year industry engagement session on 17 September. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Photographer Akinbode Akinbiyi turns everyday African life into slow, narrative-driven art, with his work showing at major international platforms including the Venice Biennale. Local Entertainment: Khanyi Mbau reflects on turning 40, looking back at her Muvhango breakthrough and sharing advice for her younger self as she continues to build a global media brand. Music & Media: TikTok creators in Kenya face a new mandatory tax deduction process, with withholding rates depending on residency status. Sports & Talent: The Stormers reportedly walked away from a transfer deal for Lions scrumhalf Haashim Pead after a fee dispute. Public Safety & Tragedy: Former SABC sports presenter Owen Ndlovu was found dead after an alleged hijacking and kidnapping on the East Rand, sparking grief and renewed calls for action.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The Springboks wrapped up their Baltimore triumph and are now in Australia, with coach Rassie Erasmus turning attention to a one-off Wallabies Test in Perth on 27 September. Local Sport Spotlight: Siya Kolisi’s side are also set to face Romania in Perth in the 2027 World Cup pool stage, keeping the build-up firmly on track. Consumer Alert: Woolworths has recalled its WBeauty Complete Clarifying Shampoo after Pluralibacter gergoviae was detected, with a COMESA alert extending the warning to cross-border shoppers. Arts & Culture: Danish-Somali artist Asmaa Jama is representing Somalia at the Venice Biennale in its first national pavilion, blending sound, painting and moving images. Music: Mkhiwa Omhle is expanding his Afro-classic jazz catalogue with new work around “Ngokuntulo,” while Diabolus Incarnate’s SOL EP continues to draw metal fans. Film & Events: The Adelaide Film Festival has unveiled its 2026 programme with big names and new voices, including a Colman-led title. Sport Tech/Streaming: Kayo Sports has partnered with McDonald’s in Australia to let rewards members redeem points for premium sport subscriptions.

Emmy win for SA immersive media: Rick Treweek’s VR theatre production Uncanny Alley: A New Day took home an Emmy for Outstanding Emerging Media Program, with Treweek crediting South Africa’s “build under load-shedding skies” spirit. Springboks creativity in art: Western Cape artist Welmé Booys paid tribute to Rassie Erasmus with a detailed one-hand portrait drawing shared online. Music & culture spotlight: MySol pledged to back Emtee with a potential “Fill Up FNB Stadium” show in 2027, sparking big local excitement. Local sport meets global stage: South Africa’s Tatjana Smith settlement news continues to echo in swimming circles after Swimming South Africa agreed to pay interest on withheld prize money. Women’s safety and running: Tributes and renewed vigilance follow the death of runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, with clubs organising dedicated runs and walks. Fashion & heritage: Thebe Magugu and Woolworths launched a Lineage Heritage Month collection, blending fashion with cultural storytelling. TV culture obsession: The Madlanga Commission is drawing mass attention as viewers treat the corruption inquiry like must-watch drama.

Cricket Governance: Former Australia Test opener Ed Cowan warns Big Bash League privatisation could “spiral out of control”, arguing the league hasn’t yet lost star players and that selling stakes could burn the furniture. Theatre & Live Performance: Review roundup spotlights Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats in Hong Kong, praising the athletic Jellicle Ball and the immersive, up-close staging. Football After Icons: With Lionel Messi’s international retirement, commentary turns to what comes next for Argentina after Maradona-era uncertainty. Local Sports Tragedy: Athletics SA calls for justice after runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo’s body is identified following her disappearance, amid broader investigations into killings in the Kempton Park area. Arts & Culture: Cape Town Photography Festival returns with a “Truth” theme, challenging who gets to decide what’s real in images. Fashion & Heritage: Thebe Magugu debuts “Lineage” at Woolworths, blending women’s ready-to-wear and fragrance with South African visual heritage. Entertainment Industry: MultiChoice launches a call for projects for African producers, seeking premium unscripted entertainment and reality concepts. Road Safety: A multi-vehicle crash on the N1 in the Western Cape kills 21 people, with the highway closed during assessments.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The Springboks beat the All Blacks 43-28 in Baltimore to win the series 3-1, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu breaking down during Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika as Jesse Clegg sang. Match drama: Play was halted for over 10 minutes after referee Karl Dickson’s comms failed, leaving both teams waiting while technicians fixed the issue. Local arts & culture: Netflix’s How To Ruin Diwali: Meet The Parents lands on 30 October, with Rethabile Ramaphakela and Jayan Moodley discussing the culture-clash comedy shot in Durban. Music spotlight: Sister Bethina’s “unofficial anthem” turns 20, with fans revisiting how the “accidental” track became a stadium moment. Entertainment events: Grammy-nominated Tamar Braxton headlines Ndlala Grandeur Season 1 opening night (Dec 16–19) at Ndlala Arena. Sports tech & training: A look at how tiny wearable gizmos are getting smarter for athletes, from heart-rate tracking in swimming to load monitoring in hockey.