The Media Online’s weekly round-up of media business moves, all in one place.
BIG move: SABC confirmed as official broadcast partner of Taste of Cape Town
Taste of Cape Town and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) have announced a landmark partnership that places the country’s public broadcaster at the heart of South Africa’s return to the global Taste Festival stage.
The SABC joins as the official broadcast partner of Taste of Cape Town, taking place on 28 and 29 November 2026 at the Green Point Cricket Club. As the official broadcast partner, the SABC will play a key role in bringing the excitement, flavours and stories of the festival to audiences across the country.
This partnership unites two institutions that belong to the people of South Africa. For generations, the SABC has shared the nation’s stories in every language, across every province and into millions of homes. Taste of Cape Town exists to tell one of those stories in its richest form: the story of what South Africans cook, share and gather around. Together, the two partners will carry the sights, sounds, flavours and faces of the festival from Cape Town to audiences nationwide, connecting communities through a shared celebration of food, culture and identity.
The SABC’s decision to partner with Taste of Cape Town is rooted in a simple belief: South African culinary culture deserves a national stage.
People moves
Mpumelelo Zondi joins Humanz
Humanz, the AI-powered creator marketing and creator commerce platform, has announced the appointment of Mpumelelo (Mpumi) Zondi as its new country manager for South Africa. Zondi joins the global martech platform at a defining moment, as the marketing ecosystem undergoes a major structural shift towards AI-driven automation.
In his new role, Zondi will spearhead local operations from the Johannesburg office, scale brand partnerships and drive Humanz’s next phase of African market expansion. His appointment coincides with a series of major upcoming AI releases from Humanz, set to redefine how marketers deploy budgets, how creators commercialise their work and how the broader industry operates. Zondi has built a formidable reputation for helping organisations simplify corporate complexity and unlock high-impact brand experiences.
Zondi, a highly respected industry leader with more than 20 years of experience across communications, advertising and public relations, is uniquely equipped to lead this charge. Prior to joining Humanz, he was head of brand and global client lead at Edelman, managing critical footprints across Amsterdam, Riyadh, Lagos and Johannesburg.
Nielsen’s former Ad Intel lead joins Ornico
Hopolang Mothibeli has joined Ornico from Nielsen as its new commercial director: strategic partnerships & market intelligence. While many businesses in the industry are restructuring and pulling back, Ornico is doing the opposite. It is rehiring, investing and building.
Mothibeli joins from Nielsen, where she served as commercial director, leading the Ad Intel function.
Ace of Hearts brings Jeff Stelling back to screens for Formation Games
Think you could run a football club better? New creative by independent games studio Formation Games and Ace of Hearts for CLUB dares the nation to prove it. Starring returning presenter Jeff Stelling, the internet show brings to life every fan’s belief that they could manage a football club better than the owners.
In Football shaped thoughts and feelings on football club owners and other football things, Stelling tracks down football’s loudest voices and puts their opinions back to them, inviting fans with the strongest views on club ownership to prove they could do better.
For a long time, Stelling has been the presenter fans built their Saturdays around, and his return to screens has landed as expected. Teased on his own X channel last week, here, the teaser garnered 1.5 million views in its first day and featured in Trending.
Business moves
SoundInsights and Mediamark launch new audience intelligence solution for brands
Kagiso Connect’s leading research media house, SoundInsights, and award-winning multi-channel sales house Mediamark have joined forces to deliver a comprehensive solution that helps brands better decode consumer behaviour, media effectiveness and business impact.
The strategic partnership combines audience-first-party data and innovative research methodologies with Mediamark’s analytics personnel, capabilities and market reach, giving advertisers access to richer, more detailed audience data.
SoundInsights will serve as the flagship insights brand supporting Kagiso Connect and Mediamark’s joint advertiser solutions.
As the primary data engine behind trusted radio brands such as Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio, SoundInsights provides tailored research into listener behaviour and client needs, helping brands better connect with their audiences, plan media more intelligently and measure impact through research grounded in the South African context.
“Kagiso Connect operates in a dynamic market environment where consumer, audience and commercial realities are shifting every day,” says Nick Grubb, Kagiso Connect CEO. “We see SoundInsights as central to our ability to understand this very human complexity, and this new integration with Mediamark scales this capability tremendously.”
MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ Company, announced as Super Sponsor of FAME Week Africa 2026
FAME Week Africa has announced MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ company, as the Super Sponsor of FAME Week Africa 2026, strengthening a shared commitment to African storytelling, creative talent and creating greater opportunities for the continent’s producers.
Taking place from 28–30 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC2), followed by the FAME Film Festival from 30 October–1 November at the Rockefeller Hotel, FAME Week Africa brings together broadcasters, streamers, producers, distributors, creators, investors and industry leaders to do business, build partnerships and shape the future of Africa’s creative industries.
“MultiChoice Group has spent decades investing in African stories, talent and production, and we know the extraordinary creative potential that exists across the continent,” says Nomsa Philiso, executive vice president: content, CANAL+ Africa. “FAME Week Africa gives us an important opportunity to connect directly with producers and discover compelling new stories. As part of CANAL+, we can build on that strong foundation and create even greater opportunities for African storytelling to reach audiences across the continent and beyond.”
Disney+ inks exclusive sponsorship deal for Stick to Football and new original format Stick to United with Wayne Rooney
Disney+ has confirmed a one-year exclusive agreement with The Overlap as the headline sponsor of both its hugely popular and multi-award-winning original show Stick to Football and brand-new original format Stick to United with Wayne Rooney, covering the upcoming 2026/2027 football season.
Stick to Football, hosted by Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Ian Wright and Roy Keane, features an incredible lineup of special guests discussing all things football. Stick to United with Wayne Rooney, a brand-new show hosted by Wayne Rooney and Mark Goldbridge, will analyse Manchester United’s latest results and performances, providing fans with expert insight, honest opinion and in-depth discussion on the biggest talking points surrounding the club.
Think Meta Ads, but for digital billboards as Polygon launches Prism
Polygon has launched Prism, a new self-service platform that makes digital billboard advertising accessible to businesses of every size, with a particular focus on addressing the advertising challenges often faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Designed to simplify digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising by allowing businesses to plan, book and launch digital billboard campaigns in just a few clicks, Prism gives users direct access to more than 2 500 digital screens across South Africa through a single online platform. Advertisers can choose their locations, upload their creative, set their own budgets and campaign duration, pay online and launch — all without the complexity traditionally associated with outdoor advertising.
“For decades, digital billboard advertising has largely been the preserve of big brands with equally big budgets, and subject to lengthy planning cycles and multiple intermediaries,” says Remi du Preez, managing director of Polygon. “However, we believe business owners shouldn’t need a degree in media buying to access DOOH advertising.”
“Think of Prism as Meta Ads, but for digital billboards. We’ve removed the complexity, put advertisers in control and made one of the country’s most powerful advertising channels accessible to businesses of every size.”
The launch comes at a time when many SMEs are reassessing how they build visibility. While digital and social media remain essential marketing channels, changing algorithms and increasingly crowded online spaces are making it harder for businesses to consistently stand out. As a result, many are looking beyond the feed and exploring ways to reach customers in the real world, closer to the point of purchase.
Vuma joins kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival
Vuma has partnered with the kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival for the first time as a sponsor. The festival, now in its 14th edition, has become one of South Africa’s most important platforms for Afrikaans film and television, offering a stage for both established filmmakers and emerging voices.
Taking place from 19 to 22 August 2026 in Camps Bay, Cape Town, the Silwerskerm Film Festival will showcase a diverse programme of independent features, documentaries, short films and exclusive television premieres. Over the years, the festival has grown into a launchpad for new talent and a celebration of the country’s rich cultural storytelling.
For Vuma, the sponsorship reflects a broader purpose: enabling access that drives opportunity. The same fibre connectivity that helps South Africans learn, work and build businesses also empowers creators to collaborate, produce and share their work with audiences far beyond their own communities.
South Africa returns to the saddle: Discover Sport takes South Africa Live to Aachen
From Johannesburg to Aachen, the distance between South African fans and the world’s biggest equestrian stage just got a whole lot shorter. The world’s fast-growing sports streaming platform, Discover Sport, has secured the South African live broadcast rights for the FEI World Showjumping Championship 2026 in Aachen, Germany, giving local audiences free and live access to the Individual and Team Showjumping Qualifiers and Finals on www.discoversport.com.
While South Africa has remained represented at the highest level of the sport, this marks the first time since 2006 that South Africa has fielded a team in this arena. Most recently, Oliver Lazarus competed individually for South Africa at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark, on his horse, Butterfly Ennemal. This year, Charley Bays, Tamara Rueda and Ronnie Healy represent South Africa in Aachen.
Often described as the ‘Wimbledon of equestrian sport’, Aachen carries more than a century of history and remains one of the sport’s most revered arenas.
Forget points, KFC rewards you by feeding your obsessions
KFC has launched KFC Rewards, a new loyalty programme that flips the script on what it means to be rewarded. Forget points. Forget discounts at the till. This is about feeding all your obsessions.
Purchases made through the KFC app or on Kiosk unlock access to the experiences and cultural moments you genuinely care about: music festival tickets, gaming gear, sneaker drops, limited-edition collaborations, VIP access and artist collaborations.
KFC Africa’s chief operations, digital and technology officer, Siyabulela Ngcukana, says KFC Rewards connects your KFC obsession with all the other obsessions in your life. “Most loyalty programmes treat your food choices separately from everything else in your life, but that’s not how people live,” he says.
“You’re not just a KFC customer. You’re a gamer who also loves KFC, a fashion fanatic who orders Zinger Wings or a music lover with late-night cravings. Real loyalty recognises that.”
Ngcukana says the strategic opportunity is clear: today’s customers don’t want invisible points they may never redeem. They want access. They want to feel part of culture. They want rewards that celebrate who they are.
Free State SAACYF welcomes 18 new community radio licences
The South African Arts and Culture Youth Forum – Free State (FS SAACYF) congratulates the 18 new community radio stations awarded Community Sound Broadcasting Service and Radio Frequency Spectrum Licences by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
The licensing process followed the publication of the Invitation to Pre-register (ITP-R) in Government Gazette No. 51727 on 10 December 2024. A total of 93 applications were received, with 41 admitted to Phase 1. Following compliance with pre-registration requirements, 19 applicants progressed to Phase 2. After final evaluation, 18 applicants were successfully granted licences, while one applicant did not meet the requirements.
- Mahube FM – Gauteng
- Dash FM, Lit Radio, Nkungumathe FM, Royal FM & uThukela FM – KwaZulu-Natal
- Cape Winelands FM & Muzi FM – Western Cape
- Bulungula Community Radio, Ikhweto FM & Sabela FM – Eastern Cape
- ECR, Lephalale FM & Sibasa FM – Limpopo
- Mbombela FM – Mpumalanga
- Bonjanele FM & Trust FM – North West
- Tsantsi Rise FM – Northern Cape
Campaign moves
Giant melting ice installation reveals new Hunter’s ICED range
Commuters and pedestrians in Johannesburg’s bustling Jewel City were brought to an unexpected halt on Friday, 31 July 2026, as a giant, solid block of ice took over the precinct. The public art-style installation, which slowly melted throughout the day, was eventually revealed to be the launchpad for the new Hunter’s ICED range.
Rather than a traditional product launch, Hunter’s opted for a street-level intervention that physically represented the cooling nature of the new beverage.
“Joburg is a city that is always on the move, and our young consumers are constantly juggling work, studies and their social lives,” said Nontsikelelo Gumede, brand manager at Hunter’s. “We didn’t just want to tell people about a refreshing new drink; we wanted to literally bring a moment of chill to the streets. Watching the public’s curiosity grow as the ice melted was incredible. It was a simple invitation to just slow down and enjoy the moment.”
From orchard to adventure: Dutoit Juicy Gems brings future skills to the fruit aisle
Coding can feel far removed from everyday family life, especially when it is associated with screens, classrooms, expensive devices or high data costs.
But some of the thinking behind coding starts much earlier and much more simply. Recognising patterns, following steps, solving problems, thinking logically and trying again when something does not work are all skills that children can begin to explore through play.
This is the idea behind the latest Dutoit Juicy Gems campaign, developed in partnership with Tangible Africa, a South African initiative known for making coding and computational thinking more accessible to children through play.
Now in its second year, the campaign launches at Checkers stores nationwide from 17 August 2026. By purchasing a bag of Dutoit Juicy Gems apples, families can scan the QR code on selected packs to unlock a low-data interactive game that works on all smart devices.
Making moves
The Hollard Daredevil Run returns for 2026
The 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run is taking place on Friday, 23 October, and entries are now open.
Over the past 17 years, this iconic men’s health movement has raised millions for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. Funds are used to help expand education and raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancer across the country.
The campaign continues to deliver tangible results for men’s health across South Africa. Since partnering with the Hollard Daredevil Run, CANSA has reached more than 59 000 men through awareness initiatives, conducts an average of more than 2 000 screenings annually and has referred hundreds of abnormalities for further medical care. Last year alone, CANSA completed 610 PSA screenings during the 2025 Daredevil Run campaign.
Long-standing campaign partner, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, has also transformed funds raised through the Hollard Daredevil Run into meaningful action. With this support, the Foundation has hosted 143 education and awareness events, supported hundreds of men and their families through its national helpline, expanded access to prostate cancer educational resources in multiple South African languages and, this year, will launch South Africa’s first National Prostate Cancer Registry.
13th European Film Festival South Africa programme announced
The 13th European Film Festival South Africa presents the latest award-winning, critically acclaimed and star-studded European films for local audiences to experience in cinemas around South Africa from 17 to 27 September.
As the world faces ever-faster and enormous changes, the festival’s offerings from across the continent paint intimate, human portraits of family in all its different forms as vital to personal, psychological and social survival.
This year’s programme boasts 12 films, including new work from Oscar-winning directors Pawel Pawlikowski and Paolo Sorrentino; social realist legends the Dardenne brothers; BAFTA-winning feature debutant Akinola Davies Jr.; and intriguing, entertaining and always engaging work from both veteran and emerging European cinematic storytellers.
Featuring impressive performances from the cream of European talent, including Mads Mikkelsen, Javier Bardem, Sandra Hüller and Carice van Houten, as well as a host of newcomers ably meeting the challenges of demanding, emotional roles, the 13th edition of South Africa’s premier festival for cinema lovers explores family and its realities and challenges across time, place and genre.
