Best News & Entertainment '24

Bongiwe Mati

Education: BA Honours, Linguistics, Communication, Women & Gender Studies, University of the Western Cape (2021), BA Language & Communication Linguistics, Communication, Women & Gender Studies, University of the Western Cape (2005).

Experience: Freelancer at UWC campus newspaper (2005), Sales Executive at Leadership Magazine (2007-2009), Editorial Assistant and writer for BONA magazine (2023-2024), Briefly News (2024 -Present)

Bongiwe Mati is a Human Interest reporter at Briefly News, focusing on social commentary, community stories, viral human-interest features, and public discourse. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from the University of the Western Cape. Bongiwe began her editorial career in campus media before contributing across print and digital platforms at BONA Magazine, where she covered current news and societal trends. She specialises in reporting on local community accounts, social media discourse, and viral South African events. Contact: bongiwe.mati@briefly.co.za

3261 articles published since 08 Aug 2024

Author's articles

"It's such an amazing idea": Mom creates innovative sanitary period underwear, SA impressed

"It's such an amazing idea": Mom creates innovative sanitary period underwear, SA impressed

Family and Relationships

a month ago

"No increase, no votes": Man heartbroken by pensioners protesting for higher grant, SA supports

"No increase, no votes": Man heartbroken by pensioners protesting for higher grant, SA supports

People

a month ago

"This is beautiful": Praises singer honours baby with powerful traditional chant at 'sip and see'

"This is beautiful": Praises singer honours baby with powerful traditional chant at 'sip and see'

People

a month ago

"Plug me": South African on H-2B visa programme talks about life-changing work opportunity in the US

"Plug me": South African on H-2B visa programme talks about life-changing work opportunity in the US

People

a month ago

"Mkhulu wants to hug the TV": Grandfather's touching reaction to seeing grandson on TV moves SA

"Mkhulu wants to hug the TV": Grandfather's touching reaction to seeing grandson on TV moves SA

Family and Relationships

a month ago

"We missed the real jol": Boks supporters united in victory dance-off, SA entertained

"We missed the real jol": Boks supporters united in victory dance-off, SA entertained

People

a month ago

"Somewhere we can go back in time": Ethiopia welcomes New Year 2019 with ancient tradition

"Somewhere we can go back in time": Ethiopia welcomes New Year 2019 with ancient tradition

People

a month ago

Ethiopia welcomed 2019 on 11 September 2026 as Enkutatash began, leaving Africans stunned by its unique 13-month calendar and jokes about turning back time.

Pieter Kriel on why political freedom without economic emancipation is pushing SA to the edge

Exclusive

Pieter Kriel on why political freedom without economic emancipation is pushing SA to the edge

People

a month ago

South Africa’s broken promise of economic emancipation is fuelling inequality, populism and xenophobia, warns Pieter Kriel in this Briefly News guest analysis.

"Guy is happy for his bro": Friend goes wild celebrating high school buddy's new car, SA moved

"Guy is happy for his bro": Friend goes wild celebrating high school buddy's new car, SA moved

People

a month ago

Lebogang Maleka captured friends erupting with joy over a mate’s new Volkswagen Polo, as South Africans praised their genuine, envy-free celebration online.

"You're a happy soul": Man praises township ikota, says white people are missing out on delicacy

"You're a happy soul": Man praises township ikota, says white people are missing out on delicacy

People

a month ago

TikToker @tyron.relates defends township ikota as gourmet food, praising R15 street-vendor kotas and sparking local pride and fond memories online now.

"One love": US man debunks myth that Africans beef with Black Americans after SA visit, Mzansi moved

"One love": US man debunks myth that Africans beef with Black Americans after SA visit, Mzansi moved

People

a month ago

A US man challenges claims that Africans hate Black Americans after Johannesburg locals welcomed him as a brother and named him Khanya, meaning ‘the light’.

"One-way golden ticket": Colonel Chris Wyatt discusses the trend of SA refugees returning home

"One-way golden ticket": Colonel Chris Wyatt discusses the trend of SA refugees returning home

People

a month ago

Colonel Chris Wyatt warns South African refugees that returning home can void protection, trigger deportation and jeopardise others’ applications.

"Phenomenal work": Man praises mall security after lost phone is tracked down with CCTV, SA wowed

"Phenomenal work": Man praises mall security after lost phone is tracked down with CCTV, SA wowed

People

a month ago

Watercrest Mall security used CCTV to recover Peter Booth’s phone after it fell from his car roof, earning praise for their honesty, dedication and service.

"You're doing the most": SA teacher in South Korea attempts to read learners' Korean names, SA wowed

"You're doing the most": SA teacher in South Korea attempts to read learners' Korean names, SA wowed

People

a month ago

A South African English teacher in South Korea hilariously mispronounces his Korean students’ names, sparking laughter, praise and viral global banter online.

“Bless you”: Man shadows woman at a distance to keep her safe after she declines a ride, SA moved

“Bless you”: Man shadows woman at a distance to keep her safe after she declines a ride, SA moved

People

a month ago

A motorist followed a woman walking alone at night after she refused a lift, using his headlights and offering pizza in a moving act of kindness.

Bongiwe Mati