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

SABC funding talks heat up as Parliament urges deal with Netflix

SABC funding talks heat up as Parliament urges deal with Netflix

People

2 months ago

"Painful": Former eThekwini worker living under plastic tarp opens up about losing her job, SA moved

"Painful": Former eThekwini worker living under plastic tarp opens up about losing her job, SA moved

People

2 months ago

"You overreacted": SA woman in America gives up on dating after bizarre encounter, SA divided

"You overreacted": SA woman in America gives up on dating after bizarre encounter, SA divided

Family and Relationships

2 months ago

"Better than the original": Ongie Gusha's mock skit steals of Cat Matlala's testimony has SA in tears

"Better than the original": Ongie Gusha's mock skit steals of Cat Matlala's testimony has SA in tears

People

2 months ago

"It's a rare delicacy": KFC's R22 deal sparks chaos as crowds clash for chicken

"It's a rare delicacy": KFC's R22 deal sparks chaos as crowds clash for chicken

People

2 months ago

"Elegant and beautiful": World Cup stunner drops a proudly SA video from the US, SA wowed

"Elegant and beautiful": World Cup stunner drops a proudly SA video from the US, SA wowed

People

2 months ago

"Doctors are not God": SA woman with rare skin condition defies childhood prediction, SA moved

"Doctors are not God": SA woman with rare skin condition defies childhood prediction, SA moved

People

2 months ago

Shirvani, one of South Africa's oldest survivors of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, defies childhood predictions, building a family and inspiring many.

"Stay strong, Pateet": Comedian spoofs Mel Viljoen’s reaction to Peet's bail refusal, SA amused

"Stay strong, Pateet": Comedian spoofs Mel Viljoen’s reaction to Peet's bail refusal, SA amused

People

2 months ago

Comedian @unwokepope’s skit on TikTok mocks Mel Viljoen’s court breakdown after Peet’s bail denial, leaving Mzansi in stitches with clever impersonation.

Phakama Women's Academy welcomes 22 new mentees in Johannesburg

Phakama Women's Academy welcomes 22 new mentees in Johannesburg

Women Empowerment

2 months ago

Phakama Women's Academy launches its 12th intake, empowering 22 young women with mentorship and skills training to bridge the gap between degrees and careers.

"Can we see how it turned out?"Wedding step practice the night before turns chaotic, SA amus

"Can we see how it turned out?"Wedding step practice the night before turns chaotic, SA amus

Family and Relationships

2 months ago

A bridal party's rehearsal for their wedding entrance dance goes hilariously awry, featuring missed cues and laughter, as shared by TikTok user @phillie_22.

"Such a sweet wife": Woman gifts her husband a car on his birthday, SA moved

"Such a sweet wife": Woman gifts her husband a car on his birthday, SA moved

Family and Relationships

2 months ago

A Cape Town wife surprises her husband with a silver Suzuki for his birthday, prompting online laughter about his idea of a "small car" amid their luxury vehicles.

"We're such a colourful nation": Mzansi moved by the University of the Free State's cultural contest

"We're such a colourful nation": Mzansi moved by the University of the Free State's cultural contest

People

2 months ago

Students at UFS Qwaqwa showcased vibrant Xhosa, Zulu, Basotho, and Ndebele cultures in the Mx and Mxss UFS pageant, celebrating Mzansi's multicultural heritage.

"Live in the moment": Saffers vibe to 'Sister Bethina' at a parking lot, SA entertained

"Live in the moment": Saffers vibe to 'Sister Bethina' at a parking lot, SA entertained

People

2 months ago

A viral TikTok video captures a vibrant street party in a parking lot beside a minibus taxi, showcasing South African culture and joyous dance moves.

"Pep has 100% cotton": Woman vents over Woollies polyester spencers, SA concurs

"Pep has 100% cotton": Woman vents over Woollies polyester spencers, SA concurs

People

2 months ago

A woman's humorous rant about Woolworths spencers reveals widespread discomfort over fabric changes from cotton to polyester, sparking national discussion.

"Real-life Spider-Man": Village hero helps children cross over a stream of water, SA moved

"Real-life Spider-Man": Village hero helps children cross over a stream of water, SA moved

People

2 months ago

A Spider-Man figure helped schoolchildren cross a river in Empangeni, South Africa, warming hearts online with his selfless act of kindness on 12 August 2026.

Bongiwe Mati