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

3246 articles published since 08 Aug 2024

Author's articles

"This class is not for slow learners": Zuluboy hosts cute pop quiz for "amaparents" in a viral clip

"This class is not for slow learners": Zuluboy hosts cute pop quiz for "amaparents" in a viral clip

Family and Relationships

4 days ago

"We are the best": Russian travellers open up about the safety and warmth of South Africans

"We are the best": Russian travellers open up about the safety and warmth of South Africans

People

4 days ago

"What an amazing leap of faith": 3 Couples buy a KZN homestead together to grow their families

"What an amazing leap of faith": 3 Couples buy a KZN homestead together to grow their families

People

4 days ago

"Tell malume we are proud": Woman celebrates 57-year-old uncle graduating with first degree

"Tell malume we are proud": Woman celebrates 57-year-old uncle graduating with first degree

Family and Relationships

5 days ago

"Marital status, please": Gauteng firefighters charm SA women with viral dance video

"Marital status, please": Gauteng firefighters charm SA women with viral dance video

Family and Relationships

5 days ago

"This lady is effortlessly funny": Passenger grills taxi driver about CCTV camera, SA in stitches

"This lady is effortlessly funny": Passenger grills taxi driver about CCTV camera, SA in stitches

People

5 days ago

"The only queen that matters": Makhi Thee Shwapa's fashion transition has Mzansi in stitches

"The only queen that matters": Makhi Thee Shwapa's fashion transition has Mzansi in stitches

People

5 days ago

Mpumalanga creator Makhi Promise Shwapa goes viral with a hilarious Facebook high heels challenge, as her instant transformation leaves South Africa laughing.

"I thought I had seen it all": Man wows Mzansi with amazing vocals during a singing lesson with goat

"I thought I had seen it all": Man wows Mzansi with amazing vocals during a singing lesson with goat

People

5 days ago

A South African farmer’s TikTok singing lesson with a young goat went viral, as viewers praised his soulful voice and joked COVID changed people forever, too.

"My biggest fear": Pretoria home invaded by armed intruders who flee after sudden disturbance

"My biggest fear": Pretoria home invaded by armed intruders who flee after sudden disturbance

People

5 days ago

CCTV captures two armed intruders creeping through a Pretoria home before a barking dog sends them fleeing; viewers are relieved the homeowner stayed away.

"This is wild, R10m?": Inside the R10.5 million Cape Town townhouse making waves online

"This is wild, R10m?": Inside the R10.5 million Cape Town townhouse making waves online

People

5 days ago

A Three Anchor Bay Victorian duplex listed for R10.5 million went viral on TikTok, prompting debate over Cape Town property prices and local affordability.

"She didn't lie": Woman calls Zulu men the best type of South Africans in a viral video, SA swoons

"She didn't lie": Woman calls Zulu men the best type of South Africans in a viral video, SA swoons

People

5 days ago

A South African woman calls Zulu people the country’s most charming, praising mgqele attire, romantic phrases and energetic ukusina dancing in a viral video.

"This would be a lawsuit in other countries": Wheelchair user shows struggle to enter PRASA train

"This would be a lawsuit in other countries": Wheelchair user shows struggle to enter PRASA train

People

6 days ago

A viral video exposes wheelchair access barriers on PRASA’s new Metrorail trains, as a commuter demands safer, independent boarding and platform upgrades.

"Let's make SA great again": Mzansi Africa scores lowest globally for personal safety perceptions

"Let's make SA great again": Mzansi Africa scores lowest globally for personal safety perceptions

People

6 days ago

South Africa ranked last in Gallup’s 2025 Global Safety Report, with just 33% feeling safe walking alone at night, fuelling online debate over crime and tourism.

"Just shut these down": Georgia park visitor dies from rollercoaster fall, SA devastated

"Just shut these down": Georgia park visitor dies from rollercoaster fall, SA devastated

People

6 days ago

A visitor died after falling from Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath coaster. Witnesses saw the fall as stranded riders were rescued and police investigated.

"Tata, they did you dirty": Newly unveiled Nelson Mandela statue in Scotland leaves SA divided

"Tata, they did you dirty": Newly unveiled Nelson Mandela statue in Scotland leaves SA divided

People

6 days ago

A Nelson Mandela statue unveiled in Glasgow sparked debate among South Africans, who said the monument looked far younger than the former president in 2026.

Bongiwe Mati