Nandipha Mntambo is a Johannesburg-based artist working across sculpture, photography, video and mixed media. Her work is known for its engagement with the human body, gender, identity, performance and the relationship between humans and animals.

She won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Art in 2011 and has exhibited widely in South Africa and internationally.

Hallie Haller is a South African film director, media artist and creative entrepreneur whose work explores technology, intimacy, the body and future-facing African culture.

Their visual style draws on movement, raw performance and symbolic, surreal aesthetics. Hallie is also a co-founder of Girls in Film South Africa.

Ntombi Khambule is a cultural operator and systems builder focused on strengthening African fashion and creative industries through business infrastructure, ecosystem development and institution-building.

She is the founder of the African Fashion Guild and has worked across culture, business and creative industry strategy.

Palesa Magwanye is a broadcaster, presenter, voice artist, writer and theatre practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of media, storytelling, youth engagement and public discourse.

She hosts Breaking Ground, a current affairs and student politics talk show that creates space for conversations on leadership, governance, youth participation, social justice and contemporary issues affecting South Africans.

Lethabo Maluke is a Johannesburg-based content creator, youth advocate and media personality known for sharp social commentary and authentic storytelling.

With experience across brands, organisations and youth-focused campaigns, he speaks directly to the next generation through culture, conversation and socially aware media work.

Valerie Makgetlaneng is a broadcaster, producer, lecturer and youth culture storyteller.

As a multi-award-winning breakfast presenter at VOW 88.1, she is known for her authentic energy and engaging conversations. Her work spans television, radio and digital media, with a strong focus on representation, storytelling and youth voices.

Lerato Mokhere is a radio producer and podcaster who uses her social media platforms to talk about history and social issues.

Through her podcast The Ellipsis Podcast, Lerato explores the stories that shape society, from the past through the present and encourages her listeners to imagine a liberated future.

Jonathan Lefenya is an award-winning poet, writer, performer and Current State of Poetry alumnus. His work explores memory, language, belonging and the intersections between image and meaning.

His debut poetry zine, (in)tangible, was illustrated by Kyle Kemink, and his writing has appeared in several publications and arts platforms. As a performance poet, he has developed and performed in poetry theatre productions including Leru La Mahlomola, Uthando Ngumuthi, The Four Horsemen and Scarecrow.

Philile Sekgothe is a Johannesburg-based published poet, performance artist, music journalist and care worker.

Her work explores creativity, spiritual inquiry, care, selfhood, wild-womanhood and Godhood. Her practice moves across page, stage, sound and performance art, creating immersive experiences rooted in individual and collective healing.

Beth Arendse is a creative economy strategist, innovation leader and CEO of Business and Arts South Africa.

With more than 25 years of experience across the creative, policy and innovation sectors, she works at the intersection of business, culture and economic development to unlock new opportunities for the African creative economy.

She previously served on South Africa’s Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and is a member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation. She is also the founder of the SA Creative Industries Incubator, which supports township-based creative entrepreneurs and digital skills development.