The South African Freelancer Conundrum: How Much Do I Charge? — A 2026 Update

Venelize de Lange from media update unpacks how South African freelancers can navigate pricing in 2026, by looking at updated benchmarks, common mistakes and practical strategies for setting sustainable rates.

ChatGPT Enters the Ad Game: Everything Marketers Need to Know

Venelize de Lange from media update breaks down how ChatGPT is introducing advertisements, shifting from search to conversation-led brand discovery, and what this means for marketers and AI-driven marketing strategies.

The Confidence Quotient: Why Brands are Betting on Self-Esteem

Confidence is the word on everyone's lips — and brands are listening. Emma Mendes from media update explores the surge in confidence-driven marketing, what drives this trend and how brands can tap into its power to connect authentically with audiences.

Die Papier Promises a Fresh Voice for Afrikaans Readers

The contemporary news ecosystem faces an era where many media outlets are pivoting away from print operations and shifting entirely toward digital platforms. However, Novus Media (part of JSE-listed Novus Holdings) is making a daring statement to reaffirm authority in the perseverance of print media, as considered by media update's Kiara Ferreira and Venelize de Lange.

Walmart's SA Expansion Shows Why Retail PR Must Move Beyond Promotions

As Walmart deepens its footprint in South Africa's retail sector, Venelize de Lange from media update considers what this global expansion signals for local PR strategies and earned media storytelling.

Redefining Attention in the Creator Economy: A Q&A With Pieter Geyser — Part Two

Venelize de Lange from media update speaks to Pieter Geyser about creator marketing strategy in South Africa, from procurements growing influence to attention-based pricing and sustainable creator revenue models.

What Startups Get Right (and Wrong) About Marketing: A Q&A With Alex Jukes

Venelize de Lange from media update chats with Alex Jukes about how marketing strategies are evolving alongside culture, the challenges startups face when introducing new technologies and why brands should rethink their reliance on third-party platforms when building audience relationships.

From GQ to Billboard Africa: A Q&A With Nkosiyati Khumalo

Billboard Africa's Editor-in-Chief, Nkosiyati Khumalo, chats with Venelize de Lange from media update about editorial strategy, audience engagement and fostering talent in African media.

Hiring Beyond Borders: The Debate Over Foreign Academics at South African Universities

Parliament's warning to universities over foreign academic hiring has reignited debate in the higher education sector. Venelize de Lange from media update explores how the issue is shaping public narratives.

Putting Confidence in a Bottle: A Q&A With Anisa Ramdass

As confidence marketing gains momentum, media update's Emma Mendes chats with Anisa Ramdass about how leveraging self-assurance in branding, and embedding confidence into every product message, is paving the way for more authentic brand storytelling.