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Design Indaba, Google Unveil Colours of Africa to Showcase African Creatives

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Colours of Africa

An online initiative known as Colours of Africa has been launched by Design Indaba in partnership with Google Arts & Culture.

The project brings online and showcases 60 specially-curated artworks produced by over 60 unique African creatives chosen by Design Indaba – each invited to contribute a work that captures the ‘colour’ and character of their home country.

Selected by Design Indaba’s founder Ravi Naidoo, the creatives will showcase the best of African craft, product, industrial design, fashion, film, animation, graphic, food, music, jewellery and architecture.

“Africa is known for its bold, unapologetic use of colour. Each country, city and community is identifiable by its unique palette. As Africans, we can tell powerful stories through colour. This project tells a story of a continent through the universally accessible lens,” says Naidoo.

The first artistic undertaking of this scale, the project will allow viewers to discover stories of Africa as told by the African creative community. The artworks will be showcased online where users are invited to spin the kaleidoscope to explore the works in an effort to take users on a journey through Africa,  inviting them to view each country through the eyes of a local artist.

“Google has always been acutely aware and in full support of the immense creative melting pot that exists on the continent. Collaborating with Design Indaba on this project allows us to bring this support to fruition. By empowering and amplifying African voices to tell the unique stories of their cultures through their work and creativity, we hope to provide much-needed exposure, cultivate a newfound curiosity, and provide a window into the vast beauty that exists on the continent,” says Nitin Gajria, Managing Director at Google.

The project involves creatives from almost every discipline imaginable, from architecture, illustration, painting and ceramics through to writing, engineering, the performing arts and visual communications. Their creations have been converted into images, videos, texts and illustrations. The multidisciplinary mix of 60 artists includes Algerian photographer Ramzy Bensaadi, fashion designer Bisrat Negassi from Eritrea, filmmaker Archange Kiyindou “Yamakasi” from the Republic of Congo and visual artist Ngadi Smart from Sierra Leone.

To bring the project to life, Design Indaba collaborated with former Design Indaba conference speaker Noel Pretorius and his creative partner, Elin Sjöberg, who collaborated with Google Arts & Culture Lab to create the design concept and interface for the digital exhibition. The exhibition features a kaleidoscopic navigation tool that can be used to explore the art in a randomised way, giving the visitor a unique experience while allowing the art itself to shine.

“Nothing like this exists to date, so we’re very excited to break new ground. This is an important artistic catalogue, the first of its kind to plot the expanse of African artistry on Google Arts & Culture. We salute Google for taking this important step to provide the world with a resource like this – not everyone can afford to travel here or access physical art fairs and museums to view this kind of work,” continues Naidoo.

In addition to the Colours of Africa platform, the initiative will also see the launch of over 4 000 images, videos and 20 carefully curated exhibits from Design Indaba’s extensive archive. Award-winning initiatives like Sheltersuit, Arch for Arch and Emerging Creatives will be profiled extensively for the first time online.

New works by some of the most important creatives working on the continent and abroad will also be displayed. These include Fozia Ismail (featured creative on Serpentine Gallery’s Creative Exchange programme), Mayada Adil El Sayed (represented Sudanese women at the Generation Equality Forum) and Lady Skollie (winner of the 10th FNB art prize).

Design Indaba, which celebrated its 25th year in 2020, draws top thinkers and guests from across the globe. Acknowledged as the world’s best design conference, it continues to be a leader in foregrounding African creativity, making it the logical ‘home’ for this project.

“We look forward to giving viewers a ticket to experiencing a whole new world, one that is outside of their everyday surroundings and creative knowledge. This project answers the vital call for all to notice and embraces African art in all its wonder,” concludes Nitin Gajria at Google.

As part of the project launch, Design Indaba commissioned Nigerian multi-talented creative and accomplished professional artist, Chief Nike Monica Okundaye, to capture the unique spirit of her country in a colour which represents home to her. She created an original painting titled ‘The Female Drummer/Àyánbìnrin’.

Colour: Royal Blue

Country: Nigeria

Artwork Rationale:

The colour blue in Nigerian indigenous cultures is the colour of love. Before a king ascends the throne, he often has to wear royal indigo blue. In Yorùbá, this is called ẹtù. In northern Nigeria, the colour is also used for the chief or the king. Same in eastern Nigeria. In the north, they sometimes even pound the blue into the turban when they marry a new wife. The whole face is sometimes blue to show love to the new bride. During their Durba, they sometimes wear the shining blue colour in the turbans to show love to the people at the festival.

“I used blue for this painting titled ‘The Female Drummer/Àyánbìnrin’ to illustrate both the love you see here between the drummer and her lover and the love desperately needed in the time of the coronavirus lockdown. In Yorùbá societies, the talking drummer is usually at the front of the palace, sending messages to the king through the medium of the drum — messages that the visitor themselves might not understand. The unique thing about this painting, done during the lockdown, is the use of a female drummer instead of the typical male ones seen in traditional Yorùbá art. My work involves female empowerment — I have trained disadvantaged women, widows, and young women for many years on fabric art — so I am always happy to put women at the forefront of my artistic philosophy”, says Nike Okundaye, Founder and Managing Director of Nike Center for Art and Culture.

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Your After‑Work Escape: GOtv Shows You Can’t Miss

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After‑Work Escape GOtv Shows

After a long day of work, traffic, deadlines, and back-to-back responsibilities, the last thing most people want is more stress. They just want something that helps them relax. Something familiar that helps their mind slow down. For many households, that small moment of calm begins with the TV.

It is the background comfort while dinner is being made, the show you ease into from the couch, or the story that gently pulls you away from the stress of the day. And with GOtv’s mix of drama, family favourites, and everyday storytelling, finding something to match your evening mood is easier than ever.

Whether you want light entertainment or an engaging drama to sink into, these shows make the perfect after-work escape.

Sister Sister – 6:30 PM | ROK 2

Sister Sister follows the intertwined lives of identical twins Nelly and Nora,  two women born of the same blood but shaped by very different experiences. As they navigate Lagos, love, ambition and family expectations, the sisters find that even the closest bonds can be pushed to the brink when secrets, choices, and personal dreams collide.

This isn’t just another family drama. It is a story about identity, loyalty, and the unspoken ties that bind us. With every episode, you’ll find yourself drawn deeper into their world, laughing, feeling their losses, and wondering how far the family can stretch before it  breaks.

Battleground – 5:00 PM | Africa Magic Family

At the heart of Battleground is Chief Kolade Badmus, a man of influence whose drive for success leaves his family entangled in rivalry, secrets and betrayal.

Kolade’s elegant but sharp‑witted wife, Adaora, tries to hold the family together while his second wife, Cissy, navigates her own place in the home. Their children,  from Mayowa to Teni and Ayo, each carry ambitions and wounds that fuel personal battles and fierce emotional stakes.

Battleground tells a powerful story where loyalty is tested, love is complicated, and every family dinner could uncover another buried truth. With strong performances from veterans like Joke Silva and Shaffy Bello and a narrative that feels as intense as real life, this series is the kind of drama that makes you want to close work early and beat the traffic just so you don’t miss it.

Gifted – 8:00 PM | ROK 2

When young Ebele’s parents die suddenly, she’s thrust into a world of hardship, living under the care of an uncaring uncle and his cruel wife. But in the midst of grief and struggle, something extraordinary begins to stir within her.

Gifted is the story of the transformation of a girl who discovers a remarkable ability that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. As Ebele’s gift begins to unfold, so does a journey of self‑discovery, resilience and unexpected purpose.

This is not a heavy drama. It is emotional, inspiring, and deeply human. Gifted offers a narrative that reassures, uplifts and reminds you that strength often arrives from the most unlikely places.

The Split – 8:30 PM (Thursdays & Fridays) | Africa Magic Showcase

In a busy banking world, three ordinary professionals, Abdul, Harriet and Tola, face pressure that few of us can imagine. A dormant bank account surfaces, tempting them with the promise of the life they’ve always wanted. But what starts as a risky opportunity slowly evolves into moral conflict, betrayal, and decisions that blur the lines between right and wrong.

The strength of The Split lies in its characters, people you quickly grow to care about, fear for, and judge with every choice they make. It’s a slow-burning drama that pulls you in and keeps you daydreaming, counting the days and hours until the next episode.

These shows are more than just TV content,  they are stories with heart, tension, depth and character that make your evenings feel richer. Whether you want laughter and empathy, deep family drama, emotional transformation, or edge‑of‑your‑seat twists, there’s a perfect unwind waiting for you.

Right now, subscribers can enjoy all these and even more value with the We Got You offer, available until 28th February 2026. When you pay for your current package, you’re automatically upgraded to the next package at no extra cost,  giving you access to more channels, more shows, and even more ways to unwind.

To subscribe, upgrade, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. You can also stream your favourites anytime with the GOtv Stream App.

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Facebook Convenes 1,000 Innovators, Others for 2026 African Creators Summit

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Facebook 2026 African Creators Summit

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Over 1,000 creators, storytellers, innovators, and digital entrepreneurs from across Africa were brought together in Lagos recently for the 2026 African Creators Summit organised by Facebook.

The event was put together by the social networking platform to brainstorm on how to share the future of the continent’s creative economy.

It was also to empower participants with tools and resources to reach wider audiences, build meaningful communities, and earn sustainably from their content.

It was the second consecutive year Facebook is delivering a dynamic creator experience that reinforced its ongoing commitment to Africa’s growing creative economy.

As the platform with the largest network of people who can reach a massive audience, Facebook has always been about connection and continues to empower creators to connect more deeply with actual people and earn real money across all the content formats they share.

Some of the notable creators at the summit were Abiri Tobi Festus (Folagade Banks), Ify’s Kitchen, Nons Miraj, Nancy Umeh, Lolo Mbakara, Broda Shaggi, Gilmooree, Jenni Frank, Cute Abiola, One Khan, and King – Ana, among others.

Commenting on the initiative, the Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, Oluwasola Obagbemi, said, “Our presence at the African Creators Summit was about meeting creators where they are, creating meaningful moments of connection, and demonstrating how Facebook empowers creators to succeed.

“Seeing creators engage, share their stories, and create content live at the booth highlights how powerful these spaces are in strengthening Africa’s creator community.

“Creators who haven’t fully explored Facebook are missing out on real opportunities. Over the past few years, we’ve introduced features that support monetisation, audience growth and discovery, and community building, and we’re doubling down on making it even easier for creators who share original and engaging content to succeed.”

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Connections Tested as Heartbeat Heats Up in Episode 3

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Heartbeat Watch This Weekend on DStv

Episode 3 of Heartbeat picked up right where the drama left off, and this time, emotions ran even higher as new games, unexpected pairings, and bold choices changed the energy in the Love Pad.

After winning the kissing challenge, Igwe claimed the Love Nest key and chose Toria for a private night together. While the pair shared a cosy evening, the morning after came with mixed feelings. Toria admitted she felt uncomfortable being so exposed on camera and began questioning their connection, while Igwe seemed ready to move on, saying the spark just wasn’t there anymore. Just like that, what looked promising quickly cooled off.

But the house didn’t stay quiet for long. The singles were thrown into the Love Dip game, where everyone picked numbers, and anyone who matched automatically became partners for the night. The random twist led to surprising combinations across the house, forcing some singles to step outside their comfort zones.

Still, not everyone stuck to the rules. Despite being paired with other people, Ken and Latifah couldn’t resist each other. The two quietly slipped away from their assigned partners and ended up cuddling on the couch, proving their connection might be stronger than they’d like to admit.

Elsewhere, different emotions were brewing. Alvin’s calm and unreadable personality left Shekinah confused about where they stood, while Chidera and Kenna grew even closer, deciding to focus solely on each other rather than risk outside distractions. Their decision to “lock in” made them one of the most stable pairs in the house.

Then came a playful but revealing poolside card game, where singles had to complete daring or flirty tasks. From seductive dances to bold moves meant to send messages, the challenge stirred jealousy, laughter, and side-eyes across the group. Feelings were tested in real time, and it became obvious that everyone was still very much exploring their options.

But the biggest moment of the night was the official Heartbeat Game.

In this challenge, each male sat in the “hot seat” while the women had one minute each to impress him using props from a mystery box,  from scarves to feathers and other playful items. The goal was simple: charm, tease, and create a spark. After every round, the men secretly scored each woman over ten.

The woman with the highest total score would win the ultimate prize,  the Love Nest key and the power to choose who she’d spend the night with. One by one, the scores rolled in, and confidence filled the room as the women gave it their all.

When the final results were counted, Latifah came out on top, earning the highest ratings and securing the key. With all the power now in her hands, she had a major decision to make: return to Ken, the connection everyone already knew about, Henri, her new paired partner or Igwe, to explore someone new.

In true Heartbeat fashion, she chose unpredictability. Latifah made a bold decision about who she would take into the Love Nest, leaving Ken visibly stunned and the rest of the house buzzing. But who did she actually pick? Tune in next week to find out.

If Episode 3 proved anything, it’s that comfort zones don’t last long in Heartbeat, and one bold choice can change everything.

Catch Heartbeat every Sunday at 9 pm on Africa Magic Showcase, GOtv Channel 8.

To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

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