As a significant step for the northern suburbs of Cape Town, women are gaining opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) has officially launched The Northern Collective—an influential, invitation-only network designed to shape the region's future through coordinated and inclusive urban development.
This high-impact initiative was conceived as early as January 2026 and was officially unveiled on May 25, 2026, during the annual GTP Mayor's Dinner. The Collective meets quarterly and brings together over sixteen senior women leaders from sectors including business, public administration, higher education, media, development, and civil society organizations.
Members include representatives from major entities such as Metropolitan, Nedbank, V&A Waterfront, Old Mutual, Nando’s, Mediclinic, UWC, Sanlam Foundation, Sanlam Sky, Heineken, Tyger Valley Centre, Eris Property Group, CPUT, and Astron Energy.
In an era where urban development is increasingly defined by collaboration rather than traditional hierarchy, The Northern Collective positions women as key architects in regional planning. Bakus, GTP's Operations Director, noted that the collective arose from the recognition that many women shaping the Northern Suburbs are already doing vital work, but often in isolation and without a unified platform to coordinate their influence. She emphasized that the goal is to transition from individual impact to collective momentum.
Bakus also stressed that the collective aligns with GTP's overarching strategy: achieving sustainable urban growth through investment, infrastructure, relationship building, trust, and cross-sectoral leadership.
As Bellville solidifies its position as one of Cape Town's main economic and innovation hubs, collective members insist that strong coordination between public, private, and civil structures is necessary to achieve tangible progress. Portia Hammond from Sanlam Sky commented that GTP's effectiveness lies in its ability to translate collaboration into real results. She added that the current work in Bellville is creating a conducive environment for inclusive growth, community strengthening, and sustainable urban transformation.
The group's primary objective is to transform high-level dialogue into direct local economic benefit. Bakus explained that the intention is for executive-level influence to directly connect with community-level opportunities, especially for SMEs, informal traders, and emerging entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the local economy.
The initiative builds upon GTP's successful track record in executing local projects in Bellville, including circular economy programs for waste diversion from landfills, environmental education in schools, public space restoration, and support for informal traders. Corporate partners view the launch as a significant step forward for corporate governance and community development in the country. Santel van Zyl from Metropolitan stated that in the context of South Africa moving forward, real progress will be determined by how effectively women in leadership positions are supported and advanced. She added that Metropolitan has long supported the growth and empowerment of women in positions of power, and initiatives like The Northern Collective are a vital practical embodiment of this commitment.
As Bellville enters a new phase of revitalization, the Collective stands as a model of focused and collaborative leadership. Bakus concluded that The Northern Collective is building a brighter and larger future because they become stronger only when they work together.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike after holding a meeting with Union Minister J.P. Nadda and Dr. Girindra Singh.
Tracy-Lee Rosslind, a stylist and entrepreneur, spoke out against attacks on fellow Africans and stereotypes, sharing her thoughts on the podcast Crossing the Line with media veteran Ryland Fisher.
Rosslind began her career in the fashion and entertainment industry at the age of nine, gaining extensive experience in the field. She recently visited Nigeria, where she received the 'Stylist of the Year' award at a major event. During her trip, she strongly condemned the xenophobia and stereotypes directed at Nigerians circulating in South African media.
Speaking about her experiences, Rosslind mentioned that her father traveled extensively across Africa, particularly during apartheid, and emphasized that without the help of African brothers and sisters, they might have remained under the rule of apartheid. She shared her impressions of Nigeria, noting that people there treated them very warmly, and for the first time in her life, she felt safe. She compared life in South Africa to being in prison because she had to live in an atmosphere of constant fear, unlike the ability to move freely through shops at night in Nigeria.
Rosslind described the xenophobic attacks in South Africa as 'destructive and infuriating.' She warned that due to xenophobia, South African businesses would lose income, and the continent would begin to fragment again. She stated that Africa has reached a stage of unity, and by working together, Africans will become a more powerful force than Europe, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America. However, in her opinion, internal conflicts prevent them from adopting the 'Ubuntu mindset.'
Speaking about her work as an entrepreneur, Rosslind acknowledged that it requires immense effort, working eighteen hours a day, starting with sending the first emails at 5 am and ending with the last at 11 pm. Nevertheless, she believes that significant effort is necessary to achieve success. She also mentioned that the cannabis industry, in which she has invested, holds great potential for growth that could create intergenerational wealth for people.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has appointed actress, youth leader, and influencer Nigina Dzhabarova as the champion of its global Bodyright campaign in Uzbekistan.
This appointment marks a new stage in the country's efforts to promote a safer digital environment and strengthen the rights of women and girls online. Uzbekistan has become the first country in Central Asia to join UNFPA's global Bodyright movement.
The goal of this movement is to raise awareness about gender-based violence perpetrated using technology, as well as to promote the creation of a safer, more respectful, and inclusive digital environment.
According to UNFPA, this initiative paves the way for long-term cooperation with public figures, influencers, artists, and other opinion leaders. This collaboration aims to raise awareness about technology-mediated gender-based violence, involve youth in open dialogue, and help shape a digital space where women and girls can participate safely, freely, and with dignity.
UNFPA notes that digital technologies have provided unprecedented opportunities for communication, education, work, creativity, and civic participation. However, digital platforms are increasingly used for harassment, threats, cyberstalking, hate speech, doxing, and the distribution or manipulation of intimate images without consent, as well as other forms of technology-mediated gender-based violence.
The organization emphasizes that such forms of violence can have serious psychological, social, physical, and economic consequences, leading to the silencing of women and girls, restricting their participation in public life, and preventing them from using digital platforms safely and freely.
Dr. Nigina Abazade, UNFPA representative in Uzbekistan and Country Director for Tajikistan, stated that the internet should be a safe space for every woman and every girl. She added that appointing Nigina Dzhabarova as the Bodyright campaign champion strengthens the voice of one of the most important initiatives for protecting women and girls in the digital environment, and also marks the beginning of broader engagement with public figures, influencers, artists, and actors to convey this important message to a wider audience.
Nigina Dzhabarova expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to join UNFPA and use her voice and influence to support women and girls, especially youth who spend a significant part of their lives online. She expressed hope for creating a digital culture based on dignity, empathy, and equality, where safety and respect exist everywhere—both offline and online.
UNFPA collaborates closely with government agencies, legal experts, civil society organizations, and youth to prevent and address issues of gender-based violence, including violence committed or amplified through digital technologies. In March 2026, UNFPA published a Review of the Legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Technology-Mediated Gender-Based Violence, presenting an analysis of national legislation and law enforcement practices. This document serves as a practical resource for legislators, lawyers, government bodies, and civil society organizations working to enhance the protection of women's and girls' rights.
Furthermore, UNFPA has developed educational materials explaining various types of online violence, its consequences, and practical steps people can take for self-protection in the digital space. Through awareness campaigns, social media content, expert discussions, and youth engagement, the organization continues to promote responsible digital behavior and raise awareness about technology-mediated gender-based violence.
UNFPA believes that youth are not only users but also creators, innovators, and drivers of positive change in the field of technology. By recognizing harmful online behavior, supporting victims of digital violence, and promoting a culture of respect, consent, and shared responsibility, they can make a significant contribution to creating a safer and more inclusive digital environment.
Bodyright is a global campaign and public movement by UNFPA aimed at eradicating technology-mediated gender-based violence. Launched in 2021, the campaign introduced the symbol ⓑ, which UNFPA describes as the world's first copyright symbol for the human body. This symbol underscores every person's right to protection against digital violence and unauthorized use of their body images online.
The symbol ⓑ can be added to photographs and other digital content featuring a person to confirm that human bodies, personal images, personal data, dignity, and rights deserve the same protection in the digital space as copyrighted works and intellectual property. The campaign calls on technology companies, digital platform developers, government officials, institutions, organizations, communities, and individuals to strengthen online protection and take practical measures to prevent digital violence.
According to UNFPA, Bodyright is based on the principle that women and girls have an inalienable right to control their bodies and images. Any dissemination, alteration, or use of such images without their consent may violate human rights, the right to privacy, human dignity, and bodily autonomy.
