The Life's Way

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Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the Last 13 Years

New talent rises at the Kasi Flare 2026 mid-year finals #RageExpo

Hi Guys,

First-time finalist KD15869 shows how local gaming hubs are creating credible pathways from casual play to competitive esports

Johannesburg, 26 August 2026 – A new generation of grassroots gaming talent stepped into the spotlight at the Kasi Flare 2026 Mid-Year Finals, where 32 players representing 32 community gaming hubs across South Africa competed for championship honours in EA Sports FC 26.

Among the breakout competitors was 21-year-old Logan Mercuur, better known by his gamer tag KD15869. Representing RMW7 Arcade Gaming in Paarl, Logan overcame established favourites in his first Kasi Flare mid-year finals to claim the title.

Logan’s journey offers a glimpse of how structured grassroots competition can turn a private passion into a credible opportunity. Born and raised in Worcester and now studying computer science at Stellenbosch University, he grew up playing PlayStation and Xbox with his older brother and a small group of friends. Until this year, he had never seen competitive gaming as a realistic possibility for himself.

“I didn’t think the gaming world was a real thing, or at least not a real possibility for me at all,” he says. “When I arrived at my first Kasi Flare event, I was nervous because I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. But it felt like sitting on the couch with three or four friends, just multiplied by five. Everyone was friendly, and it was a very welcoming community atmosphere.”

New talent rises at the Kasi Flare 2026 mid-year finals #RageExpo

Logan first heard about Kasi Flare through a friend who had previously competed. The RMW7 Arcade Gaming hub in Paarl was within driving distance of both his family home in Worcester and his student flat in Stellenbosch, giving him an accessible entry point into organised competition. After competing across two splits and accumulating enough points to represent his hub, he qualified for the mid-year finals in Gauteng.

His experience also reflects the role parents can play in helping young gamers pursue the opportunity responsibly. Logan’s parents introduced gaming as a reward for strong academic performance and continued to support him as long as he maintained a healthy balance between gaming and his studies.

He was joined on the winners’ podium by 23-year-old Zaheer Hoosain from Cape Town and 16-year-old Sanele Muhlanga from Mpumalanga.

“When I started gaming, I never imagined younger players would one day ask me for photographs or tell me that I inspire them,” says Zaheer. “My parents also see gaming differently now. They have watched me commit to it, compete and create opportunities for myself, and that means a lot to me.”

“Our competitors’ performances capture exactly why Kasi Flare exists,” says Barry Louzada, managing director of Mettlestate. “Talent can come from anywhere, but opportunity does not. By bringing structured competition into local communities and reducing barriers such as travel costs, we are helping more young players test themselves, gain exposure and imagine a future for themselves within gaming and esports.”

The finals brought together 32 qualified players from 32 various Kasi Flare hubs. The competition demonstrated that grassroots gaming can create opportunities beyond playing. Monster Energy added to the tournament experience through product activations and its Monster Minute content series. Rapper Nasty C also made a surprise appearance and joined a live-streaming session, giving players and spectators an unexpected highlight beyond the competition.

“The atmosphere showed what becomes possible when players, hub owners, families, partners and creators invest in the same community,” adds Louzada. “The winners leave with titles, but every participant leaves with a larger network, greater experience and a stronger sense that there is a place for them in South African gaming.”

A proprietary gaming property by Mettlestate, Kasi Flare will culminate in its 2026 finals at rAge, taking place from 27 to 29 November 2026 at Fourways Mall in Johannesburg. The finals will give qualifying players from community gaming hubs across South Africa the opportunity to compete on one of the country’s biggest gaming stages.

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Aum Namah Shivay!

Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the Last 13 Years

Burger King Bringing Something Epic to Comic Con Africa 2026 - Win Tickets - Contest

Hi Guys,

Burger King® is gearing up for its biggest presence yet at Comic Con Africa, and the energy is already building.

As one of the official sponsors of this year’s event, taking place from 24 to 27 September 2026 in Johannesburg, Burger King® is preparing an experience built to give fans plenty to look forward to.

The full details remain under wraps, but one thing is certain: something powerful is on its way.

The partnership reflects Burger King®'s ongoing commitment to creating experiences that connect with passionate fan communities and celebrate the creativity, imagination and culture that make Comic Con Africa one of the continent's biggest pop culture events.

“Comic Con Africa brings together some of the most passionate and engaged fan communities, and we wanted to create something that would feel just as unexpected,” said Inoba Petse, Marketing Executive at Burger King® South Africa. “We can’t reveal too much just yet, but we can promise fans they’ll want to be there when it all comes together.”

Fans can expect exclusive experiences, limited-edition opportunities and plenty of moments worth sharing throughout the event.

Burger King Bringing Something Epic to Comic Con Africa 2026 <Win Tickets>

Keep an eye out for a few clues in the weeks ahead – something legendary is powering up, and the countdown is officially on.

From interactive fan activations to chances to take a piece of the experience home, Burger King® is set to bring the energy of fandom to life.

Whether you're arriving in full cosplay, exploring the latest in gaming and entertainment, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there'll be a little more electricity in the air.

The wait won't be long. On 7 September, Burger King® reveals what's been powering up behind the scenes.

Until then, consider this your first clue.

Something epic is coming.

Also, I have 3 double tickets to give away for Friday, 25th September 2026, so in case you want to win, please go and subscribe to my YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/c/thelifesway and

find some of the Cosplay videos from the Comic Con Africa playlist and comment "TheLifesWay25SepTickets" along with some love on the channel by liking a few of the videos.

Top 3 subscribers does the most likes/comments on my videos will be decared winner on 15th Sep 2026 along .

About Comic Con Africa

Comic Con Africa is the ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, offering fans a four-day experience of cosplay, international celebrities, autograph and photograph opportunities, gaming and tech, shopping, eSports tournaments, fandom-focused merch, tabletop gaming, trading card games and collectibles, anime, manga, interactive sessions, screenings, activations, KidsCon, and more. At Comic Con Africa, there is something for everyone from casual fans bona fide geeks. Tickets are available on Howler. For press enquiries please email press@comicconafrica.co.za. Visit www.comicconafrica.co.za.

Event Details

24 to 27 September 2026 from 09h00 to 18h00 daily

Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec

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Aum Namah Shivay!

Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the Last 13 Years

HONOR Disrupts Premium Market: Launches New Foldable Benchmark Magic V6 and Reveals Revolutionary Robot Phone

Hi Guys,

The HONOR Magic V6 is HONOR’s flagship device positioned as The CEO’s and Captains choice was launched with the HONOR Pad 20 and The HONOR MagicBook X14 at event with a surprise reveal of the HONOR Robot Phone

At a star-studded and intimate media experience held today at The Venue in Melrose Arch, HONOR South Africa launched the HONOR Magic V6 together with the HONOR MagicBook X14 and HONOR Pad 20. This foldable flagship device is designed for users who expect more from their devices, from business productivity and travel to entertainment, creativity, and everyday multitasking. HONOR also showcased the eagerly awaited HONOR Robot Phone at the event. Also revealed was HONOR’s new logo and brand slogan – Dare to Be. I was not invited to the launch event, so you won't see any YT Shorts or Instagram reels from my platforms. Also, I have never seen the Magic series of smartphones from Honor yet on my review table so will they work or not, I can't tell.

HONOR Disrupts Premium Market: Launches New Foldable Benchmark Magic V6 and Reveals Revolutionary Robot Phone

The event featured campaign ambassadors, legendary screen icon, Connie Ferguson, history-making former Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux, maverick entrepreneur and founder of Legends Barbershop Sheldon Tatchell and SA Cricket Captain, Temba Bavuma in a panel discussion that saw the HONOR ambassadors speak about the importance of helpful technological devices in the day-to-day execution of their professional and business lives. Particularly, they spoke about how some of the features of the HONOR Magic V6 device can easily enable them to proficiently carry out their daily tasks.

“For us as HONOR, today was a day of sharing some of our most exciting devices within our ecosystem. The aim was to fully drive home the message of innovation-led design and creation. The HONOR Magic V6 is our most premium device and designed for the high-end market, including business, tech, lifestyle and sport industry leaders – Captains and CEOs. To embrace our new slogan of Dare to Be We partnered with Sheldon Tatchell, CEO of Legends Barber, Connie Ferguson award-winning actress, executive producer and businesswoman, Mia le Roux, Former Miss South Africa 2024, South African Cricket Captain: Temba Bavuma, South African Soccer Captain: Ronwen Williams, and 100m record holder, Akani Simbine, because each of them embodies an inspiring Dare to Be story—one we are proud to share with South Africans striving for their own success,” said HONOR SA CEO, Fred Zhou.

The lightweight Foldable that bolsters productivity

The HONOR Magic V6 features an ultra-slim and lightweight design measuring 8.75mm when folded, 4.0mm when unfolded, and weighing just 219g, delivering portability without compromise. It is reinforced with the HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield and the HONOR Super Steel Hinge, tested for up to 500,000 folds, ensuring long-term durability, alongside IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance.

The Foldable device with the biggest battery

At the heart of the HONOR Magic V6 is a large 6,660mAh HONOR Silicon-carbon Battery, the largest battery ever featured in a foldable smartphone supporting extended use of the device. The device also supports 80W Wired and 66W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, giving users the flexibility to power up quickly and keep pace with demanding days. Powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform - while imaging is enhanced by a 64MP Ultra Sensing Periscope Telephoto Camera with advanced stabilization for sharp and stable photography.

The device also features a 7.95-inch inner foldable display designed for productivity, with Fast Flex to quickly fold and unfold your phone to launch the AI Assistant in split-screen view. AI-powered features enhanced by Google Gemini support smarter workflows, while users also receive three months of Google AI Pro with expanded cloud storage.

Convenient Connectivity Across Ecosystems

Breaking down ecosystem barriers, the HONOR Magic V6 is designed to work seamlessly with iPhone, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. Through HONOR Connect and HONOR Share, users can transfer files, receive notifications, and move between devices more easily, enabling a more connected workflow across different operating systems. The device also supports Quick Share for app-free file transfers between Android and compatible Apple devices.

HONOR Pad 20 – Play Better, Work Smarter

HONOR Pad 20, a tablet designed to meet the evolving needs of students, young professionals and families seeking a versatile device ahead of the back-to-school season.

Combining a massive battery, immersive 12.1-inch 3K HONOR Display, AI PC-Class Productivity features and intelligent tools, the HONOR Pad 20 provides users with a practical platform for studying, working, creating and enjoying entertainment wherever the day takes them. Measuring just 6.29mm thin and weighing approximately 525g, the HONOR Pad 20 combines a premium all-metal body with a spacious, portable viewing experience.

HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 – Powerfully Compact

Also, sharing on stage was the eagerly awaited HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 that comes with a 14” Full View Eye comfort display. The laptop has a 60Wh Long Battery that supports 13 hours of simulated real-world range, with a 65w portable fast charging. The HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 comes with the All-new Intel CoreTM 3 Processor 304.

HONOR Robot Phone – Introducing the World’s First Robotic Smartphone

In a surprise reveal, the HONOR Robot Phone made an appearance at the launch which represents the culmination of a spectacular global journey of HONOR revolving technology.

The HONOR Robot Phone integrates an ultra-compact 4-DoF mechanical system featuring the HONOR Titanium Agile Gimbal. Developed through 60 manufacturing processes, the system integrates more than 100 precision components and is supported by more than 100 patents.

The HONOR Robot Phone marks the first product milestone under the Cinematic Imaging Partnership between HONOR and ARRI, the world-renowned designer of professional cinema cameras. Moving beyond simple filters, the device adapts selected elements of ARRI Image Science and professional cinema workflow for use in a smartphone. Through the HONOR–ARRI Cinematic Imaging Partnership, the Robot Phone combines ARRI LogC3, ARRI Wide Gamut 3 and ARRI Looks with the HONOR H1 Image Chip.

Pioneering a new era of multimodal embodied interaction, the Robot Phone introduces AI-powered, robot-grade motion control that transforms the device into an autonomous personal camera crew. The camera arm supports a range of cinematic movement modes, including Tilt Lock, First Person View (FPV), FPV Vertical and AI SpinShot, helping creators capture smoother and more dynamic footage with greater ease.

Looking ahead, technologies developed through HONOR’s Cinematic Imaging Partnership with ARRI will continue to evolve and will be further showcased in the upcoming HONOR Magic9 Series.

The HONOR Magic V6 is available in Red from 1 September at an RRP of R39 999 or from R1599 x 36 months postpaid, and consumers will get an HONOR Watch 6 as a gift. These offers are available in Vodacom and Cell C.

The HONOR Pad 20 is available for an RRP of R11 999, available only at Vodacom on 8 September, with a free keyboard, stylus pen and Free HONOR Mouse.

The HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 is available for an RRP of R16 499, 8 September at Vodacom, Telkom and Cell C, with a free backpack and HONOR Mouse.

About HONOR

HONOR is a global leading AI device ecosystem company. It is committed to revolutionising human-to-device interactions to bridge the AI ecosystem with all consumers in the agentic AI era and beyond. HONOR has various devices that range from cellphones, laptops, tablets, wearables and audio that complete our ecosystem.

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Aum Namah Shivay!

Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the Last 13 Years

Your Next Safari Could Be Doing More for Conservation Than You Think

Hi Guys,

A safari is often associated with the excitement of seeing wildlife in its natural environment, but the value of a well-managed wildlife experience can extend far beyond the photographs and memories visitors take home.

For reserves such as the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, responsible wildlife tourism forms part of a broader ecosystem of conservation, education and public engagement. Every visitor has an opportunity not only to experience South Africa’s natural heritage, but to gain a better understanding of the work involved in protecting it.

Located in the Cradle of Humankind, within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is home to more than 100 species of mammals, reptiles and birds and more than 650 head of game. The reserve is also home to several endangered species, while its Wildlife Centre provides care for animals that have been rescued, rejected, hand-reared or are undergoing rehabilitation.

This creates an important connection between tourism and conservation: the more people understand about wildlife, the greater the opportunity to build long-term appreciation for the species and ecosystems that need protection.

Your Next Safari Could Be Doing More for Conservation Than You Think

Conservation is about more than protecting animals

Conservation is often presented through the lens of endangered species and anti-poaching efforts, but the reality is considerably broader.

It involves habitat management, animal welfare, research, education, biodiversity and helping communities and visitors understand the complex relationship between people and wildlife. Wildlife centres can also play an important educational role by giving the public access to animals and information they may not otherwise encounter. At the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, the Wildlife Centre provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about rescued and rehabilitated animals while developing a greater understanding of the challenges faced by different species.

For younger visitors in particular, this kind of experience can turn an abstract conversation about conservation into something tangible.

Tourism can create a connection with nature

South Africa's wildlife is one of its greatest natural assets, attracting visitors from around the country and the world. But wildlife tourism can also play an important role in ensuring that people remain connected to the natural environment.

That connection matters at a time when many people, particularly children, are increasingly removed from nature in their everyday lives.

At the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, that connection extends beyond the wildlife on the reserve. The destination also offers visitors the opportunity to explore the Bothongo WonderCave, one of the region's significant natural attractions and an experience that adds another layer to understanding the area's geological and natural heritage.

The Bothongo WonderCave forms part of the wider Cradle of Humankind landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its extraordinary paleoanthropological significance. Experiencing the cave alongside the reserve's wildlife offerings gives visitors a broader perspective on the environment they are exploring, from the animals and ecosystems above ground to the geological history beneath it.

For visitors, this creates an opportunity to slow down, observe and ask questions about the natural world from multiple perspectives. It can encourage curiosity about animal behaviour, habitats, biodiversity, geology and the history of the landscape itself.

The experience therefore becomes about more than seeing wildlife. It is about understanding the environment in which that wildlife exists, and the remarkable natural heritage that surrounds it.

Making conservation part of the experience

The Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve's approach brings conservation and education into the visitor experience through its reserve, Wildlife Centre and range of wildlife activities.

Visitors can explore the reserve through guided experiences or self-drives while learning more about its diverse wildlife, including species that are rarely encountered outside protected environments. The reserve also offers opportunities to observe vultures, an often-underappreciated but vital part of healthy ecosystems.

These experiences demonstrate why wildlife tourism can be an important tool for conservation awareness. When visitors leave with a greater understanding of the animals they have encountered, they also leave with a stronger connection to the importance of protecting them.

Choosing experiences that have a purpose

For travellers and families planning a safari, the experience itself is increasingly part of the decision.

Beyond asking what animals they might see, visitors can consider how a wildlife destination approaches animal welfare, education, conservation and environmental responsibility.

There is no single way to experience the South African bush, but choosing destinations that place these principles at the heart of what they do can make a wildlife outing more meaningful.

At the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, the opportunity to experience wildlife sits alongside its broader focus on education, rehabilitation and conservation awareness.

Ultimately, the most valuable safari may not simply be the one that delivers the best photograph. It may be the one that leaves visitors with a greater appreciation for the responsibility of protecting South Africa's extraordinary natural heritage for generations to come.

For more information, visit the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve’s Facebook or Instagram pages or visit www.rhinolion.co.za.

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