Bonang Matheba shines at Cannes Lions Festival with powerful insights
South African media personality Bonang Matheba made a standout appearance at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, where she participated in a high-profile panel discussion exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, culture, trust, and digital ownership.
Matheba spoke at DEPT® Secret Garden during a session titled The Algorithm Doesn’t Know Your Culture, where industry leaders discussed how African identity and storytelling fit into the rapidly evolving digital and advertising landscape.
During her appearance, she highlighted the importance of cultural representation in brand partnerships, noting that creators and media figures have growing influence over how culture is shared and commercialised in global spaces.
The DEPT® Secret Garden is known as one of the festival’s exclusive invite-only platforms, hosting conversations with leading global voices in creativity and technology.
Matheba also shared moments from her Cannes experience on social media, giving fans a glimpse into her panel session and behind-the-scenes highlights.
Beyond her professional appearances, she marked her 39th birthday in France during the festival, with fans celebrating her milestone online.
Known for her strong fashion presence, Matheba wore designs from South African label Mmuso Maxwell and Nigerian brand Hertunba by Florentina across her appearances, further showcasing African fashion on a global stage.
Her recent public activity continues to reflect a more curated online presence, focusing on professional milestones while maintaining strong engagement with her audience through selective updates and vlogs.
