About us
An independent home for South African culture.
01 — Who we are
A magazine built
on nerve and care.
Babas and Brasse is an inclusive non-profit arts, fashion, and literary platform and collective created to showcase, archive, and celebrate local work. Created in 2026 from a response to the gatekeeping often found in mainstream media and online publishing spaces, Babas and Brasse aims to support creatives who may not always have access to the resources, visibility, and archive needed to share their stories, build their profiles, and reach wider audiences.
Beyond art, fashion, and literature, we are committed to giving voice to individuals from marginalised communities and creating a space where their lived experiences, creativity, and contributions can be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Our collective is for all the babas and brasse out there: the artists, misfits, writers, makers and shakers, and lovers of all things creative who are hustling through the gatekeeping and kapping aan despite the many challenges of life in South Africa.
“There is so much beautiful talent in Cape Town that is not getting recognition. It is time to change this, one post at a time.”
Zubayr Charles
02 — What’s in the name
A greeting,
not an institution.
Baba
“Baba” is the Afrikaans word for “baby”, a term of endearment often used to refer to someone affectionately.
Brasse
“Brasse” is a colloquial word for brother, friend, or close companion. Both terms are gender-neutral and can be used to warmly describe another.
Creative Director and Editor-in-Chief, Zubayr Charles, purposefully chose this localised name to align with the platform and collective’s brand and vision. Through the name Babas and Brasse, the team aims to capture the spirit of being a local platform and collective that promotes pride in South African art, fashion, literature, and language through community, inclusivity, and belonging. Babas and Brasse is, of course, a platform and collective for all.
Rooted In -
Multilingualism
All Cultures -
Wanted & Accepted
South African -
Home grown Stores
Meet the creative team
Tap a face to read their full bio and find them online.
Zubayr Charles
Creative Director & Editor-in-Chief
Zubayr Charles isn't your average Creative Director and Editor-in-Chief. By putting his UCT Master's in Creative Writing degree to good use, he has built traction as a local theatre maker with hit productions such as The Battered Housewives' Club, Please, don't call me moffie, and this bra's a psycho. As a multi-disciplinary writer and creative being, he is a published author of the novel, Haram, and the poetry collection, the sad boy's starter pack and other poems. Beyond the page and stage, Zubayr can be found chillin' at Saunders Rocks, writing poetry, redditing true crime series, or jamming hard to his Indie Rock, SA House, or Yaadt music playlists.
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Mia-Lee Winter
Junior Editor
Mia Winter is our resident editor-in-training. Raised between the mountains and the coast of the Western Cape, she brings sharp instinct and serious heart to everything she writes, reads and edits. After spending a year abroad, Mia returned to Cape Town with a widened worldview and a fascination with the many ways people turn lived experience into language, art, and meaning. As part of UCT's class of 2027, majoring in English Literature and Linguistics, she is building towards a career in teaching, guided by her core belief in learning for life. Impressively, she plays one of her six instruments, composing music, collecting awards, reading, writing her own, or finding new ways to advocate for human, animal, and world rights.
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Brick Mbekwa
Graphics Designer
Brick Mbekwa is a freelance photographer and self-taught graphic designer who lives life in full technicolor. Raised in Johannesburg, Brick draws from the richness of multiculturalism to create visuals rooted in community and lived experience. Currently a third-year UCT student, when he's not behind the lens (or a desk), they are out with friends, drinking copious amounts of matcha, or deep in an anime binge. (He/She/They)
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Zoë Petersen
Software Developer
Zoë Petersen is our software developer and tech enthusiast. Born and bred in Bonteheuwel, she is driven by curiosity, creativity, and a determination to turn her dreams into reality. Passionate about using storytelling and the sharing of our lived experiences here in South Africa, she believes in creating digital spaces that uplift communities and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. Goal-driven and always eager to learn, Zoë is the kind of person who will never stop asking "why?" before accepting "what." When she's not building websites or exploring new technologies, you'll find her dancing to TikTok trends, chasing her next big idea, and finding inspiration in the stories that connect us all.
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