Mbali Mbatha

The new month is here, so why not kick it off with something good to eat? October brings a fresh batch of restaurant specials across the city, with deals covering everything from weekday lunches and date nights to steak, beer and pizza. Sometimes all it takes is a good deal to turn an ordinary meal into an excuse to go out.  Here are the spots serving up good food and good deals.  NB: Please note that these specials can change from time to time, and we have no control over if/when they do. We will do our best to keep the list as up to date as possible. Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city. TIME OUT JOHANNESBURG RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg📢 Latest news from Johannesburg

Annually on Heritage Day, 24 September, South Africans across the country and wherever they might be in the world gather to celebrate the diversity that gave them the name Rainbow Nation. Undeniably, there are still divisions, economic disparities and certain levels of intolerance among this diverse nation’s multicultural identities; and there are parts of our history that continue to linger even as we try to cultivate unity. However, South Africa has come a long way and whether remembering where we come from means attending a major event to discover new kindred spirits, or an intimate gathering with old friends whose many years of being present have impacted your heritage, Heritage Day is a time to reflect, remember and refurbish our love for this country and this nation. Here are some of the events happening around Johannesburg to commemorate Heritage Day. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram!

We’ve all done the balloons, cake and themed party for our birthdays, but what if you could gather your squad for cooking lessons at a professional kitchen, complete with a chef. Well, if you’re looking for a different kind of celebration where everyone gets their hands dirty, works as a team and ends the day by enjoying a meal that you’ve all prepared as a collective, these Johannesburg establishments host birthday cooking lessons. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram!

23 September marks the end of Term 3 for school-going children. While they lament September holidays being a tad short, this is an exciting time for our little ones because this break is perfectly timed. Falling in the spring season, this time out from school happens when the flowers are blooming and the sun is out, enabling them to go out, play and live their best lives. There are a lot of exciting activities for children to enjoy these September holidays and, as parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure that they spend as much time out in the sun as possible. Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city. TIME OUT JOHANNESBURG RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg📢 Latest news from Johannesburg

The recent announcements of former White Stripes member Jack White and iconic 1990s hip-hop outfit Slum Village’s South African performances prove yet again that Mzansi continues to be the performance venue of choice for international acts. Earlier this year Gunna, Bryan Adams, Doja Cat, UB 40, Boyz II Men and various other global superstars blessed their South African fans with their internationally acclaimed talent. South African pop star Tyla even made a brief appearance at Gold Reef City, teasing fans before her SA tour next January. Netherlands punk rock band Wasted Youth Club is in Mzansi as we speak and has already performed in Cape Town, with their last show due to take place in Soweto on 12 September. The weather is becoming friendlier, so here are a few international headliners who are expected to touch down on SA soil before the end of 2026. Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city. TIME OUT JOHANNESBURG RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg📢 Latest news from Johannesburg

This September, there’s a selection of places where you can braai around Johannesburg if you don’t feel like doing so at home. Wherever you go in the world, if a South African is in the midst a braai is inevitable and this has been one of the ways in which South Africans celebrate Heritage Month.  To be honest though, the people of Mzansi don’t need a reason to braai.   Whether it’s someone’s birthday, graduation, a random Saturday afternoon of just hanging out with friends or the family cook doesn’t feel like tackling the pots, South Africans will find any excuse to braai. Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg  Mbali Mbatha is a former actress and award-winning cultural journalist who weaves her industry experience and social activism into her reporting. Her distinct approach has earned deep respect from industry icons. Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini noted that her technical line of questioning sets her completely apart from typical entertainment reporting.   Furthermore, US-based South African academic and music industry executive Dr Sipho Sithole commended Mbatha for what he called “a voice the industry has been missing for a long time from Black entertainment reporters.” Similarly, legendary playwright JohnKani was so impressed by her coverage

If you relish the Asian delicacy that is sushi, you will love these Johannesburg joints that serve your palate with sushi buffets. Food prices in present-day South Africa are ridiculously high, making “all-you-can-eat sushi” a great option if you want to eat out without draining your bank account. Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city. TIME OUT JOHANNESBURG RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg📢 Latest news from Johannesburg

The venue   First of all, people sometimes exaggerate when trying to convince you to visit their homes so I was really interested in this “concealed door that leads to a secret bookshelf.” Behold, they didn’t lie!    I noticed the door that didn’t really look like a door, ascended the stairs and found myself inside a bookshelf!    View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Library Food Club (@thelibraryfoodclub) The restaurant is actually down a different flight of stairs that you are led to upon entering the bookshelf but for a few minutes I was tempted to rummage through the shelf and escape into the adventure that is literature.    The bookshelf could have easily been inside grandma’s house because the vibe is warm and homely with milk cartoons, rusk containers and vintage furniture.    The food   The guests definitely felt at home because I was flying solo but I was not starved of company as everyone was happy to chat and get to know each other.    They started us off with a liver pâté which is a really smooth paste, not a choking hazard and just waltzes gracefully down your throat. Next was the salmon and beetroot that were each accompanied by a really flexible and bendy bread called a buckwheat pancake.   I’m a South African so beetroot for me is always infused in vinegar but I liked this interesting, salty take.    @goabspaledi the library food club. #fyp ♬ original sound - Goabs Paledi

Vocalist, songwriter and producer Miriam Altman launched her debut album, The Butterfly Project, last month, and this Saturday music lovers will assemble at the Wits Theatre Complex to experience the music live. Unpacking the music The album opens with A Spirit Awakened, where the approach to the layering of the vocals and instrumental aspects of the music is reflective of Miriam's classical training. Hers is an interesting story because while she is classically trained musically, she has never practised, and has instead held corporate jobs at Telkom, the South African Presidency and some of the country’s leading institutions of higher learning. Her debut album explores transformation, grief, fear of the unknown, vulnerability and other universal themes. While Miriam has lived a full life and enjoyed immense career success, I’m almost tempted to attribute this musical glow to the theory about women finding true liberation after divorce. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miriam Altman (@miriamaltmanmusic) “I’m not new to music, but I did leave it for decades. I've been thinking about it for years and I’ve finally decided that it’s time to actually just do it,” she asserts during our interview. Less than 30 seconds into It's Over, I laugh out loud at the unmistakable South African influences. I've said this before and I reiterate: "Musically, there's no place like Mzansi." The evidence? Canada-born Miriam's four decades in South Africa are ingra

Launched in 2024 at the Kromdraai Impact Hub in Krugersdorp, the Absa L’Atelier Art and Lifestyle Fair moved to the Nirox Sculpture Park last year. For its third edition, the fair is taking over the Mall of Africa in Midrand. Celebrating 40 years of the Absa L’Atelier Art awards This year’s edition is fittingly headlined by singer-songwriter Msaki, who is also a visual artist in her own right, alongside the Soweto Gospel Choir and Elaine. The fair connects Africa’s art and fashion with culture and lifestyle, taking its cue from the Absa L’Atelier Art awards, which were launched four decades ago to cultivate and celebrate the continent’s emerging visual artists. The event weaves in the celebration of the L’Atelier awards’ 40th anniversary, with culture and lifestyle integrating against the backdrop of an exhibition by this year’s 12 finalists. The 2026 winners will also be unveiled at the fair. On Point PRThe Soweto Gospel Choir shares the stage with Msaki and Elaine this weekend. The four winners will be declared Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors, each receiving masterclasses, four months of mentorship and a two-month art residency in South Africa in 2027, with the opportunity to stage a solo exhibition within two years. To date, more than 100 alumni have been celebrated and nurtured by these awards across various African countries where the Absa Group has a primary corporate banking presence. The financial services provider also launched the Gerard Sekoto Award in 2004, and so f

Iconic visual artist Peter Sibeko’s daughter, Nonkululeko, is curating the Historical Art Exhibition set to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in honour of her late father. From 24 to 26 October, the works of artists whose lives were impacted by Sibeko will be on exhibition for the public, and among these are David Mbhele, Solomon Skhawulele, Sakhele Muyisi and Godfrey Ndaba. Sibeko passed away in 2013. Who was Peter Sibeko and why should he be honoured? Hailed for his artistic genius in turning mine dump sand from Johannesburg’s gold mines into a canvas texture for fine art, Sibeko used his gift to document the joys, struggles and musicality of township life. The artist’s mission to dismantle the gatekeeping and censorship that Black artists in those days had to navigate propelled him to establish the Soweto Art Gallery in 1986, carving a safe haven for emerging township artists. Nonkululeko SibekoNonkululelo Sibeko curates an exhibition to celebrate her father Peter Sibeko's legacy to he held in Sandton. Sibeko can best be described as an all-round art activist, as he was also a co-founder of the legendary Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA), where he fostered arts education, mentorship and practical workshops for Black artists who were denied access to formal fine art academies by the apartheid government. Among the artists whose talent was nurtured at FUBA are Thomas Trevor Motswai, who won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award in 1992, Bongiwe Dhlomo-Mautl

Nestled in Edenvale in the East Rand, the X-Factor Trout Farm has a vast offering of activities including fly-fishing directly from the banks or from a float tube, a kiddies' area where they can collect semi-precious gemstones, braai facilities and other options. The facility is a special hidden gem in Johannesburg whose waters are mostly obtained from underground springs. Because the facility’s lake is a self-sustaining natural ecosystem, it is less susceptible to weather patterns, more resistant to pollution and maintains cooler temperatures. It is also pet-friendly, so the furry family members don’t get left behind either. What to do at the X-Factor Trout Farm To ensure your little ones’ safety, the farm has a dedicated Mini Dam where parents can introduce fishing to their children without worrying about endangering them. Your children’s first big catches will go a long way in building their confidence while creating fun, family memories. The dedicated kiddies' area offers a sandpit, play area, jumping castles and a gemstone scratch patch where they can quite literally get their hands dirty. View this post on Instagram A post shared by X-Factor Trout Farm (@xfactortroutfarm) And for the adults, the facility has a professional-grade managed fishery where they can catch trout, bass, carp, tilapia and catfish depending on the season. At the Trophy Dam, seasoned fishers can test their skills in a personal catch-and-release challenge. X_factor trout F

When Prima Facie opened at the Market Theatre on 16 September, the intention had been to stage the production until 4 October. However, an overwhelming response from audiences has prompted the theatre to extend the run until 11 October. The plot and why it resonates with South Africans Penned by Australian human rights lawyer turned full-time playwright and screenwriter Suzie Miller, the production’s focus on sexual crimes against women is a universal story. But for South African audiences, the story hits very close to home given the gender-based violence statistics in this country. Recent tragic events in Ekurhuleni, where the bodies of 12 women have been discovered, make Tessa’s story even more topical. Played by Danica De La Rey Jones, the play chronicles the story of a young woman who was raised by a cleaner mother and pulled herself up by her bootstraps to become a successful defence attorney, despite the expectation that she was destined to become a “university dropout”. Quaid JonesDoes telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth serve rape victims? Taught to believe in legal instinct instead of her gut instinct, Tessa dominated the courtroom by first duping witnesses into believing she was a clueless pretty face during the first few minutes of her cross-examination. Once they drop their guard, she transforms into a beast, making them spiral out of control and trip over their own words. “You don’t need to prove whether or not the sex was consensual. Y

On Friday 2 October, a year after the launch of his album Therapy: The Other Side at the Market Theatre, Langa Mavuso invited guests to the unveiling of his album tour. The venue, the ambiance and family The evening started off with guests hanging out in the lawn area at the Kumalo Turpin Gallery, located inside Nine Yards in Parktown North, sipping drinks while conversing about hopes and dreams, life, work, relationships and debriefing the week that was. I’ve been to this venue a few times before, but only Langa and Stella Artois could transform the dining hall into an intimate rendezvous resembling a wedding reception draped in the most daring shades of red that gave us Valentine’s Day nostalgia. CSA GlobalLanga Mavuso and Stella Artois said "Valentine's Day nostalgia" and the people obliged. Before settling inside the hall, it was heartwarming to notice how the guests were a cocktail of media personalities, friends and family. The music industry also showed up for Langa and I spotted Manana, Pilani Bubu, Muneyi, Thando Zide and Zoë Modiga in the crowd. And when we eventually moved inside, it became clear that the people’s love for the musician manifested through a venue that was filled beyond capacity, prompting our hosts to set up an additional seating area so that everyone could be accommodated because chasing guests away is very unAfrican. 10 Years of Langa Mavuso We eventually moved inside the dining hall where we were welcomed with a leek and cheddar focaccia accom

The future of African soccer is about to be permanently altered following the unveiling of the inaugural Africa United U19 Cup last week. Launched by project owners BRM Consulting, the tournament is set to take place in Johannesburg and will level the playing field by giving Mzansi’s promising soccer talent more access to elite development and international scouting opportunities.  The matches will take place from 10 to 17 December, and the venues will be confirmed in due course. Why the initiative was launched The launch follows the victory of the young South African soccer talent who were selected by Africa United to compete against some of Europe’s top tier young players at the U19 Madrid Elite Cup in Spain. After advancing to the finals, the South African team faced Albacete Balompié in a gruelling match that ended with the former’s victory in a penalty shootout.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFRICA UNITED (@africa_united___) Africa United founder and director Bob Richard, said: “Africa United was created to address a long-standing gap in African football development: many talented young players have limited access to structured, high-performance environments and international scouting platforms.” At the tournament in December, South Africa’s most promising under-19 footballers will be identified and through collaboration with leading European talent-identification and player-development specialists, these youngsters will be given the o

In 2024, South Africa’s cinema culture was redefined by the introduction of Throwback Cinema. The Ster-Kinekor initiative allows film lovers the opportunity to indulge in nostalgic films for just R50. There are two or three titles every month throughout the year, with each film screening for two weeks from the day of release. While streaming gives you the benefit of feasting on films in the comfort of your home, Throwback Cinema allows you to immerse yourself in the culture by enjoying the film on the big screen, complete with popcorn in a room full of other fans who share similar tastes in film. Here are some of the films on offer this October. The Angry Birds Movie (From 2 October) The Angry Birds Movie, which is a favourite in the gaming community for some reason, is the perfect option for you if you love comedy and animation, and it doesn’t hurt that this one is family-friendly. Daily Dose of Disney, FacebookWalk alongside Red, Bomb and Chuck at Ster Kinekor this October. If you couldn’t get enough of the unexpected visit by mysterious green piggies, revisit the vibrant island life of birds that cannot fly. Walk alongside the temperamental Red, speedy Chuck and volatile Bomb, and find out if the three will become heroes or remain outcasts once they’ve figured out the strangers’ agenda. Watch the trailer here. Marie Antoinette (From 16 October) Love adaptations? Then this collaboration between the United States, France and Japan will most likely tickle your fancy. A youn

In 2025, the Japanese Film Festival was introduced across three African countries, and this year the creatives are going much bigger with the introduction of the Japanese Film Festival Africa Tour. The Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, in partnership with Ster-Kinekor, inaugurated the South African edition of the festival on Friday 2 October. South Africa is one of 14 African countries hosting screenings during this year's tour. The South African edition is screening exclusively at Ster-Kinekor Mall of Africa, Midrand, and entrance to the films is free. The five acclaimed Japanese films on offer will continue screening on 9, 16 and 17 October. Here is a breakdown of the films, where you can choose what piques your interest. Weathering with You (9 October 7:00 pm) The story of leaving village life behind for the big city is so familiar to a lot of South Africans that Hodaka, a young schoolboy who runs away from his island home to Tokyo, will easily be relatable. Just like these South Africans, the boy has no money or a place to stay, and solely depends on Good Samaritans for survival.   Weathering With You Anime Facebook pageWeathering With You is so Ubuntu coded that it will certainly resonate with South African audiences.   Hodaka’s encounter with a kind writer and a young girl who can summon the rain through prayer is very Ubuntu-coded. The story is also very universal as it is built around climate change. The action unfolds in a scenic imagery set through some o

The 24 Hour Project is a global street photography initiative that was conceived in New York City in 2012, where photographers from around the world spend 24 hours capturing the human condition in their own cities. How does it work? In 2025, 13 years after the initiative was first launched, the 24 Hour Project finally made it to Johannesburg. Jozi My Jozi in partnership with the Joburg Photowalkers curated Johannesburg’s inaugural team, consisting of 20 photographers who captured a holistic overview of the city from Soweto through Fordsburg and Yeoville all the way to Constitution Hill in Braamfontein. To date, the event has attracted more than 40 000 photographers from over 112 countries across the world. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jozi My Jozi (@jozi_my_jozi) The initiative requires high levels of alertness because from midnight on Saturday 3 October, every single hour for the entire 24 hours, each photographer is required to capture and share one photo. The action unfolds on social media with Instagram being the preferred platform, and the thousands of participating masters of the lens globally use unified global hashtags as well as some that are specific to their cities. Documenting the human side of the City of Gold This year again, Jozi My Jozi invites professional photographers, students, street storytellers and smartphone explorers to join in the action and give the international community an honest and wholesome photographic

For the first time in nearly a decade, Johannesburg will once again feel the thrill as a race that launched in Belgium in the year 2000, and has enjoyed more than 160 editions across 53 countries, makes a return to this city. The Red Bull Box Cart Race returns to Jozi on Sunday, 4 October, where Mzansi’s most gloriously unqualified engineers take over Sandton Drive in homemade carts. The race has not been on Jozi’s tracks since September 2018, although it has been active in other parts of the country, with the most recent race having taken place in Cape Town just two years ago, attracting a crowd of more than 22,000 spectators. The box carts are built from scratch the teams of five will start off with a skit performance at the start line before handing over to a driver and co-driver who will have to navigate their way through various obstacles throughout the course. Red BullBring the whole family for a day of fun in the Sandton sun. There’s no limit to how the racers dress their carts up; the organisers leave this entirely up to the collective thought process of the team members. The team members themselves usually rock matching outfits or present as colourful characters, giving audiences the opportunity to pick their favourites. There are no motors, no batteries and no catapults; all that the drivers have to work with are a working steering wheel and brakes; the rest is up to imagination and the powers that be. The teams are judged on creativity, speed and showmanship. And

New month, new weekend plans. October is kicking off with lots happening around Johannesburg.  Whether you’re in the mood for live jazz, a paint-and-sip session or a food festival, there’s no shortage of things to do in the city this weekend. Put the group chat to work and start making plans. Here are a few ideas for the weekend.  Weekend weather The weather looks a little unpredictable this weekend, with sunshine one minute and clouds or rain the next. Daytime highs of around 17°C should make things fairly comfortable, although the 6°C mornings and evenings will have a definite chill to them. Pack the jacket, grab the umbrella and you should be good to go, with some sunshine still making an appearance over the weekend.  Friday Min: 6 °C Max: 17 °C Weather conditions: Sunny Saturday Min: 8 °C Max: 15 °C Weather conditions: Cloudy Sunday  Min: 8 °C Max: 14 °C Weather conditions: Rainy Johannesburg North VIVA – A Vegas Magic Show Friday 2 October, 8pm Location: Hotel Sky, Sandton Cost: R180 via Quicket Put your usual Friday plans on pause and let someone else handle the impossible for a change. VIVA – A Vegas Magic Show turns up the Vegas glamour in Sandton, with Brendon Peel and Li Lau serving up a mix of illusions, daring escapes, mind-reading and comedy. Having appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us, the pair know their way around a magic trick or two. You won’t just be watching from your seat either, with audience participation built into the sh