Mbali Mbatha

  Sometimes just watching a film is not enough. Sometimes, after indulging in a good movie, you crave a safe space where the plot, characters and cinematography can be dissected. Film clubs are social gatherings where like-minded individuals convene to enjoy a movie, usually in intimate cinema settings, which they later scrutinise in dialogue. Whether your preference is horror, comedy or romance, there's a film club in Johannesburg that will grab your attention. Here are some of these clubs. Fancy winning a trip to Zanzibar, some cash or other cool prizes? Take The Great Big SA Lifestyle Survey and you could be a winner! 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

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, it is important to continue raising awareness, encouraging both men and women to get screened. For Pretoria residents, the workshops hosted by public hospitals can be highly educational. Whether you live near the CBD, in one of Pretoria’s suburbs, or in a township, there is a facility near you where you can get screened for breast cancer. Here are some of the breast clinics you can visit.  Sign up to Time Out Pretoria's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Capital. And don't forget to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.  TIME OUT PRETORIA RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Pretoria🍽 The best restaurants in Pretoria🏨 The best hotels in Pretoria🛏️ Where to stay in Pretoria

We all love a good ice cream but sometimes people want to switch things up a little bit. The summer heat is not going anywhere anytime soon and if you’re looking for alternative ways to cool down, frozen yogurt is the next best thing. Popularly known as froyo, this dessert was first enjoyed in New England, USA in the 1970s and made it to Mzansi a decade later in 1989 when Marcel’s Frozen Yogurt opened in Stellenbosch. But enough with the history lessons. The summer thirst is not going to deal with itself, so here are some spots in Johannesburg where you can get licking on some froyo. Fancy winning a trip to Zanzibar, some cash or other cool prizes? Take The Great Big SA Lifestyle Survey and you could be a winner! 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

For the past four decades, people all over the world have observed Breast Cancer Month annually during October. While it’s important to raise awareness consistently, during October there is that added push where activists, the medical field, the private and public sectors really put in extra focus in breast cancer education and encouraging screening.  In previous years, these campaigns focused primarily on women, however research has since revealed that men can also suffer from breast cancer and awareness has gradually become inclusive. In South Africa, more than 15000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, making it the common cancer among women in this country.  Here are some dedicated hospitals, centres and other facilities where both men and women can get screened for breast cancer in and around Johannesburg. Fancy winning a trip to Zanzibar, some cash or other cool prizes? Take The Great Big SA Lifestyle Survey and you could be a winner! 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 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.

Gone are the days when the unmistakable sound of an ice cream truck would pull the kids, the parents and even the grandparents out of the house and into the streets; nowadays, these trucks are few and far between. But the summer sun is out and Johannesburg temperatures are rising, notwithstanding climate change, and there’s no better way to cool off than with an ice-cold sundae, soft serve or gelato. These Johannesburg spots serve the best ice cream in town. If the budget allows, don’t just try one but make sure you visit them all. TAKE THE SURVEY AND WIN  Fancy winning a trip to Zanzibar, some cash or other cool prizes? Take The Great Big SA Lifestyle Survey and you could be a winner! 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 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.

Most people have been to a museum that features African artefacts, components of the country’s history and other popular institutions that are prevalent in both traditional and social media. But what if you could go to a different kind of museum where you would learn not just about the iconic Nelson Mandela, but where you would get a deeper understanding of his comrades, the evolution of modes of transport and even aviation history? Johannesburg is a hub of information. In order to understand the city holistically, it’s important to explore all of its museums in their entirety instead of just the more popular ones. Fancy winning a trip to Zanzibar, some cash or other cool prizes? Take The Great Big SA Lifestyle Survey and you could be a winner! 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 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.

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

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

Janice Honeyman’s highly anticipated annual pantomime season is back and this year the internationally acclaimed director presents a Mzansi flavoured adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. I had the privilege of being invited to a sneak preview of the dress rehearsal and the seasoned director and producer’s 39th pantomime reminded me of a question I once asked Honeyman: what is your secret to consistency and not dropping the standard? South Africa’s nuanced context Don’t worry about essence. This is the same fairytale you know and love, just with a certain je ne sais quoi that you would never get anywhere else in the world. It’s important to brush up on your South African humour before stepping inside the auditorium because without this country’s nuances, you’ll be more confused than a seven-year-old Alice meandering through a rabbit hole. In classic Janice Honeyman style, one of the characters proclaims, “this is more ridiculous than Helen Zille singing ‘Happy birthday’ to a pothole.” This is just one of those ways in which Honeyman uncannily transforms these fairytales into a relatable South Africa-centric context. Joburg TheatreJoin Alice's journey down a rabbit hole at the Joburg Theatre In one of our previous interviews, the director asserted that South African politics were one of her best sources of comedy, which is evidenced by various scenes across this and other pantomimes and her tireless commitment to taking a jab at this government officials. Be warned, the guests

Recognised by streaming platforms as one of the fastest-growing genres in the country, maskandi has transcended geographical and language barriers. On Saturday 31 October, residents of this city will convene at the National Zoological Gardens for the inaugural Pretoria Zoo Maskandi Picnic. Gone are the days when maskandi was perceived as a genre consumed strictly in rural KwaZulu-Natal.  Today the genre is consumed by music lovers across the country and its intergenerational appeal’s tentacles also touch Gen Zs, as Spotify stats have revealed that young people under 35 account for nearly 50% of its maskandi consumption. This weekend’s event is a reminder that the vibrancy of South African culture is a thread that connects the people of Mzansi no matter where they are in the country. Mthandni SK FacebookAward-winning musician Mthandeni SK will be at the Pretoria Zoo Maskandi Picnic this weekend. Musically, Pretoria is synonymous with bacardi and Pitori rap, and in the 1980s it was mostly known for Afrikaans alternative rock.  But this Saturday, Pretoria will be immersed in the traditional rhythms of Feza, Mthandeni SK, Limit Nala and other artists, accompanied by the acoustic guitars and concertinas that are part of maskandi’s DNA. The city’s cultural fashion includes high-end Italian sportswear and localised luxury streetwear. The Maskandi picnic is expected to attract bhinca culture to the city where traditional Zulu heritage meets high-end dandy brands of mostly European

November in Johannesburg means the year is almost over, but the city clearly hasn’t agreed to slow down. From a kota festival in Tembisa to a Soweto summer picnic, a comedy night hosted by Skhumba and a silent disco in Rosebank, the month has its own way of keeping your calendar full. And if your December budget is already looking nervous, there are still live music sessions and local events to get into before payday starts making demands. Here’s what’s happening around Johannesburg this month.  28 November is a big one, so brace yourself: major decisions need to be made on the day. Here’s where to be around Johannesburg this month Janice Honeyman’s Alice in Wonderland Sunday, 1 November, 12pm Joburg Theatre Tickets from R170 on Webtickets Janice Honeyman celebrates a momentous 39 pantomimes with her adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Her annual pantomimes at the Joburg Theatre are one of the most important features on South Africa’s theatre calendar and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Not only does she use dialect to give the pantos a Mzansi appeal, but Janice and her musical directors interweave Disney’s classical music—which is synonymous with the shows—with contemporary sounds including amapiano. Desmond Dube returns as the Dame for the umpteenth time and Charlie Bouguenon makes somewhat of a debut after a 15-year hiatus from the Joburg Theatre. Lesedi Rich, who played Pinocchio last year, can no longer be described as an emerging voice as he has gone on to play Don

There are entertainment events and then there are cultural movements. The Corona Sunsets event which took place on Saturday 24 October not only brought various culturally charged activities for guests but also capitalised on the natural environment where the event was held. A venue that adhered to the theme Walking into The Fat Olive in Lanseria, we were greeted by branding that also adhered to the theme, matching the ethereal colours adorning the guests. While it's always aesthetically pleasing when guests adhere to the dress code, there are just too many events in Johannesburg where we are expected to wear ethereal colours. It's now bordering on a lack of originality and, since we are in the summer months (this province has no autumn and spring), it would be nice if hosts would brighten things up and let us play around with colours. Mbali MbathaThe venue "wore" the same colour as the guests. The organisers were very intentional about the "beach", with some of the seating areas featuring beach sand. The "beach" itself was enclosed, but this was still a very nice touch for Johannesburgers as we usually have to board a flight or take a long road trip to dip our toes in the sand. A true cultural movement There are cultural movements and then there is Corona Sunsets. As a frequent event attendee, I've noticed how some of these gatherings identify as cultural initiatives when all they mean is just, "We'll throw in some music and food." It’s a tad hyperbolic given how food and m

The Centurion Teater has assembled a young cast for an adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, Hairspray. The show opened on 22 October and will be on stage until 7 November. At the show’s final dress rehearsal, set and costume designer Ashleigh Hilton spoke to TimeOut about the intricacies of creating the right look for a South African cast who have their own story around hair and fashion. We also caught up with lead actress Carly Janse van Vuuren who is a teenager and is still in high school. She shared what it means for her career to take on a production of this magnitude at such a young age. Drawing parallels between US and SA history Set in Baltimore, the story currently unfolding on a stage in Gauteng chronicles the events that were set in motion when Tracy Turnblad, played by Carly Janse van Vuuren, decided to pursue her dream of dancing on the popular Corny Collins Show. While on detention at school, Tracy catches the rhythm of her friend Seaweed J. Stubbs, played by TeeKay Baloyi. After winning over the show’s host and becoming an overnight celebrity, she and her friends decide to take the show’s racial segregation head-on. Hairspray is colourful without seeking to minimise the impact of racism and the various civil rights movements that were happening simultaneously across various parts of the world in the 1960s.   Mbali MbathaCarly Janse Van Vuuren and TeeKay Baloyi on the hairspray set. Using music, dance and physical theatre, the production paints a joyous p

Celebrated for being the first African artist to ever get a distribution deal with Bob Marley's Tuff Gong International, Don Dada continues to shake things up both locally and on the global stage. The reggae star is also an official Voting Member of the Recording Academy, which is responsible for the Grammy Awards. He has submitted music across four Grammy categories this year, including the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change and the Best Artwork award, which is a newly introduced category being unveiled this year. Harry Belafonte significance and back-to-back SAMA nominations The Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change is not a voting category but a CEO's Merit Award whose recipients are hand-selected by a dedicated committee of peers appointed by the Academy’s National Trustees. The award honours the legacy of the late musician and human rights activist Harry Belafonte, who marched alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr and used his musical gift to break racial barriers. Don Dada describes it as an award that sees the value of music beyond entertainment by recognising this art form as a vehicle for truth, justice, unity, peace and transformation. The Belafonte legacy resonates very deeply with Don Dada, who has submitted his track Peace in this category, which he says was inspired by the enduring message of Bob Marley's timeless hit War. “The song reflects my conviction that music must speak to the realities of our time. We cannot remain silent in the face of confl

When Africans gather, food is always part of the equation. A woman who understands this very well is Chef Nti (Nthabiseng Ramaboa), who has taken South African cuisine to West Africa through her restaurant TASTE Abuja. The award-winning chef and self-confessed township girl also cooked up a pasta storm for guests at Solstice in Bryanston last week, where she shared her secret to the perfect pasta. How Mzansi flavours are received in Nigeria It’s not Chef Nti’s first such eatery, as she also used to run TASTE Kitchen Johannesburg, which closed in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Taking Mzansi flavours to Nigeria was quite a bold step by the chef, as she’s the first to admit that people in that country are very proud of their culinary heritage. Food is identity for Africans, and with Nigerians in particular, the attachment to their own cuisine is not always easy to navigate. Pulse CommsChef Nti is a township girl who loves her crunchy russians. But Chef Nti has found a way to their hearts that passes through their stomachs because her curries and naan bread are a mega hit. When she noticed this, the chef introduced her Nigerian foodies to an innovation she calls naan bread tacos. “Think of it like Durban curry and naan bread on the side, but instead I make it into a taco,” she explains. The multicultural dish weaves Mexican, South African and Indian cuisine together, symbolising the diversity of the chef’s home country. The chef says it’s the most popular dish on her menu,

Not just a restaurant, Artistry in Sandton is a full-fledged cultural and dining hub complete with a theatre and other features. Last week, the establishment—which was founded by Mi Casa’s J’Something in partnership with hotel and apartment network BlackBrick in 2022 and hosted its official public launch in early 2023—announced that it had been nominated for the Best Live Music Venue category in the Music Business Awards Africa. The awards ceremony is set to take place at the South African State Theatre on Saturday, 21 November. The significance of this particular award Artistry has been celebrated with various accolades in its few years of existence, including the Top Restaurant Award at the 2024 DStv Business Awards and Lifestyle Restaurant of the Year at the 2023 LUXE Restaurant Awards. However, if they bring this one home next month, it will be a first for the establishment as they have yet to secure such a nod for their broader offerings besides food. Artistry JHB Facebook pageLanga Mavuso is among the artists who have graced the Artistry stage. An overwhelmed J’Something shared that when he and his partners first embarked on this journey, the vision had been to create a cultural platform that showcases, celebrates and preserves culture holistically. “Whether we win or not, I think the recognition that we are seen and acknowledged as a platform for the efforts that we are making is all we needed because it's not necessarily due to profits that we are still around.” The

 My plus-one and I were recently invited to this year’s leg of the Jacaranda Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff. The self-explanatory affair is inspired by the colourful, sweet-smelling lavender-coloured flowers that emblazon Johannesburg and Pretoria in late spring. The hotel has kept this annual tradition for over a decade, which paints a joyous picture of how guests, both domestic and international, have appreciated its beauty. As it turns out, tea is a very colourful girlie who loves to play around with various flavours, aromas and colours. Four Seasons tea infusions Before you question why my plus-one, Yamke Manjeya, and I kicked off the afternoon by scrutinising lovers of this hot beverage, the tea we drank was no random brand from your nearest supermarket—this was private school stuff that moonlights as royalty. The Four Seasons Exclusive Black Tea is infused with bergamot and citrus aspects. Our host, Ayanda Phetha, schooled us on how, while the tea isn’t immediately pungent, once it’s been brewed, the flavours come alive and elevate the aroma. Yamkeleka ManjeyaYou can get these and other tea selections at Nigiro Tea House in Parkhurst, We undermined the Satureja butterfly green tea at first, but its fruity and floral components boasting cherry blossom, jacaranda and lavender flavours definitely gave it a kind of je ne sais quoi that you don’t get from traditional green tea. The blue dragon phoenix pearls oolong tea has similar floral elements, wi

Launched in 2000, Standard Bank WineX returns to Sandton for its 25th edition, bringing together nearly 8,000 guests to immerse themselves in over 700 wines from more than 120 exhibitors. Considered the biggest and most vibrant consumer wine festival in the Southern Hemisphere, WineX is returning to Johannesburg for a momentous 25th edition. The annual festival was launched in the year 2000. However, like every other social gathering, the physical iteration had to pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting organisers to host virtual events. Now known as Standard Bank WineX, the bank joined the three-day festival as the official title sponsor in 2023. This year’s edition is set to take place from 28 to 30 October, with day one being an invitation-only event for Standard Bank clients and guests. Tarryn Finkelstein (Standard Bank WineX facebook)There is so much to choose from at the Standard bank WineX! About 10,000 wine connoisseurs, collectors and curious individuals will gather at the Sandton Convention Centre to experience more than 120 exhibitors and approximately 800 wines, boutique selections, Champagnes and Cap Classiques under one roof. This is hardly surprising given that South Africa is Africa’s largest wine-producing country. In November 2025, the then Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen expressed pride in South Africa’s wine industry for being awarded six coveted spots on the top 100 list at the World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Awards held in Australia. A s

Ouma, Gogo, Nana, Dhaadi, Grandma, Meemaw. These are a few of the endearing names that we all call our beloved grandmothers, and their love, sacrifices and generation-shaping wisdom is being celebrated at The Backyard in Fairland. The event, hosted by Zaakirah Halim, will unfold at The Backyard in Fairland on 31 October, giving grandchildren an opportunity to appreciate their grannies. The grandmothers will also get a chance to connect with their peers, share experiences, make meaningful memories and maybe even new friends. The importance of grandmothers Zaakirah found it important to celebrate grandmothers, especially given how their role in society has evolved as women’s participation in the economy and workforce evolved. The time they spend with their grandchildren, she adds, is even more precious because of how limited it can sometimes be. “The love they give is very underrated. Them being a support structure for working mothers is invaluable now more than ever because raising a child while you’re juggling so many other things is hard,” says Zaakirah. This speaks volumes about the selflessness of grandmothers because at that age, a lot of them are navigating the loss of their spouses, divorce and illness; yet they still show up for the younger generations. Zaakirah’s grandmother is now late but she has fond memories of the woman they used to call Ma, who had more than 30 grandchildren who all grew up together as siblings instead of cousins. “My grandmother was that mater

The women of Johannesburg redefined beauty on their own terms and reaffirmed the spirit of sisterhood last weekend at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The product variety at the event demonstrated why this remains one of the most highly anticipated beauty events in Mzansi. The Beauty Playground alternates between Johannesburg and Cape Town, and residents await its biennial return to their respective cities. When it does arrive, it’s an anxiety-inducing battle for tickets, with this year’s batch reportedly selling out in under an hour. Self-love, big smiles and a unique kind of FOMO It’s easy to assume that the goodie bag is the biggest attraction to the Clicks Beauty Playground, but by the time the event ends, it’s clear that the definition of beauty on display here goes much deeper than what you may have thought upon your arrival in the morning. The Playgirl queue was long and our feet were sore, but their activity called "the recorded phone call" added a level to beauty that was more than skin deep. The instruction from the Playgirls was simple: just do what she says. And her instruction in her recording was to say something good that you love about yourself. For most of us, it is easy to identify the things we love about those closest to us, but very seldom do we actively utter kind words to ourselves. This for me was an important aspect to include in a pro-women event given everything that is happening in our country currently. Mbali MbathaThe joyous Precious