Mbali Mbatha

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

You’ve scrolled Netflix long enough. There’s a lot happening in theatres this September and the line-up is far more interesting than a quick glance at a listings page might suggest.  This month’s theatre programme moves between courtroom drama, jazz, ballet and contemporary storytelling, with stories that touch on family, identity, faith and relationships. Some are big, polished productions, others are smaller shows that promise the kind of close-up theatre experience you simply can’t get from your sofa. 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 there’s one thing South Africa’s many cultures have in common, it’s knowing how to put a great meal on the table. Heritage Month feels like the perfect time to dig in. From local classics and Portuguese grills to sushi, seafood and comforting family favourites, there’s plenty to eat in and around Johannesburg this Heritage Month. These restaurant specials cover everything from affordable midweek meals and lazy Sunday lunches to date nights and big family gatherings. From Johannesburg and beyond, these are the restaurant specials worth sinking your teeth into this September. 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. Nhlalala Mthembi is a Johannesburg-based freelance journalist. He writes about culture, entertainment, and lifestyle, with a particular interest in storytelling that highlights South African experiences. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts.

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

Multi-award-winning actor and TV personality Lawrence Maleka has just touched down at OR Tambo after a trip to Toronto, Canada where his film Future Tense had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this week. Not only is this his debut as an executive producer, but Future Tense is also his first science fiction experience. Unpacking Future Tense Set in a future Cape Town, the film is plotted around colonial history, climate change and the human emotion of guilt. The Mother City is on the brink of severe environmental and climate collapse, and in true “rich getting richer, poor getting poorer” fashion, the elite have the option to escape to cleaner and safer eras of the past. Lawrence describes his character, Lwando, as a very conflicted man. He has bottled up a lot of the emotions that he struggles to articulate, but life does not stop to accommodate his internal turmoil, so there’s a mission at hand. Getty ImagesLawrence Maleka as Lwando in the science fiction Future Tense that he also executive produced. He and his partner win an excursion that sees them travelling back to 1647 – centuries before the world became industrialised. In Lawrence’s words, at the heart of Lwando’s journey is a very difficult choice: does he choose love or does he try to save a people? That conflict drives a lot of what he experiences throughout the film. Lawrence Maleka’s elevation from actor to executive producer Audiences know and love Lawrence for his comedy in

September is not only Heritage Month in Mzansi but also Literacy Month, and literature has always been a significant thread in the fabric of our heritage. Author and mental health advocate Rephethile Sibasa is taking literature to the children of Soweto on 19 September, where she will host a special reading from her book, Mental Health ABC: Growing and Nurturing Children’s Mental Health. Access to possibility Choosing Soweto as a venue is intentional; the author wants to bring the difficult and uncomfortable conversation about children’s mental health to communities that do not always have access to these resources. She calls it giving children “access to possibility”, because books teach kids new words and help them understand different experiences, which inevitably leads them to begin understanding themselves. More than just a reading, the event reflects the author’s commitment to creating a safe space where kids can freely share their innermost feelings, thoughts and fears, and, more importantly, understand that it is okay to ask for help. She has observed that children’s feelings run deep, even though they do not always have the vocabulary to articulate their emotions. Rephethile Kgwale Sibasa Facebook pageRephethile Kgwale Sbasa is on a mission to take literature to township comm unities this Literacy Month. “You are too young. What is stressing you?” adults sometimes say, inadvertently forcing children into a solitary state of fearing that experiencing certain feeling

In recent history, South African artists like the musician Tyla, actresses Nomzamo Mbatha and Thuso Mbedu, and visual artists Jane Alexander and Lisa Brice, as well as many others, have been shaking things up on global platforms. But Mzansi’s capabilities are not just limited to artistry. This is evidenced by sports stars Benni McCarthy and Cheslin Kolbe, who were recently announced as brand ambassadors for the online sports betting and gaming platform, SportyBet. The pair join DJ Khaled and Burna Boy, making them trailblazers in the African spectrum. While Burna Boy was born and raised in Nigeria, the musician spends more time away from the continent than he does on it. SportybetBenny Mccarthy and Cheslin Kolbe are Africa's first ever Sportybet brand ambassadors. Apart from representing the brand, their responsibilities also include taking part in SportyBet’s first-ever Crash Games World Championship. There are six games in total and five Sporty Group ambassadors will go head-to-head in the championship. Ivorian footballer Yan Diomandé is also part of the competition, and a sixth ambassador will be announced in due course. The gentlemen will take each other on in Rugby Blitz, Sporty Skills, Jet Golf by DJ Khaled, Sporty Jets by Burna Boy, Sporty Hero and LaLiga Penalty. For McCarthy and Kolbe, the competition offers a different kind of challenge, trading their familiar sporting environments for the fast-paced world of Crash Games and competing as part of a global field. C

The European Film Festival is back in South Africa for its 13th edition and movie theatres across Johannesburg will be buzzing with award-winning international films from 17 to 27 September. Don’t be misled by the name however, as the festival doesn’t screen strictly European films, but presents audiences with works that were collaboratively produced by African and European creators. This year, the collaborating African countries include South Africa, Nigeria and others, resulting in universal themes that can resonate with audiences regardless of where they are in the world. Producers from these countries partnered with filmmakers from France, Germany, Poland and other countries. Here’s what’s in store at this year’s edition of the festival. The Last Viking (Denmark) Brotherhood, mental health and secrets from the past fall under the spotlight in this star-studded production featuring top Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who starred in the 2006 global blockbuster Casino Royale. The story is told through the eyes of a bank robber who has just completed his 15-year prison sentence. View this post on Instagram A post shared by European Film Festival in SA (@euffsa) Using dark comedy, the film details the series of events that unfolds when the ex-convict, who is dying to get his hands on the cash from his last heist, is met with the frustration of his sickly brother who cannot recall where he buried the cash. The bank robber’s brother, suffering from sever

Thanks to Joburg weather, two weeks ago, Thando Zide’s fans who had been waiting with bated breath for her Ku Ngawe album experience, were beyond disappointed when the event was postponed. But on Sunday 13 September, the Afro-soul and R&B fusion artist made her fans cry, laugh and dance their hearts out as if to prove that her performance had been worth the wait.  The Ku Ngawe album experience It’s almost impossible not to bemoan the commute for Stella Artois events because the brand worships Muldersdrift despite the area feeling like it’s in an entirely different province. However, Mount Joy, where Thando’s Ku Ngawe album experience was held, blows you away the second you step inside the gate.  The natural greens and water features emblazoned all around the venue were a perfect backdrop for Thando’s Afro Riviera theme. It was no surprise that the event, in partnership with Stella Artois, was a sold out affair. The artist and the alcohol brand curated a spectacle of human connection and creative expression, making for a   complete cultural experience that stimulated all five senses in each of the more than 500 people in attendance.  @themba_ntanda Bathi Sundays are for lovers @Thando Zide #fyp #kungawe ♬ original sound - Themba Mina 🇿🇦 As someone who frequents events, there are very few things as satisfying as witnessing guests adhering to the theme, and Thando’s fans rocked their best whites/off-whites, burnt oranges and other sandy earth tones. It a

In early February, when the announcement that Little Falls in Roodepoort was closing down was made, Gauteng residents from Pretoria to Tembisa and Fourways took to social media to voice their frustrations, sharing childhood memories of trips to this facility. Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) recently announced that the facility would be ready to welcome families and visitors once again on 1 October. Netizens had misunderstood the initial announcement though, because the closure was not permanent. On the contrary, it was to their own benefit as Little Falls was actually closed for renovations. The same Gautengers had raised an array of concerns around safety, maintenance failures and the illegal occupation by homeless individuals. JCP heeded this call and embarked on a major cleanup and security rehabilitation project dubbed Mega Blitz. Johannesburg City parksBring your picnic baskets, swimming costumes and energy as Little Falls reopens. “The swimming pool is scheduled to open for the summer season on 1 October 2026, subject to the appointment of lifeguards and cashiers by the City's Community Development Department (COMDEV),” said JCP. The pool will only be open from Tuesdays to Sundays, with lifeguards and security personnel ensuring everyone’s safety. “Mondays will be dedicated to intensive pool cleaning, water treatment and maintenance, helping to ensure that the pool remains clean, safe and ready for swimmers throughout the summer season.” The rest of the park will be ope

Tourists travelling from South Africa to Zambia will have another airline that can accommodate them from 1 February 2027, which means less stress about possibly not making it in time due to limited direct flights. In response to the robust demand, Flysafair announced its new route between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka, Zambia, on Friday 12 September. For low prices starting from R2800, travellers can board a Flysafair flight on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Lusaka’s popularity has reportedly been growing very swiftly because of its cultural and wildlife offerings, and Flysafair’s chief marketing officer, Kirby Gordon, says the airline’s customers have constantly been asking about the SA to Zambia route. “The Johannesburg–Lusaka corridor carries a significant mix of business and leisure travellers, as well as South Africans and Zambians travelling to see family and friends. “We’re proud to bring our fares and our reliability to this route and to make the connection between our two countries more accessible than it has been,” he added. FlysafairYou can now fly from Johannesburg to Zambia for 5 days a week with Flysafair. Travellers can also explore Zambia’s artistry at 7D Gallery and the Kabwata Cultural Village, or trace the country’s history at the Lusaka National Museum where they can discover Zambian archaeology, contemporary art, traditional beliefs and colonial history. Livingstone and Vic

It’s Heritage Month in Mzansi and ahead of their highly anticipated annual event, the Scorpion Kings duo, DJ Maphorisa (Themba Sekowe) and Kabza De Small (Kabelo Motha) have been cooking…literally. The pioneering amapiano DJs have partnered with RocoMamas in a South African delicacy-inspired Heritage Month limited-edition King's Feast menu. The invite to sample the menu could not have come at a better time as I was suffering from the effects of the previous night’s fermented grapes and was in no mood to cook. The menu is available at branches across the country and Scorpion Kings event goers will be able to taste these burgers at the FNB Stadium on 19 September, but I chose Bel Air Shopping Centre as it’s nearest to me. What’s on the menu? The menu features two burgers called the Madumane Double and the Papta Sting. The former is perfect if you’re feeling especially famished because it’s actually a double beef smash burger. The South African twist here is that instead of gherkins, tomatoes and lettuce, the burger is stuffed with chakalaka, chorizo sausage, cheese and the juiciest sauce. The Papta Sting is a Southern Fried chicken burger featuring atchar and jalapeño peppers. My daughter, who was my plus one, is the real cook at our house and her Papta Sting helped me to finally understand her theory about flavour balancing. Usually, when there's a hot ingredient you often struggle to taste the other ingredients but with this burger, I could identify the sauce, chicken and all

Melville Koppies has a surprise in store for hikers this weekend. For one night only, the hiking trail, which usually does not open in the evenings, will host guests for a stargazing night on Sunday 13 September from 6:00 pm. Under the leadership of astronomy guide Tony Lelliott, guests will take a peek through a high-powered telescope for a close-up of the celestial bodies that most people only get to see on television. Tony will draw on his deep well of knowledge to educate guests about the cosmic structures that will be on the horizon. Guests are encouraged to bring a torch, a small chair and warm clothes. Those who have binoculars may also bring them to enhance the experience. Melville Koppies Facebook pageSpring has sprung and the flowers at Melville Koppies Nature Reserve are blooming. However, this is still a normal day of hiking. Those who have registered will spend the earlier part of the day navigating the 10 km self-guided route through Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. The hike is an adventure through heritage trails where walkers can experience the archaeological, geological and historical sites preserved on the ridge. Because it is spring, the blooming flowers along the trail make for a beautiful walk. For the little ones, storyteller Merle Grace will be present to deliver oral literature from 9:00 am until 9:30 am. Guests may not wait inside the facility for the 6:00 pm stargazing event, as the gates are locked from 11:30

Joburg Theatre's artistic director Ngcobo musical director Margaret Motsage and cast member Liesl Penniken, who is also a member of the girl-band Jamali, share their experiences with An ODe to Motown's first edition and let us in on the second edition. A deserved ode to Motown Records  The show is Ngcobo’s way of giving Joburg Theatre audiences an experience of different forms of theatre and storytelling, continuing the Joburg Theatre’s vision to be a space where these art forms can exist.  Motown deeply influenced the global musical landscape, including that of South Africa, with multiple local stars borrowing from Motown artists.  An Ode to Motown is a nostalgic walk down memory lane to the iconic Motown Records that gave the world Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers, Jackson 5 and many others in the 1970s, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson’s solo career in the 1980s, as well as Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight in the 1990s.  Some of the most prominent Motown women include Diana Ross, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight and Valerie Simpson.  He describes the show as more than just a collection of songs, as it aptly depicts Motown Records as a significant cultural movement that gave Black artists a platform, created global stars and allowed Black music and stories to travel across borders.  “We grew up with it, our musicians were influenced by it and generations of South Africans continue to connect with these songs. Bringing Motown to the Mandela Stage allows

The cost of being a woman is typically associated with make-up and beauty products, fashion and the like, but these are not necessities.  "How much money do women part with for their biologiocal essentials?" is a question that Riverbed Agency founder Monalisa Zwambila is answering with her newly launched app ,Femio.  Not only that, she is also advocating for women to be rewarded with discounts, cash back, financial services and other benefits for the monthly costs of simply being women. For example, the first inclusive prototype for car safety was developed in the mid 1980s. This was not done for the benefit of women though.  It was designed for expectant fathers who struggled to understand their pregnant partners' extreme exhaustion, insomnia and other physical limitations that were related to the pregnancy. While things eventually started to change, it was not until 2021 that car brands started to become more conscious as prior safety measures were designed by remodelling men's physique instead of taking women's features into account. How would it work? The app helps women calculate menstrual, reproductive, pregnancy, menopause, safety and the other basic costs that are unique to them. After downloading, I spent a few weeks observing, learning and familiarising myself with its functionality.  Based on my current salary and job specifications, the monthly income pay gap between myself and counterparts who are men, is R4530. The current lifetime cost of my womanly essentials

It’s going to be yet another bright red Heritage Day in the streets of Johannesburg.  Run Your City (RYC), one of South Africa’s most popular races, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and five years ago, in the thick of the Covid-19 pandemic, Absa joined as a partner.  The race has since scaled to multiple locations across the country and is still growing strong. Growth, expansion and more Jozi fitness  RYC took its first steps in the streets of Cape Town in 2015 and a year later Johannesburg also started running, followed by Durban in 2017.  The inaugural edition was welcomed by 10 000 enthusiastic runners  in the Mother City who embraced their South African diversity.  It was inevitable that an initiative this popular would gradually sweep through to other parts of the country and cities followed suit in 2023, with the race launching in Gqeberha and Tshwane that year.  This year, Absa and its partners in the race have announced yet another milestone as Mangaung in the Free State joins the RYC family.  Charles NdouJoburg runners celebrate the fusion of heritage and fitness by running in traditional attire. Numbers had plummeted around 2020 for obvious reasons, but in 2024 the race recorded its highest post-Covid numbers in Johannesburg, with more than 11 000 runners flocking to Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.  2025 was even bigger, with a reported more than 14 000 Joburg runners putting on their red best and integrating fitness into Heritage Day.  Since the fina