Mbali Mbatha

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

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

Designers, fashion police, public figures and fashionistas are set to assemble at Hotel Sky in Sandton on 3 October for the second annual South Africa Fashion Awards (SAFAs).  Last year’s inaugural event was hugely successful, with the iconic David Tlale being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, ICE Models strutting away with the Best Modelling Agency award and Lajawi Hair taking the Best Hair Stylist category.  This year’s event is expected to be equally star-studded, with Gert-Johan Coetzee, Mzukisi Mbane, Thula Sindi and many other fashion industry giants going head-to-head in the Best Fashion Designer category.  Mzukisi Mbane IG pageOf course Mzukisi Mbane is nominated in the Best Fashion Designer category. Kim Jayde, Bonang Matheba, Nomzamo Mbatha, Rich Mnisi and many other much-loved figures in the entertainment industry are rightfully nominated for the Best Fashion Icon award.  Trevor Stuurman, Basetsana Maluleka, Fuaad Abdool, Tandekile Mkize and other lens specialists hope to snatch the Best Photographer award.  Other categories in this year’s edition include Best Fashion Campaign, Best South African Jewellery Brand and Best Sustainable Fashion.  There are 21 publicly voted categories in total, with an additional seven icons being celebrated with Special Honours at this year’s edition of the SAFAs. The voting window is already open on the SAFAs website and will remain open until the eve of the event on 2 October.  Basetsana Kumalo IG pageBasetsana Kumalo

Once upon a time, jazz was perceived to be for “old people”, but it seems the young and carefree are leaning more towards this genre in recent South African music history. This is evidenced by the growing popularity of jazz festivals across the country, and more so the prevalence of millennials and GenZs in the audience as well as the artist line-up at these festivals.  Johannesburg’s jazz scene is buzzing, and here’s what’s happening ahead of the Joy of Jazz main event.  Whoever your favourite artist is, they are sure to be featured in one or sometimes even more of these musical spectacles. But even if they are not, head to any of these festivals and you’ll surely encounter a new artist to add to your playlist.  Spring Jazz at NIROX   When: 13 September Where: NIROX Cost: R80 for children under 12, adults R470 to R750 on Howler.  Initially scheduled to take place on 6 September, the family-friendly outdoor event was postponed to 13 September due to weather conditions. Music lovers who purchased tickets for the original date can breathe a sigh of relief because these are valid for the new date.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vincent Mhlanga Zondo (@style._.geist) This one is ideal for people who want to experience live bands in a chilled garden setting, and NIROX’s more than 50 permanent and long-term art installations make for a perfect backdrop.  The stellar line-up boasts well-respected names like Nomfundo Xaluva, Shane Cooper &

September is Tourism Month and there’s no better way to ease into it than taking advantage of Sho’t Left’s Travel Week specials.  Travellers who are keen on exploring the best of South Africa’s food, adventure, rest, culture and all things tourism get amazing deals like the 50% special that’s currently on offer.  Travel Week kicked off on Monday 7 September and continues to run until Sunday 13 September.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sho’t Left (@shotleft) Mashoto Mokgethi, Hub Head of Domestic Tourism at South African Tourism said, “There are so many different reasons South Africans choose to travel.”  “For some it is time with family, for others it is food, adventure, rest, culture or simply discovering somewhere they have never been before. That is really what we mean when we talk about 1,000 Reasons to Sho’t Left.”  Before you collect international passport stamps, here are some amazing domestic travel opportunities not too far from Johannesburg that you can explore in your own beautiful country.  Kiara Lodge  In the Free State province, just a stone’s throw away from the culturally rich country of Lesotho rests Kiara Lodge.  Whether you are a family vacationing for Heritage Month, lovebirds seeking a romantic escapade or a group of friends escaping the daily struggle of adulting, you will fall in love with the lodge’s heated pool and playground, as well as delightful water activities at their private dam.  Kiara Lodge Facebok pa

Known as Gauteng’s biggest triathlon, the SEESA Jozi Triathlon returns for its fourth edition this month. The scenic CR Swart Park at Ebotse Golf and Country Estate in Benoni will be coloured with swimmers, runners and cyclists on Saturday 26 September.  Since its inception, the Jozi Triathlon has grown in popularity because of its inclusive approach to athletics. Given the triathlon’s history of selling out, athletes are encouraged to enter as soon as possible. Entries close on 12 September.  Inclusivity, community and athletic development  Not only does it attract high-profile athletes like Debbie O'Leary, Karla Grobler and emerging athlete Taanashe Makos, who won the Under 15 Super Sprint last year, but Jozi Triathlon also accommodates beginners in the sprinting competition, team relays and school challenges.  The inaugural edition was sold out, as were the subsequent events, including last year’s race. Jozi Triathlon Facebook pageWhen kids are introduced to athletics early in life, they grow up disciplined, confident and goal driven. This is hardly surprising, as the triathlon’s developmental categories have made enormous strides in bridging the gap left by expensive road bikes and swimming infrastructure in traditional athletics.  This year, the organisers are even more intentional, turning the event into a family affair by welcoming entries from kids as young as 10.  The race starts at 7:00 am and, upon reaching the finish line, the athletes have fostered their own cu

Mzansi continues to attract the biggest international heavyweights, and this time it’s former member of the duo White Stripes, Jack White, who has just announced his South African tour.  The two-city tour kicks off at the Old Park Station in Johannesburg on 11 December before Jack invades the Mother City to electrify the crowd at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town on 14 December.  While the duo officially disbanded more than a decade ago in 2011, just like former members of other bands, Jack has been known to incorporate White Stripes hits into his solo performances, and this tour will be no different.  The unstoppable musician was not deterred by the 2011 disbandment, but instead forged a solo career that cemented him as one of the biggest and brightest stars in modern rock.    Lee House PRBrace yourselves for Jack White's electrifying performance this December Just a year later in 2012, his debut solo project Blunderbuss enjoyed the number one spot on the US charts.  This victory was followed by the record-breaking Lazaretto in 2014, which saw the highest first-week vinyl sales since 1991. The Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist did not release another solo album for seven years.  This might be Jack’s first time in South Africa, but music fans across the country are very familiar with his raw guitar playing, distinctive vocals and uncompromising approach to music.  Fans have loved him since his White Stripes days, as Spo

The impact of the weather in Johannesburg last weekend continues to make its presence felt as the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) issued warning to residents. Yesterday, the JMPD reported that wet road surfaces and severe localised flooding had resulted in damage to vehicles at Siemert Road and Currey Street in Doornfontein. A number of cars had become submerged and stuck in high water at this location, and JMPD officers were reportedly managing traffic flow, assisting stranded motorists and actively diverting vehicles away from the flooded road on-scene. “Motorists heading toward these locations are being diverted onto alternative routes. Avoid the area entirely where possible.” “If you encounter submerged roads or high standing water, turn around immediately. Stalled vehicles block emergency response access and present severe safety hazards,” said the JMPD. JMPDJMPD warned Johannesburg residents to continue treading with caution. Residents were also reminded to be cautious when using heaters and other such devices in the cold Johannesburg weather, especially paraffin stoves which are not to be left unattended at any point.  For any emergencies and life-threatening incidents, residents may call 011 375 5911. On Saturday afternoon, the JMPD reported a fallen tree on Cooper and Beryl Street in Cyrildene near Athlone Girls' High School, which resulted in the intersection being blocked. Another tree reportedly fell on the Smit Street M1 on-ramp in Braamfontein, and

Not every initiative survives its first five years, but the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (MNPO) did more than just survive. The orchestra is currently gearing up for its national tour in celebration of its fifth-year anniversary. Since being founded in 2021, the orchestra has delivered a host of successful tours, conducted community development programmes, supported developing local music departments across various universities and achieved several other milestones. Five years of proud moments It is hardly surprising that the orchestra has achieved so much in such a short time, considering that their first concert, just a year into MNPO’s existence, took place at Wits University for the institution’s 100th anniversary. At the national tour announcement event recently held at Sanctuary Mandela, MNPO’s chief executive and artistic director Bongani Tembe shared a heartwarming memory of the orchestra’s concert that took place in the Cape Flats. In collaboration with local community choirs and musicians, the MNPO took orchestral music directly to the people, giving them access to this art form. “I don’t think you can listen to a radio for an hour without hearing some kind of orchestral music or advert. It’s important to dispel this notion that an orchestra only plays Western classical music and can only play Mozart and Beethoven,” Tembe said. Mzansi Philharmonic OrchestraBongani Tembe is excited about the innovative approaches to orchestral music in recent history. As