As we gear up for the Heritage Day long weekend, the combination of rising petrol prices and the ongoing issue of loadshedding can pose challenges for those looking to make the most of their budget and time off.

”Given the current cost of living pressures, exacerbated by recent fuel price increases, it is important to be strategic with your budget when planning for a short break,” says James William, Head of Marketing at Wonga.

To help plan a memorable long weekend, Williams shares three essential tips to make the most of the extended break:

1. Support the side hustle community in your area

Opt for sustainable and locally sourced products and services, which are often more cost effective than imports. This contributes not only to the local economy, but also supports the entrepreneurs and side hustlers that are stimulating the informal economy. In a recent survey conducted by Wonga, up to 60% of the respondents earning less than R10000 per month rely on side hustles to make ends meet. Inspire someone in your community by supporting their business.

2. Drive less

Consider a staycation to reduce your travel expenses or choose destinations closer to home to save travel time. Look for hidden gems where you can still enjoy a change of scenery and experience different activities. It can be a local Airbnb or a place that has interesting activities to do with the kids, such as walking, fishing, or biking trails. Take advantage of hotel shuttles and grocery delivery services for essentials to save on petrol, and to sit back and relax.

3. Prepare for loadshedding

Loadshedding requires preparation to minimise its impact on your long weekend. Stock up on essential items like easy to prepare meal options and draw up a list of indoor activities, such as board games, books, or streaming content, to keep your family entertained during power outages. Also, check if your accommodation or your chosen restaurant has off-grid alternatives before making a reservation, and if they have back up power for wi-fi so you don’t incur extra costs of using phone data.

“There are so many economic challenges that we are currently facing, so it is important to keep within your budget,” says Williams. “It is possible for you to make the most of your holiday to recharge the batteries without breaking the bank,” he concludes.

This September on the journey to the 2023 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, a league of award-winning musicians will present music workshops to empower young musicians around Gauteng.

The music workshops are part of the festival’s skills and audience development programme. They are designed to harness the festival’s ability to access world class musicians and create an environment which gives young people a chance to meet and learn from some of the headline artists performing at the festival.

The focus on community development remains central to the festival’s vision and mission as it continues to claw itself back from the effects of pandemic years. Therefore, the workshops carry on the festival commitment to community development and youth empowerment through learning.

The workshops take place at the Joburg Theatre on 26 September 2023 as follows:

Carlo Mombelli – Pulses in the Centre of Silence: 10h00 – 10h50

Titi Luzipo and Billy Monama – Rhythm: 11h00 – 11h50

 

Nothemba Madumo & DJ Khenziro – Jazz in Hip-hop: 13h00 – 13h50

 

Zoe Modiga – Harmony 14h00 – 14h50

Young people who are unable to attend the workshops physically will be able to access them online. The festival will stream the programme live across its various social media platforms.

Standard Bank Card Holder Discount:

Tickets are available at Computicket (both online and instore) and as a Standard Bank cardholder, you can qualify for a discount of up to 15%.  The offer is limited to two tickets per person, and only on usage of a valid Standard Bank debit, cheque or credit card and is subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

Full Ticket Prices Are:

R950 Day Pass

R1800 Weekend Pass

 

JUST A REMINDER

Festival Dates: 29 and 30 September 2023

Venue:  Sandton International Convention Centre.

Tickets are available at Computicket and Checkers outlets from R800.

 

SBJOJ Social Media Handles

• Twitter: @joyofjazz
• Instagram: @joyofjazz_
• Facebook: Standard Bank Joy of Jazz

The 2023 Global Citizen Festival will broadcast live to the world on Saturday, September 23 from New York City’s Central Park, where 60 thousand global citizens, along with the world’s leading artists and advocates, will gather for a day of action and advocacy for equity, for the planet, for food and for jobs, to end extreme poverty NOW, as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly. 

Charlize Theron, Chris Rock, Daymond John, Eddie Izzard, Katie Holmes, Liza Koshy, Natasha Lyonne, Nomzamo Mbatha, and Vladimir Duthiers are set to join the line-up that will take the stage on Central Park’s Great Lawn. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN; Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norwegian Minister of Development and Cooperation; Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General, International Labour Organisation; José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor Leste; Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO, Dubai Cares; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director, Education Cannot Wait; and leading advocates Brianna Fruean, Helena and Nina Gualinga and Moj Mahdara will lead the charge, calling for systemic change for the world’s most marginalized populations.

The 2023 Global Citizen Festival will be headlined by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jung Kook and Anitta, with performances from Conan Gray, D-Nice, Sofia Carson and Stray Kids. Previously announced participants include: Governor Helder Barbalho and State Secretary for Indigenous People Puyr Tembé from the Brazilian State of Pará, Bill Nye, Bridget Moynahan, Busy Philipps, Carmelo Anthony, Common, Connie Britton, Danai Gurira, Gayle King, Jordan Fisher, Lewis Pugh, Padma Lakshmi, Phoebe Gates, Rachel Brosnahan, Sophia Bush, and renowned advocates Barbie Izquierdo, Deja Foxx, Ineza Umuhoza Grace, Jerome Foster II, Nkosana Butholenkosi Masuku, Sophia Kianni, Pashtana Durrani, Xiye Bastida and Wangari Kuria.

“To have a powerhouse of broadcasters and streamers taking the Global Citizen movement to the whole world on September 23 presents a significant opportunity to drive action in this critically important year for social change,” said Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Global Citizen. “We couldn’t be happier to have truly inspiring world leaders taking the stage alongside Charlize Theron, Chris Rock, Katie Holmes and Eddie Izzard and this year’s sensational lineup. It’s going to be an unforgettable day in Central Park.”

• WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 4:00pm EST
• WHERE: The Great Lawn of Central Park, New York City

Viewers can join the movement and take action on the most urgent issues facing humanity and our planet by downloading the Global Citizen app or visiting at www.globalcitizen.org.

Global Citizen Festival is presented by Citi and Cisco. Global Partners are Accenture, Delta Air Lines, P&G, TimesLIVE and Verizon; Campaign Partners Bridgewater Associates, Motsepe Foundation and World Wide Technology; with Live Nation, iHeartMedia, and Location Partner New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The Global Citizen Festival broadcast is produced by Done and Dusted.

For more information visit globalcitizenfestival.com, download the Global Citizen app, and follow Global Citizen on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) officially kicks off the #Road2SAMA29 as the countdown begins to the nominee announcement which is set to take place on Tuesday, 3 October 2023 in Soweto, Johannesburg.

A special announcement is also set for 3 October 2023 which will see South Africa’s flagship music awards find a new home. This exciting partnership will bring about the biggest SAMA roll out to date, as the #Road2SAMA29 will activate across multiple cities anchoring on music, fashion and tourism.

“The South African music industry has produced exceptional music over the past year and seen our artists take their brands to new heights both locally and globally. We are proud to officially kick off #SAMA29 and look forward to sharing with the country some exciting new developments as the SAMA’s finds a new home,” shares RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi.

Save the date to follow the journey of seeing South Africa’s highest music achievers honoured in a multi-dimensional way.

Connect with the SAMAs:

Instagram: @thesamas_
Twitter: @TheSAMAs
TikTok: @thesamas_ 
YouTube: samusicawards
Facebook: South African Music Awards
Website: www.samusicawards.co.za
Hashtags: #SAMA29

Showmax has confirmed that production has started on the second season of their hit drama Adulting. Released in March 2023, the first season set a new record for the most first-day views on Showmax of any drama series. 

Adulting follows four friends in Johannesburg. Their strong bond has held them together after varsity even as their journeys in life have taken them in very different directions. As they try to grow as men, finding love, success and the best nightlife spots in Jozi, they turn to each other for laughs and support. 

Adulting is created by Tshedza Pictures’ Phatu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, who’ve won five Best Scriptwriting SAFTAs in the past four years for smash-hit shows like The Republic and The River, which was also nominated for an International Emmy. Their second Showmax Original, Outlaws, is currently the most watched series on Showmax, with new episodes on Wednesdays. 

Tshedza confirms that all four lead cast are returning for Season 2: man of the moment Thembinkosi Mthembu (Outlaws, Shaka iLembe and The River) as Bonga, Nhlanhla Kunene (The River, Lavish) as fan-favourite Eric, Thabo Rammusi (The Suit) as Mpho, and Luthando BU Mthembu (Big Brother Mzansi) as Vuyani, who recently won The Best Dressed On Screen Personality Award at the GQ Best Dressed 2023 Awards. Breakout star Londeka Shishi is also returning as Nkanyezi. 

While details of the new season are under wraps for now, Phathu says the Showmax Original will remain “a fun show about good times and brotherhood, with lots of heart,” grounded in the migrant experience in Jozi, where, “You leave your town of origin and come to Joburg as an adult and the friends you make in that time become your family.” 

Gwydion says the 18LSDVN show will keep raising eyebrows in its second season. “Our research into the stuff South African men get up to keeps shocking us…”

While you wait, you can binge S1 on again here:

https://www.showmax.com/eng/tvseries/g3h6nfpu-adulting