Experience Fine Dining at Room 32 at the Park Hyatt Johannesburg

In a city where culinary ambition is on the rise, Park Hyatt Johannesburg has quietly – and confidently – opened the doors to Room 32, a refined dining destination that blends fire-cooked cuisine, South Africa’s proudly local craft beverages and rich architectural heritage into one immersive experience.

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the exclusive opening of Room 32, an intimate affair curated for a select group of influencers, content creators, and members of the press. The afternoon was a culinary indulgence, featuring an exquisite tasting of starters, mains, and desserts from the restaurant’s full menu. Each dish was a masterful expression of flavour and finesse – an elegant preview of the gastronomic excellence that Room 32 promises to deliver.


Cushioned inside the newly restored Sir Herbert Baker landmark in Rosebank, Room 32 is the only
communal space in what is now the world’s most intimate Park Hyatt – a 31-room sanctuary of
understated luxury. The restaurant is not just a nod to fine dining; it’s a statement of intent.


Room 32 is where the story of food begins and lingers long after the last bite. The kitchen speaks through
the freshest offerings. Every dish is crafted with respect and curiosity; every flavour layered with
intention. Dining at Room 32 is more than a meal; it’s a shared moment, where culinary art and heartfelt
hospitality meet.


“Room 32 was born from a desire to create a space that feels both grounded and elevated,” says Mitch
Gemmell, General Manager at Park Hyatt Johannesburg. “In a hotel defined by privacy and discretion,
this is our invitation to indulge in the city’s finest and classiest cuisine.”

Here’s a short video of the opening:

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Hey Neighbour Festival Postponed to December 2025

Hey Neighbour Festival 2025, initially set to take place this August, has been moved to December 2025. While the festival was set to feature world-class performances, including the highly anticipated appearances by Doja Cat, Central Cee, Black Coffee, and Leon Thomas, to name a few, the organisers have made the strategic decision to reschedule the festival in order to ensure its continued success and sustainability.


Hey Neighbour’s Glen Netshipise stated, “As CEO of Hey Neighbour Festival, I want to acknowledge the disappointment caused by the postponement of the 2025 event. We understand the impact this has on our loyal festival-goers, sponsors, and artists. We also recognise that our communication around the challenges we’ve faced hasn’t been as clear as it should have been, and for that, we sincerely apologise. Moving forward, we are committed to improving our transparency and communication, ensuring that everyone is kept informed as we work towards delivering an even better festival in December 2025. We truly appreciate your continued support and patience as we navigate these challenging yet exciting times.” He added “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors, artists, and attendees. Their faith in us is helping to ensure that we can deliver the best possible festival experience.” 


WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TICKET HOLDERS AND SPONSORS?

Tickets: All tickets purchased for the event will remain valid for the rescheduled dates, which will be announced on 30 September 2025, along with the full lineup.

Refunds: All refunds due will be processed and paid by 10 October 2025.

Sponsors: Sponsors who have already made contributions will be contacted directly with further details.

Artists: We are in active discussions with the initially booked talent to confirm their availability for the new December dates.


NEXT STEPS

The organisers are actively working on securing the necessary funding, strategic partnerships, and more exciting headliners to bring the festival back bigger and better than ever. We will share further details regarding the exact rescheduled dates, as well as information on refunds for those who have already requested refunds and those unable to attend, by 30 September 2025.

For updates, please visit the official festival website: www.heyneighbour.co.za or follow us on social media for real-time updates.


CONTACT INFO

For ticket holders, sponsors, or other stakeholders with queries or concerns, please contact our customer support team at:

Email: tickets@heyneighbour.co.za 

Phone: +27 60 808 5252

Website: www.heyneighbour.co.za

Nomzamo Mbatha Named First-Ever South African Ambassador for Creme of Nature

Global beauty icon, award-winning actress and celebrated humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha has been officially named the first-ever South African ambassador for Creme of Nature, the iconic American-born haircare brand with over 65 years of legacy. Known for its dedication to textured hair and roots in celebrating African beauty, Creme of Nature has now launched in South Africa with its landmark
campaign, Rooted in Radiance.


Creme of Nature’s expansion into the South African market marks a powerful new chapter for the
beloved brand. It is now available at Clicks, Dis-Chem, TakeAlot and Amazon and will launch
in Checkers in July 2025. With a deep respect for the heritage and self-expression of textured
hair, the Rooted in Radiance campaign is more than a tagline; it’s a movement. At its core lies a
bold truth: hair is more than just strands; it is a legacy, an identity, and a radiant symbol of
confidence.

I attended the launch event last night, and below is the video of the highlights:

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Ryan Reynolds Narrates National Geographic’s “Underdogs”

Young meerkats shelter in a burrow in the Kalahari desert. (National Geographic/Thilo Beck)

For 137 years, National Geographic has been bringing you breathtaking wildlife footage of iconic animals – penguins, elephants, whales and more. Hold on to your binoculars, folks, as Nat Geo gets up close and personal with the outcasts of the animal kingdom in UNDERDOGS, narrated by Ryan Reynolds. From their hidden talents to their unconventional hygiene choices to their unsavory courtship rituals, UNDERDOGS celebrates the unique behaviors of the animals who don’t usually get to be the stars of the show.

From Reynolds’ Emmy® Award-winning Maximum Effort and Emmy® and BAFTA Award-Winning Wildstar Films (a Fremantle company), National Geographic’s UNDERDOGS will premiere on Saturdays at 18:00 (CAT), from 21 June on National Geographic Wild (DStv 182, StarTimes 221), and will also be available on Disney+ in South Africa.

View the trailer below:

“Getting to work with National Geographic on UNDERDOGS was a dream come true – mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. Technically, they saw “Deadpool & Wolverine” but I don’t think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours,” said Reynolds. “We’re so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can’t wait for everyone to see.”

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“Freakier Friday” is out on 8 August

(L-R) Lindsay Lohan as Anna Coleman and Jamie Lee Curtis as Tess Coleman in Disney’s live-action FREAKIER FRIDAY. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The new trailer and poster for “Freakier Friday,” the eagerly anticipated sequel to the beloved Disney classic starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, is here! “Freakier Friday” opens exclusively in cinemas on 8 August 2025.

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