Mzansi Life & Style showcases the best that South Africa has to offer in terms of entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, culture, cuisine, travel, beauty and celebrity news. Subscribe to my website by adding your email address in the "follow" button below.
According a recent report, approximately 4 million people in South Africa are Deaf or hard-of-hearing. Eastgate Shopping Centre in Johannesburg has announced a collaboration with Convo South Africa to improve accessibility for this community.
Real-time support at key service points
Through this partnership, Eastgate now provides on-demand access to South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters at customer service points across the centre. Deaf and hard-of-hearing shoppers are able to scan QR codes displayed at these points to connect with an interpreter via video call. The service is quick, intuitive and offered at no cost to the customer. Marking a meaningful step in the centre’s drive to offer a more inclusive shopping experience, the initiative is now live.
“Inclusivity should not be an afterthought,” says Saadiyah Kahn, General Manager at Eastgate Shopping Centre. “We’ve been looking closely at how we can better accommodate shoppers with varying needs, and this partnership with Convo is an important first move. We are committed to ensuring every customer feels seen, understood and respected.”
Building on the phenomenal momentum of the past two years, South Africa’s iconic youth radio station, Y, proudly announces the return of GRYND 2025 – the ultimate content creation convention. This is where passion meets strategy, where timelines come to life, and where creators level up — from nano to mega, and everything in between.
Originally launched in 2023 as a response to the growing youth unemployment crisis, GRYND was created to spark critical conversations around entrepreneurship and innovation. Now in its third year, GRYND 2025 continues to evolve as a powerhouse of opportunity, arming young people with practical tools, real-world knowledge, and a mindset geared toward sustainable self-employment. With a key focus on the “how-to” aspect of content creation, GRYND is more than a convention, its unique offering is a launchpad for success. You’ll leave inspired, informed, and ready to turn content into currency.
This year’s edition for the first time will see GRYND speakers go beyond inspiration, guiding attendees through step-by-step sessions and live creative demonstrations that show exactly how to level up as content creators. This hands-on approach is a major highlight, designed to deliver real, actionable value – all designed to foster growth, creativity and collaboration. GRYND is your ultimate creative playground.
Backed by Y’s influential reach and deep cultural insight, GRYND 2025 promises to once again unite aspiring entrepreneurs, side-hustlers, and established industry leaders for a day of powerful exchange.
Confirmed for the 2025 speaker lineup are the faces you double-tap on daily, South Africa’s most dynamic voices in tech, finance, media and business – each bringing their journey, insights and blueprints for success to the stage. Keynote speakers include young powerhouse business entrepreneurs Alphi Sipho, Sibu Mabena, Ntando Zikalala and Sabelo the Kreator alongside various other dynamic industry disruptors. These speakers include collaborative creator Thato Rampedi, beauty influencer Jay Pharasi, dance influencer Hope Ramafalo, tech influencer Okay Wasabi, agency owner Kyle Clark, foodie creator Onezwa Mbola and Y’s own fashion influencer Fresh by Caddy, reality star Sinaye and broadcast royalty Ayanda MVP.
As we mark Youth Month in the country, GRYND 2025 stands as a testament to the power of ideas, community, and fearless innovation. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the movement that’s shaping South Africa’s next generation of game changers. Atlas Studios turns into the epicenter of creator culture next month, so mark your calendar for Saturday, 28 June 2025 and pull up – GRYND is going down with an unfiltered, full-throttle experience made for young visionaries ready to shake things up.
Y Managing Director Haseena Cassim, remarked,“GRYND has evolved beyond a moment into a movement that continues to grow with the ambitions of South Africa’s youth. In 2025, we’re doubling down on our mission to equip young people with more than just inspiration—we’re providing access, insights, and actionable tools. GRYND is about shifting mindsets, unlocking creativity, and empowering the next generation to build their futures through innovation and digital fluency. We’re not just opening doors—we’re showing young people how to walk through them with confidence.”
I recenlty started to play padel socially so I was excited to hear that Sandton City has raised the game, literally, with the opening of Net Set Padel, a premium padel facility located on the centre’s rooftop near entrance 8. Boasting four world-class outdoor courts and four indoor courts, this state-of-the-art venue caters for both seasoned players and those picking up a padel racket for the first time, joining a lineup of over 375 world-class brands and experiences at Africa’s most iconic shopping destination.
A World-Class Court Experience
Net Set Padel Sandton City has been designed to meet the highest international standards. All eight courts were sourced from Spain’s renowned PADEL ALBA and are fully compliant with the specifications of both the Spanish Padel Federation and the International Padel Federation. The facility includes four ALBA classic outdoor courts and four full panoramic indoor courts, ensuring players enjoy a top-tier experience across 1,600 square metres of dedicated padel space.
This week I was invited to attend the 2025 Product of the Year Awards at the Galleria Events and Conference Centre in Johannesburg.
South African consumers have once again cast their votes in the country’s most comprehensive independent product survey. Product of the Year South Africa is proud to unveil the 32 winners of the 2025 Product of the Year Awards, showcasing the most innovative products and services across multiple sectors.
Spanning categories from personal care to finance, the winning products were chosen by a nationally representative survey of 2,000 South African consumers, conducted by global insights leader Kantar. Each winner earned its place based on real consumer opinions—evaluated for appeal, relevance, uniqueness, satisfaction, and innovation.
“As South African shoppers continue to tighten their belts and juggle daily expenses, the peace of mind that they are spending wisely on products that are recognised and endorsed by their fellow consumers is priceless,” says Edith Venter, General Manager of Product of the Year South Africa. “Whether it’s a reimagined heritage product or a brand-new entry to market, these products all share one thing: they connect with consumers in ways that matter. The Product of the Year seal is a mark of trust, backed by solid research and consumer endorsement.”
This May, National Geographic invites audiences to take a mouthwatering adventure with acclaimed Academy Award® Nominee, Emmy®– and Golden Globe®-winning actor Stanley Tucci, as he travels across Italy in TUCCI IN ITALY.
From Tucci’s SALT Productions, alongside BBC Studios’ Specialist Factual Productions, the five-part series follows Tucci on a visually stunning and deeply personal exploration of the country’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and the complex connections with its food that have shaped each region’s distinct culture and, of course, their iconic pasta. TUCCI IN ITALY premieres Wednesdays at 20:30 (CAT) from 21 May 2025 on National Geographic (DStv 181, Startimes 220) and will also be available to stream on Disney+ in South Africa.
Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem 