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This December, live music lovers are in for a treat with the much-anticipated return of one of the city’s most vibrant and socially interactive jazz festivals, the original (and now official) Jazz on the Lawn. After a decade-long hiatus, the new Jazz on the Lawn Weekender (now planned over two days, 10-11 December 2022) builds on the very successful formula that made it a mainstay on the jazz calendar for a few years running. Jazz on the Lawn is a registered trademark of Uncle Cal Entertainment.
Cinematographer Tom Fitz stands semi-submerged in the ocean waters of Biscayne National Park, filming the bird life and the surrounding mangrove coastline landscape. (photo credit: National Geographic/Phoebe Fitz)
Do you want to feast your eyes on some of the best programming and content that is due to arrive on screen this summer? I was one of 50 selected media to join a live stream today, to showcase National Geographic’s new slate of programmes in the coming weeks. As a surprise, we were honoured to have none other than Bear Grylls, as a special guest, who answered questions about his National Geographic show called “Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge.”
TheWalt Disney Company Africa announced the upcoming content slate for both National Geographic and National Geographic Wild for Spring/Summer 2022, with channels that now broadcast in high-definition. With a promise to ignite the explorer in all of us, and with a 133-year legacy, viewers across the continent will also be able to immerse themselves in the very latest and ground-breaking storytelling in stunning high definition for the very first time, taking them further than ever before.
Featuring the best and brightest scientists, explorers, photographers and filmmakers in the world, the coming months’ content highlights offer something for everyone, as several new natural history series, feature documentaries, and programming stunts, will showcase the wonder of the natural world, take them on exhilarating adventures and illuminate historical figures who epitomize the strength and triumphs of humankind.
Last week I attended the media launch of La Parada Tapas Bar in The Firs Centre, Rosebank, Johannesburg. It was a colourful night, filled with ladies in feathers and lots of food and drinks!
La Parada has about 8 branches nationally with Rosebank being the most recent launch. It is known for its tapas, which is an appetizer or snack in Spanish cuisine. Tapas may be cold or hot. In some bars and restaurants in Spain and across the globe, tapas have evolved into a more sophisticated cuisine. Tapas can be combined to make a full meal and it is a social type of cuisine, ideal for sharing. We were able to taste a selection of the tapas, that were served by waiters floating around the floor. The prawns were my favourite, followed by the tantalising pizzas and sliders.
As part of its Planet Possible initiative, which aims to inform, inspire and empower consumers to live more lightly on the planet, National Geographic invites photographers across South Africa to participate in 2022 edition of the National Geographic Photo Competition. Themed #ExploreNaturalAreas, this year’s competition, supported by Sunday Times and TimeLIVE, aims to celebrate South Africa’s natural spaces and highlight the need for their protection.
While the 2021 competition was only open to amateurs, a large number of entries were submitted by professional photographers. This year, both groups of enthusiasts may participate as the competition will feature both an amateur and professional category. Entrants stand in line to win a share of R 100 000 in cash, with each category offering prizes of R 25 000 for first place, R 15 000 for second place and R 5 000 for third place. Additionally, the top 10 images in each category will be published on TimesLIVE on 4 September. The winning shots be showcased in the Sunday Times, on TimesLIVE and on the National Geographic Africa social media platforms on 11 September.
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Hyatt South Africa are getting into the spirit of this auspicious month, launching an Iftaar and Suhoor offering for the duration of the fasting period.
I attended the launch last night at Hyatt House in Melrose, Johannesburg and you can view my TikTok video about this event here or below.
The buffet offering will be available to inhouse guests and local patrons at all properties in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Last year, the Hyatt Regency Cape Town, ran with an Iftaar buffet that proved to be a huge success.
“We were encouraged and pleased by the response we had last year and felt that it was necessary to continue with this offering again and build on it,” explained Asif Raza, Cluster General Manager for Hyatt South Africa.
“With two more properties added to the portfolio, we are now pleased to offer guests Suhoor and Iftaar at all three properties and look forward to sharing their Ramadan experience with them.”
Raza promises guests a tantalizing buffet menu.
“Our food and beverage team led by recently appointed specialty chef, Asif Mughal, have curated a delicious yet versatile menu that will include Arabic, Indian, Pakistani and South African dishes in the form of salads, hot and cold starters, main meals, desserts and traditional Ramadan beverages,” said Raza.
Chef Asif Mughal
The Iftaar buffet at Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank and Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton will cost R275 per person with children between 6 and 12 years of age paying R150 and children under 6 eating free.
The Iftaar buffet at Hyatt Regency Cape Town will cost R299 per person with children between 6 and 12 years of age paying R150 and children under 6 eating free.
The Suhoor buffet will cost R150 per person at all three properties. For guests staying at the hotel, this cost is included in the room rate.
Guests requesting privacy during the Iftaar buffet or looking for spaces that can accommodate groups can contact the hotels directly with their requests.
“We have wonderful spaces at all three of our hotels that will make for a great private dining experience. At our Sandton property, we have the Treehouse; in Rosebank we have the spectacular rooftop View overlooking Johannesburg and in Cape Town we have the Pool Terrace, Regency Club Lounge and private conferencing venues that can be converted to dining spaces.” concluded Raza.
Guests can visit the following Hyatt hotels to experience the Iftaar and Suhoor offerings:
Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem 