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I first visited Sun City in 1989. I was 15 years old and my mom had just passed away.
My Uncle Lennie and Aunty Sylvia and his family took me along with them on their family vacation to Sun City. I had never been on a holiday before, let alone on a plane!
So I was beyond excited to get away from the reality of life without my beloved mom, even for a week. These vintage archival images are what I remember Sun City looked like.
Sun City in 1979Sun City Hotel in 1979
36 years later and I was invited to experience the newly revitalised Sun City Hotel.
Sun City has had “nips and tucks” over the years, but last year Sun International set about giving the famous entertainment and leisure area a complete facelift so gone is the drab, and back is the dazzle.
A few select media and influencers were invited by Sun City to experience the newly re-imagined Sun City Hotel for one night. We met at the Maslow in Sandton, and 3 hours later, we arrived at the Sun City Resort in the North West Province of South Africa.
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.”
If you love your space, the Johannesburg HOMEMAKERS Fair is the ultimate destination to kick-start your home’s transformation journey. From 28 February to 2 March 2025, the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and International Convention Centre will host three days of inspiration, expertise, and creativity to bring your home dreams to life.
I have 10 double tickets to give away to 10 lucky Mzansi Life & Style readers.
Simply send your full name, email address and cell phone number, WITH MZANSI LIFE & STYLE in the subject line, to info@purplepine.co.za to stand a chance to win!Entries close on 14 Feb. 2025. Tickets will be sent via email to the 10 x winners, who must reside in Johannesburg, as no travel is provided.
Michelle Crouwkamp, Head of Events at HOMEMAKERS, shares that after more than 30 years, the team remains deeply committed to the Home Improvement (HIP) industry. “With hundreds of exhibits to explore, the Fair offers a rich blend of inspiration, ideas, and solutions for every area of your home. More than just an exhibition, it’s an opportunity to dream big, explore options, gather comparative quotes, and make confident decisions—all while enjoying a memorable experience for the entire family.”
The Trace Awards & Summit 2025, the most prestigious musical event on the African continent, is set to electrify Zanzibar. The Trace Awards ceremony, taking place on the 26th February 2025, will bring together the continent’s and diaspora’s greatest talents. Trace invites fans worldwide to actively participate by voting for their favourite artists.
Music fans, it’s your time to act! Your vote accounts for 50% of the final decision and can make the difference in choosing the winners. The other half results from the votes of an expert jury.
A Celebration of African Musical Diversity
Africa is home to many musical styles that profoundly influence contemporary sounds worldwide.
The Trace Awards highlight the richness and excellence of Afro music through genres such as Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, Afro-pop, mbalax, amapiano, zouk, kizomba, genge, coupé-décalé, bongo flava, soukous, gospel, rap, raï, kompa, RnB, and rumba. Artists from over 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe are competing in 24 categories.
Why Vote?
The Trace Awards are more than just an event; they are a platform dedicated to recognising artists who shape the future of African and international music. By voting, fans have the opportunity to amplify the voices of their favorite artists both on the continent and internationally and support works that reflect their identity and cultural pride.
Voting closes on 15th February 2025. (Voting is free, accessible to all, and fully compliant with RGPD regulations)
TRACE AWARDS 2025 NOMINEES
GLOBAL AWARDS
Song of the Year Tyla – Jump (South Africa) Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa) Titom & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (South Africa) Tamsir x Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast) Asake & Travis Scott – Active (Nigeria) Tems – Love Me Jeje (Nigeria) Burna Boy – Higher (Nigeria) Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria) Diamond Platnumz – Komasawa (Tanzania)Album of the Year Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria) Asake – Lungu Boy (Nigeria) Rema – Heis (Nigeria) Josey – Vibration Universelle (Ivory Coast) Amaarae – Fountain Baby (Ghana) King Promise – True To Self (Ghana) Stonebwoy – 5th Dimension (Ghana) Toofan – Stamina (Togo)
Best Collaboration Titom & Yuppe & Burna Boy – Tshwala Bam (Remix) (South Africa/Nigeria) Neyna & MC Acondize – Nu Ka Sta Para (Cape Verde) Kocee ft. Patoranking – Credit Alert (Cameroon/Nigeria) Asake & Wizkid – MMS (Nigeria) Rema & Shallipopi – Benin Boys (Nigeria) Odumodublvck & Black Sherif – Woto Woto Seasoning (Ghana) Tamsir & Team Paiya – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast)
Best Music Video Meji Alabi for Rema “DND” (Nigeria) TG Omori for Kizz Daniel & Davido “Twe Twe” (Nigeria) Director Folex for Zuchu feat Innoss’ B “Nani” (Remix) (Tanzania/DRC) Nabil Elderkin for Tyla “Jump” (South Africa) Kmane for Ayra Starr “Commas” (Nigeria) Seoute Emmanuel for Toofan “C Pas Normal” (Togo) Ach’B for Innoss’ B “Sete” (DRC) Edgar Esteves for Asake & Wizkid “MMS” (Nigeria).
Best Dancer Ikorodu Boys (Nigeria) Dancegod Lloyd (Ghana) Incredible Zigi (Ghana) Kamo Mphela (South Africa) Telminho (Angola) Makhadzi (South Africa) Ordinateur (Ivory Coast) Issac Kalonji (Democratic Republic of Congo).Best DJ Tyler ICU – Mnike (South Africa) Uncle Waffles – Wadibusa (South Africa) DJ Tunez – Apala Disco Remix (Nigeria) DJ Nelasta – Eros (Angola) DJ Spinall ft. Tyla & Omah Lay – One Call (Nigeria) DJ Neptune ft. Qing Madi – Honest (Nigeria) DJ Moh Green – Kelele (Algeria) DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa) Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)
Best Hip-Hop Artist (sponsored by Hot 97) Nasty C (South Africa), Didi B (Ivory Coast) Odumodublvck (Nigeria), Suspect 95 (Ivory Coast) Sarkodie (Ghana) Young Lunya (Tanzania) Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)
PAN-AFRICAN AWARDS
Best Global African Artist Tyla (South Africa) Tyler ICU (South Africa) Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo) Burna Boy (Nigeria) Asake (Nigeria/USA) Rema (Nigeria) Ayra Starr (Nigeria) Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)Best Male Artist Dlala Thukzin (South Africa) Fally Ipupa (Democratic Republic of Congo) Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) Asake (Nigeria) Burna Boy (Nigeria) Rema (Nigeria) Wizkid (Nigeria) Stonebwoy (Ghana)
Best Female Artist Tyla (South Africa) Makhadzi (South Africa) Chelsea Dinorath (Angola) Josey (Ivory Coast) Ayra Starr (Nigeria) Tems (Nigeria) Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Newcomer (sponsored by Johnnie Walker) Nkosazana Daughter (South Africa) Himra (Ivory Coast) Sabrina (Cameroon) Mia Guissé (Senegal) Shallipopi (Nigeria) Qing Madi (Nigeria) Abigail Chams (Tanzania)
Best Live Performance Fally Ipupa (DRC) Ayra Starr – 21: The World Tour (Nigeria) Burna Boy – I Told Them (Nigeria) Tyla (South Africa) Yemi Alade – African Rebel Tour (Nigeria) Didi B – Mojo Trone Tour (Ivory Coast) Diamond Platnumz – Wasafi Festival (Tanzania)
Best Producer Kelvin Momo – Sewe (South Africa) P.Priime – MMS (Nigeria) DJ Maphorisa – Mnike (South Africa) Tam Sir – Coup du Marteau (Ivory Coast) Sarz – Happiness (Nigeria) Jae 5 – Perfect Combi (Ghana) KDDO – For Certain (Party Next Door) (Nigeria) London – Ozeba (Nigeria) Kabza De Small – Imithandazo (South Africa)
Best Gospel Artist Spirit of Praise 10 (South Africa) KS Bloom (Ivory Coast) Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria) Ada Ehi (Nigeria) Bella Kombo (Tanzania) Israël Mbonyi (Rwanda)REGIONAL AWARDS
Best Artist Eastern Africa Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) Bien (Kenya) Joshua Baraka (Uganda) Harmonize (Tanzania) Rophnan (Ethiopia) Marioo (Tanzania) Zuchu (Tanzania) Nandy (Tanzania)
Best Artist – Western Africa Anglophone Seyi Vibez (Nigeria) Adekunle Gold (Nigeria) Ayra Starr (Nigeria) Tems (Nigeria) Chike (Nigeria) Simi (Nigeria) KiDi (Ghana)
Best Artist – Southern Africa Titom & Yuppe (South Africa) De Mthuda (South Africa) Inkabi Zezwe (South Africa) Dlala Thukzin (South Africa) Tyla (South Africa) Uncle Waffles (South Africa) Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Best Artist Francophone Africa Didi B (Ivory Coast) Josey (Ivory Coast) Tidiane Mario (Congo) Gaz Mawete (Democratic Republic of Congo) Wally B. Seck (Senegal) PhillBill (Cameroon)
Best Artist Lusophone Africa Calema (São Tomé and Príncipe) Landrick (Angola) Chelsea Dinorath (Angola) Twenty Fingers (Mozambique) Mr. Bow (Mozambique) Soraia Ramos (Cape Verde)
Best Artist – Tanzania Mbosso (Zanzibar) Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) Zuchu (Zanzibar) Marioo (Tanzania) Nandy (Tanzania) Alikiba (Tanzania) Jux (Tanzania) Harmonize (Tanzania)
INTERNATIONAL AND DIASPORA AWARDS
Best Artist – Europe Central Cee (United Kingdom) Kalash (France/Martinique) Darkoo (United Kingdom) Joe Dwet File (France/Haiti) Jungeli (France) Franglish (France) Aya Nakamura (France/Mali)
Best Artist – Brazil Racionais MC’s (Brazil) MC IG (Brazil) Péricles (Brazil) Tasha & Tracie (Brazil) Ludmilla (Brazil) Duquesa (Brazil)
Best Artist – Caribbean Venssy (French Guiana) Mathieu White (Guadeloupe) Meryl (Martinique) Nesly (French Guiana) Shenseea (Jamaica) Kenny Haiti (Haiti)
Best Artist – Indian Ocean Barth (Reunion) Goulam (Comoros) PLL (Reunion) Kalipsxau (Reunion) Léa Churros (Reunion) Jamily Jeanne (Mauritius)
To join in the conversation about the Trace Awards & Summit, use the hashtags: #TraceAwardsZanzibar and #TraceSummitZanzibar.
Follow Trace on Facebook and Instagram @traceawards, YouTube @TraceMusicOfficiel.
Living up to its reputation as the premier Gauteng entertainment venue, the SunBet Arena at Time Square will host 11 international artists between January and March 2025.
The world-class venue is a destination of fun, and with myriad restaurant options from fast food to bistro, pub and fine dining, visitors can curate a full evening of fun. There’s even the option to stay over at The Maslow, Time Square to avoid having to travel home.
Rid yourself of the back-to-work blues and come jive, groove and throwback at the 100% Retro: The Party, a music concert with an international line-up at Time Square on Friday, 10 January 2025.
Backed by its success in 2024, this concert is for 80s and 90s dance lovers to reminisce on memories from this sublime musical era, with hits by world-famous “I’m Too Sexy for My Shirt”, Right Said Fred.
Performing live on stage will be legends including Right Said Fred, Tina Cousins, 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor, Whigfield, DJ Sammy and DJ SASH.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE:
Friday, 10 January 2025
TIME:
Show starts at 19h00
COST:
Tickets start from R615 per person and can be purchased via iTickets
Grammy-winning South African superstar Tyla’s December tour of her home country proved to be the hottest show at Time Square this month, that she grabbed the chance to perform again as soon as Saturday, 18 January 2025.
Tyla was thrilled with the response from fellow South Africans and said: Everything that’s happening has surpassed anything I could have dreamt of. African music is going global, and I’m so blessed to be one of the artists pushing the culture. I’ve been working on my sound for two years now, and I’m so ready for the world to hear it.”
Tyla is best known for her mega-hit ‘Water’, which won her the inaugural Best African Music Performance award at the Grammys, and has lit up charts all around the work, including in the important US market, where it reached #7 on the Billboard US Hot 100, and #1 on the Billboard Afrobeats Chart, Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart, Hot R&B Songs Chart and Adult R&B Airplay Charts. Water is the first solo song in history to spend an entire year at #1 on the Billboard US Afrobeats song charts for 52 weeks.
NME calls Tyla, “South Africa’s brightest new star.” Rolling Stone has christened her “The perfect Amapiano ambassador.” Pitchfork’s review of her album states: “The South African singer’s star-making debut is a lithe, contemporary take on pop-R&B that pulses with the log-drum heartbeat of Amapiano.”
EVENT DETAILS
DATE:
Saturday, 18 January 2025
TIME:
Show starts at 20h00
COST:
Tickets start from R500 per person and can be purchased via Ticketmaster
Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem 