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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Experience Mahindra’s Fusion Fest in 2025: Music, Fashion and Art

Mahindra South Africa is about to ignite a revolution in the festival scene with the launch of Fusion Fest, taking place on Saturday, 22nd February 2025 at the iconic SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria.

For two decades, Mahindra has made South Africa its second home, forging an authentic and meaningful partnership with its customers. With over 100,000 customers joining the Mahindra family during this journey, this deep connection has solidified the brand’s trust and credibility in the region. These foundations give Mahindra the confidence to embark on an exciting new chapter as it steps into its third decade in South Africa.

This new era is about celebrating South Africa’s youthfulness, vibrancy, and cultural richness, embracing the diverse voices, traditions, and resilience that define the nation. The Mahindra Fusion Fest will embody this spirit, becoming a platform where music, fashion, and art come together to showcase the dynamism of the country and the brand’s vision for the future.

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South Africa Celebrates A Cultural Treasure As The 50th National Arts Festival Begins

PICTURE: MARK WESSELS

Drums rolled and choirs sang out as Makanda celebrated the opening of the 50th National Arts Festival. A contagious sense of national and regional pride resounded from the dignitaries who attended the milestone Festival ceremony held in the very same auditorium where the Festival was first launched in 1974.

The Festival’s home town of Makhanda is also the childhood home of the National Arts Festival’s Deputy Chair, writer and academic, Dr Siphiwo Mahala. He remarked on the journey of the Festival from a gathering founded to preserve British language and culture to “one of the most inclusive and diverse arts festival’s in the world.” Mahala said this was possible in part because of the shared values and enduring partnership of the Festival’s partners.

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Inaugural Mzansi Food & Drink Show

Set to become one of South Africa’s biggest culinary extravaganzas, the inaugural Mzansi Food & Drink Show will rock the Kyalami International Convention Centre from 15 to 17 June 2024.

This is the brainchild of RX Africa, the company behind some of the country’s premiere events, including Decorex, Comic Con Africa, Africa Travel Week and FAME Week Africa, and the Ring of Fire Chilli Festival.

The three-day event will incorporate two previous independently held events, the popular Fire & Feast Meat Festival and the successful Coffee & Chocolate Expo, as well as three new additions – the Fine Food & Wine Show, the Bar & Good Spirits Showcase and the Mzansi Food Market.


Says Hanli Goncalves, Portfolio Director of the Mzansi Food & Drink Show: “As a foodie nation with vastly different dishes and tastes in the melting pot, South Africans are ready for a food and drink show of this stature and we will be serving up the biggest and the best culinary show on the African continent.”

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