Latest news with #Sandton


News24
2 days ago
- General
- News24
Tebogo Thobejane pleas for privacy as ex-boyfriend's attempted murder bail hearing postponed
It was yet another brief appearance at the Alexandra Magistrates' Court on Monday, 19 May. Appearing for the second time in the case of his alleged plot to murder socialite and actress Tebogo Thobejane, Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala stood bold in an all-black outfit. Matlala was arrested on 14 May in Midrand by a crime intelligence unit after a two-year-long investigation into an incident that took place at a Sandton club. In October 2023, Tebogo was outside Saints Champagne Lounge with her friend and her driver when three hit-men fired multiple shots at them, leaving her unscathed but her friend wheelchair-bound. Two of the hitmen, Musa Kekana and Floyd Mabusela, were then arrested about a year later, marking a breakthrough in the case. In a recent statement by Tebogo, she laments how difficult the past two years have been. 'One of the hardest parts of this entire experience has been facing the people who were with me that night - the ones who were hurt alongside me. I've had to find the strength to express my sorrow to their families, and to live with the pain that they were affected because of a situation tied to me. It's something that stays with me everyday.' She adds that she's on a journey of healing and is thankful for the grace and support she's received. 'Despite everything, I remain incredibly grateful to the family for showing me grace, compassion and not placing blame where there is already so much hurt. I will continue to pray for them and support their healing too.' More than anything, she's hopeful that justice will prevail. Meanwhile, the man behind it all is set to remain in police custody until his formal bail hearing set to sit on 30 May. Both the state and Matlala's attorneys agreed upon this in the last appearance due to electricity problems. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirms the postponement. 'The Alexandra Magistrates' Court has postponed Vusimuzi Matlala's (49) bail application to 30 May 2025, for a formal bail hearing, following an agreement between both parties due to the unavailability of electricity.' The NPA concluded by saying that the accused will remain in custody pending his formal bail application. It was also revealed that Matlala would be represented by a new legal team. Speaking to Drum on the sidelines, Matlala's previous attorney advocate Cyril Mlotshwa confirmed that Matlala's family have appointed a new instructing attorney. 'We are from outside the jurisdiction (KZN) so we are not familiar with these surroundings, so it makes sense.'


The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Entrepreneurial spirit flows at Zoe Legacy Foundation in Wendywood
Despite flooding near the venue due to a burst water pipe, over 100 entrepreneurs gathered for a powerful morning of learning and networking, at the Zoe Legacy Foundation's Entrepreneurship Seminar on May 17 The free seminar, hosted at the Zoe Legacy Foundation in Wendywood, brought together aspiring and established entrepreneurs under the theme of building sustainable, purpose-driven businesses. Co-founder Justin Naidoo said the event was a response to the need for grassroots economic solutions. 'Entrepreneurship is about restoring dignity and creating solutions where the formal economy can't. We are here to invest in people, building from the ground up.' Also read: Sandton entrepreneur and media personality earns international nod The seminar featured a strong lineup of speakers, including Sherwin Harris, Anastasia Jacobs, Sheryl Aaron, Chantelle Weldon, and Sthembiso Sithole. Naidoo added that topics ranged from idea generation and financial compliance, to marketing and personal branding. 'We encouraged attendees to pitch their businesses, share their stories, and connect through structured networking opportunities.' Speaker Chantelle Weldon described the day as deeply meaningful, while programme director Melini Moses emphasised the importance of storytelling in business. 'People don't just buy products, they buy people. Learning to tell your story well builds trust and opens doors.' Read more: Sandton entrepreneur and media personality earns international nod Entrepreneurs left inspired and equipped, with business owner Lorenzo Mugnaioni praising the event's organisation and impact. Puseletso Maredi, a skincare product maker, said she was grateful for the insights gained. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


News24
5 days ago
- Business
- News24
High energy and higher hopes: Cannabis Expo 2025 lights up Sandton
Another year, another Cannabis Expo – this time with even more flair, innovation and excitement. This year's Cannabis Expo kicked off with an electrifying buzz at the Sandton Convention Centre, drawing overwhelming enthusiasm from attendees, exhibitors and industry leaders alike. From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere was charged with palpable energy as a record-breaking crowd poured in. With more than 100 exhibitors from SA and beyond, the expo offered a vibrant showcase of the cannabis industry's full spectrum – spanning cultivation, extraction, medicinal advancements, lifestyle products and retail innovations. This year's event promises to be the most dynamic yet, reflecting the growing momentum and mainstream acceptance of the cannabis economy. The expo runs until Sunday, providing a platform not just for business and education, but for igniting conversations and sparking new collaborations in the evolving cannabis space. Beyond the buzzing exhibition floor, the atmosphere came alive with the Freedom Festival, which delivered an unforgettable cultural experience. A stellar lineup of local DJs kept the energy high, transforming the event into a vibrant celebration of music, community and cannabis culture. Crowds flocked to the fan-favourite Speed Rolling competition, adding a fun and competitive edge to the day's festivities. With a packed weekend still ahead, organisers anticipate record-breaking attendance. The expo remains open daily from 10am to 6pm through Sunday.


The Citizen
7 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Sandton culinary star to cook on the global stage
Sandton is overjoyed with pride as one of its own, executive chef Donaldson Madubela, of NH Sandton's Tradewinds Restaurant, prepares to represent South Africa, and the entire African continent, at the 2025 Global Chef Competition Senior Semi-Finals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With over 15 years of culinary excellence behind him, Madubela's selection is a proud moment, not just for Sandton, but for Africa as a whole. He added that he will join two other top chefs from the continent, representing Namibia and Morocco, to showcase Africa's rich culinary heritage. 'Together, we will stand alongside counterparts from Syria and the UAE, highlighting the Middle East and Africa's talent on the global stage.' Also read: New season, new menu in Sandton Madubela explained that his passion for food began in childhood, inspired by his father, and has since grown into a celebrated career. His journey has seen him hone his craft in world-renowned kitchens, ultimately landing him at the helm of Tradewinds. 'I've curated a sophisticated five-course menu that beautifully blends South African flavours with global influences.' He highlighted that his nomination by acclaimed South African chef Trevor Boyd underscores his outstanding skills, innovation, and dedication. 'If I win in the UAE, I will advance to the global finals in Wales in 2026, a thrilling opportunity to compete with the world's best chefs.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


Mail & Guardian
22-05-2025
- Mail & Guardian
A luxury staycation in Sandton
The NH Hotel in Sandton. We work so hard, don't we? From early meetings to late-night hustles, school runs, deadlines and that never-ending inbox. Sometimes, all it takes is one look in the mirror, a deep sigh and the realisation — I need a break. Not the kind of break where you travel across provinces only to return more tired than when you left. No, I'm talking about the kind of break that soothes the soul. A staycation. Yes, with a decent pocket, it's possible to book yourself into a hotel or lodge, where your only responsibility is to rest, eat and be pampered. Think of it like being at home, doing absolutely nothing, but elevated. There's no cooking, no dishes, no beds to make. You're treated like the hardworking queen or king that you are. And that's exactly how I felt when NH Hotel in Sandton invited me for a weekend of relaxation at their luxurious five-star establishment. As I arrived, the first thing that caught my eye was the staircase. Oh! That staircase. It instantly took me to the famous Titanic dinner scene, the one where Rose walks down in that unforgettable dress … and the room holds its breath. Music started playing in my head, the kind of cinematic moment only a grand staircase can trigger. I had to snap out of it, though, and head straight to reception to check in. The process was seamless and soon after, I was shown to my room. They called it a standard room, but let me tell you, there was nothing standard about it. It was pure indulgence. A handwritten welcome note lay next to a beautifully arranged mini charcuterie board and a bottle of wine. The room was spacious, luxurious and thoughtfully curated. The lounge area gave me space to exhale. The bed? A kingdom in itself. Honestly, I regretted not bringing my entire family — dog included. We could have all fitted in that bed and still had elbow room. I pulled open the blackout curtains, which are ideal for a proper staycation lie-in, and was greeted by a panoramic view of Sandton. For a second, I feared being reminded of the daily rat race, but Sandton surprised me. It was unusually quiet, as though it, too, was taking a breather. Now, let's talk about the bathroom. Spotless. A posh bathtub at one end, a spacious shower on the other. Exactly the kind of setting you want for some long overdue self-care. After a moment of soaking in the atmosphere, I realised I had a pounding headache from a hectic day. I needed meds. Eat your heart out: The NH Hotel in Sandton offers buffet meals, including a sumptuous breakfast. When I asked at reception, they mentioned their hourly shuttle service around Sandton. Perfect! I hopped on, got what I needed, and returned to what now felt like my second home. Curtains drawn, alarm set — because there's no way I was missing breakfast. Come morning, my alarm sang gently and off I went to the hotel's Tradewinds Restaurant for the breakfast buffet. Now, buffets are a mind game. You walk in with confidence, ready to devour everything in sight. But reality hits: one plate and you're done. I had all the usual suspects on mine eggs, mushrooms, sausages, but still felt like I'd underperformed. Back in my room, I told myself: 'No wasting the day in bed.' I needed to see what else the hotel had to offer. I headed to the pool and garden area, a serene corner of the property that invites you to sit still and think about … absolutely nothing. Bliss. Elegant: The NH Hotel in Johannesburg is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy a weekend of self-care. As the Johannesburg weather began to turn, I decided to explore a bit more. I found a fitness centre which was fully equipped with every machine imaginable. Dinner was a treat. I ordered the lamb shank and it was perfection — tender and flavourful. The night ended on a high with a trio of chocolate desserts — rich, elegant and everything you want when you decide to indulge. For R1 719 a night (breakfast included), the standard room at NH Hotel in Sandton is worth every cent. Think about it — you save on flights, travel time and logistics. You still get the full luxury experience, but in the city you know and love. This hotel is perfect for staycations, business trips or even a solo wellness weekend. Whether your mission is rest or productivity, NH Hotel caters for it with grace and excellence. So here's your reminder — don't wait for burnout to reward yourself. Book the staycation. Turn your phone off. Sleep in. Let someone else wash the dishes. Be served. Be still. You've earned it. After all, this life we live? It's a marathon, not a sprint. And even queens and kings need to pause and be pampered.