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WALKING THROUGH  HISTORY: 702 marks 45 years with iconic community event
Lifestyle

WALKING THROUGH  HISTORY: 702 marks 45 years with iconic community event

By Zenoyise John:  The beloved 702 Walk the Talk is making a powerful comeback this year, and it promises to be more meaningful than ever. Scheduled for Sunday, 27 July 2025, this year’s edition not only marks the return of one of Gauteng’s most iconic community events - it also commemorates a remarkable milestone: 702’s 45th anniversary. The walk is being hosted in partnership with Freedom Park in the City of Tshwane and is set to begin at the historic Freedom Park site, with participants ending their journey at the newly upgraded Southern Lawns of the Union Buildings. This symbolic route reflects South Africa’s heritage, progress, and the spirit of unity the event has come to represent over the years. Walkers can choose between three distances: A ...
CHIC, CALM & CLUTTER-FREE: Mastering small-space living
Lifestyle

CHIC, CALM & CLUTTER-FREE: Mastering small-space living

By Sitha Maliwa: Red couch (Image: Supplied) Your first home will always have a special place in your heart, but let’s be honest, that’s probably all the space there is. Small rooms, small cupboards, dual living spaces – there isn’t much space to spread out. However, that doesn’t mean you have to accept this and squeeze in; there are clever ways to make your “small but stylish” home work for you. “Small-space living doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or style,” explains Bronwyn Ragavan, brand manager for Personal Touch. “Whether you’re in your first bachelor pad, a cozy studio, or even a university dorm room, clever organisation and intentional design can make your home feel spacious, stylish, and stress-free.” With the right strategies, even the tiniest of ho...
SOUTH AFRICA EMBRACES LOUD LUXURY: Bold fashion, vibrant expression and cultural pride take over the scene
Lifestyle

SOUTH AFRICA EMBRACES LOUD LUXURY: Bold fashion, vibrant expression and cultural pride take over the scene

By Sitha Maliwa: Christian Dior bag (Image: supplied) Loud luxury is turning up the volume globally with its unapologetic logos, electric colours, and eye-catching designs, and the buzz shows no signs of quieting down. By the end of 2024, brands like Gucci, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana saw a 40% to 60% surge in popularity as the world leaned into high-visibility fashion once again. And in South Africa, that trend is hitting all the right notes. While quiet luxury may still dominate minimalist runways in Europe, local style is fuelled by self-expression, visibility, and cultural pride, making loud luxury not just a fad, but a fashion identity. Michael Zahariev, co-founder of Luxity, South Africa’s leading pre-owned luxury reseller, has had a front-row seat to this sartorial...
SILENT THREAT: Illegally refilled gas cylinders could turn homes into bombs, expert warns
Lifestyle

SILENT THREAT: Illegally refilled gas cylinders could turn homes into bombs, expert warns

Sitha Maliwa (Image: EasiGas) With electricity prices set to rise by 12.7% come 1 April 2025 and inflation edging up again, more domestic consumers are expected to seek cost-effective and reliable energy alternatives, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the cost of which is approximately 15% lower than that of electricity. However, to save additional money, some individuals may unwittingly buy unsafe, illegally filled LPG cylinders. “If an unauthorised person fills the branded cylinder of a legitimate company, instead of the owner of the branded cylinder themselves, or an approved distributor, then it is considered to be illegally filled,” explains Nomkhosi Makhathini of Easigas. “The South African National Standard, SANS 10019, requires that all LPG cylinders must be h...
MASS WEDDINGS: Church members to tie the knot in mass wedding on Easter Sunday
Lifestyle

MASS WEDDINGS: Church members to tie the knot in mass wedding on Easter Sunday

By Mpumzi Mshweshwe Leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC), Comforter MG Sandlana, officiating at the 2023 mass wedding, where more than 400 couples tied the knot. (Image: IPHC Media Unit). Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC), under the spiritual leadership of Successor MG Sandlana, is set to host mass weddings of 1500 couples, roughly 3000 members, on Easter Sunday, the 20th. The mass weddings form part of a longstanding, year-on-year tradition by the IPHC. The weddings are set to break a record for the largest number of people being married in one event. The weddings, which will start at 9 am, will be held in the newly built Dome at IPHC Kanana City, Heidelberg, the largest congregational Dome in the southern hemisphere, with approximately 60 000 seating...
PARADIGM SHIFT: Hope rises as lung cancer treatment evolves
Lifestyle

PARADIGM SHIFT: Hope rises as lung cancer treatment evolves

Sitha Maliwa Lung cancer has long carried a grim reputation, often associated with late diagnoses and limited treatment success. Its symptoms can be subtle, like a persistent cough, and are frequently mistaken for minor ailments. As a result, many patients only receive a diagnosis once the disease has reached an advanced stage, making effective treatment more challenging. In South Africa, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most significant risk factor remains tobacco use, with 33.4% of males and 8.3% of females over the age of 15 identified as tobacco consumers. Other contributing factors include a family history of cancer, poor diet, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ionising radiation, HIV infection, occupational hazards, and expo...
THE RISE OF MINIMALIST SKINCARE: Why less is finally more
Lifestyle

THE RISE OF MINIMALIST SKINCARE: Why less is finally more

Sitha Maliwa In an era where simplicity is becoming a luxury, the idea of doing more with less is gaining traction; not only in how we dress or shop, but also in how we care for our skin. As the broader wellness movement continues to shape our choices, skincare routines are following suit. The focus is shifting from elaborate, multi-step rituals to something more intentional: minimalism. This move toward minimalist skincare reflects a growing desire to slow down, pare back, and prioritise what really matters, not just for convenience but for skin health, sustainability, and peace of mind. The case for simplifying Skincare has become increasingly complicated. The average consumer is bombarded with advice about layering serums, using actives, double-cleansing, exfolia...
TEA TIME: South Africans share their favourite tea pairings for today’s most popular dishes!
Lifestyle

TEA TIME: South Africans share their favourite tea pairings for today’s most popular dishes!

By News SA Correspondent Lemon Slice Dessert. (Image credit: Nikita Rwida/ @nikitarwida) Move aside, wine pairing – tea pairing is the new kid on the block and South Africans are loving it! Tea and food pairing, much like wine pairing, involves understanding how different types of tea and food flavours interact to create a harmonious taste experience. For example, teas with a Black tea base usually complement hearty breakfast foods, chocolate desserts, and spicy dishes; while Green teas work well with Asian cuisine, light meals and citrusy desserts, and Herbal teas generally pair well with fruit desserts and cheese plates.  From the full-bodied Premium Blend tea, to a range of light and refreshing Green teas, aromatic Chais and delicate Pure Chamomile, Tetley Tea has a flavour...
PROPERTY TRENDS ALERT: The rise of starter homes
Lifestyle

PROPERTY TRENDS ALERT: The rise of starter homes

By Sitha Maliwa As interest rates continue to drop and salaries rise, first-time homebuyers are seizing the opportunity to enter the property market. The recent increase in the transfer duty exemption threshold by 10%, saving buyers up to R3,300, further fuels this surge. According to Jonathan Spencer of OneDayOnly.co.za, first-time buyers now make up a significant 46% of all home loan applications. But what are they buying? The answer: starter homes. A starter home is a smaller, more affordable property that serves as a stepping stone for those looking to enter the property market without the financial strain of a larger, more expensive home. These homes typically feature one or two bedrooms, a single bathroom and range in size from 70m² to 116m². They’re cozy enough to ...
OLDER MEN, YOUNGER BRIDES: Men are opting for younger women in marriage
Lifestyle

OLDER MEN, YOUNGER BRIDES: Men are opting for younger women in marriage

AI-generated image Once, marriage was the dream- a sparkling milestone to be achieved in the early twenties, eagerly anticipated as a rite of passage. But now, the narrative is shifting, and the vows that once echoed with the promise of forever are becoming increasingly rare, as personal growth, career aspirations, and financial stability take centre stage. This transformation is not confined to the borders of South Africa; it reverberates across the globe. Yet, the latest data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) tells a compelling story about how this shift is unfolding within the country's very heart. In 2014, the median age for South African grooms stepping into civil marriages was 35, while brides were typically 31. By 2023, those numbers have surged. Grooms now enter mar...