
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Saving and Living
By Staff Writer It’s Saturday morning. You’re lying in bed scrolling, half-awake, and somewhere between Instagram and your banking app you feel it, that familiar low-level hum. The weekend is

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By Staff Writer It’s Saturday morning. You’re lying in bed scrolling, half-awake, and somewhere between Instagram and your banking app you feel it, that familiar low-level hum. The weekend is

By Gugulethu Tshabalala We all love a good road trip. The playlists are ready, the outfits are planned, and the destination is calling. We love booking that quick getaway when

You’ve just spent yet another festive season at home scrolling through Instagram and seeing your friends frolicking on exotic beaches or xploring dreamy destinations. You’ve made a New Year’s resolution:

BY Mabuyane Mabuza Spring ushers in warm weather and a vibrancy of colours after a long and cold winter. It is a time of new possibilities. It is no mistake

BY Mabuyane Mabuza As we celebrated Women’s Day, I was struck by how critical women’s decision making is when it comes to buying cars. In fact, women are said to

BY Mabuyane Mabuza Times are tough and the cost of living is escalating not only in South Africa but the world over. Some are barely surviving; some introduce different financial

By Staff Writer Winter has a way of changing how we cook. The pace slows, the portions become heartier, and the kitchen turns into more than just a place to

By Gugulethu Tshabalala Some weekend stops are not about full meals or elaborate plans. They are about relaxed moments that fit easily into the day. That is the feeling at

By Staff Writer Johannesburg has no shortage of places serving burgers, but every now and then a neighbourhood spot quietly builds a reputation that spreads through word of mouth. That

By Staff Writer Cape Town is full of polished restaurants, but sometimes the best food moments happen in places that feel easy and unpretentious. That is exactly the feeling at

By Gugulethu Tshabalala Rosebank has long been one of Johannesburg’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. Known for its mix of business professionals, creatives, and weekend xplorers, the area has developed into a

By Gugulethu Tshabalala Johannesburg’s dining scene is constantly evolving, with new restaurants opening their doors and bringing fresh flavours, concepts and experiences to the city. From globally inspired cuisine to

By Gugulethu Tshabalala In a city where artisanal cafés are multiplying, a handful stand out for their handcrafted pastries, intentional technique, and neighbourhood soul. These are not factory lines or

By Gugulethu Tshabalala On Wednesday, 18 February, I went to the launch of Thava at Emperors Palace… and I’m not over it. You know when you go somewhere and it’s

Three years ago, Xploreza set a simple intention: to bring together a small group of people we had met along our journey, invite them to break bread, and create space

By Staff Writer If you’ve been searching for easy hiking trails in South Africa, this is your sign to start. You don’t need intense fitness levels or technical gear to

By Staff Writer Gentle escapes around Johannesburg that offer adventure without the exhaustion Weekends don’t always have to be about adrenaline and intense activity. Sometimes, the best adventures are the

Weekends often arrive with big expectations. We promise ourselves rest, connection, and time to finally catch our breath after a demanding week. Yet somehow, between errands, social plans and household

By Staff Writer Weekends are often about slowing down, resetting, and doing something that feeds the soul. Creative hobbies offer the perfect escape from busy schedules and endless screen time.

By Staff Writer There is a particular kind of softness that belongs only to Saturdays. It arrives quietly. No sharp alarm, no urgent emails, no calendar notifications demanding attention. The

By Gugulethu Tshabalala Not every romantic destination needs chandeliers and champagne on arrival. Some places create intimacy simply by removing distraction. De Hoop, a protected coastal reserve along the Western

By Gugulethu Tshabalala The idea that travel can improve wellbeing is no longer just romantic thinking — it is increasingly supported by behavioural science and health research. Around the world,

By Gugulethu Tshabalala January has a way of softening the noise. After the indulgence of December, there is a collective pause. It is a quiet agreement to slow down, reset,

By Gugulethu Tshabalala As the new year unfolds, many of us rush headlong into our routines, ticking off goals and commitments. But what if this year, you started differently by

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe Some cars announce themselves loudly. Others quietly win you over. The GWM H6 GTPHEV did both. It arrived with bold confidence and, a week later, left me

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe For the past month, the Suzuki Swift has quietly slipped into my daily rhythm and made itself at home. It has reminded me why I have always

By Mabuyane Mabuza Sometimes one cannot help but wonder what the automotive scene will look like ten years from now. Some of us have watched the industry evolve, cars becoming

By Mabuyane Mabuza This must be the most confusing time for an older motoring scribe. Yes, I am generalising. We grew up in an era where our parents drilled into

By Mabuyane Mabuza The question of whether Chinese cars are here to stay has been asked and answered. They are here, and they are going nowhere. All we can do

By Mabuyane Mabuza Mazda seems to have realised that walala wasala. I still struggle to understand how such a well-rounded brand managed to sleep at the wheel and shrink into

By Mabuyane Mabuza I don’t know how the rest of the world treats December. I only know how Mzansi does it. We’ve even renamed it Dezemba, that glorious stretch of

By Mabuyane Mabuza Matric dance is one of the best milestones in a teenager’s life. It marks the end of school, the beginning of exams and the hopeful anticipation of

By Prashirwin Naidu Sometimes, I’m an absolute sucker for cars — and few get my pulse racing quite like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. So, when the keys landed in

By Staff Writer Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has reached a new high, recording its strongest-ever annual production at its Gqeberha plant for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

By Mabuyane Mabuza Lexus is quietly expanding its footprint Lexus in South Africa has always carried a certain understated elegance, never chasing volume for the sake of it. But the

By Mabuyane Mabuza This year’s Toyota South Africa’s annual State of the Motor Industry coincided with the State of the Nation address by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Even though the two

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe There was a quiet sense of urgency in the air as Volkswagen Group Africa opened its 2026 Indaba, an emotional, forward-looking gathering that reflected both the realities

The announcement that Chery South Africa will acquire Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn marks a significant moment for the local automotive industry and it is one that motorists should pay

By Staff Writer Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recently celebrated the achievements of the nation’s agricultural community at the annual Farmer of the Year Awards Gala, an event that recognises

By Prashirwin Naidu Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has completed a landmark first year as the exclusive global exporter of the Volkswagen Polo- and it’s a year marked by record-breaking success

By Mabuyane Mabuza Although I don’t have a clear memory of the Leyland brand, the name does ring a faint bell from my childhood. At the recent launch of Ashok

It’s official, the BMW X3 has been crowned the 2025 South African Car of the Year, and the celebrations have not stopped … or the debates, depending on which side

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe The narrative for Chinese car launches in South Africa is tired. We have heard it too many times. Another affordable newcomer, a market disruptor and how the

By Lethabo Temogo Mitsubishi Motors South Africa unveiled its all-new Destinator at Casalinga restaurant, where a line-up of SUVs set the tone for what felt less like a launch and

By Mabuyane Mabuza The South African car market is shifting fast. For both old and new brands, there is very little room to hesitate. You either adapt or risk being

By Mabuyane Mabuza There is something to be said about consistency, and GWM has earned that conversation. Now celebrating 19 years in South Africa, it stands as the longest- running

By Lethabo Temogo Setting the Tone in Cape Town There is something about arriving in Cape Town that makes every moment feel cinematic. Perhaps it is the calmness of the

By Mabuyane Mabuza The struggle to articulate, or even process, this article was real. It has been a few weeks since I attended the launch of the JMC Vigus on

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe As November fades into holiday mode, the motoring world usually slows down. Renault, however, wasn’t ready to call it a year. Instead, it made sure South Africans

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe At the rate new motoring manufacturers keep popping up, you’d be forgiven for losing track of who’s who. While the names may blur, the upside for South

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe With the influx of new car brands entering South Africa, it’s easy to lose track of who’s who. So, when Stellantis announced its partnership with China’s Leapmotor

Hello Mabs My dad recently handed me his older VW Polo so that I do not have to rely on public transport since I work mostly the night shift. How

Hello Mabs Recently, I have been hearing a lot about the extended warranty, and this has piqued my interest. Are extended warranties worth it? Mabs Answers It depends on the

Hello Mabs I am looking for a pre-loved vehicle that can accommodate my growing family. What is the biggest mistake people make when choosing a family car? Mabs Answers They

Hello Mabs I am shopping around for a car and I have some savings stashed away, which I hope to use towards this purchase. Is it better to buy cash

Hello Mabs My car has high mileage but still runs well. I keep reading or hearing stories of people whose vehicles have had major breakdowns, leaving them in debt. Should

Hello Mabs I am trying to cut back on costs and save some money. I have looked at costs associated with owning a car. How do I know if I

Hello Mabs My fuel consumption seems higher than what the brochure promised. I seem to be always going to the fuel station, my car is always thirsty. Is something wrong

Hello Mabs I have had my car for four years and it is nearing the end of the warranty. Is it really necessary to service my car at the dealership

Hello Mabs I am a first-time car buyer and I find myself confused by the many options presented to me. I have been pre-approved for vehicle financing and I’m excited.

By Staff Writer In the space of a week, South Africa has been shaken by two road rage incidents that ended in tragedy. In one, a teenager lost his life

By Staff Writer Every day, millions of South African children rely on scholar transport to get them to and from school. For many families, this is not a choice but

By Staff Writer As the Easter break approaches, South African roads will once again carry thousands of travellers heading home, going on holiday or visiting loved ones. It is a

By Staff Writer South Africa has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the world. Walk through any urban centre and the vulnerability is visible. Pedestrians cross multi-lane roads

By Staff Writer South Africans love a road trip. Whether it is Joburg to Durban, Cape Town to the Garden Route or Gauteng to Limpopo for the holidays, the open

By Staff Writer Step into almost any new Chinese-manufactured vehicle landing in South Africa right now, and one thing is guaranteed to dominate the cabin: the screen. Wide, glossy, tablet-like

By Staff Writer We all know using your phone while driving is dangerous. It is drilled into us from learner’s licence level. But what about blasting your favourite playlist on

By Staff Writer The first proper rains after weeks of dry weather are always dramatic. Within minutes, visibility drops, traffic slows and hazard lights start flickering across the highway. Yet

By Staff Writer We spend so much time preparing for the drive, checking routes, buckling seatbelts, and keeping phones charged, yet very few of us ever think about what happens

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe Some cars announce themselves loudly. Others quietly win you over. The GWM H6 GTPHEV did both. It arrived with bold confidence and, a week later, left me

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe For the past month, the Suzuki Swift has quietly slipped into my daily rhythm and made itself at home. It has reminded me why I have always

By Mabuyane Mabuza Sometimes one cannot help but wonder what the automotive scene will look like ten years from now. Some of us have watched the industry evolve, cars becoming

By Mabuyane Mabuza This must be the most confusing time for an older motoring scribe. Yes, I am generalising. We grew up in an era where our parents drilled into

By Mabuyane Mabuza The question of whether Chinese cars are here to stay has been asked and answered. They are here, and they are going nowhere. All we can do

By Mabuyane Mabuza Mazda seems to have realised that walala wasala. I still struggle to understand how such a well-rounded brand managed to sleep at the wheel and shrink into

By Mabuyane Mabuza I don’t know how the rest of the world treats December. I only know how Mzansi does it. We’ve even renamed it Dezemba, that glorious stretch of

By Mabuyane Mabuza Matric dance is one of the best milestones in a teenager’s life. It marks the end of school, the beginning of exams and the hopeful anticipation of

By Prashirwin Naidu Sometimes, I’m an absolute sucker for cars — and few get my pulse racing quite like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. So, when the keys landed in

By Staff Writer Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has reached a new high, recording its strongest-ever annual production at its Gqeberha plant for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

By Mabuyane Mabuza Lexus is quietly expanding its footprint Lexus in South Africa has always carried a certain understated elegance, never chasing volume for the sake of it. But the

By Mabuyane Mabuza This year’s Toyota South Africa’s annual State of the Motor Industry coincided with the State of the Nation address by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Even though the two

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe There was a quiet sense of urgency in the air as Volkswagen Group Africa opened its 2026 Indaba, an emotional, forward-looking gathering that reflected both the realities

The announcement that Chery South Africa will acquire Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn marks a significant moment for the local automotive industry and it is one that motorists should pay

By Staff Writer Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recently celebrated the achievements of the nation’s agricultural community at the annual Farmer of the Year Awards Gala, an event that recognises

By Prashirwin Naidu Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has completed a landmark first year as the exclusive global exporter of the Volkswagen Polo- and it’s a year marked by record-breaking success

By Mabuyane Mabuza Although I don’t have a clear memory of the Leyland brand, the name does ring a faint bell from my childhood. At the recent launch of Ashok

It’s official, the BMW X3 has been crowned the 2025 South African Car of the Year, and the celebrations have not stopped … or the debates, depending on which side

"Xploreza’s motoring section keeps me in the know. The reviews are honest, and the car-buying advice helped me choose my first ride without breaking the bank."

"I love the travel stories on Xploreza! They make planning family getaways so easy, from finding hidden gems to keeping the kids entertained and safe on the road."

"Xploreza keeps me in the know, from trying new recipes at home and thinking bigger about small-scale farming, all learnings from their practical agriculture and lifestyle content. I even found my new go-to coffee spot thanks to one of their reviews."