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Revved Up with Itu Motuba Let’s be honest, travelling is expensive. Flights, accommodation, entertainment, etc. all so expensive. The thought of a weekend away sometimes feels like it needs spreadsheets,
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
Gugulethu Tshabalala The school holidays are every child’s favourite time of the year but for many parents, they can quickly become one of the most expensive times too. With children
By Staff Writer Whether you’re looking to master homemade pasta, perfect your baking skills or enjoy a fun evening with friends, Johannesburg offers a growing selection of hands-on cooking experiences
By Staff Writer As South Africa settles into the heart of winter, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of tea. Beyond providing comfort on chilly
By Gugulethu Tshabalala Father’s Day has a funny way of revealing a family’s true personality. Some dads insist on standing over the braai from sunrise. Others claim they don’t want
By Gugulethu Tshabalala When conversations turn to South African wine, the Cape Winelands usually steal the spotlight. Yet hundreds of kilometres away from Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, Gauteng has quietly built
By Gugulethu Tshabalala Pretoria has quietly grown into one of South Africa’s most compelling dining cities. The restaurants below aren’t just surviving, they’re defining what a night out in the
By Gugulethu Tshabalala May is Africa Month , a time to honour our continent’s rich cultures, traditions and identity. One of the best ways to experience Africa is through its
By Gugulethu Tshabalala There is something about Hazelwood Village that feels effortlessly social. Tucked away in Pretoria East, the precinct has quietly become one of the city’s go-to lifestyle destinations,
By Gugulethu Tshabalala Johannesburg has a habit of serving up beautiful restaurants with average food, and after a while you start to lower your expectations before you even walk through
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 Mabuyane Mabuza Sometimes I chuckle at the questions I still get after so many years of being immersed in the world of cars. The three most common ones are
By Mabuyane Mabuza Photography: Shaun Mallet It takes a special kind of car to awaken the almost dormant petrolhead in me. Since becoming a true country meisie, a lot of
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 Staff Writer South Africa’s automotive industry has long been defined by engineering excellence, technological innovation and fierce competition. Increasingly, however, another story is unfolding behind the scenes, one that
The announcement of the 2026 South African Car of the Year marked more than the crowning of a new winner. It signalled a significant shift in South Africa’s automotive landscape.
By Mabuyane Mabuza I am old enough to remember when the South African motoring scene was dominated by German swagger and prestige. Don’t get me wrong, those brands still stir
By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe There are moments in driving that feel small until they become stressful. A parking sign on a busy street. A confusing lane marking. A split-second uncertainty about
By Staff Writer From yesterday’s electric BONDay sessions to President Ramaphosa’s opening address today, Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 is making its mark on the global tourism stage. BONDay Sets the
By Staff Writer While most consumers engage with motoring brands through new model launches and the aspiration of owning the latest vehicle, the real story often starts with people long
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 Mabuyane Mabuza These days, the question is no longer whether you like SUVs or not. That debate has long been settled. The real question is: which SUV do you
By Aurelia Mbokazi Kashe Electric cars are not known for making a grand entrance. They slip quietly into driveways, parking lots and suburban streets, often arriving with little more than
By Mabuyane Mabuza Last week’s launch of the GAC EMZOOM Nova in Johannesburg felt less like a routine derivative unveiling and more like a strategic adjustment from Salvador Caetano Motors.
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
Hello Mabs I always wait until my fuel light comes on before filling up because I tell myself I’m saving money by delaying it. My sister says I’m damaging my
Hello Mabs I have been shopping around for a used car because my budget is tight. I recently found the car of my dreams, brand new for R3 999 a
Hello Mabs I drive long distances for work and recently realised I grip the steering wheel so tightly that my shoulders ache afterwards. I think I am becoming anxious behind
Hi Mabs My husband says I service my car too often and waste money. I would rather fix problems before they happen. Can you actually over-service a vehicle? Ask Mabs
Hello Mabs This feels embarrassing to admit but I do not know how to change a tyre. I am in my thirties. Everyone assumes women should know less about cars
Hello Mabs I bought my first car six months ago and suddenly it feels like I am always paying for something. Be it insurance, petrol, service or tyres. Was I
Hello Mabs. My partner always checks their phone at red robots and says it’s harmless because the car is not moving. The other day, a car nearly rolled into us
Hello Mabs My friend drives like she’s qualifying for Formula 1 but refuses to pay speeding fines because ‘the camera flashed too early.’ Should I still accept lifts? I’m now
Hello Mabs I feel nervous driving long distances alone. Any advice? Mabs Answers First of all, that is perfectly normal. Preparation builds confidence. Service your car on time, check your
By Staff Writer As Youth Month draws to a close, encouraging advances in vehicle safety remind us that protecting children begins with more than technology. From choosing the right child
By Staff Writer Most of us think of driving as something that happens through pedals, gears and steering wheels. But spend enough time on South African roads and you begin
By Staff Writer Tomorrow is Youth Day. For many South Africans, that means a rare opportunity to slowdown. Some have headed out of town for the long weekend, while others
By Staff Writer Every weekday morning, thousands of South African parents load children into vehicles, navigate familiar roads and pull up outside school gates to drop them off before continuing
By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe Youth Month is a time when we celebrate energy, ambition and possibility. But it should also be a time when we confront a difficult reality: too many
By Staff Writer There is a strange confidence that settles in when we drive roads we know well. It lives in the school run through Fourways on a busy morning
By Staff Writer Last week’s sudden shift in weather caught much of South Africa off guard. One day it was business as usual, the next it was bitterly cold, with
By Staff Writer Tyres are easy to ignore. Until something goes wrong. For many drivers, tyres are only checked when they go flat. But long before that happens, they may
Staff Writer With Freedom Day and Workers’ Day falling so close together, many South Africans turned the past week into a well-earned road trip. From long-haul getaways to quick family
By Mabuyane Mabuza Sometimes I chuckle at the questions I still get after so many years of being immersed in the world of cars. The three most common ones are
By Mabuyane Mabuza Photography: Shaun Mallet It takes a special kind of car to awaken the almost dormant petrolhead in me. Since becoming a true country meisie, a lot of
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 Staff Writer South Africa’s automotive industry has long been defined by engineering excellence, technological innovation and fierce competition. Increasingly, however, another story is unfolding behind the scenes, one that
The announcement of the 2026 South African Car of the Year marked more than the crowning of a new winner. It signalled a significant shift in South Africa’s automotive landscape.
By Mabuyane Mabuza I am old enough to remember when the South African motoring scene was dominated by German swagger and prestige. Don’t get me wrong, those brands still stir
By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe There are moments in driving that feel small until they become stressful. A parking sign on a busy street. A confusing lane marking. A split-second uncertainty about
By Staff Writer From yesterday’s electric BONDay sessions to President Ramaphosa’s opening address today, Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 is making its mark on the global tourism stage. BONDay Sets the
By Staff Writer While most consumers engage with motoring brands through new model launches and the aspiration of owning the latest vehicle, the real story often starts with people long
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
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