BY MODERN OPULENT GAZETTE

With the Easter long weekend approaching, millions of South Africans will take to the roads to reconnect with family. For many, that journey depends on taxis and buses. Yet in the rush to secure a seat and manage rising travel costs, one critical factor is often overlooked: the safety, insurance and accountability of the transport provider. Recent incidents on South Africa’s roads have sharpened the national focus on road safety. At the same time, ongoing pressure from fuel prices continues...

The Easter holiday is one of the biggest moments on South Africa’s calendar. Much like Christmas, it comes with an unspoken understanding: nobody really wants to spend it at home, especially not the same home they see every day. That is where The Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts steps in. Whether you are looking to stay close to home or escape a little further to Mbombela or even Cape Town, the idea is simple: change your setting without overcomplicating the plan. Unlike Christmas,...

Dietlof Maré, CEO of Maziv At the sixth South Africa Investment Conference 2026, Maziv made one of the most significant commitments to the country’s digital infrastructure to date, pledging R9 billion over the next five years to accelerate high-speed connectivity across South Africa. “The investment is a powerful catalyst for digital inclusion. This is much more than infrastructure; it’s about changing lives. By bringing high speed connectivity to every corner of the country, we are ensuring...

Under its “Cinema is Coming Home” vision, Sony has unveiled a new generation of BRAVIA Theatre home audio products, designed to deliver a more immersive and accessible cinematic experience for modern living spaces. BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7 The expanded lineup introduces the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7 and BRAVIA Theatre Bar 5 soundbars, alongside a suite of optional speakers including the BRAVIA Theatre Sub 9, Sub 8 and Rear 9. Together, the range is engineered to create a wider, more layered surround...

From 22 to 25 April 2026, South African Fashion Week (SAFW) returns with a renewed sense of purpose, reaffirming its position as the country’s only dedicated B2B platform for designers and a key driver of the local fashion economy. Following a strategic pause , SAFW didn’t go quiet. Instead, it leaned into digital, rolling out targeted campaigns that kept designers visible and collections in circulation. One standout October activation delivered strong engagement, with each designer...

With Human Rights Day approaching, conversations around dignity, equality and freedom are once again front of mind. Yet one of the most critical enablers of those rights continues to operate in the background: commuter transport. For millions of South Africans, taxis and buses are not simply a means of getting from A to B. They are the link to employment, education, healthcare and family. When these systems work, they enable participation in the economy. When they fail, the consequences are...

In business, cost is usually measured in what is spent. Salaries, operations, insurance, overheads. What rarely gets measured, at least not immediately, is the cost of doing nothing. Because in many organisations, the real expense only shows up once something has already gone wrong. An employee goes on extended sick leave. Productivity dips. Claims start to rise. By then, the damage is already in motion. What is less visible is how those moments begin. Stress builds slowly. Engagement slips...

As Absa Cape Epic celebrates its 20th year with Absa Group as title sponsor, the milestone highlights far more than sporting endurance. It marks one of South Africa’s longest-running corporate sponsorships and demonstrates how sustained partnerships can deliver meaningful economic and social impact. Over the past two decades, the globally acclaimed mountain bike stage race has grown into a major economic driver for the Western Cape. The event has contributed close to R11 billion to the...

Zimbali Lodge has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of its public spaces and conferencing facilities, sharpening its position in KwaZulu-Natal’s premium hospitality market while expanding its appeal to corporate and MICE travellers. Guest room renovations remain ongoing. Set within the 700-hectare Zimbali Coastal Resort on the Dolphin Coast, the lodge’s location continues to be one of its strongest advantages. Just 15 minutes from King Shaka International Airport and 20 minutes north of...

Nedbank Group has officially opened entries for the 16th season of Nedbank Pitch & Polish, one of the country’s longest-running initiatives dedicated to developing and scaling entrepreneurial talent. Over the past 15 seasons, the programme has helped founders refine their strategies, strengthen operational systems and build more resilient businesses. What distinguishes Pitch & Polish is its structured combination of competition, mentorship and practical business education, where entrepreneurs...

Absa Group Limited has announced a strategic partnership with AMPD Studios, marking a significant investment in Africa’s first fully integrated creative industry hub. The collaboration aims to unlock sustainable economic opportunities for young creatives across music, film, podcasting, gaming and digital content, positioning creativity not only as culture, but as commerce. Speaking at the launch, Thabisa Mkhwanazi said the partnership recognises that the way young people build careers and...

TANG Sandton officially reopened last night, and the guest list was nothing short of star-studded. The evening drew TV and radio personalities, actors, editors, publicists, stylists, content creators, and devoted fine diners; all arriving in chic all-black, perfectly on theme. Notable faces included Mbali Nkosi, Sandile Mahlangu, Thulan Toolz, Tary Louch, Thamba Gweja, and Lucia Mthiyane, among many more. Inside, the space radiated modern Asian luxury, with bespoke booths, a striking onyx-lit...

Since its launch last year, Woolworths’ MyDifference loyalty programme has signalled a decisive shift in how the retailer approaches customer engagement. Moving beyond the mechanics of traditional points-based systems, the programme introduces a more personalised, transparent and insight-led model designed to deepen relationships while delivering measurable value. MyDifference replaces the long-standing WRewards programme, which served customers for more than two decades. The evolution...

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), in partnership with HEINEKEN Beverages, successfully hosted a women’s economic empowerment dialogue at the Marriott Hotel, Crystal Towers in Century City, Cape Town yesterday. Held in the lead-up to the State of the Nation Address, the engagement brought together government, private-sector partners and civil-society organisations for a focused conversation on strengthening women’s economic participation and advancing...

On Saturday 7 February 2026, the Cape Winelands welcomed a striking new addition to South Africa’s premium lifestyle calendar as Absa Du Champ launched at Val de Vie Estate. Against the dramatic backdrop of the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, the inaugural event unfolded as a considered celebration of polo, culture and contemporary luxury. Guided by the theme " Where Mastery Meets Story" , the occasion positioned itself as more than a sporting fixture. It became a cultural platform honouring...

Paris may own the clichés and Rome the cinematic gestures, but Hong Kong is quietly rewriting what a modern love story looks like. For South African couples seeking something beyond predictable European itineraries, the city offers a layered alternative. Neon-lit density meets mountain stillness. High-energy nights give way to slow waterfront mornings. It is a place where romance feels less staged and more discovered. As Asia continues to rise as a preferred long-haul destination for South...

The 18th Africa Energy Indaba will open this year with a high-level plenary tackling one of the continent’s most pressing structural challenges: energy access. Under the theme “Energy Access and Energy Poverty – Mission 300M” , the conference’s opening session will examine how Africa can move from incremental progress to large-scale implementation in connecting 300 million people to electricity. Despite ongoing electrification efforts, hundreds of millions across the continent still lack...

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to show someone (or yourself) a little extra love, and picking the right gift can make all the difference. This year, it’s all about curated, thoughtful, luxe-feeling and even handmade options that say you know exactly what the other person likes. From book nerds and gamers to soft girls, wellness lovers, and tech people, this edit blends thoughtful, practical, and feel-good finds that suit every kind of personality. Whether you’re planning something...

One of the main reasons students fail or underperform in their final exams is alcohol use and abuse, often starting at far younger ages than many adults realise. In communities where drinking is normalised early, the impact on learning, decision-making, and long-term outcomes can be devastating. Against this backdrop, a youth-led programme in the Eastern Cape is showing that meaningful intervention, when driven by young people themselves, can deliver real results. More than 30,000 learners in...

The 18th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba , widely regarded as the continent’s most influential energy conference and exhibition, will take place from 3–5 March 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Officially endorsed by South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the event once again positions itself as a central meeting point for shaping Africa’s energy future. At a time when the continent faces mounting pressure to balance...

Africa’s renewable energy sector is entering a decisive growth phase, with solar, wind, storage and green hydrogen projects scaling at record pace. This momentum is positioning the continent not only as a high-growth clean energy market, but as a critical destination for global investment seeking bankable, long-term returns. At the centre of this transformation are Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), the mechanisms enabling large-scale renewable deployment...

Every January, South Africans make the same familiar promises. Save more. Budget properly. Finally get finances under control. By March, reality sets in. Unexpected expenses crop up, debit orders pile up and good intentions fade under the weight of real financial pressure. The issue is rarely a lack of discipline. More often, financial resolutions fail because they are too broad to address the specific problem causing the most stress. According to Brett Caminsky, Director at Atlas Finance,...

Hair restoration has steadily moved into the mainstream. Improved techniques, greater visibility and shifting attitudes towards cosmetic procedures have made it more acceptable for both men and women. Yet as demand grows, so too does risk. Alongside established medical practices, unsafe or so called “dark clinics” continue to operate in many countries, including South Africa. These clinics often function temporarily, sometimes using rented medical facilities for a few weeks before...

Something has shifted in how South Africans think about getting away. The automatic pull of international trips or the same beach town every December is giving way to travel that feels more considered and more local. Experiences now need to be meaningful, restorative and rooted in place, rather than another box ticked on a familiar itinerary. At the same time, the line between “business trip” and “holiday” has blurred almost completely. A midweek conference in Gqeberha or Cape Town now easily...