The only radio show and podcast dedicated to Africa’s richest square mile, the weekly Sandton Times Hour brings the pages of The Sandton Times to life with an array of entertaining and informative interviews blended with the best music, every week on Mix 93.8, Mondays at 7pm.
- Mauritius continues to feature high on the list as South Africans seek a change of scenery to live, work or invest in – Brian Blatch, Executive Director of Park Lane Properties (Mauritius) shares all the details.
- One-on-One with Angelo Trocchia, Global CEO of Safilo Group who was in South Africa and shared some insights from the world’s 3rd largest eyewear manufacturer.
- Endocrinologist Dr. Sundeep Ruder talks about stress and obesity alongside the Discovery Vitality ObeCity Index release.
- Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) has reported it is seeing strong recovery in the market with its leisure business currently trading at post-COVID highs – Managing Director, Euan McNeil chats about travel in 2023.
- The Johannesburg International Comedy Festival (JICF) is back at Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention and Entertainment Resort and Comedian Eugene Khoza has the details.
- Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.
The Sandton Times Hour is the go-to weekly digest on greater Sandton including fabulous food spots, luxurious lifestyle bits, first-hand travel tips, motoring notes, and world-class entertainment and so much more beyond the borders of greater Sandton. The radio show and podcast has been selected by Feedspot panellists at #15 on a ranking of Top 40 South Africa Podcasts on the web for 2023. In this week’s episode [Edition 105 | Week 10] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
MOVING TO MAURITIUS With Executive Director Of Park Lane Properties Brian Blatch
Since the sharp uptick in demand for property in Mauritius since 2021, the tropical island remains attractive for its natural beauty, hospitable tax regime, security, and liberal property market. More South Africans are researching the island lifestyle and exploring investment opportunities. Mauritius is also currently one of the least expensive options for South Africans seeking to obtain permanent residence-by-investment in another country.
Its “golden visa” is poised to become more highly sought after since Portugal – the most popular residence-by-investment destinations in Europe – announced that it is closing its “golden visa” programme and will not be accepting new applications.
On the island, a four-hour flight away from South Africa, non-citizens can obtain immediate permanent residence by investing a minimum of US$375 000 in certain types of property – the well-known Integrated Resort Schemes, Real Estate Scheme and Property Development Scheme developments as well as Smart Cities and Ground+2 apartment developments.
For further information visit the Park Lane Properties website.
CARRERA EYEWEAR With Global CEO of Safilo Group Angelo Trocchia
The Safilo Group has a global presence with its own production facilities, showrooms, offices and design studios in Padua, Milan, New York, Hong Kong and Portland. With direct subsidiaries in 40 countries and a network of more than 50 qualified partners in 70 other countries, the Safilo Group distribution network reaches around 100’000 points of sale.
Angelo Trocchia has been the Sole Director of Safilo S.p.A. and Safilo Industrial S.r.l. and the Chief Executive Officer of Safilo Group S.p.A. since 2018.
Angelo Trocchia was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Unilever Italia from 2013 to 2018. After an MBA at the STOA’/MIT in Naples and a PHD in aeronautical engineering at the University La Sapienza in Rome, he began, in 1991, an international career in Unilever, where he held various roles of increasing responsibility in supply chain and sales.
DISCOVERY VITALITY OBECITY INDEX With Endocrinologist Dr. Sundeep Ruder
Discovery Vitality announced the results of a national study comparing members’ collective weight across South African cities. The results show that Vitality members in Cape Town have the healthiest weight, while Gqeberha has the most room to improve.
The ObeCity healthy weight ranking lists the healthiest to least healthy cities as follows:
- Cape Town
- Johannesburg
- Durban
- Pretoria
- Bloemfontein
- Gqeberha
Discovery Vitality analysed almost 300,000 Vitality Health Checks completed across South Africa in 2022 to rank the cities according to the proportion of Vitality members who have a healthy weight.
The results show that:
- Johannesburg had the highest percentage of members logging a workout, while Bloemfontein had the lowest.
- Cape Town members had the highest percentage of healthy food purchases, while those in Pretoria had the least.
Carrying excess weight can diminish almost every aspect of a person’s health, including increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
Based on Discovery data, Vitality members who are overweight or obese experience significant increases in healthcare claims. The risk of these comorbidities increases as members move further out of the healthy‑weight range.
FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP UPDATE With Managing Director Euan McNeil
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) short-term profitability was adversely impacted by important, longer-term investments such as recruitment, technology and sustainability. Abnormally high airfares and lower margins on air-only sales further also led to short-term revenue margin reductions. However, airline capacity is gradually recovering, which is expected to deliver cheaper fares and higher volumes, in addition to positively impacting supply margins in a more competitive environment.
While travel is gradually becoming more seamless, following the disruption experienced during the pandemic, some complexity remains. This complexity plays to Flight Centre’s strengths and is contributing to strong demand for person-to-person services that underpin the company’s leisure and corporate offerings.
JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL With Comedian Eugene Khoza
The Johannesburg International Comedy Festival (JICF) returns with a feast of comedy delivered over 3 hilariously jam-packed days.
The festival holds true to the longstanding tradition of featuring the hottest African acts performing alongside up-and-coming talent. The much-anticipated JICF line-up includes the likes of Tats Nkonzo, Dalin Oliver, Jason Goliath, Rob van Vuuren, Eugene Khoza, Khanyisa Bunu, Yaaseen Barnes, Lihle Msimang, Brian Aylward, Carvin Goldstone, Justice Khubeka, Stella Dlangalala, Thenjiwe and Felix Hlope to name just a few.
International acts confirmed thus far are African giants BasketMouth (Nigeria), Aliya Kanani (Canada) and Emo Majok (Australia) who are set to impress Johannesburg audiences with their unique comedy stylings and views on the African experience.
Johannesburg International Comedy Festival (JICF) Details:
Dates: March 31 to April 2, 2023
Venue: Emperors Palace Casino
Tickets are limited and range from R250 to R650 each, available at WebTickets.
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Haska feat. Salif Keita – Madan
- Teemid & LissA – Somewhere Only We Know
- YouNotUs, Janiek & Senex – Narcotic
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