Nominated for ‘Podcast of the Year’ in the 2024 African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA), the weekly Sandton Times Hour is a Sandton magazine show that brings the wanted online pages of The Sandton Times to life.
- Alan Knott-Craig, serial entrepreneur in the telecoms and tech space chats about his new book ‘Life Lessons: How To Fail And Win’.
- South African comedian and actor, Nik Rabinowitz, reflects on his latest show ‘Pension Killer’ currently running at the Theatre on the Square in Sandton.
- A day in the life of an electric car driver…are we ready to make the switch?
- Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.
As the only radio show and podcast dedicated to Africa’s richest square mile, this Sandton magazine show is packed with an array of entertaining and informative interviews blended with the best music, every week on Mix 93.8, Mondays at 7pm.
The Sandton Times offers readers all they ever wanted online, and The Sandton Times Hour is the go-to weekly magazine show broadcast from greater Sandton. The Sandton magazine show features fabulous food spots, luxurious lifestyle bits, first-hand travel tips, motoring notes, and world-class entertainment, business and so much more beyond the borders of greater Sandton.
In 2024, The Sandton Times Hour secured the third spot on Feedspot’s list of the “30 Best South Africa Podcasts” highlighting the top South African podcasts from thousands available on the web, ranking them based on relevancy, authority, social media followers, and freshness.
In this week’s show [Edition 168 | Week 31] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
‘Life Lessons: How To Fail And Win’ With Serial Entrepreneur Alan Knott-Craig
In the dynamic world of telecoms and tech entrepreneurship, Alan Knott-Craig stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation. Known for his dry humour and candid storytelling, Alan has founded, funded, and run 21 companies, including notable names like Cellfind, iBurst, Mxit, and HeroTel.
In his latest work, Alan shares the hard-earned lessons of his entrepreneurial journey, revealing the triumphs and missteps that have shaped his career. This narrative, filled with humour and behind-the-scenes insights, offers readers a rare glimpse into the realities of entrepreneurship. As Mark Levy, founder of Digital Planet, puts it, Alan’s work is “brave, smart, and raw. Read it.”
Aisha Pandor, co-founder of SweepSouth, praises Alan for his ability to sprinkle brilliant nuggets of wisdom throughout his tales. Meanwhile, Itumeleng Kgaboesele, founder of Sphere Holdings, appreciates how Alan’s story provides valuable life lessons for anyone building a business. Luvuyo Rani, co-founder of Silulo Ulutho Technologies, notes the rare insights into the entrepreneurial world, while Omri Thomas, co-founder of ABAX Investments, values the generous sharing of battle scars and tips.
Alan’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond his businesses. As the founder of fibertime, he is on a mission to eradicate the digital divide with innovative pay-as-you-go fibre internet solutions for townships. His bestselling book Don’t Panic, based on an email to his employees, was published in 2008 and remains a source of inspiration.
Living in Stellenbosch, Alan continues to inspire and educate through his experiences, demonstrating that stumbling from failure to failure is not only part of the journey but a path to ultimate success.
‘Pension Killer’ With South African Comedian & Actor Nik Rabinowitz
Renowned South African comedian Nik Rabinowitz is back, and he’s bringing his unique brand of humour to Theatre on the Square with his latest show, Pension Killer. Struggling to find anyone or anything to blame for his frustrations, Nik dives headfirst into the peculiar reality of being an aging comedian in a rapidly changing world.
In Pension Killer, Nik Rabinowitz explores the comedic potential of what it means to navigate the ‘new normal’. No longer able to point fingers at his family, surroundings, or country, he instead turns the spotlight inward. This show promises to be a laugh-out-loud examination of the peculiarities and absurdities of adjusting to a world that has transformed seemingly overnight.
Nik, beloved for his sharp wit and relatable humour, takes the audience on a journey through his own experiences of aging. He is still a son, a father, and a husband, but he now also finds himself in the roles of an uncle, an oom, a madala, and an altekakke – South African colloquialisms for an older man. With his characteristic blend of humour and heart, Nik offers a fresh perspective on the joys and challenges of growing older.
The show runs until 3 August 2024 at Theatre on the Square in Sandton. For those looking to experience Nik’s hilarious take on life in the new normal, tickets are available for booking through Computicket.
Don’t miss out on the chance to see one of South Africa’s all-time favourite comedians as he navigates this brave new world with humour and insight. Pension Killer is sure to leave audiences both laughing and reflecting on their own experiences of change and adaptation.
To Switch To Electric Or Not?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly prevalent, transforming urban landscapes from Miami to Madrid. In cities like these, ride-hailing services such as Uber often feature EVs, sometimes at a premium, as more users opt for this eco-friendly experience. The chance to test drive various electric vehicles over several months provided a first-hand glimpse into the practicalities and challenges of this evolving technology.
Driving an electric vehicle is distinctly different from traditional petrol or hybrid cars. The absence of a petrol engine means total reliance on battery power. During a typical five-day driving routine, the vehicle’s charge lasted reasonably well. However, when the battery level dropped to around 10-15%, it became imperative to find a charging station, especially when a home charging solution is not at hand.
This situation highlighted a crucial aspect of EV ownership: the necessity of buying into the entire ecosystem, not just the car. Ideally, having charging stations at both home and work is essential to avoid the anxiety of running out of power. Without this infrastructure, running an EV can be daunting, as there’s no equivalent of a soft drink bottle of petrol for a quick fix.
As an example, on a day packed with meetings and a conference, finding a suitable charging station became a priority. Public charging stations vary in speed—some can take six to eight hours to fully charge a vehicle, while fast chargers might only take one to two hours. At a nearby mall, a slow charger could have been a solution while attending the gym, but it barely increased the charge.
The conference venue had a fast charger, albeit in a cramped parking space. Navigating into position was a challenge, requiring the driver to climb out of the car’s passenger side due to a poorly parked vehicle. Despite the awkwardness, the fast charger efficiently powered up the car during the conference.
Driving an EV offers impressive acceleration and a smooth ride, often outperforming petrol cars. Yet, the infrastructure is key. The EV experience is reminiscent of the early days of cell phones and the internet – promising but still evolving. As EV technology progresses, these challenges will likely diminish, making the transition smoother and more accessible for everyone.
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Gwen Stefani & Anderson .Paak – Hello World (Song of the Olympics)
- Shaboozey & David Guetta – A Bar Song (Tipsy) [Remix]
- Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars
- Klischée – Tom’s Diner
Get The Sandton Times Hour Playlist
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