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 digital pages of The Sandton Times to life.
- Chad Thomas, Private Investigator with IRS Forensic Investigations discusses the shooting at Solo restaurant in Sandton this past week which left three people dead and four injured.
- Cameron Upchurch, Head of Chapel Music chats about the history of the Noel Iverson Memorial Organ at St John’s College which marks it’s 60th Anniversary this year.
- Carl Gotham, Advanced Design Director at SAIC Design Advanced London, talks about designing the latest MG motor-vehicles.
- 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 91.9 FM, Mondays from 7pm to 8pm.
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 show features fabulous food spots, luxurious lifestyle bits, first-hand travel tips, motoring notes, and world-class entertainment, business discussions and so much more, even venturing 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 186 Week 11] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
Sandton Shootout Raises Questions About Private Security With IRS Forensic Investigations Private Investigator Chad Thomas
A deadly shootout erupted last week at Solo Restaurant in 24 Central, Sandton, leaving three people dead and four others injured. According to preliminary reports, the incident unfolded when a man armed with a firearm attempted to enter the restaurant, which enforces a strict no-firearm policy. A confrontation ensued between the man’s bodyguards and the establishment’s security personnel, leading to a full-blown shootout.
By the time the gunfire ceased, two of the bodyguards lay dead on the scene, while five others – including the armed individual, two patrons, a Community Policing Forum (CPF) member, and a security guard – were rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds. The man at the center of the confrontation succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident. While the exact motive remains unclear, early indications suggest that the deceased man was no stranger to violent altercations. The shooting has intensified concerns regarding security and public safety in Sandton, an area known for its high-end restaurants, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife. The incident has also reignited debate around the role and regulation of private security firms, particularly those offering close protection services to business-people, celebrities, and other high-profile individuals.
Chad Thomas, a private investigator with IRS Forensic Investigations, weighed in on the broader implications of the incident during an interview on The Sandton Times Hour. He noted that South Africa has witnessed a significant rise in close protection security personnel, often seen patrolling high-end districts in convoys of blacked-out SUVs, their occupants resembling military operatives rather than traditional bodyguards.
The unchecked expansion of this security culture has led to increasingly bold behaviour, with some private security teams acting as if they have law enforcement authority. Reports of armed convoys speeding through traffic lights, forcing other drivers off the road, and engaging in public altercations have become common. One of the most concerning aspects of the Solo Restaurant shootout is that it reportedly unfolded even after authorities had been alerted to the brewing tension. If police were present or had been called to de-escalate the situation, it raises serious concerns about the brazenness of those involved.
While business-people and high-profile figures cite security concerns, including extortion, assassination attempts, and kidnapping, as justifications for employing heavily armed protection units, the reality is that many of these teams are being used for intimidation rather than legitimate security purposes.
This latest tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter regulation of private security in South Africa. If individuals with prior violent offenses can continue to employ armed protection squads, roam freely, and engage in deadly altercations with little fear of consequence, then the system is fundamentally broken. In the aftermath of this tragedy, it is imperative that law enforcement and regulatory bodies take decisive action. Whether through stricter licensing laws, harsher penalties for security teams that overstep their legal authority, or greater enforcement of firearm restrictions in public spaces, something must change.
For more information on IRS Forensic Investigations, visit their website.
St John’s College Noel Iverson Memorial Organ Marks 60th Anniversary With Head of Chapel Music Cameron Upchurch
On Sunday, 28 February 1965, the grand Memorial Chapel at St John’s College resonated with the majestic sounds of its newly dedicated organ. The ceremony, led by the Bishop of Johannesburg, marked a poignant tribute to Noel Iverson, the esteemed Director of Music who shaped the school’s choral and musical tradition from 1931 until his passing in 1962.
To honour Noel Iverson’s legacy, a dedicated fundraising initiative was launched, amassing nearly R17’000. By the final weeks of the third term in 1964, the esteemed organ-building firm Cooper, Gill, and Tomkins – South Africa’s oldest, established in 1902 – completed the installation of the instrument. At its unveiling, the College organ was one of the most significant in the country. Initially, its usage was carefully managed, with performances limited to rehearsed sessions before gradually being integrated into regular weekday services.
Valued at R23’500 at the time, the organ is a technical and artistic marvel, boasting nearly 2’700 pipes. Designed to emulate the depth and variety of a full orchestra, its stops replicate instruments like the flute, oboe, trumpet, and piccolo. Unique features include the striking Trompeta Real – horizontal trumpets extending beyond the casework – and the Schalmei, evoking the tones of bagpipes. Constructed with English reeds and diapasons, and German flutes and strings, the organ comprises four departments: the Great Organ, the Swell Organ, the Choir Organ, and the Pedal Organ. Its programmable memory system allows for intricate combinations of stops, ensuring its adaptability for a wide range of musical expressions.
Interestingly, despite his profound influence on the school’s musical tradition, Noel Iverson himself never desired an organ. He maintained that a piano was sufficient and preferred the purity of unaccompanied boys’ voices. Old Johannian James Ridley (Nash 1958/Sixth Form 1959) recalled that Noel Iverson once considered an organ but ultimately dismissed the idea, unwilling to settle for anything less than perfection. His high standards and dedication to musical excellence remain a cornerstone of the St John’s College ethos.
Designing An MG With SAIC Design Advanced London Advanced Design Director Carl Gotham
Sandton, the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy, played host to an exciting chapter in motoring history as MG made a triumphant return to the country.
Founded over 100 years ago by British motoring pioneer William Morris and his visionary General Manager Cecil Kimber, MG has always been synonymous with creating accessible sports cars. The brand’s first model, the 14/28 Super Sports, redefined the motoring landscape with its sporty aesthetics and dynamic performance. Fast forward to 2025, MG stands stronger than ever, having evolved under the stewardship of SAIC Motor, the Chinese automotive giant that acquired the brand in 2007.
One of MG’s most impressive achievements under SAIC’s leadership is its global design and engineering network. While manufacturing predominantly takes place in China, SAIC has invested heavily in the UK, including establishing the SAIC Design Advanced London studio. This facility focuses on futuristic design concepts, blending MG’s British heritage with cutting-edge technology.
Full Story: MG Revs Back Into South Africa With Launch In Sandton
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Marshmello and the Jonas Brothers – Leave Before You Love Me
- Beatenberg – Beauty Like A Tightened Bow (Chris Sen Remix / Radio Edit)
- Garth Taylor – Why
- Def Leppard – Stand By Me
Get The Sandton Times Hour Playlist
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