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.
- Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist of the Efficient Group weighs in on the South African Budget as well as the U.S. Trade Tariffs.
- South African politician Helen Zille shares the details around her upcoming ‘Roast of Helen Zille’ at the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival in Sandton.
- Tat Wolfen, Entertainment Commentator for The Sandton Times, reveals his best movie for 2025 as well as unique experiences at NuMetro.
- Mixologist Alexander Fahrenheim chats about his career and representing South Africa at the ANGOSTURA Global Cocktail Challenge (AGCC) Finals
- 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 190 Week 15] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
South African Budget And The U.S. Trade Tariffs With Chief Economist Of The Efficient Group Dawie Roodt
South Africa’s 2025 budget has been anything but business as usual. The ANC has managed to pass it in the National Assembly without support from the DA – an unprecedented fracture within the Government of National Unity (GNU). In addition to this, the global economic landscape is shifting once again, and this time, South Africa is caught in the crosshairs. United States President Donald Trump has imposed a 30% levy on goods imported from South Africa.
To get some clarity, Dawie Roodt, renowned economist, thought leader, and Founder, Director, and Chief Economist of the Efficient Group weighs in on the topic. With decades of experience in economic policy and financial markets, Dawie breaks down the impact of these new trade tariffs and what they mean for South Africa’s economic future.
To understand the rationale behind Trump’s move, it’s essential to look at the broader economic picture in the U.S. Much like South Africa, the United States is grappling with serious fiscal problems. Their debt levels are alarmingly high, and there are two primary ways to tackle this issue: cutting spending or increasing revenue. Trump’s tariffs are an attempt to generate additional tax revenue while simultaneously protecting the American economy.
At the same time on the home front, conflicting political statements and potential legal challenges leave the finality of the annual South African budget hanging in the balance. At the heart of the debate is the controversial decision to increase the value-added tax (VAT) rate by 0.5 percentage points in 2025/26, with another 0.5 percentage points planned for 2026/27. This would raise VAT to 16%, placing additional strain on consumers, particularly lower-income households. And yet, as Dawie points out, SARS recently announced an unexpected R10-billion surplus in tax revenue – enough to cover the proposed VAT increase without implementing it at all. So why push through with the VAT hike? According to Dawie, it’s little more than a political game of chicken.
‘Roast Of Helen Zille’ At The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival With Helen Zille
When political heavyweight Helen Zille was invited to a roast, she thought it involved lamb. But the DA’s federal chairperson is about to get a whole different kind of heat – this time, from the comedy stage.
The DA’s federal chairperson, known for her razor-sharp intellect, unapologetic candour, and Twitter presence that could singe your eyebrows off, is stepping onto the comedy stage as the headline act for the 2025 Showmax Roast. It’s a move that some might deem equal parts brave and bold – and totally on brand for a woman who’s built a career charging into the fray.
When asked if she was nervous, Helen simply laughed it off, noting that since people roast her behind her back all the time, she might as well let them do it to her face – proving she’s not only got a thick skin, but also a clear appetite for the heat.
Full Story: Helen Zille Gets Fired Up For Roast Night In Sandton
Weekly Entertainment Round-Up With Commentator Tat Wolfen
Alexander Leibner sat down with resident entertainment commentator Tat Wolfen for a cinematic roller-coaster ride through the latest in film and alternative screenings – and what a week it’s been.
Tat kicked things off with A Kind of Madness, a powerful new South African release and the first local film to open with an MGM logo. Featuring acting royalty Sandra Prinsloo and Ian Roberts, it tells the story of a woman with dementia who’s “broken out” of a care home by her husband, tackling the difficult subject of elder care with sensitivity.
Next up, streaming on Disney+, A Real Pain – written, directed by, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, alongside Succession’s Kieran Culkin. The cousins-on-a-heritage-trip premise is just the surface. Underneath, it’s an emotional gut-punch exploring family bonds and mental health.
Then, things get niche – NuMetro has been embracing global cinema lovers by screening live opera and ballet direct from cultural capitals, and offering exquisite films from Asia like A Light Never Goes Out and Past Lives. Tissues recommended. And finally, cinema meets theme park with 4DX – motion seats, mist, wind, even scent – and yes, a K-pop concert by Seventeen brought the house down.
From soul-stirring dramas to seat-shaking pop spectacles, it’s just another week in entertainment with Tat Wolfen on The Sandton Times Hour.
ANGOSTURA Global Cocktail Challenge (AGCC) Finals With Mixologist Alexander Fahrenheim
The House of ANGOSTURA has crowned Alexander Fahrenheim as the 2024/2025 South African winner of the ANGOSTURA Global Cocktail Challenge (AGCC). His win at the national finals secures his place on the international stage in Trinidad and Tobago this May.
Alexander’s journey began in 2016 at Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax bar. Over eight years, he’s gone from budding bartender to mentor and mixologist, passionately sharing the craft he loves.
This year’s national competition was a high-stakes battle of South Africa’s best bartenders. The Queen’s Park Swizzle Challenge tested contestants on their ability to reinvent a classic cocktail, while the Mystery Box Challenge pushed their adaptability and innovation using surprise ingredients.
Alecs Besier took second place, drawing on her decade of bartending and background in theatre. Now the Event Manager for the Ajabu Cocktail Festival, she impressed with flair and finesse, celebrating the honour of competing alongside such talent. Third place went to Cameron Flint of Fable, recognised for his boundary-pushing cocktails and strong online following.
The finals featured ten outstanding competitors, including Aimee Donofrio, Jason Bezuidenhout, Devon Andreka, Jorge Diamantino, Ashley Kallis, Thabiso Mabana, and Caitlin Crockart—each displaying remarkable skill under pressure. Judged by industry leaders like Cassandra Eichhoff, Jody Francis, Robyn Murray, and Nicholas Crouse, the competition was a true celebration of mixology excellence. As Alexander prepares for Trinidad and Tobago, the nation rallies behind him, proud to be part of this thrilling journey in global mixology.
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Kat Newood – Imaginary Things
- Black Motion – Joy Joy feat. Brenden Praise
- Welshly Arms – Sanctuary
- Ed Sheeran – Azizam
Get The Sandton Times Hour Playlist
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