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.
- Robert Jasper, General Manager of Sandton Sun & Towers shares what it takes to stay ahead in a competitive hospitality landscape.
- Tat Wolfen, Entertainment Commentator for The Sandton Times, takes a look at ‘Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action’ and trash television culture.
- Darren Meltz, Event Director for Secret EATS talks about winning the Forty Under 40 Global Award for Hospitality.
- 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 194 Week 19] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
Sandton Sun & Towers Refurbishment With General Manager Robert Jasper
The Sandton Sun and Towers, one of Sandton’s most iconic five-star hotels, has re-emerged with a refreshed look and feel, coupled with new services designed to elevate the guest experience. General Manager Robert Jasper shared insights into the extensive renovations and upgraded offerings that are reshaping the guest journey at this landmark property.
Among the most notable new features is the introduction of butler service – a 24-hour personalised hospitality touch that caters to a range of guest needs, from packing and unpacking luggage to arranging bespoke meals, shopping, or even mending clothes. The refurbishment of the hotel, which hadn’t seen a major revamp since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, was largely influenced by ongoing guest feedback.
Strategically located with direct access to the Sandton Convention Centre and Sandton City via a skywalk, the Sandton Sun and Towers is a hub for both business and leisure travellers. Despite changes in corporate travel patterns post-COVID, the hotel has seen a steady recovery in occupancy, particularly from domestic and pan-African markets. According to Jasper, 46% of guests are local, 25% are from the broader African continent, and the remainder are international travellers.
Southern Sun, the group behind the hotel, is demonstrating confidence in the future of hospitality in Sandton. In addition to the Towers refurbishment, other properties including the Southern Sun Sandton and Southern Sun Rosebank have undergone significant upgrades. Plans are also underway for a soft refurbishment of the Sandton Sun’s furniture, conference facilities, and common areas, with a full revamp of the neighbouring Garden Court in the pipeline.
As competition from international hotel brands slowly grows, Southern Sun’s local knowledge and ongoing investment in its portfolio ensure it remains a strong player in the hospitality sector.
Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action With Entertainment Commentator Tat Wolfen
Once upon a time, American television took a nosedive into sensationalism with The Jerry Springer Show, and now a new Netflix docuseries, Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, exposes just how low things really got.
The two-part documentary lifts the lid on the infamous tabloid talk show that aired from the 1990s into the early 2000s, remembered less for heartfelt conflict resolution and more for on-stage brawls, salacious confessions, and a baying crowd that resembled something out of a Roman colosseum. For those who missed the era, Springer – once a mayor and news anchor – somehow pivoted to hosting a show that gleefully aired the most private and outrageous aspects of people’s lives.
What the documentary does best is highlight how much of the chaos wasn’t just spontaneous drama – it was manufactured, manipulated, and meticulously produced. From flying in emotionally vulnerable guests to actively instigating conflict backstage, producers did everything they could to light the fuse. Guests were misled about what they’d be confronted with, often only learning shocking truths—real or exaggerated—once the cameras were rolling. The goal? Outrage, violence, and, ultimately, ratings.
Executive producers interviewed in the series admit – with stunning nonchalance – that they would’ve aired nearly anything for viewership. One even quips he’d broadcast a murder if it meant higher numbers. This unflinching prioritisation of shock over human dignity speaks volumes about the state of TV then – and perhaps now.
The documentary also draws a compelling line between Springer’s show and today’s culture of social media spectacle. The pursuit of virality, regardless of content, feels eerily similar to Springer’s “anything goes” ethos. As the doc suggests, Springer didn’t just reflect society – he reshaped it. In many ways, he handed the baton to a new generation of reality shows and influencers more concerned with likes than legacy.
But what’s most haunting is the show’s impact on its participants. Interviews with former guests and staff reveal lives upended, mental health strained, and a disturbing lack of accountability from those in charge.
If you ever watched an episode of The Jerry Springer Show – or simply wondered how modern media got to where it is – Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action is as disturbing as it is revealing. It’s a must-watch, not for entertainment, but as a cautionary tale of how far we’ll go for the spotlight.
Darren Meltz Named 2025 Forty Under 40 Global Award Winner
In a moment for African innovation and hospitality, Darren Meltz, Events Director for SecretEATS South Africa, was named the 2025 Forty Under 40 Global Award winner for Hospitality at a prestigious ceremony in Dubai on 12 April 2025. The awards recognise visionary leaders under the age of 40 who are redefining industries and inspiring transformation around the world.
Themed “Connecting Global Champions,” this year’s ceremony celebrated 40 trailblazers from 17 countries who are leading with impact, sustainability, and daring creativity. Hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Dubai’s Business Bay, the event formed part of a week of networking, leadership workshops, and global collaboration.
Darren’s sweep of the Forty Under 40 South Africa, Africa, and Global awards is a testament to his work in blending immersive storytelling with unforgettable culinary experiences through SecretEATS. SecretEATS, known for its underground dining experiences hosted in undisclosed locations, is now turning the page on a new chapter with the launch of Secret Cinema – a first-of-its-kind, one-night-only cinematic experience premiering in Sandton on Saturday, 17 May 2025.
Staying true to the brand’s love for intrigue, guests will receive only limited details upon booking. Final instructions – including the top-secret venue, timing, and a passphrase – will be revealed on the morning of the event.
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Madonna – Holiday
- Will Linley – Just Because I Called You
- Grannysmith – Starlight
- Deepest Blue – Give It Away
Get The Sandton Times Hour Playlist
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