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.
- Angela Russell, CEO of the Drinks Federation of South Africa, shares insights into the importance of the Alcohol Industry Communications Code of Conduct.
- Thatiso Dube, founder and creative director of GALXBOY, chats about his journey, his vision, and what the new Sandton City store means for the brand and beyond.
- Tat Wolfen, Entertainment Commentator for The Sandton Times takes a look at how youth and mature audiences are key to cinema success.
- Louise Wiseman, Managing Director of the IIE Varsity College as well as Sandton Campus Head, Kimberly McIntyr share all the details about the new Sandton Central campus opening with 4500 students in 2026!
- 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.
The Sandton Times Hour celebrated its 200th episode this June, cementing its status as one of South Africa’s most consistent and engaging weekly FM radio shows and podcasts. Launched during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, the show has grown into a powerful, multi-platform voice for Sandton, blending vibrant interviews and curated lifestyle content across travel, luxury, entertainment, and business. Airing every Monday on 91.9 FM and available globally via podcast, it has featured notable guests from Mercedes-Benz CEO to Helen Zille, with a strong local and international listenership.
Recognised by Feedspot and the APVA, the show’s success lies in its authentic storytelling, dedicated production, and the vision of host and founder Alexander Leibner. As it looks ahead, The Sandton Times Hour remains proudly independent, proudly Sandton, and ready for the next 200 shows.
In this week’s show [Edition 200 Week 25] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
The Alcohol Industry Communications Code Of Conduct With Drinks Federation Of South Africa CEO Angela Russell
The Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) has unveiled Small Print, Big Impact, an industry-wide campaign focused on promoting responsible communication and marketing practices within the alcohol sector. This initiative reinforces the industry’s commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in how alcohol is advertised and promoted across South Africa.
Serving as both a practical toolkit and educational resource, the campaign helps alcohol producers, marketers, and brand teams implement the Alcohol Industry Communications Code of Conduct (CCoC)—a self-regulatory framework designed to prevent targeting minors, misleading claims, and glamorisation of alcohol. It also applies to in-person brand experiences such as tastings and hospitality events.
Recognising the alcohol industry’s economic and cultural role, DF-SA emphasizes that responsible communication is not just compliance – it’s a reflection of integrity and respect for consumers. The campaign encourages brands to integrate the CCoC across all marketing channels, using the provided tools to train teams and review existing materials.
The campaign calls on all industry stakeholders to adopt the code and join a growing movement committed to ethical engagement.
New GALXBOY Sandton City Store With Founder And Creative Director Thatiso Dube
South African streetwear powerhouse GALXBOY has just added a bold new chapter to its ever-evolving story. The new store in Sandton City, the economic heartbeat of South Africa, is the brand’s 14th location nationwide, and perhaps its most symbolic. Sandton – often referred to as “Africa’s richest square mile” – is home to luxury labels, top corporates, and a global clientele.
Full Story: GALXBOY Launches Flagship Store In Sandton City
Youth At The Cinema With Entertainment Commentator Tat Wolfen
South African cinemas are experiencing a welcome revival, driven largely by youth audiences and a strong line-up of big-budget blockbusters. Following the devastating impact of pandemic lockdowns, which saw cinemas lose hundreds of millions of Rands, the return of younger moviegoers has helped stabilise and even rejuvenate the industry.
This year’s film slate is packed with youth-focused releases – high-octane adventures, superhero sagas, and nostalgic reboots – attracting a generation that has become central to box office recovery. However, the resurgence also brings a challenge: cinemas must resist becoming overly dependent on these so-called tentpole titles.
Much like a successful bookstore needs more than just the latest bestseller, cinemas thrive when they offer a broad selection of content. A balanced line-up – including action, romance, niche documentaries, foreign films, and live event screenings – can create a more inclusive and enduring moviegoing culture. Catering only to one demographic risks alienating others, particularly older and more specialised audiences who are equally valuable.
Movie-going habits have also changed. Audiences are now more segmented than ever, making the traditional one-size-fits-all approach less effective. Multiplexes with five to fifteen screens in South Africa have the flexibility to programme diverse offerings, allowing visitors to choose from a variety of genres and experiences in a single venue.
At the same time, the rise of smartphone viewing has altered how many young people consume films. While convenient, this trend compromises the cinematic experience – movies designed for immersive, large-screen viewing are reduced to handheld distractions.
To remain relevant, cinema chains are introducing innovations like 4DX and the upcoming ScreenX at Gateway in Durban – South Africa’s first immersive, multi-screen theatre experience. These efforts signal a future where technology meets variety, and where cinema remains a powerful, social form of storytelling.
New IIE Varsity College Sandton Central Campus With Louise Wiseman And Kimberly Mcintyr
Sandton is about to get a significant new player – this time, in the realm of education. Set to open its doors in 2026, The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) has announced the development of a massive new mega-campus for its Varsity College and Vega School branches.
The IIE, South Africa’s largest private higher education institution and a subsidiary of the investment holding giant ADvTECH Limited, is gearing up to create an academic space that will rival anything currently on offer in the region.
Full Story: New IIE Mega-Campus To Open In Sandton In 2026
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Topic x Sofiya Nzau – Away
- HUGEL x Topic x Arash feat. Daecolm – I Adore You
- Glockenbach feat Asdis – Dirty Dancing
- New Radicals – You Get What You Give
Get The Sandton Times Hour Playlist
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