This month, I was really outside. What made September special was the love behind it. Four of my people looked at my plan to stay in and said, “Not on my watch.” They literally passed the baton to make sure I had the time of my life. Being outside is great, but having people who show up for you like that? That’s everything. Here’s what went down…
FNB Art Joburg at Sandton Convention Centre
This was my first time attending FNB Art Joburg, so when my plus one suggested it, I didn’t think twice. If there is one thing Johannesburg knows how to do, it is to curate an atmosphere, and stepping into the Sandton Convention Centre on September 4th for the opening was an immediate reminder of why this city remains the pulsing heart of contemporary African art. The energy in the room was effortless; poised, cultured, and distinctly Joburg. Walking through the exhibitions also unlocked an unexpected layer of nostalgia, taking me straight back to my high school art room where I spent hours creating while Mrs. Schmidt shared stories from her life. Standing surrounded by all that incredible work brought everything full circle, tying a core childhood memory to a room full of world-class African storytelling.
The Atmosphere & The Crowd
Before you even hit the galleries, the people are the artwork. The opening-day crowd understood the assignment: thoughtful tailoring, bold textures, and an effortless sophistication that felt distinctly Joburg. There was an energy in the hall that struck a rare balance between serious art patronage and a vibrant culture. I was there for the art, but seeing the crowds outfits was just as captivating, and not even the rain could stop us from showing up. I heard after the fact that opening night is where it’s at, and after experiencing that room, I believe it completely.
In conclusion
The art, the beautiful people, the bubbles, the company—I would do it again in a heartbeat. Stepping into that space reminded me to be more open to the unknown, to just say yes, and to let new experiences surprise me.
The Valdo Bubbly Run
The Bubbly Run made its way back to Johannesburg, and we caught it again. Third time around, we thought we knew what to expect, but we were met with a few surprises; starting with the kickoff time. Unlike the first edition, the start was open between 18:30 and 19:00, allowing you to cross the line whenever you were ready. This proved to be a brilliant strategy: it spaced everyone out naturally, giving us plenty of room to cruise through the 5km at our own pace and pick up speed whenever we felt like it.
The second surprise was how quiet the bubbly points were. Previously, each stand had its own music and distinct energy, which really added to the vibe, but this time we were met with silence along the route. The finish line, though, was my absolute favorite part; they brought out karaoke and set up a full dance floor, which turned the end of the run into a proper party. Read all about the full experience here.
Thando Zide – Ku Ngawe Album Experience
When the universe pauses an outdoor show for rain, you hope the wait is worth it. After a week’s delay, Sunday, 13 September, finally delivered sunny weather in Krugersdorp for Thando Zide’s long-awaited Ku Ngawe album launch.
The Aesthetic
I am usually the first person to resist a themed event. The request to adhere to a strict dress code usually feels restrictive, but seeing the visual reality on that Sunday made me rethink things. The theme was Afro Riviera, with a color palette that encouraged hues of blue, orange, yellow, green, brown, and white. Having those diverse options gave everyone room to play, and it created a stunning ambience. People showed up looking elegant and stylish; transforming the outdoor venue into a beautiful visual experience before the music even started.
The Music
Thando Zide looked incredible, and her live vocals were flawless. Moving through the tracks of her new album, Ku Ngawe, she brought a warmth and presence that held everyone’s attention, backed by a band that gave every song a rich, textured layer. The only moment that almost threw us off was hearing a direct instruction to the band spoken right into the mic. I always thought musicians had subtle non-verbal cues for that, but we quickly moved past it once the rhythm caught us again. Outside of her new tracklist, the undeniable highlights came when she brought out the fan favorites: Langa Lakho alongside Manana, and Ngifuna Wena, which had the entire crowd singing in unison.
Final Notes
The event was beautifully executed; every little detail was taken into consideration to make for a seamless Sunday outing. Everything from the shuttles running smoothly from the parking area to the venue, to the thoughtful photo moment stands, the furniture styling, and those stunning views. Pure perfection.
The Luxurious Marble Circus
And last but not least… My sister said, “We are going to the Luxurious Marble Circus.” It was an inviting threat, which also happened to be right at the top of my wishlist after seeing all the videos and photos from the previous year.
The Luxurious Marble Circus was a full-scale sensory experience. Taking over the expansive grounds of GROUND the Venue, the circus set out to blur the lines between fine dining, theatrical performance, and an open-air festival. From the moment I finally stepped into the grounds, the entire energy shifted into something wonderfully whimsical. Right at the gate, I bumped into a friend of mine, Ricky, who was part of the crew—and that warm hug set the tone for an absolutely beautiful day.
The Set Up
The main color at LMC was pink, and honestly, I can’t see it being any other whimsical color. The Main Stage was a giant pink castle; please, a castle in pink. You can understand why that deserves its own moment. There was something wonderfully playful and regal about it, a combination that spoke directly to my heart.
We later discovered there would be goosebump moments planned for both the day and night scenes. The daytime goosebump moment was a massive powder splash of vibrant colors. By pure luck, my sister and I happened to be right at the top of the Wheel of Wonder when it exploded, giving us a front-row, bird’s-eye view of a colorful splash of powder. It was an absolute marvel from up there, and we felt so lucky to be at the top at just the right time.
As night fell, the goosebump moments shifted to a full fireworks display that erupted right over the stage during the live sets as well. Speaking of performances, the lineup was surprisingly DJs only, but the absolute highlight of the night was DBN Gogo. My girl pulled off a show and a half; her song selection, her energy, the wind blowing through her hair, and that cheeky t-shirt she was wearing. It was my first time experiencing her live set, and she was nothing short of amazing.
Exploring the various stands brought another layer of pleasure to the experience. I loved that there was so much to discover beyond the main performances, and that these spaces were part of what made the occasion feel so full and rich. We wandered into a karaoke stand, a skincare activation, an art display space, and a perfume stand; there was genuinely so much to see, touch, and take in at every turn. The only thing that almost spoilt the night was leaving the venue, it took us 3 hours to get of the venue due to stand still traffic. They later apologized for this, cause it could’ve been avoided with proactive traffic control. Otherwise, Marble Circus was a marvel to experience. And I mean that with all the excitement those words can possibly hold. The videos and images I had seen beforehand were nothing compared to being right there in the middle of the magic.
Happy Birthday… To me
My new year found me by the beach, happy and grateful; not only for the adventures and the moments out in these streets, but for the depth of love I found myself surrounded by. I took a moment to reflect on everything I am grateful for, and it turned out to be a long, grounding list. Most of those things were internal and subtle, but profoundly impactful. Here’s to stepping forward into the softest, most badass year yet.
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