44 Stanley Featured in Your Luxury Africa

44 Stanley in the June 2025 issue of Your Luxury Africa.

We love to support the print industry and couldn’t be more delighted with our feature in the latest issue of Your Luxury Africa.

Lerato Tshabalala reflected on recent visits to 44 Stanley and took time to chat with some of our tenants including Rodney Mudzengere of IFUKU and kohi, Noko Malatjie of Lombia and Abdoul C. Machioudi of Yä-de. The feature also reflects on the 20+ year history of 44 Stanley and how its audience, tenants and special events continue to evolve with it.

“It’s these kinds of layered experiences that define 44 Stanley – timeless, soulful, and unmistakably eclectic. This is Johannesburg with all its nuance; curated, creative, and quietly cool.”

We so enjoyed reading the feature and loved to see our home celebrated in print. The June issue is available now on newsstands nationwide.

The Bioscope Turns 15

A Cinematic Milestone at 44 Stanley

The Bioscope at 44 Stanley

This June, The Bioscope Independent Cinema celebrates 15 years of film, community, and culture in Johannesburg — and five of those years have been at its new home right here at 44 Stanley.

Founded in 2010 by Russell Grant and Darryl Els, The Bioscope began as a bold idea in a university thesis: could an independent cinema thrive in Johannesburg? What followed was a leap of faith, test screenings in lecture halls, and an early home in Maboneng that quickly became a cultural landmark.

From the very beginning, The Bioscope carved out a unique place in the city’s creative life — offering an alternative to the mainstream, with a programme shaped by curiosity, global perspective, and deep local relevance. Think Nosferatu, Poor Things, George Bizos in the front row, or M.I.A. slipping into a screening. You never knew who might walk in, or what you might discover.

A NEW CHAPTER AT 44 STANLEY

In 2020, The Bioscope relocated to 44 Stanley — seeking a quieter, more focused atmosphere that better matched its evolving identity. Despite its precarious timing (the cinema was scheduled to open in April 2020), here, it has found a home that complements its philosophy: thoughtful, unpretentious, and intimate. From the car seat chairs to the indie playlists, everything about the cinema feels intentional and personal.

Inside the Bioscope

“Russell and I started chatting at 44 Stanley when he had a brief pop-up of his Limited Edish brand at the end of 2019. He mentioned how he felt an ease the moment he walked into the precinct — and, as is typical of me, I threw out an idea: why don’t you move The Bioscope here?

Of course, I had no idea where it could actually go — the size and height requirements were obvious challenges — but I knew, culturally, it could be a significant shift for the precinct. Like the bookshops, galleries and record stores, The Bioscope would add something rare and essential. A ticketed venue also plays a vital role in driving people to a centre.

I’m grateful that, with some clever thinking from the directors and a bit of good timing, the move happened just before lockdown. I honestly don’t know if The Bioscope would have survived in Maboneng after March 2020.

Since relocating, The Bioscope has added enormous value and character to 44 Stanley — deepening our cultural offering and creating a home for film lovers that feels both intimate and iconic.”

— Vicky Ross - 44 Stanley

More Than a Cinema

Today, The Bioscope isn’t just about what’s on screen — it’s about the people behind it. Owen, Silin, Bongi, Portia, Polite, and Swenkie have become familiar faces, forming the heart of the cinema. In celebration of the milestone, The Bioscope has launched a Birthday Staff Fundraiser. When booking a ticket in May, June, or July, guests can opt to add a donation that goes directly to the team.

Owen

Silin

Bongi

Portia

Polite

Swenkie

“It’s a marathon. If you’re not winning this week, focus on making next week all it can be. That’s how we’ve survived.”

— The Bioscope co-founder Russell Grant

Looking Ahead

Fifteen years in, The Bioscope continues to evolve — hosting film screenings, comedy nights, private events, and experimental formats. But its ethos remains unchanged: only curate what you believe in. Only share what you love.

“I’ve always wished for The Bioscope to be a heritage site. I want it to live on long after me.”

— Russell Grant

Happy 15th, Bioscope.
From all of us at 44 Stanley — thank you for the films, the friendships, and the fearless programming. Here’s to the next act.

While their official 15th birthday is June 8th, special programming will be running 6-8 June as well as throughout the month — check their website to book tickets to screenings or to participate in their birthday staff fundraiser running May, June and July.

Wine 44: The Slow Edition recap

Good wine, good vibes, good people! We had a fantastic Saturday at the second edition of Wine 44: the Slow Edition.

This past Saturday we gathered 14 wine brands that championed regenerative farming, sustainable winemaking, and ethical practices and then welcomed nearly 200 guests to sample wine, meet the winemakers and enjoy the autumn sunshine at 44 Stanley.

A big thank you to the wineries for spending time with us and Yoco for their support of this event and our local small businesses.

Welcoming Nuru Studio to 44 Stanley

We are delighted to welcome Nuru Studio to 44 Stanley.

Nuru Studio is the physical home of Nuru: a modern African holistic well-being platform which explores matters of spirituality and cosmology whilst providing practical tools to live a balanced life.

Nuru aims to inspire mindful living and the prioritisation of one’s higher self in a fast-paced world. Check out their current schedule and drop in for a breathwork workshop, yoga or one of their many wellness centered events.

Find them upstairs above Bed Bath Body.

AFRI Lab Pop-Up coming 29 March through 29 April

The African Fashion Research Institute (AFRI) is bringing its latest pop-up to 44 Stanley, exploring slow, conscious fashion under the theme Material Flows: Reversals, Revisions, Revivals. Find them next to the Bioscope, hosting discussions, workshops, and activations throughout the month.

The AFRI Lab Pop-Up will serve as a dynamic space for knowledge-sharing and dialogue. Visitors can expect an engaging programme of readings, discussions, workshops, and activations with partner tenants throughout the month. As a physical extension of AFRI’s commitment to research and community-building, the lab is both a reference library and meeting room that complements the institute’s existing digital platforms.

Make sure to follow AFRI on Instagram for the latest programming updates during their month long pop up.

Launching Wine Forty Four

Last August we launched our inaugural edition of Wine Forty Four with support of our partner Yoco. The Saturday afternoon tasting event brought 15 South African women winemakers to our courtyard to share their stories and winemaking philosophies, celebrating women small business owners in our community.

We are delighted to announce our second edition of Wine Forty Four coming to 44 Stanley on 12 April, once again proudly supported by Yoco. This autumn’s Wine Forty Four is The Slow Edition: shining a light on wines crafted with care for the land and respect for the process. A selection of wineries that champion organic and regenerative farming, sustainable winemaking, and ethical practices has been curated. The tasting event of Wine Forty Four once again offers a space for wine lovers to connect, share philosophies, and celebrate a movement that values mindful consumption and authenticity.

Throughout April, 44 Stanley is embracing the art of slowing down. Inspired by Earth Day, the change of season, and a commitment to sustainability, the month is dedicated to Slow Living – a celebration of thoughtful choices, conscious consumption, and connection to nature.

Participating Wineries at Wine Forty Four:

The Slow Edition

Alinea
B Vintners
Black Elephant Vintners
Blackwater
Brunia
Deep Rooted
Gabriëlskloof
Lievland
Nativo
Painted Wolf
Radford Dale
Raats
Reyneke
Stark-Condé

Ticket Information

General tickets include entrance, unlimited tastings from the 14 wineries, and a Riedel wine glass. All wines will be available for purchase for offsite consumption and can also be enjoyed by the glass at select venues across 44 Stanley after the tasting.

Date: 12 April 2025
Time: 11:00 – 16:00
Cost: R395
Tickets available on Quicket.

The Manor included in TIME's World's Greatest Places of 2025

What wonderful news! The Manor was included on TIME’s list of the ‘World’s Greatest Places of 2025’ — an annual list that highlights some of the best, one-of-a-kind spots and experiences around the globe.

We feel so lucky that Trevor, Neo and The Manor team have chosen 44 Stanley as their home and look forward to future magic in the space.

“After contributing to so many different publications and platforms, I thought it would be great to create a table of my own instead of asking for a seat at another,” Stuurman says. “It’s about creating space for others but also taking up space within the industry for African storytelling.”

Read the TIME feature here.

A Classic South African album, Juluka's 'Work for All' remasted on vinyl

South African great, Juluka’s 1983 album ‘Work For All’ has been reissued on vinyl, and is available to purchase at Mr Vinyl.

SAMP records owned by Bret Dugmore of Mr Vinyl and well-known DJ Abby Nurock, continues to press South African classics on vinyl, after successfully releasing albums from a range of artists including Hugh Masekela, Paul Hamner and Trompies.

“The reissue of Work for All by Samp Records, pressed on vibrant, translucent blue vinyl, has been crafted with exquisite detail – from the cover and sleeve art to the superb remastering by Peter Pearlson, a thoughtful, gifted and committed sound engineer and producer. The music sounds bright and clear, with newfound detail, as if Clegg and Mchunu are singing right there in the room as the record spins.”

— Richard Pithouse, Business Day

Although Juluka’s extraordinary music is well known by most South Africans, many people may not know the history behind it. Make sure to read Richard Pithouse’s article, ‘Juluka’s classic album ‘Work for All’ from 1983 reissued on vinyl’ in the Business Day that provides an intricate history of the album and the musicians.

Johannesburg is an Art & Design Lover's Delight

As lovers of beautiful and interesting places all over the world, its no surprise that Conde Nast Traveller is one of our favourite publications.

We were thrilled that the Manor got a mention in their recent article Johannesburg is an Art & Design Lover’s Delight by Mary Holland and was great to see some images of the fantastic Design Week South Africa events tthat took place at 44 Stanley.

Best Ice Cream spot in Jozi

We’ve been known to be a little biased when it comes to our tenants.

But were excited to see that Forest Gelato was rated top of the list for ice cream spots in Jozi by Top Reviews. We love the ice cream boom that’s happened in Jozi but always come back to Forest.

Read the full review and list here.