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.

A Sunday Morning at 44 Stanley by 2 Summers

We’re old school and love a proper blog post, so were thrilled when Heather Mason, one of the original Jozi bloggers wrote such a lovely post about 44 Stanley.

“44 Stanley Avenue has stood the test of time – I remember going for lunch there on my very first visit to Joburg in 2009. I recommend it to practically every tourist I meet but I still feel like not enough people know about it.”

— Heather Mason, 2 Summers

Thank you Heather, read the full blog post here

Collections a group exhibition at the gallery

"Collection,"opens on the 13 July at the gallery.

The group exhibition celebrates the power of gathering, where individual works converge to showcase a myriad of perspectives. From bold abstractions to delicate depictions, the artworks chosen present a kaleidoscope of themes and techniques.  

"Collection" invites you to explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, as artists redefine boundaries and challenge perceptions.

A less complicated sun by Sam Kentridge
Featured above Diagrams of the beginning by Balekane Legoabe (in association with 50ty 50ty Prints)

"Collection" invites you to explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, as artists redefine boundaries and challenge perceptions.

Join us on a journey through this curated ensemble.

 Featuring:

50ty 50ty Prints
Stephen Allwright
Nicole Clare Fraser
Olivié Keck
Sam Kentridge
Fiona Pole
Renée Rossouw
Anthony Scullion

FASHION TRIBES IN THE PRESS

The latest Wanted Magazine fashion feature looked at Fashion Tribes and included Rodney Mudzengerere, owner and founder of IFUKU and friend and denim aficianado, Thando Made. Have a look at the feature here.

ENCOUNTERS 2024

The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival is the country’s formative documentary event, screening contemporary South African and International features and short documentaries. Every year since its founding in 2010, The Bioscope has proudly hosted screenings of the festival and returns again with screenings from 21 June – 30 July. Tickets are R80 and you can find the full schedule here.

Worth a special mention is Black People Don’t Get Depressed, which is being screened on the 29th June along with a Q&A session. The film explores mental health issues among black creatives in communities on the African continent and in the diaspora, exploring myths, stigma and solutions through the personal stories of the characters.

Although there has been an improvement in awareness in recent years, as the title of this engaging documentary suggests, depression is often unacknowledged in black Southern African cultures and is instead written off as something that is ‘for white people’. But, as the film makes abundantly clear, the impact of mental health is a fundamentally human experience that transcends all boundaries, racial or otherwise.

The film is produced by Cati Weinek, well-known South African film maker and champion of talent and innovative storytelling. Cati’s family also owns our book store L’Elephant Terrible and is a much loved part of our 44 Stanley community.