For those heading to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, there are many experiences beyond world-class sports. The Scottish city will come alive from July 23rd to August 2nd with competitions, live music, culture, and gastronomy. Thanks to the location of the sporting venues in an easily accessible area, fans can spend less time traveling and more time enjoying the atmosphere.
A visit to the Tollcross International Swimming Centre should be a priority. South African swimmer Chad le Clos returns to the Commonwealth Games with another chance to add to his outstanding collection of medals. Every race could become a historic moment as he strives to cement his place among the greatest athletes of the Games.
At Tollcross, you can also support other stars of South African swimming, such as Pieter Koos and Lara van Niekerk. Both swimmers have already gained international recognition and will once again compete for medals for the South African team. The atmosphere in the arena is expected to be incredibly charged when the South Africans take to the water.
Matches of the Spar Proteas will take place at the Scottish Sports Campus, which will be among the most intense during the Games, as they face top team sports teams from Australia, New Zealand, and England. South African fans are known for making a lot of noise in the stands, so expect singing, dancing, and active flag waving.
Attention should also be paid to the Paralympic program, which remains one of the main events of the Commonwealth Games. Time must be set aside to watch the dynamic 3x3 wheelchair basketball competition, where South Africa will strive to win top honors. The speed, skill, and teamwork displayed in this sport make it one of the most spectacular events of the Games.
The Merchant City Festival is one of Glasgow's largest cultural celebrations and a must-visit during the Commonwealth Games. Once the daytime sporting events conclude, you should head to this festival. Running parallel to the Games, the festival combines live music, street performances, art installations, and food courts. It is one of the best places to meet locals and other travelling fans while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Glasgow.
For gastronomy lovers, Castlefriars Square offers many options for a snack between competitions. This area is filled with street vendors offering dishes ranging from Scottish favorites to international flavors. Although you might not find a boerewors roll, you are guaranteed to leave full.
Glasgow has established itself as one of the great music hubs of the UK. You can spend an evening at the McChuills club on High Street, where live bands perform throughout the week. It is a relaxed place to enjoy local talent, meet football and sports fans, and experience the hospitality of Scotland.
If you need a break from the crowds, a walk in Kelvingrove Park is recommended. The nearby Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum are worth visiting, and the historic bandstand often hosts concerts and cultural events during the Games. It is an ideal way to enjoy the quieter side of the city before getting back into action.
The adventurous journey to the Commonwealth Games can conclude at the Closing Ceremony, which will take place on August 2nd at OVO Hydro. The Scottish rock band Simple Minds will headline the celebration, gathering thousands of fans for a final night of music and memories. After days of supporting the South African team, this is the perfect way to say goodbye to Glasgow.
In observance of Mandela Day across the country, numerous events are planned in the City of Gold. One of these is a run and walk in honor of Mandela Day, intended to celebrate the legacy of Nelson Mandela, as well as the values of unity, determination, and well-being.
This run is inspired by Madiba's famous route through the streets of Houghton. It offers various participation options: a half marathon of 21 km, a 10 km race, or an easy family walk of 5 km, making it accessible to everyone. The event will take place on Sunday, July 19th, at the DP World Wanderers Stadium located at Corlett Dr, Illovo, Sandton. The start time for the 21 km and 10 km distances is set for 7:30 AM, while the 5 km starts at 7:45 AM. The event will also feature live entertainment and various activities.
A special version of Secret Sunrise Joburg called 'Madiba Magic' invites city residents to participate in a session dedicated to music, movement, and positive vibes. This gathering will include silent disco, light breathing exercises, rooftop views, coffee, food, and a Saturday morning atmosphere. Attire should be comfortable, casual, and weather-appropriate; extra points are awarded for caps, sunglasses, or the best 'Madiba' themed outfit. The event will take place on Saturday, July 18th, starting at 8:30 AM, at Mall of the South in Liefde En Vrede.
The Supercar Rhino Run event returns to the Kyalami track, uniting the Mzansi supercar enthusiast community in support of rhino conservation. Approximately 150 outstanding vehicles from across the country are expected to participate. There will also be an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest supercar/hypercar display. The program includes a supercar parade, a drift demonstration (a motorsport display of skill and athleticism), spinning displays, tire burnouts, a simulated anti-poaching operation, and a K9 demonstration, along with entertainment, food, and drinks. This will happen on Sunday, July 19th, starting at 8:30 AM, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit track in Midrand.
Food Indaba 2026 is a major event dedicated to sustainable food and culture in Cape Town, where traditions meet an emphasis on water resources, well-being, and community spirit. This annual event takes place from July 20 to August 2 and is organized by the SA Urban Food & Farming Trust.
The event is aligned with the spirit of Mandela Day and the principle of Ubuntu. Instead of academic lectures, Food Indaba 2026 offers over 17 immersive events across the City Bowl, focusing on locally sustainable food. This year's central theme is ROAR (Water and Food Systems: Rivers, Oceans, Aquifers, and Precipitation).
As climate change intensifies, collective well-being is being tested. Food Indaba 2026 demonstrates how local communities, urban farmers, and leading chefs collaborate with nature to protect mental, physical, and social health.
Various experiences are offered to understand and support the invisible networks that feed the city, immersing participants in Cape Town's sustainable food cultures.
Walking Gastronomic Tours (July 21–23) are held in the Bellville, Langa, and Central Business District (CBD) areas. These tours differ from standard excursions: participants explore the vibrant informal economy of taxi ranks in Bellville, learn about community-led composting initiatives in Langa, and trace the ancient freshwater sources that sustained the first residents of the CBD.
At the MRKTPLC market (July 25–26) in Makers Landing, visitors can see Cape Town's live food culture before it becomes mainstream. This vibrant market features 15 young food entrepreneurs from lesser-known corners of the city, offering unique snacks, small-batch spices, and traditional pantry items.
Food is viewed not just as energy, but as a carrier of memory, culture, and medicine. Exclusive events explore how the wild South African landscape can contribute to improving our relationship with food consumption.
As part of a workshop at Wolfgat (July 23 at Makers Landing), Chef Kobus van der Merwe and his team leave Paternoester to conduct an intimate and rare lesson in the city. Participants will gain insight into how the menu at their world-renowned restaurant is determined by wild coastal ingredients, Strandveld succulents, and small-scale sustainable fishing.
The World of Mouth: Wetlands Within event (July 25 at Tauyaa Wine Room) is a multi-sensory, story-based dinner prepared by Li and Lerato Waters-Myn (Mpintshi Yum). The menu, created using carefully sourced ingredients and a traditional herbal tea ceremony, beautifully illustrates the journey of water through the earth, the human body, and collective memory.
High-energy workshops have been developed to inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens, turning sustainability into a game.
At the WATERLESS Cooking Jam youth food fair (August 1 at Soute by Food Jams), forty teenagers will be challenged to create an incredible dish without using any water. Instead, they will study methods of perspiration, pressing, and steam capture to extract moisture directly from raw ingredients.
For children aged 6–12, there is an interactive WATER Lab (August 1 at Cape Town Science Centre) that makes water conservation tangible and edible. Children will learn how desert plants, coastal fog, and local knowledge help conserve water in challenging conditions.
For those who wish to feel more grounded and inspired, opportunities are provided to step away from screens and connect with those who grow our food. 'Tea with a Farmer' sessions (August 1 at Oranjezicht City Farm and Langa) invite conversation with passionate urban growers over freshly brewed herbal tea. This space is for discussing water-wise agriculture, local cultural knowledge, and the benefits of being on the land for mental health.
A panel discussion on regenerative agriculture (July 23–26) is designed for an in-depth exploration of well-being theory. These panels bring together soil specialists, ethical consumers, and food writers to discuss the real challenges of responsible sourcing and changing the world through narrative.
Food Indaba is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the spirit of Mandela Day by interacting with the people who are making our food systems stronger, smarter, and more unified.
In the second round of the Nations Cup, which will take place on Saturday afternoon at the Loftus Versfeld stadium, the Springboks and Scotland are preparing for a highly anticipated match. Although the home team changed its squad after the victory against England last week, Scotland made only minor adjustments to its starting lineup for the game at Loftus Versfeld, which starts at 17:40. It has been twelve years since their last meeting on South African soil, and many tense duels are expected.
Analysts have focused on five specific confrontations that are expected to be very exciting. Among them is the meeting between Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard and Scottish player Finn Russell, considered one of the most contrasting duels in this match. Pollard brings stability and kicking mastery to the Boks team, but his attacking play will be tested by Russell, who, despite having a good kick, prefers to operate in attack and knows how to create chances out of nothing.
An interesting interaction is expected in the scrum battle between Vilko Louw and Pierre Schaman, two players who previously played together for the Pretoria team. Louw is known for effectively neutralizing tight forwards in close contact, while Schaman is a strong ball carrier who likes to provoke opponents. Whoever wins the scrum battle will provide their team with a powerful foundation for attack.
Physical power and accuracy will be determining factors for the two players in the number 8 position—Evan Roos and Jack Dempsey. Winning the battle for dominance through carries and tackles will provide the team with a good attacking and defensive platform. Both players are familiar with each other's playing style as they have faced each other in the URC, but the match will be a clash of experience versus youth.
A fierce confrontation is expected between the Springboks' hooker and the Scottish tighthead, Boan Winter and Zander Ferguson. Winter has experience playing in Edinburgh, and Ferguson is a Glasgow veteran, and the South African player has faced him many times in Scottish derbies. Ferguson is a strong scrummager and likes to carry the ball, so Winter has the task of neutralizing this Scottish weapon and allowing his tighthead to drive the scrum for Boks penalties.
Damian Willemse is undergoing a new trial period in the number 12 position for the Springboks in the absence of Damian de Allende and Andre Esterhuizen, and he will face one of the toughest opponents. Nevertheless, Willemse's versatility is a big plus for the world champions. He will have to physically match the unstoppable Tuipulotu, who loves fast runs in the midfield. Furthermore, Willemse must be vigilant in defense, as the Scottish captain likes to create space for his wing defenders through direct running and soft passes.
The Springboks starting lineup includes: 15 Apelele Fassie, 14 Edwin van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Canaan Moody, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ambrose Papier, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Roan Northe, 4 Kobus Wieße, 3 Vilko Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Winter. Reserves: 16 Jan-Hendrik Vessels, 17 Ntutuko Mchunu, 18 Zacharie Porten, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Vincent Tsituka, 21 Elraig Louw, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Quan Horn.
Scotland's squad consists of: 15 Kyle Roe, 14 Kyle Stain, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Sion Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Jamie Dobie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Ferguson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Zander Ferguson, 2 Yoan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schaman. Reserves: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Magnus Bradbury, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowell.
