Ultra South Africa 2026 - Tickets on sale

 

Ultra South Africa 2026 tickets have gone on sale but only if you have registered on the website for ticket sales. As usual, Ultra will be held in two cities next year, namely Johannesburg and Cape Town with the first show taking place in the city of Gold on the 25th of April 2026 at the Nasrec Expo Center, Cape Town's show will take place on the next day, 26th of April 2026 at the Ostrich venue. No artists have been confirmed as yet but that hasn't stopped the Ultranauts from snapping up the Tier 1 general access tickets in record time yesterday. 

Tickets for the various shows and pricing are as follows:

ULTRA SOUTH AFRICA 2026 TICKET PRICING
Ticket Category	Johannesburg - 25 April 2026	Cape Town - 26 April 2026
General Access Tier 1	R895	R795
General Access Tier 2	R995	R895
General Access Tier 3	R1095	R995
General Access Tier 4	R1195	R1095
VIP Tier 1	R1500	R1500
VIP Tier 2	R2000	R2000
VIP Tier 3	R2500	R2500
VIP Tier 4	R3000	R3000
VVIP Tier 2	R4500	Not Available
VVIP TIer 3	R5500	Not Available

Tickets available from the Howler Website for Johannesburg and Cape Town

Monday Choon: Lucas & Steve - Push The Feeling On

 

Dutch DJ duo Lucas & Steve have revived the legendary track "Push the Feeling on". The original track which was released in 1995 by the Nightcrawlers became a cult classic in the clubs and has been remixed by many, but this is the first time it has been redone and after having a listen to it a few times, Lucas & Steve have done a great job by bringing up to the modern sounds of today but retaining the main framework of the song that made it great. Let me know what you think. 

Bucket Seat: Volkswagen Tayron 1.4 TFSI Life DSG

Volkswagen recently launched the 7-seater SUV variant that is based on the new Tiguan, called the Tayron. Previously this model was known as the Tiguan Allspace but the company took the decision to give this model its own name plate, which perhaps makes it more marketable but at the same time gives a clear difference between the Tiguan and the Tayron. It is available in 3 guises, namely standard, Life and R-Line, the kind folk at Volkswagen SA sent through the Life DSG model for me to spend some time with and while some might say its just a Tiguan with extra seats, in this review I'll tell you why that isn't the case with key design differences between this and its smaller sibling.

DESIGN

The Tayron looks like a grown-up Tiguan  longer, smoother lines, a broad grille that integrates with slim LED headlights and a distinctly horizontal face that gives it a planted, premium stance. This being the Life model, meant that I didn't get any sporty features to enhance the cars aesthetics but rather a more soft and gentle family car vibe to it. While many might say this is just a bigger Tiguan, there are key design differences to make it different to its smaller sibling, like the elevated engine cover which is more flat and not angled downwards to the front like the Tiguan. Also the lights on the Tayron are more squared off and larger than the Tiguan. The Tayron also features an illuminated VW logo's for both the front and the back of the car with the back looking particularly sweet when glowing in red in the dark. While the overall shape prioritises usable interior length rather than dramatic styling flourishes. From a South African perspective it reads as contemporary and conservative  appealing to buyers who want something modern without being flashy. 

PERFORMANCE

The Tayron is currently only available in the 1.4 TFSI engine, it uses VW’s 1.395-litre turbo four which is utilized in many of their other models, it produces roughly 110 kW and 250 Nm which for a sizable car like this might seem a bit low but as in the previous model, it proved to be quite sufficient.  The 7-speed DSG/dual-clutch gearbox is the standard transmission and pairs well with the engine for smooth, efficient progress. Fuel economy as claimed by VWSA sit around 7.6 L/100 km for the 1.4TSI  not hyper-frugal but respectable given the size and the 7-seat packaging. That gives a real world range of about 700+ km on the 55-litre tank in mixed driving  handy for South African road trips between major centres. The Tayron is tuned more for composed, comfortable cruising than sporty, body-leaning corner carving. Front-wheel drive 1.4TSI models are the most common local offering — predictable handling, light steering at low speeds for city manoeuvres and composed suspension that soaks up typical suburban and rural South African road surfaces. If you need heavy towing or spirited four-wheel work, the larger 2.0TSI / diesel AWD variants (not the 1.4) are better suited; the 1.4 is aimed at daily family duties.

 COMFORT

Interior quality is a clear step up from the old Allspace. Materials feel modern and well-finished VW has applied soft-touch surfaces where they matter, a tidy centre stack and a driver-centric digital cluster on higher trims. Seat comfort front and second row is generous; the wheelbase gives good knee room in row two and the seats can be adjusted to prioritise second-row comfort or boot space. Third row and luggage: the third row is adult-usable for short journeys and fine for children the Tayron’s 7-seat boot is quoted at about 345 litres with all seven up, and folding the third row expands capacity significantly (up to around 850 L in some configurations and much more with the second row folded). That makes the Tayron one of the more adaptable 7-seat SUVs in its class for family-holiday duties and weekend runs. 

Other handy design elements include good visibility from higher seating, numerous storage cubbies, USB ports across rows and available heated front seats make it well suited to local conditions and family life. Higher trims add acoustic glazing, panoramic roof options and premium-feel appointments. The Tayron uses Volkswagen’s current touchscreen systems which is a large central display that includes  wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charging trays and multiple USB-C ports. The layout is modern and the UI is similar to other new VW models, so it’s familiar to buyers coming from Polo/Tiguan. Driver aids and safety on the Tayron include  lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and a full suite of airbags as standard on local derivatives. Structural safety and active assist features put it on par with rivals important for family buyers prioritising safety on South African highways and urban environments. Depending on the model trim you choose, there is also a host of extras you can select when configuring your car. 

VERDICT

The Volkswagen Tayron 1.4 TFSI 7-seater is a convincing successor to the Tiguan Allspace: spacious, well-built and full of relevant technology for modern South African families. The 1.4 TFSI variant is the pragmatic choice — punchy enough for daily driving and long trips, reasonably economical, and well priced for what it offers. If you want a comfortable, safe and versatile family SUV with a strong dealer network and modern tech, the Tayron is worth a test drive. If you regularly tow heavy trailers, need true off-road capability or want the ultimate performance, it's best you wait for the larger 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines when they become available locally. 

SPECIFICATION

Engine	1.4L Turbo Petrol
Gear Box	DSG Automatic
Torque	250Nm
Power	110kW
Average Fuel Consumption	7.6L per 100km
Price	R853,800.00

 

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI Watch GT 6 Pro Editors Choice for 2025

The smartwatch is the biggest revolution to have happened for watches since the quartz movement. They went from single-purpose tools for telling time to more integrated personal devices, more powerful than early computers. Over the last few years, the smartwatch form factor has solidified its role as a health and fitness management tool. Arguably, the most annoying side effect of the smartwatch revolution was the shift from watch batteries that lasted months or even years to needing daily charging.

Huawei’s smartwatches were, however, way ahead of others in balancing innovative smart features with a battery life that would last up to two weeks. Now with the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro, they have outdone the previous record with up to 21 days of battery life. All this comes with even smarter health and fitness features. The combination of a sleek design, unmatched battery life, and advanced health and fitness features catapults the new watch to become the best smartwatch available in 2025.

Unmatched aesthetics

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro introduces a sleek raised bezel and a screen that's 5.5% larger. That seems like a tiny increase, but as the previous generation already had a fairly large screen, the bigger screen on the new generation now measures 1.47 inches. It can reach a peak brightness of 3000 nits, making it one of the brightest smartwatches available.

Crafted with sapphire glass, an aviation-grade titanium alloy body, and a nanocrystal ceramic rear cover, it boasts a classy appearance and is durable enough to withstand a beating. The GT 6 Pro comes only in 46 mm but offers three distinct colour options: the brown version with a brown composite woven strap, the silver version with a titanium strap, and the black version with a black fluroelastomer strap.

Up to 3 weeks of battery

Capable of lasting up to three weeks on a single charge, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro is definitely an outlier in the world of smartwatches. The watch features an advanced stacked battery, delivering 65% higher capacity than the previous model, and offers up to 21 days of battery life in light usage. And 40-hour battery life when using dual-band full constellation. However, the dual-band full constellation mode is typically only necessary when high-accuracy positioning is required, especially in challenging environments such as urban areas with tall buildings.

Advanced outdoor sports

Over a hundred workout modes are now standard for the HUAWEI WATCH GT Series watches. This time around, though, the watch goes beyond just workout tracking and becomes an active partner in your outdoor sports. The watch supports four different outdoor sports: cycling, trail running, golf, and skiing. The WATCH GT 6 Pro supports high-precision trail running with positioning tracks and other critical data, while golf mode is enhanced with new vector maps and interactive features.

For cycling, it introduces a virtual power feature, FTP (Functional Threshold Power), and virtual cadence data to create a comprehensive, pro-level system. FTP is a measure of the highest average power that a cyclist can sustain for about an hour without fatiguing.

The watch helps trail runners figure out every twist and turn of their path, thanks to an accurate positioning system, altitude trend chart, and real-time grade analysis. You can sync route data seamlessly from your phone to the watch with a single tap, and enjoy smart route sorting for instant access to your favourite routes. The all-new grade-adjusted pace feature converts uphill or downhill paces into an equivalent flat-road pace, helping you manage your effort like a pro.

Multi-dimensional emotional well-being

On the health front, powered by the new TruSense system, the series offers more nuanced and intuitive emotional health management. Multidimensional emotion detection offers comprehensive health analytics and cardiovascular health monitoring, ensuring comprehensive care for your body and mind, day and night. Beyond that, it provides precise insights into your physical and emotional state, while offering tailored features to help manage and improve your well-being. Compared to the previous generation's three, the new watch analyses 12 distinct emotional states.

Yet another reason to pick the GT 6 Pro is its cross-platform compatibility. Not only does the watch work seamlessly with Huawei smartphones, but iOS and Android users can also enjoy the advanced health and fitness features of the watch. For anyone who values performance without compromise, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro sets the gold standard.

Available now from R169 per month over 36 months or from R4,999 at selected retailers nationwide.

Monday Choon: Alesso & Sacha - Destiny

 

Sacha is no stranger to the EDM world with her collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry, most recent it was Armin with "Set Me Free" and last week Friday, her mega track with Alesso was released titled "Destiny", it was a song that Sacha wrote and sang, she posted it on her TikTok channel and it went viral, Alesso picked up on it and decided to release it with Sacha and the end result is just pure flames!

Bucket Seat: Suzuki Swift CVT

The Suzuki Swift has quietly been a strong competitor in the budget hatch segment in South Africa, now in its latest guise, sales have been stronger than ever and keeping the Japanese manufacturer ranked high in the monthly NAAMSA stats, rivaling their Japanese counterparts who seem to be stealing all of Suzuki's good models and badging it as their own. I don't foresee this happening to the Swift as Toyota already have a budget hatch of their own in the Vitz, which granted isn't as popular as the Swift but holds its own in the market. 

DESIGN

The 2024 Swift keeps the compact, playful silhouette that made earlier Swifts such favourites in SA towns and cities. The new model tightens up the lines: a lower, wider stance, pronounced wheel arches and cleaner side panels give it a sportier, more grown-up look compared with the previous generation. Higher-spec GLX models add LED projector headlights, integrated LED daytime running lights and fog lamps which lift the visual presence after dark and make the car look more premium than its price suggests. Interior styling follows suit  a smarter dash layout with a larger touchscreen on GLX trims and pleasant, modern trim materials give the cabin a more up-to-date feel than the car’s compact footprint might imply. 

PERFORMANCE

Under the bonnet South Africa gets the new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Z12E petrol engine that produces about 60 kW and 112 Nm of torque. It’s not a performance car, it’s engineered for low fuel consumption and usable torque across the rev range rather than outright thrust. When it comes to tiny hatches like this, I tend to prefer the 5-speed manual transmission but this particular model was the automatic option with a CVT  gear box, which keeps revs low and smooth in urban driving and helps the claimed economy figures sit in the mid-4 to mid-5 L/100 km range. That makes it an economical daily driver for stop-start city runs and steady highway cruising. Real-world feel,  the Swift is light and nimble, so it feels lively in town easy to flick into parking spots and to change lanes in traffic. The trade-off is that the three-cylinder character and CVT behaviour deliver a buzzy note at higher revs and the CVT can feel rubber-banded under hard acceleration. If you need brisk overtakes on fast freeways often, the Swift will manage but won’t feel especially rapid; it’s happiest as a commuter and urban runabout. Multiple local road tests and reviews note that the new engine’s torque spread helps low-down response, improving real-life drivability versus a very small high-rev engine. 

COMFORT

Inside, the Swift is cleverly packaged: front seat occupants get supportive seats with decent bolstering and visibility is good for city driving. Rear seat space is acceptable for adults on shorter trips but two adults will be more comfortable than three on longer journeys. Boot size is typical for the class — enough for groceries, weekend bags or a stroller but not for large family loads. Higher GLX trims add nicer touches (larger infotainment screen, more audio features, automatic climate control on GLX) that make longer trips less tiring. Ride quality is firm rather than pillowy — it soaks up city potholes reasonably well but can feel choppy over very poor surfaces or at higher speeds. For many South African buyers who split time between city streets and occasional highway runs, the balance will be acceptable; if you do lots of long, rough-road trips you may prefer something with more suspension travel. 

VERDICT

Overall the Suzuki Swift automatic is a smart, economical, city-first hatchback with modern styling and sensible equipment — an excellent choice for first-time buyers, urban commuters, and small families who prioritise affordability, running costs and easy parking. It also surprisingly has a lot of safety features, standard safety kit includes stability control/ABS and multiple airbags across the range, and higher trims add parking sensors, bigger infotainment and convenience features (keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control on GLX). These features matter a lot in city traffic and for highway cruising around SA. Pricing of the Swift is really where it wins, in the small hatch market with it starting from R224,900 for the 1.2 MT with automatic transmission starting at R265,900.

SPECIFICATION

Engine	1.2L Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Gear Box	5-Speed CVT
Torque	112Nm
Power	60kW
Average Fuel Consumption	4.4L per 100km
Price	R265,900

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy A17

Samsung Electronics has announced the new Galaxy A17 as the latest addition to its Galaxy A Series range. It’s designed for individuals who are often on the move, running businesses, chasing goals, and managing life on the go. The Galaxy A17 delivers what you need to stay connected and productive.

Whether you’re running your own hustle, engaging with clients, or balancing everything in between, this device is built to keep up with your grind.

Packed with awesome features and built-in safety, security, and reliability, the Galaxy A17 offers a powerful, optimised experience at an accessible price point. Integrated with Awesome Intelligence, it helps you do more, better and faster than the model it replaces, so you can stress less and keep moving forward.

“At Samsung, we understand that your smartphone is more than just a device, it’s an essential tool for people who are constantly on the move and rely on their phones to manage work and life. The Galaxy A17 strikes the perfect balance of innovation, security, reliability, and value. Empowering hustlers to stay productive on the go, and thrive with confidence,” said Justin Hume, Vice President: Mobile Experience at Samsung South Africa.

With Samsung Wallet, the Galaxy A17 transforms your phone into a powerful mobile payment tool. Whether you’re paying for supplies, grabbing a quick coffee, you can Samsung SOS+ tap and pay effortlessly. The Galaxy A17 supports your hustle by making transactions seamless, secure, and stress-free, so you can run much of your business straight from your phone.

The Galaxy A17 was built tough to withstand everyday challenges, which makes it awesome for your daily hustle. As you go about your grind, you can count on the phone’s IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, which offers durability that stands up to life’s unexpected spills, splashes, and scrapes. Samsung’s defense-grade security platform, Samsung Knox, ensures your private data remains protected from hackers and malware. The device also comes with six years of OS upgrades, and a two-year warranty, giving users lasting protection and performance.

For users’ security and peace of mind, the Galaxy A17 comes with Samsung SOS+, a free-to-use, 24/7 private emergency response service, available exclusively to new Galaxy A Series devices with 12 months of free access. In the event of an emergency, the service geolocates the user and dispatches private security and medical assistance on demand, anywhere in South Africa. For added peace of mind, users can opt into Samsung Care+1, protecting their device against accidental screen damage from just R99 per month.

The Galaxy A17 comes equipped with a 50MP OIS Triple Camera for sharp, blur-free shots – even in motion – making it perfect for capturing fast-paced moments, taking spontaneous selfies and documenting your everyday hustle. Its advanced low-light performance helps photos and videos look stunning, day or night. For Hustlers on the move, the Galaxy A17 offers more than just a camera, it’s a powerful content creation companion. Whether you’re showcasing products, capturing behind-the-scenes moments, or producing professional social media content on the go, the A17 helps you present your brand with clarity, and confidence.

Amongst other awesome features, the Galaxy A17 comes with Circle to Search, an intuitive AI-powered tool that lets you instantly search anything on screen with a simple gesture – unlocking smarter ways to explore and discover. On its large 6.7” Super AMOLED display, content shines with vibrant clarity, delivering an immersive viewing experience.

With 128GB of internal storage, 4+4GB RAM, and expandable storage up to 2TB, the Galaxy A17 ensures that you’ll never need to delete a memory. From playlists and project files to treasured photos and videos, everything you love stays safe in one place.

If you’re looking for an awesome, hustle-worthy device, the Galaxy A17 is built for you. Available in South Africa starting 1 October 2025, at Samsung retail stores, online, the Samsung Shop App, and through leading retailers and network operators, at the recommended retail price of R3,999

Monday Choon: James Hype, Samurai Jay - Waterfalls (feat. Sam Harper & Bobby Harvey) [Samurai Jay Remix]

 

It's James Hype bitch! With the Hype man set to light up stages in Johannesburg and Cape Town this December, its only right to get everyone hyped up for the shows. His track Waterfalls featuring Sam Harper and Bobby Harvey has been out for two months now and last week the official remixes just dropped, one of which is done by Samurai Jay and it is an absolute banger! The Italian DJ from Napoli has taken this song and given it the extra oomph it needed for the second part of festival season and it's hitting all the right notes. 

Bucket Seat: New Renault Triber Launch

Yesterday saw the local launch of the second generation Renault Triber in South Africa, the versatile 7-seater MPV has been a popular car in the market since its introduction with KZN being one of the key markets for the car in terms of sales, with this in mind, the team from Motus Renault decided to host the launch in Durban, and I was invited to see what the latest derivative has to offer. 

With a full house of Renault SA execs in attendance, it was nice to chat to them and engage on what they've been doing in the background as nothing new had come out from them for about 2 years. Their hiatus was broken this year with the launch of the new Duster, another popular model for the local market, the Triber being the second model launch for the year with them planning one more before year end. 

So whats new with the Triber? Well its an all new design which has design enhancements echoes Renault's new branch identity, starting off with the new Logo that sits prominently on the piano black grille that is complimented by a sculpted bonnet and redesigned bumpers, both front and rear. In total the range topping Iconic model in the new Triber has 31 new advancements from the old model, loads of them being tech-centric. Some of my favourites include LED auto head lights with integrated Daytime running lamps as well as LED tail lamps, front and rear PDC's, a reverse camera, cooled glove box and center storage box. 

The Triber has a new 8" touch screen infotainment unit that has built-in mobile applications, with the range topping Iconic model have wireless phone projection. The Triber still has the same 1.0: naturally aspirated engine form the old model and is available in a 5-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic on top spec models. 

Versatility is the name of the game for the Triber with the car being able to configure itself to your needs, rethink space is the catch phrase for the Triber and it demonstrates this well , the third row seating can fit 2 adults in with a squeeze and the second row can be adjustable to give the third row more space. There are rear vents with adjustable fan speed. The third row of seats can be removed completely to give you a loading capacity of 625L. 

This new generation Triber is bound to be as popular as the outgoing model, available in three variants "Evolution, Techno and Iconic", it has something to suit everyones needs. 

Recommended Retail Pricing for the cars are as follows:

New Renault Triber Evolution MT :   R 218 999

New Renault Triber Techno MT : R 233 999

New Renault Triber Iconic MT :  R 249 999

New Renault Triber Iconic AMT : R 259 999

New Renault Triber Express (excl. Roof Rack) : R 249 999 

Bucket Tech: Clandestine Group x Excellerate Security

A few weeks ago I was invited to view a security demonstration by the Clandestine Group in partnership with Excellerate Security, now I know you must be wondering, this is a tech segment so why am I talking about security services? Well its simple, with the advancements in drone technology, its becoming a more viable option for security companies to station drones in large estates or plants for site monitoring but drones are a hot topic of discussion, while many use them for recreational activity and creating content, they are actually quite a power tool that can do so much more than take cool videos and pictures for your Instagram. There also lies a problem, quite a number of drone users are not licensed to fly them, as part of the SACAA (South African Civil Aviation Authority), it is mandatory for anyone who fly's a drone, be it for personal or commercial use, they have to be a licensed operator. While drones do have geo fences built into the GPS's, there is still a high risk of danger when piloting one, even at lower altitudes. 

Taking all of this into consideration, the Clandestine group has partnered up with the Starlite Aviation Group, who are market leaders in all things aviation and also provide training for light aircraft and drones. This partnership ensures that all legal bases are covered in terms of the relevant operational licenses and and approvals. The security aspect ties in with Excellerate Security Services which already has a major portfolio with some of the largest and most prestigious estates in the KZN region. How this all integrates is masterful to witness as it was demonstrated to a selected crowd at its launch. 

Drones come in various forms and sizes, Clandestine Group have carefully selected ones from the DJI range best suited to the application at hand. The most popular one being remote stationed drones in a docking station that can be flown by an offsite drone pilot at any given time. The offerings range from routine patrolling to spontaneous flights when a breach is detected. While the drones will fly in a pre-determined flight path, all while getting clearance from SACAA, the limitations doesn't end at the point where the drone cannot fly, the drones have high-resolution cameras with high quality optical zoom that can zoom into objects 100's of meters away, it can recognize text such as names on vehicles or number plates. It can also perform infra-red scanning for searches at night, that can pick up heat signatures or tracks left by perpetrators. 

In the live demo, we witnessed how the integrated services work, a breach was detected along the fence line of the estate, the drone was deployed to the area of the breach, flying at a height high enough to not attract attention but close enough to keep close eye on them. The on foot security K9 unit was notified and made their way to the area all while the drone was following the suspect. The drone pilot kept in contact with the K9 unit until the suspect was apprehended. 

While this was an impressive display, this technology has so much more to offer, for large scale uses as well. With you being able to set up multiple drone stations along a route for patrolling. They can even map and survey the land giving you a 3D point cloud model of the area which can be useful for future development. They are even looking at adding cleaning extensions in the future for window cleaning on high rise buildings and providing scans for building conditional assessments. This is the first of its kind operation in the KZN region and with the backing from big names in the industry, this is something well worth considering if you have a large property portfolio.