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Each year, we celebrate Gauteng's jacaranda spring with our #JacarandaInYourPocket photo competition, inviting our readers to share their favourite pictures of the blooming jacarandas on Instagram. From hundreds of submissions, we choose the 10 most captivating shots, then the top five winners are chosen by popular vote.
This year, we have fabulous hotel stays and brunches for the five winning entries. Plus, everyone who participates in the voting also gets entered into a lucky draw!
Keep reading to discover what's up for grabs. (If you're wondering where the best jacaranda streets and views are in Joburg or Pretoria, we have a handy guide here.)
First prize: An overnight stay for two at The Leonardo
The Leonardo dominates the Sandton skyline – a 234-metre tall, 55-storey structure that boasts 241 apartments. Aside from its breathtaking height, one of the standout features of the hotel is its incredible art collection. Perched atop this high-rise building, the Alto234 sky bar offers unbeatable, 360-degree views of the city.
WIN: The grand #JacarandaInYourPocket prize winner receives an overnight stay for two people at The Leonardo, including entry to Alto234 and breakfast, valued at R6,630. The prize is valid for six months.
Second prize: An overnight stay for two at Hyde Hotel Rosebank
If chic and urban yet welcoming is what you're looking for in a hotel, Hyde Hotel Rosebank comes highly recommended. Inspired by the glamour of Art Deco-era architecture, the whole building is a modern take on timeless elegance. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the stylish downstairs restaurant, Proud Mary, is the icing on the cake.
WIN: The second-place winner gets an overnight stay for two people in a VIP King Room at Hyde Hotel Rosebank, including breakfast, valued at R5,000. The prize is valid for three months. We encourage the winner to make use of this prize between Thu and Sun.
Third prize: An overnight stay for two at Pablo House
Pablo House in Melville is defined by the idea of relaxed luxury, where the experience is top-notch (and definitely five-star) but unfussy. It's a hidden gem – an ultracool crash pad with an unassuming entrance that doesn't hint at the glam interiors and luxurious touches inside. A winding staircase leads to a secluded pool below, offering stunning views of Joburg that stretch all the way to the Magaliesberg mountain range.
WIN: The third-place prize is an overnight stay for two people at Pablo House, including bubbly, in-room snacks, and breakfast, valued at R3,500. Valid until Sat, Nov 30. Your choice of stay date is subject to availability.
Fourth prize: An overnight stay for two people at Radisson RED Rosebank
Art, fashion, and music are in the mix at Radisson RED Rosebank – a hotel that's cool, creative, and welcoming. The rooms are contemporary in style, with fresh bursts of imagery on the wallpaper to lift the mood. There’s also a rooftop bar with some of the best views of Joburg, and it’s all happening in the city's most walkable neighbourhood, Rosebank.
WIN: Our fourth-place winner gets an overnight stay for two at Radisson RED Rosebank, including breakfast, valued at R2,500. Valid for six months. Only bookable at Radisson RED Rosebank, and subject to availability.
Fifth prize: Brunch for two at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff
Flames is the terrace restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, offering stunning panoramic views of the city, especially during jacaranda season. While there's an all-day à la carte menu, Sunday brunch is the standout attraction here. Highlights include the waffle and crêpe stations, a lavish buffet with artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, sushi, pasta, oysters, and more, as well as a wide variety of delectable desserts.
WIN: For the winner of the fifth prize, we have brunch for two people at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, valued at R2,300. Valid for three months. Visit on Sun from 12:00 – 16:00, subject to availability.
Voters' lucky draw prizes
Simply by voting for your favourite shot in our #JacarandaInYourPocket photo competition, you are entered into a lucky draw and stand to win one of the following great prizes:
– Instax Mini 12 camera with film, valued at R1,899.
– Double tickets for the City Sightseeing Red Bus plus a guided art tour, valued at R990.
– Family ticket for the City Sightseeing Red Bus, valued at R975.
– Double tickets for the City Sightseeing Red Bus, valued at R650.
– Hotel stay for two people at Hyatt House Rosebank, including breakfast, valued at R1,900. Valid for 12 months.
– Hotel stay for two people at Hyatt House Sandton, including breakfast, valued at R1,700. Valid for 12 months.
Key dates for #JacarandaInYourPocket 2024 photo competition
Thu, Oct 17 until Mon, Nov 11 at 09:00 – The photo competition is open for entries.Thu, Nov 14 – Finalists announced and voting opens.
Mon, Nov 18 at 09:00 – Voting closes.
Thu, Nov 21 – Winners, runners-up and voters' prizes are announced in our newsletter first (subscribe here) and then on Instagram (follow us @johannesburginyourpocket).
#JacarandaInYourPocket 2024 rules
– Entrants must be 18 or older.– All entrants must be following @johannesburginyourpocket on Instagram to be eligible.
– Only single photographs will be considered as entries. There is no limit to the number of photographs you can submit. Photographs submitted as carousels or as stories will not be eligible.
– Photographs must be submitted tagging @johannesburginyourpocket, with the following hashtags: #JacarandaInYourPocket and #JohannesburgInYourPocket.
– The photo(s) submitted must have been shot in 2024 in Gauteng (please state where it was taken in your caption or location tag).
– The photo competition takes place on Instagram. Only entries posted on Instagram will be considered.
– Entries generated by AI will not be eligible (but we will be amused by them).
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