Words: Georgina Guedes | Images: Supplied & Ter Hollmann
Although he’s only been living in Joburg for two years, jazz musician Bokani Dyer feels right at home in Fourways. Bokani is a Sama-nominated jazz pianist, composer and producer, and the winner of the 2011 Standard Bank Young Artists Award and the 2013 Samro Overseas Scholarship. He’ll be releasing two albums this year – a solo album called the Freedom Melody Mix Tape and another with the Bokani Dyer Trio, called Neo Native. He’s also about to embark on a tour to Europe for the Jazzwerkstatt festival in Bern, Switzerland. When he’s not jet-setting, he lives in Fourways with his fiancée Lee-Anne Fortuin.
Home sweet home
Bokani and Lee-Anne moved to Joburg from Cape Town two years ago and Bokani runs a studio with his father, jazz musician Steve Dyer, in Centurion. “I had it in the back of my mind that it would be convenient to have a place from which it would be easy to get to Centurion, but also easy to get into town, where I most often play. Fourways was pretty much between the two,” he says. “You get used to travelling distances.”
Fortunately, his performing life keeps him mostly out of traffic at rush hour, which is a huge relief for him. “William Nicol Drive is notorious for congestion and I’ve almost missed flights trying to get through it.”
The first place that he and Lee-Anne rented suited their needs. It was convenient and safe. “Fourways has a lot of security estates, which is good for us because it’s important when I travel that I have the peace of mind of knowing that Lee-Anne is fine.”
In September last year, Bokani and Lee-Anne bought a three-bedroom apartment in a complex and they have a cat called Simba to complete the domestic scene. They’re happy to have a home to call their own as they build their lives in Joburg.
Neighbourhood gems
Bokani says that Fourways is a convenient area to live in because of the variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options within easy travelling distance. He says that he and Lee-Anne like to play pool, so they often go to Ballbreakers or Stones near Montecasino.
With a range of restaurants to choose from, including Donatella’s, Mythos and The Hussar Grill, as well as family favourites such as Ocean Basket, Montecasino is a destination in itself for anyone living in Fourways. For those so inclined, there’s also the casino for a quick flutter at the tables.
Bokani also likes to visit the Fourways Market, which he says has a good vibe, and he and Lee-Anne like to stay fit by participating in parkruns in nearby suburbs. “We look out for where they are and we go – so we’ll also go to ones in Greenside. But the ones we mostly end up at are in Lonehill and Bryanston.”
Perfect Sunday
As a musician, Bokani often performs on Saturday nights, which means that Sundays start late for him. Even so, his perfect Sunday would involve a visit to the Fourways Market to see the sights and possibly grab some fresh fruit and vegetables for the week. Then he and Lee-Anne would catch a movie at either Cedar Square or Fourways Mall. “They are less than five minutes away, but they only have four cinemas, so if we want to see something that’s not showing there, we usually head through to Rosebank.”
For a lazy Sunday, he and Lee-Anne like to just chill on the sofa with the cat.
Hospitals nearby:
- Life Fourways Hospital
- Cure Day Clinic, Fourways
- Mediclinic Morningside
- Intercare Fourways Medical Centre
- Netcare Olivedale Hospital
Do:
- Check out the colourful local and exotic birds at the Montecasino Bird Gardens.
- Enjoy a few rounds at Adventure Golf Fourways.
- Sample some local craft beer at Agar’s Brewery.
- Take your furry friends for a joyful run at Echo Dog Park.
- Zip from tree to tree at Tree Top Adventures Riversands.
- Buy fresh fruit and vegetables at the Fourways Farmers Market every Sunday.
Eat:
- Medeo Restaurant at the Palazzo: for Mediterranean-inspired dining.
- Eagle Falls Spur Steak Ranch: for family-friendly meals
- Royal Thai Restaurant: for authentic Thai cuisine
- Fournos Bakery: for coffee, baked goods and light meals
- Skoobs Cafe: for unique coffee and tea offerings
