There are a handful of South Africans behind the new Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism’s newly launched ‘Beat of My Dubai’ … a storytelling project celebrating talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that forms part of the fabric of Dubai.
We share insights of some of these South Africa personalities who are behind the city’s energy … showcasing their everyday lives, careers and personal connections to Dubai. Their stories demonstrate how the city provides a platform for people from different backgrounds to pursue their ambitions, build businesses, create experiences, and contribute to the city’s continued evolution.
Meet photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi, who began his career as a teenager in Soweto, Johannesburg, before working with leading South African publications including Sowetan, City Press and True Love. With a career spanning portraiture, fashion, documentary and cultural storytelling, Mhlambi brings a distinctly African visual perspective to the project, capturing the personalities and the Dubai they call home. Through portraits of each personality and spontaneous images capturing Dubai around them, his photography for the project creates a visual dialogue between the individuals, their African roots and the city they now call home.
South African-born Kelvin Kelly moved to Dubai in 2015 and has spent the past decade becoming part of the city’s evolving culinary landscape.
His approach to food centres on quality ingredients, honest cooking and dishes made from scratch, reflecting Dubai’s increasingly diverse and sophisticated food culture. “Dubai has given me the space to grow, to experiment and to build something that feels truly mine. The best part is that I get to bring a little bit of where I come from into a city that belongs to everyone,” said Chef Kelvin.
Ashley Jane Rosenberg is a South African restaurant manager at Moonrise, who brings leadership, energy and warmth to Dubai’s dynamic hospitality scene.
Working at the heart of the restaurant alongside the chefs and team, Ashley embodies the fast-paced, multicultural energy of Dubai’s dining scene. “Dubai has this incredible energy where every day feels like you’re part of something bigger. I bring my South African spirit and determination with me, every day to work. Here at Moonrise, I get to share that energy with a team and with people from all over the world. That’s the beat of my Dubai,” said Rosenberg.
Roux Willem Hattingh, a doorman at Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, brings the audience into the world of hospitality, where the human connection is often the most memorable part of a visitor’s experience.
“Hospitality is about making people feel welcome, and Dubai gives you the chance to meet the world every single day. I especially enjoy welcoming repeat guests and creating long-term bonds, and Dubai gives me a place to do exactly that,” said Hattingh.
South African architect Shaun Killa, Design Director and Founder of Killa Design, has played a significant role in shaping Dubai’s architectural landscape.
Killa first arrived in Dubai from South Africa in 1998 and has spent almost three decades contributing to the city’s architectural evolution. His portfolio includes some of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks, including the Museum of the Future, Dubai Opera, Address Beach Resort and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Killa Design was established in Dubai in 2015 and continues to focus on innovative, sustainable and expressive architecture. His connection to Dubai is particularly fitting for ‘Beat of My Dubai’, with his work helping to create some of the very places and experiences that many visitors and residents encounter every day. “Dubai has always been a city willing to challenge what is possible. Coming from South Africa, I found that energy incredibly inspiring. It gave me the freedom to think bigger, to experiment and ultimately to help shape a city that is constantly reinventing itself,” said Killa.
From the rhythm of a busy restaurant kitchen to the sharp precision of an architect’s studio, from the warmth of a hospitality welcome to the energy of a cultural event, every story has its own tempo. Together, they create the beat of a city shaped by the world, and a partnership between Dubai and Africa that continues to grow stronger.
