Design Indaba

Established in 1995 as a conference aimed at bringing thought leadership to South Africa, Design Indaba has grown to be a leading world design event. Attracting the world's biggest talent, it is one of the few events that celebrate all facets of the creative sector. Graphic design, advertising, film, music, fashion, industrial design and architecture, crafts, new media, publishing, broadcasting and the performing arts are all represented, creating the perfect platform for South African creatives to showcase themselves to a global audience. As Cape Town is the "Design Capital 2014", Design Indaba is the opportune event to let the world know exactly why we hold that title.

Wesgro in partnership with Design Indaba will be hosting an exclusive networking dinner for the most influential international buyers to liaise with local designers. Part of what Wesgro does is help facilitate local entrepreneurs into the export market, and with the wealth of local talent, Design Indaba is the perfect platform. 

Design Indaba will be taking place at the CTICC from the 27th of February until the 3rd of March, get yourself down there to see what South Africans have to offer and why we can be up there with the world's best creatives. There are a host of events taking place including concerts and performances, see website for more details.

The Week Ahead: 26 Feb-3 March

This week will be a very work orientated one, but the pay-off on the weekend will be worth it! There is a host of music festivals, expos and fun in the sun to be had...

 From Sunday 24 Feb - Thursday 28 Feb, Wesgro will be conducting a roadshow in Zambia focused on the agricultural sector. 

From Monday 25 Feb to Friday 1 March, The DTI and Wesgro will be undertaking an investment and trade initiative to India.

Wesgro will be hosting an Export for Beginners seminar at the Hilton on Thursday, Feb 28, as part of it's popular EDP programme. This seminar is an EDP level 3.

The Big Blues Music Festival will be held in Kleinmond on 1-2March. Local and international artists will take to the stage for 2 days of music in the Kleinmond Harbor, see the link for the line-up.

Tieties Bay, Paternoster will be playing host to the 3rd Annual Jazz on The Rocks festival. This hugely popular festival is set in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve on an unspoiled stretch of beach from 1-3 March.

Design Indaba will be at the CTICC from 1 - 3 March. Since it's inception in 1995, Design Indaba has become one of the world's leading design events.

Join in the fun as local wineries from the Durbanville Wine Valley celebrate the harvest season at its annual Feast of the Grape, which takes place at the Durbanville Race Course from 2-3 March.

The Winelands

Most people are unaware of the fact that the Western Cape is divided into 6 regions; I will be profiling each of these regions through a series of posts.

The 6 regions are as follows:

The Winelands – well known, as it name states, for its wines

The Karoo – A vast arid region known for some of the best stargazing in the country

The Overberg – home to the Whale Coast, some of the best land based whale watching sites

The West Coast –Famous for its Spring flowers, fishing villages and San history

The Garden Route and Klein Karoo – a region of contrasting landscapes, one lush and green, the other a semi-desert. Well known for its beaches and adventure activities.

Cape Town - home to many of the icons of our country, where our modern history began.

The Winelands

The Winelands, stretches from Stellenbosch to Montagu, encompassing the heart of the South African wine industry and one of the biggest tourist attractions, outside of the Cape Town region, of the Western Cape. Rich in history and culture, it is evident all over that the Winelands is still close to its roots from  Dutch architecture in Stellenbosch to French Huguenot influences in Franschhoek and Wellington.

Cape Dutch Architecture

Many well-known towns belong to this region, such as; Stellenbosch – the 2^nd oldest town in South Africa, Franschhoek – renown as the gourmet capital of South Africa, Paarl – home to Drakenstein prison, where Nelson Mandela was finally freed after 27years of imprisonment, Wellington – famous for its brandy and fruits, to name but a few.

Beautiful Scenery

The Winelands has more than just wine (of which there are many world class wineries and estates to visit), there is brandy (from Wellington, Paarl, Worcester, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch) as well and if tipsy tart is not your thing, the region is celebrated for its cheeses (Stellenbosch, Bonnievale, Tulbagh), fresh fruits of the highest quality(basically the entire region) as well as olives (Worcester, Tulbagh).

Vineyards

For adventure lovers and outdoor enthusiasts there is much on offer; many mountain biking trails, hiking trails, the longest zip slide in Africa can be found in Ceres, golf courses, ancient rock art sites, quad biking and 4x4 trails as well as horse riding.

Ceres Zip Slide

For your mind, body and soul, McGregor is a hidden gem of a town, the perfect place to unwind and forget the hustle and bustle of city life. The hot springs resort in Montagu provides visitors relaxation in a natural hot water spring. The region has many top class spas for that TLC you know you need.

Abseiling

For more information contact Winelands Tourism on 0861 265 263 or 021 888 5100 

Activities when its wet outside

So its a cold and gloomy day in Cape Town...in the middle of February! You might have been looking forward to a lovely picnic or a trip up Table Mountain, now you are stuck and don't know what to do, instead of curling up on the couch with you blanket and coffee; here are some other options...

• Ice skating at the Ice Station at Grandwest Casino and Entertainment World
• Indoor "rock" climbing at City Rock in Cape Town or Fearless in George
• Ten Pin Bowling at Stadium on Main in Cape Town or at Mountview Lifestyle Centre in George
• A visit to the Two Ocean's Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront
• Butterfly World near Klapmuts is sure to be a captivating experience
• Why not consider a cultural experience and visit one of the many museums our region has to offer: Iziko Museums in Cape Town, The Wheat Industry Museum in Moorreesburg, The Tranport Riders Museum in Ceres, The Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp, Old Harbour Museum in Hermanus, Fransie Pienaar Museum in Prince Alfred or Chavonnes Battery Museum at the V&A Waterfront to name but a few.
• Gaming for adullts- visit one of the many casinos in the Western Cape; Grandwest in Cape Town, The Caledon Casino in the Overberg, Club Mykonos in the Langebaan, West Coast, Garden Route Casino in Mossel Bay or Golden Valley Casino in Worcester, Cape Winelands.

This is just a small list of activities to do on a rainy day, there are many more, visit your local tourism office for details.

18 - 24 February Events

From Sunday 17 -22 February 6th World Congress Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery will be taking place at the CTICC, a meeting place for the global coalition of doctors, nurses and health scientists who use research and technological development to provide better care for babies, children and adults with heart disease.

Wesgro will be undertaking a trade mission to Ghana from 18-22 February, the focus of this mission will be to explore trade and investment opportunities in the agri-business sector.

On Wednesday, Feb 20, The Pepper Club Hotel will be hosting a Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Investment briefing by the Jobs Fund, a R9 billion fund that was established by President Jacob Zuma in 2011. The Fund is aimed at supporting initiatives that pilot new and upscale existing innovative approaches to job creation.

Saturday, Feb 23, sees the kick off of the Paragliding World Cup in Porterville. This is the first time an event of this nature has been held on the African Continent and will be on until the 2nd of March.

Cape Town by Night

Some wonderful pictures courtesy of Waafiq Hendricks of Pulse Photography.

The view from Lion's Head over the city

The view from the Noon Gun in Bo Kaap

The view from Lion's Head

The V&A Waterfront over looking Cape Town Stadium

Glen Beach

Hout Bay Harbour

Kalk Bay

Valentine’s Day 2013

It’s that time of the year, you either love it or loathe it, the price of roses seem to skyrocket, the colour red is everywhere and there are heart-wielding teddy bears in every shop window…Valentine’s Day is once more upon us. If you haven't already planned that perfect romantic evening, here are some ideas to get you started guaranteed to earn you significant brownie points...you're welcome.

Cape Town

  Most restaurants will be offering Valentine’s specials, call you favourite for more info. Remember that if you are coming towards the city centre there will be numerous road closures as the Opening of Parliament and the State of the Nation Address will be taking place. 

Why not take a city night tour on the Red Bus and enjoy a romantic sunset picnic on top of Signal Hill. The Table Mountain sunset special is also sure to impress; take the cable car to the top for breathtaking views and that perfect romantic moment at sunset, order a picnic for that something extra special.

Sterling EQ will be performing a sunset picnic concert around the dam at Nitida Wine Estate in Durbanville.

Board the love train and take a romantic sunset train ride out to the Stellenbosch Winelands where you will embark on a proudly South African dinner theatre experience at Amazink Live. Indulge in traditional kasi cuisine in the heart of the Khayamandi township. (Leaves from Cape Town Station)

Winelands

The Robertson Small Hotel will be hosting A Midsummer's Night Dream, a 5 course food and wine pairing in the hotel's mystical garden.

Visit Haute Cabriere for dinner in Franschhoek where, between 5 and 7pm, their summer soiree takes place with a free concert on the lawns

Rhebokskloof Wine Estate in Paarl will be hosting an Outdoor Movie Night where they will be screening the romantic movie, The Vow, a picnic basket can be ordered as you sit on the lawns along the lake's edge.

Overberg

The Fox in Napier will be preparing a special 3 course Valentine's dinner that will include a complimentary bottle of red wine.

Wine and Dine in the Country at Caledon Hotel, Casino and Spa, Barton wines will be sampled and the package includes the food & wine pairing, live entertainment, accommodation and breakfast for 2 the next morning.

Garden Route & Klein Karoo

Join the Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa in Knysna for a delectable dinner and later, a screening of the all-time romantic classic Casablanca .

Whats more romantic than looking up and gazing at a star filled sky? Overnight at Anysberg Nature Reserve in the Klein Karoo near Ladismith, you can gaze up at the night sky from telescopes positioned outside your cottage. 

West Coast

!Khwa ttu will be hosting a VDay concert at its restaurant.

Club Mykonos is offering a 50% discount special on accommodation for the month of February and the restaurants will be running special VDay menus.

Karoo 

Spend the night or the weekend at the romantic Lord Milner Hotel and be transported to a bygone era of Victorian elegance in Matjiesfontien.         

11-17 February Events

This week starts off very quietly as the summer rains have put Cape Town in a winter hibernation state and zombie mode is switched on...wake up, work, home, sleep, repeat...

Thursday, as weekend approaches, everyone will no doubt be a buzz with the presence of that time of year when the colour red seems to turn everyone into a raging bull... Valentines Day.

Thursday, Feb 14, is the day Parliament will be re-opened for another year of running our country, the new programme sees the event moved from a Friday morning to a Thursday afternoon, President Zuma will be delivering the State of the Nation address thereafter. As always, it promises to be a glamorous affair on the red carpet with the country's top brass decked out in top designers and traditional wear.

Wesgro;s EDP programme will be delivering an EDP3 seminar at the Hilton on Thursday, Feb 14. The Export Development Programme(EDP) is an opportunity for established Western Cape based SME companies to improve their international trade management knowledge and expertise. Level3 is geared at established exporters who are already actively engaged in particular markets and are looking to expand into new markets.

Dirtopia will be hosting a Valentines Sunset Hike at the Delvera Farm on the R44 between Klapmuts and Stellenbosch at 5pm on Feb 14.

Moonstruck is back this year on Clifton's 4th beach, a free concert in support on the National Sea Rescue Institute, hosted by 567 Cape Talk and Discovery on Saturday, 16 February from 6pm. Pack a picnic and enjoy some good music and a beautiful Cape Town sunset.

After a sold-out world tour, Abdulla Ebrahim and his band Ekaya are back with a concert at the Baxter Theatre on Saturday, Feb 16.

The Cape Sun will be hosting a Valentines Ball in aid of Cape Town Child Welfare Society on Saturday, 16 February at 7pm. 

The Hunters eXtreme Ultimate X Games will be taking place on Saturday, 16 February at the V&A Waterfront from 10:00-19:00. Regarded as the premier action sports event, it will be followed by the Ultimate X concert at the Dragon Room.

A Cape Town Original - Madame Zingara

Madame Zingara may be taking her Theatre of Dreams all over the country, and some of the acts may be from our northern neighbours, but she will also be a born and bred Cape Townian at heart, and we welcome her with open arms every time she graces her home town.

The Madame has taken up residence at the V&A Waterfront for this visit home, and has been in action since January 16 until the end of  March when she will be saying farewell once again and moving on to Johannesburg for the next year or so. 

Full of excitement and expectations, I visited the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday past and from the moment we arrived we were transported to a fantasy world full of unusual characters and fascinating props. Madame Zingara is not just your ordinary dinner theatre experience, once you enter you are literally transported to a world that even your wildest imagination couldn't conjure up...and we hadn't even gone into the tent yet. 

Once seated, Satan greeted us and told us he would be looking after us for the night, amidst other costume clad "floor fairies" as the waitrons are known. At the entrance is a quirky boutique shop selling hats, feather boas and other fun costume accessories and we were drawn into this world of make believe... so of course, we all purchased something fun and crazy and dressed up for the part.

From start to finish the show will leave you in awe with gravity defying stunts performed so gracefully and to precision, that it's almost unreal! Its called the Miracle Tour for a reason, many of these performances seemed quite miraculous (I wont give away much else as you have to see it for yourself). During each course The Specifics belt out tunes, keeping you entertained and your toes tapping well into the night. Cathy, our host, has a presence as big as her stature and kept us entertained between acts with her crass humour which sometimes got a little bit too much. Mr C also filled the gaps between the performances with lewd songs and fun tricks. (the show is definitely not for kids!) 

Lets not forget, this is dinner and a show, and the food was exceptional. 4 courses which started with a mezze plate of dips, butternut soup and olives, followed by pasta pockets that were so delicious i would have been happy to have it as my main. The main course had a selection of 4 dishes and we opted for the signature Madame Zingara dark chocolate and chilli beef fillet and the norwegion salmon. Dessert was a decadent chocolate brownie with a chocolate cigar and delectable chocolate gorgonzola ice cream and mango lemon sorbet..death by chocolate indeed, and I would have died happy.

Ticket prices range from R385-495pp and is very reasonable considering you're getting dinner, a show and a party afterwards.

 *All pictures courtesy of Madame Zingara

Excursion to the West Coast-Our first inhabitants pt3 - !Khwa Ttu

From Clanwilliam we took a very scenic drive down the West Coast back to Cape Town. Along the way we passed many little towns lost in history, such as Graafwater and Leipoldtville (hometown of writer C Louis Leipoldt). You will come across one of the most breathtaking views of Verlorenvlei as you approach Elandsbaai, a small seaside town that is a paradise to surfers. From here we continued along the R27 and pass the sea side village of Dwarskersbos, filled with little holiday houses, it seemed like the perfect place to go to if you want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of today's life. Laaiplek, on the outskirts of Veldrift was very similar to Dwarskersbos but with the convenience of a large town nearby. Once out of Veldrift we kept to inland until we eventually passed Saldanha Bay where its huge steal manufacturing plant greeted us and let us now where we were. Eventually, after our exciting, but tiring drive we reached our destination just outside Yzerfontein, !Khwa Ttu, providing us with the much needed stretch of the legs we all longed for.

!Khwa Ttu is an educational and cultural centre that allows one a unique experience into the life of a how a typical San would have lived (some still living this way today). We embarked on a tractor pulled game drive where we animals such as the bontebok and zebra that roam the premises and are important to the San people as our knowledgeable and passionate guides explained the history of the San to us. Half way through the drive we took a short walk down to a replica San village, along the way the guides, who are descendants of the San themselves, took us through their tracking and hunting techniques. At the village we were shown traditional San garments and equipment and were even encouraged to start a fire with traditional "fire sticks".

On completion  of our scenic tractor drive we were treated to a delicious San inspired lunch at the restaurant. There were delicacies such as eland liver pate, eland burgers and traditional Cape babotie with a twist (made with eland). The menu was both delicious and affordable, well worth a visit if you find yourself travelling along the R27.

Apart from being a tourist attraction, !Khwa ttu is also a San training facility where the San people are empowered through literacy, entrepreneurship, tourism, health, community development, craft production/marketing and gender awareness programmes. 

Elandsbaai

Tractor ride at !Khwa ttu

Zebras and Bontebok

San Village with our guide explaining San culture

Our very own head of IQ, Jacyntha attempting to
start a fire,apparently its harder than it seems!

Some of the interesting insects you will encounter
at !Khwa ttu. No its not a lobster, it is in fact a
locust!

Made to Fly - J&B Met 2013

This passed weekend saw one of the countries most prestigious events, the 36th Annual J&B Met. The Met as it is known by, is South Africa's oldest horse race and Cape Town's largest outdoor event, with over 50 000 people passing through the gates of the Kenilworth Race Course. As always, it is a platform for top designers to showcase their works, this year's theme Made to Fly saw much feathers and frills as designers and individuals alike interpreted the theme. Apart from those trying to pass off as our fluffy feathered friends, we had some celestial beings (some not so), astronauts and pilots, the Met once again living up to its reputation as a good place to have fun, play dress up and let go of inhibitions.

Apart from the fashion, which many think is the main event, the Met is in actual fact the most prestigious horse race on the calender with this year's race being worth R2.5million! The main race had many in disbelief as Martial Eagle won the race with a 75-1 long shot! Excitement indeed.

The Met is a very important event to Cape Town and the Western Cape as it is expected to boost the provinces economy by R58million (Phakathi, 2013) and is extremely important to the tourism, hospitality as well as fashion industries. Therefore Wesgro strongly aligns themselves with events of this caliber as we are the destination marketing agency for the Western Cape.

The wind might have been heavy and temperatures soaring(as Cape Town summers are) but everyone went out and enjoyed a good day at the races, another successful event for the books.

The crowd gathering to see the best dressed couples

the actual reason for the Met - the Races

Some of the couples up for "Most Stylish"

Some of the costumes on show

The Met draws many celebrities - Cape Town's own Jeannie D

It must be scorchers in that!

This week, February 4 - 10

This week begins with the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba from 4-7 February at the CTICC, gain insight into mining in Africa and an opportunity to build or maintain valuable business relationships.

The Varsity Cup season kicks off today, and We, CT&WC are proud to have two teams competing once again this year, Stellenbosch University Maties and UCT Ikeys. Maties will be starting off the tounament at Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch against UJ at 16:45. Ikeys will be taking on NMMU at the UCT Rugby Fields at 19:00. Do go along and support the future of our rugby, as a proud Ikey you know where I'll be ;)

Wesgro's very own EDP2 will be hosting workshops on Tuesday 5 - 6 Feb at the Wesgro offices. See the link for more information or the Wesgro website.

World renowned rock band the Red Hot Chilli Peppers will be performing at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, Feb 5, there are still a limited number of tickets available, see Big Concerts for details and for the transport plan, please make use of the extensive range of public transport available for this event.

The beautiful West Coast town of Darling will be playing host to the Darling Music Experience. A classic music festival that will be held at many venues all around Darling from the 8th of February to the 17th.

Valiant Swart will be performing at Durbanville Hills Wine Estate on Friday, Feb 8.

!Khwa Ttu will be playing host to a concert featuring Pops Mohamed and Olufemi on Saturday, Feb 9 from 3pm. 

!Khwa ttu will be presenting Your Noble of Sow's Tail, Mozarts private life told through stories and anecdotes with a classical lunch and cello recital as part of the Darling Music Experience on Sunday, Feb 10.

Excursion to the West Coast-Our first inhabitants pt2 - Clanwilliam Living Landscapes Project

After our unexpected but pleasantly surprising stop over at the West Coast Fossil Park, we embarked on a journey to Clanwilliam, a quaint little town steeped in history, bordered by a spectacular dam on the one side and the magnificent Cederberg Mountains on the other. 

Our long drive took us across many different landscapes with beautiful views of ocean, veld for as far as you can see, lush vineyards and rocky mountain passes. Clanwilliam is a busy little town with most of the amenities, all the major banks, an impressive Super Spar that rivals the best here in Cape Town and one of the most most helpful Visitor Information Centres I have been to (do yourself a favour and stop here if visiting the town!).

In this town you will come across the Clanwilliam Living Landscapes Project, the passion of Professor John Parkington of UCT. The aim of he project is to highlight the importance of the ancient San rock art the region is famous for and how it relates to us and "time". At the project facility, Prof has set up a "time machine" that takes one through the many facets of time measurement and relationships.

Our visit to Living Landscapes was highly anticipated, the project is still under development (but what we did see was very interesting), however there was no guide on hand to take us to the rock art sites nearby. There was a cute craft shop with San inspired crafts created by locals and an impressive guesthouse on site.

If you do find yourself in that part of the world, do go to the Living landscapes Project, but call beforehand to make sure a guide will be available and once the "time machine" is fully completed it will provide an interesting insight into the life and times of the San.

A San inspired chandelier made of
ostrich egg shells by the local community

Some of the crafts on offer at the shop
at Living Landscapes