It’s Women’s month, and we’re celebrating some of the remarkable women in our neighbourhood whose vision, leadership, and passion continue to make a lasting impact. From feeding thousands in need, to preserving cultural heritage through traditional craft, to driving innovation in sustainable tourism and transport.

Den Anker, turning passion for food into social impact

Last year, marking 30 years at the V&A Waterfront, Den Anker, a Belgian restaurant and beer distributor, is one of the longest standing eateries in our neighbourhood.

In 2019, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity, already a pressing challenge in many Cape Town communities, became even more severe. With the hospitality industry at a standstill and a deep passion for food, Rejeanne Vlietman, General Manager at Den Anker, saw an opportunity to make a difference. Using Den Anker’s existing logistics network and supplier relationships, Rejeanne and her team helped ensure that hundreds of vulnerable people had access to regular meals during this uncertain time.

Since then, they have built a network of 12 community kitchens across Cape Town, providing over 250 000 meals to date. Partnering with other V&A restaurants to redirect surplus food waste away from landfills and towards a meaningful cause.

Rejeanne Vlietman, General Manager of Den Anker, and Elizabeth De Visscher, Owner of Den Anker, at the 2024 Awards.

In recognition of this impact and continued commitment, Den Anker received the Social Impact Award at the 2024 Neighbourhood Awards.

MonkeyBiz, celebrating 25 years of creativity.

Mathapelo Ngaka-Mtati, Master Beader at MonkeyBiz, and Esther Filiba, General Manager.

MonkeyBiz, a non-profit organisation that supports women from underserved communities, has been part of our neighbourhood for the past seven years as one of the talented groups of creatives contributing to our Joy from Africa to the World initiative. Founded in 2002 by Barbara Jackson and Shirley Fintz, their mission is to create sustainable income opportunities while preserving and reviving the traditional craft of beadwork.

During the festive season, you may have admired the stunning art installations across our property, particularly at Victoria Wharf and The Watershed. Many of these vibrant pieces were created by the remarkable women of MonkeyBiz. Today, the organisation supports 450 artisans, producing exceptional beaded art and décor that celebrates South Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

This month, in celebration of 25 years, MonkeyBiz has launched a series of special edition pieces, available for purchase at AAFRICAA in the Alfred Mall. These will be available for a limited time, so make sure to explore the craftsmanship and showcase of African heritage before 31 August.

 

The Green Cab, women driving change.

Amiene van der Merwe, Founder of The Green Cab

For over a decade, The Green Cab, a South African women-owned and women-led transport company in the e-mobility sector, has been providing sustainable transport solutions.

In July, The Green Cab launched its flagship ‘Driving Hope Project’ across the V&A, offering visitors, residents, and people working in the area a convenient hop-on hop-off travel option for getting around our neighbourhood. The project aims to tackle youth unemployment and gender-based violence by empowering young South African women through meaningful employment opportunities.

You can spot these electric car shuttles rotating between the marked pick-up and drop-off points throughout our neighbourhood.

 

V&A WATERFRONT NEIGHBOURHOOD AWARDS NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE FOR THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN!

V&A Waterfront CEO David Green; the 2024 Neighbourhood Award winners; V&A Executive of Retail, Alex Kabalin; Retail Manager, Ngcebo Mabizela; and event host, Carl Wastie.

The voting period for the 2025 Neighbourhood Awards is still open and will close on Thursday, 21 August. We’re inviting you to nominate your favourite restaurant, retail store, or small business for the People’s Choice Award and stand a chance to win a R1,000 V&A Waterfront shopping voucher.

These awards recognise the people and businesses that contribute to our dynamic and thriving neighbourhood, celebrating excellence in service, innovation, sustainability, and meaningful community impact.

Last year, the ‘People’s Choice Award was presented in two separate categories, where one restaurant and one retail store received the award, as decided by the public, the recipients of the 2024 People’s Choice were Spur Family Restaurant and Woolworths.

In 2025, recognising that our neighbourhood is a hub for entrepreneurship and small businesses, the award will be presented in three categories; restaurant, retail store, and small business.

Nominate your favourite V&A business here: https://awards.waterfront.co.za/nominations 

 

THE UNSUNG HEROES BEHIND CAPE TOWN’S THRIVING SUCCESS

Earlier this year, Cape Town was named “Best City in the World” by TimeOut Magazine and has continued to receive global recognition throughout 2025, including the most recent accolade from The Telegraph Travel Awards last month. This recognition underscores Cape Town’s status as a must-visit destination and a leading hub for tourism.

Photo Credit: Go That Way Tours

Last Friday, Go That Way Tours, in partnership with Karibu Restaurant, hosted the 2025 Tourism Ambassador Event, celebrating the individuals whose dedication and service play a vital role in our thriving tourism industry. These unsung heroes are instrumental in ensuring that South Africa, Cape Town, and our neighbourhood remain world-class destinations.

Photo Credit: Go That Way Tours

 

ZEITZ MOCAA TO HOST GHANAIAN-GERMAN ARTIST ZOHRA OPOKU’S EXHIBITION

Zeitz MOCAA presents We Proceed in the Footsteps of the Sunlight, the first museum survey exhibition of Ghanaian-German artist Zohra Opoku. The exhibition traces a decade of quiet revolutions in cloth, memory, and self within the artist’s practice. It draws together textured expressions of personal history and cultural inheritance and reveals an artistic journey that is constantly in motion.

Zohra Opoku. Photo Credit: Jesse Jewelz, courtesy of Zeitz MOCAA.

Trained in fashion design and photography in Germany, Opoku extends her command of textiles into a layered visual language that moves fluently across photography, printmaking, and textile-based installation. The curatorial intent of the exhibition speaks to emotional fortitude, mental tenderness, and spiritual depth. It positions Opoku at the centre of her universe—steady and alert—both protector of, and protected by, the sun that surrounds her: an omnipresent, life-giving force that has long illuminated her path. The exhibition unfolds as an homage to ancestral presence and future lineage—a recognition of her role as both guardian and the guarded, grounded in the knowledge that while this life is temporary, the soul endures.

The exhibition opens on Thursday, 11 September 2025 on Level 3 Elevator Side of the museum and runs until 4 October 2026.

 

NEW AND REVAMPED STORES:

Burnt

The South African activewear and streetwear brand, Burnt, is now open on the lower level of Victoria Wharf, near Center Court, offering performance leggings, hoodies, and everyday athleisure wear.

Samsonite

The renowned global luggage and travel accessory brand, has opened on the upper level of Victoria Wharf, across The North Face.

Cell C

Mobile network and telecommunicastion provider, Cell C, has relocated to a new space on the lower level of Victoria Wharf, next to Vuse

 

EVENTS AT THE WATERFRONT:

GROWTHPOINT SA NATIONALS 2025

Photo by Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images

The 2025 Growthpoint South African National Squash Tournament will be held from 14 to 30 August at the V&A Waterfront’s Makers Landing. Showcasing the country’s top squash players competing for national titles across divisions ranging from U15 to Open Division for both females and males.

Date: Thursday, 14 August – Saturday, 30 August

Time: 08h00 – 20h00

Cost: Free

Location: Makers Landing

 

THE STRONGER SPACE SILENT DISCO SERIES

Celebrate women’s month with a fun sunset silent disco workout, led by local female instructors the event aims to create a fun environment with music, dance and community.

Date: Friday, 22 August

Time: 17h00 – 20h00

Location: Pierhead Deck

Follow us on social media @VANDAWATERFRONT to stay up-to-date on what’s happening around our neighbourhood.