2 Mar 2026 From left to right: Gift-wrapper, Babalwa Ndzombane; Santa Shoebox Project volunteer, Richard Buckley; V&A Executive Manager: Strategic Relations and HR, Bobby Stewart; CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project, Deb Zelezniak; V&A CEO, Graham Woods, Santa Shoebox Project Regional Manager, Lara Fourie; V&A Senior Manager: CSI and Wellness, Deidre Vrede; Santa Shoebox Project Finance Manager, Nikki Lopes; gift-wrapper, Sinesipho Mgoqi; and V&A Head of PR and Communications, Donald Kau. For the past 9 years, our festive gift-wrapping initiative has been a cherished part of our festive season, combining the convenience of gift-wrapping stations for our visitors with support for worthy causes. During the 2025 festive period, our gift-wrapping initiative raised R91,550, which we matched to bring the total contribution to R200,000 for the Santa Shoebox Project – Legacy. <br /> The Santa Shoebox Project – Legacy focuses on long-term, sustainable upliftment of under-resourced communities in South Africa and Namibia, with emphasis on education, nutrition, infrastructure development, and early childhood support. The R200,000 donation will help fund the construction of not one, but ten reading corners in under-resourced Early Childhood Development centers throughout Cape Town and surrounding areas, serving over 500 children. Since 2017, the annual gift-wrapping service has raised over R624,000 for various charitable causes, with the main beneficiary for the past years being The Homestead, a youth-focused charity that helps rebuild young lives and support disadvantaged families. <br /> Beyond the festive season, Our Community team remains active year-round. In 2025, we provided 44 small grants totalling over R250 000 to organizations including Shark Spotters, Beautiful Gate, Gift of Sight Trust, Markina Football Club, and Baartmansfontein School, and donated over 275kg of produce from our Urban Garden to The Homestead. For the Santa Shoebox initiative, V&A internal staff also shopped for and packed 300 shoeboxes, which were donated to Early Childhood Development centers and primary schools. AN ICONIC LANDMARK REIMAGINED: INTERCONTINENTAL TABLE BAY CAPE TOWN InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town returns reimagined for today’s modern luxury traveller following a multimillion-dollar redevelopment. The landmark property, first inaugurated by former President Nelson Mandela in 1997, joins IHG’s leading luxury and lifestyle portfolio, one of the world’s largest, with over 235 InterContinental hotels across 70 countries. The property features four dining venues, including Le Bistrot de JAN by Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, alongside Flint & Fennel for all-day dining, The Botanist’s Table lobby lounge, and Solandra, an elevated pool deck. Additional amenities include Spa InterContinental Cape Town with an authentic Turkish Hammam and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Event spaces accommodate both intimate gatherings and grand celebrations, with private spaces to host smaller events, three elegant salons welcome boutique gatherings for up to 50 guests, and an expansive light-filled ballroom accommodating celebrations of up to 200 guests, all framed by harbour views. Read the full press release, here. LUXE RESTAURANT AWARDS RECOGNIZE V&A CULINARY EXCELLENCE How Bao Now owners, chefs Matt Van den Berg and Carla Schulze, and COY Restaurant’s co-head chef Geoffrey Abrahams./ Image Credit: Luxe Awards via Instagram. Our neighbourhood’s culinary scene was recently recognized at the 2026 LUXE Restaurant Awards, an annual celebration of South African dining excellence, with several V&A restaurants and chefs taking home top honours across multiple categories. V&A LUXE Restaurant Award Winners include: Le Bistrot de Jan – Awarded Bistro of the Year at the InterContinental Table Bay Hotel. COY – Named Casual Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year. How Bao Now – Awarded Street Food Restaurant of the Year at Time Out Market. Arno Ralph of Ladurée – Crowned Pastry Chef of the Year. Marble Hospitality – Winner of the Pioneer Award, proudly shared with our Marble Cape Town location. Marble Cape Town – Awarded LUXE 1 Star for its signature live-fire dining. Pier – Awarded LUXE 3 Stars for its ocean-inspired tasting menu. Read the full blog post, here. DISCOVER THE V&A WITH GREEN CAB’S 100% ELECTRIC NEIGHBOURHOOD TOUR The Green Cab has introduced a new way of exploring our neighbourhood with the V&A Waterfront Orientation Tour, a private guided experience in a 100% electric vehicle driven by women drivers. In just one hour, visitors journey through the Waterfront’s iconic landmarks, hidden heritage, vibrant culture, public art, working harbour, and sustainability projects. The tour combines curated audio storytelling with the opportunity to engage directly with a knowledgeable guide, asking questions and gaining added context while exploring the neighbourhood in an eco-friendly way. Departures: One-hour tours depart daily between 09h00 and 15h00 every 90 minutes. Location: Between Time Out Market and The Watershed entrance on Dock Road Cost: R125 to R300 Book your tour, here NEW STORE OPENINGS: French luxury pastry house Ladurée has opened at the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, bringing its world-famous macarons and Parisian pastries to our neighbourhood. Known for its elegant tea salon experience and iconic confections, Ladurée marks its first location in South Africa. Photo Credit: Crush Magazine Online via Instagram Zuney Wagyu Burgers is now officially open at Time Out Market Cape Town, bringing their award-winning Wagyu burgers and farm-to-table philosophy to the culinary lineup. Italian design brand Kartell has opened its Cape Town flagship store at 5 Dock Road, alongside the canals and Battery Park. The store showcases Kartell’s iconic furniture and home décor pieces. Inspired By You, a high-end hair and beauty salon, now open at Dock Road next to iStore. The salon offers precision cuts, bespoke styling, hair colour, extensions, advanced treatments, beauty and grooming services, and special occasion styling. EVENTS AT THE WATERFRONT Cape Town Carnival – Follow your heart The Cape Town Carnival returns to the Green Point Fan Walk on Human Rights Day, celebrating 16 years of culture, community, and creativity. This year’s lineup features songstress Zolani Mahola, singer Anslin Gysman, DJ Ready D, Suidooster star Natasha van der Merwe, media personality Dylan Majavie, graffiti artist Rizah Potgieter, Siv Ngesi, and Miss Universe South Africa 2025 Melissa Nayimuli, alongside hundreds of performers, musicians, and community groups. After the parade, celebrations continue at the Carnival Village Afterparty. Date: Saturday, 07 March 2026 Location: Amphitheatre Cost: Free Time: 16h00 – 17h00 V&A Take the Stage featuring Deslynn Malotana Soul, jazz, Afrosoul, and R&B artist Deslynn Malotana performs as part of our V&A Take the Stage series. A powerful live performer who has graced stages including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Zeitz MOCAA Gucci Gala, Deslynn brings warmth, depth, and storytelling to the Amphitheatre. Date: Sunday, 08 March 2026 Location: Amphitheatre Cost: Free Time: 18h00 – 19h00 AISCT High School Marimba Bands V&A Showcase What began in 2015 with just six high school marimba students has grown into three thriving classes within our sought-after marimba programme. Join the American International School of Cape Town High School marimba students as they celebrate nine months of dedicated preparation with a vibrant live performance. Expect original marimba arrangements of favourites including the theme from Game of Thrones, Eye of the Tiger, Take On Me, California Gurls, Don’t Stop Believin’ and Disturbia. Date: Thursday, 12 March 2026 Location: Amphitheatre Cost: Free Time: 12h00 – 13h00 Galileo Open Air Cinema presents A Star Is Born The Galileo Open Air Cinema returns to Battery Park for an unforgettable evening under the stars with a special open-air screening of A Star Is Born. About the movie Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper alongside Lady Gaga, this 2018 musical romantic drama follows seasoned musician Jackson Maine as he discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally. As her career begins to soar, their relationship is tested by the pressures of fame, ambition and personal demons. Powerful, intimate and emotionally charged, the film explores love, sacrifice and the cost of stardom. Date: Friday, 13 March 2026 Location: Battery Park Time: 12h00 – 13h00 Buy a ticket, here. The Galileo Open Air Cinema – Call Me by Your Name Experience a night of pure cinematic romance as The Galileo Open Air Cinema presents a special open-air screening of Call Me by Your Name About the movie: Call Me by Your Name is a 2017 coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino. Set in northern Italy in 1983. It chronicles the romantic relationship between 17-year-old Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old graduate-student assistant to Elio’s father Samuel (Michael Stuhlbarg), an archaeology professor. They discover the heady beauty of awakening desire. Date: Thursday, 19 March 2026 Location: Battery Park Time: 18h00 – 22h00 Buy a ticket, here. RARE Market (Heritage Day Market) As part of Time Out Market’s Heritage Day celebration, they invite you to experience a curated Market in a Market at Time Out Market Studio, a celebration of Cape Town’s culture, creativity, and cool. Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026 Location: Time Out Market Cape Town Time: 12h00 – 17h00
