5 May 2025 A day of celebration as the 2024 cohort stands proudly with their graduation certificates alongside the V&A and Property Point team. Congratulations to the eight local food entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the 2024 Makers Landing Food Incubator Programme – a V&A Waterfront initiative, run in partnership with Property Point and Wakanda Food Accelerator.Over the past five years, the initiative has supported a total of 30 local food businesses through the intensive year-long programme designed to equip early-stage food entrepreneurs with skills, support and resources needed to grow a sustainable and successful business in South Africa’s competitive food industry.Meet the entrepreneurs from the 2024 programme:Flavrd:Sharon Adams established Flavrd in 2020, a business all about masala and soul food! With flavours made from homegrown chillies, garlic and onions, and used for its homemade dishes, butter-chicken roti, masala steak sandwiches and more – made with precision, innovation and a touch of something daring.www.flavrd.co.za Smoked by Buys:Smoked by Buys was launched in 2023 by Marvyn Buys, who brought his passion for food and fire together through the art of smoking. Producing traditional smoked meats such as beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken, oxtail and more, with the aim of putting an innovative spin on traditional smoked meat offerings in South Africa. www.smokedbybuys.co.za What the Fudge:Laura Spannenberg brings an artisanal twist to a familiar flavour with What the Fudge, which she established in 2021. Offering a fresh take on a classic treat, each batch is handcrafted with care and creativity – whether its fudge on a stick, bite-sized pieces in jars, or customisable options. With a focus on quality and fun, What the Fudge truly lives up to their mantra of “Thinking outside the blocks”.www.whatthefudge.co.za Not so Plain:Not So Plain, originally known as Xcelent Crunchies, began in a home kitchen over 30 years ago, when Jacqueline Julie baked her first batch of crunchies. What started as a way to support her family of five has grown into a small home business co-owned by mom and daughter trio, Jacqueline and her daughters, Biythany Julie and Robyn Brock, making crunchies, brownies, and biscuits for retailers and coffee shops.www.notsoplain.co.za Sedap:Sedap is a homemade jam brand founded by Noelfa Miller in 2016, inspired by true-farm style tradition. Previously a cane weaver, Noelfa now produces sweet preserves from fruit that’s handpicked on a farm in Wolseley, bottling up her popular fig, strawberry, nectarine, peach and apricot jams, as well as more inventive flavours like melon and ginger, and pineapple.Instagram: @Noelfa_Sedap Cape City Seafoodboil:Sister Duo, Mukhethwa Madau and Mukovhe Khakhu founded Cape City Seafood in 2019, aiming to bring high-quality seafood directly to customers - combining quality with convenience. Celebrating Cape Town’s rich seafood culture, offering a variety of seafood options including lobster, prawns, calamari, mussels with amazing flavours!Instagram: @Capecity_seafood Sassy Bakes:Sassy Bakes was founded by Sumi Engelbrecht during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the goal of bringing joy to people through her mini cakes. Now offering larger cakes, which are showstoppers at weddings and tea parties. Date-and-toffee cake, lemon-butter squares, and caramel lamingtons are just a few of Sassy Bakes’ popular treats.Instagram: @sassy_bakes Utano KitchenUtano Kitchen is the culinary creation of Chef Rutendo Furusa, a business celebrating the joy of sharing a table with others. Chef Ru is a private chef, offering dining experiences in the comfort of your own home, as well as event catering and cooking workshops which centred around fresh, seasonal and simple ingredients.www.utanokitchen.co.zaGraduation Day Highlights:V&A Waterfront CEO, David Green, alongside Chef Ru from Utano Kitchen, who catered the graduation. (Left to Right): David Green with Food Lead & Curator Allister Esau / Not So Plain co-owners (left) Robyn Brock and her sister (right) Biythany Julie, with (middle) Bongani Khuzwayo, Assistant Manager: Enterprise Development at the V&A / Allister Esau, V&A Retail Executive, Alex Kabalin, CEO and Founder of Property Point, Shaun Thuenis, and 2024 programme graduate Noelfa receiving her certificate of completion.Read more, here. V&A RECIEVES FIVE-STAR RATING FOR EXCELLENCE IN WATER MANAGEMENTThe V&A Waterfront was one of 18 organisations honoured at the City of Cape Town’s fifth annual Water Star Rating Awards, and one of only six to achieve a prestigious five-star rating. The awards celebrate excellence in water management and are based on a voluntary assessment by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, which rates applicants across four key areas: water supply, usage, conservation, and discharge.Our five-star rating reflects ongoing efforts throughout our neighbourhood to implement smart, sustainable water solutions across the precinct, including:Using drip irrigation and installing water-efficient fittings such as sensor taps and waterless urinals.Installing pressure-reducing valves on main water lines and introducing a modular wastewater treatment plant to reduce reliance on potable water.Proactively engaging with tenants and partners to align water-use practices with our long-term sustainability goals.This recognition reaffirms our commitment to responsible resource management and collaborative environmental leadership. NEWMARK GROUP SOMMELIER REFLECTS ON TERRARIUM’S AWARD-WINNING WINE-LISTThe Queen Victoria Hotel’s Terrarium restaurant has now earned a silver star in the “Best International Newcomer Wine List 2025” category at the Star Wine List Awards, being one of only two South African restaurants named among the global finalists.This international recognition highlights the creative and meticulous work of Newmark Group Sommelier Marlvin Gwese. The award-winning wine list showcases a thoughtful blend of rare Cape Winemakers Guild auction wines, bespoke producers, and bottles chosen for their unique character and sense of place.“Curating a wine list isn’t just about selecting good bottles,” says Gwese. “It’s about building a narrative that reflects an experience. To have that recognized internationally means the story we are telling at Terrarium restaurant is resonating beyond our immediate context, and that’s deeply rewarding personally and professionally.” Gwese’s journey into the world of wine began with a spark of curiosity:“Wine always seemed like this mysterious, almost intimidating world. But the first time I truly tasted wine, not just drank it, I realized there was more I wanted to know—whether it was winemaking, professional tasting, or how wine reacts with food. That moment sparked something in me. Becoming a sommelier was a way to turn that passion into something tangible, connecting people with wines that enhance their experiences.” Read the full announcement, here.SPECIALS AND OFFERS IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD TO CELEBRATE MOTHERS DAYLooking for great gifts or a way to treat Mom this Mother’s Day? From self-care and spa deals at K Beauty Spa, Soho, and Africology, to sweet treats from Lindt and fashion finds at Nicci Boutique, Aldo, and Destinations by Frasers – you’re guaranteed to find something special. You can also treat her to a special meal at restaurants like The Raj, Si Cantina, Quay Four, and more offering Mother’s Day dining experiences.See the full list of Mother’s Day promotions and offers, here. NEW AND REVAMPED STORE(S)French luxury brand, Longchamp, has opened for business after undergoing a revamp. Offering a wide range of products, including handbags, small leather goods, luggage, footwear and apparel for both men and women. Find them at Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, near Maxhosa Africa on the second level. EVENTS AT THE WATERFRONT:V&A Neighbourhood Artist Auditions Presented by Artist Alliance: Where Busking Sparks Passion and PurposeMissed our last auditions? Here’s your chance to shine at the Amphitheatre! We’re calling choirs, acrobats, dancers, face-painters, solo musicians, poets, magicians—anyone ready to light up the Waterfront with their talent and energy.If your audition hits the mark, you’ll be invited to join the V&A Waterfront Buskers Programme, where you’ll enjoy ongoing mentorship and growth sessions, monthly workshops to sharpen both your creative and business skills, high-profile exposure across the precinct, career support (including potential bursaries), and the chance to earn public gratuities while you perform live.Date: Saturday, 10 May - Sunday, 11 May.Time: Saturday, 12h00 – 16h30 and Sunday, 13h00 – 16h30Location: AmphitheatreCost: FreeRegister, here. V&A Waterfront High School Band Slam Presented by Artist AllianceGet ready to rock — this is Band Slam like you’ve never seen it before!Watch Cape Town’s top high school bands light up the V&A Amphitheatre as they battle it out for the R20,000 grand prize, the R5,000 Spirit Award, and ultimate bragging rights.And that’s not all — our three finalists will go head-to-head at the grand finale on Friday, 16 May 2025, with a chance to win musical equipment worth R25,000 for their school, thanks to Bothners.Date: Wednesday, 14 May – Friday, 16 MayTime:18h00 – 20h00Location: AmphitheatreCost: FreeView the performance schedule, here.
