10 Oct 2025 Den Anker, winner of the CEO’s award, with V&A CEO David Green. The second edition of V&A Neighbourhood Awards celebrated the people and places that make our waterfront one of Africa’s most visited retail destinations. Hosted by radio personality Carl Wastie at the Avenue Conference venue, 27 winners stepped up to receive trophies and citations for being the best of the best across eight categories. Winners were selected through a process overseen by an independent panel of judges drawn from marketing, advertising, retail and tourism promotion expertise as well as by public vote and secret shopping. The 2025 winners list: V&A Senior Manager: CSI & Wellness, Deidre Vrede, with the Sealand team and V&A Senior Manager: Sustainability, Petro Myburgh. Award winners of the entered categories: Sustainability Award (Our Better Nature) – Sealand Gear Social Impact Award – Out of Africa Empowerment Award – Zizamele Ceramics Best Marketing and Digital Innovation Award – HintHunt Africa Best Activation – Kapten & Son Best New or Revamped Store – Wedgewood Best Visual Merchandising – Wedgewood Store Manager of The Year – Coach (Shehaam Bakardien) Retail Service Star of The Year – Freedom of Movement (Richard Mpahla) Global Ambassador Award – Seven Colours Eatery Good Neighbour Award – The Waterfront Duck Co. V&A Retail Manager Ngcebo Mabizela with the team from COOKED and Director of RCA Consulting, Rob Arnold. Service Excellence Awards, judged via a mystery shopper/diner process: Retail Service Excellence Award – Browns Jewellers Small Business Service Excellence Award – CHILL, Cape Town Food Service Excellence Award – COOKED CEO of The Loeries, Preetesh Sewraj, with the HintHunt team and V&A Head of PR & Comms, Donald Kau. People’s Choice Award, nominated and decided by the public: Best Retail Store – Woolworths Best Small Business – HintHunt Africa Best Eatery – Spur The Den Anker team. The CEO Award, celebrating the tenant who goes beyond business, and whose leadership strengthens the community. This year, V&A Waterfront CEO David Green named Belgian restaurant Den Anker as the recipient of this award, recognising them for their efforts in addressing food insecurity. Since 2019, they’ve built a network of 12 community kitchens across Cape Town, providing over 250,000 meals by redirecting surplus food waste. V&A Retail Executive Alex Kabalin with our longstanding tenants and David Green. The Evergreen Award celebrates longstanding tenants and was awarded to seven businesses marking their 30-year milestone at the V&A Waterfront this year. Marcel’s Gourmet Frozen Yoghurt, Markham, Murdocks, Out of Africa, Pick n Pay, Steers, and Totalsports were all acknowledged for their longstanding tenancy. V&A Retail Leasing Manager Hanlie Rennie with the team from Knysna Oyster Company and Alex Kabalin. The V&A Waterfront’s retail team singled out The Knysna Oyster Company for the Retail Excellence Award and Den Anker for the Most Engaged Tenant Award. More images from the awards: Read the full release, here. WATERFRONT WINS FOR INNOVATIVE DESIGN AND MARINE LEADERSHIP 2025 SAPOA Property Development Award – Innovative Design Credit: Property Wheel / V&A Waterfront Executive Manager for Development, Allan Nenguke accepting the Award. The building housing our desalination plant, designed by Revel Fox and Partners, received recognition in the Innovative Development category. This award highlights our commitment to sustainability, design excellence, and forward-thinking infrastructure. SABBEX Industry Awards – Chairman’s Award The V&A Waterfront Marine & Industrial team: Joshio Fisher, Chevonne Wepener, Andre Blaine, Jolene George, Lindi Bissolati-Corker, and Michael Thomas. The South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) awards honour leadership, innovation, and collaboration in South Africa’s marine manufacturing sector. Our Marine & Industrial team, led by Executive Manager Andre Blaine, was recognised for outstanding leadership and contribution to South Africa’s marine manufacturing and boatbuilding industry. LE BISTROT DE JAN DEBUTS AT INTERCONTINENTAL TABLE BAY CAPE TOWN Michelin-starred Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen will debut his first Cape Town restaurant at the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town this December. This marking a full circle homecoming for the internationally acclaimed chef. Best known for his Le Bistrot de JAN, in France, Jan will introduce Le Bistrot de JAN Cape Town, which will bring a celebration of classic French bistro cuisine with a South African twist. The kitchen will be led by Executive Chef Giles Edwards, celebrated for his work at the award winning La Tête, among other culinary ventures. WE CHAMPION ACCESS TO FEMININE HYGIENE FOR LEARNERS In South Africa, one in four girls miss school due to lack of access to essential feminine hygiene products. As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting and uplifting our communities, we’ve donated a sanitary towel vending machine to Zonnebloem Nest Secondary School. This donation helps ensure that learners have access to the essentials needed to thrive. Providing a sustainable, long-term solution, offering free, reliable access to sanitary towels that help reduce absenteeism and support learners’ dignity, health, and education. https://www.waterfront.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Untitled.mp4 This initiative was delivered in partnership with the Menstruation Foundation, and reflects our ongoing effort to create meaningful, lasting impact within our communities. AQUIJO, WORLDS TALLEST SAILING YACHT VISITS OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD A remarkable sight berthed alongside The Cape Grace Hotel, Aquijo, one of the tallest sailing yachts in the world, measuring 86-meters in length with a 90-meter mast, made her second visit to the Waterfront. Her tall masts and sails allow her to harness more wind power and achieve higher speeds up to 20.4 knots (approximately 38 km/h), making her one of the fastest two-masted sailing yachts in the world. EVENTS AT THE WATERFRONT: Diwali – Hindu Festival of Lights 2025 Celebrate the vibrant and joyous festival of lights this October! Diwali, also known as Deepavali, brings together Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists from around the world to honour the victory of good over bad, light over darkness and everything wholesome over that which is not. Enjoy a colourful and uplifting experience filled with tradition, celebration, and community spirit. Date: Saturday, 11 October Time: 13h00 – 18h00 Location: Amphitheatre Cost: Free Flavours of India food festival Celebrate the rich tapestry of Indian culture and cuisine with over 40 food and retail stalls offering authentic dishes, sweets, and festive gifts. Enjoy live entertainment from DJ Ray Ray, Youshan, Zerina Sablay, and Kush Palsania, as well as appearances by chefs Kamini Pather and Prim Reddy. This family-friendly festival is the perfect way to experience the vibrant spirit of Diwali. Date: Saturday, 18 October Time: 12h00 Location: Makers Landing Cost: R55 to R95. Tickets can be purchased, here.
