14 Jul 2025 At the V&A Waterfront, there are nearly 400 small businesses operating across our neighbourhood. These businesses form part of the backbone of the city’s and province’s economy, supporting job creating and significantly contributing to its GDP. Despite their importance, many of these businesses face challenges which can limit their growth and long-term impact. This is why we are committed to creating platforms and initiatives which support local and small businesses. Last week, 10 July, we hosted the first iteration of our newest initiative, Small Business Dialogue, a platform created to bring together small businesses operating at the V&A, to connect, share experiences and grow collectively. The event welcomed over 100 businesses, for an evening of insightful talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities. From left to right: Hannah Lavery, Erica Elk, Henry Mathys, Elektra Georgiadis and Harmonie Mbunga. The programme featured a panel discussion on “Designing for the Local and Global Consumer”, facilitated by V&A Strategic Programme Manager, Henry Mathys. The conversation included valuable insights from entrepreneurs based at The Watershed, Elektra Georgiadis, co-founder of Earth Age; Hannah Lavery, founder of Hannah Lavery women’s apparel; Harmonie Mbunga of UDO&Harmony; and Erica Elk, CEO of the Craft and Design Institute. Together, they explored how Cape Town brands are creating globally relevant businesses and products across diverse markets. Stacy Saggers, Head of Commercial Growth at Kantar, shared valuable insights into shifting South African consumer behaviours and key drivers influencing purchasing decisions. From left to right: Fred Roed, Andrew Smith, and Arie Fabian. The evening concluded with a discussion titled “From Startup to Standout”, featuring Fred Roed, CEO and Co-founder of Heavy Chef, Andrew Smith, co-founder of Yuppiechef, and creative entrepreneur and retail innovator, Arie Fabian of Fabiani luxury fashion and co-founder of We Are EGG. “Thank you so much for an inspiring and enjoyable evening last night. The panel and the speakers were all excellent, and it was wonderful to be able to connect with other business owners. I came away feeling energised and more focused in my business journey. A big thank you to the V&A Waterfront – we always feel very supported, and as Arie alluded to, that is highly unusual with landlords!” – Leanne, from A Love Supreme located at The Watershed. If you’re a small business operating within the V&A Waterfront looking for support, check out our SMME Community platform, here: https://www.waterfront.co.za/smme-support-programme/ ZERO WASTE SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS SOUTH AFRICA’S FOOD WASTE CRISIS The Zero Waste Summit, held last week, 10 July, at Makers Landing, brought together community leaders, businesses, and sustainability experts for a valuable exchange of ideas and strategies aimed at reducing food waste and supporting a more sustainable future. A key highlight from the summit is that South Africa generates over 10.3 million tonnes of food waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills. The event, hosted by V&A SOLVE and Food Indaba, explored this year’s theme: “The Potential Impacts and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence on African Food Systems.” From left to right: Panellists Roberto de Carvalho, Petro Myburgh and event host Zukiswa Pikoli, Managing Editor at Daily Maverick, who facilitated the discussion. (Photo: Iain Harris, courtesy of Food Indaba) Panel discussions by V&A Waterfront Sustainability Manager, Petro Myburgh, Melanie Ludwig, owner of Zero to Landfill Organics; Roberto de Carvalho, Executive Chef at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC); and Alison Evans, Head of Waste Markets at the City of Cape Town, focused on the growing challenge of food waste. The conversation highlighted how rapidly filling landfills contribute significantly to climate change, and why innovative solutions and collaboration are needed. Myburgh shared insights into our neighbourhood’s waste management journey, which has been shaped by a combination of long-term commitment and practical, hands-on solutions. These include continuous training, tenant engagement, kitchen audits, separation of organic waste at the source, and our on-site waste recovery centre which has recently incorporated AI Technology, which will see better characterization of waste and quality control. These implementations saw our neighbourhood diverting 67% of our waste from landfill in 2024 alone. ZEITZ MOCAA PRESENTS: SPRING IS REBELLIOUS: THE ART & LIFE OF ALBIE SACHS How does art carry revolution, become a site of memory, and a language through which justice is imagined? Zeitz MOCAA presents Spring Is Rebellious, a landmark exhibition that traces the extraordinary life and legacy of Albie Sachs, advocate, freedom fighter, judge, writer, and the revolutionary role art has played across South Africa and Mozambique. Through selected works drawn from the Mayibuye Archives, the Constitutional Court Art Collection, and Sachs’ personal collection, this exhibition explores the relationship between liberation movements, cultural memory, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. “A mural, a poem, a song, a sculpture, a dance… they carried our defiance, our memory, our dreams.” – Albie Sachs Spring Is Rebellious is more than an exhibition about South Africa’s history. It’s a tribute to those who imagined freedom, and a call to keep dreaming. Curated by Dr Phokeng Setai, the exhibition opens Thursday, 24 July 2025 and runs until August 2026, and can be found on Level 2 at The Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art. Find out more about the exhibition and the artist, here: Spring Is Rebellious: The Art & Life of Albie Sachs GIVING BACK THIS MANDELA DAY The Waterfront Duck honours community heroes In the spirit of Mandela Day, The Waterfront Duck Company, South Africa’s first and only amphibious tour, is honouring the everyday heroes who serve our communities. From now until 30 September, all community heroes are invited to enjoy a complimentary ride on the Waterfront Duck. This special offer is extended to individuals in service roles such as police officers, firefighters, first responders, and healthcare workers. Immediate family members (up to five people) will also receive 50% off their tickets.To redeem the offer, simply present a valid form of identification and appropriate validation of employment that confirms your service role at The Waterfront Duck kiosk, located across from Zeitz MOCAA in the Silo District. Visit their website, here: www.theduckco.co.za Clean the Coast with Two Oceans Aquarium Join the Two Oceans Aquarium for a meaningful morning at Sunset Beach tomorrow, 19 July, from 09h00 to 11h00, for their Trash Bash beach cleanup and walk. This event will also be raising funds for rescued bulldogs with NPO, English and French Bulldog Rescue SA. NEW AND REVAMPED STORES: COOKED, at The Watershed has reopened after a stunning revamp, open from 09h00 till 18h00, visitors can enjoy Middle Eastern inspired comfort food, cooked with heart and flavour. Located across from Woolworths in Victoria Wharf, Jo Malone London has reopened after a successful revamp, offering timeless colognes, scented candles, luxurious bath and body products. Operating at the V&A Waterfront for more than 30 years, Ulka Collection Boutique has found a new home at Clock Tower, known for its exotic elegance, Ulka Collection offers ostrich, snake, and crocodile leather bags, jackets and more. The Levi’s Store at Victoria Wharf is currently undergoing an exciting revamp, but you can find the Levi’s pop-up store at Centre Court, offering a selection of stylish denim pieces. Located at Victoria Wharf, the Timberland store has reopened after a sleek and rustic revamp, offering durable footwear suitable for trails and everyday wear, outdoor apparel and accessories. EVENTS AT THE WATERFRONT Christmas in July at The Cape Grace Hotel This July, Cape Grace Hotel invites visitors to the Waterfront to enjoy their reimagined Christmas in July, celebrating the magic the magic of the festive seasons with a luxurious mid-winter celebration with their exciting Afternoon Tea and festive dinner. Christmas in July Afternoon Tea The hotel’s signature restaurant, Heirloom, will be transformed into a winter wonderland, setting the stage for a delightful afternoon tea, where guests can look forward to a selection of festive treats with a modern twist, don’t miss out on the eggnog choux puffs, miniature Christmas cakes, and delicate orange tuile dentelle. Dates: Thursday 17 July – Sunday, 20 July and Thursday, 24 July – Sunday, 27 July Price: R550 per person or R650 per person, including a glass of bubbles Christmas in July Dinner Celebrate Christmas in July with a special festive dinner, with a menu that reinterprets the traditional Christmas, as Cape Grace serves up contemporary twists on festive favourites, serving up deconstructed beef wellington, pistachio-stuffed turkey and more. When: Saturday, 26th July 2025 Price: R1295 per person Bookings can be made, here: www.capegrace.com/experiences BMX Day Presented by Monster Energy BMX Day is a global celebration of BMX hosted annually by OSP Events Co. Come through to the V&A Clock Tower to experience the best in local BMX Action Sport with both park & street riders showcasing what BMX freestyle is all about. Monster Energy will be there to ‘Unleash the Beast’ with public activations & vibes. This promises to be a great day for everyone! Date: Saturday, 19 July Time: 11h00 – 16h00 Venue: Clock Tower Follow us on social media @VANDAWATERFRONT to stay up-to-date on what’s happening around our neighbourhood.
