4 Mar 2025 LITTLE OPTIMIST SAILING ACADEMY NAMED A 2025 LAUREATE BY INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE The Little Optimist Sailing Academy, based in the Waterfront’s Canal District, is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering special-needs children and at-risk youth through sailing, recently participated in the 2025 FICS (Finance in Common Summit) Conference, where it received recognition for the impactful work they’ve been doing in sports development . They were also visited by the International Olympic Committee, who spent the day at the Academy with children from Astra Special School – kids who, due to disabilities, might not have the opportunity to sail. In recognition of their impact, the Academy has been named a 2025 Laureate by the committee, an honour awarded to individuals or organisations for their significant contributions to culture, development, and education through sports. Along with this recognition, the Academy also received a grant, allowing them to expand with two additional academies in South Africa. Corentin Ducroquet from the French Embassy, the French Ambassador for Sports, Samuel Ducroquet and The Little Optimist Sailing Academy CEO, Greg Bertish outside the Academy located in Battery Park. The Academy was also visited by the French Ambassador for Sports, Samuel Ducroquet, and Corentin Ducroquet from the French Embassy, who spent time learning about the program and meeting the Little Optimist sailors. Find out more about The Little Optimist Sailing Academy, and the impactful work they’ve been doing, here. V&A SUMMER WELCOMES FAMOUS FACES Over the past two weeks, our neighbourhood welcomed some well-known international and local figures from the worlds of sports and politics. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, a frequent visitor to Cape Town, made a stop in our neighbourhood for a shopping trip, taking time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with sports fans. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and her husband, Chicago Bears’ Jonathan Owens, recently wrapped up their honeymoon in South Africa with a stroll around our neighbourhood, stopping to snap a pic in front of the Shimansky Table Mountain ring near Clock Tower. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Cape Town for the G20 Finance Ministers meeting, and as part of her trip, she toured our neighbourhood with our CEO, David Green, to learn of its future development plans. Springbok rugby champion, Cheslin Kolbe, visited the new Nike store in the newly opened Union Castle Building, for a meet-and-greet with fans this past Wednesday. TRAFFIC WARNING: BUSY CRUISE WEEK AHEAD Visitors and commuters to the V&A Waterfront should expect traffic delays on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, due to the scheduled arrival of two cruise ships, MSC Musica and Norwegian Dawn at the Cape Town Cruise terminal between 07:00 and 19:00. With more than 5,000 passengers disembarking, delays will occur when entering and exiting the V&A Waterfront. Additional traffic marshalls will be on site to move traffic along Dock Road. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to manage traffic flow effectively. THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESTAURANT AWARDS 2025 V&A NOMINEES – VOTING IS OPEN! Photo Credit: La Colombe Restaurant Group – Pier The South African Restaurant Awards (SaraTable) returns for its second annual ceremony, celebrating excellence and the finest culinary talent in South Africa’s food scene. Scheduled for 7 April 2025, voting is now open for you to cast your vote for your favourite restaurants, bars, and culinary talents. Voting closes on 30 March, so don’t miss your chance to support your local favourites! Official V&A Nominations for the Upcoming Awards include: Best Culinary Experience 2025 Pier SIBA – The Restaurant Best Restaurant in Cape Town 2025 Nobu Ginja Pier Tang Asian Luxury Restaurant Best Hospitality 2025 Pier Best Family-Friendly Restaurant 2025 Primi Piatti Spur Steak Ranches Best Chef 2025 Siba Mtongana Best Hotel Restaurant 2025 Pier Best Restaurant Chain 2025 Ocean Basket Spur Steak Ranches Mugg & Bean The Hussar Grill Best Bar 2025 Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen Best Restaurant in Western Cape 2025 Pier Full list of nominees. Find out more on how to vote, here. V&A TO HOST CLIPPER RACE 2025-2026 EDITION Photo Credit: clipperroundtheworld.com Mark your calendars! The Clipper Around the World Race is set to arrive in Cape Town in early November. The V&A is proud to welcome back the race for its 2025-2026 edition, marking their 12th time in our neighbourhood as Host Port for Cape Town. Known as one of the toughest endurance races, this circumnavigation race challenges teams of non-professional sailors as they navigate extreme conditions across the globe. This year, 10 South African sailors are taking part, and we can’t wait to welcome them home as they sail into Cape Town from South America. Read more, here. PRAYER FACILITES IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD As we welcome the month of Ramadan, we’d like to remind our visitors and those working at the V&A, that we have a dedicated Prayer Room inside the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre. It is open 24 hours a day and is welcoming to all. The Prayer Room also accommodates for Jumu’ah Friday prayers. OTHER EVENTS AT THE WATERFRONT METRO BIG BAND Get ready for a soulful live music performance by The Metro Big Band, a classic jazz band from the United States, as they’re joined by the Cape Town Gospel Choir. Expect a fusion of jazz, blues and gospel that will have you swaying! Date: Saturday, 8 March Time: 19h00 – 20h00 Location: Amphitheatre Cost: Free CAPE TOWN CHILDREN’S CHOIR Join the Cape Town Children’s Choir for an unforgettable performance showcasing a vibrant ensemble of talented young singers from the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. United by their passion for music and a commitment to positively impacting their community, this choir offers a dynamic repertoire that spans a variety of styles and genres. From pop songs and musical theatre to gospel, classical, and sacred music, the choir also features folk songs, spirituals, and songs in both South African and international languages. Date: Saturday, 8 March Time: 15h00 – 15h30 & 16h30 – 17h00 Location: Alfred Mall Garden Cost: Free For more information, updates and events, visit our website:www.waterfront.co.za or follow us on social media @VANDAWaterfront.
