South Africa Blog

The Conference & Event Destination with a Difference …
Montecasino Conference & Corporate Events Division is a specialised team of event management professionals, who cater for the needs of corporate groups within the magnificent Tuscan complex of Montecasino, conveniently situated in the heart of Fourways, Sandton.

Montecasino brings you a world of make believe that’s completely real, a Tuscan Village in the heart of Sandton where great relationships are built and special memories are made. Due to its size, flexibility and state of the art facilities, Montecasino provides corporate clients’ with interesting alternatives when organizing conferences, meetings and business functions. It allows clients to subtlety mix business and pleasure in a unique, friendly and safe environment. This Tuscan themed complex is able to host conferences and corporate events both large and small, as well as major product launches, banquet dinners and awards functions, as well as private functions in some of South Africa’s top Restaurants.

Montecasino Conference Center
The Montecasino Conference Centre has been designed to fulfill the needs of the sophisticated conference and executive meeting market, offering conventional conference facilities combined with the latest technology and professional services. The Montecasino Conference Centre is capable of seating up to 100 guests in cinema style or up to 14 guests in a luxurious Executive Boardroom.

Il Grande Lounge & Theatre
The “Il Grande” theatre in the Nu Metro Centre, Montecasino is a world-class multi-purpose theatre with over 500 luxury seats and the largest screen in Southern Africa. An ideal venue for large conference groups or Product launches, Il Grande Theatre is fitted with state-of-the-art technology and outside broadcasting capabilities. Adjacent to the “Il Grande Theatre” is the “Il Grande Lounge” a sophisticated cocktail lounge ideal for welcome cocktails or after parties that is capable of hosting 400 guests for a cocktail function.

Company Dinners and Private Functions
La Toscana – Within the walls of Montecasino, you will find a very special private function venue called La Toscana, which will enthrall you with its Italian charm. La Toscana is a versatile venue capable of hosting banquet dinners, cocktail parties and product launches and is equipped with state of the art sound and lighting.

Montecasino boasts over 15 uniquely themed Restaurants, many of which are capable of hosting private functions ranging in size from 10 guests to 200 guests. The Montecasino Corporate Events team have an impressive track record of running functions, events and conferences for some of South Africa’s largest corporations.

Montecasino brings you a world of make believe that’s completely real, a Tuscan Village in the heart of Sandton where great relationships are built and special memories are made.

Montecasino – an exciting announcement
Montecasino is proud to announce the launch of a R335m Lifestyle Extension development to the already magnificent Tuscan complex in Fourways, which will include amongst other exciting developments, a 400 seater banquet \ conference facility due to open on the 1st April 2007.

Contact Montecasino:
For bookings and further information, contact the Montecasino Conference and Corporate Events department: Montecasino Conferences & Events

Related Links:
Sandton Conference Venues
Johannesburg Conference Venues
South Africa Conferences

Getting married soon and worried about that ‘First Dance’? Or are you one of the many fans of the hit TV programme ‘Strictly Come Dancing’? For the next two weekends in May the rhythms of ballroom and Latin American dance will pulsate from the Amphitheatre at the Waterfront, as Celebration House and Tango & Tonic invite you to:

Go Dancing at the Waterfront! As a run-up to the Cape Town Wedding Festival (which takes place at the Waterfront from 19 to 21 May), you will have the opportunity to let leading dance experts entertain you with their ease and grace on the Amphitheatre stage.

So shed those ‘First Dance’ nerves and come and be inspired by these talented young South Africans, as they demonstrate the technique and precision of the dances that won them their South African titles.

Go Dancing at the Waterfront! will feature:
Jeroncio Josephs and Gretchen Pinto – South African Adult Ballroom and Latin Champions
Riyadh Marlie & Deidre Michaels – South African Youth Ballroom and Latin Champions
Keenan du Plessis & Melissa Swartz – WP Youth Latin Champions
And although only 8 and 9 years old respectively, Wade Thomas and Paxton Simons will also amaze you with their grace and style.

Dates:Saturday: 13 May 2006 & Sunday 14 May 2006
Saturday: 20 May 2006 & Sunday 21 May 2006
Time: 14h00 – 15h00
Place: Amphitheatre, V & A Waterfront

EXCITING NEWS FLASH:
We’re delighted to announce that at the show on Saturday 20 May 2006, there will be a special guest star appearance by deejay and television presenter Zuraida Jardine, and Michael Wentink, professional Latin American dancer, the recent Winners of SABC TV2′s popular ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ competition.

Between 12h30 and 13h30 on 20th May, the popular dance band Tuxedo will be on stage at the Amphitheatre to warm you up before we all

Go Dancing at the Waterfront! – Don’t miss it.Related Sites:
Cape Town Wedding Festival
Celebration House
Cape Town Weddings

“The Northern Cape Province of South Africa boasts a colourful history and is particularly well known for its incredible annual floral display that takes place annually in Namaqualand. The Northern Cape lies to the south of the powerful Orange River and is mainly isolated desert and semi-desert. Northern Cape covers the largest area of all the provinces yet has the smallest population. The last remaining authentic San (Bushman) people live in the Kalahari area of the Northern Cape“.

The Northern Cape Accommodation site has undergone a redesign and is now a very user-friendly site. You can find accommodation in the Northern Cape either by using a small menu that appears on all the pages within the site, or find Accommodation in the Northern Cape by fast loading Clickable Search Map. You click on the town you wish to visit in the map to view the hotels, game lodges, guest houses, bed & breakfasts, self catering holiday accommodation and conference venues listed in the area and the map clearly shows the proximity of towns to major highlights and activities in the Province.

The site includes a sction on all the attractions and destinations in the Northern Cape. To Visit the Site please click here: Northern Cape.

BABA INDABA! – South Africa’s Premier Baby & Parenting Expo.
When: Cape Town 28-30 July 2006
Where: Cape Town International Convention Centre

Baba Indaba, South Africa’s premier baby and parenting exhibition, held annually in Cape Town and Johannesburg was born in the “Mother City” in 2005 and had a wonderfully successful infancy in Johannesburg last November. This truly South African baby show inspires you, the parents and moms-to-be to enjoy your baby and pregnancy and have fun while being a good parent.

Bringing the manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of baby care products together with parents and pregnant moms, this collaboration with great exhibitors creates an inspirational and stimulating expo packed with information, shopping, show specials and fun for you and your baby. The range of cute, new and innovative baby products provides plenty of interest for grandparents and even friends looking for that ideal gift for the “Baby Shower”.

At Baba Indaba you will find everything from prams and baby joggers to feeding bottles and vitamin supplements; from car safety seats to toddler music and nursery furniture, from nutritional and medical products to pool safety and video cameras. In fact everyone with an interest in babies, children and parenting will find something new and exciting at Baba Indaba. You will view and experience everything that you could possibly want for bumps, babies and toddlers; all under one roof.

Twice daily the real Takalani-Sesame characters will be on stage with their shows. Fashion shows for maternity wear and baby clothing provide further entertainment while a huge variety of baby goods, baby products, nursery furnishings, prams, nutritional and medical products satisfy the retail demand. Other favourite cartoon characters will also be around to amuse and entertain the little ones.

For Further information please visit the website at http://www.babaindaba.co.za or contact Natalie, Jay or Sue at 021 689-3262.

Article submitted by and © Allan Fabig of Calitzdorp Country House.

Driving east on Route 62, from Ladismith via the striking Huisrivier mountain pass, travelers suddenly encounter the little town of Calitzdorp, once renowned as the Port Wine Capital of South Africa, but now more commonly known to be the Heart of The Klein Karoo.

What’s to see? No less than five wine cellars! But if you are under the misapprehension that Calitzdorp is a single-wine town, think again! Although the Ports made here can hold their own with the best Portugal has to offer and regularly sweep the top SA awards, these cellars also produce some prize-winning reds, both single cultivars and blends, and the whites are not half bad, either.

Buy a case or two of what you fancy – prices are in keeping with the modest approach adopted by the cellars towards their success. And while visiting the cellars for free wine tastings, keep your eyes peeled for the many examples of immaculately maintained old Georgian, Victorian, Cape Dutch and Karoo-style houses and prepare to be stunned by the beauty of the ubiquitous bougainvillea blooming on virtually every street corner of this quaint village.

But that’s not all … Pride of the main street is the Dutch Reformed Church, Calitzdorp’s national monument, where building began in 1855. At Die Dorpshuis opposite the church, ask for the keys to see the famed bible-illustrating tapestries woven by congregants many years ago. If organ music is your thing, note that four nights each week, at 18h00, a free recital of organ music is given in the church itself. Just walk in and take a pew. The organ, too, is a famous instrument, renowned for its sound and size.

Another place of worship deserves a visit: the tiny chapel down the road from the big church. It is reputed to be the second smallest Anglican church in the world and is presently being painstakingly restored.

Lunch at …. Lunch at Restaurant De-Vine, Karoo Life, Die Dorpshuis, Rose of the Karoo, or Ebenhart’s restaurant, where fine examples of Bonsai are to be seen in a wonderfully cool garden just meters from Route 62. To dedicated followers of tobacco lore, Ebenhart himself is known far and wide as South Africa’s only pipe maker. Even if you hate the weed, you are likely to appreciate the art he puts into his original designs – well worth a look.

Anna Sofia on the main street is famed for her range of mustards of every flavour, texture and hue – one of the national supermarket chains stocks her products, as does Fancourt. Stop for a free tasting.

Now is the time to call at the tourist information office, adjacent to the garage, to collect that free brochure labeled, ‘Kunste Kronkel’ (arts meander), take a stroll through those of the listed craft outlets that strike your fancy and pick up a couple of items as gifts for those less fortunate than yourself. And then on to overnight at five star Calitzdorp Country House, hosts Lyn and Allan are ready for you – how about a luscious Harvey Wallbanger to set you up for dinner?

Calitzdorp Country House … At Calitzdorp Country House, guests are able to enjoy a couple of special visits to people and places not usually accessible to ordinary tourists. The first is Beulah, a creator of unusual and beautiful jewelry. This is not the usual junk stuff made of cheap – semi-precious stones and (alleged) silver, but designer articles in real gold and precious stones. If you’re interested in bespoke jewelry, Allan or Lyn will set up the visit.

Next is the renowned ex-Cape Town restaurateur, Peter Bayly, now retired from that burdensome, if rewarding occupation to go gentleman farming with his wife, Yvonne. He now makes port, bottled under his own name in an elegant amphora-like container, and very well received by the industry. His cellar and tastings are only available by special arrangement. Needless to say, Calitzdorp Country House can fix that. The Bayly farm is on the scenic route through Groenfontein, about 20 km from the town.

If you have time and are not by now too weary, then the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve offers short walking trails to see the famed succulents of the region. Because of the illegal succulent trade, these are only …. continued at about Calitzdorp.

Also see:
Calitzdorp Country House
Calitzdorp Accommodation
Karoo Accommodation
The Karoo, South Africa