I’m not going to lie: like most people, I didn’t have the greatest outlook on South Africa. It arouses more interest and more criticism throughout the world than most other countries. Everyone tends to share a common view about widespread discrimination, high levels of poverty, and a country not too safe to visit. Whilst these issues do all exist, there is a lot more to South Africa that left me wanting to stay. From the extremely warm, welcoming locals, to the friendly, loving hospitality, South Africa has much more to offer.
Johannesburg
I arrived in Johannesburg, this is the commercial and financial heart of South Africa. Streets are narrow and cast into shadow by high-rise concrete blocks, creating an almost tunnel like effect.
The facts
Also known as Jo’burg or Jozi, Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa situated in the northern province of Gauteng and the financial hub of South Afirca. The city is in a period of transition and adopting a new identity, this is subsequently making it one of the most vibrant and lively places in in the country. It is the most powerful commercial centre on the African continent. Johannesburg generates 16 percent of South Africa’s GDP and employs 12 percent of the national workforce. Its infrastructure matches leading first world cities, yet the cost of living is far lower.
Perfect for your event
The opposing building and best-known landmark in the centre of the city is the Sandton Convention Centre conveniently located in the vibrant business district of Sandton in northern Johannesburg and within easy reach of the Gautrain and O. R. Tambo International Airport. This Convention Centre is one of the largest purpose-built exhibitions centres with 22 000m² of events space housing conferences, conventions and large events in Johannesburg.
Its positioned very conveniently by a number of leading hotels. One of three I can recommend; The Sandston Sun a 5-star hotel which is connected to Sandton Convention Centre. It offers spacious rooms, a variety of dining options and a state-of-the-art Business Suite. The main benefit of this hotel for delegates are that it’s connected to an indoor shopping mall. The shopping mall gives you access to many retail outlets and restaurants. With your delegates being inside a conference centre all day it’s a pleasurable walk through the shopping mall, to either shop or dine in the variety of restaurants before arriving in your hotel ready for bed.
If your delegates would like to extend their stay then The Leonardo Hotel, dominating the skyline of the Sandston Convention Centre and conveniently near a metro station is a hotel where all the trendy clientele like to stay. It has pool deck and a sky-high rooftop bar, imagine after a long day of meetings having a swim on a roof top pool with a sunset as a back drop. The hotel is visible from across Joburg’s northern suburbs, especially at night when it’s lit up with colour.
Adjoining Nelson Mandela Square, is my final recommendation, The Michelangelo Hotel which is an iconic property, which epitomizes the very essence of class, elegance and luxury. Boasting location close to Sandton Convention Centre, the comfortable hotel comprises 242 rooms as well as storage for exquisite art and a lobby area for a Instagram’s dream. If your delegates are looking for culture then Michelangelo is the place to stay. The artifacts and pieces in the hotel connect you with culture and history of South Africa.
Cape Town
First impressions
My next stop was Cape Town, only a 2-hour flight journey from Johannesburg. Arriving in Cape Town and I was memorised. You only have to look up to see the magnificent Table Mountain. It dominates the horizon around the city and is, without doubt, Cape Town’s most famous landmark. If you ever get tired of seeing it from below, then I would recommend jumping on a cable car to enjoy an easy glide up the mountain to see the vista from a different perspective.
Highly recommended and unforgettable for a great incentive is; Robben Island, where South Africa’s most famous civil rights activist and former president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, is a must-see. Walking outside the compound gave me shivers seeing the cell where Mandela spent 18 years of his life to experience what he felt is unforgettable.
An exploration city
Cape Town is great city to explore. I experienced Cape Town on the back of a side car. A great activity for delegates to see Cape Town and stop off at different land marks within 3 hours.
For more adventurous delegates there is surfing, hiking, paragliding off Table Mountain in one single day, and if you’re really, really brave you can go cage diving with great white sharks.
Staying in style
Cape Town is hip, trendy and alive, and the hotels reflect that. The most stylish hotel in Cape Town is the Silo Hotel. Positioned perfectly in the city centre and over powering the landscape at the V&A waterfront with its opposing height. Surprising when entering the hotel, it does have a boutique feel and it’s an Instagramer’s dream world with a stunning roof top bar, but also large enough to hold your business event.
The one to look out for is ironically the One & Only, framed by the towering natural wonder of Table Mountain, and its tranquil surroundings set in the heart of the V&A marina. My experience there was unforgettable, from the concierge helping me when I accidently jumped in a cab without any cash, extending my late checkout when they were extremely busy and housekeeping folding my clothes and leaving them on my bed when I left my room quickly for dinner and leaving my room in a mess. Nothing is too much for them. You have a choice of sea view room or Table Mountain views and both stunning to look at. The entrance of the hotel has a large circular bar which is always full of people mixing and the vibe is electric. It also has large ballroom that can seat 250 people and has the famous Vegan Nobu restaurant that is very popular in Cape Town.
Other hotels I visited in the area which were catered for different tastes were, The Westin hotel directly on the sea front with a luxury feel providing an opulent experience for their guest top to toe with an added bonus of large conference facilities, ideal for those who prefer to be more near the seafront. The Radisson Red, a designer hotel with millennial mindset more ideal for media or creative companies who love art and quirky places bearing in mind their roof top bar was very amazing with a plunge pool and the hippest people drinking funky cocktails (that’s where everyone was).
But what is there to do in Cape Town?
Well, if you are into South African wines then wine tasting at Holden Manz on the Boschendal Estate is a must. The vineyard is huge and they also have a farm village where you can purchase produce and buy a picnic lunch.
Or you can hire a boat and sail off the Cape Peninsula visiting Chapmans Peak and the Noordehoek Farm Village.
Why would I hold my event in South Africa?
The benefits of holding an event in South Africa is the funding support convention centres can offer you to bring your business out to their region. Once an RFP Is submitted by us to the region you are interested in, a bid book is compiled relating to your brief and then the support offered could be offsetting your rental fee of the venue of your choice to supporting a welcome reception for your event hosted by the region’s conventions centre.
There are so many opportunities in South Africa, whether you choose to host your event in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban. Each location has its unique twist and landmark to explore. They all can host intimate meetings or large tradeshows and your delegates are left with a memorable experience after the event to tour the destination.
If you want to know more about hosting your event in South Africa, Contact us today.