Amidst a flurry of glitter fireworks and cries of jubilation, two of Cape Town’s most beguiling teens, Jamian Fortune and Vuyolwethu Foslara, were crowned the 2016 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships winners at Milnerton High on Sunday 18 September, 2016!

Hosted by the College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, the Championships was a thrilling showdown, testing the mettle of eleven of the province’s most talented teen wizards in the art of magic but there could only be two winners: Fortune (19) from Bishop Lavis took top honours in the Close-Up magic category while Foslara (18) from Khayelitsha snagged the Stage magic title.  

Fortune held spectators in thrall with his comedic repartee and blink-and-you-miss-it sleights and card effects while Foslara paired his love of watching flowers grow with a passion for grand illusions in a fascinating florist magic act.  

The charming duo’s imaginative acts and hard work paid off, captivating the attention and approval of celebrity judges and star graduates of the College of Magic, Francis Chouler, Marcel Pretorius, Stuart Taylor and Sithembele Tyutula.  

Fortune, a burgeoning tech whizz and first time Championships competitor, is thrilled with his achievement:  

“This is just unbelievable! I always enjoy the reactions my performance gets from audiences but to be recognised for it by such a prestigious panel of judges is a real honour.”  

Foslara, an accomplished performer who has previously competed in the 2014 edition of the Championships, adds:

“Winning the Stage Magician Championship title is a dream come true for me and proof that with magic, anything is possible! I look forward to sharing my winning act with the world.”  

The terrific twosome, who can now proudly lay claim to the prestigious Championships titles as well opportunities to perform at international magical events, accepted their awards, alongside runners-up Xolile Dyani (19), from Khayelitsha, in the Close- Up Championships and Caitlin Hutchison (15), from Claremont, in the Stage Championships.

Further awards presented were the Supreme Trophy for Up-and-Coming Junior Magician which went to Sonwabile Mekuto(19), from Delft and the people’s choice Street Magician of the Year title was won by Siyamthanda Mzangwa (21), from Khayelitsha.  

In addition to the thrilling contests, audiences were treated to a special musical guest performance led on the keyboard  by Olwethu Dyantyi, the 2015 South African Magic and Grand Prix Magic Champion. Dyantyi, a College of Magic alumnus who has dazzled audiences in theatres in Las Vegas, Italy and China, is currently the star of Coca-Cola’s One Brand “Taste the Magic” ad.  

Celebrating 36 years of teaching the art of magic and its allied arts as well as vital life-skills to children and adults in 2016, the College of Magic is a non-profit organisation and the only one of its kind in the world. The College has been hosting the Championships for more than 30 years.  

“This year’s competition was a tough one and we are so incredibly proud of all of the contestants. Jamian and Vuyolwethu are worthy winners and we can’t wait to see which amazing feats they’ll conjure in the future!” says David Gore, director of the College of Magic.  

For more information about the College of Magic and the 2016 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480.