Africa’s cities are facing an urban ‘polycrisis’

“The first African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town provided an innovative space for leading built environment professionals to engage with experts, projects, investors and practitioners from all over the continent. We are confident that the summit will grow to become the leading meeting point of the real estate and infrastructure industries in Africa." This is according to Tim Harris, CEO of Wesgro, who was a speaker and session facilitator at the summit.

More than 300 sector experts gathered for the inaugural two-day summit earlier this month with interactive sessions that focused on key case studies of visionary city planning, investment opportunities in the commercial and residential real estate sectors across the continent, the African city of the future and the challenges of urbanisation. Innovative development projects from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Kigali, Lusaka, Kampala and the Taparura project in Tunisia were showcased.

A key finding of the conference was that Africa’s cities are facing an urban ‘polycrisis’ and that there is a need for a new urban agenda and an opportunity for innovative solutions to address urbanisation challenges.

Expert speaker highlights at the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit included:

* “Africa is on the brink of great change. It is the fastest urbanising region in the world, with around 400 million people expected to migrate from rural areas to cities by 2050. As more and more people move to our cities in search of a better life, it is critical that we provide effective and sustainable infrastructure to meet their needs.”
- Alderman Ian Neilson, City of Cape Town’s Executive Deputy Mayor

* “New forms of urban planning in African cities seem to be dedicated to transforming them into replicas of Dubai, Shanghai and Singapore. The main challenge of the real estate sector on the continent currently is to find approaches to real estate development which are not only for the wealthy, and which find architectural and planning approaches which are not simplistic ‘cut and pastes’ of cities elsewhere in the world.”
- Prof Vanessa Watson, of the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, University of Cape Town

* “The Voortrekker Road Corridor offers a unique opportunity to invest in the urban core of Cape Town in one of its most important transit-oriented development corridors, taking advantage of the central location and extensive public transport infrastructure.”
– Councillor Johan van der Merwe, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning.

* “Arup recently completed a transit orientated development masterplan for the light rail transit system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The project focused on realising the economic potential of the key stations along the light rail system; while regenerating the city, thereby making use of hard infrastructure systems to unlock multiple gains that improve the social and economic prosperity of citizens”.
-  Nico Venter, Associate Director at Arup’s Johannesburg Office, responsible for the Urban Design and Cities Business in South Africa.

* “We passionately believe that Africa is a continent of opportunity. With improving economies, rising populations, rapid rates of urbanisation and burgeoning middle classes, some African cities are expected to grow between 70-100% in the next 15 years.”
- Mr Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) – patron of the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit.

More key findings that emerged during the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit included:

• African countries need to adopt new development models designed to take advantage of urbanisation by facilitating structural transformation, creating jobs and addressing social inequality and poverty, while creating sustainable human settlements with equal opportunity for all.
• The future of Africa is at stake and the future of Africa will be more and more linked to how cities are managed and the way they choose to contribute to African unity.
• Careful, complex, thorough administrative management and pro-poor urban development will turn African cities into world-class cities, not design plans based on fantasy Dubai-esque city makeovers.
• The city is the centre of the emancipated state and social media needs to be harnessed to unleash the potential of Africa’s smart cities.
• The City of Cape Town has invested over R22 billion in infrastructure over the last five years, and needs to provide an additional 650 000 housing opportunities over the next 20 years.
• Merely pursuing low-density low-cost housing on the outskirts of the cities is not an option. Innovative thinking must be part of the solutions for urbanisation challenges and partnerships between the public and private sectors play an important role.

Major infrastructure and building projects and opportunities on the continent featured at the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit included:

• Cape Town’s Voortrekker Corridor Road Integration Zone Strategy and Investment Plan
• Joburg’s Corridors of Freedom for a people-centred city
• Kimisange, Kicukiro 237 and Kicukiro 968 in Kigali, Rwanda
• Transit Oriented Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• The PDGML – General Master Plan for Luanda, Angola
• Comprehensive Urban Development Plan (CUDP) for the City of Lusaka, Zambia
• Kampala Physical Development Plan, Uganda
• PARURA SFAX – The Master Plan for Taparura Project, Tunisia

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit was organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Spintelligent is well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Longstanding flagship events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), Agritech Expo, DRC Mining Week and EduWeek.

Website: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARES_Summit 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8518271 

Media contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, honoured its graduating 2016 class and exemplary students in a dazzling ceremony held at Rondebosch Boys’ High School on Saturday 19 November, 2016.

The College of Magic, now in its 36th year, is the only organisation of its kind in the world and offers a six year on campus diploma that covers all aspects of the magic theatrical performing arts. Following six years of learning the mysteries of magic, including how to entertain audiences around the world and meeting internationally renowned performers, 17 teenagers from across the Mother City, finally bid farewell to their magical studies at the glittering Senior Graduation event.

The 2016 Course Six class has been fortunate enough to be a part of a very successful year for the College – one that has included spectacular gala shows like the Imagine! Family Spectacular at the Artscape Theatre in May, sold-out public performances, a week-long Spellbound Show at the V&A Waterfront in October and incredible trips to international magic conventions.

For 2016 Senior Student of the Year, Qaqambile Mnqika (15), from Khayelitsha, who represented the College and South Africa at the Magic Live Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada in August, it’s been a whirlwind of fantastic moments:

“What a great journey…phew! Studying magic has introduced me to a world of possibilities and the belief that with magic, I can do anything I set my mind and wand to. Thank you to the College of Magic! ”

This year’s Silver Medallion award winner is Aaron Simon (18) from Plumstead. The Silver Medallion is the highest accolade awarded to a graduate of the College of Magic who has perfected his craft to an excellent level of performance.

“I can hardly believe it! It is such a huge honour to be recognised for my magical craft with a Silver Medallion,” said the excited teen.

Each year, the College also honours staff, students and graduates for long service, community service and excellence in magic theatrical performance and its allied arts. The 2016 honourees included Odwa Bauti, Grant Best, Xolile Dyani, Olwethu Dyantyi,Jamian Fortune, Vuyolwethu Foslara, Anela Gazi, Caitlin Hutchison, Faris Jacobs, Mpumelelo Makeleni, Nokutenda Masiyanise, Sonwabile Mekuto, Qaqambile Mnqika, Zaakia Mohammed, Siyamthanda Mzangwa, Siphesihle Ndayi, Tamarin Philpott, Duncan Shelver, Aaron Simon, Yonela Sipoko, Grant Staniland, Hayley Tomes, Seshen Thaver, Yonela Toni, Ian Van Niekerk and Fazielah Williams.

In addition to the Senior Graduation, the College of Magic hosted a junior ceremony for its younger students who are progressing to the next captivating level of their wizardry training. Exemplary honours were awarded to 13 year-old Sesona Gagana as 2016 Junior Student of the Year.

Registration for the College of Magic’s entry level Course One for aspiring Harry Potters is now open. Course One will commence on Saturday 28 January, 2017 and fees are R490 per month or R2 700 for the entire course (Includes lessons, notes, magical equipment and allied arts such as puppetry, juggling and mime and clowning sessions.)

For more information, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480.

Mayor Patricia de Lille and Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, Freestate of Thuringia, Germany inaugurated today themaxx-solar academy in cooperation with SARETEC

The maxx-solar academy was established in 2011 by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and the maxx I solar energy PTY Ltd. Since than more than 1500 engineers, architects, craftsmen andinterested citizens have been taking part in the maxx-academy courses in Africa. The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) is the first national renewable energy technology centre in South Africa and has been established at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology(CPUT). maxx I solar academy and SARETEC unites the objective to pave the way for a sustainable use of solar power by education. After a first meeting end of 2015, both partners ratified their cooperation with an MOU signed in April 2016. Mayor Patricia de Lille and Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, Freestate of Thuringia, Germany officially inaugurated the maxx I solar academy CapeTown in cooperation with SARETEC on 10 November 2016.

The maxx I solar academy, Africa´s Premier Training Institute on Solar Power acts as non-profit training center for solar energy. It was established in 2011 by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and the maxx solar energy PTY Ltd. South Africa. Since then more than 1500 engineers, architects, craftsmen and interested citizens have been taking part in the maxx-academy and DGS courses in Africa. Our fast grow is only possible due to great local partners. All maxx-solar academy courses are centrally managed and quality assured by the maxx-solar academy team. However the single academies are operated by local partners. Presently we have 5 academies in South Africa in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Upington.

The maxx-solar academy in Cape Town was established 2012. Since then maxx was looking for a partner with similar objectives as maxx. With SARETEC we found a new home for our academy in Cape Town. The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) is the first national renewable energy technology centre in South Africa and has been established at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) - Bellville campus, Cape Town, South Africa. SARETEC offers specialized industry-related and accredited training for the entire renewable energy (RE) industry along with tailored short courses and workshops. This new technology centre is the perfect location to offer the maxx-solar academy trainings. SARETEC’s workshops are equipped with mock roofs and different demo photovoltaic systems which allow the maxx I solar academy to offer the hands-on training which is needed to train the future installers in state of the art installation, operation and maintenance of embedded generation PV systems.

CPUT, SARETEC and maxx signed the MOU to operate the maxx-solar academy Cape Town in cooperation with SARETEC in 2016. First training courses were already offered in 2016, but Mayor Patricia de Lille and Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee, Freestate of Thuringia, Germany gave us the honour to officially inaugurate the maxx-solar academy in cooperation with SARETEC on the 10th of November. Patricia de Lille said the “training institutes like the maxx I solar academy are an important to help the City of Cape Town's green development”. The origin of the maxx I solar academy is in in the Freestate of Thuriniga in Germany. The first time that Minister Tiefensee saw the engagement of maxx I solar in South Africa was during his first mission to South Africa in 2015. He saw that even a small company as maxx I solar can play an important role in building up one market segment, such as maxx I solar plays with his training academy in the photovoltaic sector. Antje Klauss-Vorreiter, director of the maxx I solar academy, presented the development of the academy during the last 5 years. She said that “in 2011 we came as a Germans training provider to South Africa, today we are a South African training academy with mainly South African Trainers.” The training programme of the maxx I solar academy is dynamic. Every year the academy reworks the training programme to follow the fast market development. The trainings courses are accredited internationally by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and locally by SAIEE. Participants will be awarded with CPD points.

The first training in 2017 we offer in March. The so called SuperSolarSchool is a one week intensive course where the participants learn how to start or professionalise their solar power business in only one week. Trainers with practical experience train the design of embedded generation system and the proper installation. All our alumni become part of the maxx I solar alumni network. Maxx offers its alumni’s frequent network meetings, access to latest market development including new technologies and even consultants with their first projects.

Maxx I solar academy – More than only Training!

maxx I solar energy PTY Ltd.

The maxx | solar energy group with headquarters in Thuringia, Germany provides its customers with all services related to photovoltaics. Through maxx | solar energy PTY Ltd., the maxx group extended its presence to South Africa in 2011. The service range of maxx | solar energy PTY Ltd. includes training, wholesale and consulting. As the South African Premium Partner of the German PV system integrator IBC SOLAR, we stand for the highest quality standards in wholesale of photovoltaic technology. Our maxx-solar academy is Africa´s Premier Training Institute on Solar Power. It was established in 2011 by the German Solar Energy Society DGS and the maxx group. Since 2011, hundreds of engineers, architects and craftsmen have been taking part in our trainings and many of them now work as certified maxx I team installers.

Have a day of fun with the family at Bloemendal Wine Estate on Saturday 5 November 2016 from 08h00 – 13h00 at the opening of the first YBIKE kids’ track in Cape Town.  This is the second track of its kind to open in South Africa and aimed to teach children the art of balance whilst having fun.  Suitable for kids aged 1 – 5 years, this outdoor track is action packed with bumps, ramps and berms purposefully built for all kids on Balance Bikes.  

You can watch your kids having fun as they make their way through the track and assist them around if your little ones are not confident enough to ride on their own.  There are plenty of demonstration YBIKE’s to try out on the day or bring your own balance bike.  

The YBIKE pop up shop will also have special prices on YBIKE's on the day.

Watch Dylan Wiggill testing out the new track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2NaE4XCJd8&feature=youtu.be  

Enjoy a coffee at the BioSport coffee shop or book a table at Bon Amis Café at Bloemendal Wine Estate and have a day of fun with the kids.  V

enue:  Bloemendal Wine Estate, Tygerberg Valley Road, Durbanville, Cape Town Times:  08h00 – 13h00  

Cost:  Free entry for the day. (Thereafter R30 per child per day)

Please note that only kids’ balance bikes are permitted on the track  Children aged 1 – 5 years are welcome to ride on the track, under parents’ supervision Safe riding is encouraged, please bring helmets otherwise feel free to use a YBIKE helmet, which will be available on the day.

For more information, contact Stephen Wiggill on 083 308 0527 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cape Town Summit to gather developers, investors and planners “

The Voortrekker Road Corridor offers a unique opportunity to invest in the urban core of Cape Town in one of its most important transit-oriented development corridors, taking advantage of the central location and extensive public transport infrastructure” – this is according to Councillor Johan van der Merwe, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning. The City of Cape Town will present its Voortrekker Road Corridor: Strategy and Investment Plan at the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit at the Mother City’s CTICC from 2-3 November.

The presentation, which is open to industry professionals, forms part of an exciting line-up of high-level representatives from leading African cities, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Lusaka and Kampala, who will showcase the investment and development opportunities offered by their cities’ Urban Development Plans or specific major infrastructure projects. “

The City has spent in excess of R300-million on infrastructure investments” says Councillor van der Merwe, “which are directly serving the corridor and significantly more on bulk infrastructure that contributes towards the corridor. One of the key infrastructure investments that we are making is providing financing to PRASA to undertake a study to develop a plan of improvements/upgrades to this important rail corridor.”

He foresees the main challenges to be “urban management, which includes crime, grime and maintenance, which is a key issue within the corridor. Solving this challenge is key to attracting investors to the area. We see the solution to this challenge emanating from the continuation and further development of partnerships between the City, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, city improvement districts, land owners, business operators, civic organisations and residents. In addition to this partnership approach, we are working with the City improvement districts and the Greater Tygerberg Partnership to provide additional services in key locations”.  

African city of the future
More headline speakers at the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit that will also focus on key case studies of visionary city planning, investment opportunities in the commercial and residential real estate sector, the African city of the future and the challenges of urbanisation are:

- Tim Harris, CEO, WESGRO
- Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General, UCLG-A*
- Lord Mayor, Hon. Isaya Mwita Charles, Dar es Salaam
- Lekwalo Mosienyane, Director, Business Botswana 
- Mokena Makeka, Founder & Principal, Makeka Design Lab, South Africa 
- Kecia Rust, Director & Founder, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa / Secretariat to the African Union for Housing Finance, UN-Habitat, South Africa
- Amine Turki, Secretary General, Africa Union of Architects, Tunisia
- Professor Vanessa Watson, School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, University of Cape  

*UCLG-A: United Cities and Local Governments of Africa

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit will gather the full spectrum of the continent’s real estate sector and will assist African cities and governments to secure international investment for commercial real estate development and infrastructure projects that will contribute to Urban Development Plans (UDPs).

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Spintelligent is well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Longstanding flagship events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), Agritech Expo, DRC Mining Week and EduWeek.

UCLG Africa

The UCLG Africa is the patron of the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town. The UCLG AFRICA is the umbrella organisation and the united voice and representative of local government in Africa. It is an institution that gathers 40 national associations of local governments from all regions of Africa as well as the 2000 cities that have more than 100.000 inhabitants. Therefore UCLG AFRICA represents nearly 350 million Africans citizens.

Dates for African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit 2016:
Showcase and conference: 2-3 November 2016
Opening session: 09h00, 2 November, 2016
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARES_Summit
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8518271

Media contact: Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558 Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Cape Town, 25 October 2016 – Being a fashionista is never easy and can quickly get very expensive. But you don’t have to spend a million to feel like million: Luxity gives you a chance to sport a stylish Louis Vuitton handbag, a pair of luxurious Gucci sunglasses or some trendy Louboutin’s at affordable prices. This young and stylish start-up from Cape Town focuses on buying and selling used luxury goods that are still in excellent condition.

The Luxity online boutique provides access to some of the world’s most coveted brands, ranging from designer handbags, clutches, wallets and purses as well as other leather accessories, premium high heels and flats, high-end scarfs, luxury sunglasses and much more. “We pride ourselves on offering only 100% authentic luxury items, that are still in excellent condition. We take authentication extremely seriously at Luxity, and offer a full money back guarantee, should you ever prove we sold you a fake or counterfeit item,” explains Luke Calitz, Owner of Luxity. “Currently, women can select between a wide variety of pre-owned luxury items and the goal is to start building out the men’s division with watches, pens, belts and whatever else today’s fashion-forward man desires.” Luxity’s social media channels keep customers up to date on new arrivals which are all listed on their online boutique (www.luxity.co.za) where every item can be purchased with just a few simple clicks. “To ensure that everybody can afford luxury, we offer an interest free layby option where customers have the opportunity to pay their items off within two months in as many installments as they wish,” Luke explains further.

Luxity does not only cater to those with a desire to buy a gorgeous accessory, but also for everyone who wants to sell designer luxury goods. Whether it is to make space in their closet or because they have not worn a specific item in a long time. Luxity is always on the lookout for interesting items from a variety of brands in the luxury industry like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, CHANEL, Burberry, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent and many more. Luxity gives sellers the choice between an immediate cash buyout, a store credit, or the option to list an item on consignment.

Whether you’re looking to make a fashion statement at the next party, turn heads on the street or simply want to unclutter your closet, Luxity should be on your speed dial!

African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit to gather developers, investors and planners

“New forms of urban planning in African cities seem to be dedicated to transforming them into replicas of Dubai, Shanghai and Singapore,” says Professor Vanessa Watson, of the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, University of Cape Town. According to Prof Watson, the main challenge of the real estate sector on the continent currently is “to find approaches to real estate development which are not only for the wealthy, and which find architectural and planning approaches which are not simplistic ‘cut and pastes’ of cities elsewhere in the world.”

Prof Watson is part of an exciting speaker line-up at the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town from 2-3 November with a contribution that will focus on “African cities for sale. World-class, smart, eco or just profitable?” She explains: “rapid growth of African cities means that urban development is required, but noting that the vast majority of this growth is of poor and unemployed households. The very small urban middle-class offers limited opportunity for real estate aimed high-income households. Finding housing models for lower income households is absolutely possible and offers far greater opportunity.”

Other exciting speakers on the programme include:

- Eng. Jose Miranda, Regional Director Africa, Aurecon, South Africa, who will be part of a presentation entitled: “What makes a multi-billion dollar project in Africa?” about the international, award-winning General Master Plan for Luanda City (2030 Luanda Plan) outlining the sustainable transformation and development plans.

Says Eng. Miranda: “water, energy and sanitation are fundamental needs for all human beings.  Preserving Luanda’s natural environment, whilst providing the people of Luanda with a future city they will benefit from, is an important priority to Aurecon within the Luanda City Master Plan or Plano Director Geral Metropolitano de Luanda (PDGML). As part of the strategic city and provincial wide infrastructure planning service provided, we attempted to ensure the people of Luanda and surrounds have access to energy, drinkable water, sanitation, and increased waste recycling.”

- “There seems to be a measurable disconnect between the public sector and private sector regarding city planning,” says Albert Smuts, Architect and Director, Fieldworks Design Group, who is part of a panel discussion on “Making African cities of tomorrow inclusive” at the event next month. He adds: “there is very little in the form of readily available land intended for private development within our urban centres, and in turn governmental city planning suffers because of the consequential sprawl.”

He continues: “the rate of urbanisation in Africa far exceeds that of the western world, which means that un-programmed, unprotected open land becomes quickly commoditised. This exacerbates issues associated with the expansion of suburbia and urban sprawl”.

More headline speakers at the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit are:
- Tim Harris, CEO, WESGRO
- Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General, UCLG-A*
- Lekwalo Mosienyane, Director, Business Botswana 
- Mokena Makeka, Founder & Principal, Makeka Design Lab, South Africa 
- Kecia Rust, Director & Founder, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa / Secretariat to the African Union for Housing Finance, UN-Habitat, South Africa
- Amine Turki, Secretary General, Africa Union of Architects, Tunisia

*UCLG-A: United Cities and Local Governments of Africa

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit will gather the full spectrum of the continent’s real estate sector and will assist African cities and governments to secure international investment for commercial real estate development and infrastructure projects that will contribute to Urban Development Plans (UDPs).

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Spintelligent is well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Longstanding flagship events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), Agritech Expo, DRC Mining Week and EduWeek.

UCLG Africa
The UCLG Africa is the patron of the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town. The UCLG AFRICA is the umbrella organisation and the united voice and representative of local government in Africa. It is an institution that gathers 40 national associations of local governments from all regions of Africa as well as the 2000 cities that have more than 100.000 inhabitants. Therefore UCLG AFRICA represents nearly 350 million Africans citizens.

Dates for African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit 2016:
Showcase and conference: 2-3 November 2016
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa
Website: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARES_Summit
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8518271

Media contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cape Town, South Africa – 6 October 2016  

Carrick Wealth, the leading offshore investment advisory in Africa, is celebrating its second anniversary, and, in the same week, has opened an office in Gaborone that is fully compliant and regulated with the relevant authorities in Botswana.

The new Gaborone office in the Masa Centre is headed by Andrew Mhere, who is both the Managing Director of Carrick Wealth Botswana and Carrick Wealth Zimbabwe. He is supported by a team of diverse, highly qualified advisers.

With its headquarters in Cape Town and fully functioning offices in Johannesburg, Durban, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and now in Gaborone, Carrick Wealth is changing the face of the offshore financial services industry for high-net-worth clients and those starting out on their wealth journey.

[photo] Craig Featherby, Group Chief Executive Officer, says: “We’ve experienced extraordinary growth in such a short period of time and we are geared to extend the Carrick formula further into new markets in Africa.” 

In the 24 months that the Carrick Group of Companies has been in business, its growing team of specialist financial advisers is constantly kept abreast of all the changes regarding regulatory matters in the areas in which the Group operates.

A sophisticated technological platform is in place that keeps live-tracking of all activities connected with the industry, and with the business in particular, giving clients the surety that their investments are completely secure and monitored.  

As Carrick Wealth expands its footprint into Africa, it will be offering clients and advisers in each country the opportunity to experience professional, disciplined, innovative solutions and service. The Carrick team is growing, and now has 152 people working for the company – as against seven when Carrick first opened its doors exactly two years ago.

As the company celebrates its second anniversary, it can report that it has an advisory relationship with 787 clients, has over R2,2 million under management and has assisted in 443 QROPS pension transfers out of the United Kingdom into offshore structures.

Carrick Wealth offers clients in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa various financial and estate planning solutions, including the formation of offshore investment structures, portfolio management, private equity and venture capital asset allocations.        

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lynn Halliday (Group Marketing Manager)

CARRICK WEALTH
T: +27 (0)21 201 1000
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.carrick-wealth.com

African cities to connect with developers, investors and planners

The CEO of Wesgro, Tim Harris, the Executive Director of Kampala’s Capital City Authority, Dr Jennifer Musisi, the UCLG-A Secretary General, Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, and Business Botswana Director Lekwalo Mosienyane are heading up an exciting line-up of headline experts from around Africa that will address the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town from 2-3 November 2016.

*UCLG-A: United Cities and Local Governments of Africa

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit will gather the full spectrum of the continent’s real estate sector and will assist African cities and governments to secure international investment for commercial real estate development and infrastructure projects that will contribute to Urban Development Plans (UDPs).

Summit programme highlights include:

• Opening keynote: “Developing the Future of African Cities”
Africa’s population of roughly 1.1 billion is expected to double by 2050.

Keynote speakers :  
Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General UCLG-A, Morocco
Nana Kwame Bediako, President, Founder & CEO, Petronia, Ghana*
Lekwalo Mosienyane, Director, Mosienyane and Partners Int. & President, Business Botswana, Botswana

• “Future Cities revealed – Urban Development Plans”
Some of the continent’s leading cities, including Lusaka, Kigali, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, have been invited to showcase their UDPs in a discussion format. This will allow for delegates and exhibitors to understand the future plans of developing cities and build business relationships with key city officials including: city managers, city mayors, city council members, town planners, town clerks, district officials and city and finance directors amongst others.

• Africa’s finest: A review of successful city development projects

- Building a new face for Kampala
– A case study of how good governance, improved city revenue collection and service delivery are transforming Kampala into a vibrant, attractive and sustainable city. Speaker: Dr Jennifer Musisi, Executive Director, Kampala, Capital City Authority, Uganda

- Kigali developments
– A case study on master planning work in Kigali for a significant new residential/mixed use development
Speaker: Guy Briggs, Director/ Head of Urban Design, dhk, South Africa

- What makes an $800-billion project in Africa: Modernising Luanda – the international award winning General Master Plan for Luanda City (2030 Luanda Plan) outlines the sustainable transformation and development plans. How intelligent city planning can bring about real improvements in the lives of Angolan citizens.
Speakers:  
Eng. Neusa Ingles, Project Manager, Urbinveste, Angola
Phil Bonds, Director of Urban Design, Broadway Malyan, United Kingdom
Eng. Jose Miranda, Regional Director Africa, Aurecon, South Africa

• “The Western Cape:  The new  hub for local and international investment”
Cape Town is fast becoming a destination of choice for foreign investors looking to expand their operations in Africa. How the market is shaping towards international investment and which opportunities are available.
Speaker: Tim Harris, CEO, Wesgro, South Africa

• “Making African cities of tomorrow inclusive”
More than half the world’s population now live in cities, and this proportion will continue to increase rapidly to reach 70% by 2050. How cities are created that are inclusive of all those who live in them through their design, layout, technological innovations and social impact.

Speakers:     
- Albert Smuts, Director, Fieldworks Design Group, South Africa
- Mokena Makeka, Founder & Principal, Makeka Design Lab, South Africa  
- Kecia Rust, Director & Founder, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa / Secretariat to the African Union for Housing Finance, UN Habitat, South Africa
- Vanessa Watson, Professor of City and Regional Planning, School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Amine Turki, Secretary General, Africa Union of Architects, Tunisia
- Moderated by: Tim Harris, CEO, Wesgro

The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Spintelligent is well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Longstanding flagship events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), Agritech Expo, DRC Mining Week and EduWeek.

UCLG Africa
The UCLG Africa is the patron of the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town. The UCLG AFRICA is the umbrella organisation and the united voice and representative of local government in Africa. It is an institution that gathers 40 national associations of local governments from all regions of Africa as well as the 2000 cities that have more than 100.000 inhabitants. Therefore UCLG AFRICA represents nearly 350 million Africans citizens.

Dates for African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit 2016:
Showcase and conference: 2-3 November 2016
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARES_Summit
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8518271

Media contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The ultimate battle of the wands kicks off in the Mother City this September!

Eleven provincial teen wizards will be locked in the ultimate battle of the wands when the 2016 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships is hosted at Milnerton High School  on Sunday 18 September, 2016!

Hosted by the College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, the Championships is billed as the ultimate battle of the wands, testing the mettle of young magicians in the quick-fingered art of Close-up Magic and the grandiose illusionary techniques of Stage Magic.

Forget Hogwarts’ Triwizard Cup - the Championships contestants are vying for the 2016 Western Cape Junior Magician title, top honours and opportunities to perform at international magical events!

As the competitive spirit reaches an all-time wizardly high, Milnerton High School will be transformed into the ultimate magical battle ground with the Close-Up event at 2pm and the Stage contest at 4pm.

In addition to these charming events, audiences can see street buskers throw down the magical gauntlet in the Street Magic Contest, showing off their impressive skills in card magic, puppetry, coin effects, juggling and balloon-modelling.

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, a non-profit organisation and the only one of its kind in the world, is thrilled to once again host the not-to-be-missed Western Cape Junior Magician Championships:

“The Championships event is a fantastic platform for our young magicians to get a taste of what it is like to compete professionally in the world of magic. I’ve had a sneak peek at the creative acts our contestants are preparing and they are incredible. Join us and see them for yourselves! ”says College of Magic director David Gore.

Tickets for the Championships start from R100 and are available at www.collegeofmagic.com/tickets.For more information about the 2016 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships, please contact the

College of Magic on +27 (0) 21 683 5480 or visit www.collegeofmagic.com.