The College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, will transform the Helderberg area into a winter wonderland when it launches its National Lotteries Commission funded ‘Hope in Flight’ community programme, in partnership with the Imibala Trust, as a six week training Juggling and Card Skills course, from Thursday 4 May to Thursday 8 June, 2017.  

The College of Magic, now in its 37th year of teaching the magic theatrical performing arts and its allied arts (including juggling, puppetry, mime and clowning), with a social and life- skills component  to children and adults, is a non-profit organisation and the only one of its kind in the world.   Helderberg’s aspiring Harry Potters are invited to get a sneak peek behind the magician’s curtain at the Imibala Trust’s charming base in Bright Street in bustling Somerset West.   H

ere, the College’s voluntary staff, led by renowned South African magician and the face of world-famous beverage brand Coca Cola’s global relaunch campaign, Olwethu Dyantyi,  will introduce the wizarding recruits to the wonder of magic with a two-hour long lesson each week.  

Students from diverse backgrounds, between the age of 10 and 15 years old, will learn all kinds of fantastic effects in these incredible sessions, including the gravity defying effects of juggling which improves hand and eye coordination and the dexterity of card magic. In addition, these lessons offer learners the chance to improve their social and communication skills as well as equip them with employable skills.  

The Juggling and Card Skills course forms part of the College of Magic’s community training programme, a project funded with a grant of R500 000 from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) which supports disadvantaged students.   The ‘Hope in Flight’ community programme is an extension of the College’s successful Magic in the Community programme, which provides young people from poor communities with the opportunity to participate in an innovative performing arts training and development programme and promote a platform for the understanding and affirmation of South Africa’s cultural diversity.   

The College of Magic is thrilled to be commencing the next phase of its ‘Magic in the Community’ programme with the Imibala Trust:  

“The Imibala Trust has a strong community and youth development focus which makes them the perfect partner to help launch this phase of our programme and share the wonder of magic with a new generation of magic students. We look forward to motivating and inspiring the youth alongside them”, says David Gore, director of the College of Magic.   

Clare Jeffrey of Imibala Trust concurs:

“Magic has the ability to unite people, especially children, from all backgrounds. The College of Magic has a proven successful record of promoting diversity and unification through their teaching and we are committed to implementing this practice into our programmes.”  

A portion of the generous NLC grant has been used to appoint Dyantyi, a 2015 South African Magic Championships Grand Prix winner and a charming illusionist from Khayelitsha, who has performed all over the world, including China, USA, UK, Croatia and Italy, as the Magic in the Community coordinator.  

The talented performer can’t wait for the Juggling and Card Skills course to begin:  

“Kick-starting our “Magic in the Community’ project in the Helderberg area is so exciting! I can’t wait to meet my new students and help them develop their self-confidence. I have so much to teach them about the amazing world of magic”, says Dyantyi.  

The NLC relies on funds from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act guides the way in which NLC funding may be allocated. The intention of NLC funding is to make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially those more vulnerable and to improve the sustainability of the beneficiary organisations. Available funds are distributed to registered and qualifying non-profit organisations in the fields of charities; arts, culture and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLC contributes to South Africa’s development.  

“We support the College of Magic’s vision for improving the lives of disadvantaged youth through the art of magic and are proud to be associated with the Magic in the Community and rural programme. We look forward to seeing how these programmes and our contribution can positively influence their futures”, says Ms. Marcelle Musson, the NLC Provincial Manager of the Western Cape.   Please visit the National Lotteries Commission website www.nlcsa.org.za to find out about the NLC mandate and other projects they fund.  

Calling all aspirant mini-magicians in the Helderberg area:  

Youngsters, between 10 and 15 years old, keen to learn the wondrous art of magic, are invited to  join the College of Magic’s Juggling and Card Skills course, to be held weekly for six weeks at the Imibala Trust’s premises in Bright Street, Somerset West from Thursday 4 May to Thursday 8 June, 2017 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm.  

For families who can afford, the fees are R1200 and include notes and magical equipment, which will be provided by the College of Magic.   Registration for the Juggling and Card Skills course is now open. Please email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 021 852 0418.    

For more information about the College of Magic and its social outreach initiatives, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com.  

Portion of funds to be used to appoint SA magician Olwethu Dyantyi as project coordinator  

The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has awarded the College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, a substantial grant of R500 000 to roll out its successful Magic in the Community  project to rural areas in the Western Cape.  

The College of Magic, now in its 37th year of teaching the magic theatrical performing arts and its allied arts (including juggling, puppetry, mime and clowning), with a social and like- skills component  to children and adults, is a non-profit organisation and the only one of its kind in the world.  

In addition to boosting the College of Magic’s training efforts, the NLC grant will assist the College in sharing the wonder of magic with youth from poor communities, through its Magic in the Community programme and the development of a new rural areas programme.  

The College launched the Magic in the Community project in 2000 as a means of providing young people from poor communities with the opportunity to participate in an innovative performing arts training and development programme and promote a platform for the understanding and affirmation of South Africa’s cultural diversity.   

The new rural project will see the College grow its reach to the rural areas of the West Coast, Winelands and the Overberg during 2017:  

“The pressing need for innovative interventions to transform and empower our youth, equip them with employable skills and give them hope for the future is well known. Thanks to the generosity of the National Lotteries Commission, expanding this project to the greater Cape is now possible and we are so thankful”, says David Gore, director of the College of Magic.  

Plans for the rural areas programme includes actively recruiting new students from outlying areas,  opening up the possibility of joining the College of Magic’s six year magical training and development programme available to them as well as providing food, transport and equipment support.  

A portion of the generous NLC grant has been used to appoint renowned South African magician and the face of world-famous beverage brand Coca Cola’s global relaunch campaign, Olwethu Dyantyi, as the Magic in the Community coordinator.  

A 2015 South African Magic Championships Grand Prix winner and a charming illusionist from Khayelitsha, who has performed all over the world, including China, USA, UK, Croatia and Italy, Dyantyi is a natural choice for the role. His new responsibilities will include the co-ordination of the Magic in the Community programme and setting up and running the rural areas programme.  

Dyantyi is thrilled with his captivating new role:  

“Learning and performing magic has changed my life and given me the chance to see the world. I can’t wait to share my magical knowledge with eager new students in the community and help them realise their own dreams! ” says the excited magician.  

The NLC relies on funds from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act guides the way in which NLC funding may be allocated. The intention of NLC funding is to make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially those more vulnerable and to improve the sustainability of the beneficiary organisations. Available funds are distributed to registered and qualifying non-profit organisations in the fields of charities; arts, culture and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLC contributes to South Africa’s development.  

“We support the College of Magic’s vision for improving the lives of these disadvantaged youth through the art of magic and are proud to be associated with the Magic in the Community and rural areas programme. We look forward to seeing how these programmes and our contribution positively influence their futures”, says Ms. Marcelle Musson, the NLC Provincial Manager of the Western Cape.  

Please visit the National Lotteries Commission website www.nlcsa.org.za to find out about the NLC mandate and other projects they fund.  

For more information about the College of Magic and its social outreach initiatives, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480.

Following a record sold-out run in 2016, the “Imagine! Family Magic Spectacular”, South Africa’s BIGGEST magic show returns to dazzle Capetonian families at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town on Saturday 3 June, 2017 at 2:30 pm.  

The Spectacular will feature a charming ensemble of more than 50 of the nation’s top children’s entertainers, illusionists, jugglers, mimes, clowns and more and will once again be presented by the College of Magic, the Mother City’s only magical arts organisation.  

An afternoon of incredible illusions and dazzling magic awaits audiences at this magical extravaganza unlike any other. This wondrous escape into a world of fantastical make believe is guaranteed winter family fun for the young and young at heart!  

The College of Magic, the only organisation of its kind in the world, has been teaching the art of magic and its allied arts as well as vital life-skills to children and adults alike since 1980.  

“We were astounded by the success of the Imagine! Family Magic Spectacular last year and the audience’s desire to see the impossible made possible! We look forward to entertaining you with a bigger and even better show in June”, says College of Magic director David Gore.  

Proceeds from the show will be used in aid of the organisation’s Umlingo Outreach initiative which provides holistic life skills to young people in need.  

Tickets for the “Imagine! Family Magic Spectacular” at the Artscape Theatre on Saturday 3 June, 2017 are vanishing quickly. Tickets are available from R160 with discounts for family bookings. Book yours TODAY at Computicket.  

For more information about the show and the College of Magic, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480.

College’s largest intake of youngsters enjoy their first day of magic school

A wand handover ceremony, a whirlwind mansion tour and the recital of the mysterious Magician’s Code amazed more than sixty of Cape Town’s aspiring magicians as they began their magical education at the College of Magic in Claremont on Saturday 28 January, 2017.

The Mother City’s brightest young wizards-to-be, from ages 10 to 16, and hailing from Gugulethu to Grassy Park, Hout Bay and more, have the proud distinction of being the College’s largest new student intake in its nearly 40 year history. 

Forget Hogwarts’ hat sorting ceremony - at the College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, the wizarding newbies are sorted into Course One and  the Magic and Showmanship Course where they will be taught the basics of magic, presentation skills, patter, and how to entertain an audience. 

Course One runs for 15 weeks while the Magic and Showmanship Course is 30 weeks long. Lessons are held on Saturdays during the school term. 

The first day of lessons included a look behind the wizard’s curtain as the students were led on a tour of the College of Magic’s mysterious Victorian manor. In addition to providing host classrooms for more than 200 students each Saturday, the century old building is home to Africa’s largest magical museum, the continent’s premier magic shop and the wondrous Imagination Centre where the College’s popular festivals and events are held. 

One of this year’s impressive recruits is ten-year-old Kiara Davids, a former marching band enthusiast, from Grassy Park. The multi-talented prodigy is thrilled to be learning magic: 

“I think magic is incredible and I can’t wait to come back to the College every week to learn something cool!” 

Hout Bay’s Samuel Peters (12) has loved magic since the age of 2 and has been watching magic tricks on YouTube because he’s been too young to join the College of Magic before. Now that he is of age and a College student, he is eager to fulfill his magical dreams: 

“I’ve learnt some pretty mind blowing tricks on my first day at the College and I can’t wait to learn more so that I can be as amazing as world-famous magician Dynamo, my magical role model”, says the youngster. 

In addition to teaching magic effects, the College offers a variety of the allied arts (juggling, mime and clowning, puppetry). A rising juggling star is Anathi Fodo(10), from Gugulethu who, on his first day, was already impressing fellow students and teachers with his gravity-defying clubs routine: 

“Juggling is one of the better known allied arts and I want to be the best in it. I’m looking forward to improving my balancing skills over the next few months!” said the dexterous youth. 

Much like the amazing world of Harry Potter, performing magic is passed down through generations of a family like Hout Bay’s mother and daughter magical duo Leonie Mollentze, a College of Magic alumnus, and Heidi van Wyk. 

Heidi (10), who attends Kronendal Primary and is a budding synchronised swimming star, is following in her mom’s trained magician footsteps this year: “My mom does amazing children’s magic like balloon modelling and vanishing effects, but I really want to learn all of the dazzling card magic tricks, as well as ventriloquism. I can’t wait to get started!” 

The mischievous foursome and their new classmates had just enough time during their first lesson to choose a magic wand and learn their first wand effect of the year - how to make the wand float - before reciting the all-important Magician’s Code. The code, amongst other things, is a promise to never reveal the secrets of magic to “muggles”! 

The College of Magic, which has been teaching the theatrical performing art of magic and its allied arts as well as vital life-skills to children and adults since 1980, is pleased with the first day’s new student turnout: 

“We’ve been amazed at the high rate of registration this year and the number of learners who are eager to learn the art of performing magic. I can promise our new students that they are in for the most amazing experience of their lives!” says David Gore, the director of the College of Magic.

Registration for the second intake of Course One for the year will open in July 2017. For more information about the College of Magic, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call 27(0)21 683 5480.

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.

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.

This winter school holiday, families are invited to experience endless childlike wonder with their little ones at the 2016 Traditional Children's Magic Festival in Claremont, Cape Town from Wednesday 29 June to Saturday 2 July, 2016. 

It is non-stop thrilling indoor fun as the College of Magic, the Mother City's only magical arts organisation, once again hosts this four day programme of unbelievable magic shows by more than 50 of the city's top magicians, jugglers, clowns, escapologists and more.

 From the must-visit magical Photo Booth for a memorable family photo session and hands-on magical training workshops to exhilarating game stations and amazing performances by special guest artists, this year's Festival is not-to-be-missed! 

A ticket to this affordable family experience includes an enchanting walkabout through the College's century-old building with numerous surprises waiting around the next secret door; a meet-and-greet session with our resident magical bunny; a surprise-filled goodie bag for each visitor and so much more. 

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 cannot wait to welcome mini-magic fanatics and their loved ones to its mysterious Victorian manor in Claremont:

"Each year we see hundreds of Cape Town's families flock to the Festival, eager to be entertained and captivated by our large troupe of amazing performers. The 2016 event is bigger, better and even more magical than ever before so escape the blistering cold and join us for this heart-warming, must-attend family event "says David Gore, director of the College of Magic. 

The Festival will be held at the College of Magic, 215 Imam Haron Road in Claremont, with the two-hour show programme running daily at 10:30 am and again at 2:30 pm.

Get your tickets and experience the wonder of magic …

Tickets for the 2016 Traditional Children’s Magic Festival are from R80 and include a free goodie bag. Book yours TODAY at www.collegeofmagic.com/tickets.

For more information about the festival and the College of Magic, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480.

Residents of Galeshewe in Kimberley are in for a spectacular treat when the Kimberley Entertainers Club presents its free must-see show at the Mayibuye Centre on Wednesday 15 June, 2016 at 2h30pm.

A special performance to celebrate the youth, this show which includes magical illusions,fun, juggling and theatrics, will feature a host of special guest entertainers including Siyanda Tofile from Cape Town and Luzuko Bedi, a bronze medalist in the South African National Magic Championships.

The Kimberley Entertainers Club, an extracurricular programme for the city’s youth that is sponsored by The National Lottery Commission, meets every Wednesday and is run by the College of Magic, a Cape Town based non profit organisation.

The Club’s programme is coordinated by teaching staff from Cape Town and designated community leaders who are introducing learners to the fascinating world of the entertaining performance arts.

“In an age where creativity, leadership  and entrepreneurship play such an important role in the lives of young people, learning to perform the theatrical arts is an exciting way to develop a multiplicity of these essential skills. Public performances like the the show on 15 June gives these aspirant entertainers amazing opportunities to hone their skills and they cannot wait to perform for the public”, says  David Gore, director of the College of Magic and founder of the Kimberley Entertainers Club.

Now in its sixth year, the Kimberley College of Magic programme is funded in 2016 by the National Lottery Commission and co-ordinated by the College of Magic, a non-profit organisation,based in Claremont, Cape Town. Participating in the programme has  opened employment opportunities for many of the students.

The public is invited to attend the not-to-be-missed special Kimberley Entertainers Club ‘s performance at the Mayibuye Centre on Wednesday 15 June, 2016 at 2h30pm. Entrance is free.

For more information about the show and the Kimberley Entertainers Club, please +27 (0)21 683 5480 or visit www.colllegeofmagic.com