Wian van den Berg will be one of the first African celebrities who is part of Binance’s global NFT launch 

Durban, South Africa - Wian van den Berg, Africa’s most famous TikToker with over 13 million followers is exclusively launching his first set of NFTs on Binance NFT, the NFT marketplace of the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world. To mark the launch of Binance’s NFT platform, Wian’s NFT launch will be part of Binance NFT ‘100 Creators’ ,  a new campaign on Binance NFT Marketplace, to support and promote innovative creators from around the world and spotlight exclusive NFT pieces from different cultures.

An NFT stands for “non-fungible token”, which is just a term used to describe a  unique digital asset, whose ownership is tracked on a blockchain. A blockchain is simply a digital ledger that records transactions. NFTs can be any digital file such as an image, video, pdf or a piece of music. NFTs are important as it now provides the opportunity for people to show proof that they own a digital asset. People purchase NFTs as collectibles, financial investments or to back their favourite creators, such as Wian.

Wian’s soon to be announced NFT collection will be the first launched by one of the largest social media influencers in Africa. He is also set to be the first magician in the Southern Hemisphere to sell his own original “how-to” magic trick as an NFT. This exclusive NFT collection launch is in alignment with both successful brands - one is the largest cryptocurrency marketplace globally, while the other is the largest TikToker in Africa.

Through Wian’s NFTs, he hopes to highlight his love of magic and how it is used to entertain, shock and inspire audiences. One of the NFTs that Wian will be launching is a magic trick that he has originally developed. Once sold, to the highest bidder, they will be the only person in the world who will know how to do the trick (unless they reveal it or sell it to another buyer). Various other images and GIFs will be made available as limited editions and aims to distinguish Wian from being a “traditional magician”.

Some of the NFTs purchased will give you access to special perks such as being one of the first people to be part of his soon to be released membership community, getting a personalized video with him, a Zoom or WhatsApp call, free access to his events and being featured on his social media. A portion of the proceeds from each NFT sale will also be donated to charitable causes in education and healthcare in Africa.

“A magician never reveals his secrets, unless he sells it as an NFT!”, says Wian van den Berg, the 25-year-old social media influencer and magician. “I am delighted to work with Shivad Singh and Yoshaan Hariparsaad, the directors of Blue Tick. They have educated me on what NFTs are, their benefits, including the full spectrum solution from NFT conceptualization to the minting process and have brought this amazing opportunity with Binance to the table.”

The NFT campaign hopes to be one of the first of many exclusive drops for Wian on Binance NFT. The NFT market is still in early stages, and Wian van den Berg has the long-term vision that is making him a pioneer influencer in this space, which can inspire other creators to launch their own NFTs and add value to their followers.

Blue Tick Events (Pty) Ltd: Blue Tick is an Influencer management agency that aims to work with the largest social media influencers in Africa and globally. The company provides and executes on “out-of-the box” ideas for them to earn recurring and sustainable income streams and benefit their fans. When it comes to NFTs, Blue Tick is a pioneer in this space with their partnership with Binance. Blue Tick handles the conceptualizations and designs of NFTs, secures exclusive drops for influencers, advises and executes on NFT approaches to maximise value, provides PR and calculates detail projections using actuarial analysis. Furthermore, Blue Tick’s social arm, the Head Start Foundation, is committed towards uplifting those in need by donating a portion of revenues to improve education and healthcare in Africa.

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.

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.

First show sold out, additional show added

The Imagine! Family Magic Spectacular, South Africa’s BIGGEST magic show returns to the charming Artscape Theatre in the Mother City on Saturday 28 May, 2016 and tickets are already vanishing faster that you can say “Abracadabra!”

Presented by the College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, in association with the Artscape Theatre, Imagine! is a  beguiling adventure for the young and the young at heart. Whilst tickets for the first show at 12pm have vanished in a blink of an eye, an additional show at 3pm has been added to the line-up.

A magical extravaganza you’ll never forget, Imagine! features South Africa's top children's entertainers in a fantastical world filled with incredible illusions, dazzling magic, hilarious antics and fun-filled fantasy for the whole family. Boasting a cast of over 50 enthralling illusionists, jugglers, mimes, clowns and more, the show will once again be directed by Chad Findlay.

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 about the public’s palpable excitement for the Imagine! Family Magic Spectacular:

“Magic has an amazing ability to bring people together for an unforgettable experience. To see the overwhelming demand for our show by Cape Town’s families and magic fanatics has been a welcome surprise and we look forward to entertaining all of you at the Artscape Theatre”, 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.

Limited tickets are available for the Imagine! Family Magic Spectacular at the Artscape Theatre on Saturday 28 May, 2016 at 3pm. Tickets are from R130 with discounts for family bookings. Book yours at Computicket before they vanish!For more information about the show and the College of Magic, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480.