Archive for August, 2011

“The Cape Town Green Map is proud to have been a part of the award winning 2010 Green Goal program, the environmental programme for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup that was held in South Africa in June/July 2010. Recognition from the IOC is a huge honor and has ensured that host City Cape Town’s 2010 Green Goal programme really sets the standard for “Greening” large sporting events into the future”

From Lorraine Gerrans, project coordinator fo the 2010 Green Goal Prgramme, “I am delighted to share with you the good news that the Host City Cape Town 2010 Green Goal programme has won the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport and Environment Award. The winners were announced during the opening ceremony of the 9th IOC Conference on Sport and Environment in Doha, Qatar on Saturday night.
The Host City Cape Town Green Goal programme was nominated by FIFA in its capacity as a sporting federation affiliated with the IOC. Nominations were only accepted from National Olympic Committees and international federations affiliated with the IOC. The nomination of Host City Cape Town was supported by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Commission (SASCOC).
This award is for each Green Goal team member who played their part to ensure that the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Cape Town is an environmentally responsible event. Our efforts have been measured against international good practice and were found to be outstanding. You can feel very proud of what we achieved together”.
The official press release:
Olympic Movement Playing for a Greener Future in Doha
The 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment opened today in Doha, Qatar with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presenting six organisations with the IOC Sport and Environment Award for their outstanding contributions in the field of sustainable sport and the environment.
The Conference, taking place from 30 April to 2 May under the motto “Playing for a Greener Future,” is jointly organised by the IOC and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Qatar, in close partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Representatives from the world of sport, industry, sponsors, the United Nations and NGOs will address issues related to environmental responsibility and sport in plenary and breakout sessions.
The IOC Sport and Environment Award is presented every two years to members of the Olympic Movement (individuals, groups or organisations) who are nominated by NOCs, International Federations or Continental Associations. This year, 43 candidatures were submitted, with one winner selected for each of the five continents:
Africa: 2010 FIFA World Cup Host City Cape Town
Americas: IX South American Games 2010 Host City Medellin
Asia: Japan Swimming Federation (JASF)
Europe: National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark
Oceania: National Olympic Committee of the Marshall Islands
A special award was given to the NOC of Qatar for its commitment to the environment and sustainable technology, including its goal of delivering zero-carbon, solar technology to cool its 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums and training sites. Click here to learn more about the winners and their projects.
IOC President Jacques Rogge, who gave an opening speech at the Conference, applauded the winners for their dedication to the environment while wishing the assembled delegation a successful three-day event. “Sport is a powerful tool for positive change,” President Rogge said. “Our task is to ensure we use that tool for the benefit of the planet we share. We owe that to ourselves and to the future generations who will inherit this earth. The winners here tonight have embraced this concept and are worthy recipients of the IOC Sport and Environment Award.”
Over the next two days, participants will discuss a range of environment-related topics, including how sport can contribute to the 2012 Rio +20 Earth Summit; ways to locally and globally implement the Olympic Movement’s Agenda 21; how to make sports events more sustainable; how sport can help achieve Goal 7 (environmental sustainability) of the United Nations Development Programme’s Millennium Development Goals; and the role of Olympians in promoting respect for the environment.
“It is a huge honour and a proud moment for the Qatar Olympic Committee to be co-hosting the 9th World Sport and Environment Conference,” said Qatar Olympic Committee General Secretary Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. “The IOC and UNEP have developed an influential Conference over recent years that has stimulated real discussion and provided thought-leadership to the global sports sector. I have no doubt that this will be the case at this year’s Conference.”

A new value driven dining option On the 29th April, Royal Wedding Day, we launch the Savoy Winter Café. A constantly changing two or three course fixed price Bistro menu (including a generous glass of wine) will be served for both lunch and dinner. Savoy Cabbage’s usual menu will also be available…learn more At Savoy Cabbage we have always worked on low wine and drink mark-ups and there are a number of wines on our list under R100.00.
The Savoy Winter Café will offer a very attractive fixed priced menul…learn more PLEASE NOTE THAT SAVOY CABBAGE RESTAURANT’S FULL A LA CARTE MENU WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES.
Savoy Winter Café Opening Menu Available from 29th April 2011 Roasted Tomato and Thyme Soup with a Thyme Grissini Or Beetroot Carpaccio and House made Labnah Salad Fish Cakes with Parsley Sauce and Pea Espuma Or Beer Braised Beef Shin and Leek Pie with Mash Baked Lemon Pudding Or Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding 2 courses 175.00 3 courses 195.00 A 200ml glass of Savoy Café wine is included (Red, Dry White or Rose) Additional Wine R25.00 per glass Savoy Cabbage Restaurant 021 424 2626 Celebrating 13 years of Excellence
www.savoycabbage.co.za

Cape Town’s La Colombe came in at number 82 this year in the San Pellegrino list of the world’s top 100 restaurants.
It also received the awards for the best restaurant in the Middle East and Africa and the Acqua Panna Best Restaurant in South Africa!
A first award for Scot Kirton, head chef since September 2010, this is a remarkable achievement.
La Colombe offers a special Cape Town dining experience. This international recognition is certainly well deserved.
For location and opening hours – check the Food Map
Another feather in Cape Town’s cap is that 2 other local restaurants made in onto the prestigious San Pellegrino list started in 2002 in UK based Restaurant Magazine. The list is based on the opinions and experiences of over 800 international restaurant industry experts. The other two restaurants are Le Quartier Francais and Rust en Vrede – both in the Winelands.

Fairlady’s May edition reminds us that Cape Town has many examples of Art Deco architecture to delight the eye. Anna Rich tracked down a copy of the Art Deco Map as a useful way of finding these treasures in the Mother City. Although now out of print, the good news is that you can still get to see the map and print your own copy by clicking on the picture.
So if you are looking for 10 new things to try, check out the full list in Fairlady. But with the Art Deco Map in hand maybe this will become your number one treat in Cape Town.

Museum of Arts and Design (www.madmuseum.org) made a point of coming to visit the Montebello Design Centre as part of their tour to South Africa. And they were visibly impressed by this development project that is aimed at promoting good local design and using craft for job creation.
The group spent time getting to see the diverse activities and meet some of the artists, crafters and designers that are part of the Montebello experience.
Tessa Graaff – the Director of Montebello spoke about a project with the San and Nama people in the Richtersveldt that was based on their imagery being incorporated into jewellery design. The work could be seen in the Sitali studio housed in the stables.
David Krut personally engaged with the group and told of the many initiatives underway to promote South African art and artists.
The Forge fascinated and Nicholas Lehman gave a short demonstration that made it all look so easy!
Beloved Beadwork attracted the ladies like bees to honey. The exquisitely designed pieces were eagerly admired and coveted.
There was time to wonder around the historic buildings in the uniquely rustic setting that makes Montebello so unique. Time-out included a relaxed coffee beneath the shady trees at Khwalapa or the Gardeners Cottage, while others wasted no time and focused on the treasures at the Craft Shop and Mielie.
Philip Todres of A&C Maps(www.mapsinfo.co.za) played host to this delightful and informed tour group from MAD.

Clifton, on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, is one of Cape Town’s most popular beaches and has now been officially rated among the top 10 seaside spots in the world by a respected international travel website www.expedia.com.au.
Clifton’s series of 4 spectacular beaches is ranked 8th in the world. And 4th beach Clifton already proudly bears the international Blue Flag status (www.blueflag.org and see the Cape Town Green Map). The beach is naturally divided by big boulders, creating the four separate and protected enclaves of pristine white sea sand running down to the clear but notoriously chilly surf. But for sun worshippers, the dip into the cool Atlantic waters, hits the spot!
Expedia speak highly about Clifton’s setting against the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range that forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. It certainly has a special glamour appeal and is the hot spot for the bold and the beautiful. In Cape Town Tourism’s Atlantic Seaboard Map Clifton is also noted as one of the ‘swankiest addresses in South Africa – it’s known as Millionaire’s Mile’.
The rating is a welcome acknowledgment for one of Cape Town’s premier tourist attractions. But there are many other beaches that are deservedly popular spots for holiday makers – and finding your very own top ranking beach is one of summer’s pleasures in the Cape.
www.capetown.travel

It’s that MCQP time of the year again as the city gets ready to party! The theme for this year’s Mother City Queer Party on Saturday 18 December is Flower Power and it’s sure to be a blast. It’s Africa’s largest and craziest costume art-party attracting over 6 000 pink and not-so-pink revellers celebrating creativity and queerness. Now in its 18th year, the party boasts world class music, fabulous decor and breathtaking costumes. And this year it’s being held at the new Cape Town Stadium!
If you want to know more, just go to quick links and hit the MCQP logo. You need to get tickets ASAP!
Photo attached to email Caption: Getting into the Flower Power party vibe

And if it’s MCQP party time, which is smartly endorsed by Cape Town Tourism, it’s also the time for Mr Errol Naidoo to expound his views on Christian values. He was particularly incensed that the tourist authority would target the gay travel market and promote the city as gay friendly. This was immediately conflated to Cape Town Tourism being responsible for – horror of horrors – promoting the Mother City as a Gay Capital. The man has a rather perverse logic and wild leaps of fancy in drawing some very weird conclusions. So it is certainly encouraging to see the number of letters to the editor pointing out his inaccuracies and misinformed attitudes that hardly reflect a sense of true loving kindness.
Nothing can detract from the fact that Cape Town is gay friendly. We are proud of our liberal and liberated South African constitution and delighted that the Mother City in particular is so welcoming of all visitors that come to enjoy our wonderful city.
And as we have pointed out, don’t forget that Cape Town is not only a pink city, but a green one too! The Mother City is only one of four cities in the world to surround a National Park. The Cape Town Green Map showcases the city’s commitment t a sustainable future and focuses on some great green alternative destinations. The map has just won an international 2 leafs Golden Trash Award – read all about it on www.capetowngreenmap.co.za.

You really need to read about the fantastic launch of the new edition of the Cape Town Kids Map during the School Hols.
Follow the action by going to:
Joy-Anne Goodenough’s blog report.
Cape Town Kids blog
Photos by Joy-Anne Goodenough, Portfolio Collection Travel Blog.
Joy-Anne’s album.
City Sightseeing Facebook Page
Pick up a copy or download one now and find out all about child and family friendly Cape Town. The Cape Town Kids Map will also be available nationally in the November issue of Conde Nast House & Garden.

Date: 1 January – 15 January 2011
Venue: The New Work Gallery, 20 Street Name, City
Description: Explores the ways in which Australian photographers from the 1970s until now have approached the idea of place, comparing the politically and conceptually charged Australian landscape photography of the 1970s with more recent experimentations.
Email: joe@soap.co.za

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