A Note from Skål Cape Town President Johan van Schalkwyk
It is the festive season, and you are most probably not even at your desk or checking your email. I am seeing a flurry of WhatsApp messages and email bursts of “copy and paste” festive wishes.
I hope this email does not find its way to your spam folder as just another forwarded wish, but is received as a genuine letter of thanks for the Skål camaraderie we have shared over the last 12 months, and a sincere wish for a successful tourism season.
Photo Above: Skål International Cape Town Committee at the rebranded Skål International Cape Town Travel Trade Marketplace 2025
I do not wish to burden you with a long email of updates; therefore, we have summarised the Club and International activities over the last few weeks for you to read further below.
Our year-end function in the heart of tourism in Africa – our most visited tourist attraction, the V&A Waterfront – was a fantastic get-together. It was wonderful to see active members, welcome new faces, and reconnect with members who have had a very busy year but still made the time to show face and share the Skål toast with us.
Photo Above: Our beloved Auntie Anne Lamb, Skål International Cape Town President Johan van Schalkwyk, and new incoming Cape Town Secretary Hiliary van Wyk.
As we send this last email of the year, I must thank Anne Lamb – or “Auntie Anne” as she is affectionately known in the Skål community – for her 25 years of service to Skål International Cape Town as a committee member and secretary.
Anne, we look forward to welcoming you to future events as a retired committee member – free of duties – to simply enjoy the camaraderie and friendship of our great organisation.
We salute your efforts not only in Skål but in the wider tourism sector. Your work has made a deep impact on South African tourism for many, many years – dating back to your time with SATOUR – and as they say, the rest is history.
Upcoming Events
As we look ahead to the new year, we’re excited to start with momentum at our first networking event for 2026, hosted at the stunning Rooftop Bar at the Rockefeller Hotel. Be sure to secure your seat!
With that, dear members: may your buses be full, your beds and pillows occupied, your seats taken, your kitchens busy, your teams smiling, and your guests happy while visiting the most beautiful city in the world.
Yours in Skål,
Johan van Schalkwyk
President – Skål International Cape Town
January Birthday Celebrations
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