Dear Skål International Cape Town members, other global members, and the wider tourism community,
July 2025 was a truly momentous month for our club and for Cape Town, filled with international engagements both at home and abroad.
We had the pleasure of hosting visiting Skålleagues, including Shawn Murray, Vice President of Skål International Philadelphia (below left image), and Skål International Bali Vice President Gideon Fourie and his wife Susi Rahayu (below middle image), who joined us for our twinning celebration.
On the international stage, Cape Town member Colleen Rens connected with Skål International Chiang Mai President Sittipong Wongsomboon while visiting Thailand (below right image). This global outreach and connection truly embodies the Skål spirit, bringing us together through shared purpose and lasting friendships.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SKÅL BONN’S 55TH ANNIVERSARY
Left to Right: Skål International Cape Town President Johan van Schalkwyk, Deputy Mayor of Bonn, Ms. Unterseh, and Skål International Bonn President Annett Reimers.
READ MORE ABOUT THE SKÅL CAPE TOWN-BONN TWINNING HERE
The occasion was marked by simultaneous celebrations in both cities, with a live broadcast from Bonn to our members attending our Cape Town event at the Lagoon Beach Hotel.
The official twinning certificate was signed at the historic Altes Rathaus in Bonn. A particularly moving moment was the presentation of the city’s Golden Book, which was specially brought from the archives for the event and placed under a glass display. The book was opened to the page bearing the signature of former South African President Nelson Mandela from his visit in 1996: a powerful symbol of unity and hope.
SEE THE PICTURES OF THE OFFICIAL TWINNING IN BONN, GERMANY
As I noted in my speech at the ceremony, Germany is one of South Africa’s top tourism source markets, and this twinning relationship presents a great opportunity for both friendship and business. The twinning agreement makes Bonn our fifth twinned city, joining Hamburg, Perth, Melbourne, and Izmir.
During our celebration in Cape Town, we also had the opportunity to expand our membership and welcomed new members to our community. Our Skål family continues to grow, and we were delighted to welcome Kevin Record, who is now part of our vibrant global tourism network.
Left to Right: Skål International Cape Town Vice President Aimee Lentz with Kevin Record
In a further sign of our club’s progress, we were honoured to receive the official Certificate of Outstanding Club Merit from the Skål International Membership Development Committee and Executive Board. This award is a fantastic acknowledgment of our commitment, creativity, and dedication
During July, we have also officially endorsed Kevin Rautenbach for the role of World Vice President in 2026 and President-Elect in 2027. We believe in his proven ability to lead and his vision for “strengthening our fellowship, championing professional growth, and upholding the values that unite us as Skålleagues”.
To cap off this exciting month, our club was nominated as a global finalist for the prestigious Skål Club of the Year award, alongside the clubs of Mérida, Mexico, and Sydney, Australia.
With over 290 Skål clubs in 78 countries, this nomination is a testament to our spirit of doing business among friends and connecting tourism professionals worldwide. Global voting for accredited clubs will take place from 8 to 10 September 2025, and we hope to bring this award home to Cape Town.
WATCH THE SKÅL CAPE TOWN CLUB OF THE YEAR ENTRY VIDEO HERE
We are only halfway through the year, and our local and international engagements are firmly placing Cape Town on the world stage. We have an active tourism community and are achieving great things together, most certainly by doing business among friends.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, we have an exciting line-up of events, starting with our August networking lunch at Tables @ Nitida Wine Farm on Tuesday, 12 August 2025
I will also be attending the international congress in Peru, along with other Cape Town and South Africa members. In October, we have our first annual golf day at Milnerton Golf Club, and in November, we will host our very exciting Travel Trade Marketplace at Lagoon Beach Hotel.
These events are designed to bring our members, Cape Town products, buyers, and wider tourism community closer together to enable even more business among friends.
As we continue to grow and achieve, let’s carry this momentum forward. Our recent milestones show the strength and passion of our members, and the impact we can have together. Let’s keep working to build a stronger, more connected Skål International, united by our purpose and our friendship.
SKÅL!
Yours in friendship and tourism,
JOHAN VAN SCHALKWYK
President – Skål International Cape Town
