From the President’s Desk: A Global Update for Skål International Cape Town
Dear Members of the Best Club in South Africa,
It is with great pleasure and pride that I write to you from Kenya with updates on Cape Town business and friendship over the past few weeks. We currently have a few Cape Town members in Kenya actively promoting our “World’s Best City” destination, and it serves as a wonderful reminder of the Skål friendship and bonds we share – meeting all over the world, standing united as Cape Town members, telling the stories of our city and our fellow members, and spreading the word of our fantastic organisation.
At the outset, I would like to apologise for the lengthy update: but our club remains extremely active, visible, and globally engaged to ensure that our local chapter and city continues to gain major exposure and recognition.
While we entered the Skål International World Congress as one of the top three clubs in the world, I must report that we came a strong second – a position we remain proud of.
For Skål International Club of the Year, we shared the podium with Mérida, who won Club of the Year, and Sydney, who came third. I can confidently confirm, however, that we are the most visible and well-known global city club in the organisation – and have certainly won the hearts of our fellow international members. We received immense support from clubs across the world.
In the true spirit of our united global tourism family, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mérida on their award, and thank President Gonzalo Novelo Luján and his committee for their remarkable efforts to promote global unity in tourism. Like Cape Town, they continue to make an impact and lead by example as an active and engaged club.
Global Visibility
Looking back over the past few weeks, it would be remiss not to express my gratitude to the Skål International Berlin and Hamburg committees for their incredible hospitality during my recent visit to Germany. Since our last newsletter, where I met with the Aachen, Munich, and Nuremberg team – from there I had the honour of engaging with the Berlin club in a magnificent setting at the South African Embassy in Berlin.
Read more about Strengthening Skål Connection in Berlin here.
This gathering enabled meaningful engagement between German and South African delegates, as well as tourism professionals and officials – exchanging stories, ideas, and promoting travel between our regions. The meeting also gave us the opportunity to highlight Skål’s values of “Doing Business Among Friends” and to present the upcoming 2026 World Congress, to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay under the leadership of Salome Clack’s committee.
Following the Berlin engagement, Cape Town had the profound opportunity to reconnect and rekindle our friendship with Skål International Hamburg – our first twinned city.
Read more about rekindling an international friendship here.
Our Cape Town committee also had the privilege of reciprocating this hospitality when we welcomed Skål International Hamburg Vice President Lena Lütke Deckenbrock to Cape Town. She enjoyed a comfortable Cape Town hosted stay at the V&A Waterfront and joined several of our committee members for an afternoon of fine South African wine and wonderful conversation.
These international engagements are vital in extending the greetings of our members to fellow clubs around the world and reinforcing Cape Town’s global standing.
Community Involvement and Local Impact
During September, our Cape Town chapter installed a Pink Rescue Buoy in partnership with the NSRI, demonstrating our members’ commitment to being active and valuable participants in our industry and community. Cape Town, as a coastal city, attracts locals and visitors to our sometimes dangerous shoreline.
We are deeply honoured to contribute to public safety and to the creation of a city where all visitors can enjoy our beautiful natural spaces responsibly and safely.
NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy sponsored by Skål International Cape Town, located at Blaauwberg Beach.
Learn more about the Skål Cape Town & NSRI partnership.
Tourism Connex: Celebrating Our Industry
September also saw our successful Tourism Connex event – a joint World Tourism Day celebration in partnership with Women in Tourism Western Cape and Cape Town Tourism. This vibrant event coincided with the World Congress in Cusco, Peru, and brought together members from all three associations to celebrate our shared industry and the incredible people who make it thrive.
World Congress – Cusco, Peru
The Skål International World Congress in Cusco was a major success and reaffirmed the strong reputation of our Cape Town club and its members on the global stage. Over five days, 300 international delegates from 33 countries gathered for meetings, discussions, and celebrations – charting the path forward for a Skål that is future-fit, member-focused, and impactful in bridging business and friendship with real results.
We have circulated feedback from the World Congress and the Club of the Year voting process, and I encourage all members to review the AGA reports.
Recognition and Congratulations
Fresh from the World Congress, we are delighted to celebrate the Skålleague of the Year 2025: Michael Collins of Skål International Perth, one of our twinned cities. This prestigious international award recognises his outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the Skål community. It follows his earlier national recognition as Skålleague of the Year for Skål International Australia in March 2025. We extend our warmest congratulations to Michael on behalf of our committee and members.
I would also like to extend my personal heartfelt congratulations to our Cape Town Immediate Past President and current Skål International South Africa Vice President, Dawn Smith, on receiving the Skål Order of Merit, awarded by World President Denise Scrafton. Denise visited our city during WTM Africa 2025 and personally presented this honour during the World Congress – recognising Dawn’s exceptional passion, commitment, and hard work – qualities that reflect her deep love for both Cape Town and the broader Skål community.
The award is richly deserved, and we thank Dawn for her invaluable contribution to our club and to Skål South Africa.
Left Photo: Membre d’Honneur Carol Bayne with Skål International Perth President Michael Collins
Right Photo: Skål International Cape Town Vice President Aimee Lentz, President Johan van Schalkwyk, and Past President and Skål International South Africa Vice President, Dawn Smith
Upcoming Events
Thank you to all who attended our recent Business Breakfast at the Commodore Hotel. Please also take note of our upcoming rebranded Marketplace, hosted at Lagoon Beach Hotel, and our inaugural Golf Day: get in touch to register a four-ball or sponsor a hole. We have a massive Hole-in-One prize waiting to be won!
Read more about the Skål Cape Town Golf Day Prize here.
May you all continue to find valuable business through incredible friendship.
Warm regards,
Johan van Schalkwyk
President – Skål International Cape Town
October Birthday Celebrations
