To the Spectacular Members of the Best Club in The World,
It feels like I need at least 2 newsletters for all the news, accolades, awards and events since the last newsletter! To say the last few weeks have been an adventure would be the understatement of 2022!
I sometimes feel that perhaps not all our members understand the magnitude and reach of the organisation that we are a part of. I would like to embark going forward on providing more information on what the association does and can do globally.
I am going to attempt to do the events of the past few weeks chronologically – forgive any omissions or errors as there is just so much to share.
The October lunch at Ginja was well attended with a phenomenal guest speaker – Wahida Parker, the Managing Director from The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, lots of raffle prizes and business amongst friends.
Thank you to Heinrich and his team for a well executed and thoroughly enjoyable event. Thanks to all who attended, sponsored prizes and to Tish from Cape Town Gin for the awesome tastings as well as Excelsior for the sponsored wines. We also have new family members that were inducted at the lunch – a very warm Cape Town Club welcome to
Charalize Craille-Hendrie -Trade Relations Executive: Aquila Collection
Heidi Wahl-Coetzee – Brand & Marketing Manager: First Diamonds
Jessica Smit – CEO: White Shark Projects
Straight after that event was the International Skål Congress in Opatjia, Croatia. I would urge all our members to explore the possibility of attending an International Skal Congress. It’s open to any Skål member worldwide and an experience that embodies the true Skal spirit in ways that are not possible to convey. 5 days of meetings, events, information, introductions, parties and celebrations.
The Cape Town & Cape Winelands contingent were en route to Opatjia with the Skål Izmir President and PCO for the Congress to be held there in 2024. We have accepted a challenge to have at least 50 South African Skålleagues at the Congress in 2024 – WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
South Africa was present in full force and as always noticeable at every event and occasion, including awards and accolades. Travelling with fellow Skålleagues and so many of our SA Club Presidents in attendance was an absolute pleasure and honour.
SOUTH AFRICAN’S in full force!
Every event and occasion was exactly that – an occasion. The organisers of the Congress cannot be faulted on any single aspect of this Congress, it was seamless, elegant and ran with military precision. I have to mention that I have a new found respect for our current International President, Burcin Turkkan, the AGA was run professionally and result driven. President Burcin must have been stopped 5 million times for a picture / selfie / opinion, which she accepted and did with utmost grace.
The opening ceremony was extremely touching and I hope many of our members were able to attend virtually. We made every effort to ensure we were visible and vocal.
As always South Africa was on stage and safe to say Cape Town made our presence felt.
That said – Huge Congratulations to Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary – Cape Town for winning the International Skal Sustainability Awards in the Countryside and Biodiversity Category.
Runner up in the Urban Accommodation segment was Vida Nova Skål – International Garden Route
During the Congress days we managed to connect with and handover gifts all the way from Cape Town to all our Twinning Clubs – Hamburg, Melbourne and Perth.
With President Burcin and Michael Collins from Skål Perth
Further awards presented to South Africa during the Congress week:
Winners of Presidential Appreciation Awards
Fiona Angelico, Carol Bayne, Benita Bezuidenhout, Riaan Jordan, Vernon Kirsten
Presentation of Trophies to Committees’ Chairmen
Training & Education: Lavonne Wittmann (Africa)
And last but most certainly not least – I am not sure how many clubs in the world have members that have been awarded with the highest Skål accolade in our organisation – Membre d’Honneur. It is with extreme honour and pride that I can say Carol Bayne was awarded the recognition as Membre d’Honneur at the President’s Gala Dinner.
Cape Town now has two members that have been awarded this prestigious award – one more time …..
Deputy Auditor: Denis Smith, from Canada
President Elect: Juan Steta from Mexico
Senior Vice President: Annette Cardenas from Panama
Vice President: Denise Scrafton from Australia
Director: Marja Eela-kaskinen from Finland
Director: Andres Hayes from United States
Director: Mohan Msn from India
Auditor: Katica Hauptfeld from Croatia
South African delegation with incoming Skal World President – Juan Steta
The benefits of being a Skål member were proven over and over for me on this trip. The hospitality and welcomes were unprecedented. Carol and I were invited to attend the Antalya Skål lunch and the Club President Ugursal Ugur actually moved their event date to fit in with our itineraries. The event was spectacular, and we were treated like royalty. I was fortunate to be able to address the Antalya Skal Club (an interpreter was on hand as my Turkish is limited if not bordering on non existent).
Next stop was Swandor Topkapi Place Hotel as guests of Cape Town Skål member, Michael Hunter-Smith.
The venue, Awards dinner and overall experience was out of this world. Aside from that we have a full page editorial for Skål International in the Luxury Awards magazine and of course the Cape Town Club prominently mentioned.
Click here for a link to the article in the magazine.
Meanwhile back at home – The Annual Skal Cape Town Workshop was as always, a huge success from a networking and business perspective. My heartfelt thanks to Carol Bayne for all the effort and dedication she pours into this every year. The rest of the Cape Town Committee – my gratitude and immense appreciation for all the assistance and effort to make the Workshop a success. Best Club in The World Committee!
As always My wish for each and every Skål member worldwide
Hugs of HAPPINESS
Immense GOOD HEALTH
Forever FRIENDSHIPS
And Content LONG LIFE!
Skål
Dawn Smith
President Skål International Cape Town
