Dear Skål International Cape Town Member – Check out our latest newsletter
ALL THINGS AGA
As always, to the Members of the Best Club in the World,
From Cape Town with a stopover in Durban to Izmir, Turkey
First and foremost, Skål Cape Town held its AGA on the 29th of October. Congratulations to our incoming President for 2025, Johan van Schalkwyk, and Vice President, Aimee Lentz. Both industry leaders in Tourism and truly deserving to take the reins of the largest Skål Club in South Africa.
Cape Town Office Bearers And Committee 2025
The Current and Incoming Skål International Cape Town Committee L-R: Karin Anne Schmidt, Mandi Jarman, Colleen Rens, Heinz Erwee, Imike Crouse, Anne Lamb, Skål Cape Town President Dawn Smith, Hiliary Van Wyk, Kevin Robinson and Skål Cape Town Jnr Vice-President Aimee Lentz.
SKÅL CAPE TOWN
Committee Member Of The Year 2024
A huge thank you to Imike Crouse for her dedicated efforts on the committee over the last year.
NATIONAL AGA
Hosted by Skål Durban
14 September 2024
National Office Bearers And Committee elected for 2025
In true Durban style, the gala dinner was a Bollywood scene, and Durban President Terry and her team certainly know how to throw a party.
PHOTOS FROM THE NATIONAL AGA
INTERNATIONAL AGA
Hosted by Skål Izmir, Türkiye 🇹🇷
New International Office Bearers
President 2025: Denise Scrafton
Vice President 2025 & President Elect 2026: Andres Hayes
Denise Scrafton Andres Hayes
83RD SKÅL INTERNATIONAL WORLD CONGRESS
Hosted by Skål Izmir, Türkiye 🇹🇷
The South African contingent attending the opening ceremony.
Three South African Skål members proudly scooped Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards at the 83rd World Congress in Izmir.
South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance – Land and Marine Biodiversity Award
Tales from Africa Travel – Tour Operators and Travel Agents Award
And most proudly, Cape Town’s very own Aquila Collection won a sustainability award for the second time, this year for:
Aquila Private Game Reserve – Major Tourist Attractions Award
I had a completely different perspective of certain aspects of the international congress due to having a Young Skål Professional attend with me. Ruvarashe represented Aquila Collection to collect their sustainability award but aside from that did Skål Cape Town proud. Her interactions with Skålleagues on any level and of every age were truly commendable.
She shone the light on how active Skål Cape Town is in driving Future Skål into the spotlight. A brief insight from Ruvarashe.
Young Professional’s Perspective on Congress by Rue
“This year’s Skål World Congress was absolutely amazing. As a young professional in the industry, it felt like the biggest Skål lunch with endless networking opportunities. The connections made were incredible, and it was my first congress, so I was completely blown away. I had the privilege of being one of just three young Skål professionals, and it really left me feeling invigorated and inspired. I’m excited to continue growing within the Skål International Cape Town club and look forward to getting even more young Skålleagues involved in future congresses. The energy, opportunities and friendships at Congress were unmatched”
– Ruvarashe Zimuto
Young Skål Professionals at Congress: L-R: Gonzalo Novelo Jr (President of Young Skål Mérida, Mexico), Ruvarashe Zimuto (Skål Cape Town, South Africa) and Moritz Freise (President of Skål Berlin, Germany).
Incoming and outgoing Skål World Presidents: L-R: Carol Bayne (Skål Cape Town Membre d’Honneur), Annette Cardenas (Skål World President 2024), Denise Scrafton (Skål World President 2025) and Dawn Smith (Skål Cape Town President).
An annual event at congress is the celebration of our Membre d’Honneur Carol Bayne’s birthday.
Incoming and outgoing Skål World Presidents: L-R: Guner Guney (Skål Izmir President), Annette Cardenas (Skål World President 2024) and Carol Bayne (Skål Cape Town Membre d’Honneur)
Connecting with our twinning club, Michael Collins from Perth, Australia 🇦🇺
TWINNING WITH SKÅL IZMIR, TÜRKIYE 🇹🇷
It was a fabulous experience to visit past Skål Cape Town members en route to Congress. I stopped in Scotland at Dunkeld House to catch up with Angela Lorimar.
Skål Cape Town Members at JAMMS
Tourism Connex at Spyced
Ensuring Future Skål
As part of the drive to ensure continuation within our industry Skål Cape Town has pledged R20 000 toward a third year student’s studies from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). We have a long standing relationship with CPUT, many studdents have been placed in members properties and we have done Skal presentations on campus.
Further to that Skal International has recognized the Cape Town Club’s efforts within Young Skal.
Skal International’s Membership Development Fund and Young Skal committee have launched a remarkable scholarship initiative, supporting the education and development of the next generation of travel and tourism professionals.
This year 5 deserving students have been awarded a one-time scholarship, recognising their incredible resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Despite facing significant challenges, these students have demonstrated unwavering dedication to their studies and a passion for the travel and tourism industry and serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work.
Among the five scholarship awardees globally, two talented students from The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, pursuing a Diploma in Tourism Management, stood out for their academic excellence and dedication to the tourism industry.
Skal International Cape Town is proud to announce it’s continued support for the CPUT students through:
By investing in their education and development of these deserving students, Skal International is:
1. Shaping the future of the travel and tourism industry
2. Inspiring a new generation of leaders
3. Fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of these scholarships and invite you to join us in supporting g the next generation of travel and tourism professionals to our incredible organisation.
NEW MEMBERS
The Best Club In The World Is Continually Growing
From Left to Right: Cheryl-Ann Doveton, Glynnis Lategan, Nardus Buys, Sphindile Xulu, Skal Cape Town President Dawn Smith, Jeff Rosenberg, Gerhard Van Zyl and Jacky Lourens.
Skål Nelson Mandela Bay to host the 2026 Skål International World Congress.
Salome Clack and her committee delivered an incredibly professional and heartwarming presentation during the AGA in Izmir.
Skålleagues Across the World
Skål Cape Town members Jonathan Lechtman and Charalize Craill both attended IMEX Las Vegas, a prominent trade show for the global meetings, events, and incentive travel industry.
Stay connected via Whatsapp with all things Skål Cape Town
We’re creating a dedicated WhatsApp Group for Skål Cape Town members. This group will be used exclusively for notifications from the Skål Committee, keeping you updated on events and important Skål announcements.
Participation is completely voluntary. If you prefer not to be part of the group, you’re welcome to leave at any time.
Birthdays
CELEBRATING MEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Christmas Dinner Dance
🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁
My wish for each and every Skål member worldwide,
Unending HAPPINESS
Abundant GOOD HEALTH
Meaningful FRIENDSHIPS
Fulfilling LONG LIFE
Skål
Dawn Smith
President Skål International Cape Town
