Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
*. The hosting by Durban of the Commonwealth Games in July 2022 has been announced, the first time that the Games will be held in Africa. The city had no competitive bidders, as Edmonton had withdrawn its bid earlier this year. Athletes from more than 50 countries are expected to compete, mainly in the Moses Mabhida Stadium and at the Rachel Finlayson Swimming Complex. The Games are expected to generate R20 billion, at a cost of R12 billion.
* SAA reduced its losses by almost half in the first five months of its new financial year. Business was influenced by Ebola, the weak exchange rate, very competitive trading conditions, and finance costs. On EWN News on Kfm today the airline’s Chief Financial Officer Wolf Meyer blamed some of the revenue decline on the new Visa regulations, 400 passengers having to be left behind at their departing airports due to unacceptable paperwork in August.
* Woolworths has appointed Zyda Rylands as its CEO, heading up the Clothing and Food Divisions in South Africa and Africa. She has been with the company for 20 years. She has substantially influenced the turnover of the Foods Division, and is said to have a good understanding of the retailer’s customers’ needs.
*. Uber has created more than 2000 jobs and done 2 million trips since launching in South Africa, it told MPs. The laws of our country however are inhibiting the growth of the industry, the National Land Transport Act being outdated and needing updating. The service was not strictly speaking a ‘metered taxi service‘. Uber is applying for credit on behalf of its drivers so that they can buy cars, and is assisting them in applying for licences.
* The 25th anniversary of the Veritas Awards will be celebrated at Azure Restaurant at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa on 28 September. At the 4-course dinner Veritas Gold and Double Gold winning wines will be paired with a meal created by Chef Christo Pretorius. The Veritas Awards is the ‘oldest and most authoritative wine show‘. (received via media release from Marlene Truter Communications)
* [spasie] has released its program of chefs cooking at its underground restaurant on Church Street in Cape Town in September. Chefs Kyle Knight and Gabi Veale, who have cooked at Bizerca Bistro, The Foodbarn, The Belmond Mount Nelson, and Babington House in the UK, will cook on 10 and 11 September; Chef Steffen Olivier from The Chef’s Bench cooks on 17 and 18 September; and Societi Bistro Chef Steffen Marais is in the kitchen on 24 and 25 September. (received via media release from [spasie])
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Tel (021) 433-2100 Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
20
3070
27k
20