Tag Archive for: Cape Town

Andrew Stegmann

Microsoft Set To Build Cloud Data Centers In South Africa

U.S. software giant Microsoft has announced plans to open two new cloud data centers in South Africa, in order to provide Microsoft Cloud services for the African market from centers based on the continent.

These hyperscale data centers will be built in Cape Town and Johannesburg, representing a strategic advantage for Microsoft, as they will be the only top-tier cloud provider with a data center presence in Africa.

With availability of cloud services expected in 2018, the services that will be delivered via the two South African data centers will include Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, offering enterprise-grade reliability, performance and data residency, according to CNBCAfrica.

Julia White, corporate vice-president for Azure and Security at Microsoft, announced the plans for two new cloud data centers, bringing the total of Microsoft’s Azure regions around the world to 40.

“We are announcing for the first time that the Microsoft Cloud will be delivered directly from Africa with data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with initial availability of our cloud technologies in 2018,” said White, according to Techcentral.

White revealed that services will be improved from “Cairo to Cape Town”, pointing to the “incredible innovation and growth” on the African continent as reasons for Microsoft’s decision to deploy locally-based ICT infrastructure.

Cloud data centers in Africa due to growth prospects

Commenting on the benefits for Africa and the reason that South Africa was chosen to host the two data centers, Jon Tullett, research manager of IT Services at IDC Africa, mentioned that the investment by Microsoft would be warranted by the potential they see for revenue and growth of their customer base.

“Clearly, we have reached whatever threshold Microsoft needed to see, in terms of revenue and growth, to make it worthwhile investing in the country. This is not only good for Microsoft and its partners, but reflects really well on South Africa in terms of cloud adoption,” Tullet said, according to IT-Online.

“What we’ve been saying in terms of cloud growth is clearly mirrored here by Microsoft’s cloud strategy. Through their actions, they are saying that the market is growing at a fast enough pace to warrant a substantial investment and that is very good news for the entire cloud ecosystem in South Africa,” he added.

Source

Andrew Stegmann

Cape Town Brings In Over $112 Million In Six Years As Africa’s Best Business Tourism Destination

Cape Town has been named the best business tourism destination on the African continent once again, a ranking produced by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) revealed.

The Mother City is now considered the 39th best business tourism hub in the world, having improved last year’s ranking by 15 spots.

The Cape Town and the Western Cape Convention Bureau, part of Wesgro, is the major entity trusted to promote the Western Cape province and Cape Town in particular, among meeting, incentive, conference and event planners as a premier business tourism destination.

In the last financial year, the Bureau secured 33 new bids with an estimated attendance of 28,000 delegates and an estimated economic impact of around $31.7 million, while conferences over the past six years have had an estimated economic impact of more than $112 million, according to BizCommunity.

For this reason, these international association meetings have been and continue to be a fundamental economic contributor and job creator for South Africa.

With the number of international association meetings doubling every decade, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) report, Cape Town’s continued growth on the list shows the importance of Africa and South Africa in particular for business tourism.

With 62 international association meetings held in Cape Town during 2016, and a further 12 in nearby Stellenbosch – which would not count towards Cape Town’s tally, the country’s legislative capital compares favorably with other destinations in the top 40.

Paris was ranked first for 2016, with 196 international association meetings hosted in the French capital, while Rome at 20th on the ranking held 96 international conferences, a mere 34 more than Cape Town.

Source

Andrew Stegmann

Minor plans 50 hotels in Africa

MINOR Hotels sees further growth potential in Africa, with a target of 50 hotels on the continent in the next five years, says Sir Richard Hawkins, regional director Hotel Operations Africa of Minor Hotels.

The multibillion-rand plan will treble the group’s current footprint with high-end hotels planned for Cape Town and Johannesburg; Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria; and Ndola in Zambia. The group’s tactic is to negotiate management deals with hotels of 150 bedrooms or so, with the possibility of taking equity at a later point. No fixed budget has been allocated, but with each management deal likely to cost about R225 million, the potential investment is in excess of R11bn.

Minor Hotels is keen to establish a presence in South Africa through business hotels in Johannesburg, business and leisure hotels in Cape Town, and leisure hotels in the Western Cape. Three of the group’s brands are currently present on the continent – Anantara, AVANI and Elewana Collection. The boutique PER AQUUM brand will make its first appearance in the region in 2017, when the luxury hotel Essque Zalu Zanzibar on the north-east coast is rebranded. In North Africa, two new Anantara resorts are under development – Anantara Al Houara Tangier Resort in Morocco and the Anantara Tozeur Resort in Tunisia.

Source

Andrew Stegmann

Beautiful South Africa – the expat’s guide:

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Location: Africa
Capital City: Pretoria
Other Important Cities: Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Durban
Currency: South African rand
Language: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikáans, English, Twsana, Sotho (Southern), Swati, South Ndebele
Calling Code: +27
Internet TLD: +.za
Emergency Numbers:    10111 / 112
Electricity: 220/230V 50Hz

South Africa is one of the most beautiful places that you can live in. The cost of living is comparatively low, the climate is pretty much perfect and there is so much to do in the country that going overseas for holidays is almost unnecessary. The crime rate in South Africa is very high when compared to other countries and expats moving there will have to adjust to the very particular way of life.

Work Permits
Work permits are issued only to foreigners where South African citizens with the relevant skills are not available for appointment. These permits are open-ended and applications must be made at any regional office of the Department of Home Affairs or nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.

International Schools

Expats in South Africa have a few choices with regards to the schools where they will send their children. In South Africa two types of schools exist, public and private. Public schools are the most cost effective form of education and follow the South African IB curriculm. There are four terms in a school year.
South African private schools also include international schools. Most private schools follow a three term calendar and are more adept to international standards. Many private schools will have ties with international schools and students will come out with two certificates at the end of the school year. Expats prefer to send their children to private and international schools in South Africa.

Expat Clubs

Johannesburg Expats

International Women’s Club Johannesburg
An organization which offers the hand of friendship, networking, socializing and support to newcomers and expats living in Gauteng South Africa
Facebook: www.facebook.com//pages/International-Womens-Club-Johannesburg/506561946049971
Website: www.iwcjoburgsa.co.za

Cape Town Expats

Irish South African Association
The Irish South African Association exists to facilitate social contact between Irish people, people of Irish descent and anyone who has any interest whatsoever in the Irish & in Ireland. All are welcome to join the Association & to attend our many functions held throughout the year.
Website:  www.ireland.co.za

Italian Club Cape Town
Celebrate Italian Culture, Italian food and being Italian. With cultural events held annually we hope to preserve our heritage, which has been passed down from generation to Generation. Through the involvement of our youth, the revitalisation of our sporting facilities, and the intergration of non italian members, we aim to engrain the future of our club for our members for years to come
Website: www.icct.co.za

International Schools

Expats in South Africa have a few choices with regards to the schools where they will send their children. In South Africa two types of schools exist, public and private. Public schools are the most cost effective form of education and follow the South African IB curriculm. There are four terms in a school year.
South African private schools also include international schools. Most private schools follow a three term calendar and are more adept to international standards. Many private schools will have ties with international schools and students will come out with two certificates at the end of the school year. Expats prefer to send their children to private and international schools in South Africa.

Johannesburg Schools

American International School of Johannesburg
In 2012, AISJ celebrated its 30th anniversary. In a relatively short time, we have moved from small and humble beginnings to a vibrant American International School that prides itself on maintaining a low student/teacher ratio to effectively run a student-centered program culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. It places a strong emphasis on diversity, community outreach and links with its local community while focusing on a balanced program of academics, athletics, arts, and service. AISJ is developing an outstanding international reputation for innovative learning and community outreach.
Curriculum: IB
Tel: +27 (11) 464 1505
Email: info@aisj-jhb.com
Website: www.aisj-jhb.com

British International College
We offer superb tuition towards internationally recognized Cambridge qualifications. Through the ‘University of Cambridge International Examinations we offer students a complete set of qualifications via our A Level, AS level, IGCSE and Foundation courses in order to obtain a school leaving certificate that is recognized by prestigious universities throughout the world.
Curriculum: IGCSE and A-Levels
Address: 130, Bryanston Drive, Bryanston
Tel: +27 11 706-7775
Fax: +27 11 706-7829
Email : info@bicollege.co.za
Website: www.bicollege.co.za

Cape Town Schools

American International School of Cape Town
AISCT is endorsed as an independent school by the Western Cape Department of Education and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges based in California, USA. AISCT is also a proud member of the Association of International Schools in Africa and the International School Foundation. AISCT administers the ACER International Schools Assessment each February. This exam helps guide school improvement and monitors our students’ progress against other international schools around the world.
Address: 42 Soetvlei Avenue, Constantia 7806
Tel: (27) 21 713-2220
Fax: (27) 21 713-2240
Email: aisct@aisct.org
Website: www.aisct.org

International School of Cape Town
A British education emphasises the development of the whole student, and particularly at the primary level there is a great deal of scope for creativity and individuality in the classroom. When all of this is considered alongside the continuity and transferability offered by a British education around the world, and the fact that British institutions offer qualifications that are recognised internationally, it is little wonder that the industry of British schools abroad continues to flourish and expand.
Address: Woodland Heights, Edinburgh Close, Wynberg 7806, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 761 6202
Fax: +27 (0) 21 761 0129
Email: l.padua@isct.co.za
Website: isct.co.za

For more information contact us