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“Peace of Mind” mural by Chris Auret
IS S UE TH IRT Y-FO UR 4th Quarter 2019
chris’s corner
what a great year!
Can you believe that we’re staring at the end of 2019 already? In a short while, we’ll be celebrating the dawn of a new decade. At Century City, we have much to celebrate! Despite the prevailing uncertain and challenging economic climate, our City within a City continues to grow and mature. The future looks bright with planning well under way for the redevelopment of the Ratanga Junction site and the two recent development launches (Bridgewater One and Century City Oasis Life). Read more on pages 1 and 3. A significant addition to the Century City offering is “The Long March to Freedom” bronze statues exhibition that joined us on 15 November. This unique monumental procession of 100 life-size statues tells the story of South Africa’s 350-year struggle for freedom and democracy. We look forward to the exhibition complementing our existing Intaka Island environmental education programmes and creating a wonderful out-of-classroom encounter for school groups. Read more on page 5. With the festive season on our doorsteps, we have engaged with all the major role players and stakeholders and will be on heightened alert. Read more on festive season hours, festivities and readiness on page 11. A special welcome to Natalie du Preez, recently appointed Century City Communications Manager, who is making her editorial debut with this edition of City Edits. Thank you to Tatum Sieni, our Brand and Marketing Manager, for filling in so admirably after the sudden passing of our previous editor, Maggie Rowley, at the beginning of the year. I wish you all a safe and blessed festive season – look after one another. See you in 2020!
editors’s note What a pleasure and privilege it is to be part of the Century City community! Where else can you enjoy the perfect blend of nature, top-notch offices, beautiful landscaping, shopping for days and great homes, all within a safe and secure environment? Not to mention the ever-growing unique art we have on our doorstep, from the enchanting new mural by Chris Auret (read more on page 15) to the life-size bronze statues in “The Long March To Freedom” procession that have made Century City their new home (read more on page 5 & 6). Something else I can always appreciate is a great meal made from quality ingredients. Our new Chef in the City series introduces the magicians in the kitchens, the chefs who create deliciousness in the restaurants across Century City. Meet our first chefs on page 13 & 14. There is so much to do and see here this summer, and I hope to see you at one of our buzzing outdoor festivals or our joyful annual Carols. Wishing you a welldeserved wind-down to the end of 2019, and I raise a glass to a spectacular 2020!
EDITOR: Natalie Du Preez | 021 550 7000 | natalie@centurycity.co.za ADVERTISING MANAGER: Tatum Sieni | 021 552 6889 DESIGN & LAYOUT: Elinore de Lisle | 083 574 8937 | elinore@iafrica.com COVER PHOTO: Century City Arts Trail presents “Peace of Mind” by Chris Auret COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: Nathan Botes
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our growing city Rabie’s new Bridgewater One set to transform Century City
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abie’s latest mixed-use development in Century City, Bridgewater One, is one for the limelight! The biggest development since the Bridgewater Precinct’s Century City Square, Bridgewater One is set to rise along the banks of a new waterbody, which was once Ratanga Junction. Conceptualised as a contemporary interpretation of the typical elegant and narrow canal-edge Amsterdam housing, Bridgewater One will comprise a residential component, an 80-bed luxury hotel, several commercial offerings and limited retail, set upon a basement parking area. Rabie continues its success recipe of creating safe, convenient and world-class nodes within Cape Town’s largest mixed-use development, Century City. “With the redevelopment of Ratanga Junction, our vision was to enlarge the waterbody and retain as much of the original
vegetation as possible to create a substantial green zone,” says John Chapman, Director at Rabie. “We are adding at least 1.64ha of additional water, which will connect with the existing canals in Century City, enabling canoeists and paddlers to travel across the entire precinct via the canals. In creating a large public green space, we will be able to welcome families back to the area, this time to enjoy the indigenous birdlife and find solace in nature.” Bridgewater One’s residential component will include studios, one- and two-bedrooms, and penthouses with up to three bedrooms. Residents can enjoy the very best of both worlds with views over the new Ratanga Park on the one side and, on the other, a landscaped inner courtyard, and from the higher floors, even Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to having everything at your fingertips in Century City, such as a gym,
luxury hotels, choice restaurants and retail as well as prime grade office space, you can enjoy kilometres of running, walking, canoeing and paddling in a safe, well-maintained environment. The commercial component to the development will include office studios, which will be available as sectional title purchases, as well as a larger office building of several thousand square metres. A showroom and small pockets of retail are planned for the ground floor. Office studios, north-facing apartments and retail will spill out into a beautifully landscaped and sheltered courtyard, designed to offer a welcome pause for visitors, office staff and residents. “Bridgewater One is an exceptional development, not only in terms of the substantial green pocket we will be adding to Century City, but also the creation of extraordinary spaces, which become beloved homes,”
2 says Chapman. “From savouring that first cup of coffee on your balcony in the morning, looking over the water and onto the thriving birdlife, to walking or cycling to your office and grabbing a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant, it’s all there. All this, packaged in a superbly designed and meticulously maintained precinct such as Century City, creates a lifestyle like no other.” With apartments priced from R1.33 million for a studio, one-bedroom apartments from R1.87 million, two-bedroom apartments from R2.89 million and a few penthouses from R3.05 million, Bridgewater One offers competitive value, with the added benefit of no transfer
duty payable. Substantial earthworks have already been done, with a total of 75,000 cubic metres of earth eventually moved to reshape the ex-Ratanga Junction land.
Currently, the basis of the infrastructure is being attended to, with construction to commence in early 2020 and occupation estimated for May 2021.
for further details, visit www.bridgewaterone.com or contact property world – brian usher on 082 571 7024 or devon usher on 082 446 9188.
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our growing city New-generation retirement in Century City to be launched
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etiring in a luxury apartment at Oasis Life Century City means that you have the best of both worlds – all the modern conveniences juxtaposed with picturesque natural serenity. In addition to its central location, entertainment, restaurants and shopping are part and parcel of the immediate amenities. Together with beautiful nature and indigenous birdlife that forms part of the new Ratanga Park, Century City offers kilometres of running and walking trails and extensive canals to canoe on. The tremendous success of Oasis Luxury Resort, where all 375 apartments were sold ahead of completion, was an indication of Century City’s potential as a sought-after retirement address. Residents praise the lifestyle they enjoy – a perfect blend of modern comforts with the serenity and easy access to nature. Oasis Life Century City will rise along the water’s edge of the previous Ratanga Junction site, a unique design and lifestyle retirement offering that stands tall and proud as a series of four residential towers that form a wonderful bookend to the southern boundary of the newly designed Ratanga Waterfront precinct. The choice of location was well considered to ensure that due to its scale, the development would ensure optimum orientation and views facing north over the re-imagined and rehabilitated
Ratanga Park that it will overlook. The new large body of water will connect to the extensive network of existing canals that flow throughout Century City. Residents will be able to enjoy the lush greenery of the gardens around Oasis Life that meet the banks of the water. Smaller islands and a large new green park will be visible across the water, which will include additional habitats for the exceptional birdlife that is already established in Century City, as well as a new
recreational destination for residents and visitors. At the centre of the towers, a luxurious Lifestyle Centre will form the core of the retirement estate, with access to a firstclass restaurant, games room, gym, undercover heated swimming pool, library and media centre. Add primary healthcare and expertly designed apartments, and you’ll be blown away by this outstanding retirement lifestyle! The interior look and feel of the Lifestyle Centre and public areas
4 has been designed to deliver a luxurious, fresh and warm personal hotel-like experience. With lifts, elegantly furnished lobbies and carpeted passages, residents will enjoy a superb environment, underpinned by hotel-standard hospitality. The entrance lobby, with its dedicated reception and concierge desk, leads onto a wonderful double-volume stairwell space, extending your view out to the exceptional garden and waterfront experience below and beyond. An elegant sculptural staircase winds down from here to the lower ground floor, which opens onto the gardens.
The latest technology includes high-speed internet through pre-installed fibre, and 24-hour security in the buildings and surrounds, which includes access control. Secure resident parking is available in the basement and there are open parking bays for visitors. Phase one, with construction commencing in 2020, will consist of 62 luxury apartments ranging from 81 square metres to 165 square metres, and with one-, two- and three-bedroom options. Each apartment will have a north-facing balcony, which will be partly screened for privacy and wind protection. With spacious living areas,
carefully designed amenities and bedrooms and modern finishes, living at Oasis Life is an exceptional lifestyle. “With the life rights model, upon which all our Oasis Life developments are based, this fantastic lifestyle is secure for the remainder of a resident’s life,” says John Chapman, Director at Rabie. “With the entry age of 60, a modern, active and healthy lifestyle is promoted, which appeals to young seniors who have a zest for life and a spring in their step!” The launch event took place on 7 November 2019 at the existing Oasis Luxury Retirement Resort, Century Way, Century City.
for further details, contact cindy sheard, cindy@oasislife.co.za, 082 495 7168 lorenda gerryts, lorenda@oasislife.co.za, 083 270 4755 linda butler, linda@oasislife.co.za, 082 785 6160
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our growing city “The Long March to Freedom” statues move to Century City
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entury City is the new home of “The Long March to Freedom” statues. The 100 life-sized bronze likenesses of the most prominent figures in South Africa’s history have moved from the Maropeng Visitor Centre in the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng to Century City in Cape Town, with its official opening held on 15 November 2019. “The Long March to Freedom” exhibition, which currently consists of 100 figures but will grow into a procession of more than 400 bronze statues over time, is known as the world’s largest representational collection of bronzes. The heroes of the liberation struggle are being honoured – individuals who struggled against oppression in South Africa from the early 1700s to Freedom Day in April 1994. From the rebel chiefs and revered kings to the betterknown activists of the 1980s and 1990s, each figure is poised in walking motion, symbolically fighting for the liberation of South Africa while marching forward to the inevitable advent of democracy. “It is a great honour to call Century City the new home of ‘The Long March to Freedom’ statues”, says Chris Blackshaw, CEO of Century City Property Owners’ Association. “We are able to give this exhibition exceptional prominence along the N1, opposite entrance 4 of Canal Walk. Together with our
existing natural heritage site, Intaka Island, we are very excited to contribute so richly to the education of our children in the Western Cape.” The collection starts out with the leader of the Goringhaikonas – also known as Herry die Strandloper or Autshumato
(1625–1663), who was the first political prisoner sent to Robben Island for defying a European power – before it moves its way through rebel chiefs and revered kings to the better-known activists. The idea came when television personality Dali Tambo visited »
Some of the bronze sculptures that will be part of the exhibition. Clockwise from top left: Nelson Mandela, Helen Suzman, Oliver Tambo and his wife Adelaide Tambo.
6 the grave of his late father, anti-apartheid politician Oliver Tambo, and told him: “There isn’t a statue of you in this country and I’m planning to do one.” From the grave, his father spoke to him and said, “Don’t do it for me, do it for all of them.” When you stand face to face with the likes of Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, Helen Joseph, Annie Silinga, Ida Fiye Mntwana, King Moshoeshoe I and many more, Tambo’s words ring loudly in your ear: “We want these freedom fighters to be remembered as real people, not just faces in history books. Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them. Let’s keep them alive by remembering them.” And that’s exactly what
“The Long March to Freedom” did and is continuing to do. It gives life to those who fought heart and soul and often paid with their own lives for the freedom of South Africa. Every statue has a unique presence and representation of the individual, with details meticulously sculpted and engraved into South Africa’s past, present and future. “Our core vision of creating more than just bricks and mortar is underpinned by the importance of adding beautiful green spaces and art to our developments,” says John Chapman, Director at Rabie Property Group and Chairman of the Century City Arts Foundation. “Receiving this exceptional collection of art,
which is so multi-faceted (from cultural, historical and national points of view), is a great moment for us. We believe that Century City is the ideal home for the collection and we’re enthusiastic about our long-term relationship as the procession grows.” The exhibition is open to the public daily from 9am to 6pm and will have special opening fees until the end of February 2020. Tickets can be purchased via Computicket and are R75 for adults and R50 for children under 12. For more information, visit www.nhmsa.co.za
city life 11th Annual Century City Golf Challenge held on 9 October
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ongratulations to BONA Electronic Solutions for taking home the grand prize. Thank you to all our participants and incredible sponsors who assisted us in raising R20,000 for the Little Lambs NPO – our host, the Atlantic Beach Links, and to Property World for sponsoring the incredible evening entertainment by the “Voice of Golf” and “Mr Golf” in South Africa – Dennis Hutchinson and Dale Hayes. We look forward to seeing you all next year!
Wining team BONA Electronic Solutions
“Voice of Golf” and “Mr. Golf” in South Africa - Dale Hayes & Dennis Hutchinson
Chris Blackshaw, CEO of the Century City Propery Owners’ Association, handing over the donation cheque to Andrea English, CEO of the LIttle Lambs NPO
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our growing city The votes are in: Century City remains tops!
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entury City, Cape Town’s largest privately managed mixeduse precinct, remains tops according to its residents and businesses. The results of a recently completed customer satisfaction survey indicated:
84%
of people rate Century City’s overall experience as good or excellent. A further 11% say fair, 4% don’t know and only 1% say poor. This result has remained consistently high since the first survey was
undertaken in 2006. “It’s vital for us to understand how our residents and businesses experience Century City. We need to know not only what we are doing right, but as importantly where we can improve,” says Chris Blackshaw, CEO of Century City Property Owners’ Association who manages the precinct. “We are encouraged that we have such a high satisfaction rate, year after year, yet we cannot afford to become complacent and need to continually aim to improve and innovate to the highest levels possible.” Respondents indicated increased satisfaction ratings in all key services such as infrastructure, safety and security, traffic management,
public transport, environmental management, amenities and marketing. Satisfaction rates in these areas were in excess of 80%. In the ranking of priorities for the Century City users, safety and security was by far the most important key service, with infrastructure management and services as the second highest priority. “In terms of safety and security, our Security Operations Centre and the various levels of technology we use to prevent, monitor and combat crime are cutting edge, and we are consistently on a drive to ensure that we stay ahead of the game,” says Blackshaw. “We prioritise safety and security as much as the people who live, work and frequent Century City do.”
MEDIA PLATFORMS Century City Media (CCM) offers a niche and unique multimedia marketing platform to businesses and consumers based in and around Century City.
TOUCH POINTS:
150
14 000
12 000
40 000
NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION POINTS
MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS
UNIQUE MONTHLY VISITORS
TOTAL COPIES 4 MAGAZINES PER YEAR
REACH
600
BUSINESSES
4 000
RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLDS
15 000 RESIDENTS
50 000 OFFICE WORKERS
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO LIST YOUR BUSINESS, VISIT WWW.CENTURYCITY.CO.ZA
Century City Property Owner’s Association Century City House I 1 Park Lane I Grand Central I Century City I Cape Town Telephone: +27 (0)21 552 6889 I email: info@centurycity.co.za I Website: www.centurycity.co.za
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city life Interview with Hein de Swardt from Century City Connect
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entury City Connect (CCC) provides worldclass, open-access fibre-optic connectivity that propelled Century City into the first world digital age in 2011, when the network was first deployed. We sat down with Hein de Swardt, Director of Century City Connect.
Since Century City Connect launched in Century City in 2011, the world of technology has evolved at a rapid pace. Tell us a little about how the platform has evolved in Century City since then. When we started this journey in 2011, the South African connectivity market was completely different to what it is today. Back then, fibre was not widely used due to its cost and only available to big corporates who could afford it. ADSL was available and you could get a whopping 4Mbps service if you were lucky, as Vodacom only launched 4G in November 2012. The CCC network was therefore well ahead of its time in 2011 as we deployed the first truly open-access fibre-to-thebusiness and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) last mile metro network in South Africa right here in Century City and made fibre not only affordable, but within the reach of the home user.
Today residents can order FTTH services with speeds of up to 1,000Mbps in Century City, which many people now might take for granted. In just eight years, we have progressed rapidly.
In 2017, you launched the first free Wi-Fi zones in Century City through Let’s Connect, with uncapped internet access to anyone for four hours per day. Have you added any new zones since then and what are your roll-out plans across the precinct for the foreseeable future? We realised that there was a need for free Wi-Fi zones in Century City and we really wanted to give something back to the stakeholders of
Century City. The reception and take-up has surpassed our expectations! We will soon be adding new hotspot zones at Central Park, Intaka Island, Century City Clubhouse and Northbank Lane. We also hope to bring Let’s Connect to a few new restaurants in the months to come. Century City is a Smart City on many fronts, with connectivity being one of the most important pillars. What exciting and cutting-edge changes or additions can we expect to see in Century City soon? At CCC, we are preparing for the next wave of mobile connectivity by piloting street-level poles for street-level Wi-Fi and 5G connectivity in partnership with the CCPOA and American Towers. This will soon go up in Northbank Lane, and the proof of concept will run for several months. We are already providing fibre connectivity to many rooftop cellular sites in Century City. We see fibre as a utility, like water and electricity, and believe that in 20 years from now each home will have this utility. IOT – or a network of “smart” devices communicating over the internet – is already transforming how we live and work, especially in Century City in the smart city environment.
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city life “Life in Century City” Photography Competition and Exhibition 1st place: Braeme Holland
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n October, photography enthusiasts were encouraged to snap and submit their favourite images of what “Life in Century City” means, and stand a chance to have their images exhibited at the Intaka Island Eco-Centre on Sunday 27 October and win fantastic prizes! The Century City Arts Foundation would like to thank all who entered the competition. We received so many incredible images and competition was TOUGH! Thank you to our main sponsor, Studio22, and Brick Lane Eatery for sponsoring such wonderful prizes, and of course to those who came out to view the exhibition and place their public vote ballots. The winners were announced at the Art on the Island exhibition on Sunday 27 October 2019. 2nd place: Natasha Lassen
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the “Life in Century City” Photography Competition! Public Vote winner: Mercia Abrahams
3rd place: John Boltman
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city life It’s the festive season and Century City is ready!
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ith the festive season around the corner and many more additional visitors expected to Century City, you can rest assured that we are prepared! The Century City Property Owners’ Association (CCPOA)-driven Operational Management Forum, which co-ordinates and facilitates law enforcement, security, traffic and disaster management issues within Century City, has been proactively preparing for this year’s festive season. “During the festive season the number of shoppers to Canal Walk increases significantly,” says Chris Blackshaw, CEO of CCPOA. “We band together with key role players and stakeholders in and around Century City to ensure that our residents, visitors and staff enjoy a positive experience. It is silly season after all, which calls for an additional effort from everyone.” In terms of traffic management, there has been extensive and ongoing liaison with Goodwood Traffic Management Centre (TMC) throughout the year. The Century City Security Operations Centre (SOC) has a
The Century City Safety and Security team, pictured here at the new Century Village Shopping Centre, are ready for the festive season crowds!
direct line to the Traffic Systems Operations Manager to facilitate rapid adjustment to the timing settings of traffic signals when required. In addition, SOC’s Traffic Management CCTV console will monitor traffic patterns in and around Century City; it is manned 24/7 by a trained CCTV operator to manage that specific environment. SOC is also able to view selected freeway traffic cameras via a link with the TMC. Real-time traffic information on the neighbouring freeways is useful as Century City traffic flows are directly affected by freeway traffic congestion. Two traffic officers will
EMERGENCY CONTACT Century City Security Operations Centre (SOC) is to be contacted in the first instance regarding any traffic-related or other incidents. SOC, in turn, will contact SAPS, City Traffic Control Centre and other emergency services. SOC 24-Hour contact number: 021 202 1000
be stationed in the precinct from 6am until 10pm, and the digital Variable Messaging System (VMS) boards will run messages around the clock to warn motorists of any traffic congestion, accidents and general messaging. Getting to and from Century City via public transport will be aided by the MyCiTi service and Golden Arrow buses, which will operate until 10:30pm to accommodate the extended Canal Walk trading hours. Minibus taxi operators have been advised of the extended shopping hours and will adjust their service accordingly. Heightened security measures in Canal Walk and Century City will continue throughout the festive season, with the assistance of SAPS. This includes Intervention Vehicles on the perimeter, enhanced control room staffing, and further deployment of security
12 personnel inside the mall and parking areas. Additional security officers will be deployed along the canal and back passages of Canal Walk. Canal Walk will also be in total lockdown outside of trading hours during the festive season, and delivery vehicles will be directed to specific drop-off points.
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Canal Walk Festive Season Extended Trading Hours • Friday 29 November (Black Friday) to Monday 23 December, 9am to 10pm • Tuesday 24 December, 9am to 9pm • Wednesday 25 December. Optional trading (selected stores will be open) • Thursday 26 December to Tuesday 31 December, 9am to 9pm • Wednesday 1 January 2019, 9am to 7pm (optional trading after 7pm) • Thursday 2 January onwards, 9am to 9pm Events at Canal Walk Black Friday – Friday 29 November
Slide into Summer with some Frozen Fun
anal Walk Shopping Centre’s Frozen Fun Slide Park celebrates the launch of Disney’s Frozen 2. The park opens on 29 November 2019 and runs until 5 January 2020. It celebrates the launch of Disney’s Frozen 2, the sequel to the smash hit 2013 movie, Frozen. Frozen 2 follows Elsa, her sister Anna, and the lovable snowman, Olaf, as they set out on their latest quest, and will hit the big screen on 6 December 2019. The Frozen Fun Slide Park is a collaboration between Canal Walk Shopping Centre (CWSC) and The Walt Disney Company Africa. Four frozen slides of varying heights will appeal to thrill seekers of all ages. But if building a snowman is more your style, an Olaf snow play area will let the inner creative out. Sessions are 45 minutes every hour, on the hour, from 10am each day (except 25 December 2019 and 1 January 2020), and the last session at 8pm. This allows time for shopping or
Tickets to the event are available on www.webtickets.co.za and on site at the ticket booth, at R100 (full rider), R80 (mini rider) or R35 (non-rider).
entertaining energy-filled kids, not to mention a space for mom and dad to chill out. Ackermans is the retail sponsor for the event and will open a pop-up Frozen character activation, where youngsters (and those young at heart) who have purchased a plain white T-shirt in store can have a Frozen 2 character printed on it – for free. Check out the Canal Walk website for details. CWSC will extend its shopping hours from 29 November. The
Canal Walk Express and wrapping station will open on 6 December – funds will be donated to charity. A giant tree will stand guard in the Food Court. Adorning this will be a host of Olaf plush toys; donate R50 so that these toys can be given to children supported by Reach for a Dream or receiving treatment at The Red Cross Memorial Children’s Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital. Meet Santa Dates: 13–24 December 2019 Time: 10am to 9pm Venue: Canal Walk Centre Court Kids World Express Dates: 7 December 2019 to 12 January 2020 Venue: Upper Level, Centre Court Times: 10am to 5pm Tickets: R20 per person Magical Gift Wrapping Dates: 6–23 December 10am to 10pm and 24 December 10am to 9pm Prices: R15–R55
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city life
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Chef in the City
ur exciting new series will focus on the amazing culinary talent we have in the restaurants in Century City. Each month, we’ll feature one or two of our food magicians to get a glimpse of the inspired geniuses behind the serving counter. and Wine Bar at Century City Hotel, where she has been since February 2019. Who is your favourite celebrity chef and why? When I started out, the term “celebrity chef” was not really a thing. I would have to say that my mentor, the late Werner Koch, is my version of a celebrity chef. He taught me everything I know, and in his kitchen, all the necessary character building happened to enable me to be the chef I am today.
Delia Harbottle Our October featured chef. Head chef at the Square Café and Wine Bar in the Century City Hotel. Hailing from the coastal town of East London, Delia earned her stripes at the Royal Hotel in Durban. Under the inspired and watchful eye of Werner Koch, she blossomed into a distinguished chef, with her first head chef position at The Plettenberg Hotel, thereafter The Marine Hotel in Hermanus, The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia, The Stack in Cape Town CBD, and eventually head chef at the Square Café
When you’re invited for a lunch or dinner, what’s your go-to specialty you take along? I usually avoid cooking when I’m not at work! As a dinner guest, I will make something simple like a chocolate fondant. You can take the ingredients with you and whip it up in no time. What kind of food do you like to eat? I love simple, delicious food. I am easy to please and am happy with a toasted cheese sandwich. Strangely enough, my friends joke that when it comes to ordering at a restaurant, I can never make up my mind. Everything usually looks good. When I cook for myself at home, I love something simple like a steak and salad. Uncomplicated home cooking is magic!
Ian Lilley Our November featured chef. Executive chef at the My Kinda Restaurants Group: Knife, Fork and Spoon. British-born Ian Lilley earned his culinary stripes in the hot kitchens of London, with the enviable privilege of cooking for the British Royal Family at The Royal Opera House as well as several four-star and five-star establishments in the Accor Group. His first head chef position was at Food by Dish in Greenwich, South East London, where he worked his way up to executive chef, a position he held for seven years. Ian and his wife moved to
14 represents in the Indian culture. From the super spicy curry in the north of India to the sweeter coconut curry in the warmer south of the country, the variety is tantilising!
Cape Town in 2015, opening a restaurant on a wine farm on the R44. But farm life was not to be – they succumbed to the call of the city lights and Ian joined the My Kinda Restaurants Group that owns Knife Restaurant in Century City, Fork Restaurant on Long Street and a winter pop-up restaurant called Spoon. We caught up with Ian and asked him some not-so-chef questions. If you were a contestant in a cooking competition such as The Final Table, what would be your entry dish to wow the judges and why? It would have to be the classic steak and chips, using a dry-aged sirloin, thrice cooked chips and a tarragon béarnaise sauce. It might sound
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a bit boring, but done right it’s the best meal in the world! What global culinary destination is on your bucket list and why (this can be a country or a specific restaurant)? Definitely India! I love curries. I love the passion of Indian food and what it
You are invited for dinner at friends, but you must bring a dish. What do you take? Chakalaka! As a Brit, I was introduced to this dish while travelling around South Africa in the early 2000s. It brings together two of my favourite things: beans and curry. What more could you want from life than to have a side dish that goes with everything you could possibly braai? Keep an eye out in our monthly newsletter for more of the Chef in the City series!
Local art students add colour to Century Village
abie Property Group’s new convenience shopping centre, Century Village, was completed in July, and what better opportunity to involve the community than by inviting the art students of Curro High School to grace one of the walls with their talents? Led by art teacher Astrid Vermeulen, the inspired learners Riley Adams, Natasha Page, Jesse Adams, Ronan le Roux and Grace Bellingham decided to showcase indigenous fauna and flora. Large, colourful proteas and strelitzias join local birdlife on a large scale. The mural was applied to the pedestrian walkway from Century Boulevard into the centre and brightens up everyone’s commute.
Led by art teacher Astrid Vermeulen, the inspired learners are Riley Adams, Natasha Page, Jesse Adams, Ronan le Roux and Grace Bellingham (not pictured).
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city life New mural graces an unusual location PEACE OF MIND BY CHRIS AURET
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rt is a great passion at Century City and we aim to grow our collection of artwork across the precinct through the work of the Century City Arts Foundation (CCAF). The abutment of a bridge might seem a strange place to decorate, but earlier this year the CCAF did just that by embarking on a request for proposal project. The aim of the project was to commission a local artist to grace the pedestrian bridge abutment behind the Knightsbridge residential development. We were blown away by the quality of proposals we received and it was only after much deliberation that the commission was awarded to Chris Auret, a well-known local artist who has turned many a drab wall and boring building into a wonderful delight for the senses. Chris’ unusual mural is called
“Peace of Mind” and is inspired by the connection to the universe as a whole. It focuses on the serenity of the space and the close proximity to the water – a space for contemplation, serenity and peace of mind. Once we started the muchanticipated installation, the weather was less than desirable, exacerbated by the challenge of painting on a wall rising up from the canal. Chris bravely and adventurously painted from scaffolds and made the best of the rainy days. The combination of all these water elements cemented the theme in a poetic fashion. Being the absolute professional, Chris executed this thought-provoking mural exactly as per his proposal and we are delighted with the result. The mural can be clearly viewed from the pedestrian walkway across the canal.
In our fast-paced world, this piece draws on the serenity at the water’s edge to offer a quiet, reflective moment for the viewer. The mural depicts an intimately contemplative scene – the figure suspended within a vast universe, beyond space and time, held by a body of water. Their closed eyes and faint smile create a sense of surrender and peace as they submerge and emerge, seemingly at once, in an eternal moment of bliss. With iridescent blue skin and androgynous nature that transcends the boxes that separate us, this being becomes a reflection of both the uniqueness and oneness of all who pass by.
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city life Upcoming events at Century City SUMMER NIGHT MARKET 6 December 2019, 14 February 2020, 13 March 2020 at The Square Held on the second Friday of the month (October to April), the market boasts an array of Cape Town’s hottest street food, beverage and craft vendors as well as some great live music. (No January Market.)
CENTURY CITY CAROLS 1 December 2019 at Central Park Bring your picnic baskets and blankets and laze on the lawns of Central Park while you soak up the festivities. Sing along to well-known carols and enjoy a range of kids’ activities including free rides on the ever-popular Ratanga Train, a petting zoo and a visit from Father Christmas.
CENTURY CITY NATURAL GOODS MARKET & ART ON THE ISLAND 26 January, 23 February 2020 at Central Park Held on the last Sunday of the month from September until April (no December market). Bring the family and unwind on the lawns and enjoy a variety of food and refreshment stalls, craft and gifts and live music.
FULL MOON HIKE 12 December 2019, 9 February 2020 at Intaka Island Join us for a guided tour and discover the sights, sounds and smells of Intaka Island at night while the city goes into hibernation. Event times differ depending on sunset and moonrise, so please consult the office when making a booking. (No January hike.)
THE GALILEO OPEN AIR CINEMA 20 December 2019, 17 January 2020 at Central Park The Galileo Open Air Cinema welcomes you to a magical movie experience of cinematic delights, tantalising treats and breathtaking scenery under a canopy of stars. It’s the perfect setting (and excuse) for a memorable evening with friends, a ridiculously romantic date, intimate birthday party or work social. for information on events, go to www.centurycity.co.za or contact: tatum@centurycity.co.za