What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00 Thursday 08:00 - 17:00 Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Wesgro, 7th Floor, Media 24 Foreshore, 40 Heerengracht S, Cape Town (2026)

04/09/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝗴𝗿𝗼’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

This week, Wesgro’s Board came together for its annual strategy session to consider the global forces shaping economic opportunity and risk, and how Wesgro can respond with ambition, focus and agility.

The discussions brought together geopolitical and economic insights, South Africa’s reform agenda, provincial priorities and Wesgro’s strategic direction.

We were privileged to hear from Professor Adrian Saville on the global forces shaping markets and investment; Rudi Dicks, Head of Operation Vulindlela, on the structural reforms critical to South Africa’s competitiveness; Minister Dr Ivan Meyer on the opportunities to drive growth, jobs and regional competitiveness; Dr Harry Malila, Director-General of the Western Cape Government and Jo-Ann Johnston, Head of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) shared insights on the Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs Strategy.

Their perspectives provided an important backdrop as the Board engaged with Wesgro’s draft FY28 strategy.

At the centre of the strategy is a clear ambition: to strengthen the Western Cape’s position as a leading regional economy and grow its share of global investment, exports and tourism.

Key priorities include to:

✅ Drive the WC value proposition online, cross-sell our mandates, as well as engage audiences in new markets through new channels.

✅ Attract new investment from key global investing source markets no identified export priority areas: Green Economy; Life Sciences & Health; Logistics; Food & Beverages; Green Manufacturing; and Services.

✅ Support Western Cape businesses to expand across tourism, trade and investment.

✅ Unlock tourism growth and business events as high-value, year-round economic drivers.

✅ Unlock access to new markets and new buyers in tourism and trade.

✅ Replicate and enhance catalytic delivery models, with public private partners.

✅ Build strategic partnerships, stakeholder platforms, events, advocacy and advisory to unlock economic outcomes.

✅ Build the Economic Knowledge Hub as a content and intelligence capability.

✅ Be future-fit, relevant and trusted.

The strategy session was ultimately about making the choices that will enable Wesgro to deliver greater impact and deliver growth and jobs across Cape Town and the Western Cape.

We thank our Board of Directors for their contribution to this process, we we work to finalise the strategy for the new financial year.

Wrenelle Stander Ivan Meyer

02/09/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀

Tourism is more than the places people visit and the experiences they enjoy. It is a significant contributor to the Western Cape economy, supporting businesses, creating opportunities for communities and driving spending across the province.

As we celebrate the launch of Tourism Month, we’re highlighting the immense value that visitors bring to Cape Town and the Western Cape.

The latest tourism performance figures for 2025 show the scale of the opportunity:

✅ 1.5 million international tourists visited the Western Cape in 2025, an 11.1% increase year-on-year.

✅ These international visitors generated R25.9 billion in foreign direct spend in the province, a 14.4% increase on 2024 and 25.4% of South Africa’s total foreign direct spend from international tourists.

✅ Domestic tourism added another 4.0 million overnight trips to the province, up 15.4% on 2024.

✅ Domestic visitors contributed R12.7 billion in overnight spend, while generating 14.3 million bed nights, up 10.2% year-on-year.

Unlocking further tourism growth will require strong coordination across the public and private sectors, alongside improved access and connectivity, to ensure that we can continue growing demand and maximising the economic value of tourism.

Behind every one of these numbers are businesses, employees, entrepreneurs and communities that benefit from tourism activity, from accommodation and restaurants to attractions, transport, retail, tour operators and local experiences.

When visitors explore our small towns and townships, the economic value of tourism can reach even further, creating opportunities for communities across Cape Town and the Western Cape.

This is the business of tourism: growing demand, supporting local enterprise and ensuring that the economic value generated by visitors creates opportunities across our destination.

We celebrate the people and businesses at the heart of the Western Cape’s tourism economy because behind every experience is a local story, a local business and an opportunity to grow – With Love from the Locals.

Wrenelle Stander Western Cape Government City of Cape Town Love Cape Town Visit South Africa Ivan Meyer James Vos Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism Tourism Business Council of South Africa SATSA Fedhasa

31/08/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴: 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗽

As Women’s Month draws to a close, our final profile in this month’s series takes us to the West Coast, where Melody van Rensburg, co-founder of Oppikaai Seafood Restaurant in St Helena Bay, is helping put local food, heritage and coastal culture on the tourism map.

What began in 2018 as a renovation project at the harbour became a family business built around a simple idea: tell the story of the West Coast through its food, people and traditions.

Today, Oppikaai offers a boat-to-plate experience, with seafood sourced from local fishermen and recipes passed down through generations.

“Our menu is deeply personal. Many of the recipes come from our grandmothers’ kitchens and have been passed down through generations. The fish is often caught by Charl’s father or brother, cleaned by his mother, filleted by Charl and prepared in our kitchen. It’s truly a boat-to-plate experience that tells the story of our family, our culture and our community.”

For Melody, tourism is about more than attracting visitors. It’s about ensuring that their spending creates value within the communities they visit.

“We employ local people, source as much as we can from local suppliers and fishermen, and keep our food connected to the community.”

Through initiatives including its annual Heritage Festival, Oppikaai also creates spaces for local food, music, culture and family to come together, strengthening the connection between tourism and community development.

Her story reflects the potential of community-based tourism to support local businesses, preserve heritage and create opportunities across the tourism value chain.

“I believe the West Coast has enormous tourism potential. More travellers are looking for authentic food, meaningful cultural experiences and places with real stories.”

As we close our Women’s Month series, Melody’s story also provides a fitting bridge into Heritage Month — reminding us that our heritage is not only something to preserve, but something that can create opportunities, drive local economies and shape the experiences that bring visitors to our province.

Across the Western Cape, our people, our stories, our food and our traditions are part of what makes this place worth discovering.

Wrenelle Stander Oppikaai Seafood Restaurant

28/08/2026

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗮𝗮𝗽, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺

As part of Women's Month, Wesgro is spotlighting women who are driving entrepreneurship, creating opportunities and contributing to economic growth across Cape Town and the Western Cape.

Annette Skaap and her husband, Bulelani "Ace" Skaap, are the entrepreneurial force behind The Spade Boutique Hotel & Spa in Khayelitsha – South Africa's first four-star boutique hotel located in a township.

With a background in aviation, Annette saw an opportunity to bring world-class hospitality to the community she calls home, while encouraging visitors to experience Cape Town beyond its traditional tourism corridors.

"The vision for The Spade was therefore much bigger than simply building a hotel. I wanted to create a place that would challenge perceptions about townships, showcase the beauty, energy, culture and entrepreneurial spirit of Khayelitsha, and demonstrate that world-class hospitality can exist anywhere."

The Spade forms part of a growing township economy that connects tourism with local businesses, entrepreneurs and service providers – helping tourism spend circulate within the communities visitors experience.

"A visitor who stays at The Spade can potentially eat at a local restaurant, visit a lifestyle or entertainment venue, use a local service provider, purchase from a local entrepreneur or experience an attraction in the surrounding area."

For Annette, this is where the opportunity lies: connecting township businesses to the formal tourism economy and creating stronger routes that position townships as genuine destinations.

"If we can get more visitors to spend more time and more money within township economies, we can create jobs, support small businesses, encourage investment and build sustainable economic opportunities."

Her journey also highlights the role women can play as business owners, investors and decision-makers within township economies – and the importance of creating visible examples for the next generation.

"Most importantly, don’t allow the fact that you are starting from a township, from a small business or from limited resources to make you think your vision has to be small."

Through entrepreneurs like Annette, tourism can help broaden Cape Town and the Western Cape's visitor economy, unlock new investment opportunities and create greater participation across the province.

Wrenelle Stander

28/08/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲

Wesgro hosted the newly appointed Consuls General of Japan and the Netherlands to Cape Town, Mr Yorio Ito and Ms Cornelieke Keizer respectively, for introductory meetings with Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro.

The engagements were an opportunity to deepen ties with two important international partners and explore where collaboration can open new pathways for trade, investment and innovation.

🇯🇵 Japan

Japan remains an important investment partner for South Africa, with strong potential in:

✅ Renewable energy and the green economy
✅ Advanced technologies and business machines
✅ Automotive, transport and logistics
✅ Innovation and the Western Cape’s startup ecosystem

This builds on Wesgro’s recent work with Japanese partners, including hosting a JICA and Deloitte delegation in June 2026 to explore the Western Cape’s startup ecosystem, and supporting 10 Western Cape companies at Foodex Japan.

🇳🇱 The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a priority European trade and investment partner for the Western Cape, both a market in its own right and a gateway into wider European value chains. Areas of opportunity include:

✅ Green economy, battery technologies and energy storage
✅ Agriculture, AgriTech and agri-processing
✅ Life sciences, technology, FinTech and EdTech
✅ Supporting Western Cape businesses to enter and scale in the EU

Wesgro continues to work with Dutch partners including Invest in Holland and Oost NL, with recent activity spanning life sciences, agriculture, technology and services.

While the sectors and markets differ, the goal is the same: building the international pathways and connections that create real opportunities for Western Cape businesses, investors and innovators.

Through continued engagement with global partners, Wesgro is working to strengthen the region’s pathways to global trade, investment and business.

Wrenelle Stander

26/08/2026

𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧

Wesgro is seeking to appoint a Head: Trade.

In this senior leadership role, you’ll lead Wesgro’s trade promotion strategy to grow exports from Cape Town and the Western Cape, facilitate outward investment, and position the province as a globally competitive trade destination.

You’ll drive strategic trade initiatives, build partnerships across government and business, and lead a team focused on unlocking market access and opportunities for Western Cape exporters.

If you’re passionate about international trade, economic growth and creating opportunities for businesses to go global, apply today!

View the full job spec on our careers page and apply here: https://www.wesgro.co.za/corporate/careers/head-trade

🗓️ Closing Date | 02 September 2026

26/08/2026

𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟴𝟰 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲

From 18-20 August, Wesgro, in partnership with DHL and the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), led a 24-company South African business mission to Nairobi.

Representing the wine, food and beverage, ICT, homeware and automotive sectors, the delegation engaged with 84 potential Kenyan buyers through targeted B2B meetings, creating new pathways for trade, market entry and commercial partnerships. This aligns to Wesgro's strategy to unlock access to new markets and new buyers, while maintaining a continued focus on established markets, including in Africa.

The South Africa-Kenya Business Seminar highlighted several key opportunities and insights for businesses seeking to strengthen their presence in East Africa:

✅ Kenya continues to be a strategic gateway into East Africa, offering South African businesses access not only to the Kenyan market but also to wider regional value chains and consumers across the region.

✅ Long-term relationship building matters. Wesgro's decade of engagement in Kenya, together with strong partnerships with the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other stakeholders, demonstrates the value of sustained market development in unlocking trade opportunities.

✅ Stronger bilateral economic ties are creating new opportunities for growth. Discussions highlighted the potential for greater collaboration between South African and Kenyan businesses across multiple sectors, supported by increasing commercial interest from both markets.

✅ Efficient logistics are critical to expanding intra-African trade. Insights from DHL reinforced the importance of reliable supply chains, distribution networks and cross-border logistics in helping African businesses reach new customers and scale into regional markets.

✅ Market access requires more than introductions. Connecting businesses with qualified buyers, industry networks and on-the-ground market intelligence remains essential to converting opportunities into long-term commercial outcomes.

The programme also included a visit to DHL's cargo facility at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, providing delegates with first-hand insight into the logistics infrastructure supporting trade flows into Kenya and the broader East African region.

Through sustained system-scale partnerships, market intelligence and targeted trade facilitation, Wesgro continues to connect South African businesses with growth opportunities across Africa and beyond.

Wrenelle Stander DHL Tshwane Economic Development Agency

25/08/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

South Africa’s visa reforms continue to create a more enabling environment for businesses seeking to attract critical skills and investment.

The Department of Home Affairs’ Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) Phase II expands priority visa processing for qualifying employers, including businesses involved in strategic infrastructure projects, regional and global headquarters, and the financial sector.

The scheme enables trusted employers to recruit critical foreign skills more efficiently, while maintaining robust immigration and vetting processes.

Applications for Phase II close on 4 September 2026.

Qualifying entities can submit an expression of interest via the Trusted Employer Scheme Portal: https://touroperator.dha.gov.za:8443/TrustedEmployer/Create

Full requirements are available in the official Government Gazette:https://www.dha.gov.za/images/gazettes/2026/55036-20-7-26.pdf

For more information, visit https://www.dha.gov.za/ or contact Wesgro at [email protected].

21/08/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲: 𝗔 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟱

Wesgro was proud to support SATSA’s 2026 Conference in Cape Town this week and to share insights from the Unlocking Tourism Project, a collaborative initiative aimed at developing an ecosystem-wide roadmap to support the Western Cape’s tourism growth ambitions.

The project focuses on unlocking sustainable and inclusive growth while ensuring the necessary enablers are in place, including infrastructure, mobility, connectivity, product development and visitor experiences.

Drawing on benchmarking across leading tourism destinations including Chile, Kenya, Valencia, Melbourne, New Zealand and Singapore, several key themes emerged:

✅ Shift from volume to value, with a focus on visitor yield and economic impact.

✅ Leverage MICE and major events to smooth demand and reduce seasonality.

✅ Embed local communities in the tourism value chain through authentic experiences.

✅ Intentionally design demand by creating compelling reasons to travel.

✅ Build multi-node journeys, with destinations evolving into connected experiences rather than single attractions.

The research indicates that, under a medium-growth scenario supported by deliberate interventions across the tourism ecosystem, the Western Cape could attract more than 700,000 additional international visitors by 2035.

A key takeaway is the importance of diversifying demand by unlocking growth opportunities in markets such as China, India, the Middle East and Brazil, while improving connectivity, visa access, institutional coordination and strategic destination marketing.

The project has now moved into its next phase, focusing on the supply side of tourism growth, including the infrastructure, services and enabling environment required to support future demand.

Achieving inclusive and sustainable tourism growth will require coordinated action across government, industry and the private sector. This is particularly relevant following the recent announcement that Business and Government will continue their partnership in South Africa, with tourism identified as a key pillar for growth.

The opportunity is significant, but realising it will require deliberate, coordinated and sustained action across the tourism ecosystem.

Wrenelle Stander SATSA Western Cape Government City of Cape Town V&A Waterfront

20/08/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆

At Wesgro, innovation, collaboration and fresh thinking are part of how we work every day to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth across Cape Town and the Western Cape.

The township economy is integral to the Western Cape’s growth trajectory. Unlocking its potential means creating more opportunities for entrepreneurship, investment, jobs and participation in the economy, and requires fresh thinking and collaboration across sectors.

Our internal Township Economy Competition created an opportunity to explore these opportunities from within Wesgro, bringing colleagues together to consider innovative ways to strengthen and grow township economies across the province.

Six teams participated, drawing on diverse expertise, perspectives and experience to develop ideas that respond to real economic opportunities and challenges. The competition demonstrated the value of working across disciplines and bringing different perspectives to complex economic issues.

More than a competition, the initiative reflects how we approach our work: connecting ideas, people and expertise to help unlock the opportunities that will shape a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable Western Cape economy.

Congratulations to the winning team, and thank you to all six teams for the creativity, enthusiasm and contribution to this important conversation.

Wrenelle Stander

Wesgro

04/09/2026

02/09/2026

31/08/2026

28/08/2026

28/08/2026

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

25/08/2026

21/08/2026

20/08/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Listing takedown request

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00