Part of what distinguishes training at the Aleit Academy from other academic institutions, is our dedication to practical, on-the-job training. It is therefore that we, throughout their academic careers, increasingly involve our students in a number of events – allowing them to gain additional experience, while their organisational skills are simultaneously developed. It is here that we not only mould and recognize their potentials, but, more importantly, immerse them in an environment of industry leaders.

Our new class of 21 talented students are enthusiastically embarking on their three year journey with us. Although we barely stand at the beginning of a new academic year, the Aleit Academy has already been buzzing with activity. The 3rd Little Pink Book launch was coordinated by our second years. “Las Vegas Wedding” was the theme of the evening, and, due to their extended hours of very hard work, the event went off smoothly. If the work of our talented protégés at the Aleit Academy is anything to go by, it is clear that the future looks bright for Aleit Event Projects.

Allow us to share some of the Events Industry Jargon

Three of the five ticket sale phases for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ have been completed, and over 2 million tickets – that is, two-thirds of the total available – have already been sold.

In anticipation of this monumental sporting event, South Africans now not only collectively count down the days, but also share in the pre-kick-off celebrations and activities. The following are a few of the interesting ways in which the local organising committee is adding to World Cup soccer fever:

Football Fridays

The days until kick-off are quickly ticking away, and South Africans are urged to mark each Friday in a way that comes naturally to our sport-crazy nation: "dress down” and wear a football shirt to work

Football Fridays is a call on all South Africans to show their enthusiasm in support of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The FIFA World Cup™ – arguably the biggest event in the world of sport – is about to hit our shores, and, in order to get fans from around the world excited, South Africans are urged to lead the way by firing up the celebrations and welcoming hundreds of thousands of travelling football fans within out borders.

Aleit Event Projects is, naturally, involved in a number of these celebratory Football Friday events. One of our Football Friday functions was recently held in Sandton, Johannesburg. The venue for this electric event was The Atrium in the ABSA Capital office building. We set the scene by adorning the venue with South African flags, makarapas and vuvuzelas. Doctor Khumalo – best known as Kaizer Chiefs’ and Bafana Bafana’s star midfielder – was the guest speaker at this exhilarating event. Diski dancers entertained the crowd, while official FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa™ soccer shirts were distrubuted to guests, add to the festive atmosphere.

Diski Dance

Two left feet? That’s no excuse! “Diski” is South African township slang for “soccer”, and is now also used to officially name a truly South African football jive. The ‘Diski dance’ mimics soccer moves and captures the rhythm of African football. Learning this easy and exciting dance will have you feeling World Cup energy in your bones!

Vuvuzela and Makarapas

What is made from brightly coloured plastic and makes one hell of a noise? The vuvuzela! This loud, festive trumpet was made popular by South African football fans and has come to symbolise the shared festivity of sport in South Africa. Together with this noise-maker, South African soccer fans also use their makarapas (decorated miners’ hats) as interactive advertising spaces where the logo and colours of a favourite team, images of star players and slogans describing the imminent downfall of opponents are displayed. (Makarapas are, of course, never complete without a pair of giant sunglasses.) Watch any major South African football match, and these two pieces of paraphernalia immediately stand out!

It was a thoroughly French affair when the Chef’s Plate Event was held at Cotage Fromage at Vrede en Lust on 22 October last year. Guests had the honour of dining on haute cuisine prepared by Duncan Doherty and five other chefs, while a prominent South African brand participated in a charity auction. Twenty of this leading firm’s clients, together with their partners, attended the event, set apart by an exceptional array of delectable food.

Guests enjoyed refreshing pre-drinks and canapés on the patio while being entertained by a soulful jazz duo. The pièce de résistance of the evening was, however, the various courses served at an elegant, long dinner table. Duncan Doherty from Cotage Fromage, Margot Janse from Le Quartier Français, Jacques de Jager from Grande Provence, Tamarin van Zyl from La Petite Ferme, Neil Jewell from Bread and Wine and Reuben Riffel from Reuben’s each treated the guests to different courses as part of the exquisite bowl food menu.

A bright and brainy gift idea: instead of table gifts to each guest, the guests’ gift budget was donated on behalf of each guest, to KiBWE KIDS. A few days later, Rozanne Morkel-Mong from Aleit Event Projects, represented Absa Wealth, and hand delivered a large sum to KiBWE KiDS Home in Kayamandi. Aleit Event Projects was truly honoured to be involved in such a charitable and elegant event.

ABSA Capital’s IMN event was held this year at The Roundhouse in Camp’s Bay – known for its exceptional food, extensive wine selection and contemporary French cuisine. Aleit Event Projects coordinated transportation with luxury shuttles, while also ensuring that the 50 high profile guests were treated to Drappier champagne, Peach Bellini and a selection of tapas as they arrived.

After arrival, guests where ushered to a beautifully set dinner table underneath the pomegranate trees, where the three-course meal was served. Top South African singer, Verity and her band contributed to the chic atmosphere with their live background music.

Bayer Schering is a global enterprise and leaders in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials, with their most important aim the improvement of quality of life. Bayer Schering approached Aleit Event Projects to coordinate their annual gala dinner. Needless to say, our creative flair and organisational know-how culminated in yet another perfectly engineered event.

Groot Constantia’s Simon’s was to be the venue of choice for this extravagant party. Although the evening of 7 October last year was accompanied by a pesky drizzle, the 580 South African and international guests – representing over 40 countries – arrived in luxury shuttles and were escorted to the pre-drinks area.

For this event, Bedouin tents and barely-there decor created a simplistically elegant atmosphere, while strategically placed plinths, displaying single proteas in glass containers, functioned as focal points. Large paper mâché lights – in the shapes of animals – were also displayed to tie in with the African theme, simultaneously adding a creative twist.

Guests enjoyed a hearty three-course dinner. If that was not enough to warm them up, blankets were made available to add extra comfort.

One of the highlights on our events calendar is undoubtedly ABSA Capital’s annual year-end function. Ultra-modern and oozing panache, ABSA’s end-of-year events have now also established the company as leading party animals. Of course, these ever-in vogue parties are not only organised in honour of their loyal clients, but are also a gesture of appreciation aimed at their hard-working employees.

This year, The Runway in Cape Town was the venue of choice. Aleit Event Projects ensured a markedly innovative evening when we split the venue into two themed sections. On one side, we created a Cape colonial setting as we brought in crisp silvers and whites with Victorian furniture and added a dash of 21st century Cape Town pizzazz through modern mirror balls and lounges. This was juxtaposed by the other side of the room where we kept to a natural palette of greens and browns, reflected in the wooden benches, beige cushions and olive green ottomans. We connected the two opposing sides with floral décor – reliving 19th century patterns through African fynbos, gyps and cacti.

The evening rounded off 2009 with the lively sounds of Goldfish and Nomfusi. Stir Cuisine provided gourmet canapés, while Shake and Serve manned the drinks with slick bar services. These photos by Joe really capture the spirit of the evening:

Cape town is bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games! The Mother City previously bid for the 2004 Olympic Games but the honour of hosting the event was given to Athens. This time around, things are looking good! With the Fifa World Cup being hosted in South Africa this year, 75% of the venues are already in place – putting Cape Town in a great position to win the bid.