THE CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE 

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) was officially opened on
Saturday 28 June 2003 during an evening of world-class entertainment, which culminated 
in a unique collaboration between international pop-violin sensation Vanessa Mae and top 
South African diva Sibongile Khumalo.

President Thabo Mbeki was the guest of honour among almost 7 000 people who flocked to the 
centre for what was an important milestone in Cape Town ’s quest to become the international 
destination of choice for both business and leisure tourism. Mbeki said it was a proud day for
Cape Town , adding that the centre promised prosperity for all the people of the Western Cape in 
particular and South Africa in general.

“This convention centre is one of the many concrete proofs that the tide has indeed turned for South 
Africa, and that with every step that we take, we have entered into a social contract for a better tomorrow.” 
he said.
“For many years, the magnificent splendour of the Western Cape has drawn visitors from across the 
globe. As they continue to come they will also find the Cape Town Convention Centre - another symbol of 
hope, a symbol of our glorious past, a symbol of modernity and a symbol of future prosperity. It draws 
its essence from the formidable and mighty Atlantic Ocean from where Convention Square gained its land.”
 he said.

Mbeki said that Convenco, the company set up to develop the CTICC, had shown that South 
Africans could realise their dreams and aspirations based on hope and their own abilities as 
architects, engineers, artisans, caterers, IT and communication specialists, exhibition 
co-ordinators, and so many other skilled personnel who made up the team which runs the Cape 
Town International Convention Centre.

Mbeki said research had shown that the centre would create about 47, 000 new jobs and bring in 
R 25 billion to the GDP over a period of ten years.

The Chairman of Convenco, Ebrahim Rasool said Cape Town had been rated as one of the best value 
for money destinations in the world and currently ranked in the top 30 list of the most popular 
international destinations.

“From bookings received to date, the CTICC will become the meeting place of choice in the region - 
a place where members of global orgainsations and communities gather around issues of common interest, 
turning to one another in the simple art of conversation and dialogue.” 

The theme of the evening’s formalities and entertainment was dialogue - in line with South Africa ’s 
international reputation for abolishing apartheid through negotiation and dialogue.

Over 1 500 VIP guests were entertained in the centre’s spectacular 2000m2 ballroom from 17h00 
on Saturday before they joined over 5 000 members of the public in the 10 000m2 exhibition hall 
for the evening’s entertainment.

The audience was treated to a performance by 100 young violinists who were drawn from three music 
institutions around Cape Town . This was followed by the award-winning Bolero, a classic South 
African contemporary dance repertoire, performed by the countries leading dance/theatre performing 
company  Jazz art.

Khumalo then wowed the guests with an arousing performance of various African melodies that have 
made her world famous.

A sudden illness did not stop Vanessa Mae from taking to the stage next and providing an electric 
performance on her violin backed up by a dynamic mixture of South African and international 
musicians, and a stunning light show.

The highlight of the evening was collaboration between Mae and Khumalo, which had the audience 
completely enraptured.

The evening ended with a party for the VIP guests who clearly had been blown away by the night’s 
proceedings.

The centres MD Dirk Elzinga said he was extremely proud of the opening event, adding that the 
centre had received numerous compliments on the centre’s facilities and on the opening event.