God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

The “Ball of HOPE” joy – please join in…

Indeed, there is much joy in the hearts of those organizing the Ball of HOPE for the 20th time. After 2 years of cancellations due to Covid-19 it looks good for the 21st of May 2022 at the Westin Hotel by Marriott in Cape Town.

20 years Ball of HOPE, the end of the 20 years anniversary year of the organisation itself and the better late than never celebration of 20 years of the local office of the Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Ball of HOPE developed out of a dinner-dance established in 1998 at the Mount Nelson and organised by the German-speaking Catholic Community in Cape Town. The first guest of honour was Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He also introduced the culture of letting culinary chefs be in pain keeping the main course hot and tasty, while speeches are indeed longer than anticipated.

The first guest of honour: Archbishop Desmond Tutu

With the opening of the local office of the AHK in Cape Town, the dinner-dance became the “Ball of HOPE” in cooperation between the newly founded organisation HOPE Cape Town and the Chamber of Commerce. In 2003 the Westin was inaugurated, and the event moved from the Mount Nelson Hotel to the then newly established Arabella Hotel at the Foreshore in Cape Town, which today is the Westin by Marriott.

Opening and blessing of the new Westin Hotel

During the following years, the Ball of HOPE became a fixture in the social calendar of Cape Town, and attracted also visitors from Europe to come and join this prestigious event.

So, yes, we are full of joy to invite all of you to the 20th Ball of HOPE – please come, register and join us in this celebration of service, of commitment and of a partnership between business and development, which changes the lives of people for the better in the last more than 20 years.

Filed under: HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, SA-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, South Africa, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , ,

Follow up…

The reader might remember the trip to Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape before Easter and since then things are moving a bit at least: The water from the mountains is in Cape Town and awaits analysis about content and quality. Sam, our trustee have had a meeting with the representative of the SA-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is now going to Johannesburg with Fr Jo to investigate the possibilities of training with the Chamber’s head of training services. Just to give you an idea about the place we visited some pictures:

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Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Before the Ball of HOPE…

It is the time before the Ball of HOPE again – and even if I have to give credit to Anja Tambusso-Ferraz from the Chamber of Commerce and Kerstin Behlau from HOPE Cape Town to overlook and organise most things it is piling up again – sudden thoughts are rushing to my mind again and again at night – “hope we don’t forget….” Yes, it is the 14th ball and yes, there is a routine to follow, but every year is different. But some feelings stay the same: moments before the ball = “never again” – the thrill when opening the ball, the relief when the dance floor is opened and we can sit down and relax and the happiness about some nice thank you letters and the possibility to hand over the proceeds to HOPE Cape Town and assist in their work.

This year we not only celebrate 10 years of the Ithemba ward – established as the first “infectious disease” ward at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital but also 60 years of the Southern-African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Since 2001 the Cape Town office supports the work of HOPE Cape Town. I am just thinking how many people have been given hope and light and a perspective in life, only because every year round about 300 guests have a splendid evening and are willing to share their joy via HOPE Cape Town. And I am asking: What would be an organisation like HOPE Cape Town be without all the faithful supporters out there, be it in Cape Town or anywhere else in the world?
I think, being part of a charity organisation one should always count the blessings – and each and every one giving HOPE Cape Town a thought, a helping hand, a meaningful advice, a networking opportunity, a donation, a sponsorship is a blessing for us. It means for us working for HOPE Cape Town an obligation to strive for the utmost on care, on love, on committment towards the cause. In this sense it is good to have the Ball of HOPE also as a reminder for all working with HOPE Cape Town… a reminder with very grateful conotation…

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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