CAPE TOWN MINSTREL CARNIVAL – JANUARY
Know as South Africa’s Mardi Gras .

NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL GRAHAMSTOWN - JULY
Africa's largest and most colourful cultural event offers a choice of the very best of both indigenous and imported talent.

This is one of the most important events on the South African cultural calendar, and the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent. Starting at the end of June/beginning of July, it runs for between 8 and 10 days and is held in the small university city of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. Today there is virtually no art form which is not represented with the major categories of craft, art, student theatre, jazz, street theatre and children's arts festival. The festival is at the cutting edge of cultural development in the country. Craft and book fairs, workshops and demonstrations also form part of the line-up.

STANDARD BANK JOY OF JAZZ FESTIVAL JOHANNESBURG - AUGUST
An impressive blend of international and South African musicians.

The biggest jazz festival on Johannesburg’s calendar marks its eight year with a phenomenal lineup of South African musical legends as well as the first American big band to play in the country in 30 years.
Newtown has become the home of the Joy of Jazz Festival and for three days will reverberate with a star-studded list of artists, from legends to up-and-coming talent. The festival encompasses music in every form, but with a clear and strong emphasis on jazz.

Jazz Africa Heritage, Gauteng & North West – FEBRUARY
Building the bridge across the African Diaspora.

JAH is a 10 day celebration of Black History Month in the Motherland.
It carries a vision, which seeks to give reality to building a multi-layered bridge between the African diaspora and South Africa. The three main pillars underpinning JAH are Africa,
Jazz and Heritage and it was designed as a bridge between African people and the African American community, in particular.

SPORTING EVENTS

J&B Met, Cape Town – J&B MET CAPE TOWN – JANUARY
Cape Town’s premier horse racing and fashion event.

2007 saw the 30th J&B Met at the Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town. As always, it was a day of high fashion, big stake betting and serious socializing. The Met has also become an important event on the national calendar, so much so that local airlines add extra flights to their schedules to cope with demand. The day is a smorgasbord of activity with on and off course entertainment throughout the day, the J&B Most Elegant Couple Competition and a selection of South Africa’s top comedians, DJs, MCs and bands entertaining in both private and public spaces. The stake in 2007 was R2 million, a far cry from the R40 000 of the first event in 1977.

COMRADES MARATHON – DURBS AND PMB – MAY
Widely regarded as the world’s toughest ultra-marathon of 55,9 miles.

The Comrades Marathon is the world's oldest and largest ultra-marathon run over a distance of approximately 90 km (55.9 mi) between the capital of the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg, and the coastal city of Durban. The direction of the race alternates each year between the up run starting from Durban and the down run starting from Pietermaritzburg. The race was the idea of World War I veteran Vic Clapham, to commemorate the South African soldiers killed during the war. It was first run on 24 May 1921.

DURBAN JULY - DURBAN – JULY
South Africa’s premiere horse-racing event where the “who’s who” of South Africa meet.

TWO OCEANS MARATHON – CAPE TOWN – APRIL
A demanding ultra-marathon run along a beautifully scenic coastal route.
First run in 1970, the Two Oceans Marathon has become, with the exception of the Comrades Marathon, the most famous ultra-marathon in South Africa, a beautiful and picturesque race that is known worldwide. The marathon attracts some 20 000 runners participating in the 56 km ultra and 21 km half marathon. As the names suggests, the race incorporates both oceans surrounding the South African shoreline - the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and includes the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive. It is a tough challenge, but also a stunning visual treat of nature at her finest.

CAPE ARGUS CYCLE TOUR – CAPE TOWN – MARCH
Beautifully scenic ride – for both casual and serious cyclists.

This is the largest timed sporting event in the world. Attracting in excess of 35 000 cyclists from around the globe each year, this prestigious event is definitely a unique experience for participants and spectators alike. Cyclists tackle a 109km route around Cape Town that is as spectacular as it is grueling. The country's biggest one-day sporting event is fast becoming a big international drawcard, attracting, in recent years, a considerable number of foreign entries.

NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE – SUN CITY – DECEMBER
The world’s best golfers battle it out at Sun City’s Gary Player’s Country Club
The Nedbank Golf Challenge (as it is now known) is played at Sun City resort in South Africa's North West Province. Way back in 1981 it became the first golf tournament ever to offer a prize purse of US$1 million, with the winner taking home $500 000 - more than the winning money on offer at any of the majors. The purse has in recent years increased substantially and this prize money proves a good incentive in luring the world’s leading players. South Africa’s Ernie Els holds the record for the lowest four rounds in the history of the event, finishing 25 shots under par in 1999.

CULINARY

KNYSNA OYSTER FESTIVAL – KNYSNA – JULY
The freshest oysters in Africa, a cycle & road race and loads of fun for the whole family!

The festival is a 10-day feast for oyster lovers and a sport and leisure adventure for the whole family. The program is packed with sporting events which include cycling, running, canoeing, down-hill racing and sailing.
There is also plenty of entertainment for the not-so-active and many occasions to toast Knysna’s famous local mollusk. Highlights include the Knysna Cycle Tour - a two day festival of cycling and the Knysna Forest Marathon - one of the most popular and challenging events on the running calendar.

BASTILLE DAY FESTIVAL – FRANSCHHOEK – JULY
 (To be confirmed)
A fun weekend of good wines, gourmet foods and live entertainment in the most picturesque French-founded, Cape Winelands village.

Festivities take place from noon until 6pm daily. The Bastille Food and Wine Marquee is the focal point, drawing visitors to the hub of activity and fervour, as well-loved wineries and esteemed chefs parade their talents at colourful, vibrant stalls offering delicious fare, from oysters, sushi, local and French cheeses to charcuterie, handmade chocolates and salmon trout from the valley – all complemented by Franschhoek’s fine wines.

RMB WINEX CAPE TOWN – CAPE TOWN – SEPTEMBER
(To be confirmed)
The festival attracts over 200 of the country’s top wineries.

Meet local and international winemakers, taste their current releases and learn about the latest trends in winemaking. WineX is the premier public event on South Africa's national wine calendar and draws thousands of wine enthusiasts every year. Held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, A feature of the show has become the awards for the best white and red wine – South Africa’s only wine awards wholly judged by the public. The show is held over three nights with over a 1000 wines each night on offer. Hand-crafted cheese, sushi, oysters and olives oils are also on sale as well as imported and local wine accessories and glassware.

STELLENBOSCH WINE FESTIVAL – STELLENBOSCH – JULY/AUGUST
(To be confirmed)
Food and wine aficionados unite for a two-day festival.

Annually this festival plays host to thousands of local and international visitors who come to chase away the winter cold with a glass of Stellenbosch's best. Visitors will be able to sample some 500 wines made by the most jovial, professional and fun-loving wine community in the world. There are wines on offer to suite every palate, as well as every pocket. See celebrity chefs, winemakers and journalists competing in the kitchen.
There is of course great local fare on offer including cheeses, olives and traditional, hearty dishes. Also on offer is a program of festivities, historic tours, children’s entertainment area, tutored wine-tastings, crafts and a Brandy Emporium.

FASHION

SANLAM SA FASHION WEEK – JOHANNESBURG – AUGUST
The latest fashions from local and international designers, new and established, are on show.

SA Fashion Week marked its 10th anniversary in 2007. Since its inception, SSAFW has become South Africa’s most visible fashion forum showcasing the country’s top and emerging designers under one roof. Established and new designers’ collections are showcased. The actual exhibition features the full spectrum of fashion sectors, including educators to the industry. This fusion of fashion shows with an exhibition and specialized seminar happening simultaneously makes SA Fashion Week a unique experience that no serious fashionista could afford to miss. own vibrant and rightful, place in the international arena.

CAPE TOWN FASHION WEEK – CAPE TOWN – AUGUST
This premier South African fashion showcase celebrates landmark local spring/summer collections at the Cape Town International Convention Center.

This event has grown into one of the premiere "new world" fashion weeks providing an international platform for designers from across Sub-Saharan Africa. Over seventy of Africa’s top designers have the opportunity to present their designs to an audience of over 30,000 followers of fashion. Cape Town has long been regarded as the center of SA’s fashion industry.
Combined with a growing international reputation as a unique style destination, an eclectic blend of different cultures and gateway to many international visitors, makes the city the perfect meeting place for one of the most dynamic and diverse groups of creative talent in the world.

DURBAN FASHION WEEK – DURBAN – JUNE
(To be confirmed)