“We started Den Anker in 1994, and we were situated at the end of the V&A Waterfront. There was a fish factory and no swing bridge at the time, and there was a ferry that went back and forth from where the Silo District currently is.”

So said Rejeanne Vlietman, director and general manager of Den Anker restaurant, who celebrated their 30th anniversary in the Waterfront, and was also the recipient of a Long Standing Award at the Waterfront’s inaugural Neighbourhood Awards, which took place on Wednesday September 25 at the newly-opened Spyce Restaurant at the Silo District, situated over the swing bridge, where the fish factory used to be.

Born out of the previous tenant awards, the reimagined Neighbourhood Awards acknowledge brands and people that have achieved in retail within today’s competitive commercial environment.

Ms Vlietman recalled the “dark days”, when only four or five tables would frequent the space in winter. “We have watched the Waterfront evolve around us over the past 15 to 20 years, and today we are in the heart of the neighbourhood.”

Den Anker was also the recipient of a social impact award, where they were recognised for partnering with the Waterfront and feeding organisation Ladles of Love, and also being involved in various social projects the Waterfront had to offer, said Ms Vlietman.

These awards were among 17 handed to retailers across eight categories, with two additional People's Choice Awards voted for by members of the public.

There were 66 entries across 12 self-nominated awards, evaluated by 34 judges - each specialists in the specific category sectors.

Over and above the awards decided by the judging panel and the public, the Waterfront CEO David Green selected his own winner for the CEO Award - which was handed to Oranjezicht Market.

David Green, the CEO of the Waterfront, handed the CEO award to Sheryl Ozinsky from the Oranjezicht City Farmers Market. With them is Tinyiko Mageza, executive head of marketing.

The individual award-winners within each category are as follows:

Purpose-led Strategy

● Empowerment Impact Award: ONEOFEACH

● Social Impact Award: Den Anker

● Our Better Nature Sustainability Award: Sealand Gear

Brand Design and Innovation

● Top Activation Accolade: HintHunt

● Marketing Alchemy Award: Shimansky

● Digital Innovation Award: Pienaar & Son

● Leading New or Revamped Store Award: Fields

● Inspired Visual Merchandising Award: AAFRICAA

Service Excellence

● Retail Service Excellence Award: Shimansky

● Neighbourfood Service Excellence Award: Kauai

● Small Business Service Excellence Award: Rabinowitz Photography

Staff Talent

● Store Manager of the Year: AAFRICAA

● Retail Service Star Award: AAFRICAA

Retail Excellence

● Retail Excellence Award: Afrika Joe

Neighbourhood Champion Awards

● Global Brand Ambassador of the Year: ONEOFEACH

● Good Neighbour Award: The Fermentary

People’s Choice

● Favourite Eatery: Spur

● Favourite Retail Shop: Woolworths

Each of these winners took away with prizes specifically tailored to the respective award, which included marketing support packages, trophies, certificates and bragging rights for the next year.

Alex Kabalin, retail executive at the V&A Waterfront, congratulated all the nominees and winners.

“An integral part of bringing it to life and creating value for our visitors from Cape Town, South Africa, and across the world, are the many relationships we foster with our much-valued tenants.

“We’re all part of an ecosystem which operates at a pioneering level of excellence. Our awards programme aims to recognise the stand-out contributions from the many retailers, store owners and brands that help make the V&A what it is today.”

Tamburai Chirume and Pauline Munemo of ONEOFEACH, recipient of a Empowerment Impact Award as well as Global Brand Ambassador of the Year.

ONEOFEACH, situated at the Watershed, was the recipient of a Empowerment Impact Award as well as Global Brand Ambassador of the Year.

Started by mother and daughter Pauline Munemo and Tamburai Chirume, ONEOFEACH creates African style handbags, apparel and home decor. They also run The South African Academy of Fashion, a social enterprise on Loop Street - a free school for for women with under-served communities to teach them fashion and craft skills and integrate them into diversifying the craft and fashion industry in Cape Town and the Western Cape, said Ms Chirume.

Speaking about their empowerment award, Ms Munemo said they were recognised because they were passionate about people and in particular, women empowerment. She said after the women are upskilled at the academy, they help them find work and help integrate them.

Ms Chirume said: “If you live in a country like SA where there are so many social ills, what is your product doing to make a difference in the lives of someone else? We don’t have to be a big brand, but we have the resources and the platforms and can teach the skills to get creative opportunities for women, but also to diversify the craft and design industry in South Africa because its not diverse.”

She added that they have also done a lot of work abroad, and also featured on a billboard in Times Square, New York, in the USA.

She said the awards event by the Waterfront shows the diversity of the neighbourhood, and they were excited to be recognised regardless of the size of their business.

“For us its a moment of pride, its a moment to inspire up-and coming-women and brands or small businesses to say there are people like me who have done it, so you can do it too.

“We want to see more people like us that are getting these awards and to be present in places like the Waterfront.”

Ms Munemo encouraged people to always help others grow.

Shimansky managing director Sterna Fourie and store manager Monaisha Fredericks received the Retail Excellence and the Marketing Alchemy awards.

Shimansky, a diamond retailer and diamond museum, was also among the winners for the night, and received Retail Excellence and the Marketing Alchemy awards.

Managing director Sterna Fourie said they were extremely proud. “Our team has worked hard on marketing efforts and window displays, so we are proud to have won the recognition.”

Store manager Monaisha Fredericks said they also run the diamond museum, which shows how the diamonds are manufactured, cut and polished.

The V&A Waterfront will award a series of 20 service excellence certificates based on the outcomes of mystery shopper research conducted independently of the nominations and judging process.

These certificates will be hand-delivered in store by the relevant V&A property manager and marketing manager.

The Waterfront Neighbourhood Awards was held at the newly opened Spyc restaurant at the Silo District on Wednesday September 25.

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Winners of Waterfront Neighbourhood Awards announced