Cape Town Conference Photographer – South Africa – International Media Tour – Conference Photography.

I recently had the pleasure of covering the 2009 International Media Tour as commissioned by Brand South Africa on behalf of the International Marketing Council or IMC.

My week’s journey kicked off in Cape Town on Sunday the 21st and then took me onto JHB until Sunday the 28th.

Should you require a photographer for your upcoming conference, function or event please get in touch with me.

I am professional and reliable and can provide excellent references on request.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Browse the month’s archives folder to view more of my events and functions work click here to view more event/function pics

Ralph
072 220 2840
Int. +27 72 220 2840
myphotographer@gmail.com

Sunday 21st June 2009

Welcome drinks at BMW Pavillion at the V & A Waterfront. Objectives of the tour as briefed by Brand South Africa – Paul Bannister.

The journalists were given welcome packs which included a branded “South Africa – Alive with possibility” bag, raincoat, beanie and scarf as well as mobiles from Vodacom.

Monday 22nd June 2009

The Journalists were taken to Parliament where a presentation was given by Soraya Solomon of NICRO – National Institute for crime prevention and the reintegration of offenders.

Group photograph on the steps of Tuinhuis.

That’s right, parliament, the view from the top.

Dr Laurine Platzky – Western Cape Coordinator 2010 FIFA World Cup – Department of the Premier/Provincial Government Western Cape talking to the media group about the Green Point Stadium.

Off to dinner and cocktails at the 12 Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay. The 12 Apostles is a great place for photography.

Tuesday the 23rd June 2009

Off to the Civic Centre – City of Cape Town – to chat to the Executive Deputy Mayor Alderman Ian Neilson.

We were then introduced to Mansoor Mohamed – Executive Director for Economic, Social Development and Tourism.

Who in turn introduced us to the next speaker Colin Habberton of the broccoli project

It was then time to go back to 120 Plein Street for a media briefing from Barbara Hogan with regards to the Eskom Electricity rate hike.

After the briefing on to Mandela Gateway for a virtual tour of Robben Island as most would remember a cold front was in the process of battering the mother city so no boat, no island.

After the video and tour of Mandela Gateway we headed back to the City Lodge for another session with Deputy Minister Andries Nel from the Ministry for Justice and Constitutional Developement in South Africa.

To round up the evening we headed out for dinner to the African Cafe where a selection of traditional dishes from the Ndebele, Xhosa and Zulu cultures were served – the food was delicious.

Wednesday 24th June 2009

Off to the Cape Town Convention Centre to hear about the social and economic challenges South Africa faces right now as well as a presentation by ACSA on our National Airport’s readiness for 2010.

After this winded up we were taken back to parliament to sit up in the gallery area to listen to a session of parliament. Watching the MP’s taunt each other was kinda like being back in pre-school. At one point the honourable speaker asked the house to get in order as we had extinguished guests in the upper gallery. When they looked up I flipped the disordaly a “peace” sign.

Dinner saw us heading to Nederburg wine farm where we were given a presentation by their Winemaker on Nederburg’s involvement with producing the official 2010 FIFA soccer wines.

Stormhoek owner and winemaker Graham Knox also gave a talk on his wine adventures and blogging which was interesting. “The best South African Wine for the money, end of story”

Got back from Nederburg at 00:35 then pack, charge batteries, download pics then leave for airport at 04:30 to catch the first flight to Jozi. Not fun considering it was raining hard!

Thursday 25th June 2009

Upon arriving in Johannesburg to take photographs of the JHB leg of the International Media Tour we headed out to Cullinan Diamond Mines.

After that very interesting part of the tour the group headed off to Constitutional Hill to hear the Deputy Justice Minister talk about the South African Constitution and then look around at the Old Fort – Section number 4.

After hearing about Constitutional hill and seeing where Mandela and Ghandi were housed during their stay at the Old Fort we headed for the Gordon Institute for Business Science.

Thankfully after this informative session of business and economics in South Africa we departed for the Southern Sun Hotel on Grayston Drive to freshen up after 15hours on the road.

Friday 26th June 2009

Morning saw more sessions kick off in Rosebank.

Wendy Chair of the board for Brand South Africa gave us a nice overview of what exactly brand South Africa is responsible for.

After Wendy was done it was the turn of Alan Knot-Craig to give a presentation on the state of telecommunications in South Africa since Vodacom came into the market 15 years ago.

It was then the turn of Johhny from Eskom on Eskom’s preperation plans for 2010 and beyond. ‘Nuf said.

From there it was onto Soweto for a tour but first a stop at soccer city.

Soweto – shots from a bus.

8115 – The House Mandela and Winnie lived in – the house with bullet holes.

Roll on FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010 – What a great opportunity for the people of South Africa.

After 8115 we headed over to Nambitha in the heart of Soweto for some serious local grub which was served with some fresh tripe – yum!

After lunch it was an hour and a half drive to Lesedi Cultural Village for more of an “african experience” and dinner – I know!

Yeah, I waited for them to kick their legs in exactly that position.

Just busy writing this post and this mail came though just as I was posting his pic so thought it cool to spam a quick reference in.

Hello, Ralph,

You are not only my photographer, but my friend and my brother.
Thanks so much, Ralph, for having accompanied us during the media tour. For sure next year I will come to SA for the World Cup 2010 and I am looking forward to seeing you again.
If by any chance you come to Italy, call me at … I will bring you to taste the best Italian food.

In the photo-disk given by the organization, I didn’t find the personal photos you took for me, such as with the forbidden arm sign at the entrance of the parliament, the “Armed Response” pose, the photo by the fire……
Would it be possible for you to send them to me?

Best regards,

WANG Qinbo

2009-07-01

Wang rocks and it will be cool to check him when he comes out next year for 2010.

The picture below is a real african experience and Wang this is just for you.

Great conversation, chilling on cushions with drinks, getting ready for Hookahs, what could be better?

Eveyone loves to shop in Africa.

Where are we now? Oh yeah, Saturday morning.

Two more guys presenting sessions, their names escape me right now ;- but I will get someone to send me the final notes as it would be good to know – the first guy was very good and, er, local using words such as Lord Fuckwhat and other very interesting adjectives which are best left unsaid.

Journalists in green, yip rugby British Lions Versus Springboks later at Lofters Versveld.

They came one, they came all, some were really drunk but all in good spirits – no GauRide or disturbances here – just good rugby.

The crowd flying the national flag high and with pride.

In case you don’t watch Rugby we were indeed the Lion Tamers winning the game.

More drinks and eats in Suite SU306.

We then headed off to Just Cuba in Hatfield Square Pretoria but we will leave those pictures out of here.

Sunday the 28th June 2009

Who doesn’t love free Bafana Bafana tops? Not me that’s for sure!

Another interesting session which was delivered by Mark of AngloGold Ashanti and proved to be very popular giving insight into best mining practices and the contribution from mining industry to SA’s GDP.

So this was the last session for the day and the day would conclude with me taking a group photograph of everyone in their Bafana Bafana tops before they departed for the Confederations Cup Final between Brasil and the United States. I’m a little bummed I did not stay in JHB the Sunday night to watch the soccer as on one hand I really missed my family but on the other hand it would have been really cool to see Brasil vs USA match LIVE.

All in all it was an awesome week and I look forward to covering your conference too.

Please feel free to contact

Ralph 072 220 2840
International +27 72 220 2840
myphotographer@gmail.com