Build Cohesive Teams and Memories at These Year-End Venues Across South Africa

#HelloRecommends These Year-End Function Spots

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It’s that time of year when thanking the team for all that they delivered is critical. The year-end party is more than just an opskop, it’s the opportunity to show your team that you truly value both who they are and what they delivered this year. They say that a team is ultimately about human connection, and it is with this in mind that we’ve chosen these venues for your ultimate closing-of-year conference or celebration.

#HelloDurban: Cargo Hold

The rugby fans amongst you will be quite familiar with the shark tank, aka Kings Park Stadium, but for that year-end event with an edge why not consider Cargo Hold, a venue at the uShaka Marine World where your team can literally dine with the sharks and a few other fishy friends. Nestled in the stern of the Phantom Ship, with superb views of the ocean and actual uShaka shark tank, you can dine at the bottom of the ocean in one of Durban’s most unusual settings. You could plan the next year’s activities, or simply rejoice the year that was with your team, all in a setting that should make for some great teambuilding memories.

www.ushakamarine.com/cargohold/

@cargohold_ushaka

#HelloJoburg: Greensleeves

With terms like Milord, Milady and Wench being bandied about you may have to clear this one with your HR team, but we have it on good authority that Greensleeves in Johannesburg is still rollicking fun and could be just that unusual location you’re looking for, for that end of year event or final conference to bid the year adieu. Think of a few courses of medieval-style feasting, accompanied by songs, stories, and fun courtesy of the Baron and his Minstrels, all to make you feel like a knight of your own corporate round table. Round this off with a bit of trumpet blowing and period costumery, and you have a close to the year to remember.

www.greensleeves.co.za

@greensleeveskingdom

#HelloPretoria: Irene Country Lodge

If green pastures and a farm feel are your go-to for productive meetings, Irene is your place for that stand-out conference, teambuilding, or close of year event. Think oak-lined lanes where cows graze in that countryside postcard, with the options of team picnics on the grass, informal pizzas and milkshakes at the farm, a team activity in the form of a self-guided bird or tree spotting walk, or even an outdoor team movie night as the weather gets into end-of-year warmth. The days can be ended with afternoon tea and scones at the farm, or final team thoughts on a walk through the Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Your team will forget that they’re in SA’s economic heartland, making for a relaxed end of year opportunity with a serene difference.

www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/jnbrl-irene-country-lodge-autograph-collection

@irenecountrylodge

#HelloCapeTown: Franschhoek Wine Tram

Here’s another one that you may have to run past the HR team, but a day spent with your team on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, a vintage-style tram and tram bus, could be a great way to end the year as a final teambuilding exercise. Should you need to throw some formal ideation or conferencing into the experience, there are many wine farms to start at to get the formalities and business session out the way, before getting onto the trams or busses and enjoying the scenery and the world class vino with your team. With three centuries of wine-growing heritage, the Franschhoek Valley is one of the Cape’s top wine areas – making it something different and special for your special team.

www.winetram.co.za

@winetram

#HelloCapeTown: Hotel SKy

With a name like Hotel Sky you already know there will be something different about this destination. Situated both in West Street, Sandton and Long Street, Cape Town, Sky has been the place to host your year-end party or team get-together, with three restaurants, recording studio, theatre, and unusual bars within arm’s reach to be made use of. Move to the AI-enabled robots and the automated grand piano, but the ultimate end-of-year experience could be the Sky-Hi Ride — 16 metres above the Cape Town City Bowl, offering your team speed of up to 100km/h and 4Gs of force!

www.hotelsky.co.za

@hotelsky.sa

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