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Mandela Graces Opening of Dubai World Luxury Resort in Cape Town

DUBAI - South African statesman Nelson Mandela on Thursday joined Dubai World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Kerzner International Chief Executive Officer Sol Kerzner at a luncheon to mark the opening of One&Only Cape Town.

“We are delighted to welcome a leader of Mr. Mandela’s stature to the grand inauguration of this beautiful resort. Dubai World and Kerzner International are strategic partners in several mega projects internationally, but, importantly, the One&Only Cape Town is also set within the vibrant V&A Waterfront. The gathering of world renowned personalities here is testimony to the respect commanded by Kerzner International,” Bin Sulayem said.

Guests of honour at the event were Hollywood stars including Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Sharon Stone, Mariah Carey, Robert DeNiro, Thandie Newton, Marisa Tomei and Morgan Freeman. Some 350 guests were specially invited tothe inauguration.

Bringing their culinary expertise to the occasion were the resort’s master chefs, Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa.

Two of the most prestigious ventures of Dubai World and Kerzner International are Atlantis The Palm, and One&Only Resort in Dubai.

One&Only Cape Town is the crown jewel of Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which Dubai World acquired in 2006. The Waterfront is located between the majestic Table Mountain facing the Atlantic Ocean, and the historic Robben Island, where Mandela served his long prison term during South Africa’s liberation struggle.

After Sol Kerzner introduced his 350 guests to the resort’s world renowned chefs, Ramsay and Nobu surprised him with one metre-long and one-half metre high cake — a detailed replica of One&Only Cape Town — to commemorate his return to his homeland 40 years after he started the South African tourism industry.

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is a mixed-use prime waterfront real estate development in which shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments in the residential marina and active fishing port.

· business@khaleejtimes.com