Nordic House Cape Town, Cape Town (2025)

23/12/2025

As we wrap up the year, we want to thank everyone who has been part of the Nordic House journey: our members, partners, clients, collaborators, and the wider community in Cape Town and beyond.

2025 has been a year of real momentum: meaningful connections, curated events, and hands-on support for Nordic-linked individuals and businesses across investment, tourism, retail, sustainability, digitisation, and market entry into South Africa.

Looking ahead, we are excited about what is next:

• 12 more Nordic Second Thursdays
• More VIP and collaborative events
• New partnerships across education and business
• Our move to The Alphen Farm Estate, creating a calm, professional home for Nordic founders and teams
• A growing Nordic footprint in Cape Town, with the Danish Consulate joining us next year

Our purpose remains simple: connecting people, enabling opportunity, and supporting Nordic businesses and talent as they grow in South Africa.

If you have been engaging with Nordic House and would like to be more involved, we invite you to explore membership and be part of what comes next - https://www.nordichouse.co.za/memberships

Wishing you a wonderful festive season, and we look forward to continuing the journey together.

Connecting Nordics. Creating opportunity. Calling Cape Town home.

19/12/2025

Cape Town is scaling fast. The question is: are our systems scaling with it?

Over the next 24 months, Cape Town will welcome 20+ major five-star hotel developments. Reshaping the Foreshore, V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Mouille Point and the city bowl.

This is a powerful signal of confidence in Cape Town as a global destination and investment hub. But with growth at this scale comes pressure on water, energy, roads, digitisation, security, transport and city services.

At Nordic House, we see a critical opportunity.

The Nordics are global leaders in:

- Smart and resilient infrastructure
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Water security and waste management
- Urban mobility and transport systems
- Digitisation, data-led city planning and smart cities

As Cape Town grows, Nordic businesses already in South Africa or looking to enter the market can play a meaningful role in supporting sustainable, future-fit expansion.

Digitisation in particular will be key:

- Smarter traffic and mobility systems
- Data-driven utilities management
- Efficient energy and water use
- Better urban planning and service delivery

This is how Cape Town not only grows but also remains one of the world’s best cities to live, work, and invest in.

Nordic House exists to connect Nordic expertise with real opportunities in South Africa, bringing the right partners together to support growth that is smart, sustainable and scalable.

- Cape Town is not slowing down.
- The opportunity is collaboration.
- The future is intelligent infrastructure.

Contact us today to be part of this exciting new future unfolding now!

[email protected]

(Images curtesy of Rael Levitt)

14/12/2025

What a truly wonderful afternoon we shared yesterday at the historic Huguenot House.

Our Diamonds & Pinotage gathering brought Nordic House members together for a rare Grand Pinotage tasting with Beyers Truter from , paired with an engaging and generous conversation on South African diamonds led by Dr Petré Prins.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the Prins & Prins team, whose attentiveness, warmth, and professionalism made everyone feel so welcome, as well as Beyers and Belinda, for the generous wine tasting showcasing and celebrating 100 years of Pinotage.

A heartfelt thank you as well to our members for joining us, for your presence, and for the spirit of openness and connection you bring to every Nordic House gathering. It is this shared energy that continues to make these moments so meaningful.

A quote sent to us by one of our members, Eva: “Thank yo,u Nordic House, for yet another amazing event and cultural exchange. We all know we live in an amazing place, and I truly appreciate the new gems you manage to unearth for us, no pun intended. Friday’s event married history, architecture, diamonds and wine, all integral parts of SA way of living, and thoroughly enjoyed by a merry band of Nordics.”

12/12/2025

Last night’s Nordic Second Thursday of 2025 was something truly special. What a wonderful way to close the year!

We were thrilled to welcome so many familiar faces alongside many new ones, with visiting Nordics adding to the energy and sense of connection that defines this community. The rooftop at the Chef's Warehouse Canteen buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the kind of easy exchanges that remind us why these evenings matter.

We were proud to have all Nordic nationalities represented 🇩🇰🇫🇮🇮🇸🇳🇴🇸🇪, as well as the Honorary Consuls of Finland and Iceland, making it a genuinely pan-Nordic gathering.
A sincere thank you to Rachel, Vivian, and the entire Chef’s Warehouse team for the gift of generous platters of charcuterie and nibbles, such a thoughtful and much-appreciated touch.

As we close out the last Nordic Second Thursday of 2025, we do so with gratitude for the relationships built, the conversations sparked, and the continued growth of the Nordic community in Cape Town.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026.

10/12/2025

The last Nordic Second Thursday of 2025!

Picture this: a warm Cape Town evening, good wine, a cold beer or a fancy cocktail, heartfelt conversations, and a community that feels like a home away from home.

Join us for the final Nordic Second Thursday of 2025 and help us celebrate a year full of connection, collaboration, and memorable moments.

On Thursday, 11 December, we invite you, whether you are visiting from the Nordics, living here, or simply drawn to connection, to gather with fellow kindred spirits.

From 18:00 golden hour onwards, expect:

- Easy-going conversations that spark new ideas
- Networking minus the formalities. Just real people meeting naturally
- That distinctive Nordic House warmth: inclusive, open, curious

No agenda. No dress code. Just good energy, good company, and maybe a new connection or collaboration around the corner.

- Date: Thursday, 11 December
- Time: From 18:00 onwards
- Venue: Chefs Warehouse & Canteen, Bree Street, Cape Town
- Entry: Free! Bring yourself, your curiosity, and an open mind. Just pay for your drinks.

Let us close out the year with community, laughter, and the kind of connections that make Cape Town feel like home!

08/12/2025

Cape Town Luxury That Does Not Break the Bank

Welcome to The Mother City

Cape Town has just been ranked the most affordable luxury destination on the planet and it is not hard to see why. This city delivers world class living without the world class price tag.

At Nordic House we believe life is best lived boldly. Cape Town proves you do not need deep pockets to enjoy the good life and it also offers a surprisingly smooth path for anyone exploring business opportunities.

Here is what makes it stand out:
• Amazing hotels at prices that make other capitals blush
• Multi course fine dining that still leaves room in the budget
• Luxury spa experiences that feel indulgent yet accessible
• Effortless access to beaches, vineyards, culture and a vibrant city centre
• A supportive environment for entrepreneurs and investors with local insight from Nordic House to help you land softly

Whether you want a sleek city break, an active mountain and ocean escape, or long sunlit lunches in the winelands, Cape Town makes both lifestyle and business surprisingly easy.

Book your flight. Build your network. Enjoy luxury for less while setting up your next move in Cape Town.

Source: Travel + Leisure

05/12/2025

Did you know?
Our Nordic Second Thursdays, hosted every month by , is inspired by a tradition that began long before Nordic House opened for business, a tradition from Denmark called Stambord.

For the past seventeen years, Nordic House founder has hosted Stambord at the iconic in Cape Town.
Never cancelled, always at the same place, always on the first Wednesday of every month at 6pm.

What started as a gathering spot for Danes and those with ties to Denmark has grown into a cherished monthly ritual. A space where Danish newcomers feel instantly welcome, where familiar faces return month after month, and where community threads have been woven over nearly two decades.

This tradition started in New York by and you now find Stambord for Danes in more than 40 cities in the world. Check it out here: https://dabgo.com/stamborde/

This past Wednesday, we gathered once again for the First Wednesday tradition of Stambord. As always, the conversation flowed easily, stories were shared across generations and professions, and the unmistakable Danish hygge filled the balmy summer night.

Stambord continues to be the heartbeat that inspire our broader Nordic community events, including Nordic Second Thursdays, reminding us how powerful it is when people come together simply to connect.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this week.
Here is to seventeen years of tradition and many more to come. 🇩🇰✨

02/12/2025

Celebrating the DTU - Technical University of Denmark Executive MBA 2025 Cohort in Cape Town!

Nordic House was proud to be part of a milestone celebration with the DTU Executive MBA 2025 cohort and their South African partner companies at Constantia Glen last week.

This marks the third consecutive year of our collaboration with DTU, a partnership that continues to strengthen Nordic–South African business ties and create meaningful, real-world impact for leaders on both sides.

The afternoon opened with an exceptional tasting led by Justin van Wyk, celebrated winemaker at Constantia Glen, followed by a scenic long-table dinner overlooking the valley. It was the perfect setting to acknowledge the work completed so far, the relationships built in Cape Town, and the momentum the cohort carries into their final assignments.

A sincere thank you to the partner companies who engaged with the team throughout their South African immersion: HHO Consulting Engineers, Cape Union Mart Group, Atlantis Foundries, Constantia Glen, and International Colours.

We congratulate the 2025 participants on this important milestone and look forward to seeing the outcomes of their projects and to continuing this impactful partnership as we move forward into 2026!

29/11/2025

Cape Town stepped into a bold new future this week with the launch of the Invest Cape Town Ambassador Programme.

Nordic House was honoured that our founder, , delivered the keynote address.

Laura delivered an inspiring message that clarified the role of Goodwill Ambassadors and showed how trusted networks can elevate a city on the global stage.
The Copenhagen Goodwill Ambassador Corps was repeatedly highlighted as a world-leading example, and Cape Town now joins this tradition with an exceptional group of ambassadors, including Mike du Toit, David Green the CEO of the V&A Waterfront, Taubie Motlhabane CEO of the CTICC, and many others.

The City unveiled a beautiful Ambassador pin made with Robben Island wire metal by a local artist, and a book of pencil portraits of the founding ambassadors that captured the significance of the moment.

This was more than a launch. It was a moment of shared purpose, ambition and belief in Cape Town’s global future.

Congratulations to the City of Cape Town on this strategically important milestone. Nordic House is ready to champion Cape Town wherever we go.

27/11/2025

South Africa Ranked #1 Globally for Entrepreneurial Mindset!

A major new global study by Remitly has crowned South Africa as the nation with the strongest entrepreneurial mindset, and the world is finally recognising what we see every day.

Using the internationally respected Grit Scale developed by psychologist Angela Duckworth, more than 7,000 participants across 26 countries were assessed on passion, perseverance, and long-term commitment, the core traits behind entrepreneurial grit.

The results speak for themselves:

1. 🇿🇦 South Africa
2. 🇬🇧 UK
3. 🇮🇪 Ireland
4. 🇮🇳 India
5. 🇺🇸 USA (Top state: Arizona)

And the global summary captures it perfectly:

“Leading the list is South Africa, a nation whose entrepreneurial mindset reflects its traits of being resourceful, determined, and eager to innovate. The country has rapidly expanding hubs, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, where technology and startup ecosystems are thriving, thanks to ambitious entrepreneurs keen to make their mark on the international stage.”

This is exactly what we experience at Nordic House:

- A country powered by resilience and creativity
- Founders who turn challenges into opportunities
- Teams that dream boldly and execute relentlessly
- Innovation ecosystems in Cape Town and Johannesburg are rising at a world-class pace

South Africans do not just have ideas; they follow through. They push, they persevere, and they build with determination that inspires the world.

As a Nordic–South African bridge, we are proud to celebrate this recognition and the extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit driving South Africa forward.

Ons maak ’n plan and the world is taking notice.

20/11/2025

South Africa Moves Toward a Fully Digital Driving Licence. A Breakthrough for Modern Service Delivery!

South Africans may soon be able to retire physical licence cards as the government advances plans for a fully digital driving licence system. The Presidency’s new Digital Service Unit (DSU) is working with the Department of Transport and has already built a functional prototype in just three months.

Through the MyMzansi app, motorists will be able to apply, verify their identity with biometrics, pay, and store their licence digitally. This could end queues, backlogs, card-printer failures, and months-long delays.

Key features:

- Secure digital wallet licence stored on your phone
- Biometric verification and full NaTIS integration
- QR-code scanning for instant authenticity checks
- Optometrist-verified eye tests uploaded digitally
- Licences issued within minutes, not weeks

Built using open-source digital public goods, aligned with global best practices
Experts like Rob Handfield-Jones have long argued that there is no technical reason for physical cards and that going digital will cut costs and improve enforcement. Only a handful of countries, including Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Mexico, and some US states, have made this transition; South Africa is now close behind.

At Nordic House, we welcome this shift toward efficient, integrated digital governance. It strengthens trust, boosts competitiveness, and aligns South Africa with leading digital nations, including those across the Nordics.

What are your thoughts on South Africa’s move toward a fully digital licence?

(Images courtesy of News24)

17/11/2025

DTU Executive MBA Tour 2025 – Cape Town Kickoff!

Saturday night, Nordic House proudly joined the official kickoff of the DTU Executive MBA Tour 2025: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet - DTU. It was an inspiring evening of private dining at the exceptional Villa 47 on Bree Street. A warm Cape Town night, a beautiful setting, and the perfect atmosphere to launch this year's programme.

We were honoured to welcome Danish Ambassador Karin Poulsen, who delivered an insightful and engaging overview of the strong and evolving relationship between Denmark and South Africa. She touched on current global dynamics, the G20, Denmark’s Africa Strategy, and a personal note referencing her father's academic legacy at DTU.

The energy around the table was remarkable as the 25 MBA participants reflected on their collaboration with the five South African host companies they have been working with throughout the programme. They also shared their excitement for the final week of immersive engagement here in Cape Town.

This marks the third consecutive year that DTU has selected Cape Town for this transformative international module, and Nordic House is honoured to help once again bring together people, insights and opportunities across continents.

A big week lies ahead, filled with learning, leadership and a deep Nordic and South African connection.

Here is to another unforgettable year of partnership and discovery. We cannot wait to see what unfolds!

Nordic House Cape Town

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