Two talented young Capetonians from Khayelitsha have been crowned the 2018 Western Cape Junior Close-up and stage magicians Champions at Bergvliet High school on 8 September 2018
The Championship is hosted by the iconic and unique College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation. The College of Magic has hosted this competition for over 30 years.
Entrants are tested on their showmanship, visual appeal, originality and entertainment value.
Champions Anele Dyasi and Dion Wabanie, both aged 20 went head to head against seven equally talented magicians. They won the competition with their money-centric close-up magic act and a comedic sponge ball manipulation which also featured a comedy skit.
Dyasi is thrilled to receive the close-up title after competing in the 2015 South African Magic Championships and the International College of Magic Convention in Beijing, China.
He expressed his excitement after five years of dedication to the competition to finally receive recognition.
“I’ve been competing in the Western Cape Junior Magic Championships since 2011. This is my fifth competition and I have finally won. I am so very excited,” he said.
Wabanie hopes to cook up a storm as a culinary master in the future but is thankful for the achievement and recognition from the College of Magic after entering the competition for the second time.
“This was the second time I entered to compete in the Championships and I won! I am so honoured and encourage other teen magicians to enter too. It is amazing!” he said.
Along with being handed the title, both winners will perform in their own slot at the Cape Town Magic Club that starts on 1 October at the Artscape Theatre.
Young, 15-year-old Sahil Samlal from Century City took home the ‘Supreme up-and-coming magic trophy’, which recognises a contestant with exceptional potential and successful performance skills.
Samlal will go on to perform on a magical tour of Las Vegas and New York as he represents the magical talent of South Africa.
“2018 has already been such an incredible year, having been selected to meet my magical heroes in the USA and now being recognised for my passion and progress in the art of magic, I am beyond excited to see what the rest of the year holds, “Samal said.
The championship is judged by a panel of entertainment experts and specialists. Stuart Taylor a renowned local comedian, award-winning magician and graduate of the College of Magic was very impressed with the high standard of skill shown at the most recent competition.
“What an amazing show these young kids put on for us, the standard of magic performances was really high, so well done to the finalists,” he said.
The talented magician offered a few words of advice for those who want to enter the championships.
“My advice to aspiring contestants is to experiment with their acts, be true to who they are and try many things, you never know what will impress future judges,” Taylor said.
With the flock of talented magicians residing in the Cape, the College of Magic may just be our very own Hogwarts.
Picture: Cape Town School of Magic