The College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation, will host its upcoming Festival of Excellence, the 2012 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships at the enchanting Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch on Sunday 30 September, 2012.

Lucky adolescent winners of the Championships, which are hosted annually, are selected to compete in International Events – usually held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

A highlight on Cape Town’s magical calendar, this spectacular event will feature the amazing Close-up and Stage Magic contests, entertaining buskers in the Street Magic Contest and surprising guest performers.

The Junior Magician Championships attract young wizards from all over Cape Town, and this year’s contests are no different. Prepare to be amazed by the captivating skills of the following Capetonian illusionists:

Joshua Stein (16), from Oranjezicht, and 2011 Junior Close-up Western Cape Champion, who is eager to return to Las Vegas after wowing audiences there with his amazing abilities in 2012.

Thandiwe Garrett (16), from Kenilworth, a keen magician and ventriloquist puppeteer, who was the 2011 College of Magic Annual Close-up Course Contest runner-up and award winner in stage magic.

Daniel Eksteen (17) from Rondebosch, winner of the College of Magic’s Annual Course Stage Contest in 2011 and 2012 and Close-up Contest in 2011, as well as a close-up magic finalist in the 2011 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships.

Anele Dyasi (14), from Khayelitsha, who competed in World Teen Contest in Las Vegas in May 2012, won 1^st prize in the 2012 College of Magic’s Annual Course Stage Contest and who most recently entertained youngsters at the 2012 Traditional Children’s Magic Festival with his Farmer Anele magic show

Asiphe Mnqika (15), from Khayelitsha, winner of the College of Magic’s Annual Course Stage Contest in 2010 and runner-up in Close-up and mime and clowning in 2012.

Kabelo Moreheng (16) from Nyanga, a manipulation enthusiast who holds awards in close-up magic, stage magic and mime and clowning.

Siyanda Tofile (17), from Nyanga, a keen sleight-of-hand artist and a runner-up in the College of Magic’s Annual Course Stage Contest in both 2011 and 2012.

Adam Schroeder (15), from Pinelands, 2011 Western Cape Junior Magician Stage Championships runner-up, who took top awards in stage and close-up magic in 2011 and 2012.

Jethro Bowers (17), from Mitchell’s Plain, runner-up in the College of Magic’s Annual Course Stage Contest in 2012

Luzuko Bedi (19), from Khayelitsha, a trophy winning juggler and award winner in the College of Magic’s Annual Course Stage and Close-up Contests 2011 and 2012

Jesse Brooks (17), from Constantia, a promising sleight of hand enthusiast, and 2010 close-up finalist in the Western Cape Junior Magician Championships and runner-up in the College of Magic’s Annual Course Close-up Contest in 2012

Yadhir Maharaj (16), from Lansdowne, a multi-talented award-winning juggler and ventriloquist and award winner in both the College of Magic’s Annual Course Stage and Close-up Contests in 2012.

Each of these teenage masters of illusion are hard at work, rehearsing their acts at the College of Magic in Claremont where they are receiving their magical training, in preparation for the Championships.

With the Western Cape Junior Magician Champion title and the honour to represent South Africa at international competitions at stake, the teens can hardly contain their excitement: “We’re ready to show Cape Town and the world what hard work, determination and magic can do!”

The College of Magic, a non-profit organisation and the only one of its kind in the world, has been training children and adults in the marvellous art of magic and illusion for more than 30 years.

Tickets at R100 and are available at Computicket ( www.computicket.com or +27 (0) 861 915 8000).

For more information about the 2012 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27 (0)21 683 5480.