At The Aleit Academy, every event offers an opportunity to turn classroom knowledge into practical experience. Before guests arrive, students spend time developing concepts, coordinating suppliers and working through the details that bring an event together. This process introduces them to the demands of event coordination and gives them opportunities to learn alongside industry professionals.

In 2026, our students have helped bring celebrations, fundraising initiatives and industry collaborations to life. Huisdans challenged our third-years to develop, fund and deliver their own event. Meanwhile, the Jan Kriel Wine Auction gave them the opportunity to support a meaningful cause through their work. Our second-years also joined SA Weddings’ The Colour of Celebration, contributing to an event alongside established wedding industry professionals.

Although each project offered different lessons, all required teamwork, clear communication and a willingness to take responsibility. Along the way, students experienced how their individual contributions become part of a much larger celebration. Let’s take a closer look at some of The Aleit Academy’s top events of 2026.

Huisdans is one of the most anticipated traditions on The Aleit Academy calendar. For our students, however, the journey begins long before the doors open.

As a third-year practical project, Huisdans gives students the opportunity to create a large-scale event from start to finish. They develop the concept, raise funds, plan the details and bring everything together on the night.

Throughout the year, students hosted creative fundraising initiatives to help finance the event. These included a Skuurdans at Catwalk, Coffee Rave at the Academy, an evening at Penthouse, Coffee Club and Pyjama Days. Along the way, they gained practical experience in event planning, marketing, teamwork and guest engagement.

This year’s Huisdans took place on 24 July 2026 at Laurent Venue on Lourensford Wine Estate. The concept, “Forecast Unexpected,” drew inspiration from the power, beauty and unpredictability of a storm. It explored how something calm and familiar could transform into something extraordinary. It also reflected how memorable moments often arrive when we least expect them.

To bring this vision to life, our third-year students worked alongside professional industry suppliers. Their responsibilities included décor, entertainment, food and beverage, technical requirements, logistics, supplier coordination and the overall guest experience.

Under professional guidance, lead and assistant student coordinators worked together to manage each stage of the process. As planning progressed, they learned to meet deadlines, communicate effectively, solve problems and take ownership of their responsibilities.

When the doors finally opened, months of fundraising, creativity and planning came together in a celebration for the Academy community. Behind the scenes, however, the project offered lessons that extended far beyond the evening itself.

Through hands-on experience, students built confidence, developed leadership skills and learned alongside industry professionals. They also experienced the demands of coordinating a live event, where plans must adapt and every detail matters.

The forecast may have been unexpected, but the experience reflected what Huisdans at The Aleit Academy is all about. Learning, growth and shared memories remained at the heart of the journey.

2026 also brought an exciting industry collaboration when our second-year students became involved in the first-ever SA Weddings Industry Event – The Colour of Celebration.

Hosted at Rooftop on Bree in Cape Town, the event brought together wedding professionals, creatives and engaged couples for an immersive celebration of South Africa’s wedding industry. The concept was designed to celebrate the people who spend their careers creating celebrations for others, while showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration that define the industry.

Working alongside professional event company Trunk Events, our second-year students were given the opportunity to contribute to the original concept and assist with coordination, media and production during the event. Rather than observing the industry from the sidelines, they became part of the team delivering the experience.

The event featured an extraordinary collection of industry collaborators and experiences, including live entertainment, technical production, fashion, interactive installations, food and beverage experiences and bespoke styling. For our students, it provided a rare opportunity to see how multiple suppliers and creative disciplines come together under one central concept.

The partnership also had a particularly meaningful outcome for The Aleit Academy. Proceeds from the event’s raffle ticket sales were allocated towards an Aleit Academy student bursary, helping to invest in the next generation of wedding and event professionals.

Experiences like these are invaluable. They give students access to the people, suppliers and businesses shaping the industry they are preparing to enter – while giving them the opportunity to learn by doing.

Some events bring people together to celebrate. Others create an opportunity to make a difference. Each year, the Jan Kriel Wine Auction gives our third-year students the chance to do both.

The Aleit Academy has a longstanding relationship with the Jan Kriel Institute. Through this partnership, our students help conceptualise, coordinate and deliver its annual fundraising event. The auction supports the Institute’s work with children who have special educational needs. Funds raised contribute to facilities, specialised equipment and additional learner support.

The 2026 Wine Auction took place on 12 August. Its theme, “Rooted,” celebrated connection, growth and coming together for a shared purpose. The theme also reflected our third-year students. After three years of building their foundations, they are preparing to grow into their careers.

Behind the scenes, students took responsibility for supplier coordination, stationery, content creation and guest service. Along the way, they made decisions, communicated with suppliers and solved problems as they arose. They also saw how much coordination it takes to bring an event together.

That experience makes the Jan Kriel Wine Auction an important part of their Academy journey. It gives students the chance to work as emerging event professionals while contributing to a cause that matters.

Together, these events reflect the variety of experiences that shape our students’ journey at The Aleit Academy. Through celebration, community support and industry collaboration, they learn how thoughtful coordination can bring people together with purpose. Each experience also helps them build confidence, take ownership and develop connections within the industry.

We’re proud of the commitment and creativity our students have brought to these 2026 highlights. Follow The Aleit Academy on social media to see more of their work and the experiences shaping their future careers.