Want to get that little anchor or heart tattoo on your finger done by a pro? Maybe you’re thinking about a full sleeve because you’re just a ‘go big or go home’ type of person? Either way, the South African International Tattoo Convention (SAITC) is THE place to get inked in 2023! We’re taking a look at the SAITC and its history below, and a few groovy places to crash in Cape Town if you’re travelling to the convention.
About the SAITC
The SAITC is widely considered South Africa’s premier tattoo event each year. Since 2017, the SAITC has brought together SA’s best tattoo artists – and a whole bunch of well-known international artists – under one roof for a mesmerizing display of body art perfectionism.
This year’s instalment is no different, with over 100 artists from 20 different countries converging on the V&A Waterfront for a show of artistic brilliance that will make any attendees want to go under the needle just for the experience.
Every SAITC event has more than just ‘tattoo’ written (or needled) all over it. There are always local bands playing, beer tents, and more than a few food trucks to tuck into. Plus, attendees can shop for rad merch from some of the biggest names in the industry.
South African International Tattoo Convention 2023
This year’s Cape Town leg of the SAITC runs from 31 March to 02 April at the V&A Waterfront’s The Lookout venue.
International tattoo artists confirmed for the South African International Tattoo Convention include:
- Aaron Carmody
- Antonello Leuti
- Clemens Hahn
- Frankie Caraccioli
- Gaia Zeta
- Jef Verhoeven
- Matt Cannon
- Paul (Dubbs) Wolk
- Tim Hoffmann
- Valentin Tatau
- Zach Thomas
Locally brewed (South African) tattoo artists include the likes of:
- Alastair Magee
- Byron Barker
- Gareth Lloyd
- Matthew Oldfield
- Rebecca Claxton
- Thato Mokhadi
- Alex Staiger
- Ashely Welman
- Bernadee Bibble
Doors open 5pm sharp on Friday 31 March and 11am on both Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of April. The show is family friendly and under 12’s get in free. Tickets for attendees older than 12 are:
- R235 on Friday 31 March
- R320 on Saturday 01 April
- R280 on Sunday 02 April
Securely book tickets for the SAITC on Webtickets.
Comfortable places to crash in Cape Town
City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Where better to rest your head and recently-tattooed body parts than right there at the convention?
Book a stay at City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
City Lodge Hotel GrandWest
Like a little gambling from time to time? You’ll fit right in when staying at our GrandWest Casino property:
Book a stay at City Lodge Hotel GrandWest
City Lodge Hotel Pinelands
If you’d prefer to stay a bit further from the commotion and in a leafy suburb of the Mother City, we’ve got you:
Book a stay at City Lodge Hotel Pinelands
Town Lodge Bellville
If magnificent views are your thing, you’ll want to think about spending the night with us in Bellville.
Book a stay at Town Lodge Bellville
Road Lodge N1 City
Don’t need anything fancy when you stay in accommodation? That’s what a Road Lodge is for, where we get the basics just right:
Book a stay at Road Lodge N1 City, Cape Town
Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
On a budget AND you’ve got a super early departure the next morning? Sleep in a bit when staying close to the airport:
