Having begun as a ship’s refreshment and trading port, Cape Town is still an essential exchange. The V&A Waterfront is a bustling working harbour and one of the only places on earth where you can have a platinum shopping experience or 5-star meal right alongside genuine dockside activity as the seagulls soar above you and masts sway in the background.
Cape Town is full of contrasts. An exclusive tour of diamonds, tanzanite and precious stones at the Diamond Museum is juxtaposed by shopping for African curios and photographing the bright bouquets at Greenmarket Square and the flower sellers’ stalls.
Part of Cape Town’s recent history is the late former president, Nelson Mandela, the father of democracy in South Africa. His prison cell on Robben Island can be visited by ferry, and within the city is the site of his notorious Peace March from St George’s Cathedral to the grand parade. In addition to a statue of Madiba, the V&A’s Nobel Square celebrates the country’s three other Nobel Peace Laureates: the late Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former President FW de Klerk.
As rich as Cape Town is in heritage, so it is in minerals. Gold and diamond jewellery are one of the major attractions when visiting South Africa and gold is such an essential part of South Africa’s history that its story is told at the Gold of Africa Museum. More of the chequered and fascinating history of the city and country can be viewed at the numerous historical monuments and museums.
Art and design are the lifeblood of the city, visible in the boutique designer stores on the eclectic Long and Kloof Streets through to art at the National Art Gallery and artisanal pieces at the many markets. Living Art Langa is a strip of bright shacks in one of Cape Town’s townships where real people’s homes have been opened as a gallery for famous South African artists that the public can view. See everyday people going about their daily lives surrounded by valuable works of art.
One of Cape Town’s true riches is the diversity of its people and the vibrancy of life and experience wherever you go in the city. This cultural melting pot is salt and peppered with vibrant local flavour.
