Cape Town | A City of True Diversity October 15, 2008

Once upon a time there was a windy stretch of coastline at the very foot of the arid continent of Africa. Populated largely by a swift and secretive tribe called the Xhoisan, the coastline lay undiscovered until an adventurous explorer Bartolomeu Dias came along, planted a flag and pronounced it The Cape of Storms in 1487. Renamed the Cabo da Boa Esperança (the Cape of Good Hope) due to its pivotal position on the way to the riches of India, it was later established as a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company’s ships on their way to the land of silk and spices.

A spunky Dutch lad named Jan van Riebeeck was entrusted with the responsibility of running the outpost and along came a flurry of Dutch immigrants who set out to conquer the wild landscape. Fast-forward through British Colonisation, the Great Trek, the Anglo-Boer war and Apartheid struggles and you find modern-day Cape Town – a prime tourism destination and cosmopolitan city in its own right.

Nestled at the foot of the much publicised Mountain (as locals refer to it, Table Mountain), Cape Town today represents a delightful smorgasbord of cultures that makes for a very colourful experience. [Interesting side note: Ever looked at the world map and saw the interesting inverse correlation between the western coastline of Africa and the eastern coastline of Southern America?? Researchers now claim they have conclusive evidence that these two continents were once joined. It seems they found Table Mountain’s little sister somewhere in the desert over there. Table Mountain largely consist of Cape sandstone, a type of rock found nowhere else on earth – except the South American desert it seems… Coincidence? I think not.]

Back to the matter at hand: Cape Town. The Mother City is an enchanting maze of a city that organically developed over a little more than three centuries. Other modern cities may be easier to navigate and be supplied of more effective infrastructures, but compared to Cape Town they appear cold and clinical. The winding streets of our city hide a myriad of charming nooks and crannies. Walk up Long Street and chances are you’ll hear up to seven different languages; look up at the buildings and you’ll stand amazed at the array of architectural styles that range from traditionally Victorian to Art Deco and Bauhaus. You never know what kooky family-run store may lay in wait around the next corner. Keen to get your own specialised jar of curry powder? No problem. Biting at the bit to join a township tour? We’ve got you covered.

That’s not to say that a visit to Cape Town is without any luxury elements. Those who appreciate the finer things in life can enjoy world-class shopping at the Waterfront or simply settle at a chic shorefront eatery on the Camps Bay shorefront and watch the well-heeled Saturday morning crowd stroll by. Accommodation choices range from snug B&B’s tucked away in shady suburbs to glittering high rise hotels boasting the finest views available on the continent.

Suffice it to say Cape Town has something for everyone. Why not swing by for your next vacation and explore our lovely city.