Cape Town (Part 1) #CulturalTourism

Cape Town

(Part 1)



Location of Cape Town in South Africa!



Goeie dag!

Dumela!

Sanibonani!

Molo!

Thobela!

Lumela!

Abusheni!

Hello!

Sanibona!

Avuwani!

Salibonani!

…and welcome to the ‘friendly city’!



Situated on the south western tip of Africa, where the Atlantic- and Indian Oceans meet, Cape Town is among the most beautiful destinations on earth!

Cape Point, where the Atlantic- and Indian Oceans meet!



Established in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck from The Netherlands, the city has developed over the centuries as a major commercial and industrial centre! The Cape Town harbour in Table Bay has become one of Africa’s leading export centres and is home to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

 The city is instantly recognisable by South Africa’s first and only World Wonder, Table Mountain that can be seen up to distances of 80 kilometres away! Cape Town is also the administrative-capital of South Africa and is located in the province of the Western Cape.

Cape Town Harbour!

This cosmopolitan city, offers a variety in attractions that ranges from sandy beaches, slave houses to natural icons. One of the most famous cultural attractions the city has to offer is the, Castle of Good Hope that was built by Jan van Riebeeck in 1666-1679. The ‘castle’ was used to store food and supplies for all boats travelling around the southern tip of Africa in the 15th to 17th centuries. 

This pentagon shaped fort is also known for the ‘Noon Gun’ that was originally used to signal the correct time of day   to ships anchored in Table Bay, the ‘Noon Gun’ is still in use today, and is shot daily at 12:00, the shot can be heard throughout Cape Town. This activity has become a tradition in Cape Town. 

Guided tours through the ‘castle’ are available with tourism-companies across Cape Town and points of interest on the tour in the ‘castle’  include going down into the dungeon of the ‘castle’ that is reportedly haunted by slaves who died their during the centuries.

The Castle of Good Hope, this pentagon shaped fort was built in 1666-1679.



The 'Noon Gun', was originally used to signal the time of day to boats loacted in Table Bay, the 'Noon Gun' is still in use today and is shot daily at 12:00!





The entrance to the Castle of Good Hope!

The dungeon of the Castle of Good Hope, located in Cape Town!

This dungeon is said to be haunted by the slaves who died there, through the centuries...



Other cultural destinations in Cape Town that can be visited include: The Slave Lodge on Adderley Street. This ‘slave lodge’ was built in 1679, and was the home of slaves brought from Malaysia and West- and East Africa. The ‘lodge’ was later converted into the Cape Supreme Court, but in recent years was transformed into a museum. The way of life of the slaves brought to the Cape can be viewed in the museum.

 

The Museum, was once a 'Slave Lodge' and Cape Supreme Court.

Another place of interest is District Six- this neighbourhood depicts the life of the once vibrant community, removed by the Group Areas Act 1966 during the apartheid-era. People from other races that were not white, where moved to the harsh environment of the Cape Flats on the outskirts of Cape Town far away from the central economic city. 

The area of District Six was proclaimed a white neighbourhood by the National Party who ruled from the beginning of apartheid (1948) to the ending of it in 1994, when the first democratic election took place. All people from a different race had to be evacuated to the Cape Flats because they were not following the law if they continued to stay in District Six. This area is one of few in South Africa showcasing the battles fought, for equal treatment among different races in South Africa. The District Six Museum showcases the way of life in District Six before the people of the community were evacuated.


This museum depicts the life of the once vibrant community, of District 6!

   

Restored houses of the once vibrant community of District 6, these houses of former District 6 residents are managed and maintained by the Ditrict Six Museum!



Cover of the brosjure of the District Six Museum, where the battles faught for equal human rights are displayed and described in detail!



This example of a sign out of the apartheid-era, can be seen in the District 6 Museum! The sign indicates people who were not a certain race, could not enter the facilities.





The harsh environment of the Cape Flats, where the former inhabitants of District 6 where moved by the National Party's, Group Areas Act of 1966.

Some other places worth visiting is the Bo-Kaap Museum, The Gold of Africa Museum, the Koopmans de Wet House and the Michaelis House, that became the first town hall in South Africa in 1840- all of these attractions showcase the starting point of the Cape Town we know and love today!



The Bo-Kaap Museum!

Michaelis House, this house became the first town hall in South Africa in 1840.

The Koopmans de Wet House!

The Gold of Africa Museum!

Another attraction located in the Cape Town harbour is the- Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A). Located within this breath taking setting of this dynamic working harbour, the V&A Waterfront includes over 400 specialist stores and more than 70 restaurants- ranging from South African chain restaurant to fine dining restaurants. 

The V&A Waterfront also offers the choice of world class conference- and hotel facilities. All of these facilities combined with on-going event and entertainment with a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, ensures that the V&A Waterfront is the heart of any visit to Cape Town. There nothing more satisfying as drinking an ice cold glass of South African white wine, sitting on the balcony of one of the many restaurants and looking out over the two oceans and seeing Robben Island in the distance, definitely a sight to treasure forever.

 

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A), located in Cape Town Harbour.



A key festival taking place every year on the 2^nd of January, and referred to by Capetonians as the ‘second New Year’ is the, festival of the “Kaapse Klopse”!

This event involves around 13 000 people divided into different groups among neighbourhoods or families, mostly from the coloured Afrikaans working class families, all dressed in costumes with bright colours and dancing with umbrellas, singing South African folk-songs or playing a variety of musical instruments, through the streets of Cape Town on the way to the Green Point Stadium-track where the main event of seeing all the different groups together takes place.

All the people participating in the "Kaapse Klopse", are dressed in customes that are made of bright florescent colours!

This Malay tradition has been carried on since 2 January 1834, as a celebration of the ending of slavery. Slavery was officially abolished in the Cape on the 1^st of December 1833. For everyone visiting Cape Town, this event and all the activities taking place with it is a must see! The “Kaapse Klopse” festival is one of the biggest events in South Africa yearly…

This Malay tradition has been carried on since 2 January 1834, as a celebration of the ending of slavery on 1 December 1833. This festival is also referred to as the 'second New Year'!



13 000 People are divided into different groups among neighborhoods or families, and either dnace with umbrellas, sing South African folk-songs or place a variety of musical instruments.



Part 2 of Cape Town coming soon…  



Till next time…

C.R.

Mthatha (Umtata) #CulturalTourism

Mthatha
(Umtata)

Location of Mthatha (Umtata) in South Africa.

Simplicity of destinations to some people can be more satisfying then the site of a grand hotel or lodge! I would definitely use the term ‘simple’ in a good way when describing this humble town in the Eastern Cape. Mthatha or formerly spelt Umtata, was founded as a colonial military post in 1882 and is located in the King Sabata Danilyebo Municipality district, this town has no military importance to South Africa anymore.

King Sabata Danilyebo was the king/ traditional leader of the AmaTembu people, but he was also a renowned anti-apartheids activist in the apartheid-era, and fought for the Xhosa way of life in the Transkei (today the province of the Eastern Cape). Xhosa is one of the eleven official languages of South Africa.  Apartheid only ended in April 1994, although sanctions placed on South Africa by other countries were lifted in 1990. Sanctions where brought onto South Africa because of the county’s inability to see every human being as equal.

 

The AmaTembu people, in their traditional clothes. This Xhosa-group still live in the Transkei (Eastern Cape) today.



Traditional homes (huts) in the Transkei (Eastern Cape).

Another key factor which makes Mthatha stand out over other places in Southern Africa is, in the nearby village of Qunu, South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. This small little village just outside Mthatha is so rural the infrastructure consists mainly of dirt roads and traditional huts, former President Nelson Mandela’s retirement home since 2004, over shadows the simple way of living of the AmaTembu people, who still live in the area today!

 

The humble village of Qunu, just outside Mthatha, the childhood home of former President, Nelson Mandela.



Nelson Mandela's retirement home since 2004, in Qunu.

Nelson Mandela was born to be the prince of the AmaTembu people, before he made fighting for the rights of his people in a country that he loved, a priority. Imprisonment on Robben Island for 27 years showed his dedication. Within Qunu the Nelson Mandela Museum was created out of the old Bunga building (domed shaped building, was also the former seat of the Transkei Parliament). Qunu is still an important commercial center for the area with its fascinating history.



A young Neslon Mandela, before his imprisonment and sentence to Robben Island.

South Africa's first black President (1994-1999)!

Tata Madiba today...

The Nelson Mandela Museum consists out of three components that include:

1.      Nelson Mandela’s original home on the banks of the Qunu River, a tributary of the Mbashe River.

2.      Also the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre, where young people from all over the world come and learn his story and the story of South Africa, from his own personal point of view.

3.      The third component is the new Bunga building that displays the gifts given to Nelson Mandela (including his Nobel-prize of Freedom in 1993) and an exhibition of his autobiographical book – ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, published in 1995. This book is available electronically since 2008 (eBook).

 

Nelson Mandela's autobiographical book -' Long Walk to Freedom' was published in 1995, an electronic version of the book is available!

But for those people out there who don’t find politics, like myself very interesting, natural attractions in the area still make Mthatha a place worth visiting! Some natural attractions in the area include the Lucaba- and Nduli Nature Reserves. These reserves showcase what this region in the Eastern Cape is all about – the combination of open water and grasslands makes this a site to behold, and an extra bonus added to the region unasked for is the enjoyable weather throughout the year, making these reserves any nature-lovers dream destination.

The Nduli Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Mthatha.



The Luchaba Nature Reserve a short drive from Mthatha...



An example of a flora-species that can be seen in the Nature Reserves!



An example of a fauna-species that can be seen in the Nature Reserves!

Mthatha is that little South African town in which indirectly housed possibly one of the most famous people, who set foot on earth. Although the town’s main focus may be attracting tourist interested in history, politics and heritage, I wouldn’t count out the nature reserves within the area.  This town caters for national, but also international tourists…

Till next time…

C.R.

 

Port Nolloth #HeritageTourism

Port Nolloth

Location of Port Nolloth in South Africa!



The faint smell of the morning mist, called “Malmokkie” by the local Nama people can be smelt to some distance over this semi-desert area of South Africa. The town Port Nolloth is situated in the north western corner of the Northern Cape and is definitely one of the towns in South Africa, which about 90% of the population within the country, doesn’t even know exists.

 

The "Malmokkie"on the Port Nolloth harbor...



Port Nolloth and the neighboring McDougall’s Bay, are coastal holiday resort towns on the shores of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Both these destinations are very popular holiday destinations, offering the nature-lover, angler and diver a unique experience. Beaches also play a huge part in the town’s recreational activities and offers relaxation and entertainment for the whole family, of any social class. The main beach in McDougall’s Bay was awarded a prestige’s Blue Flag award in 2011, for excellence.



Beaches in Port Nolloth!

Beaches in the neigboring McDougall's Bay.



Another place of interest in Port Nolloth is the Oyster Farm, located on the outskirts of the town, here you can learn how oysters grow from a micro-organism and over a period of eight years develop in one of the world most sought after food products. 

The Oyster Farm on the outskirts of Port Nolloth, where there can be learned about the oyster growing process.



Match made in heaven... Fresh Oysters, White wine and olives -oysters are one of the worlds most sought after food products!

Port Nolloth is the only holiday resort town on the ‘diamond coast’; the ‘coast’ also includes Kleinsee to the south and Alexander Bay to the north. The name ‘diamond coast’, originated from the diamond mines located in the nearby area of the West Coast. Most of the diamond mines were managed by De Beers Company in the 20^th century, but unfortunately most of the mines where closed in the late 1990’s due to this natural resource running dry, leaving Kleinsee and Alexander Bay to become ghost towns, these towns didn’t have a ‘backup-plan’ if the diamonds ran dry.

 

The main export of the 'diamond coast'...

Although you might think by know…

Port Nolloth equals beaches and old diamond mines (Port Nolloth = diamond mines + beaches)! In modern times yes, but the town originally was established in 1854 as an export for copper to the overseas market, but the original use of the town changed somewhat when the harbor’s entrance became, to narrow and Cape Town’s harbor proved to be the practical option, Shipwrecks in and around the town is evidence of this former major harbor in Southern Africa.

  

Port Nolloth Harbor, once used as a major exporting harbor in South Africa.



Former railway that was used to bring copper from the mines, to Port Nolloth's harbour!



Shipwrecks in and around Port Nolloth is evidence of this former major harbor in Southern Africa. 



Although not situated in this World Heritage Site, accredited by UNESCO since 2004, Port Nolloth makes for the main entrance to the Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park, also known locally as the Ais-Ais National Park.

  

The magnificent site of the Richtersveld Trans Frontier Park, the 'Jewel of the Northern Cape'!



Examples of the succulents in bloom during mid-August to mid-September in the Richtersveld National Transfrontier Park...



The Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park is home to the largest diversity of desert plants in the world!



A nature-lovers dream destination- Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park.



This magnificent, desolate and forbidden landscape in this harsh environment makes this national park in my opinion the ‘Jewel of the Northern Cape’. This park is managed by SAN Parks and the indigenous, Nama people. The Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park holds the world’s richest diversity in desert flora. These succulents are in bloom during the transition from winter to spring, from mid-August to mid-September, and the blooming site of these desert plants will be every nature-lover and photographers dream! Because of the rugged terrain the park is only accessible for 4x4-driven vehicles, and this activity probably holds the key to every adrenalin-junkies heart.

Although the Richtersveld Trans Frontier Park is relatively new, compared to the other national parks in South Africa, it’s definitely worthwhile to pay a visit to the park and experience this amazing natural wonder for yourself, tours through  the park are available, with some companies for the people preferring to travel with trained guides.

 

The Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park is only accessible for 4x4-driven vehicles.



 Port Nolloth is purely for relaxation and to get away from the ‘hustle- and bustle’ of the city. Although a small town, Port Nolloth offers a variety of activities for every age! Port Nolloth is a beach town you WON’T forget! The town will created a long lasting impression on you as a person. I would advise Port Nolloth for any tourist, nationally or internationally.

Till next time…

C.R.