Cape Town - Interesting Articles

CapeNature offers 30% holiday discount for South African citizens! [60+]
https://www.capetownetc.com/outdoor...0-holiday-discount-for-south-african-citizens
1 April 2021

If you’re a South African resident in possession of a valid ID, and you’re 60 or older, you qualify for CapeNature’s senior citizen discount of 30% off all self-catering and camping facilities.

Visit their site: https://www.capenature.co.za/senior-citizen-discount/

CapeNature’s destinations offer a wide selection of prime camping locations inclusive of pop-up tents in unspoilt wilderness areas, basic amenities for campervan/caravan parking, spacious wooden decks for convenience, and luxury tented glamping campsites. The self-catering accommodation is hidden along coastal towns, forest escapes and majestic mountains. The eco-cabins are authentic, natural and a touch of chic finishes and amenities.

Be spoilt for choice, so with a shortlist of five most visited locations by senior citizens for you to choose from.

Rocherpan Nature Reserve situated just outside Veldriff on the West Coast

Rocherpan is a coastal nature reserve teeming with birds and colourful wildflowers. The reserve lies 25km north of Velddrif on the Cape West Coast, consists largely of a seasonal vlei that is usually dry between March and June.This reserve allows guests to watch water birds wade peacefully in the pan, or simply staring out at the icily beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Rocherpan boasts an impressive variety of endemic and endangered bird species and has become a sanctuary for many of the birds who have made it their home. Although the reserve is synonymous with birding, its nearby unspoilt beaches and thoughtfully constructed eco-cabins beckon those who simply want to explore the best that the West Coast has to offer. In spring, a brilliant carpet of wildflowers transforms the reserve, competing with the birdlife to put on the most spectacular display. Rocherpan currently has eight eco-cabins available to be booked for accommodation.

Cederberg Wilderness Area – up the West Coast

The Cederberg Wilderness Area is one of the most undisturbed and secluded places in South Africa. Only three hours north of Cape Town, the Cederberg is highlighted by the breath-taking scenic mountainous wilderness. An area soaked in history; you can spend an entire day searching for rock art in caves and on cliffs. After being proclaimed a wilderness area in 1973, the Cederberg is one of eight sites forming part of the original Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site and is home to the beautiful Clanwilliam cedar, a tree species found overhanging from some of the cliffs. CapeNature offers a range of accommodation opportunities, from secluded mountain huts, to fully equipped cottages as well as riverside campsite facilities.

Kogelberg Nature Reserve – situated between Kleinmond and Betty’s Bay

Considered by many to be the most beautiful of CapeNature’s protected areas, Kogelberg Nature Reserve earns that reputation largely to the fact that it occupies an area with minimal human interference. Its exceptional diversity and quality of fynbos means it is considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The reserve presents perhaps the finest example of mountain fynbos in the Western Cape and is a world-renowned World Heritage Site. The new eco-cabins in Kogelberg Nature Reserve put the Overberg’s wild beauty on your doorstep. Situated in the Palmiet River valley, at the foot of imposing mountains, the Oudebosch eco-cabins and newly launched Mbali collection eco-pods and eco-cabins feel a world removed from the city. But at only 90 minutes from Cape Town, this self-catering hideaway in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom is an accessible haven for nature lovers.

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve – near Swellendam and Heidelberg

Grootvadersbosch is one of the hidden gems in the Western Cape. Nestled in Afromontane forest teeming with ancient yellowwood, stinkwood and ironwood trees, the reserve boasts 11 modern cottages characterised by green building technology. With over 85% of the building materials being sourced from previously existing structures, the cottages are a fitting addition to this World Heritage Site. Recently added to the reserve are the wooded campground which consists of 9 campsites for pop-up tents complimented with individual spacious wooden decks and screens for maximum convenience. Day walks, mountain biking trails and the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area offer an array of challenges for those who want to immerse themselves in the wilderness. This is an excellent birding destination with more than 196 bird species regularly spotted.

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve – the heart of the Karoo near Oudtshoorn

What could be more relaxing and rewarding than spending a day or two in nature, whilst having all the luxuries modern living requires? This is exactly what you will experience at Gamkaberg. The reserve is about 35km outside of Oudtshoorn and has become known to tourists as a place to switch off and bask in the richness of unique Klein Karoo biodiversity. The luxury glamping tents offered at this reserve, offers the perfect balance for those looking to get in touch with nature but also prefer the comfort of convenience and the privacy such as a private splash pool.

Bookings exclusively via call centre on 087 087 8250 or email reservations.alert@capenature.co.za.

This discount is applicable from Monday to Sunday throughout the year, excluding school holidays."
 
Western Cape leads in provincial audit outcomes
https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/new...outcomes-34456f70-020f-4232-b678-94347b80289c
6 April 2021

"The Western Cape has maintained its national lead in provincial audit outcomes according to the Auditor General’s Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) 2019/20 consolidated general report.

The overall audit outcome reflects an improvement despite the challenges experienced by the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak which resulted in the legislated audit completion date for PFMA being moved from July 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020.

Unauthorised expenditure also increased from R1.6 billion to R18.1bn, of which R15.1bn was because of the early payment of social grants in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 lockdown measures.

The report shows that the Western Cape incurred no unauthorised expenditure, compared to the next best province, Limpopo, with R1.1 million and the worst performing province, the Eastern Cape, with R1.5bn in unauthorised expenditure.

According to the report, the Western Cape only incurred R118 000 in fruitless and wasteful expenditure, compared to the next best province, the Northern Cape, with R9.6m and the worst performing province, Gauteng, with R103.4m.

Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC David Maynier said: “The repeated success of the Western Cape, as cited by the Auditor General, can be attributed to among other things, the institutionalisation of controls that resulted in the reduction of irregular expenditure..."
 
City of Cape Town sees red over R7.7m bill for traffic signal theft, vandalism
https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/new...andalism-050a686d-aca5-5c67-9bc2-bc35ca45d256
6 April 2021

"[The City of Cape Town] said in the past month the transport directorate has spent approximately R7.7 million on repairs to electrical and traffic signal infrastructure that has either been vandalised or stolen at intersections across the city.

The affected intersections are Blaauwberg Road and Janssens Avenue, Blaauwberg and Koeberg Roads, Giel Basson Avenue in and around Burgundy Estate, Potsdam Road near Dunoon, the Plattekloof Road/N7 interchange and the Malibongwe Drive/N7 interchange..."
 
Stellenbosch University rector self-isolates after contracting COVID-19
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/st...ctor-self-isolates-after-contracting-covid-19
8 April 2021

Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University is in isolation after he reportedly contracted COVID-19.

News24 said on Thursday that Professor Wim de Villiers was not sure where he contracted the virus.

“I am experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, but I don’t want to take any chances and will monitor my health closely,” he was quoted as saying..."
 
CT hospital ‘Covid-free’ after last patient discharged
https://www.all4women.co.za/2220392...ital-covid-free-after-last-patient-discharged
8 April 2021

"As active coronavirus cases in the Western Cape declined overnight by over 200, a Cape Town hospital on Wednesday announced it was “Covid-free” after it discharged its last Covid-19 patient.

“Whilst we are mindful of the fact that there may be more Covid-19 admissions at the hospital in future, this key milestone is one that must not go unnoticed given the arduous journey that has been overcome in recent months,” Melomed spokesperson Shameema Adams said.

According to the hospital group, Melomed Mitchells Plain was one of the first hospitals in South Africa to admit and treat a Covid-19 positive patient – on 19 April 2020.

“It is now the first hospital in the Melomed group to currently have no Covid-19 patients currently admitted. Our other Melomed hospitals have also seen a massive decline in Covid-19 cases and should see most, if not all, Covid-19 patients discharged soon,” Adams said in a statement..."
 
WATCH: huge pod of dolphins feeding at Cape Point
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/watch-huge-pod-of-dolphins-feeding-at-cape-point
10 April 2021

Capetonian, Colleen Jeffery shared a video of a massive pod of dolphins feeding at Cape Point on April 6. We couldn’t believe our eyes!

Dolphins hunt and feed by encircling schools of fish into a small, dense mass. They work as a team to round up their catch, whereafter they take turns barging through the heap to get their fill.


Take a look at these dolphins feasting at Cape Point.

[Follow above link to watch video. It's quite incredible!!]
 
“My Octopus Teacher” nominated for an Oscar!
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-to...us-teacher-in-the-running-for-an-oscar-ready/
16 March 2021

"Cape Town has done it again. The heartwarming documentary “My Octopus Teacher” is in the running for an Academy Award in the Documentary Feature-category.

The doccie follows filmmaker Craig Foster as he free dives nearly every single day in False Bay. He establishes a close connection with a female octopus and follows her life cycle, learning invaluable information about this creature’s underwater world while dealing with his own emotional journey.

It’s directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, two people who can be immensely proud. “My Octopus Teacher” already has a string of accolades to its name: two awards at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards (CCDA), the Grand Teton Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards and the Best Feature Film award at the EarthX film festival.

Fingers crossed it they will soon be able to add an Oscar to that list.

The 93rd Academy Awards will be hosted on April 26, 2021."


My Octopus Teacher wins BAFTA
https://www.capetownetc.com/entertainment/my-octopus-teacher-wins-bafta
12 April 2021

"The South African-made documentary My Octopus Teacher has won the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) for Best Documentary on Sunday, April 11...

My Octopus Teacher is also nominated for an Oscar, which will be held on April 26."

 
Watch: US tourist’s rental car plunges into Hermanus harbour
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/watch-us-tourists-rental-car-plunges-into-hermanus-harbour/
13 April 2021

"A United States tourist will probably never forget his time in the country after his rental car mysteriously rolled off the jetty at the Hermanus Harbour on Friday, April 9.

According to Times Live, the tourist had spent the previous day scuba diving with local divers.

A CCTV video that travelled like a wildfire across all social media platforms, exhibits the small Hyundai i10 slowly moving forward before plunging into the harbour.

It is alleged that the man forgot to pull up the handbrake, which saw the car sinking to the seafloor.

The man was on a nine-month tour in South Africa, and all his equipment, including expensive cameras and his laptop, were in the car, SA promo reported.

 
Chapman’s Peak Drive makes “world’s most beautiful road trips” list
https://www.all4women.co.za/2222570...e-makes-worlds-most-beautiful-road-trips-list
16 April 2021

"... The research [by Pentagon Motor Group] involved analysing over 7 million Instagram hashtags associated with the world’s most popular road trip destinations and calculating how many Instagram pictures are shared per mile of the journey; the country with the most Instagram posts per mile being crowned the most picturesque in the world.

The results reveal that Australia’s Great Ocean Road is the most beautiful road trip route in the world; covering 157 miles of road in the land down under, The Great Ocean Road has an impressive 1,321,570 hashtagged images of it on Instagram, meaning that nearly 8,418 pictures are taken per mile.

South Africa’s Chapman’s Peak Drive came in at #5 on the top 10 list ...

Chapmans.JPG

Top 20 Most Beautiful Road Trips:
[Follow link to above article for pics]

  1. Great Ocean Road, Australia – 8,418 pictures per mile
  2. Big Sur, USA – 5,226 pictures per mile
  3. Jebel Hafeet, United Arab Emirates – 4,840 pictures per mile
  4. Hai Van Pass, Vietnam – 4,298 pictures per mile
  5. Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa – 3,425 pictures per mile
  6. Blue Ridge Parkway, USA – 1,148 pictures per mile
  7. Going-To-The-Sun Road, USA – 940 pictures per mile
  8. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland – 853 pictures per mile
  9. Olympic Peninsula Loop, USA – 798 pictures per mile
  10. Icefields Parkway, Canada – 781 pictures per mile"
 
Table Mountain fire rages, UCT burns
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/watch-table-mountain-fire-rages-uct-burns
18 April 2021


Table Mountain.jpg

"The fire which broke out earlier, April 18, has been declared out of control. The city has taken to social media to document events that have been described as nothing short of “dramatic.”

According to 1-Second CPT-Daily, the fire started as a result of a huge explosion at the Rhodes Memorial restaurant. However, this is yet to be confirmed. The restaurant has burned down almost completely.

UPDATE: Students have received an email message from the university stating that “there is a fire at upper campus which has also affected Rhodes Memorial. There is no fire in the new Chemical Engineering and NEB buildings but areas near Rhodes memorial and tennis courts.

“No one is allowed to get on to campus and all those at upper campus must evacuate immediately. The fire department is currently working on bringing the fire under control.”

The fire does, however, surround these buildings which contain a number of explosive gasses, including petroleum and hydrogen tanks.

Another student told Cape Town Etc that the fire has “jumped the highway and is moving towards lower campus.”

UCTJustKidding, a student communication channel on Instagram, called out to the public to help with the following supplies:

Bottled water
Energy drinks
Energy bars
Eye drops
Supplies can be dropped off at the CT Fire station, Sea Point.



UCT Library burning. I can't copy link to the video, but you can see it here
https://www.facebook.com/1SecondLater

upload_2021-4-18_18-5-23.png
 
Last edited:
Arsonist arrested in connection to Table Mountain fires
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/arsonist-arrested-in-connection-to-table-mountain-fires-reports
19 April 2021

"A suspected arsonist was apprehended on Sunday night in connection with the fire that is currently engulfing the foothills of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, reports The South African.

Ward Councillor Nicole Jewell posted on Facebook that witnesses had told police that they had seen three people trying to deliberately stoke the blaze late on Sunday night.

“Unbelievable. Three arsonist witnessed starting three separate fires on Philip Kgosana drive. Seen by witnesses and running away. About 30 minutes ago,” she said, adding that fire service are on the scene but are “stretched beyond limits”

Several agencies responding to the devastating fire that ripped through a number of buildings on Sunday afternoon, including the UCT library, have claimed that the fire was started by “vagrants.” The Table Mountain National Park team has stated that three separate fires are causing problems for firefighters, and that they are confident that at least one of these was started “deliberately.”

Table Mountain National Park’s Philip Prins said that the latest blaze was certainly no accidental occurrence.

“Some of the crews are going to work a bit later and then be replaced with other crews. The area where we stand now is where noter fire started over an hour ago above De Wall Drive. There are three areas burning, and this was definitely started deliberately. We had to pull resources from the other fire and with assistance of the City we just contained these three areas,” he told The South African.

Firefighters are working through the night in an effort to try and stop the fire from causing more damage.

Public donations towards the firefighting efforts can be dropped off at the Roeland Street fire station. Anyone who wishes to provide donations is advised that the four items required are: water, Energade, snacks and eye drops."
 
Evacuations under way in Vredehoek
https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-af...ain-fire-f402c95c-e9fd-46ae-aa09-4380a91bffb9
19 April 2021

"Cape Town - Vredehoek residents in the City Bowl began evacuating their homes early this morning as strong winds picked up at about 2am and keep fanning a fire that started at about 8.45am yesterday and has razed iconic Cape Town landmarks.

City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell confirmed that evacuations were under way, with Fire and Rescue vehicles on the scene as the wind speed is predicted to increase throughout the morning. In Vredehoek, Chelmsford Road and Pepper Tree Road have been closed as well as Tafelberg Road, said the City’s Traffic Services spokesperson, Maxine Bezuidenhout.

The M3 inbound and outbound is still closed between Hospital Bend and Rhodes Drive; Phillip Kgosana Drive inbound is closed at Hospital Bend; Princess Ann Avenue is closed between the Main Road and the M3; and Woolsack Drive is closed between Main Road and the M3...

’’The fire has now spread towards the Vredehoek area as a result of the south-easter. The wind speed increased from about 2am this morning and additional fire crews are now stationed at Pepper Tree and Chelmsford area.

’’As a precautionary, these areas were evacuated. Further crews are on Tafelberg road as the wind speed is predicted to increase throughout the morning..."
 
Cape Town fire series: before and after
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-town-fire-series-before-and-after
20 april 2021


1. Mostert’s Mill

Mostert's before.png

Mostert's after.png

Mostert’s Mill before and after posted by @AsandaSizani on Twitter


2. Jagger Library Interior


Library before.png

Jagger Library before: University of Cape Town

Library after_1.jpeg

Jagger Library after: Phando Jikelo

Library after_2.jpg

History in flames: David Harrison


3. Jagger Library exterior


Library exterior before.jpg

Before: Tangetial Travel

Library exterior after.png

After: @SueKayG1 on Twitter


4. Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Tea Garden

Restaurant before.jpg

Before: City Pass Cape Town

Restaurant after.jpg

After: The South African


5. Disa Towers in Vredehoek

Disa before.png

@emmaknott on Twitter

Disa after_1.png

@emmaknott

Disa after_2.png

@brendonwainwright on Twitter

 
To me the most heartbreaking is the loss of the books. Simply devastating. And the damage to beautiful, historic buildings.
 
Amazon to establish its South African Headquarters in Cape Town
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/amazon-to-establish-its-south-african-headquarters-in-cape-town
21 April 2021

"US online retail giant Amazon has announced that they will be establishing their South African headquarters in Cape Town. The news has been welcomed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) as the project has the potential to provide around 19,000 jobs for Capetonians.

According to Business Insider, the construction phase alone is set to provide an estimated 5,239 jobs and could provide an estimated R4 billion boost to the Western Cape’s economy...

According to IOL, the new development will create a 150 000 square metre mixed-use space that will be divided into commercial and housing uses across two precincts. The City of Cape Town has also stated that the residential portion of the development will include affordable housing opportunities.

The River Club development has been marred by controversy, with many opposing the project’s construction, including housing activists, residents in Observatory, Khoi and San councils..."
 
Beaches to avoid swimming at in Cape Town – latest coastal water quality report
https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-af...y-report-68913321-9745-4299-a1d9-64fb32fc84da
22 April 2021

"Cape Town – The City of Cape Town’s latest report on the coastal water quality has shown three popular swimming spots have regressed into the ’’poor’’ category on the Atlantic coastline – Hout Bay beach, Bakoven bungalows and Camps Bay tidal pool.

On the False Bay coastline, water quality also regressed into the poor category at Boulders Beach, Clovelly, Mnandi Beach west and east.

Areas that reported chronic coastal water quality problems in 2019, and remained as such last year, are: Lagoon Beach, Three Anchor Bay, central False Bay, and Macassar to Gordon’s Bay.

When compared with 2019, the water quality at seven locations improved in 2020: at Small Bay, Llandudno Beach, Scarborough beach, Beta beach, Maiden’s Cove (both tidal pools) and Camps Bay beach.

The latest report covers coastal water quality for a 12-month period from 1 December, 2019 to 30 November, 2020. It reflects the outcome of statistical analysis as set out by the National Guidelines of 2 400 bacterial sample tests taken from 99 sites along Cape Town’s 307km of coastline."
 
Bonginkosi Madikizela resigns as DA Western Cape leader
https://www.news24.com/news24/south...-madikizela-resigns-as-da-western-cape-leader
28 April 2021

The story: The provincial leader of the DA in the Western Cape, Bonginkosi Madikizela has resigned from his post.

The details: A statement by the party said Madikizela tendered his resignation on Wednesday.

The background: He had recently been suspended from the party amid claims that he lied about his qualifications.
 
City of Cape Town sets sail on marine manufacturing jobs, skills
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/city-of-cape-town-sets-sail-on-marine-manufacturing-jobs-skills
27 April 2021

"The City of Cape Town in partnership with the V&A Waterfront, has launched South Africa’s first and only Ocean Economy-focused Strategic Business Partner (SBP), Blue Cape.

In a statement, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management James Vos said this comes after years of planning and weathering a global pandemic storm...

He said Cape Town’s prime position as a trade route was unmatched “only by the boatbuilding skills of our people who can custom build these oceanic wonders with world-class artisanal craftsmanship”.

He said the city remained one of the top catamaran-producing cities in the world, with the Western Cape being the largest marine manufacturing centre within South Africa, generating over R2.3 billion in 2018 in exports revenue (Quantec, 2019), and housing approximately 45% of boat builders.

“Our boatbuilding exports have grown by ±20,5% year-on-year since 2014 and exports 80% of its produced items. This has ultimately attracted a positive trade balance of around US$73m annually,” he said.

Since 2014, the boat building industry, including commercial and ocean sports has secured investments worth over R25 billion and created over 11 000 jobs, Vos said..."
 
Crime in the CBD drops by 56% since lockdown
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/crime-in-the-cbd-drops-by-56-since-lockdown
29 April 2021

"The crime rate in Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD) has decreased. This is according to the Cape Town Central City Improvement District that crime in the CBD has dropped by 56% since lockdown regulations were introduced in March last year. As reported by SABC, Security Manager, Muneeb Hendricks, said the number of incidents fell from one-thousand-620 cases to 705.

According to Hendricks, the number of theft’s allegedly dropped by 60, robberies by 67 and ATM fraud by 95%. There’s also been a decrease in drug-related cases and suspects caught with stolen goods....

Meanwhile, parking marshals are set to return to the Cape Town CBD by mid-June this year..."
 
CT water warning: Residents advised to avoid drinking tap water
https://www.all4women.co.za/2225233...residents-advised-to-avoid-drinking-tap-water
29 April 2021

"...The City’s Water and Sanitation Department, in consultation with the City’s health department, is investigating complaints related to an unusual smell and taste of municipal tap water along the Atlantic Seaboard.

Reports indicate the water has an “earthy and metallic character”, the City said in a statement.

“Residents of the Camps Bay, Sea Point and Fresnaye areas are advised to refrain from drinking tap water until further notice,” the statement read.

“As soon as test results from quality sampling are available, the City will provide updates on the matter.”

The City said initial results from water samples taken in the investigation were expected to be available on Thursday.
 
Back
Top