Table of contents for Issue 1 2021 in Cape Etc

There’s something wonderfully worn-in about Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg. Like an old Billabong hoodie, it’s slightly frayed at the edges, but soft and easy on the skin. There’s none of the hard, flashy sparkle of the Atlantic Seaboard and there isn’t a sequin in sight. This is a lived-on beach. When you stroll along the meandering sidewalk of Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro after sundown, you get a sense that this stretch of beach is just an extension of people’s homes. It’s where locals go to meet their trainer, do their yoga, play volleyball, or catch up with friends. Muizenberg beach has the same kind of feel. You’ll find women in their 70s heading out for a surf, young men on yoga mats, families, joggers, and dogs. People are there…

TONY CHATTY Tall, reticent and softly spoken Tony Chatty sits amid a veritable treasure trove of old and interesting things. His sprawling ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of unusual antique items that he has collected over the years contains old brass artefacts, knives in ornate casings, antique dolls and submarine portholes, to name a few. When asked how he came across such unusual items, he says that the trick is to have a good eye for the things that are unique and of value when you shop in second-hand stores. He took many of the items off a collector who couldn’t take his precious cargo with him overseas, and plenty of his buyers are people who shop for items for movie sets. It’s a fascinating stall, and definitely worth a browse. RICHARD MILLER…

De Hoop Collection A 10-minute drive from the beach, these accommodations in the vicinity of the vlei range from campsites with electric points to cottages provisioned with kitchens and braai areas, and there are suites in the ‘Opstal’, or farmstead, too. Also in the converted opstal are its restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating, a pool, and shop. You can sign up for a variety of guided activities – from marine walks to vulture visits – or simply settle into the kind of silent escapism you came for, hiking or lazing on your stoop. dehoopcollection.com Morukuru Beach Lodge Facing the sea at Koppie Alleen, the top bar area of this five-bedroom beach house affords a 360° view of the surroundings including unimpeded views of the roiling ocean. The…

ARCADE 152 BREE STREET, CBD 060 861 0511, arcadecafe.co.za Arcade bridges the gap between bar culture, restaurant dining and club life. The succinct menu offers tasty burgers (we’re sinking our teeth into the Happy – mozzarella, Cheddar, streaky bacon, greens, pickled red onion, roasted-garlic olive oil and herbs), pizza and cafe-style fare. Ease into the relaxed bar vibe as you prepare for a fun night out on the city’s hipster strip. THE ART OF DUPLICITY 170120.co.za This highly secretive Mother City speakeasy is a throwback to Prohibitionera modus operandi. Expect no bathtub gin here, however, instead high-concept cocktails, mixed by the famed Brent Perremore, are the main pull. As for getting there, a booking made through their bare-bones website conjures up a hint that will set you off on the…

Natural wonder Table Mountain is the Mother City’s most iconic landmark. It is also one of the New7Wonders of Nature, having shouldered its way into the finals from a list of 440 natural sites across the globe. As custodians of the mountaintop, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway team is passionate about the environment and has various conservation measures in place (such as compostable crockery in all its eateries) to ensure the area’s biodiversity is protected for future generations. Do your part by not littering or picking plants, and by smoking in designated areas only. Head for the top It takes between four and eight hours to hike up and down Table Mountain, depending on your level of fitness, the route you take, and how long you spend at the top.…

THE AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE MUSEUM AND MONUMENT MUSEUM: 11 PASTORIE AVENUE, PAARL MONUMENT: GABBEMA DOORDRIFT STREET, PAARL MOUNTAIN, PAARL 021 863 0543, taalmuseum.co.za Erected in 1975, the Taalmonument was designed by architect Jan van Wijk to commemorate 50 years of Afrikaans as an official language separate from Dutch. The museum offers a look into the origins of the language. R40 (monument) and R20 (museum) for adults, R5 for children. Museum open weekdays 8:30 am – 4:45 pm; monument open daily 8 am – 4:45 pm BO-KAAP MUSEUM* 71 WALE STREET, BO-KAAP 021 481 3938 Restored to represent a 19th-century Muslim household, the museum displays photographic exhibitions documenting the history of the Bo-Kaap community. Take note of the moulded parapet roof, a typical feature of Cape Dutch architecture. R20 for adults, R10…

BAY HARBOUR MARKET 31 HARBOUR ROAD, HOUT BAY 084 370 5715, bayharbour.co.za Housed in an old factory at the working harbour in Hout Bay, this vibey market is a winner. More than 100 stalls offer arts and crafts, and fashion, plus pastries, ice cream, fruit and a host of other gourmet goods. It has a serious green ethos too, aiming to become entirely waste-free. Open Fridays 5–9 pm, weekends 9:30 am – 4 pm BLUE BIRD GARAGE FOOD & GOODS MARKET 39 ALBERTYN ROAD, MUIZENBERG 084 405 3544, bluebirdgarage.co.za This unpretentious market housed in an old postal-plane hangar brings ‘the butcher, the baker and the T-shirt maker’ together. Fill up on tasty bites, fresh produce, vegan curries and home-made treats, then browse the beautiful jewellery and fashion. Open Thursday &…

ARABELLA HOTEL & SPA ARABELLA COUNTRY ESTATE, R44 TO KLEINMOND, HERMANUS 028 284 0000, arabellacountryestate.co.za Sometimes, all you need is a weekend filled with rest, relaxation … and a spot of golf. At Arabella Hotel & Spa, the luxurious facilities and world-class service ensure your every whim is catered to – whether that’s indulging in a treatment or teeing off. BANKSIA SPA BANKSIA BOUTIQUE, 14 BANKSIA ROAD, ROSEBANK 021 685 9878, banksia.co.za Tucked away in the landscaped gardens of the elegant Banksia Boutique hotel, this suburban spa ticks all the boxes a top-drawer beauty treatment ought to. Opt to invigorate your skin with a salt-mousse exfoliation or enjoy a mud ritual in the rasul chamber. CAMELOT SPA PEARL VALLEY CLUBHOUSE, PAARL 021 867 8001, camelotspa.co.za Six luxury treatment rooms, including…

CAPE TOWN TOURISM INFORMATION CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 021 937 1200 airports.co.za CAPE TOWN TOURISM 0861 322 223 capetown.travel KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN 021 799 8783 sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL CABLEWAY 021 424 0015 tablemountain.net V&A WATERFRONT INFORMATION CENTRE 021 408 7600 waterfront.co.za EMERGENCY SERVICES ALL EMERGENCIES 112 (Toll free) AMBULANCE 10177 MOUNTAIN RESCUE 021 948 9900 NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE 112 NETCARE (Private emergency medical service) 082 911 POLICE 10111 (Emergencies) 021 480 7700 (City of Cape Town) MEDICAL SERVICES GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL OBSERVATORY (Government) 021 404 9111 MEDICLINIC CAPE TOWN ORANJEZICHT (Private) 021 464 5500 MEDICLINIC CONSTANTIABERG PLUMSTEAD (Private) 021 799 2911 MEDICLINIC STELLENBOSCH STELLENBOSCH (Private) 021 861 2000 NETCARE CHRISTIAAN BARNARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CBD (Private), 021 441 0000 NETCARE TRAVEL CLINIC CBD (Private), 021 419 3172 (Contact…

1. REACH THE TOP The most direct walking route up Table Mountain is via Platteklip Gorge. It can be tough on your calves, like climbing an endless stairway built for giants, but at the end you’ll feel as though you’ve conquered Everest. Once at the top, take the path left that leads to Maclear’s Beacon (the mountain’s highest point). City, sea and mountain views change with every step. It’s a 45-minute walk back in the opposite direction to the upper cableway station for the easier, quicker trip down by cable car. tablemountain.net 2. BOUNCE ALONG THE BOOMSLANG WALKWAY Although named for one of our most venomous reptiles, this particular ‘tree snake’ is perfectly harmless. It’s an architecturally imaginative way of strolling through the air, walking between the branches with a…

CITY BOWL THE AFRICA CAFÉ 108 SHORTMARKET STREET, CBD 021 422 0221, africacafe.co.za Take your place in the buffet line, where you will be tempted by mouth-watering specialities from across the continent, such as Botswanan seswaa masala (a delicious medium-strength springbok curry) and magwinya (lightly sweetened fried dough balls). Lively music and an adjoining arts-and-crafts shop ensure an all-round sensory feast. AUBERGINE 39 BARNET STREET, GARDENS 021 465 0000, aubergine.co.za Combining classic European cuisine with South African and Eastern twists, the fine-dining Aubergine has secured itself a spot on many a list of top local restaurants. The menu changes frequently, and the resident sommelier guarantees a memorable evening of wining and dining. BAO DOWN 3 VREDEHOEK AVENUE, ORANJEZICHT 066 022 1165, baodowncapetown.com Bao Down is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team…

BAKOVEN If you’re in the Camps Bay area and looking for a more private day on the beach, sans waves of bronzing bodies, head a bit further along the road (away from the city centre) to Bakoven. It may be tiny in comparison, but it’s a lovely boulder-strewn beach and is usually quiet enough to sunbathe with a book. BLOUBERGSTRAND Blouberg offers the iconic postcard view of Table Mountain, so have your camera at the ready. Kids will love exploring the rock pools, but this is also the place for water sports – when the wind is blowing, while away the afternoon watching the aerobatic skills of wind- and kitesurfers. CAMPS BAY Camps Bay is one of Cape Town’s most iconic beaches, and summer sees it packed to capacity with…

WHY VISIT? Few gardens in the world can compare to the majestic setting of Kirstenbosch. Established in 1913, the 36 ha garden is part of a larger 528 ha estate bordering the Table Mountain National Park. It forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site known for its endemism. More than 7 000 species of Cape flora, alongside other plant life from the diverse regions of Southern Africa, are cultivated here. The garden is also home to a wide variety of birds and small animals. WHAT TO SEE AND DO Marvel at South Africa’s national flower in the Protea Garden, wander along the self-guided Braille Trail, or take a stroll across the impressive 130 m Boomslang – a wheelchair-friendly canopy walkway with jaw-dropping views –…

ARTSCAPE* DF MALAN STREET, FORESHORE 021 410 9800, artscape.co.za Established back in 1971, Artscape is a multifunctional creative centre dedicated to bringing the arts to a wider audience. The opera house seats close to 1 500 people and plays host to large-scale productions such as ballets and classic shows, while smaller performances are staged in the 500-seat Arena theatre. THE BAXTER THEATRE* MAIN ROAD, RONDEBOSCH 021 685 7880, baxter.co.za The Baxter is an institution in the Cape – throughout the apartheid era, its doors remained open to everyone, drawing on and nurturing local talent. Today, it is still at the forefront of the arts, with a line-up that has something for everyone – from drama, ballet and live music to comedy, children’s theatre and even hypnotism. CAPE TOWN CITY BALLET*…

AFROGEM 181 BUITENGRACHT STREET, CBD 021 424 0848, afrogem.co.za The production tour offers a glimpse of what goes into each stunning creation. BOUTIQUE HAUTE HORLOGERIE VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 1889, bhhboutique.co.za Expect a luxury line-up of timepieces, with the likes of Richard Mille, Piguet, Parmigiani, Zenith, Hermès, Dior and Ebel timepieces. BROWNS CANAL WALK, CENTURY CITY 021 555 2196, brownsjewellers.com With outlets across South Africa, this family-owned diamond store epitomises exceptional quality, enduring designs and outstanding customer service. CAPE DIAMOND EXCHANGE 73 ST GEORGES MALL, CBD 021 422 2350, capediamondexchange.com Industry authority and current Cape Diamond Exchange owner Mr Poldy puts his expertise to work at this boutique. It offers a range of jewellery and handcrafted pieces, set and unset certified diamonds and tanzanite, and a soughtafter selection…

ACROBRANCH 1 HOUT BAY MAIN ROAD, CONSTANTIA NEK 086 999 0369, acrobranch.co.za Take to the trees with fun activities for the whole family. There are two courses for the little ones, while adults and teens can tackle a slightly more thrilling elevated experience. All three courses combine the adventure of zip lines, moving planks, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and more. The park caters for kids’ birthday parties and corporate team building too. From R150–R280 ALPACA LOOM SUID-AGTER PAARL ROAD, SOUTHERN PAARL 084 793 3666, alpacas.co.za Kids are in for an interactive experience at the alpaca petting zoo, where they have the chance to get up close to these animals. If they still have some energy left after, they can let loose on the jungle gym while parents park off for…

HOP ON, HOP OFF City Sightseeing’s Constantia Valley Wine Tour bus takes visitors to three award-winning wine estates – Groot Constantia, Eagles’ Nest and Beau Constantia. 021 511 6000, citysightseeing.co.za CAPE PENINSULA AMBELOUI 4075 VALLEY ROAD, HOUT BAY ambeloui.co.za The MCCs that start their journey in the Ambeloui vineyards are certainly worth a toast. The small family-run boutique cellar has been producing bubbly for more than two decades, with each vintage named after a family member. Ann Christodoulou, the family matriarch, shares her love of Greek delicacies, and sells spanakopita, bougatsa and baklava from the farm too. Tastings: Only on the estate’s two annual sale days DORRANCE WINES HERITAGE SQUARE, 95 HOUT STREET, CBD 021 422 0695, dorrancewines.com Winemaker Christophe Durand moved from Calvados, France, to Cape Town in 1995.…

GUIDED HIKES Book a walk with one of the following accredited guides. They will be able to advise on how much water to take, and which other mountain essentials you should bring along: HIKE TABLE MOUNTAIN RIAAN VORSTER, 060 539 9340 hiketablemountain.co.za From R950 pp (excluding transport, cableway fare and Kirstenbosch entrance fee) TABLE MOUNTAIN WALKS MARGARET CURRAN, 082 920 4679 tablemountainwalks.co.za From R750 pp (excluding transport cableway fare and Kirstenbosch entrance fee) CABLEWAY 021 424 0015, tablemountain.net Looking to take a markedly less tiring route to the top? The rotating cable car promises a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Cape Town, and has attracted more than 27 million visitors since it first opened in 1929. Once you’re at the top, you can walk to various lookout points, spot dassies (the…

AQUILA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE R46, TOUWS RIVER 021 430 7260, aquilasafari.com This southern Karoo conservancy has been described as ‘a blend of dirty-boot adventure, luxury accommodation and wildlife education’. The cherry on top is the horseback safari, which can be combined with a game drive for a full day spent out in the bush. DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE OVERBERG 021 422 4522, dehoopcollection.com Just three hours’ drive away from Cape Town, De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the world’s most biologically diverse sanctuaries. Covering some 35 000 ha, the reserve remains a favourite destination for hikers, birders and botanists. Book one of the self-catering cottages (the Opstal Manor House or the newer Lekkerwater Beach Lodge) and enjoy guided marine and fynbos walks, stargazing trips and birdwatching excursions. GARDEN ROUTE…

34 FINE ART BUCHANAN SQUARE, 160 SIR LOWRY ROAD, WOODSTOCK 082 354 1500, 34fineart.com This gallery was started with the owner’s personal collection of work, but now rotates solo exhibitions by prestigious local and international contemporary artists. Open by appointment only ABÉ OPPERMAN GALLERY 2ND FLOOR, 5 HUDSON STREET, DE WATERKANT 11 HUGUENOT STREET, FRANSCHHOEK 082 551 9708, abeopperman.co.za The pieces at the Abé Opperman Gallery are an invitation to reconsider modern life’s preoccupation with consumerism, violence, power and other societal ills. De Waterkant: By appointment only Franschhoek: Open daily 10 am – 5 pm THE AVA GALLERY 35 CHURCH STREET, CBD 021 424 7436, ava.co.za The non-profit Association for Visual Arts Gallery focuses on emerging artists. It deals in a diverse array of work, from mixed-media installations to ceramics…

ASHANTI DESIGN 77 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS 021 461 0367, ashantidesign.com Add a pop of vibrant colour to your home with the handmade crafts produced from upcycled materials at Ashanti. Furniture, baskets, bags, lampshades and cushions are just some of the items you can buy, with the peace of mind that you’ve supported job creation and also ethical sourcing of materials. The brand’s signature fabric is handwoven from the fibres of good-quality material that would otherwise end up in landfills. This also means that no two products are the same, making your pick unique. CANAL WALK CENTURY BOULEVARD, CENTURY CITY 021 529 9699, canalwalk.co.za Many retailers’ flagship stores can be found in this sprawling mall, so you can expect an incredible selection of everything from mainstream fashion and homeware shops to…