Cape Town Emerges as One of the World’s Leading Destinations

Cape Town has emerged over the past decade as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. It serves as an attractive gateway for visitors seeking to experience South Africa’s extraordinary landscapes, animal preserves, picturesque wine country, historic struggles for equality and prosperity, and other attributes. With a metropolitan population of approximately five million people, Cape Town is Africa’s center for international business activity and conferences in the 21st century.

BRIEF HISTORY OF CAPE TOWN

Indigenous groups have lived in the Cape region for several hundred thousand years. In the late 1400s, expeditions by Portuguese explorers Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco de Gama landed in the area. They identified it as a logical place for trading ships to replenish their supplies when traveling around the challenging Cape of Good Hope enroute to destinations in East Africa and other faraway lands. Nevertheless, it was not until 1652 that the Dutch formalized this practice by establishing a settlement and small fort at Table Bay. That settlement grew to encompass over 13,000 European settlers, native people, and foreign slaves by the late 1700s. The British took control of the region in 1814 and designated it as the Cape Colony, but the colony remained dependent on imports for basic manufactured goods.

Much of the area now known as South Africa was sparsely populated during the colonial era. However, land disputes and racial suppression of non-white residents created years of conflict that restricted the economic and social development of Cape Town. The native Xhosa and Zulu people, British colonial authorities, Boer farmers, outside adventurers, mining companies, and mixed-race inhabitants of the region struggled to create a national identity for most of the 19th and 20th centuries.

In 1994, free elections and the end of Apartheid era throughout South Africa opened Cape Town as an attractive place for economic growth and tourism. The city now has affluent areas with modern buildings, a world class waterfront and beach communities, clean parks and recreation facilities, and cultural activities. The Cape Town region has a per capita income almost forty percent higher than the rest of South Africa. However, a substantial portion of the population still resides in neighborhoods with limited resources and limited economic opportunity. If Cape Town can continue to attract foreign investment to South Africa, improve its basic infrastructure and services, and grow the wages of its many young workers, it is likely to remain a leader for Africa and a top destination for world visitors.

Here are some of the best places and experiences that visitors should consider exploring during a trip to Cape Town:

SHOP AND RELAX AT THE VICTORIA AND ALFRED WATERFRONT

One destination in Cape Town which reflects both the maritime tradition and economic vibrancy of the city is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront district, commonly known as the V&A. The V&A consists of reclaimed land that was once part of the colonial harbor constructed during the British occupation. Prince Alfred, who was the second son of Britain’s Queen Victoria, visited the Cape Colony in 1860 as a sixteen-year-old Royal Navy Midshipman. He inaugurated the construction of the first basin of the harbor, and later, the second basin was named after his mother.

Beginning in 1988, a state-owned transport corporation launched an ambitious plan to redevelop the run-down docks and warehouses that once covered the harbor area by upgrading the port facilities there and constructing a series of neighborhoods with modern housing, tourist attractions, and shopping areas. With the scenery of Table Mountain on one side, the harbor and boats on the other, and plenty of entertainment options in between, it is the kind of place that makes people relax as they begin to explore the many fascinating sites of South Africa. It features:

Shopping - The V&A Waterfront has nine different districts or neighborhoods. Retail shops and stores are quite prominent in five of them. In total, the waterfront has more than 450 retail outlets which are located within different shopping centers and in standalone stores. Some of the most popular retail items for purchase at these retail outlets include jewelry and gems, local and imported fashions, leather goods, technology equipment and houseware. It is one of the few shopping areas in South Africa that has been successful in attracting luxury brands from Commonwealth Nations and around the world such as Gucci, Versace, and Pringle of Scotland. The largest shopping establishment there is the two-story Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre. This center was constructed in 1992 but has been upgraded several times since then to add space and a more modern look. With three anchor stores and hundreds of other stores and eateries, it is a popular place to cool off or to spend time in between visiting the many attractions nearby. One place with a more local flair is The Watershed where local tenants sell their wares, arts, and crafts. Another emerging shopping area is the Clock Tower Retail Center which can be reached directly from the mainland or by crossing a movable bridge. In addition to stylish shops, there is an artistic theme and feel to the place.

Food - Food establishments are also a popular place to spend time at the V&A. There are several dozen restaurants and cafes interspersed throughout the districts and many offer outdoor dining with pleasant views. Some people also visit the V&A Food Market or the City Farm Market to purchase fresh produce and local delicacies for home cooking or consumption there.

Attractions - Like other successful city waterfronts, the V&A also contains numerous attractions to bring people down to the site. One popular place is the Cape Town Diamond Museum at which visitors can learn about the process of producing diamonds and see how South African merchants design and cut these precious gems from representatives of the Shamansky jewelry firm. There is also the 131-foot-high Cape Ferris wheel which revolves on a pier next to the water and offers spectacular views of the cityscape for 15 minutes. Other attractions include the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art, several cinemas, and a waterfront amphitheater where artists perform on a regular basis.

Maritime Happenings and Future Plans– For the time being, the V&A Waterfront remains an operating harbor with commercial piers and container ships nearby, a marina district for local yachtsmen, a fishing fleet, and a cruise terminal. Cape Town has emerged as a point of embarkation and a destination stop for an increasing number of cruise ships during the summer months of December to March. Landlubbers can also enjoy the water by taking short cruises from boat operators to see Table Bay or to enjoy seals and other marine life. However, future plans for the next 10 to 15 years include a $20 billion expansion project that will almost double the size of the V&A Waterfront by filling in parts of Table Bay with reclaimed land, constructing new residential buildings and adding mixed use facilities, and moving the commercial port to a new location outside of the city.

ENJOY THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

The mountains and peaks surrounding Cape Town are natural wonders that provide unique scenery whether viewed looking up from the city or down from the platforms above the city. Here are the leading places to visit:

Table Mountain- Table Mountain is known for its flat top and long plateau that extends along the central part of the city. It rises to a height of 3560 feet above sea level and was created over 450 million years ago from the erosion of granite and sandstone deposits. Visited by more than three million people annually, Table Mountain was named one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 2011. It is part of the Table Mountain National Park which includes the mountain range and additional protected land from Cape Town down the Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope.

While there are trails that allow people to hike to the top, most people take one of the cable cars that run from a roadway below the mountain up to the visitors’ center. A short and smooth ride brings you to a flat elevated area where you can walk around and get views in all four directions from trails and viewing platforms. The most popular views are those looking out over the city toward the waterfront or over to the Lion’s Head peak. People interested in mountain flora and fauna will see an abundance of plants and flowers on the top and small mammals. Another interesting phenomenon of Table Mountain is the tablecloth of clouds that often cover the top during the day creating a special sight for people down in the city.

Lion’s Head- The peak of Lion’s Head Mountain stands at 2195 feet above sea level. The shape of the mountain reminds some people of a crouching lion or the head and body of the Sphinx in Egypt. Despite the excellent views from its slopes, local authorities have strictly enforced building restrictions there over the years and preserved the slopes and shape of the mountain. Today, it is a popular place for hikers to ascend.

Signal Hill- Signal Hill is special because you can drive around the peak by car and look over at Lion’s Head on one side or down onto the beach communities of the Atlantic coastline on the other. It is a popular place for photographing the city or the sunset, and for watching parasailers take off and float down to the coast clinging to a seasoned driver. Signal Hill was used during the period of British rule as a place to signal the noon hour by a cannon shot or to notify the public of a ship in crisis or another emergency. The approach to the hill also includes several tombs for respected Muslim leaders and missionaries from the city’s past.

HISTORIC SITES AND MUSEUMS

Robben Island - Robben Island is a World Heritage site and museum which both captures the difficult heritage of South Africa's past and the promise of a brighter future for its people. Located seven miles north of Cape Town in Table Bay, the island is a flat and rocky place that was used by Cape Town's rulers to both quarantine the sick and punish political prisoners over the past three centuries. A desolate location containing a lime quarry, a seal colony, flocks of seagulls and few trees, the island is surrounded by the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean and offered little hope to those imprisoned there. Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of modern South Africa, spent 18 years imprisoned there along with other anti- apartheid activists. Today, tens of thousands of South Africans and visitors from around the world tour the prison including Mandela's cell by booking a tour and traveling by boat to the island. Exhibits there as well as tours by former guards and prisoners bring to life the human suffering and lessons of that era.

District Six Museum - Another museum that recalls the many deprivations forced upon the non- white residents of Cape Town during apartheid is the District 6 Museum located in a former church in that area. District 6 in Cape Town was an area located close to the port in the center of the city that was predominantly owned and occupied by people deemed to be “coloureds” or Black people. Many of them owned small businesses or worked in local trades. In the late 1960s, the government forcibly evicted the more than 50,000 people living there, demolished most of the buildings, and relocated them to a distant area outside of the city known as Cape Flats. The museum has preserved artifacts, exhibits, photographs, and personal mementos about the district’s residents, and celebrates the ongoing efforts of that community to seek reform and justice for their dislocation.

Greenmarket Square- This shopping location is historic and touristy at the same time. Greenmarket Square, an open space located in the middle of historic buildings and cafes in the central district of the city, provides local vendors and crafts people with a pleasant, tree lined venue to sell their wares to downtown shoppers and city visitors. It originally served as a marketplace for slaves in the 1700s and later as a vegetable market and car park. Today, the marketplace is full of African style clothing, souvenirs, animal products such as ostrich eggs, toys, and general merchandise.

Other Historic Sites- The central portion of Cape Town contains many structures and areas that were important to the development of the Cape Colony. Bo-Kapp is a residential area once populated by a vibrant Muslim community that is now known for its multi color houses and shops. The Castle of Good Hope which once stood on the shore of Table Bay remains intact further inland today with sturdy walls and displays some military artifacts dating back to the rule of the Dutch and British powers. Another large ceremonial building is the City Hall built by the British during the Victorian era in 1905. Finally, people still enjoy visiting the tree-lined avenues of the Company's Garden, established to grow produce for visiting ships in the late 1600s and later developed into a green area set aside for residents to walk or relax on benches surrounded by trees and fountains.

BEACHES AND RECREATION

Beach Areas -The seaside areas located to the west of the V&A Waterfront have developed into some of the most popular places for expatriates and high-income residents of Cape Town to live and play. There are six miles of sandy beaches and a rocky shoreline along the water adjacent to paved promenades, small parks, and a waterfront road. People from throughout the city go there to walk, swim in the cold ocean or several public pools, ride bikes, or just hang out. These neighborhoods like Sea Point and Green Point are full of large apartment complexes and cliffside houses. They also feature entertainment and commercial activity such as restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels. Visitors to this area may feel like they have stepped into an African version of California.

Cape Town Stadium and Greenpoint Park - Another pleasant public area of Cape Town is Green Point Park which was donated to the people of the city for recreational purposes by King George V in 1923. This park and the surrounding land features playing fields, an artificial lake, a biodiversity garden, a public golf course, picnicking areas and trails, and a track and field stadium for local sports. The crown jewel of this area is the 55,000-seat Cape Town Stadium built for the soccer World Cup in 2010, and used today for rugby matches, soccer matches, concerts, and other major events. Built to resemble a traditional Zulu hat, the stadium has become a symbol of Cape Town's emergence as a major destination.

TWO POPULAR EXCURSIONS

Most visitors to Cape Town enjoy heading off on two excursions after touring the city. First, people love taking a day long exploration of the Cape Peninsula to see the Cape of Good Hope and look out on the rough waters that European ships encountered on their explorations of Africa and beyond. Along the way, the drive down the Atlantic seaboard includes the cliffside Chapman’s Peak Drive and views of the beautiful town of Hout Bay. Similarly, the return trip from the Cape along False Bay usually includes stops in popular waterfront communities like Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, and Muizenberg, together with a visit to the penguin community at Boulder’s Beach. Another popular day trip from Cape Town or overnight stay is to visit the Cape Winelands and the West Coast areas to the east of the city. The rolling hills and lush land of this area are home to over two thousand wine farms and forty-five producer cellars. Many of these wineries are open for wine tasting visits or include inns for guests to take in the views and ambiance of the region. Just as interesting are the two major towns of this area – Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Both towns have a casual feel and are full of shops and restaurants for people to browse and enjoy.

ENJOYING A TRIP TO CAPE TOWN

For people interested in traveling to Cape Town, here are some tips that may be of assistance:

How to Get Here - Getting to Cape Town has become easier in recent years for Americans since two airlines now offer direct service from the United States to the city and many others have convenient overseas connections. United Airlines has several weekly direct flights to Cape Town from Newark and Washington, D.C., while Delta flies direct from Atlanta. These flights take 14 to 16 hours. Other international carriers serving Cape Town include British Airways direct from London, Air France direct from Paris, KLM direct from Amsterdam, Lufthansa direct from Frankfurt, Turkish Airlines direct from Istanbul, Qatar Airways direct from Doha, and Emirates direct from Dubai. Each of these flights takes 9 to 11 hours once you reach the overseas hub.

When to Go - The weather in Cape Town is pleasant for enjoying the waterfront and excursions to the interior during South Africa's spring, summer, and fall seasons which take place from October until April. From May to September the nights can be cool, and rainstorms are more frequent but there is still plenty to see and do during that season.

Where to Stay - There are more than a dozen quality hotels at the V&A Waterfront including some of South Africa's leading luxury properties. These include the One and Only Cape Town, Cape Grace Hotel, and the Table Bay Hotel. One classic property that offers luxury accommodation and traditional amenities in a private estate setting is the Mount Nelson Hotel located near the foot of Table Mountain.