Green Point
Common
Three
Anchor Bay
R
GE
AN
GR
Fan walk
BLVD
MAIN RD
Sea Point
To the airport,
Somerset West,
Strand, Gordon’s Bay,
and the Cape Winelands
HIGH LEVEL RD
M3
3
Duncan Dock
Fan walk
Noon Gun
Signal Hill
350 m
ST
EY
5
TL
ER
AV
E
HA
NS
7
8
ST
9
HE
RT
ZO
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AV
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Foreshore
Fan Fest
10
11
12
13
DA
RL
IN
19
NEW MARKET ST
SIR LOWRY RD
G
ST
RD
K
PS
T
20
TE
NN
AN
UPPER ORANGE ST
NE
F
VD
BL
Zonnebloem
(District Six)
De Waal
Park
M3
N2
MILL ST
Oranjezicht
Springs
Devil’s Peak
Estate
Vredehoek
DE WAA
L DR
M3
Table Mountain
National Park
To Kirstenbosch, Constantia,
Muizenberg, Kalk Bay,
Fish Hoek, Simon’s Town,
and Cape Point
1 kilometre
21
12 The Drill Hall and Central Library
Facing onto the Grand Parade is the Drill Hall, completed in 1885. Built as a military training venue, it
has also been an enlistment point and a venue for
public meetings, exhibitions and balls. Today, it is
Cape Town’s flagship Central Library, housing more
than 200 000 books – including a unique collection
of Africana – works about Africa or written by
Africans – and a large music and film collection.
MAP BASE DATA: CITY OF CAPE TOWN GIS
15 The Company’s Garden
The Company’s Garden is the
oldest public garden in South
Africa, with more than 8 000
species of plants. Established
in 1652 by Dutch settlers as
a food garden, it has been a
public park for 160 years.
The garden’s attractions
include many historically and
botanically valuable trees, rose, succulent and herb
gardens, the Delville Wood Memorial Garden, a fish
pond, an aviary and a tearoom.
The garden is surrounded by notable landmarks,
including the Slave Lodge (16), the Iziko South
African Museum and Planetarium (17), the Houses of
Parliament (18), St George's Cathedral, the National
Library and National Gallery, and the Old Synagogue.
• Open daily, 07:00-19:00 (summer),
07:00-18:00 (winter).
Woodstock
N
and organ concerts. The 61-metre-high bell tower
has the largest carillon (set of bells that can be rung
from a keyboard) in Southern Africa, with 39 bells.
the Mother City, with pubs, clubs, cigar bars and a
wide range of entertainment and live music. At the
top end of Long Street are the century-old Long
Street Baths with a heated swimming pool, Turkish
baths and steam and dry-heat rooms.
• Open daily, 07:00-19:00. t +27 (0)21 400 3302.
16 Church Square and the Slave Lodge
The former Slave Lodge is one of the city’s oldest
buildings, and over three centuries has served as
government offices and the Supreme Court. Now the
SA Cultural History Museum, it houses displays on
the Cape as well as a collection of antiquities from
around the world. Church Square was where slaves
would wait under a ‘slave tree’ while their owners
attended the nearby Groote Kerk (Great Church).
Slavery was abolished in 1838.
• Open Monday to Saturday, 10:00-17:00.
t +27 (0)21 460 8242 | w www.iziko.org.za
N
M
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N1
Cape Town
Station
ER
CA
O
BL
VD
ST
15 16
17 18
Gardens
ST
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KE
T
14
Tamboerskloof
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ST
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M
TS
6
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AL
E
O
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RA
SH
O
RT
M
AR
RY
D
RL
ST
ST
HT
AC
BU
IT
EN
GR
To Sea Point,
Bantry Bay
Clifton and
Camps Bay
ST
RK
ST
W
AT
E
Schotsche
Kloof
To Camps Bay,
Llandudno,
Hout Bay,
Chapman’s Peak,
Noordhoek,
Kommetjie,
Scarborough,
and Cape Point
EN
AD
4
CO
EA
The City Hall was completed
in 1905, and its ornate marble and sandstone facade
combined Italian renaissance
‘rococo’ features with an
Edwardian English style. The
Great Hall has one of the
finest pipe organs in the
country, and is a renowned
venue for orchestral, choir
Nelson Mandela
Gateway
RD
D
11 The Old City Hall
D
OO
SW
RT
PO
V&A Marina
D
10 The Grand Parade
The Grand Parade, once a military parade ground, is
the city’s oldest public square. It has been the site of
many historical events, including Nelson Mandela’s
first public appearance on the day of his release in
February 1990 after 27 years behind bars. It is the
site of the city’s official Fan Fest for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup™.
• ⌖ 33°55'29"S / 18°25'27"E
2
ER
Adderley Street was once
known as Heerengracht, after
the canal that once ran its
length. Today, vendors and
hawkers sell goods ranging
from fresh produce to
knick-knacks. A must-see are the flower sellers, who
have been selling their colourful blooms – with an
added dash of spicy humour – for over a century.
Y
BA
D
BV
Table Bay
TR
RSE
ME
9 Adderley Street
1
V&A
Waterfront
SO
8 The Old Town House (Dorpshuis)
The Old Town House, completed in 1761, was one of
the city’s first double-storey buildings, and is an outstanding example of the ‘rococo’ style. It has served
as the seat of the Burgher (Citizen) Senate, a magistrate's court, police station and as the City Hall until
1905, when the Old City Hall (11) was completed. It
became the city’s first art museum in 1916, with a
fine collection of Dutch ‘Old Master’ paintings.
• ⌖ 33°55'23"S / 18°25'11"E
Cape Town
Stadium
AL
5 Cape Town International Convention Centre
The impressive Cape Town International Convention
Centre (CTICC) is known as one of the leading convention centres in the Southern Hemisphere, and the
only convention centre in Africa to gain three management system certifications simultaneously. It is
the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw.
• t +27 (0)21 410 5000 | w www.cticc.co.za
⌖ 33°54'55"S / 18°25'32"E
Fort Wynyard
VD
BL
4 Signal Hill and the Noon Gun
Signal Hill, which forms the
‘lion’s body’ for the adjacent
Lion’s Head mountain, offers
spectacular views across the
harbour, city and Atlantic
Ocean. It was a lookout post
and site for signalling shipping, and later, the firing
of the famous noonday gun (thought to have been
used during the Battle of Muizenberg in 1795). The
gun is still fired daily.
CH
RD
ND
THREE DAYS
• Begin with a boat trip to and guided tour of
the World Heritage Site, Robben Island, where
ex-president Nelson Mandela was jailed, and
former political prisoners act as your guides.
• Take a guided tour to the vibrant and colourful
township communities; meet the people, taste
the food and enjoy an array of handcrafts.
• No trip to Cape Town is complete without a
visit to the picturesque Cape Winelands. Sample
a mouth-watering selection of fine Cape wines,
cheeses, chocolates and olives.
• Spend the evening savouring a traditional Cape
Malay meal in the Bo-Kaap. If the World Cup
brought you to the Mother City, your memories
of this fantastic place will bring you back!
3 Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay
Sea Point is a cosmopolitan suburb with a host of
pubs, music clubs, sidewalk cafés and restaurants.
The Sea Point Promenade features playgrounds, a
pavilion and a seawater swimming pool. Southwards
along the scenic coastal road from Sea Point is
Clifton, with four secluded beaches. Further on is
Camps Bay, which has fine dining, shops and a
palm-lined beach. Further south is Llandudno, which
offers spectacular sunsets and bracing cold water.
BEA
WESTERN
7 Greenmarket Square
Greenmarket Square began
as the trading hub of the city
in the 17th century. Today, it’s
the place to browse for
glassware, hand-painted fabrics, music, footwear, and
curios from across Africa.
The square is fringed by coffee shops and restaurants,
where you can sit and watch the world go by.
• ⌖ 33°55'21"S / 18°25'12"E
To Milnerton,
Blouberg,
the West Coast,
Bellville, Durbanville,
Tygerberg, Paarl, and
the Cape Winelands
Mouille Point
Mouille Lighthouse
Point
NA
TWO DAYS
• Head south along the Atlantic coast, through
Hout Bay, over scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive and
on to Cape Point. Take a funicular ride to the
Point and a guided walk to see the baboons.
• Make your next stop at Boulders Beach,
Simon’s Town, home to one of the few mainland-based penguin colonies in the world.
• Stop off at Kalk Bay harbour and enjoy freshoff-the-boat seafood, followed by a stroll along
the cobbled streets to search for antiques.
• Don’t miss the exquisite Kirstenbosch National
Botanical Garden, the first in the world established to protect local flora.
2 The V&A Waterfront
Alongside the working harbour and set against the
spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain, the V&A
Waterfront (named for Queen Victoria and her eldest
son, Alfred, who opened the harbour in 1860), is
South Africa’s most visited destination. It has hundreds of shops ranging from department stores to
curio shops, and restaurants that offer everything
from fine dining to fish and chips on the quayside.
Activities range from helicopter flips to
boat charters and cruises and a number
of museums and galleries. Catch the
ferry to Robben Island from the
Nelson Mandela Gateway, or visit the Two
Oceans Aquarium (www.aquarium.co.za) and see
sharks, penguins and hundreds of species of sea life.
• t +27 (0)21 408 7600 | w www.waterfront.co.za
⌖ 33°54'16"S / 18°25'13"E
21 fabulous things to do in Cape Town
AN
TOP TEN THINGS TO DO
• Take in the views of Cape Town from the top
of Table Mountain.
• Follow the steps to freedom on Robben Island.
• Dine, shop and be entertained at the V&A
Waterfront.
• Stroll through the Kirstenbosch National
Botanical Garden.
• Picnic alongside a family of African penguins
at Boulders Beach.
• Visit the picturesque Cape Winelands and
enjoy some award-winning Cape wine.
• Meet the people of the vibrant township
communities on a guided tour.
• Enjoy a traditional Cape Malay meal in the
colourful ‘Bo-Kaap’ (Upper Cape) – the city’s
historic Malay quarter.
• Take a meandering drive along the coast to
Cape Point.
• Get into the groove on a Cape Town jazz
safari.
ONE DAY
• Catch the open-top double-decker Cape Town
CitySightseeing Bus and enjoy a guided hop-on
hop-off, 17-stop bus tour of the city.
• Take a cable car ride up Table Mountain for the
breathtaking views from the top.
• Visit the District Six Museum and learn about
what was a remarkable community before its
residents were removed under apartheid.
• Stop to shop, have a bite to eat, or explore the
Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront,
where you’ll also find soccer memorabilia.
• Begin your evening with sundowners at Camps
Bay, followed by dinner at one of the city’s
award-winning restaurants, and end off by
catching some live local music on Long Street.
6 Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant
The Bo-Kaap (‘Upper Cape’) is the spiritual home of
the Cape’s Muslim community – many descended
from Malaysian and Indonesian slaves – and the
country’s first mosque. The Bo-Kaap is the best place
to have a traditional, headily spiced Cape Malay
meal. Learn about the history of the area at the
quaint Bo-Kaap Museum, whose building dates back
to the 1760s (tel: +27 (0)21 481 3939). Next to the
Bo-Kaap is De Waterkant precinct, home to a variety
of art galleries and restaurants.
RN
TE
ES
W
Cape Town is Africa’s creative and lifestyle
capital, and a proud host city for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup™.
There are few places that can match Cape
Town’s scenic beauty and superb tourist attractions. Cradled by majestic mountains and fringed
by oceans, South Africa’s oldest city – the ‘Mother
City’ – boasts breathtaking natural beauty, a
melting pot of cultures, and a fascinating history.
Its rich cultural and architectural heritage and
warm, friendly people add a special quality to
this jewel on the southern tip of Africa.
Pressed for time in Cape Town? Here are a few
suggestions if you only have …
1 Cape Town Stadium and Green Point Park
Green Point is home to the
stadium where eight 2010
FIFA World Cup™ matches
will be played, to many
restaurants and nightclubs,
and to the Green Point
Market, held every Sunday
and a place to buy curios
from across the African continent. Green Point Park,
surrounding the stadium, is a landscaped sport and
recreation precinct with pedestrian walkways and
water features leading to Mouille Point, which has
the country’s oldest lighthouse (pictured) and a
promenade popular with strollers and joggers.
• Stadium: ⌖ 33°54'12”S | 18°24'40"E
KL
CAPE TOWN
WELCOMES YOU
If you have only one, two or three days
1 mile
13 The Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is South Africa’s oldest surviving building. This pentagonal fortress with its five
bastions was built by the Dutch East India Company
between 1666 and 1679. Today, it houses the Castle
Military Museum and the William Fehr collection,
which includes furniture, paintings and antique
china, and is one of the best showcases of the early
settlers’ lifestyle and tastes. The museum has a
pleasant tearoom and courtyard.
• Open daily, 09:30-16:00. t +27 (0)21 464 1260
w www.castleofgoodhope.co.za
⌖ 33°55'33"S / 18°25'39"E
14 Long Street
In Long Street, where
Victorian verandas mingle with Muslim
mosques, one finds a
wide range of shops
dealing in books, art and
antiquities, vintage
clothing and African
curios, and numerous
cafés and restaurants, some serving exotic fare from
across the African continent and beyond.
Long Street is the nightlife and party capital of
17 The Museum Mile
For a concentrated dose of
history and culture, there are
several fascinating museums
in Cape Town’s ‘Museum
Mile’, many managed by Iziko
Museums of Cape Town. The
South African Museum,
founded in 1825, holds more
than 1,5-million items of cultural and scientific significance. The collection ranges from fossils and
Stone Age tools to clothing and artefacts representing natural and cultural South African history. In the
Whale Well, musical recitals are often held among
the life-size casts of marine creatures.
Also visit the South African National Library, the
Planetarium, the South African National Gallery,
Bertram House, the South African Jewish
Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre, the
Centre for the Book, Rust en Vreugd, Koopmans
de Wet House and the Gold of Africa Museum.
• w www.capetown.travel / www.iziko.org.za
18 The Houses of Parliament and Tuynhuys
Cape Town is South Africa’s legislative capital and
the seat of Parliament, which sits between January
and June. The Parliamentary buildings, with their
Corinthian porticos and pavilions, were completed in
1885. Alongside is De Tuynhuys, once a guesthouse
for visiting dignitaries during Dutch rule, which now
serves as the Cape Town office of the President.
• t +27 (0)21 403 2911 | w www.parliament.gov.za
19 The District Six Museum
The District Six Museum
recalls the history of a vibrant
community of merchants, artisans and labourers, who were
forcibly removed during the
apartheid era. In 1966, it was
declared a ‘white’ area, and
by 1982, 60 000 people had been removed to barren
outlying areas, and their houses bulldozed. Today, former residents and their ancestors are involved in a
complex land claims process, which hopes to restore
and revive the area. The museum also offers guided
tours through the streets of District Six.
• t +27 (0)21 466 7200 | w www.districtsix.co.za
⌖ 33°55'40"S / 18°25'25"E
20 Leeuwenhof and the Bo-Tuin
The official residence of the Premier of the Western
Cape has an outbuilding dating back to the 18th
century that was used as a slave lodge, which now
houses an exhibition on the history of the estate.
21 Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
The cableway takes visitors to
the top of Table Mountain
(1 085 m/3 560 ft). There are
spectacular views to Robben
Island and beyond, various
walks on the ‘table top’, and
a restaurant and coffee shop. The mountain is rich in
biodiversity and home to about 2 000 species of
plants, most of them fynbos, which together forms
one of the world’s six floral kingdoms. The cableway
is accessible to people with disabilities, and operates
only when weather permits. The weather on the
mountain can change quickly, and visitors should
dress accordingly.
• t +27 (0)21 424 8181 | w www.tablemountain.net
⌖ 33°56'54"S / 18°24'11"E
And don’t miss … Robben Island
While largely known for its most famous apartheidera political prisoner, Nelson Mandela, Robben
Island has a long and varied history. It served as a
prison, leprosy hospital and military base between
the 17th and 20th centuries, and today, is a museum
and a World Heritage Site. It is reached by ferry,
which departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at
the V&A Waterfront.
• Four tours daily, weather permitting.
t +27 (0)21 413 4200 | www.robben-island.org.za.
For more information
Call Cape Town Tourism on
+27 (0)21 487 6800,
see www.capetown.travel,
or visit our head office at
The Pinnacle Building, cnr Burg & Castle Streets
⌖ 33°55'15"S / 18°25'14"E
or any of our 18 visitor centres around the city.
Beyond the city centre …
Head south for …
The imposing Rhodes Memorial and adjoining
restaurant offers spectacular views towards the
Hottentots Holland mountains. Nearby is the
University of Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest
university, founded in 1829.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is
home to more than 22 000 indigenous plants, the
heart of the unique Cape Floral Kingdom, and a
World Heritage Site. There are walking and golf cart
tours. Hikers can begin or end their walks here.
The Constantia winelands are the oldest in
the Cape, dating back to 1685, with seven awardwinning producers and many superb restaurants.
Laid-back Muizenberg and its fine beach harks
back to Victorian times, with its promenade, pavilion and brightly coloured beach huts.
Kalk Bay is a treasure trove of antique stores,
coffee shops, galleries, second-hand bookstores,
and restaurants, and a lively working harbour that
offers fresh fish straight off the boat.
Placid Fish Hoek has a popular beach, rock
pools, restaurant and a refreshment
kiosk. Further south is Simon’s Town, a
quaint Victorian enclave and home to the
South African Navy. Visit one of the many
museums and Jubilee Square. Don’t miss
a visit to Boulders Beach, where you
can swim with some of the 3 000 African
penguins that breed there, or view the
colony from the wheelchair-friendly boardwalk.
Head for the spectacular Cape Point, the southernmost tip of the Cape Pensinsula. Picnic, hike or
mountain bike, have lunch in the Two Oceans
Restaurant (+27 (0) 21 780 9200), or catch the
funicular to a lookout point over the ocean. Here
you’ll see many species of birds, mammals and
reptiles, including chacma baboons.
Heading northwards back towards Cape Town
are Kommetjie, Noordhoek and Long Beach,
renowned for horse rides alongside the ocean.
Chapman’s Peak Drive, between Noordhoek
and Hout Bay, is one of the most spectacular
marine drives in the world. Look out for dolphins,
and southern right whales (June to December). The
road may be closed during poor weather.
Hout Bay, with its beach and a picturesque harbour, is an easy drive from Camps Bay or
Constantia. Enjoy fresh seafood, great shopping,
boat trips (take a tour to Seal Island) and the
famous World of Birds – a feathered paradise.
Head north for …
Milnerton, with its lagoon, beach and golf course,
offers spectacular views of the mountain, bay and
Robben Island. Go canoeing or birdwatching and
explore Rietvlei Nature Reserve wetland.
Further up the coast, Bloubergstrand is the
place to take that iconic picture-postcard shot of
Wellington
Paarl
Robben
Island
Blaauwberg Conservation Area
R27
N7
Table Bay
Tygerberg
N1
Franschhoek
Cape Town central
Stellenbosch
R300
Kirstenbosch
R44
M7
Hout Bay
Khayelitsha
M3
R310
Somerset West
Muizenberg
Fish Hoek
Kommetjie
N2
Gordon’s Bay
Simon’s Town
R44
False Bay
N
Cape Point
0
2
4
6
8
10 Kilometres
Table Mountain and enjoy a seafood feast at one
of the beachfront eateries. Visit the Blaauwberg
Conservation Area (+27 (0)21 554 0957), which
offers hiking, birdwatching and whalewatching.
The northern suburbs of Bellville and
Durbanville, set among the Tygerberg hills about
25 km (15 miles) from central Cape Town, have
spectacular views of the city. Visit the Tygerberg
Nature Reserve (+27 (0)21 913 5695) or the
Durbanville Nature Reserve (+27 (0)21 970 3097)
for hiking and birdwatching.
Head east for …
Experience local culture with one of Cape Town
Tourism’s popular resident-guided township tours
in Khayelitsha. Visitors can enjoy a real slice of life
in the developing world, sample local cuisine and
learn about the area’s historical significance.
Wine tasting, with an added historical flavour,
can be enjoyed on a number of wine routes,
including the Stellenbosch Wine Route, which
represents more than 200 wine and grape
producers. Tastings, cellar tours and sales are
offered at most cellars and many have excellent dining and picnic facilities. The historic
town of Stellenbosch boasts venerable old
buildings, ancient oaks, and a
revered university.
Beyond Stellenbosch, and
nestled below the Helderberg
mountains, is the lovely town of
Somerset West, the gateway to the Helderberg
Wine Route which incorporates over 20 estates.
Franschhoek is Africa’s very own ‘French
Corner’. Amidst vineyards and gracious Cape
Dutch farmsteads, this picturesque village evokes
memories of its 17th century French Huguenot origins. True to its roots, it boasts a number of worldfamous fine-dining restaurants.
The wine route surrounding the towns of Paarl
and Wellington is also called the ‘Red Route’ for
its fine Cabernet Sauvignon, port and Shiraz wines.
For more information about tourism in the Western Cape
Call Cape Town & Western Cape Tourism on +27 (0)21 405 4500,
see www.tourismcapetown.co.za,
or visit the V&A Waterfront Gateway Information Office
Shop 107 Clocktower, V&A Waterfront. ⌖ 33°54'24"S / 18°25'20"E
www.tourismcapetown.co.za
ABOUT THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, the second most populous
(after Johannesburg) and the country’s most popular tourist
destination. The City of Cape Town itself is a metropolitan municipality,
which employs 21 500 staff serving 3,5-million residents across a
2 400 km2 area, and has an annual budget of R23,8-billion.
Cape Town is governed by a 210-member City Council, which elects
the Executive Mayor and Deputy Executive Mayor. Each of the City’s
105 electoral wards directly elects one councillor, whilst the other
105 councillors are elected by a proportional representation system.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CAPE TOWN
USEFUL NUMBERS & ADDRESSES
City of Cape Town general enquiries
t 0860 010 3089 / +27 (0)21 401 4000
w www.capetown.gov.za
Cape Town Tourism
t +27 (0)21 487 6800 | e info@capetown.travel
w www.capetown.travel/2010
Cape Town Visitor Information Centre
The Pinnacle Building, corner Castle and Burg Streets
⌖ 33°55'16"S / 18°25'16"E
t +27 (0)21 426 4260
The Cape’s original inhabitants were the nomadic Khoisan, who left rock paintings depicting their history. In
1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias wrote of 'Cabo Tormentoso' (Cape of Storms), but his sponsor,
Henry the Navigator, preferred ‘Cape of Good Hope’, since it promised a sea route to the riches of Asia.
In 1652 Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenighde Oostindische Compagnie, or VOC)
established a waystation for ships travelling to the Dutch East Indies. The VOC imported slaves from Malaysia,
Indonesia and Madagascar, ancestors of many of today’s residents.
British forces captured Cape Town in 1795, but it was returned to the Netherlands by treaty in 1803. Britain
occupied the Cape again in 1806 following the Battle of Blaauwberg, and in 1814, the city was ceded to Britain
and became the capital of the newly formed Cape Colony.
Later, Dutch-speaking farmers (Boers) migrated inland, forming the
republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. The discovery of
diamonds and gold in the late 1800s prompted a flood of immigrants.
Following conflicts – and the two Anglo-Boer wars – between the
Boer republics and the British colonial government, Britain established
the Union of South Africa in 1910, which included the Boers in government. Cape Town became the legislative capital of the Union, and later
of the Republic of South Africa (in 1961).
The National Party, which came to power in 1948, created the policy of
apartheid (separate development), and was violently opposed by the
African National Congress (ANC) and Pan Africanist Congress, which were
both outlawed in 1960. In 1990, President FW de Klerk announced the unbanning of the ANC and other parties,
and the release of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, marking the end of apartheid.
After 27 years in jail, Nelson Mandela walked free on 11 February 1990, and that evening, from a balcony at
Cape Town’s Old City Hall, addressed a huge crowd gathered on the Grand Parade. It was an iconic moment and
the start of a new era. He became the country’s first democratically elected president in 1994.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Western Cape tourism information
t +27 (0) 21 405 4500
e info@tourismcapetown.co.za
w www.tourismcapetown.co.za
Provincial Government of the Western Cape
t +27 (0)21 483 2010
Emergencies
Tel: 107 from a landline or public call box
or +27 (0)21 480 7700 from a mobile.
Directory enquiries
Telkom: 1023 (from a Telkom landline)
Cell C: 146 (from the Cell C network)
MTN: 200 (from the MTN network)
Vodacom: 110 (from the Vodacom network)
The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is a registered trademark of
the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
Printed on Sappi Triple Green. Sugar cane fibre. Chlorinefree. Sustainable afforestation.
INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMENT
Cape Town has excellent business and communications infrastructure, from sophisticated banking and financial services institutions to fast
cable and wireless connectivity. With its stunning
settings and extensive expertise, the city is a
highly sought-after filming destination for feature films, television, still photography and multimedia production.
Excellent meeting and conference venues such
as the Cape Town International Convention
Centre, complemented by affordable accommodation and services, make the city an ideal venue
for small or large events and conventions.
The City has set itself a number of green goals
− from green building practices to integrated
waste management − aimed at minimising the
environmental impact of the event on the city
and its resources and creating an enduring social
and economic legacy.
South Africa has good telecommunications systems.
Telkom is the national fixed line provider, and
Vodacom, MTN and Cell C provide GSM-standard
mobile voice and 3G data services. All three have
roaming agreements with providers worldwide.
Check availability and charges with your provider.
If you are roaming with a non-South African
mobile phone and want to phone locally, you will be
making an international call, and should dial your
country’s exit code, the South African country code
(27), and ignore the first 0 from the local area code.
Many hotels and accommodation establishments
provide wireless internet connections. Internet cafés
are widespread (there are internet facilities at some
Cape Town Tourism visitor information centres) and
charges are reasonable. Cellphones can be hired at
the airport or at most major shopping centres.
Telkom’s blue public phones operate on coins,
while green public phones require Telkom
phone cards, available at many shops
and post offices. Most public phones
advertise the nearest sale point.
Postage stamps are available
at post offices and at some
Cape Town Tourism visitor
information centres.
Numerous international
courier companies also have
facilities in South Africa.
CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Cape Town incorporates a multitude of cultures,
lifestyles, religions and ethnicities. Capetonians may
be of African, British, French, German, Indian,
Indonesian or Malaysian descent – or a mixture of
some or all of these diverse people.
Afrikaans, a local language derived from Dutch, is
most commonly spoken in Cape Town, but English is
most commonly understood. The most spoken
African language is Xhosa (isiXhosa in that language). However, not all black people are Xhosaspeaking. Many come from elsewhere in South
Africa or Africa, and speak a variety of languages.
Most signs and official communication are in
English, or English and Afrikaans side by side. South
Africa has 11 official languages, so most people are
bilingual or even trilingual. A local lingo has developed because of the multitude of languages, so
even when someone is speaking English, their sentences may be peppered with words you don’t
understand. If you’re not sure, just ask!
Some colourful South Africanisms
• babbelas: (bub-buh-luss): A hangover.
• boet: (like book, with a t) or bru (brew): A term
of affection, from the Afrikaans for ‘brother’.
• braai: (br-eye): An outdoor barbecue, which will
take place all year round and in any weather at
all. At a braai, you may be served boerewors
(sausage) and mieliepap (stiff maize porridge).
• dop: (dawp): Alcoholic drink: “Can I pour you a
dop, Boet?”
• eish: (aysh): To express surprise, wonder,
Some useful phrases …
English
Welcome
Hello
Goodbye
How are you?
I’m fine thanks. And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
How much is this?
Yes
No
Thank you
Afrikaans
Welkom
Hallo
Totsiens
Hoe gaan dit?
Goed dankie. En met jou?
Wat is jou naam?
My naam is …
Hoeveel kos dit?
Ja
Nee
Dankie
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
frustration or outrage: “Eish! That goalie is
sharp-sharp!”
howzit: A traditional greeting, simply ‘hello’.
jol: (jawl): Party or good time. Noun and verb.
just now: At some point in the future – not
immediately – and possibly never.
laduma!: (la-doo-mah): A popular cheer celebrating goals, from the Zulu for ‘it thunders’.
lekker: (lekk-irr with a rolling r): Nice, good,
great, cool or tasty.
now-now: Shortly, as in “I'll be there now-now.”
pavement: South Africans walk on pavements
and drive on the road (at least that’s the idea).
The pavement is the sidewalk.
robots: Traffic lights.
sharp: Often doubled up for effect as ‘sharpsharp!’ and used as a greeting, a farewell, for
agreement, or just to express enthusiasm.
voetsek (foot-sak): Go away, buzz off.
Xhosa
Siya namkela nonke
Molo (singular) Molweni (plural)
Hamba kakuhle (go well) Sala kakuhle (stay well)
Unjani? (sg) Kunjani? (pl)
Ndiphilile
Ngubani igama lakho? Igama lakho?
Igama lam ngu …
Yimalini?
Ewe
Hayi
Ndiyabulela, Enkosi
SHOPPING AND CRAFTS
CAPE TOWN STADIUM
From indigenous arts and crafts to high-tech designer pieces,
Cape Town has it all. Bigger malls include the V&A Waterfront,
Canal Walk (both central), the Tygervalley Shopping Centre
(northern suburbs) or Cavendish Square (southern suburbs).
There is a plethora of smaller retail centres offering
everything from fashion to fine art.
Craft and designer items can be found
throughout Cape Town, as diverse as its people,
ranging from wire and beadwork to ceramics
and paper, metalwork and even items made of
recycled waste. Outlets well worth a visit
include the following:
• The V&A Waterfront (Delagoa, Carrol Boyes,
Carole Nevin Designs, Kraal Gallery, the Red Shed
Workshop, Resonance, Waterfront Craft Market)
• Greenmarket Square and Burg, Shortmarket, Bree and Long Streets (African Image, Streetwires, Monkeybiz,
Africa Café Ceramics, Bright House, The Bead Merchants, Imagenius, Misfit)
• Woodstock and the Old Biscuit Mill (Umlungu, Tin City, Imiso, Clementina van der Walt, Heartworks)
• De Waterkant, Green Point (Africa Nova)
• Montebello Design Centre, Newlands Drive, Newlands (Montebello Shop, Mielie, The Forge, The Beloved
Bead Studio & Shop)
• Kalk Bay (Artvark, The Potter’s Workshop, Kalk Bay Modern)
The 68 000-seater Cape Town
Stadium at Green Point will host
eight 2010 FIFA World Cup™
matches, one of which will be a
semi-final. The stadium, built at
a cost of R4,5-billion, is within
easy walking distance of the city
centre, the V&A Waterfront and
major transport hubs.
Its signature saddle-back design includes a floating-style roof, with a ‘ring of fire’ lighting system. The
pitch will be open, but spectators will be under cover,
enjoying protection from the elements.
The stadium can also accommodate up to 150 corporate suites and 2 000 premium business club seats.
There is ample parking, much of it covered, and comprehensive security and access control.
The stadium is set in an 85 hectare urban park,
which caters for seven sports codes and includes a
golf course and a public recreation precinct.
A pedestrian ‘fan walk’ runs from the stadium
through the city centre and the FIFA Fan Fest.
CURRENCY AND TIPPING
OFFICIAL FAN PARK & PUBLIC VIEWING AREAS
The Grand Parade, adjoining the Old City Hall in
Darling Street, will be the site of the official Fan Fest.
The South African rand, represented by a capital ‘R’
before an amount, or ‘ZAR’ after it, is made up of
100 cents. Foreign exchange facilities can be found
at airports, many banks and at bureaux de change in
major shopping centres.
• Cash machines, known locally as ATMs (automatic teller machines) accept most international
bank and credit cards. You will find ATMs at many
petrol stations, all shopping centres, and many
stores and hotels. Be vigilant when drawing cash.
• Credit cards: Most shops and hotels accept all
major credit cards.
• Restaurant gratuities: A 10% tip is suggested in
restaurants if you receive good service, and for
great service a little extra is appreciated. Some
restaurants add a service charge for tables of
more than eight people.
• Porters and car guards: Do tip porters at airports and hotels. A small tip per piece of luggage
is standard. In some shopping areas, uniformed
attendants will either take a fee or offer to mind
your car for a tip. The same goes for informal car
guards, but only tip after you return to your car.
WINING AND DINING
WEATHER
Cape Town, as a coastal city in the temperate
band of the Southern Hemisphere, enjoys mild
and sunny Mediterranean-like weather almost
all year round. It is also known, however, for
rapid changes in weather, and locals joke that
one can experience all four seasons in one day.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will take place in
South Africa’s early winter season, with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F). This is also the
rainy season in Cape Town. Bring along a raincoat just to be safe.
Cape Town offers just about any international cuisine you can think of, often at great value,
but sampling some local specialities is a must. Seafood, from catch-of-the-day to crayfish
and prawns, is available almost everywhere. Enjoy fish and chips on a quayside,
or indulge in a fine seafood platter at an upmarket eatery.
Cape Malay cuisine uses an exotic blend of herbs and spices to produce mild
sweet curried dishes with a unique flavour. Try bobotie (baked custard-topped
mince curry), denningvleis (a hearty stew) or sosaties (curried kebabs).
For traditional African fare, try one of the many restaurants specialising in
game, Xhosa dishes, or unique spicy offerings from across the continent.
The city adjoins a major wine-growing region that produces wines of international renown, and you’ll
find great wines wherever you go.
SAFE DRINKING WATER
Cape Town’s municipal tap (faucet) water has been rated as the best in the country. It is perfectly
palatable and is safe to drink directly from the tap.
Bottled water is also widely available, but buying it is not entirely necessary (and presents
a waste disposal problem). Locally produced bottled water (500 ml) should cost roughly R12,
or slightly more if served in a restaurant.
TRAINING VENUES
Cape Town has numerous training venues, from university fields to school and sports club grounds and stadia.
The official training venues for the 2010 FIFA World
Cup™ – Athlone Stadium and Philippi Stadium – are
located in disadvantaged areas. The majority of these
communities are ardent football fans, and the turnout
to watch open training sessions is sure to be high.
MEDIA SERVICES
The City of Cape Town will provide media, FIFAaccredited or not, with special services, including
arrangements for visits to leading tourist
attractions, assistance with permits and
interviews, access to filming locations
and internet connectivity.
A UNIQUE SOCCER CULTURE
GETTING AROUND
Public transport consists of the City’s point-topoint integrated rapid transit system that links
the airport, the city centre and Cape Town
Stadium, the Golden Arrow bus service, commuter rail services and taxis.
Should you take a taxi, distinguish between
the metered taxi and the less formal ‘minibus
taxi’, which offers a cheaper and more colourful –
but noisy, squashed and sometimes hair-raising –
ride. Metered taxis may not solicit fares and
instead must be called to a specific location.
Roads and driving
Cape Town and the Western Cape have a wellmaintained and well-signposted road network.
South Africans drive on the left-hand side, and
vehicles are right-hand drive.
All distances, speed limits (and speedometers)
are in kilometres. The general speed limit on
major routes is 120 km/h (75 mph). On secondary
roads it is 100 km/h (60 mph). In built-up areas it
is 60 km/h (35 mph), unless otherwise indicated.
Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using
hand-held phones while driving is against the
law. Drinking and driving is dealt with severely,
and the blood alcohol limit for driving is 0,05
gram per 100 millilitres (equivalent to one glass
of wine, one tot of spirits or one 500 ml beer).
Any valid driver's licence is accepted, provided
it bears the photograph and signature of the
holder and is printed in English. Carry your
licence with you at all times when driving.
• Cape Town Traffic Centre emergency number:
+27 (0)21 596 1400.
STAYING SAFE OUTDOORS
Four more public viewing areas
will be located at the Bellville
Velodrome, the Athlone Civic
Centre, the Swartklip Indoor
Sports Centre in Mitchells Plain,
and the Oliver Tambo Centre in
Khayelitsha.
Fan parks and public viewing
areas will also be set up throughout the Western Cape province.
Love it or hate it, the vuvuzela – a metre-long plastic horn – is synonymous with
football in South Africa. Usually blown by football fans at matches, vuvuzelas require
some lip and lung strength to blow, and emit a monotonous noise like a deep
foghorn or an elephant.
A no less vibrant accessory is the uniquely South African makaraba. The first
makarabas were sculpted from miners’ hard hats in the early 1980s by rival soccer
supporters, to display their loyalty to their club. Each makaraba is hand crafted, and can
take up to 16 hours to produce. The term is derived from makarapa – ‘migrant worker’.
LEGACY PLAN AND GREEN GOALS
As a host city for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Cape Town aims to give meaning to the official tournament slogan, Ke Nako – Celebrating Africa’s humanity. To this end, the city has developed a legacy plan, the objective
of which is to ensure that residents reap the benefits that flow from the event long after it is over.
The City’s ‘Green Goal’ initiative ensures that everything associated with the tournament is as
environmentally responsible and sustainable as possible. Focus areas include reducing the carbon
footprint, ‘water-wise’ practices, recycling, energy efficiency and the promotion of biodiversity.
Cape Town Stadium itself incorporates green building practices, which ensure energy and water
efficiency. The structure has an energy-efficient air conditioning system, and the mesh fabric outer cladding
allows for natural ventilation.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Cape Town is policed by the City’s Metro Police
and Traffic Services, the South African Police
Service (SAPS), and Western Cape Provincial
Traffic Services. In addition, various City
Improvement Districts employ security officers,
and there is a wide range of private security
vehicles and guards on patrol.
Much of the city, including the centre and the
stadium precinct, are covered by a 280-camera
CCTV (closed circuit television) network.
The City of Cape Town has a sophisticated
disaster management system, and there is
excellent co-ordination between the various law
enforcement and fire and rescue services.
However, as you would in any other city, do
observe some general safety tips:
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash. Try not to
have expensive jewellery and cameras in plain
sight, and don’t leave belongings unattended.
• Heed the advice of your hosts, Cape Town
Tourism visitor centre staff or locals on places
to avoid after dark. Don’t walk alone and take
care at isolated lookout points, especially at
dusk or after dark.
• Do not allow strangers to assist you in any
way at cash machines.
• At night, park in a secure, well-lit area.
• Keep certified photocopies of all valuable documents in a safe place.
• To report an incident, call these numbers:
All emergencies from your cellphone – 112
All emergencies from a landline – 107
South African Police Service (SAPS) – 10111
HEALTH
Cape Town has an excellent network of state and private hospitals. It is, however, advisable to ensure you
have medical insurance, as most private health facilities will ask for cash or credit card payment.
• Food safety: The quality of the food is excellent, and Cape Town has some of the top restaurants in the world. The City of Cape Town’s food health regulations and control are stringent.
• Influenza: The peak influenza season in South Africa is during winter (May to August). You
may consider a vaccine before leaving home, especially if you have a chronic condition.
• HIV/Aids: Practise safe sex. Sex with anyone under the age of 18 is a criminal offence.
• Malaria: Cape Town is not a malaria area.
• Smoking: It is illegal to smoke in any public indoor, enclosed or partially closed area, or
on public transport. Should you wish to smoke, do so outdoors or in designated areas.
• Sun protection: South Africa has one of the world’s highest daily sunshine rates and a high ultraviolet
level. Use sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat whenever you are outdoors during the day, particularly
between 10:00 and 16:00.
• Travel clinics: Find a nearby travel clinic by calling Cape Town Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800 or by
visiting http://www.sastm.org.za.
• Ambulance services: Netcare Tel: +27 (0)82 911
ER 24: Tel: +27(0)84 911
About beggars and street children
Street children and beggars may approach you
for a handout. The City of Cape Town and many
social workers advise against giving money to
children, as it is often handed over to an older
person or used to purchase drugs. Rather give
food or donate to a registered charity.
The City of Cape Town’s community-partnered
Street People Project (along with many other
organisations) and Give Responsibly campaign
encourage people to buy support vouchers,
which, rather than perpetuate a culture of
dependency, provides structured assistance.
• If you would like to give, contact Cape Town
Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800 for advice.
Safety on the mountain
Table Mountain – and
the Peninsula mountain
chain – has many spectacular walks. In spite
of the fact that it is
surrounded by the city,
it is, however, a mountain wilderness area,
and should be treated
as such. The mountain
is large, and the
weather on top can be
very different to the
weather in the city.
• Should you wish to explore Table Mountain
National Park on foot, make sure you take a
good map, plenty of water, comfortable walking shoes, a few friends and a charged cellphone (mobile).
• Tell someone where you are going and when
you expect to return. Be aware that not all
mountain areas have mobile phone coverage.
• Weather on the mountain can change very
rapidly. Take sunblock and something warm
(and preferably waterproof) to wear.
• Head back well before dark, and keep to
marked paths. If darkness or dense cloud falls,
find a sheltered place and stay there.
Someone will find you.
• Save the dedicated Table Mountain National
Park emergency number on your mobile phone
before you set out: +27 (0)861 106 417.
• Contact Cape Town Tourism for more information or to book a guide.
Safety on the beaches and at sea
The oceans around Cape
Town are magnificient,
but can be treacherous,
with extremely strong currents. Keep to safe swimming areas, never swim
alone, and do not swim
beyond the breakers.
• The use of alcohol on all of Cape Town’s
beaches is illegal, and you can be prosecuted.
• Do not light fires, except in designated areas.
• The African sun is fierce (even in winter) and
can be very dangerous. Wear good-quality eye
protection, a hat and sunscreen.
• Do not surf, paddle-ski or windsurf in poor
weather conditions, poor visibility or at night.
Wear a wet suit. A life jacket is recommended.
• Every person on a small vessel should be
wearing a life jacket.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
107
All emergencies (toll-free) from a landline.
Programme +27 (0)21 480 7700 into
your mobile phone. This number, for the
City of Cape Town’s public emergency
communications centre, is best.
112 All emergencies from a non-South African
roaming mobile phone.
10111 South African Police Service (SAPS).