Two very different approaches to repurposing Cape Town's heritage. The Barracks on Cape Town's Bree Street makes it clear what is old and what is new. In Battery Park at the V&A Waterfront the old parts of the fort are carefully incorporated with the new; some of the heritage is easy to miss. John Wilson-Harris...
Based by the Company's Garden and Anglican cathedral, Cape Town's National Library was founded in 1818. The State Library, founded in 1887, in Pretoria is also the National Library. There are two campuses. They both receive a gratis copy of every book, serial, newspaper, government publication or other printed item published in South Africa. In...
Dr Lisa Kane's walk uses Cape Town's iconic unfinished freeway to talk about modern road design and the politics of urban space here. Her PhD was on the design, construction and early life of the unfinished foreshore freeways. Lisa has moved this tour to coincide with the launch of her book, based on her doctorate. We...
With over 1 000 camellias, Vergelegen is an International Camellia Garden of Excellence; it is the only one in Africa. Alistair, our guide who lives close by, helped propagate some of them. Camellias flower in Cape Town's winter and will be the culmination of this highly enjoyable tour. A full time tourist guide, Alistair is...
Last chance for a tour of the landmark exhibition, Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu. A Retrospective. It closes at the Iziko South African National Gallery on August 11, 2024. (It will then go to Wits Art Museum in Johannesburg, before the United States in early 2026.) Our tour is led by...
This beautifully designed new, small space has the feel of both a contemporary art gallery and house museum. Dedicated to artists Erik Laubscher (1927 - 2013) and his wife Claude Bouscharain (1922 - 2020), it has a mid century modern feel, in keeping with the style of their art. Our host is one of the...
Winston Fani, Cape Town's (and Africa's?) first blind, qualified tourist guide, describes himself as "I'm not disabled. I’m differently abled." Born partially sighted, Winston lost his eye sight completely when he was 11. He grew up in Gqeberha, moved to Cape Town to be with “the love of his life”, Busisiwe who is also blind....
NEW TOUR Lizzie Gaisford's walk ranges from fynbos and fruit to architectural details and commerce. Plants play a significant role in Cape Town and, consequently, South Africa's history. Lizzie knows central Cape Town like the back of her hand. She led many walking tours here. During Covid, Lizzie moved to Zululand. Working on an avocado...
An old Cape Dutch beautifully kept homestead has exceptional South African modern and contemporary art carefully hung around the home just during August. The annual fundraising exhibition this year is (On)bekend / (Un)known. Unusual, or rarely seen artworks, by well known artists, are displayed with works by artists most of us have never heard of, but...
Cape Town landmarks are mixed with hidden gems in this walking tour, led by myself, Kate Crane Briggs. History comes alive. We visit briefly the flower sellers on Trafalgar Place, old General Post Office, Adderley Street, Greenmarket Square and Long Street. I point out Grand Parade, City Hall, Company’s Garden, Parliament, Groote Kerk and the...
Authentic, working wine farm with a long and fascinating history come to life with our tour by Dr Rijk Melck, who with his family own Muratie. Each wine is named after a person who has played a role in its long history. Recently this was the Johanna Davids rosé; she has lived on the farm since...
With over 100 murals, Salt River is the place to be if you like street art. The variety is huge - gigantic, tiny, political, pretty, old and new. This tour is a hit, whatever your age or art taste. Home to the annual International Public Art Festival for five years 2017-2021 (I am one of...
