CityViews May 2011
Photo: CTICC
CLEAN | SAFE | CAR I NG
NEW DEVELOPMENTS BUSINESS BOOST FOR CAPE TOWN Convention Centre to double in size >> page 4
CULTURAL ASSETS Artscape Precinct upgrade
>> page 2
>> page 9
>> page 6
NEW
CAPE TOWN AS A
GLOBAL CITY
WORLD CLASS CLUB glams up the Fringe
Why wonderful
Table Mountain needs your votes
>> page 3
Restaurants set to make their mark
>> page 10
Cape Town’s
World Design Capital countdown >> page 3
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about
town
CityViews
May 2011
FROM TASSO
Great plans for a global city Our City took yet another giant leap forward with the announcement recently of new plans to expand the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and to regenerate six precincts in greater Cape Town: the Artscape, Somerset, Prestwich Street, Government Garage precincts in Roeland Street and the area around Oude Molen, to be known as the Two Rivers Urban Park.
City? Well, for one, it makes us a truly global City – and puts us on the map with the best of them in terms of economic growth and job creation. We agree that the announcement of the R4,5 billion urban regeneration and Convention Centre expansion comes at a great time – and brings a much-needed boost to areas of our City that need it. The projects will also connect key parts of our City to each Tasso other – something which we at the Cape Town Partnership and CCID promote wholeheartedly. he expansion plans, which We’ve also recently learnt that fall in line with the CTICC’s more companies are happy to goal to become the best have their head offices based in long-haul convention centre in the the Central City and are choosing world by 2020, will see the CTICC to remain here, citing safety, double in size. cleanliness and the range of ultraWhat does this mean for our
T
CITYVIEWS
modern and listed buildings as reasons for being in Cape Town’s first-class business hub. At the same time, our City stands firmly in line to be on the world stage culturally if our bid to be World Design Capital 2014 is successful. And on the natural front, our Table Mountain is one of 28 finalists in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition. In order to secure a top 7 spot, Table Mountain needs about 30 million votes. Read more about these bids on page three. Indeed, as Mariette du ToitHelmbold of Cape Town Tourism points out: “Cape Town is a city of entrepreneurial adventure, extraordinary creativity and incredible beauty”. A city full of possibilities.
Published by: The Central City Improvement District (CCID) For more info: Sue Segar: 021 419 1881 sues@capetownpartnership.co.za Website: www.capetowncid.co.za Design: Infestation 021 461 8601
SAVE THESE NUMBERS ON YOUR PHONE CCID Security Manager: 082 453 2942 CCID Deputy Security Manager: 082 442 2112 CCID 24-hour number: 082 415 7127 SAPS Control Room: 021 467 8002 Social Department 082 563 4289
CCID has rapid response down to a fine art
Straatwerk has job rehabilitation projects for men and women. 021 425 0140 The Haven’s vision is to get the homeless home. 021 425 4700 The Homestead provides residential care and family integration for boys. 021 461 7470 Ons Plek provides residential care while undertaking reunification process for girls. 021 465 4829 The Carpenters Shop provides rehabilitation services and skills training for adults. 021 461 5508 Salesian Institute Youth Projects provide education, skills training and rehabilitation to vulnerable youth. 021 425 1450
Many children and young adults living on the streets have severe drug addiction problems. More often than not, the money they receive from begging is used to buy their next “fix”. The CCID therefore requests that members of the public do not give money or handouts directly. If you would like to help, please contact one of the listed organisations mentioned.
Contact the Central City Improvement District’s (CCID’s) Social Development Department for further information or assistance. Pat 021 419 1881 | Dean 082 928 3862 Headman Sirala-Rala 082 262 0113 Mark Williams 082 262 0112 www.capetownpartnership.co.za
Time is of the essence when responding to crime or disturbances in the City of Cape Town, and the Central City Improvement District (CCID) has got this down to a fine art, with an average response time of five minutes. Tasso Evangelinos, Chief Operating Officer of the CCID, says the rapid response time in the Central City is something of which the CCID is very proud. Muneeb Hendricks, CCID Security Manager, says that the rapid average response time can be attributed to the deployment strategy that has been implemented in the area covered by the CCID. “We have analysed ‘hot spots’ in terms of crime and disturbances and allocated our team of Security Officers according to those trends, which we constantly monitor,” says Hendricks. The CCID is a public/private partnership formed by property owners in the area it covers and provides top-up services to those that the City of Cape Town and the South African Police Service provide.
“We have a control monitoring room that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From the control room we are in radio contact with the Security Officers on the beat. We have 230 Security Officers who work on the various shifts, six branded vehicles which have emergency equipment in them such as lock-up facilities, jumper cables and traffic cones; there are also six officers who do shifts on bicycles around the City. The benefit of the bike patrols is that they can move through heavily congested City traffic rapidly,” says Hendricks. The CCID works with the City of Cape Town which has more than 100 CCTV cameras placed strategically around the Central City. “If a monitor in the City’s control room spots a crime or anything suspicious they can contact the nearest CCID Security Officer to follow up on it. This is another reason why we have such a good average response time,” Hendricks explains. The benefits of rapid response times extend beyond dealing with crimes. “Prevention is very important,”
says Hendricks. “We rely on our relationship with retailers in the area who often let us know when they see something suspicious. That way we can speedily follow up on it and hopefully prevent a crime. It’s all about partnerships”. Having fully equipped response vehicles means that Security Officers can rapidly come to the public’s aid. “Recently a woman on her own in town at night discovered that she had left her car lights on, leading to a flat battery. Within five minutes of calling for assistance a CCID Security Officer had arrived on the scene and jump-started her car,” says Hendricks. Evangelinos adds, “This is a good example of how the CCID and rapid response times make the Central City a safer place.” Retailers are encouraged to register on the CCID database. “The more people we have who are on the database and actively taking part in the CCID, the better we can plan our deployment of Security Officers,” Evangelinos says.
Business expectations for the rest of 2011 120
109
100
ERRATUM In the previous issue of City Views, on page 9, under the graph of business expectations for the rest of 2011, we used percentage points instead of units in presenting our data. Please see the correct graph on the right , which depicts retailers’ relative buoyancy after a bumper festive season. Go to www.capetownpartnership.co.za for the article.
80 60 40
52 33
20
1
0 Below average year expected
Expected business to improve
Not sure
Expected same level of business
May 2011
about
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Cape Town sets sights on two
major global accolades We all thought 2010 was Cape Town’s big year … Then we started asking, what next? Now Cape Town – through its bid to be World Design Capital 2014 and for Table Mountain to be named one of the Official New7Wonders of Nature – could be set to shine on the world map yet again.
Photo: Bruce Sutherland
ITAL 2014 WORLD DESIGN CAP
Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana hands over the WDC Bid Book to Mayor Dan Plato
“The title of World Design Capital garners enormous interest among the world’s design communities.”
Vote for
Table Mountain Table Mountain is in the top 28 finalists of the New7Wonders of Nature campaign. The Official New7Wonders of Nature will be determined entirely by votes from the public and the final seven wonders announced on November 11, 2011. Voting platforms are made accessible to everyone through the Internet and mobile phones. The Table Mountain bid committee is calling on all South Africans to set aside 30 seconds every Thursday (aka Table Mountain Vote Thursdays) to vote for Table Mountain, the nation’s only nominee in the New7Wonders of Nature contest. Voting for Table Mountain means that for thousands of years to come, children will be learning about it as one of the
New7Wonders of nature. It will forever have a place in the history books of the world. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Table Mountain National Park and Cape Town Tourism have formed an official supporting committee to champion the mountain’s cause. Table Mountain needs about 30 million votes to secure a top seven spot. SMS voting is unlimited, so you can vote as often as you like.
To vote for Table Mountain, SMS “table” to 34874 every Thursday (and more often if you like) or visit
www.votefortablemountain.com
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ape Town has officially submitted its bid to be World Design Capital 2014, an occasion marked by the handing over of a copy of the 465-page bid book to Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Dan Plato, by the co-ordinators of the City’s bid, Cape Town Partnership, on 30 March 2011. A bi-annual award bestowed on a city by the International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), based in Canada, the World Design Capital title recognizes cities that use design for their social, economic and cultural development. In his acceptance speech, Alderman Plato noted that 2014 would represent a significant milestone for Cape Town, should it win the bid. “The year 2014 will be the 20th anniversary of our democracy. In 1994 this Council began a process of reconstruction and reconnecting a city that had been physically, socially, economically, culturally and emotionally divided. It is therefore appropriate that the theme of our World Design Capital bid is ‘Live design. Transform life.’ The World Design Capital designation gives the winning city a global focus, both in the lead-
up to and during a year-long programme of design led events. The bid process encourages competing cities to use design to create a blueprint for their future development and positioning in a global market place. Previous winners have included Torino, Italy in 2008, and Seoul, South Korea (last year’s title-holder) while Helsinki, Finland will be World Design Capital in 2012. “Our bid forms part of a broader vision to position Cape Town as a leading global city and to build on our World Cup success,” said Alderman Plato. “In 2010, we hosted one of the most successful World Cups in recent years and the first on African soil. This provided Cape Town with the backbone of significant infrastructural enhancements and a renewed sense of civic pride. Our aim is to build on that legacy through our World Design Capital 2014 bid. Ours is a proudly African bid, with the ultimate goal of achieving a sustainable, innovative, inclusive and more liveable African city, rooted in the strengths of our people and communities.” “The title of World Design Capital garners enormous interest among the world’s design communities. The title would enable Cape Town to play host once again
to the world and give our own creative industries outstanding opportunities to network, both with the international community as well as amongst themselves. These creative industries are an extremely important part of our local economy. The value of a title such as World Design Capital 2014 will not only expose our creative design talent to the world, but in turn further develop our local industry for decades to come,” said Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, Managing Director of bid co-ordinators, Cape Town Partnership. Cape Town will know by the end of June 2011 whether it has been shortlisted, and by October 2011 whether its bid has been successful. This will allow the City just over two years to prepare.
Portions of Cape Town’s World Design Capital 2014 bid book, containing valuable information on the creative industries in the City, are available on Cape Town’s World Design Capital website www.capetown2014.co.za for download Join the Facebook Fan Page ‘Cape Town for World Design Capital’ and receive regular bid progress reports, updates and event invitations.
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open for business
CityViews
May 2011
Big plans for a
GREAT CITY Imagine a World Class City, where a top global convention centre is flanked by a 24-hour cultural and entertainment hub …A revitalised City comprising a series of recharged precincts, all operating at optimum efficiency to best serve the City’s development needs…Imagine an elevated park, a water taxi to Athlone…a City connected from one hub to the next... Imagine a brand new Cape Town, standing alongside the great cities of the world…
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ape Town’s reputation as a globally competitive business destination took another giant step forward with the announcement of a bold new project to expand the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The expansion plans fall in line with the CTICC’s aim to become the best long-haul convention centre in the world by 2020. The proposed expansion of the CTICC is part of a range of urban regeneration projects planned for the City and will contribute to economic growth through driving job creation in the province. The plans are a product of the collaboration between the three spheres of government, the Cape Town Partnership and private business, with most projects expected to be in operation by 2014/2015.
Regeneration of six key precincts The projects include the regeneration of six precincts in Cape Town – the Artscape, Somerset, Prestwich Street, Government and Garage precincts and the area around Oude Molen, to be known as the Two Rivers Urban Park.
CTICC will double in size
Cape Town will be on the global business map The CTICC, the City and the Provincial Government joined forces to announce the plan, saying the expansion will put Cape Town firmly on the map as a key business destination and contribute to economic growth and job creation. The City has approved R550 million for the venture over the next three financial years, as well as R150 million for the purchase of land parcels and statutory processes. Construction is expected to be completed by the year 2014.
More than 8000 jobs by 2018 CTICC Chief Executive Officer, Rashid Toefy said the expansion of the centre into a “convention precinct” will contribute to the creation of more than 8 000 jobs annually by 2018, enhancing the economic benefits of the centre. Stressing the strong business case for the expansion, Toefy said the development will unlock construction and development opportunities in the precinct of over
R4.5 billion, which will have a multiplier effect on the economy.
Centre’s contribution to GDP will increase to over R5,1 billion per annum He pointed out that a recent feasibility report by economists from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business that measured the possible impact of the expansion revealed that the centre’s contribution to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to increase from R2.3 billion currently to over R5.1 billion per annum. He said the expansion should allow the Centre to double the number of international meetings it is currently hosting, so that it can compete with destinations like Singapore and Beijing. Toefy said that from inception the core mandate of the Centre was to contribute to economic growth and job creation, through attracting international meetings and events to Cape Town. Since opening its doors in 2003, the Centre has contributed to the creation of more than 53 000 direct and indirect jobs and has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of Cape Town and the Western Cape as a leading globally competitive business destination. CTICC has, to date, made a cumulative contribution of over R14 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over R4 billion to Gross Geographical
Product (GGP) “CTICC is a tangible demonstration of the power of partnership, and an excellent example of the success that can be achieved when public and private enterprises work together towards shared goals” said Toefy.
City partners hail new developments The Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Dan Plato, said the City is excited about the new development which promises to bring great benefits to the residents of Cape Town, as well as the rest of the Province. “The CTICC has over the years become the flagship events and conference venue in the City. I am certain that the expansion will bolster the City’s goal to be the destination of choice in Africa.” Cape Town Partnership CEO, Andrew Boraine said the CTP is happy to be “pushing the button” for the launch of the expansion. Mayoral Committee member for economic development and tourism, Felicity Purchase has also welcomed the plans, saying that the City had identified the hosting of events as a key component of its economic development strategy. She said the centre has created 3 076 direct and 4 004 indirect skilled and semi-skilled
jobs since it opened its doors. The expansion of the Cape Town International Convention Centre is at the core of this strategy. If we are to compete successfully in this global market then we need a world class Convention facility. The CTICC is already the leading Convention Centre in Africa. At present CTICC is ranked 35th in the world but its objective is to be in the top 10. The expansion of the Centre is a key component of that strategic objective. It is indeed a very exciting development for Cape Town and a continuation of the City’s new Economic Development Strategy and the Provincial Government’s Regeneration project”, said Alderman Purchase. Describing the CTICC as one of the City’s major success stories, Purchase said when the CTICC was originally envisaged back in the 1990’s, there was considerable scepticism about its success. “That scepticism has proved unwarranted and the centre has exceeded all expectations. CTICC has far outperformed expectations, becoming a profit centre in its own right.”
The expansion of the CTICC will create a convention precinct – effectively doubling the centre’s size and connecting it to the Artscape Theatre. The centre will expand eastwards into an existing parking area which is owned by the City and two private companies. The expansion will include 10 000 m2 of retail space, a hospital, an office tower, basement parking bays and the regeneration of Founder’s Garden by the Provincial Government, which will connect the Artscape precinct with the expanded CTICC. A skywalk will connect the new building to the existing centre. Cape Town International Convention Centre
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Plans for the six City precincts Meanwhile, Robin Carlisle, MEC for Transport and Public works, launched the Regeneration Project which will target the six city precincts. The Artscape Precinct, which will include the expanded CTICC and the area around the Artscape Theatre, will see the Artscape Garden elevated to the same level as the freeway to accommodate parking underneath. The area will become a 24-hour entertainment zone, comprising coffee shops and retail outlets. The Somerset Precinct, which surrounds the Somerset Hospital and is dubbed the “jewel in the crown” is expected to grow considerably in value as the Waterfront expands and develops. While no precise plans have been formulated, the precinct may be used for the establishment of a casino. The Prestwich Street Precinct could be part of plans to link the City with the Waterfront and incorporate a pedestrian route to the Waterfront along the lines of the Fan Walk between the Central City and Green Point. Increased high-rise development is envisaged for the precinct. The Government Precinct will focus on Provincial Government-
“Cape Town has identified the holding of events as a key component of its economic development strategy.”
owned buildings, eg the Provincial Administration Building in Wale Street. The corner of Loop and Leeuwen streets will see the erection of a high-rise building to accommodate government departments which presently rent office space in the City. Among the plans is the establishment of one main entrance to government buildings in Keerom Street. The Government Garage Precinct comprises land in Buitenkant, Mill, Hope and Roeland streets. The government garage and ambulance depot will be relocated to Maitland to free up land in the Central City. Entry-level accommodation units are planned for this area. The Two Rivers Urban Park around Oude Molen and Valkenberg Hospital will see the establishment of a hi-tech medical park. Among the visions for the Urban Regeneration plans is a water taxi in which people can travel from Oude Molen, along the Black River to Athlone, thus linking the Cape Flats with the plan.
Cape Town Tourism throws its support behind the plan Cape Town Tourism has hailed the R4,5 billion urban regeneration and Convention Centre expansion, saying it could not have come at a better time. “Not only will the expansion project unlock construction and development opportunities in the precinct, it will also have a multiplier effect on the economy, bringing much-needed regeneration to an area of our city that has been dormant for many years,” said Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold, Cape Town Tourism CEO. “The comprehensive redevelopment of the foreshore will go a long way to integrate the use of public spaces in one of the most picturesque and historicallysignificant parts of our city. The city’s current disconnect from the harbour, and the separation of public spaces on the foreshore especially, can be transformed through visionary urban planning and development.” Du Toit-Helmbold said the timing in terms of Cape Town’s brand positioning as a city beyond ‘beauty’, upon which we have become over-reliant, is good. “Cape Town’s brand position must encompass business, study and our contemporary, gritty and creative urbanism, amongst other things, in addition to simply leisure and beauty. The submission of Cape Town’s 2014 Design Capital bid and the announcement of the Urban Regeneration and Convention Centre expansion are perfectly aligned.” Du Toit-Helmbold said the reconnecting of precincts is especially exciting news “as the redevelopment will see a business, arts and culture precinct on our foreshore, encouraging public engagement with these spaces – something dearly needed in that part of the City.” Du Toit-Helmbold continued: Cape Town leads the way in terms of urban regeneration. It is the only city on the African continent that has seen, and is continuing to see, a comprehensive and holistic regeneration of its inner city. The proposed expansion of the CTICC and other urban regeneration projects planned for the Central Business District is set to boost Cape Town’s reputation as a globally competitive multifaceted destintion and contribute to economic growth through driving job creation in the City and the province as a whole. It is our mission to position Cape Town as one of the top cities to live, work, study, invest and visit. This redevelopment will enhance Cape Town’s liveability, workability and walkability – encouraging 24 hour utilisation of public spaces and buildings and linking the IRT public transport system directly with
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the new Convention Centre and the arts and culture precinct around the Artscape Theatre Complex. The regeneration of cities internationally is key to transforming urban spaces into nimble, diverse, technologically advanced, socially connected and economically inclusive areas that provide a hospitable and inspiring place for citizens and visitors alike. Du Toit-Helmbold applauded the City and Province, saying they have clearly indicated that the expansion and regeneration projects are at the core of their economic development strategies.
View from Marimba Café
View from Media 24 building
Photos: Courtesy of CTICC
May 2011
View from Salazar Square
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open for business
CityViews
May 2011
CULTURAL TIES
The ARTSCAPE PRECINCT to get a vibrant new life
What the Fan Walk did to join the dots from the inner city to the Cape Town Stadium, so the recently announced expansion of the CTICC eastwards will do to join the dots to Artscape. Watch this space!
Photo: Bruce Sutherland
T
ake a time capsule to the metamorphasized Artscape Precinct in 2014. Picture yourself wandering with family, friends or guests through a vibrant and hospitable 24-hour cultural district that buzzes with life and sparks with creative energy. The vibe is that of an international City that has embraced new urbanism – think accessible, inviting, people-friendly public spaces and a thriving creative economy. Yet what lifts this Precinct into a league of its own in a ‘world city’ context is Cape Town’s inspirational socially inclusive vibe. And the fact that the Precinct has a spirited cultural heart – the Artscape Theatre, architecturally modernised and world-renowned as a centre of creative excellence that serves as a magnet to both local and international audiences.
Artscape
since it opened in 2003, as can be seen in the blossoming of the relationship between the City Centre and the Waterfront. The intention is for this bloom to spread eastwards from the CTICC into the Artscape Precinct as the urban rejuvenation here takes form and springs to life. The joining of the dots spreads beyond the linking of these three areas, with an important additional dot being the Civic Centre IRT transport hub opposite Artscape on Hertzog Boulevard, which currently links the Artscape Precinct to the City Centre, and with more routes planned from here in the future. The Artscape Precinct is the City’s new inspiration zone, a cultural plug in to this beautiful arc of Precincts that are all on the up and up.
voices of Cape Town’s bustling, gritty, urban personality – and, too, in forming Cape Town’s complex identity as a City. While the rejuvenation of the Artscape Precinct is underscored by an informed strategy for economic growth, it is set to expand to become so much more than the sum of its parts. The Artscape Precinct will be a place of creative combustion. It will be a sociable place of rich culture that brings people together to eat, drink, be merry and entertained. It will be a place to feel alive, connected, challenged and inspired. Roll on 2014!
The impact of a shared audience A performance at Artscape
What’s planned for the Artscape Precinct? Come back to the present and the recent announcement of the CTICC expansion, effectively doubling in size to cater to international demand, and extending its footprint eastwards. Planned urban revitalisation will make the route between the CTICC and Artscape safe, attractive and easily walkable, day and night. And more than that… There will be an abundance of underground parking. Founders Garden will be regenerated into a beautiful inner city green zone that will not only bring the natural wonders of plants and bird song to this City Precinct, but also shaded places for people to stop and chill out, and sunny places to soak up the atmosphere and the African sun. The development of 10 000 square meters of retail space means that this strip shall play host to an inspired new shopping experience and a host of restaurants and cafes that spill out into the buzzing public space. And a new state-of-the-art Netcare Hospital will also be established – over and above the positives of health infrastructure development in the city, it’s heart-warming to know that it will be situated in an environment that can lift the spirits of both patients and visitors with its unmistakeable vitality.
The importance of connection Pivotally positioned, the CTICC has been a remarkable change agent for Cape Town
With Artscape and the CTICC linked up, audiences will move freely between the two destinations. Including cultural experiences at Artscape as part of the CTICC’s convention package deals is a natural win-win evolution. Looking to the future, as audience numbers to Artscape increase it’s likely that the creative centre will need to rethink its programmes and offerings. The growing international audience that the CTICC brings in might well be interested in experiencing aspects of Cape Town through theatre productions that might not be of interest to locals. Concurrently, this new level of international interest in local content might create entirely new angles on content, which will hold fresh appeal for locals. Essentially, with so many more multi-cultural feet through Artscape’s doors, the already broad range of cultural tastes that Artscape gears itself towards will expand into even more exciting new dimensions that can only enrich Cape Town’s cultural scene. This is all fertile ground for the creative arts, which includes enhanced career prospects for local actors, actresses, dancers, singers and artists. With top-notch strategic equipment for theatre and events already in place, Artscape is also brilliantly geared for commercial events such as product launches and awards ceremonies. With the enhanced relationship between the CTICC and Artscape and its shared audiences, it’s anticipated that this aspect of Artscape’s business should develop, with events at Artscape linked to conventions at the CTICC, and an enlivened flow of people between the two.
An Artscape show
Zip Zap Circus
How do you picture Artscape in 10 years’ time? As the centre of creative excellence in the City, presenting a fully diverse artistic programme that appeals to both local and international audiences. What excites you most about the regeneration of the Artscape Precinct? It has the potential to energize the Eastern sector of the Central Business Districts with benefits for the cultural and tourism sectors. Does Artscape have thematic seasons every year? Yes. We have seasons for Opera, Ballet, dedicated school programmes and festivals and a Spring Drama season. Furthermore, we have an annual women’s festival and heritage programmes. We have dedicated programmes showcasing youth talent – a classical festival, a youth jazz festival and a youth classical music competition. For details of what’s on visit www.artscape.co.za.
If you could convey one important message to Capetonians about Artscape right now, what would it be? Artscape continues to introduce neglected genres and maintain established ones in order to address the wide-ranging cultural tastes through initiatives such as dedicated community outreach programmes, indigenous arts productions, education projects and industry-specific training programmes. We also run a resource centre as a facility to artists, thereby servicing not only the people of the City, but the Province as a whole. Artscape’s vision is influenced by the principles of successful Cultural Precincts internationally. Please name a few of these. Cardiff, Singapore, Sheffield and London.
Setting the stage As Artscape gets fresh oxygen into its lungs, so too will its voice grow stronger. The theatre plays a crucial role in expressing the authentic
Q&A Pieter Lourens, Acting CEO, Artscape
Public art outside Artscape
May 2011
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On your BICYCLE! Central City Partners Forum says It’s all about creating more “Liveable Cities” There’s no doubt about it – the use of bicycles is vital to creating more liveable cities for all citizens. The reasons are obvious – if you’re on a bike, you take up less space, use fewer resources and contribute to a far healthier environment and to your own health. Just as importantly, if you are on a bicycle, you understand your city so much better. It is one of the key points made in the “Our Cities Ourselves Exhibition: The Future of Transportation in Urban Life”, organized by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and displayed recently at the Freeworld Coating Design Centre. It’s also a point which the Cape Town Partnership and Central City Improvement District support wholeheartedly.
Photos: Shaen Adey
Delegates at the recent Central City Partners Forum
Andrew Wheeldon of the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) hailed the developments of the past five years in the City towards non-motorised transport, but said there are a number of problems that still need to be addressed. “Central to the debate over bicycle lanes, in our view, is safety. If cyclists and pedestrians do not feel safe, and if they don’t feel that they will go from A to Z in a convenient, effective and efficient way, they will look for alternatives,” Wheeldon said. Among the negative responses BEN has received were that cycling facilities have been built, but are not sufficiently used. “A problem going forward is that we need to work on a good maintenance plan,” Wheeldon said. Routes must be well marked and convenient. “Much more research must go into where people are going from and where they are going to, so that everything from A to Z is catered for,” he said. Wheeldon said a key role of his organization is to encourage more people to start cycling.
Examples from the display in the “Our Cities Ourselves” Exhibition.
Paris on a bike “Three years ago, I was ignored by everyone in Paris. I was on a bicycle, riding through the city, on no infrastructure. Nobody hooted, cursed or swore at me. In fact, nobody paid me any attention at all!” These were the words of Gail Jennings, urban cyclist and editor of Mobility Magazine, when she addressed the Central City Partners Forum on 19 April. “There I was, on a bike, and perfectly safe, despite the lack of infrastructure for bicycles. That, for me, is a crucial point,” said Jennings. “It demonstrates that there are ways other than infrastructure to promote cycling in a city.” The theme of the Forum, tying up with the theme of the ITDP exhibition, was “Liveable Cities”.
“It’s crucial to integrate transport modes” Jennings said the creation of cycling infrastructure is time-consuming and can be controversial. “Infrastructure and partitioning
“For safety’s sake, get more cyclists out there” of lanes is not the panacea. Policymakers sometimes fail to take into account the other crucial issues.” In Jennings’ view, these include integrating the various transport modes to accommodate bicycles, for instance by allowing bicycles on trains.
“The best thing we can do to promote the safety of cyclists is to get more cyclists out there.”
“In Cape Town, if you start out on your bike in the morning, you have no option but to go home on your bike. We don’t have that crucial integration with the other modes of transport.” Jennings added: “We don’t have safe bike parking. We do have some parking, but it is not all safe. Secondly, it is so much safer to
cycle where road speeds are much lower. Decreasing road speeds is another non-structural intervention which would make a big difference to cyclists in Cape Town.”
Send a clear message: “Bikes are legitimate” Turning to her experience in Paris, Jennings said: “Paris is not big on bike lanes. Bicycles were made legitimate because a clear message was sent to all citizens that they were legitimate. In South Africa, we don’t have that clear message. We don’t have legislation to create a bikefriendly environment. That needs to be looked at.” Theuns Kok, senior officer in the Universal Access and Non-Motorised Section of the City’s Transport Department said there is, without doubt, a role for pedestrians and cyclists in Cape Town in the future. He described how the face of the City is changing in the way it functions, citing the impact the World Cup Soccer experience and the Fan Walk had had on
pedestrianising the City. Kok said non-motorised transport is an important part in the City’s travel chain. The fact that pedestrians are still Vulnerable road users remains a concern. He said Non-Motorised Transport has been highlighted in the national government strategy, with the Department of Transport’s draft NMT policy of 2009 highlighting its importance. Turning to the City’s NMT programme, Kok said the project’s focus is to develop a comprehensive City-wide pedestrian and cyclenet-work that aims to provide link-ages between residential areas and public transport, employment areas, public facilities and amenities.
“Cape Town leads the NMT agenda” Kok said Cape Town is leading the NMT agenda in South Africa, with metropolitan councils from key cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban visiting the City to learn.
“The best thing we can do to promote the safety of cyclists is to get more cyclists out there. It is when you have few that cycling is at its most dangerous. “Other cities around the world have achieved this through big promotional campaigns to get more people to ride. We need a powerful media and marketing campaign to get simple people out on their bikes to meet as equals in the streets of Cape Town and to share a common mode of transport. That’s what needs to change. We need to get the critical mass and all of the rest will follow.” Cape Town Partnership CE Andrew Boraine said that in Copenhagen, Denmark, 37 percent of all citizens cycle to work, while 50 percent use bikes every day. He said the concept of a liveable city should extend to the poorest neighbourhoods of a city. A key component of a liveable city is its alternative modes of transport. The ITDP exhibition provides a menu for cities to learn from in terms of creating liveable cities, he added.
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from the fringe
CityViews
May 2011
Look out for CHARLY’S ANGELS
“F
ilm crew shooting mucking afazing cakes.” These are the words on a sign outside the brightly-coloured Charly’s Bakery building in The Fringe, indicating that, apart from the serious business of producing cakes and other delicious wares, there is something else going on there. The much-loved bakery is to feature in a new reality series by Justin Bonello, presenter and producer of the popular Cooked in Africa series. In Bonello’s words, the series follows the “creative hurricanes” Jacqui Biess and her daughters, Alex, Dani and Roche as they work towards turning every cake into a work of art. The show, says Bonello, will cast the viewer into the “mix of the joie de vivre, lightness and laughter that goes into making ‘mucking afazing’ cakes”. Charly’s Bakery is a family run business which produces fresh, modern and cutting edge cakes which are regularly featured in the media. Google them and you will find amazing testimony to their expertise: Lonely Planet instructs its readers not to leave Cape Town without trying one of their chocolate cupcakes. The website tells of a Norwegian bride who moved her wedding from Norway to Cape Town so that she could have a Charly’s wedding cake. Charly’s recently made their biggest cake ever – for 3 000 people for Old Mutual. They’ve produced cakes in the shape of handbags, soccer balls, shoes and buildings – you name it – over the years. They’ve also baked cakes for many rich and famous people – including Oprah Winfrey and Desmond Tutu – as well as numerous ordinary Capetonians who just want to make a special occasion extraordinary. In an interview with City Views, Jacqui Biess said she was approached by Bonello’s production company last year. “They said there was huge interest in reality shows, like Cake Boss – and they asked us whether they could do a 13-episode show at Charly’s. They wanted to feature
us making the cakes, interacting with customers, and all the drama, crises and excitement that goes with running a bakery like this,” Biess said. Filming was already under way when City Views visited the vibrant bakery. “They were here for the whole drama when both of our mixers went down the other day,” Biess said. “They were also here to film us transporting the cake for Old Mutual – the biggest we have ever had to make.” According to Biess, every employee at Charly’s Bakery brings their own personality into the business. She said working with her three daughters is a dream come true. “I’m a Jewish mother, so to work with my girls is incredible for me. Four creative minds working alongside each other makes for a wonderful working environment.” The reality series will also touch on the history of Charly’s, which had a humble beginning when Biess’s husband, Charly, after whom the bakery is named, started working for a bakery in Swakopmund, Namibia. He became a great baker, who passed on his skills to his wife and daughters. They moved to Cape Town, and ran two restaurants before setting up Charly’s Bakery. The bakery moved from Roeland Street to Canterbury Street about a year ago. “Everything is made with complete love and compassion,” Biess said. “We love what we do.” She said the bakery’s relocation to The Fringe has been an exciting move. “We have had our eye on this building for five years. We are completely invested in this area,” she said. Filming of the series is due to finish at the end of June – and it is hoped that the series will be ready to air in September.
Photos: Supplied
Ever wondered what goes on behind the Bies scenes in a busy family-run bakery which Alex, Roche, Jacqui and Daniella lovingly puts together and hand-decorates cakes for the full spectrum of special occasions in and around the Mother City? Well, the new series from Cooked in Africa Films, focusing on Charly’s Bakery in Canterbury Street, The Fringe, is about to put you in the picture…
Charly’s Bakery
Cape Town Design Network explores Cape Town Spaces,
Cape Town places
Designers across Cape Town are asking how they can engage with public design in the City. The recent Cape Town Design Network gathering explored this with more than 100 people gathered together in The Fringe. “With the theme ‘How Design Transforms The City’, we consciously linked the event to Cape Town’s bid to become World Design Capital in 2014, of which the central message is to ‘rebuild, reconnect and reposition’ Cape Town through design,” says Michael Wolf, Cape Town Design Network committee member. Speakers Yehuda Raff (The Fringe) , Iain Harris (Coffeebeans Routes), Y.Tsai (Tsai Design Studio) and Khalied Jacobs (Jakupa Architects), took the floor on 31 March 2011, and then it was opened up for discussion. Wolf continues, “I think the response to our event tells us that Cape Town designers are ready for this challenge. “Our intention is to establish ‘one voice’ for designers in Cape Town…but we would also like to be the ‘ear’ of Cape Town design, which means that future CTDN events and activities would be stimulated by the community, the actual Cape Town Design Network we are trying to build.” See www.ctdn.co.za for more or tweet @CTDNetwork
Watch this space! Charly’s Bakery, 38 Canterbury Street Cape Town 8001, T: 021 461 5181 Open: Tuesday to Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 8:30am-3pm
“Lonely Planet instructs its readers not to leave Cape Town without trying one of their chocolate cupcakes.”
Photos: Copyright @ CTDN
The Cape Town Design Network
Designers mingle at the CTDN Inside Charly’s Bakery
May 2011
from the fringe
CityViews
FOCUS ON FASHION
SPOTLIGHT
Newly appointed Cape Town Fashion Council CEO, Bryan Ramkilawan has only just stepped into his post, sporting purple Converse trainers, strategically placed tattoos and a ‘Make Da Circle Bigger’ attitude.
Sugarhut Club opens in The Fringe
Bryan Ramkilawan
Photos: Simon Deiner, SDR Images
9
The South African slick set has a new home away from home. Taking inspiration from the UK-based franchise of the same name, The Sugarhut Club, which recently opened in the up-and-coming Fringe, is a unique concept in night-life entertainment. It features themed bar areas, laid-back lounges and world-class fusion food. The venue is spacious enough to accommodate the jetset party crowd, yet intimate enough to appeal to older, more discerning customers. Comprising a series of individually themed zones, the décor at the Sugarhut Club enchants with its melding of boho-chic and ultra-glamorous with a combination of low-slung lanterns, sparkling crystal chandeliers and fluorescent hot pink and cool blue highlights; smoothe dark wood with rough exposed brickwork; leather with velvet, and mirrored surfaces with rich gold and coppertoned embellishment. The interior design team from local design agency Sugar Bakers sought to create variety within the space in order to appeal to a range of moods, tastes and mindsets. The Birdcage Room features a collection of birdcages as an original centrepiece, opulent patterned wallpaper and checkerboard flooring. The Peacock Lounge takes its name from striking peacock-blue cushions, and The Opium Den is all about the esoteric, with raised oversize couches and a mystical gold Buddha.
Catwalk fashion
W
ith a career in the fashion industry that spans more than 20 years, Ramkilawan studied fashion design in KwaZuluNatal before moving to Cape Town to lecture in Creative Design and Computer Studies at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). He also served on the Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC) board for the past four years before being appointed to the top job. The CTFC represents over 400 members, including local fashion brands and clothing and textiles stakeholders, and aims to develop, support and grow the Western Cape fashion sector. The CTFC is headquartered in Harrington Street, the ‘spine’ of The Fringe, Cape Town’s new innovation district. Ramkilawan sits on the steering committee of The Fringe, a project that he led with the Technical and Business Education Initiative in South Africa (TABEISA). The new CEO says he looks forward to expanding existing partnerships and setting up inter-disciplinary collaborations between fashion designers and, for instance, graphic designers, musicians, jewellery designers and crafters.
What makes Cape Town a great design city? From a fashion perspective, Cape Town has the only established Fashion Council in the country – it’s been running for 5 years –and we’re really serious about design.
What does Cape Town fashion have to offer the world? I’d say that we have an intellectual approach to fashion, and we’re quite progressive in terms of innovating. I’m passionate about getting the local design industry recognised internationally. We have tremendously crea-
tive people – fantastic designers and fantastic design ideas. They just need a platform. I believe that Africa has immense potential as an export market for us – places like Ghana and Angola – and I think that there are great opportunities to take Cape Town designers into Africa.
Where do you want to take the Cape Town Fashion Council? I want to build and broaden our collaborative efforts and link to other cities in South Africa and Africa. I also believe there should be a strong focus on building entrepreneurial and business skills, as well as technical skills. The new Fashion Technology Innovation Centre at the CTFC offers designers a fantastic laboratory to explore new ideas and experiment with the latest technologies.
What inspires you about Cape Town? The vibe, and the entrepreneurial spirit. I love Long Street, for instance, where you have a mix of bars, clubs and interesting retail spaces – like Me Me Me and Ska – that give young designers opportunities to retail. And I think that The Fringe is going to offer this amazing culture of a creative lifestyle, with people walking around and enjoying the City. I hope Harrington Street becomes fully pedestrianised.
What are your plans for Cape Town Fashion Week in July? I’d like all the shows to take place in various venues throughout the City. Our promo campaign is being shot at iconic Cape Town spots, with models alongside real Cape Town characters. It’s gritty and has a strong sense of place; a sense of the City. The event belongs to the City. I’d also like to light
up Harrington Street during Fashion Week so that it’s visible from De Waal Drive and people will get the idea that something interesting is happening in The Fringe, even if they’re not fashion fundis. But ultimately I believe that Fashion Week is a business platform, not an entertainment one. Fashion is a key financial driver of our city and province and it’s essential that we get the buyers here to do business. That’s why Cape Town Fashion Week has a very strict curatorial process when it comes to selecting the designers to showcase. I’m very excited about our ‘Fast Track’ programme, which will give hand-picked fashion graduates a platform to show capsule ranges, alongside more established names.
The Sugarhut Club offers a selection of entertainment options, making it the ideal venue for celebrations, special occasions, romance, after-work drinks and corporate functions. Music ranges from Shanghai Jazz to Brazilian Bossanova. Bliss out in the Saffron Lounge, sip cocktails and snack on canapés at the extravagant Gold Bar, or belly dance the night away on the Monsoon Dance floor. For a breath of fresh air, there’s an all-weather outdoor deck area complete with stunning mountain views. Diners at the Sugarhut Club will be offered an authentic Asian-style dining experience, with the menu changing every month. The Sugarhut Club is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 19h00. For reservations call: (021) 801 5699 Located at Cnr Canterbury and Constitution Street, Castle Hotel, Cape Town.
Cape Town designers to watch? Stiaan Louw is set to be very big in the international market, and labels like Maya Prass, Doreen Southwood, Black Coal, August, Sway, David West, Stefania Morland, Baie Nice and Township Patterns are all doing great things.
What are your thoughts on Cape Town’s bid to be World Design Capital 2014?
Inside the Sugarhut Club
Win or lose the bid, we’re putting ourselves on the design map!
Big plans? We’re launching Fashion Fridays, an initiative backed by MEC Alan Winde and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, to encourage Capetonians to wear local fashion on Fridays. We have some fun ideas on how this can go viral, especially in terms of social media. Cape Town Fashion Council Harrington House Second floor, 37 Barrack Street, Fringe. www.ctfc.co.za, T: 021 461 1498
Examples of the fare at the club
10 on the
town
CityViews
May 2011
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Dear Me restaurant and Tjing Tjing bar open in Longmarket Street
“Simple, honest and saturated with love and respect.” That’s how Ilze Koekemoer, the owner of a new restaurant , Dear Me, at 165 Longmarket Street, describes the Dear Me team’s attitude to food and service. Dear Me is a new all-day brasserie, deli and event space in the 180 plus-year-old building which used to house the Russian champagne and oyster bar, Sobeit. When Koekemoer took over the building, it was empty and had been vandalised, and had to be extensively renovated. Set on three levels, it boasts a breakfast menu, a healthy lunch menu, and a dinner menu, with private dining areas and function rooms and a rooftop bar, Tjing Tjing, for wind-down drinks and delicious tapas. Koekemoer, who trained as an accountant and also studied law, always wanted to have her own
restaurant. “I have always been interested in what goes into food and where it comes from and I’ve always thought there should be restaurants which cater for the different personal needs people have when it comes to eating. We try to accommodate some special needs,” she told City Views. Steering clear of big suppliers and focusing on ethical, sustainable eating, Koekemoer has teamed up with chef Vanessa Marx to create just this type of restaurant. “This is reflected in a menu designed to accommodate special dietary requirements and a flexible, can-do attitude. Celiac, diabetic, lactose- or wheat intolerant, vegetarian or vegan people will all be catered for – as well as people who simply want a delicious meal,” said Koekemoer.
“We believe in staying true to the integrity of our ingredients by respecting the produce used and selecting the freshest and highest quality ingredients available.” Koekemoer added: “Patrons deserve to know what is in their food and where or how it was farmed. We are creating transparency from farm to fork by handpicking local and often smaller suppliers who share our vision.” When City Views visited, the watercress soup and rhubarb sorbet were delicious and, amazingly, the sorbet was made of pure fruit and was sugar free. Bread is baked daily on the premises and they even regularly make their own butter in the restaurant. Koekemoer said the menu will change regularly. Expect some wonderful, wholesome winter stews, casseroles, risottos
(a speciality of Vanessa’s and already popular) and soups in winter. As for running a restaurant in the Central City, Koekemoer said she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love the urban feel. I love my neighbours in the drumming shop and the people who trade in African curios down the street. I would hate to be in a low-personality mall environment. We’re safe and happy right here.” The restaurant opens Mondays to Fridays from 07:00 am to 11:00 for breakfast and from 12:00 to 15:00 for lunch and on Thursday evenings for food and wine pairing dinners by reservation.
Inside Tjing Tjing
Dear Me food
Tjing Tjing will be open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 16:00
Tel: 021 422 4920 or e-mail Ilze@dearme.co.za
Tjing Tjing
New wine bar,
French Toast is flourishing in Bree Street
W
Photos: Supplied
French
Toast e n
trance
Tapas fare at French Toast
hen, as a younger man, John Harrison worked on the Paris stock exchange, he loved walking the streets of Paris in search of the wonderful food and atmosphere of the French wine bars. Harrison’s long-held dream of one day running his own French wine bar has now materialised in the form of French Toast in Bree Street. Opened in conjunction with Karin Visser, French Toast offers a range of snacks, hot and cold tapas dishes as well as a charcuterie and cheese platter. Think marinated olives, salted almonds and aubergine fries as snacks with your wine or tapas dishes such as panfried ricotta cakes, venison t as h To carpaccio, rocket and enc r F de Insi pecorino salad, goats cheese and tomato tart or the already famous spiced calamari, all served up by chef Jannie Melis. There’s also gazpacho, smoked salmon, orange, cucumber, asparagus and fennel salad and grilled paprika prawns – and the menu changes every six to eight weeks. With its emphasis on Meditteranean tapas and bigger portions, French Toast also makes use of local flavours, for example offering a kudu carpaccio. The bar features more than 80
varieties of wine sold by the bottle and by the glass, from South Africa, Italy, Germany and France. The menu features Mediterranean-inspired tapas which change every two weeks and include a free bruschetta between 17h0019h00 every day. The desserts – for example churros con chocolate, tarte tartin and banana- and cashew-stuffed French toast with ice cream – are worth the trip in their own right. Harrison, a born and bred Capetonian, who was, previously the CEO of the Table Mountain Aerial
“We love being in Bree Street. It is truly hip and happening. This street is now drawing a vibrant, younger crowd.”
Cableway Company for many years, travelled Europe to find out what he wanted in realising his dream for his own tapas bar. “We found this place in Bree Street. It used to be an outlet that sold and rented costumes. We did a major renovation. I am very proud of what we have achieved,” Harrison told City Views. Harrison and Visser, a biokineticist who is passionate about wine
and food, opened French Toast in October last year. Both Harrison and Visser believe that wine should be fun. “We would like to help people to learn about wines.” With this in mind, they offer “flights” of wine, offering a tasting glass, with three different wines, for people to savour and learn about the different wines. French Toast is a great place to stop for an after work cocktail and a snack, or a business meeting – or even a place to while away an hour before crossing the road to DVD Nouveau to grab a movie for the night. The wine bar also caters for numerous birthday and engagement parties. “We love being in Bree Street. It is truly hip and happening. It’s different to other streets, and we would love to see it grow and come into its own. I have always loved the fever trees and the palms and the unique buildings of Bree Street. The upgrade of Long Street is, without doubt, progressing to Bree Street and this street is now drawing a vibrant, younger crowd. We are so comfortable here,” Harrison said. Gidi Caetano, former GM of Salt Restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel, is the GM of French Toast. French Toast Wine & Tapas Bar, 199 Bree Street, Cape Town. Tel (021) 422-3839. Monday - Saturday 12h00 - 23h00.
May 2011
on the
CityViews
town
11
RESTAURANT
Great Chefs
of the Central City, Cape Town
CV Who comes to Mezzaluna? JF Mezzaluna attracts local clientele including lawyers, architects, insurance and bank executives, investment managers, consulate and corporates thanks to its central position. The Italian community is also a large part of our regular client base.
What’s on the menu at Mezzaluna? JF Our menu is based on seasonal products and centered on home-made pastas, traditional meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. A daily buffet is on offer to provide an Italian fast-food option to business people in a hurry. CV
CV What do you offer that is unique? JF Mezzaluna is an authentic Italian trattoria based on home-style food served in a friendly family atmosphere. It is owner-run, so personal attention and service are very much
appreciated. Quality seasonal ingredients are the key for our food. Locally produced Italian fresh cheeses, our home-made Italian sausages, great meat cuts and the best fresh fish complement our homemade pastas.
travelled abroad and fully understand the difference between good and average Italian food. I believe that the Central City is gradually improving thanks to better security, clean streets and great looking buildings. What food trends do you think we will see in Cape Town and more widely in the year ahead? JF People want value – and back-to-basics cooking, without covering up true flavours with buttery sauces. CV
CV Where do you eat when not eating in your own restaurant? JF When I eat out I want it to be a true food experience. As a foodie in general I like Nobu for my Japanese night-out, Aubergine for the special occasions and Carne to satisfy my occasional craving for meat.
What are some of the highlights of working in the Central City? JF Working in the City allows you to have the type of “food educated” clientele which you miss in other parts of Cape Town (Waterfront and Camps Bay in particular). By educated clientele I mean people that have CV
CV What’s missing for you in Cape Town? JF I have just come back from three weeks in Italy only to realise that we are fortunate to live in the best place in the world. Cape Town offers everything I need and the only thing missing is my daughters and granddaughter who unfortunately live in Milan, and a good cup of coffee which you can get anywhere in Italy.
Whatzup Comedian, Steven Wright, once said: “My friend Winnie is a procrastinator. He didn’t get his birthmark until he was eight years old.”
I Anne Hirsch
can really relate to Winnie, for the early bird might catch the worm, but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese. And I love my camembert! I have always been a procrastinator. Until recently, that is. I was visited by an old German friend of mine and in true Germanstyle she whipped me into shape faster than I could say: “Sich heil!” Before I knew it I was even walking to the shop. She instructed
me to walk more as it would apparently decrease my carbon footprint. I’ve always had unusually large feet, so I was delighted by the prospect. I am now on a new path, albeit with smaller footprints, to find new places to walk to. And what better place to experience this than in Cape Town. In May the Mother City will be alive with todo lists. Theatre lovers will be delighted to hear that the legendary, Athol Fugard is in town. Fugard, who will be the first South African to be honoured with a Tony Lifetime Achievement Award, will be directing the World Premiere of his latest play, The Bird Watchers, starring Sean Taylor, Dorothy Ann Gould and Guy De Lancey. The show will run from 10 May - 4 June at the beautiful Fugard Theatre in
Photo: Supplied
A series featuring chefs who are doing great things in the Central City. Jimmy Fiore, owner/chef of Mezzaluna Restaurant
Spaghetti with sea urchins Ingredients (4 servings) 400 gr. of spaghetti 20 gr. of sea urchin pulp 2 cloves of garlic Chopped parsley Fresh chillies Olive oil 1 lemon (zest)
Method: Pour 4 tablespoons of sea urchin pulp (about 20 gr.) into a bowl. Grate the zest of one lemon and add two scoops of the cooking water of the pasta. Mix until it becomes creamy and set aside. Sautee two cloves of garlic and fresh
chillies to taste in a frying pan with olive oil. Cook the spaghetti al dente in salted boiling water. Add to the pan, sautee for a few seconds and then pour in the sea urchin cream. Mix thouroughly and serve with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley.
in the Central City District Six. The Adexpo will be on at the CTICC on 18 – 19 May. So, if you own your own company, work for a company or just want some company head on over. It’s the perfect place to source the best advertising mediums for your products and discover new and innovative ways of advertising. For those Fashionistas who can’t quite find something truly South African that still looks stylish, try shopping in Long Street. There is an array of outlets that stock the finest in urban, South African chic. Look out for Mememe, Milk and Misfit. Milk is my personal favourite – a retail outlet based on the left hand side of Long Street. With a fiercely South African creed, it stocks the creations of local fashion icons, jewellery designers and artists.
by Anne Hirsch
While in Long Street, why not head over to the Grand Daddy Airstream Trailer Park? Situated on the roof top of the Grand Daddy Hotel is an eclectic trailer park with a laid back atmosphere. Enjoy some sundowners from 6pm at the stylish bar. There’s live rooftop music every Wednesday and Friday. This is the place to be seen. On Sunday, 8 May, it’s Mother’s Day. So, thank your Mamma for being a star by taking her to the Planetarium, where you can enjoy a live lecture on the Night Sky every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. You will receive a star map, but it’s not the one that tells you where to find Angelina Jolie, it’s the other one, which tells you which constellations and planets are visible every month. Enjoy!
12
my
town
CityViews
May 2011
FOCUS ON
My Cape Town: Moreira Chonguica CV What are some of the highlights of Central City Cape Town, in your view? MC The broadness of Adderley Street and the relative ease of parking. I love walking in St George’s Mall. CV What makes Cape Town Central City world class? MC By and large, the City works. We have good roads, good lighting, good rubbish removal, reasonably good policing and security. CV Describe a typical day in your life in the Central City. MC I have meetings in the City from 10 - 12, then lunch with friends or my business partner, drinks with friends, and then home to the suburbs after rush hour. CV What song or musical item best sums up Cape Town for you? MC Mannenberg by Abdullah Ibrahim. CV Is Cape Town a musical city? MC It used to be more so than at the moment. I would love to see the restaurants investing more in live music, particularly jazz.
CV What are your shopping vices? MC Music and clothes.
Where do you shop for music in the Central City? MC African Music Store in Long Street. CV
CV What building would you happily demolish in Cape Town? MC The Customs House building on the Foreshore. CV If you could pass any law in the city, what would you do? MC I would like to see the taxis more regulated. Some days, De Waal Drive in peak hour traffic is like the Wild West! CV What is the trait you like most about Capetonians? I like their very laid back attitude.
CV What are your favourite design features of Cape Town? MC Cape Town has such a rich history and it shows in the diversity of design.
CV What can we learn from other cities? MC Other world class cities have far better public transport systems than we do. We have to do something about this.
CV Which areas of design in the City could be improved upon? MC The re-development of District Six needs to be speeded up.
CV What tips for promoting the simple enjoyment of music have you learnt from other Cities abroad? MC I love cities which support their musicians. Brazil, for example, plays 85 percent local music content on the local radio stations. That is why, at local concerts, the audiences sing along. Cape Town needs to employ and support their musicians more. The City needs to laud their musicians more and show them that when you “make it”, your City supports you. In Sao Paulo and Paris, Brazilian and French music is played everywhere – in shopping malls, in hotels and restaurants and in all social places. You seldom hear American music. If you hear jazz, it is jazz from the area, and so on, through all the genres. The City must stop importing talent from Jo’burg and Durban for big audience events such as the Festival of Lights and the
CV What are your favourite cities abroad and what have you learnt from them? MC Sao Paulo, Brazil and Paris. They have rich and deep cultural roots which are passionately expressed in art and performance everywhere you turn.
What’s missing for you in Cape Town? MC Decent public transport. If you don’t have a car as a musician in this town you are in trouble. In the big cosmopolitan cities of Europe, the musicians move from gig to gig without a car and it saves them and the venues. CV
CV Where do you go, in the City, for a decent cup of coffee? MC Truth coffee bar, Buitengracht street.
Moreira Chonguica; award winning jazz saxophonist
Where do you shop for clothes in the City? MC Spaghetti and Blue Collar, White Collar for shirts, and Blue Blood in Bree street for denims. CV
Photo: Morestar Entertainment
Moreira Chonguica is a celebrated Cape Town-based musician, originally from Mozambique. He relocated to Cape Town to further his music studies where he graduated with a degree in Jazz Performance and an Honours degree in Ethnomusicology at the South African College of Music (University of Cape Town) in 2000. Since his move to Cape Town, Moreira has established an impressive list of credits to his name. Among numerous other achievements, his latest album, The Moreira Project Volume 2 - Citizen of the World, received the An’R (artist, repertoire and international licensing Magazine) Award of Excellence last year.
Opening of the Urban Park in Green Point. These are Cape Town events and Cape Townbased artists should be used. CV How do we turn Cape Town into more of a musical city? MC All genres of music should be identified. There are different levels of musicians, but the restaurants should be incentivised to employ live musicians regularly.