CityViews
CLEAN | SAFE | CAR I NG
October 2010
“Hot town summer in the city!” It’s warming up, the city is sparkling, the evenings are long, the people are pretty. Get set for another wonderful summer in the beautiful city.
2 CityViews
October 2010
MESSAGE
We have finally said goodbye to winter and it’s officially Summer in the City We at the CCID are determined to go into the new season with lots of good vibes and news of great things to come. We have had a very successful Creative Week Cape Town and Loerie Awards. Long Street buzzed even more than it normally does – and we were delighted that more people than ever made their way into the impressive museums, galleries and other public spaces in the central city.
The success of Creative Week Cape Town just goes to show that our city is a truly creative one – with its fair share of artists and innovators. A city which is, without doubt, open for business and ready to send in a bid to be World Design Capital 2014. We are also still celebrating the great news that Bafana Bafana will play the United States in a soccer match which is sure to take us back to that wonderful World Cup atmos-
phere on 17 November. Imagine our Fan Walk on a balmy summer evening? Oh, and some other good summer news. Look out for news on the opening of the much anticipated Green Point Urban Park. It’s going to be beautiful. It’s enough to make me want to start singing those words by John Sebastian ... “Hot town, Summer in the City.” Enjoy it!
PS: Do you want to be kept in the loop on developments in the Central City? Why not join the Cape Town Partnership at its AGM on 6 October. Or, take part in the Central City Partners’ Forum which has its next meeting on 17 November. For more information or to RSVP, please email Bronwyn Manter at bronwyn@capetownpartnership.co.za.
Tasso
CityViews
“Now I can see properly,” says Dumisani Bonga “I am very grateful for these spectacles.” These were the words of CCID Road Maintenance Team worker Dumisani Bonga when, with the help of the CCID’s Social Development department, he received a pair of spectacles, after struggling to see in the course of his work. “I would like to thank the Social Development Department of the CCID for all their assistance. I was not in a position to see properly, especially when we were doing road-marking,” Bonga said. Precinct manager Richard Beesley found out about Bonga’s plight and helped to organise a meeting with Pat Eddy, Social Development Manager at the CCID Offices and addressed the issue on
Published by: The Central City Improvement District (CCID)
Bonga’s behalf. Eddy and her team organised a referral to the Robbie Nurock Hospital to get the ball rolling. Bonga went promptly to the hospital for his appointments to have his eyes tested.
For more info: Sue Segar: 021 419 1881 sues@capetownpartnership.co.za Website: www.capetowncid.co.za
“I would like to thank the Social Development Department of the CCID for all their assistance.” He received his spectacles on Tuesday 10 August 2010, and is very happy about it. He said the glasses have changed his life as he is now in a position to perform so much better during his work shifts. “Thank you very much,” were his simple words.
Design: Infestation 021 424 6701
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
Aribuntimus nu cons imis, compro cles locula nosu ili ia rei pes ad numurbis verterisquam dea re aliu vita, C. Hum, quo vit? Nam, consum nocri potat vive,
SAPS Control Room: 021 467 8002 Social Department 082 563 4289
Interview with Richard Beesley, newly appointed senior precinct manager
“I
f you do a job, do it well, or not at all.” This is the philosophy of Richard Beesley, newly appointed senior precinct manager for the Central City Improvement District (CCID). Beesley, who has been with the CCID for about five years, is thrilled with his appointment, which will entail co-ordinating the work of all four precincts of the CCID. He will manage all the precinct managers in terms of all their roles and responsibilities in the CCID. “This is the perfect job for me,” said Beesley, during an interview with City Views. “It’s the perfect job for me and I wouldn’t change it for anything.” Beesley, who was born in District 6 and who lived in Hanover
Street, has lived and worked in the city all his life. He has vivid memories of waiting for his Dad, a postoffice worker, to return from work with sweets for him as a kid. The carnival parades which always went down Hanover Street, were also a great highlight of his life.” “I am passionate about the city,” Beesley said, adding that his new position will not be without challenges. One of his key goals is to make the city move towards becoming a green, sustainable city. He will work towards the pedestrianisation of certain spaces in the Central City, with a view to reducing the number of vehicles in the areas. Beesley is well-versed in his new position. “We previously had a senior precinct manager, who left the company to head up the Claremont CID about a year ago. In the picture is Richard Beesley, newly appointed Senior Precinct Manager for the Central City Improvement District (CCID), buying a copy of The Big Issue from vendor Florence Godongwana today.
“I took over the role and responsibilitiies for this in the interim phase. I took a leading role in getting the CID services, in terms of urban management, off the ground, including the maintenance team. One of the first things Beesley did in his new capacity was to pay a visit to Big Issue vendor Florence Godongwana, who was the victim of a degrading assault whilst selling magazines at the traffic intersection at the main entrance to the V & A Waterfront in September. A group of teenagers on the back of a bakkie reportedly called her over to them and threw water all over her. The Cape Town Partnership and the Central City Improvement District added their voice to the growing condemnation of the incident and CTP CE Andrew Boraine called on all Capetonians to show their support for Godongwana by going out and buying more copies of the Big Issue. Beesley did exactly this, just a day after the incident – and told Godongwana that she has his full support. The CCID welcomes Beesley in his new position and wishes him the best of luck in his work.
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.
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
CityViews 3
October 2010
Schoolgirl Siobhan Adams puts on a musical to help street kids The Artscape Theatre came alive on 25 August when more than 70 Cape Town children took part in the production of the musical, Legends, with the aim of raising funds for the Western Cape Street Children’s Forum.
L
egends, which was the brainchild of 14-year-old Herzlia Middle School pupil Siobhan Adams, played to a full house with its line-up of songs a range of wellloved performers such as Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. The acts, which were performed and choreographed by the children themselves, took the audience on a journey into the experience of an adolescent who has chosen a life on the streets to escape a life of abuse and neglect at home. It conveys the powerful message that, by having faith in themselves, the young people are able to take charge of their own destinies. The 70 were led by a dynamic group of fellow students, with Adams and her friend, Aviva Lerer at the helm. Adams, who became concerned about the plight of street children when she heard that some children actually resort to stealing copper pipes from buildings to survive, decided to do something to help. “I wanted to help those who don’t have anything,” she said.
So Adams came up with a proposal for a musical to be staged at Artscape and took it to her principal, who supported her wholeheartedly. She and Lerer called on other children to contribute in the stand for the rights of street children. They recruited a team of fellow teenagers – Gabriel Cumpsty (stage manager), Kate Upsher (technical), Warren Bright (photographer), Giselle Cowdrey (set design), Emma Blencowe (wardrobe) and Ashley Wilton (choreographer). They then set about holding auditions where pupils could sing, dance or play an instrument and in some cases all three. Eventually, 70 performers were chosen. Adams said they decided to call the show Legends to remind everyone of the good cause they were striving to support. One of the biggest challenges was getting the busy pupils to learn their songs and to perform with passion. Proceeds from the show go to the Western Cape Street Children’s Forum. The event is in line with the Central City Improvement District’s ‘Give Responsibly’ campaign, which encourages people not to give money to beggars on the streets. “At the concert, (Adams) got all the other children to take a “Lead SA” pledge, where they promised to stand up for each other - and to make sure that no child is forgotten. The event was in line with the Central City Improvement District’s “Give Responsibly” Campaign, which encourages people not to give money to beggars on the streets. CCID Social Development Manager Pat Eddy, who attended the Legends performance, had this to say: “I first Duisismod eugue magnim zzrit el dolor autet alit, summy nullam, si. Guer iureet ad tat, vel in exero do deliqui psuvel doloborerat nonullup
made contact with Siobhan Adams and her mom during 2009, when she approached me with her proposal of a Legends concert, as she wanted to raise funds to assist Street Children. I was immediately very excited by this idea as I felt that it fitted extremely well into our Give Responsibly campaign and was an excellent example of children ‘ giving’ where it truly could make a difference. “I never for a moment imagined that the show to be so professional and play to a full house at Artscape.” “It was an amazing show because other than the extraordinary talent of many of the performers, they also displayed a genuine passion which gave insight into difficult circumstances, but also left one filled with hope for the future. Congratulations to all concerned and sincere thanks for the monetary contribution towards street children.”
Duisismod eugue magnim zzrit el dolor autet alit, summy nullam, si.o deliqui psuvel dolobore rat nonullup
FOCUS ON
Community outreach
Helping hand for Central City residents
Pam Golding Properties has joined hands with Cape Town’s Central City Improvement District (CCID) to assist needy residents who are trying to turn their lives around. The two bodies are leading a donations drive under the joint banner of PGP’s “Joy of Giving” – a national social responsibility campaign – and the CCID’s “Give Responsibly” – a campaign aimed at ensuring that public donations help street people and the homeless to break the cycle of poverty, rather than entrenching them within it. Known as “Building New Lives”, the joint initiative aims to collect public donations of clothes, shoes and blankets, which are then delivered to shelters around the city. The first handover took place on Wednesday 17 August (2010), when PGP’s Central City team handed over several bags full of donated items to The Carpenter Shop in Roeland Street. PGP agent Mariel Burger explains why they selected this outlet for the donations: “The Carpenter Shop is more than just a shelter for the homeless,” he says. “It is also a training centre which aims to provide residents with new skills that will enable them to re-enter society and stay off the streets in future. From a hair salon to a car valet service, a panelbeater’s and a carpentry workshop, it has a number of outlets where those who have fallen on hard times can make a fresh start and acquire new skills, allowing them to reintegrate back
into the community, and possibly even reunite with their families. We felt it was a perfect example of how to use donations to change lives for the long-term.” COO of the CCID, Tasso Evangelinos, says they would encourage Capetonians to make their donations through a co-ordinated campaign like Building New Lives, rather than on an ad hoc basis. “Many people don’t realise that the harm they are doing by giving money to people who beg from them,” he says. “Street children, for example, can earn between R200 and R1000 a day by appealing to the generosity of people in town, and sadly our research shows that as much as 90% of this is usually spent on drugs. By giving in this way, you are effectively helping to keep that person on the street.” The handover at The Carpenter Shop was just the first of many more to come. If you would like to donate old clothes, shoes or blankets to the campaign, please drop them off at PGP’s Central City Office at 143 Kloof Street, Gardens. For more information, contact PGP agents Mariel Burger (082 372 2573), Jeanne Hingston (082 888 1630), Scott Irving (082 465 8444) or Peter Spencer (083 264 0971), or call PGP’s Central City office on 021 423 2150.
4 CityViews
October 2010
Six previously unemployed people graduate as security workers – thanks to the CCID
“Y
ou have chosen the right road.” These were the words of Central City Improvement District Security Manager Mo Hendricks when he congratulated six people – who were previously unemployed - for completing a course in security in the city. The six - Na-aim Jacobs (21), Rochell-Ann Van Eiki (25), Tarrehn-Lee September (20), Clifford September (42), Damian Stoltz (22) and Jaime Williams (19) – will now take up security positions in the Central City. The six were identified by Richard Beesley, senior precinct manager for the CCID some months back. “They were on street corners. They had nowhere to go,” Beesley said. So Beesley approached Hendricks and proposed putting the six on a security course, paid for by the CCID and with guaranteed jobs afterwards. He then offered them the opportunity of taking up a course in security, which they gladly accepted. The six completed several grade courses at the Red Security Academy – and all passed. It took commitment and perseverance as well as time and energy to see the course through, Hendricks said. “They have learnt all aspects of security,” said Beesley, who is now negotiating with local companies to take them on as security workers. Speaking at their graduation, Hendricks told the proud six that by agreeing to take the opportunity to complete the course, they had taken a positive direction in their lives. “I am very proud of you,” Hendricks said. “I am proud because you came every day to learn a skill. You showed that you want to make a change in your lives. You came to a fork in the road – and you chose a direction. Congratulations for choosing the right direction. You have chosen the right road.” Hendricks related the anecdote about giving a man a fish versus teaching him to fish. “If you give a man a fish, he has food for one day,
ABOVE: The graduates – Front row: Kevin Singh, Alec Van der Reede (CCID Security), Rochell-Ann Van Eiki, Clifford September, Tarrehn-Lee September, Na-aim Jacobs. Back row: Shiraaz Hendricks (Red Security), Jaime Williams, Kevin Rademeyer (MD of Iliso), Mo Hendricks, Damian Stoltz and Richard Beesley.
but if you teach him to fish, he has a skill. That is how we believe we have helped you,” he said. The six will now be registered in terms of their new qualifications. “You now have a skill that makes you employable,” he said. Hendricks then related how he began his own career “on the ground”. “I started as a foot soldier,” he said, sharing that he had worked in places like a school in Landsdowne and other humble positions. “You have to start on the ground,” he said. “I started as a foot soldier. My back sometimes couldn’t take it, but I persevered. I vowed not to be a security guard forever. I promised myself I would add on to my qualifications all the time. I did every course that was going.” Hendricks, Beesley and all those in the security industry who were present at the graduation urged the graduates to persevere. “Do as many courses as you can. Get your armed response skills. Then do more. Keep moving up and up,” Hendricks said. In his address to the six, Beesley said the security industry holds
Mo Hendricks gives an impassioned speech to the graduates about perseverance.
“I am proud because you came every day to learn a skill. You showed that you want to make a change in your lives. You came to a fork in the road – and you chose a direction.” promise for good people. “An area manager can earn R20 000. Get your training. Get your ducks in a row,” he said. Louis Rademeyer, the Managing Director of Iliso Security told those present that Iliso will do its best to accommodate the six into the CCID’s contract with Iliso. “Be proud of youselves. This is an achievement. But if you accept a job, you must take the responsibility that goes with it,” Rademeyer said.
Climate bid
organizing a new bid. “A picture is worth a thousand words. If we can show people what happened in the 2010 World Cup, this puts us in the pound seat for bidding for other events,” he said. Boraine said Cape Town put in a bid for this conference because is one of the biggest events in the world. Johannesburg and Durban also put in bids. “This is important because at the last conference in Copen-
Brought to you by Beefeaters:
CALL FOR ENTRIES Daddy Bloom, brought to you by Beefeater, is a flower festival with a difference. This is the second year of this BASA Award-winning creative event and we are raising the bar! It’s all about flowers but not the natural ones. We are calling on you to create a floral/botanical forest or garden from non-floral materials on a small pitch of outdoor ground in the world’s only rooftop trailer park on top of the Grand Daddy hotel. Calling all...Artists, designers, creators, spatial specialists, interior designers, stylists, normal people (!), graffiti artists, wall tattooists and textile designers to submit their ideas for non-living floral wonders which they will “plant” as their installations. The Daddy Bloom Flower Festival hits the Grand Daddy Rooftop Airstream Trailer Park from Weds 10th - Sun 14th November 2010 (noon till 8 pm) and will be open to the public for viewing and Beefeaters Sky-Bar G&T’s
Cape Town Bids for Climate Change Conference The City of Cape Town and the Climate Change Coalition have submitted their bid to the national government for the important 17th Conference of the Parties (COPS) conference on Climate Change to come to Cape Town at the end of next year. Cape Town Partnership CE Andrew Boraine said a key part of the bid was to use images generated through 2010 to show what Cape Town is capable of in
Daddy Bloom Flower Festival
hagen, there were 35 000 delegates, made up of media, heads of state, government and local government delegates, academics, scientists as well as civil society and NGO’s,” Boraine said. The outcome was due to be known in October. Boraine said Cape Town put together a “great show”. He said a key proposal in the Cape Town bid is that the Central City should become a walkable delegates’ village.
Proposals Submit your 2 page proposal/ mood-board and 1 floral prototype. Please notify curator, Janet Stent, daddybloom@granddaddy.co.za or 082 785 0227 of your intention to participate – also for queries. Deliver your sample and mood board by hand to the Grand Daddy reception. Closing date: 11 Oct 2010(6pm) Successful artists will be notified by the 13th October 2010. Prizes The best proposal wins a “One Small Seed” magazine subscription.
The Daddy Bloom winner will waltz off with R2000 and a luxury accommodation package for two. The “People’s choice award” will also be showered with a prize. Showcase your creative best with The Daddy Bloom media hype; television, print and electronic coverage! The Blurb Your plots range from wire trellises to planters and trees. Average size 1.5m x 1m and the sky’s your limit – make an appointment to check out the rooftop to see what’ll work for you. Get creative with “dead spaces” and use of 3D space! Watch out for that South Easter and a bit of rain when selecting your plot and your materials...and design for day-time viewing. Installation time is limited to between 12 to 4pm from the 7- 9 November 2010. Viewers will donate R10 to the SEED charity who focus on creating permaculture gardens in schools for survival and education.
CityViews 5
October 2010
Below: Communal drumming in the amphitheatre at Company’s Gardens, Heritage Day, 24th September.
Above: Jamming at Pan African Space Station studio (P.A.S.S.), 210 Long street during their month-long music intervention programme ending October 12.
City Views
Above: The Cape Town Station came alive with DJs, b-boys and b-girls, mural art and much more during STR.CRD on Heritage Day, 24th September.
Above: Critical analysis from the youth at Diss Da Art, South African National Gallery, Heritage Day, 24th September.
“The inaugural Creative Week Cape Town had a successful start on the 24 September with Heritage Day and ended with the Loeries Weekend (1 -3 October). Here are some of the highlights in pictures from the Heritage Weekend (24 – 26 September).
Right: Poetry is potent. Madosini celebrates word and sound at Poetry Africa at CTICC, 26th September.
All photos by Yasser Booley
24 September - 3 October
Faith47’s new work is giving the city something to smile about and something to think about too.
Above: Thumbs up for careful sculpture at Diss Da Art, South African National Gallery, Heritage Day, 24th September
Above: A skateboarder takes off during STR.CRD outside the Cape Town Station on Heritage Day, 24th September.
6 CityViews
October 2010
FOCUS ON
Try The Church for funky, unusual gifts
By Sue Segar
Ok, so you think you’re groovy and you want to impress other trendy people with an innovative funky gift or something. Have you been to The Church, then? caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption caption
I
f you’re into buying ultra cool items, you will not want to leave the gift shop, which was set up by the respected local design group, The President. That’s the team which has Hannerie Visser and Peet Pienaar at the helm. Remember Peet Pienaar? A one-time performance artist, now a graphic designer and coowner of The President Design Studio. He is also the editor and publisher of Afro magazine – a Pan-African publication which offers the best of contemporary writing and culture from Africa. The Church opened on 21 May at 12 Spin Street on Church Square – and it stocks the latest Comme des Garcons perfumes, Feiyue sneakers – and a range of T-shirts, posters, prints, magazines, books, accessories and other things which you probably won’t find anywhere else. Manager Patrick Visser had this to say when City Views paid The Church a visit. “We have a huge variety of suppliers. We cater for a big range of people – for anybody who is looking for something interesting and different in relation to design, fashion, books, you name it. Apart from all the zany stock – they have a “wooden theme” at the moment, there are containers of those old trusteds – fizz pops and Wilson’s toffees for sale, as well as “the only licorice made by a South African company”. They also sell Bos iced tea. They even sell the words of the inimitable Fokofpoliesiekar music – a recent facebook posting says the words have arrived and hurry while stocks last. Take some of the book titles, for example. There’s one on The Art of Bollywood, Japanese Photobooks, Classic Cars, The Selby and The Art of French Cooking. And, in line with the wooden theme, you can try the Wonderwood Fragrance by Comme de
Garcons. The Church is the only stockist in Cape Town of these fragrances. There’s also a range of Rowan Smith’s wooden portraits for sale – unusual items which will definitely grab attention on any wall. Also in line with the wooden theme are the Shwood sunglasses which are currently for sale at The Church. The Church regularly gets a new, updated look and the team then curates objects which fit the theme. The theme will change again in November. But they havent’ decided yet what the new one will be, says Visser. n The Church is open during the week from
9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1pm T: 021 462 6092
Welcome to the following new retailers in the Central City. n Damascus Gate Coffee Shop at 39 Adderley
Street, Cape Town. T: 021 469 3732. n Vivara Footwear at Shop 43 Thibault Square,
1 Long Street. T: 021 421 1196. E: info@vivarafootwear.co.za. n Hire Tools from Powerhire cc at 16 Bree &
Prestwich streets. T: 021 423 3237. E: powerbee@iafrica.com. Are you a new retailer in the CBD? Introduce yourself! Send us your details. Tell us what you do, what you sell, what your business philosophy is and what your view of working and running a business in the CBD is. Let us know. We would like to tell people about you...
Cape Town retailers are positive about their World Cup experience
T
he experience of the Soccer World Cup has left retailers in central Cape Town overwhelmingly supportive of future large-scale events, in spite of being almost equally divided on whether the World Cup meant an increase in revenue, or if the event made no difference to their bottom line. According to a Retail Opinion Survey commissioned by the Central City Improvement District (CCID), 42% of the 186 retailers interviewed said their revenues had increased by between 8 and 300%, while 55% said they had not gained financially from the World Cup. The survey was carried out by Geocentric Information Systems and was a follow-up to similar surveys carried out in June 2009 and January 2010. It was based on an analysis of the current retail footprint in the central city. A sample of approximately 25% of retailers in each of twenty pre-defined categories were personally interviewed. The results showed that, in spite
of the recession, those retailers who chose to make specific plans for the event were more likely to experience an increase in revenue. Sports retailers in particular planned special activities or displays, and many businesses increased the number of televisions in their shops, or prepared special decorations. Of the retailers who went the extra mile, 73% indicated that the effort was worth it. “We are really pleased by the results of the survey,” said Tasso Evangelinos, Chief Operations Officer of the CCID. “The positive response of so many of the businesses is a definite tribute to all the hard work that was put in to ensure that Cape Town was the best host city for the World Cup. “More importantly, it showed that the event had far reaching benefits for our central city community. We have proven to ourselves and to the rest of the world that central Cape Town provides an excellent retail environment, and we will build on this experience into the future.”
The primary aim of the survey was to establish the retailers’ opinions on how the World Cup impacted on their businesses, whether they will support similar events in the future and to establish whether their impressions of the central city have changed as a result of their experiences during the event.
“We have proven to ourselves and to the rest of the world that central Cape Town provides an excellent retail environment, and we will build on this experience into the future.” It also measured the economic impact of the Soccer World Cup on the retailer’s income compared to a
normal (generally quieter) winter retail season. The survey found that most of the retailers who experienced significant increases in revenue were in the food and beverage categories, and many qualified their responses by saying that the increase occurred only on match days. Of those who did not experience an increase in revenue, many reported that their regular clientele were office workers, many of whom took leave to coincide with the long school holiday. Many also noticed a clear change in their customer base, with fewer office workers and many more tourists visiting their shops. Interestingly, the retailers had an overwhelmingly positive response to the event, and this was not related to their turnover. More than 90% rated the organisation, especially in the central city, as good or excellent. Only one retailer said it was “poor” and 15% thought the organisation was average. “We regard it as a tribute to the good work carried out by the City,
the CCID and our partners that so many retailers mentioned cleansing and security as major factors that contributed to the positive image of the city,” said Evangelinos. When the retailers were asked if they would support future mega events in the city, only five percent responded in the negative. This is a clear indication that even those who experienced a decline in revenue during the World Cup recognised the potential value of large-scale events for the city. This was further emphasised by the retailers who indicated they would do some things differently for future events. These additional actions included increasing advertising, increasing or changing stock, upgrading the space and increasing staff numbers. It is worth noting that not all additional actions were positive: at least one retailer said he would close the shop and go away for the duration of the event, while another said he would not have made additional investments in the business.
CityViews 7
October 2010
Rewards
Boo Radley’s
Freeworld Coatings Building
soon to open in Waterkant Street
Rewards Diners with Weekend Getaways
The end of October will see the opening of an exciting new building for Freeworld Coatings in Waterkant Street.
F
Boo Radley’s bistro & bar
Boo Radley’s Restaurant and Bar in Cape Town, is celebrating spring with a series of ‘getaway’ competitions for diners as a thank you for their ongoing loyalty. By eating at Boo Radley’s, diners will be able to enter the monthly draw for a series of luxury ‘getaways’ between September 2010 and January 2011. A winner will be drawn at the end of each month and all entrants will be entered into the final draw in January for the grand prize of a bush getaway, including flights and hire car. The monthly getaway competition has been created in partnership with African Chilli are:
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n October – a two-night stay for two
at South Hills Luxury Villa in the Elgin Valley (www.southhill.co.za) n November – a two-night stay
for two at L’Avenir Lodge in Stellenbosch (www.lavenir-lodge.com) n December – an all inclusive
one-night stay for two at Grande Dedale at Doolhof Wine Estate in Wellington (www.granddedale.com) n January – a three night stay for
four at Umlani Bushcamp, a luxury tented camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, including return flights with 1Time and a hire car from Value Hire Car (www.umlani.com) All you have to do to enter is eat at Boo’s for lunch or dinner, complete an entry form and possibly win! Diners can enter each time they eat. In addition, Boo’s will be giving away nice-surprise giveaways of select wines, On Broadway tickets, Barnet Fair Barbershop vouchers and gourmet picnics at Warwick Estate to patrons who reserve tables via the phone. Boo Radleys is open from Monday to Friday for lunch and Monday to Saturday for dinner (10am - 2am. Last kitche orders 11pm.) 62 Hout Street, Cape Town, T: 021 424 3040 E: eat@booradleys.co.za www.booradleys.co.za
reeworld Coatings is a leading international manufacturer of decorative, automotive and industrial coatings and is the holding company for a number of subsidiaries. Once complete, the building will boast a high-end design centre as well as a cafe, office space, meeting rooms and two boardrooms as well as a 100-seat state-of-the-art auditorium. The building will also include a roof pergola on top for parties, sundowners and anything else which clients might need. Lauren Shantall, the co-ordinator of the building, who gave City Views a guided tour of the new building, said the design centre will incorporate a colour consultancy aimed at trade. “It will be there to assist architects, interior decorators, designers and other members of the industry,” she said. Shantall said the centre will also
take on pro bono projects aimed at beautifying the city. The design centre will be situated on the ground floor of the building, alongside a cafe run by well known food fundi Jacques Erasmus, who consulted on Cuvee at Simonsig and whose work is regularly featured in Taste Magazine. The restaurant will be called Hemelhuijs, in reference to the Evangelical Lutheran church situated behind the premises. Dating back to the 1790s, the church is the oldest in Cape Town. The restaurant will face onto a courtyard, currently being completed, which will no doubt provide a wonderful haven for city workers needing a break. The first floor will comprise a number of offices which will be occupied by Freeworld Coatings staffers, as well as meeting rooms which will be available for hire at an hourly rate. The company’s board rooms, will be situated on the first and second floors. The second floor plays host to more Freeworld offices – while the roof pergola is wonderfully positioned overlooking the Fan Walk. “We are thrilled to have our offices right here and to be part of the change in this special part of town. We love the grace and history of this street,” says Shantall.
Try Maremoto for a Cape Spanish touch
O
ne of the first things you will see on entering Maremoto Restaurant at 230 Long Street is a beautiful blown up photograph of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Its effect is to take one back to those South American street cafes where people spend hours just shooting the breeze and eating and drinking with friends. It’s precisely that old cafe atmosphere which Christopher Ross, the man at the helm of Maremoto, hopes to achieve with the restaurant. “We have tried to create a neighbourhood cafe, a place where people come to relax and catch up with each other,” Ross said in an interview with City Views. The building was recently renovated and refurbished, a move which has contributed to the ever-growing style and appeal of the whole Long Street area. Ross said that in redeveloping the building,he was influenced by the gentrification done by other operators in the area, including the Long Street Café, Royale and the Daddy group. “All their efforts have helped turn the area into one of the most exciting precincts in the Central City.” He tried to keep the integrity of the building and to use it to pay tribute to bygone years when mailship travel was in fashion. With the help of decorator Yoka Glauser, he’s kept the Oregon Oak floors. The ceilings are high and there is an open fireplace as well as a shared table in the main room of the restaurant. They have also introduced special touches – beautiful chandeliers, a baby grand piano, Egyptian street chairs, restored Burmese teak doors from the old hotel. He’s even planted herbs
in the little sidewalk garden outside, to use in the preparation of meals at the restaurant. The latest renovation will add even more lustre to Long Street – which stretches for 3,8 km over more than 20 city blocks. The building was once a hotel called The Harp, before becoming a boarding house. The old harp is still there, for posterity. In the past 15 years, it has housed a backpackers’ hostel as well as a youth travel agency, the Overseas Visitors Club and, most recently the popular Maharajah Indian restaurant. The building is now owned by the Ross family, which is known for its tour company Hylton Ross. Christopher Ross said the building was gutted before a total renovation was done to allow more space and light into the building. He said there are now three parts to the building – the ground floor, bar and restaurant; a
By Sue Segar
first floor space for hire for special occasions and launches – with a balcony that wraps around the building; and a top floor with six en-suite rooms for accommodation. The rooms – with a style which Ross describes as “Cape village chic” would be perfect for any visitor in town for business. Already, the new restaurant on the block is drawing enthusiastic patrons. The cuisinewhich is simple and tasty - takes its inspiration from the Cape, Spain and Italy. On the menu, you will find, for example, poached pear salad with walnut and brie, a ploughman’s sandwich or a simple pepper fillet. The cocktails – including the likes of Maremoto Blush Martini, Blackberry & Litchi Daiquiri and a Maremo’ito - also look exciting. n Maremoto Restaurant, Coffee Bar and Bar
230 Long Street. T: +27 (0)21 422 58 77 | +27 (0)83 326 7036 n Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 09:00 – 19:00 Friday and Saturday 09:00 – 20:00
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8 CityViews
October 2010
Bag crafted in Khayelitsha wins top SA design award
A bag made by the Learn to Earn organisation, and showcased at Decorex Johannesburg through the Cape Craft and Design Institute at the SA Handmade Collection, has won a prestigious design accolade
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beautiful bag can be many things: a work of art, a useful object, a friend of the environment. And a beautiful hand-sewn bag made in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, recently won the Best Product Award at the SA Handmade Collection at Decorex Johannesburg. The bag was developed by Learn to Earn, a notfor-profit skills development and job creation organisation that has been going strong for 21 years. Learn to Earn was one of 30 Western Cape craft producer organisations represented in the SA Handmade Collection through the Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI). The CCDI is a section 21 company set up in 2001 by the Western Cape provincial government and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to provide craft producers with product support, business mentoring, training and market access. This is the second year running in which a CCDIlinked craft producer has won the Best Product Award at the SA Handmade Collection – last year the honours went to Casamento, a small Cape Town furniture company in Kommetjie
that uses traditional upholstery methods and handcrafted materials. The Western Cape also took both the gold medal for the best provincial stand, and the award for best sales, for the second year in a row. (CCDI sales and orders at the SA Handmade Collection topped R358 000 in 2010.) “We are very proud of all the craft producers who shone at this prestigious event,” said CCDI executive director Erica Elk. “Years of support for craft producers are yielding innovative, beautiful and high quality Western Cape craft and designer products. Retail buyers and individuals are increasingly recognizing our Handmade [Cape] brand as a symbol of quality.” The winning bags are constructed from locally produced cotton fabric, with offcut material used for the floral appliqués. The original design was created by Vanessa van Coller, former sewing manager of the Zakhele Sewing Project. Thandiwe Sikiti and Andrew Lane, manager of Learn to Earn’s Business Resource Centre, then developed it further with new materials and colours. Roché van Wyk, who has been at the helm of Learn to Earn since 1995, said he was thrilled with the SA Handmade award. “Our approach to development is market and product orientated, so winning the gold award affirms and encourages us in this endeavour,” he said. “Our product approach is one of combining an African flavour with western practicality.” LearntoEarnservespreviouslydisadvantaged communities, where unemployment rates range from 30% to 70%, through its branches in Khayelitsha and Hermanus. People who have not had a chance to complete their schooling are offered training in vocational, life and business skills as well as an optional discipleship component. Learn to Earn has to date trained more than 8800 unemployed people in marketrelevant skills (including sewing, woodwork, basic computers, graphic design, home and office management). In recent years, it has maintained an over 80% success rate of people becoming economically active, of which on average 10% have started their own businesses. The Business Resource Centre completes Learn to Earn’s objective of developing the unemployed through facilitating internal and external work opportunities for the graduates as well as providing an enterprise enabling environment for emerging businesses. n The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI)
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75 Harrington Street, East City, Cape Town T: +27 21 460 1488 F: +27 21 460 1228 www.capecraftanddesign.org.za
call for entries
Time to shine
at outstanding craft showcase The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI) has called for entries for its prestigious 2011 Handmade Collection, which will showcase the top 100 handmade products in the Western Cape.
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he exhibition will launch at the iconic Design Indaba Expo in February 2011. Thereafter it will show at conferences, exhibitions and creative venues, in agreement with the CCDI, for a year. The exhibition is professionally styled and complemented by a glossy full colour catalogue. This 2011 showcase will be the third such exhibition - the Handmade Collection was first launched in 2009 in response to numerous requests for outstanding Western Cape craft and designer items to display in prominent settings. Craft producers work in a variety of media such as ceramics, beads, metal, leather, wood, wax and more. Last year’s collection, for example, included consistently beautiful and interesting items ranging from a copper wire lamp incorporating negative film strips, to a wire truck modelled on international longhaul vehicles, and a tiered floral chandelier made from recycled milk bottles. “High quality, creativity and Innovation will be high on our selection agenda,” said the CCDI’s communications and sector promotion programme manager Marjorie Naidoo. “This is a hugely prestigious collection to be part of, and many leading designer makers and craft artists have cited their inclusion in earlier CCDI Handmade Collections as milestones in their careers that have led to commissions and raised their profiles considerably. “The Collections have also proved to be a powerful promotional tool in creating awareness and appreciation of the extremely high standard and variety of Western Cape handmade items,” added Naidoo. “They have shifted
perceptions of craft as being massproduced curios, to exquisitely handmade art and design objects that reflect contemporary influences and are treasured by discerning collectors.” Artists whose work has been selected for previous Collections include ceramicists Lisa Firer, Andile Dyalvane and Hennie Meyer, wood turners Thys Carstens and Bert Parker, sculptor Godfrey Chimhanzi, wood carver Daan Samuels and metalsmiths and metal workers Nic Bladen, Yolanda Brand and David Clark-Brown. The current CCDI Handmade Collection, for 2010, features the work of 82 leading craft producers. It has attracted local and international attention at venues such as the 2010 Design Indaba Expo, and the Cape Creative Exhibition, a showcase of Western Cape creative industries held in Green Point during the World Cup. Entry forms for the 2011 Handmade Collection may be collected from the CCDI or downloaded from its website. An object may not exceed 1x1x1m and the final choice will be made by a selection panel representing various arts, culture and media institutions. The products will remain with the CCDI throughout the year. The deadline for entry of display items by photograph is Friday 3 December 2010 at 15:30. The CCDI held its first craft exhibition in 2003 with World [piece] that acknowledged the wealth of craft production in the Western Cape. FREEDOM [ten years] in 2004 reflected many craft artists’ experiences of the first ten years of democracy. Afro [Deco] 2005 explored Art Deco influences, while wire+plus [this is my Cape Town] 2007 gave 11 wire artists the space to explore monumental city art. Iconic [craft] 2007 celebrated the artistry of Western Cape craft icons. CCDI Handmade Collections were shown in 2009 and 2010. The current Handmade Collection can be viewed on the CCDI website. n For further CCDI information: T: +27 (021) 460 1488 F: +27 (021) 460 1228 www.ccdi.org.za E: info@ccdi.org.za 75 Harrington Street, East City, Cape Town, South Africa See www.capecraftanddesign.org.za
CityViews 9
October 2010
How to keep Cape Town’s World Cup performance going How do we turn Cape Town’s exceptional performance during the 2010 World Cup into the norm? This was one of the key challenges put forward by Cape Town Partnership CE Andrew Boraine at a recent meeting of the Central City Partners Forum.
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he World Cup was an exceptional experience for everyone who was in Cape Town,” Boraine told delegates. “People came out of the World Cup thinking, for the first time, that
the Central City is a great place to visit. That our public transport is OK. That it’s nice to walk the streets of the city, especially at night. That the city is safe, even for my family.” Boraine said the real question, going forward, is to “turn the
exception of one month into the norm”. “In a liveable city, it is normal to take public transport, as opposed to using private vehicles. It is normal to walk everywhere and to be on the streets at night. “We were able to achieve that during the World Cup - and people loved it. But that’s how it should be every day.” Boraine paid tribute to the hard work put in by, among others, the City of Cape Town , the FIFA Local Organising Committee, and all the bodies in the Central Improvement District and the Cape Town Partnership who contributed to such a successful World Cup. He said the formal host city review processes as well as a retail opinion survey will inform future actions on behalf of the city.
Boraine said it is now necessary to manage the “great expectations” and the “post World Cup blues”. Among other achievements of the World Cup period was that people discovered St Andrews Square and Prestwich Memorial - places which, previously, they did not know. “The pedestrian bridge over Buitengracht meant St Andrews Square became the centre of life, a halfway point.” He said the World Cup also carved out a relationship between the Fan Walk and the shuttle transport system. “We showed that we can run a major stadium on the basis of a combination of walking, public transport and a park and ride facility.” Among other achievements of the World Cup were improvements to
the Metrorail service, an upgrade of the Cape Town Station, a public square at the station, and the bridges which join the CBD with Green Point and the Waterfront. Boraine also heaped praise on the entertainment and the public art in the Central City. The new directional signage had also been a great success, as had the new signage describing the history of particular areas. “All these developments led to paradigm shifts and challenged huge stereotypes. “More importantly, we have engendered a powerful sense of local self belief. We have realized that we can think big, that there are now new big things to think of and we mustn’t be shy of thinking them.”
Cape Town TV is on the up and up “This is your channel. Use it!”
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his is the message which Cape Town TV (CTV) – the non-profit, communitybased television station aimed at the greater Cape Town metropolitan area – wants to convey to all Capetonians. As CTV approaches the end of its second year of broadcasting, things are starting to look very positive for the fledgling community broadcaster. CTV is committed to providing community access to the medium of television as a tool to promote human rights, social justice and community cultural development. With viewership figures climbing to an average of 1,2 million viewers per month, advertisers are starting to notice the “new kid on the block” and increased revenues are making it possible for the channel to expand its local content offering and provide a valuable service to the community. CTV Station Director Karen Thorne said recently: “Being a non-profit community broadcaster that is independent of government or commercial control, we have literally had to build CTV one piece of equipment at a time. This has been achieved with support from the community and key funders who recognize the value of independent voices in the media. It has been a long, hard slog, but our efforts are starting to bear fruit”.
Since commencing broadcast on September 1st 2008, CTV has progressed from an initial test broadcast programming loop of one hour per day to a full 24 hour programming period. Comments CTV Programme Manager Thabo Bopape, “As a community television broadcaster, CTV’s primary focus is to provide the community of Cape Town with information and programming that can help to improve their lives. “CTV is a space where local issues can be heard. Often, these issues do not make it onto a national stage, or are thought to be insignificant from a commercial point of view. CTV is about making television that reflects peoples’ local reality and which sees the world from a community perspective.” In keeping with this mandate and the core principles of community television, CTV introduced three new talk-show series and a cutting-edge World Cup current affairs magazine programme to add to its local content in June 2010. The local film industry also benefited from the channel, with a number of local producers creating programmes for the channel. A slew of freshly acquired documentaries enhanced the new look of CTV’s daily broadcast schedule, thanks to a partnership with the Encounters International Documentary Film Festival.
“CTV is a space where local issues can be heard. Often, these issues do not make it onto a national stage, or are thought to be insignificant from a commercia point of view...” It looks like CTV’s regulatory challenges are over too. Thorne says, “Since we marched on Parliament last year to press for government assistance and to maintain our broadcast frequency, ICASA and the Department of
Communications have bent over backwards to accommodate our needs.” Based on the outcomes of a ground-breaking Community Television Policy Workshop in Boksburg in May, the government seems genuinely committed to the growth of community TV in South Africa. ICASA has agreed to the issuing of seven-year Class licenses for community TV operators. The Department of Communications has made a commitment to subsidizing the signal distribution costs of community TV “start-ups” and has guaranteed community TV stations access to frequencies before, during and after migration to digital broadcasting. “This is a huge victory for CTV, for freedom of expression, and indeed, for democracy in South Africa,” said Thorne. Community television is in a position to produce content at a fraction of the cost usually associated with mainstream TV. CTV has secured free access to four fully equipped television studios. In-house productions are produced largely by interns and trainees, working under the mentorship of experienced practitioners. And this doesn’t mean that their productions are low quality. One only has to look at programmers such as kaapXpress, CTV’s own local arts programme that airs on Fridays at 7.30 pm, to see what the station is achieving. Members of the business community are
starting to see that value in sponsoring such programmes, with the likes of SAB and Foschini recently supporting content relating to HIV/Aids prevention and substance abuse respectively. Although CTV is a non-profit community channel, the staff at CTV acknowledge that a TV station has to be run like a business to be sustainable and offer a quality service. Thorne said the next big obstacle is “to get through to the business community and government, to get them to recognize the value of CTV and use our services.” CTV is offering highly competitive advertising rates (R2 650 for a 30 second advert in prime time) and has set aside 5 % of its airtime for government information and communication programming. “Community TV stations all over the world enjoy strong partnerships with local government. That’s how we want it to be in Cape Town. We are committed to tackling crime, substance abuse, job creation and all the issues that are affecting our communities in Cape Town and we believe that CTV is the perfect vehicle to do this.” n For more information contact Karen Thorne
(Station Manager), Kim Clark (Advertising) or Thabo Bopape (Programming). T: 440 0448 / E: info@capetowntv.org.
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10 CityViews
October 2010
WHAT’S IN A BIKE?
Who rides bicycles? Why do they ride them? What do they love about using bicycles?
Photo of two authors, Stan Engelbrecht and Nic Grobler.
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his is the question which bike enthusiasts Stan Engelbrecht and Nic Grobler are asking South African bicycle commuters in their exciting photographic project bicycle portraits. Engelbrecht and Grobler are currently spending as much of their time as possible traveling through South Africa by bicycle to meet and photograph as many fellow cyclists as they can find. They are looking at who rides bicycles, why they ride them, and why they love using bicycles as a primary method of transport. “Nick and I share a passion for cycling,” Engelbrecht told City Views in a recent interview. “I love using my bike as a day-today tool. I am obsessed with bicycles, but not as an Argus type of cyclist. I love all aspects of bicycle culture, including mountain biking.
“I love the physical aspect of being fit. I love the freedom of bicycles and the technical aspect of mountain biking. I also love competing with myself.” Engelbrecht made his name in the book African Salad (see www. dayonepublications.com.) For the new project, which they started at the beginning of 2010, Engelbrecht built himself a touring bike from an old 1980s racing bike frame. Bicycle Portraits is essentially a photographic social study of contemporary South African bicycle commuter culture. The duo have been raising funds to turn the project into a selfpublished full-colour hard-cover photographic book with the help of the pledge-for-reward social platform Kickstarter. The pair have been shooting the entire
project from their own bicycles while travelling around the country. “We want to tell the story of South Africans who use a bike as a means of getting around. We are meeting everyday South Africans out there while they use their bicycles,” Engelbrecht said. He stressed: We are not photographing people who ride purely for exercise or recreation, but those who use bikes as an integral tool in their day-to-day existence. We have noticed that, in South Africa, especially in the major centres, very few people use bicycles as a mode of transport. This is very strange since we have no proper public transport infrastructure, and that which does exist is expensive and unsafe. Given all the benefits of cycling – independence, fitness, cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness – we would love to encourage the use of bicycles in South Africa amongst all social classes. They’ve also noticed, through this project, that, as the major centres develop, there still seems to be a trend to make cities more friendly for cars, not people. “While this might be happening in many places around the world, the effect on individuals seems to be very dramatic in a country like SA, where there is a growing divide between those who can afford motorized transport and those who struggle to. Owning a bicycle in this social climate can be very empowering if the correct infrastructure exists. “When you make a choice to use a bike, you put yourself in quite a vulnerable position. You could get run over or mugged. It is quite a dangerous place to be. South African cities are not very cycle-friendly. There are not many cycling lanes. “People who put themselves out there are making a brilliant choice for their environment. They have made a conscious decision to be part of a sub-culture. They are putting themselves out there.” Engelbrecht said he and Grobler have met fascinating people on their trip around the country. “Everyone is so open to us – especially
as we arrive to meet them on our own bikes.” Each of them have met individuals who stand out for them. “For me, it is a man called Mickey Abrahams, a homeless man from Woodstock,” says Engelbrecht. “He has a beautiful old bike, with wooden beams across it. Everything he owns is on those two beams. He has a crazy outlook on life, but such a philosophical way of looking at his situation. He explained to me that he is on a special journey. To me, this man has something. I was very drawn to his bike and to his outlook on life.” Grobler’s favourite character is a “beautiful old lady”, who is in her eighties called Stephanie Baker from Sunnyside. “She cycles every day with her basket and her handbag. She refuses to live her life in fear like other people.” The end product – a big, beautiful photographic book on South Africa’s bike community culture – will feature a photograph of each person featured, their location, what they have to say. What we want to say to people is look at these people who love bikes. Let’s join them and stop this crazy addiction to cars. That’s our longterm goal,” said Engelbrecht. Through publishing the book, the pair hope to help the underprivileged cycling community – through teaching bicycle maintenance skills, providing necessities like helmets, tyres, tubes and locks. “It would be great to create a support structure for the people who appear in the book,” Engelbrecht said. If you want to be kept up to speed on the project’s progress, keep a lookout on their site, on Twitter and on Facebook, where they will update followers on the launch of their next pre-ordering phase for the book. n For more information, visit the project’s Kickstarter
page - www.bicycleportraits.co.za/kickstarter And its constantly updated website www.bicycleportraits.co.za as well as the Twitter feed - www.twitter.com/bicycleportrait. For a Facebook page, search Bicycle Portraits.
Micky Abrahams Cnr. Douglas pl. and Victoria rd., Woodstock, Cape Town ‘I ride around on this bike. I bought it there in Goodwood. From some people there. I think 2 years, no, 3 years ago. I bought it so I can just go on with life. I’m short of breath - with the bike I can go further. I ride my bike every day. I ride to Cape Town central, Sea Point and all around. And Goodwood and Tyger Valley. I live out on the road. On heaven’s road. Out on the bushy ground, along the marsh where the rivers are. And places like that. I sleep out there at night. I hide my bike under the bushes when the thieves come around. Then they can’t find it. When they see I’ve got no stuff they move on. I have these planks tied to the bike here. It’s so I can pack stuff on top and tie it. Then I can at least get on with my life. You know, I love this bikey... its name is Tractor-Tractor. I live on my own. In my own heaven. Down on the ground. Then I live here, then I live there, all over. For 8 years already now I’ve been living all ‘round. I like it like this. But I have to get some ground for me again, a home. I have to build up a home to go on further with my life. So life goes on.’
Stephanie Baker Pretorius st., Arcadia, Pretoria ‘I’m limited to about a kilometer in view of my age, and I use it, well, certainly every other day... about a kilometer uphill in Pretorius street. I keep on the pavements, they’re in a terrible state with chunks missing, but cycling is awfully good for public relations. I know the area’s cleaners at the flats on my way to church - I get a greeting from them. The security men at the forensics place always wave, and going along to you sort of get to know people, often you see someone really looking quite gloomy and you sort of give a smile and say dumelang and get a smile back. I think it’s wonderful for public relations! I really do. I enjoy it, I’m happy on the bike. I don’t find this area hostile, I really don’t.”
CityViews 11
October 2010
central city
le fan mi
greenpoint
stadium
forshore
start here
Cycling in
ACE R G E P CA
waterfront
The Mother City “You live in the most beautiful city in the world.” These are my words, in between panting ever so slightly, to my eight-year-old boy, Tom, as we take in yet another glorious view of the Mother City.
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e are standing beside our bicycles at the top of a hill in the Bo-Kaap. The sun is setting. It’s the time of fasting, and, as evening kicks in, little clusters of Moslem people are making their way to and from each other’s houses with plates of food. Standing between the colourful homes, Tom and I are intriegued. I make a mental note to take a drive back here one evening so that his sister can also experience this small taste of Cape Town culture. I’ve brought Tom with me on a cycling tour – known as the Cape Town Evening by Bike trip - with the Bike & Saddle group. This is just one of their sightseeing options on a bike. Bike & Saddle CEO Gustav Erlank and operations manager Ben Sanders are our guides. They know and love the city and, from the minute we head off, regale us with anecdotes about the places we pass. The 13-km route, which starts daily at 4pm at the Cape Grace Hotel, takes guests on a circular trip through the Waterfront, past the Stadium, along the Fan Mile, through the city and back to the Cape Grace. Back at the hotel, we are told, we’ll be rewarded for
our exertions with bubbles and snacks, a prospect we all find enticing. With us this evening are a mixed bunch of people – a glamorous lady from Miami, who makes it clear she’s only ever cycled “on the flat”, but who is game for the outing, other tourists from all over the world, a couple of businessmen and a few journalists. With their fleet of about 40 bikes, Bike & Saddle makes sure they are family friendly on all their tours. “We take people from 7 to 70,” says Gustav. This particular tour – which he promises has only “two little hills” - aims to show some of the Central City and surrounds’ highlights and is for anyone who wants a different perspective on the Mother City. After a briefing with Gustav and Ben, we are helped with our choice of bikes. Then we head off on our two-hour excursion. The route moves from the Cape Grace along the harbour, where the cyclists are treated to a scenic view of the luxury liners and other boats – and even a few seals frolicking in the late afternoon sunshine. Tom, kitted out in all the appropriate safety gear, and thrilled with his bike, zooms ahead, exhilirated by the challenge. We make our way into the Waterfront and stop at Nobel Square, where statues of South Africa’s four Nobel Peace laureates are placed. We pull out our cameras and snap away at the figures of the late Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk. Then it’s off to the Green Point Stadium and the Urban Park, taking in such delights as the Green Point Lighthouse and the seething evening sea on the way. (The coffee shop at the lighthouse is, according to Gustav, one of the best kept secrets in Cape Town.) We take photographs of the beautiful Stadium in the evening
light, before moving into Somerset Road, making our way through the Cape Quarter and De Waterkant village and then into Buitengracht Street. Taking care to steer clear of the rush-hour traffic, we move into Bree Street, along the Fan Walk and then into the inimitable Long Street, which, true to form, has taken on its evening persona. We cycle slowly past all the restaurants, bars and coffee shops which are preparing for the evening ahead. I wish we could stay here and spend the evening, but we have other sights to see. We move into Longmarket Street and then past Greenmarket Square, where the traders are packing up for the evening. Again, there’s that convivial evening feeling about the place – and I’d love to stop and soak it up, or have a drink in one of the side cafes there. But cycle on we do – this time into Adderley Street, where the flower sellers are still at work.
“We end up with our sparkling wine and delicious canapés, sitting over looking the water at the Cape Grace. I promise myself to bring my next out of town visitors on this cycling trip. “ I realise I have never brought the children to visit this colourful market which is full of history and tradition. Ben tells us that the women who sell flowers earn their positions in the market through family ties and tradition. There’s an established system, an hierarchy that is as much a part of Cape Town as the mountain. I promise myself I will bring the kids to visit these charming women one Saturday morning. We cycle past Trafalgar Place and into the company’s Gardens. Then into Government Avenue, via Parliament, Tuynhuis and the National Gallery.
“That’s where the president works when he’s in Cape Town,” I tell Tom as we cycle past the beautiful gardens of Tuynhuis. “I know, Mom, you tell us that every time we come and feed the squirrels,” he says. I make another mental note to come back here soon, with peanuts, with both children, to do one of our favourite things – feed the squirrels and pigeons in the Company’s Gardens. Ben points out the statues of Jan Smuts and Queen Victoria and the world-renowned St George’s Cathedral as well as the Old Slave Lodge, and, again, I vow to come back to each of these landmarks, with children, on another day. We move into Queen Victoria Street, where Ben shows us the Whites Only bench that has been kept on the pavement to show people what apartheid was like. I show it to Tom and the questions start and, again, I know, we must return to this part of the city again. Then we cycle past the Cape High Court and the Palm Tree Mosque and start to make our way back to the Cape Grace, via the Bo Kaap. We have seen beautiful ships, we have seen Blouberg beach and Robben Island. We have seen landmarks – churches, mosques, courts and government buildings. We have seen statues, squares and museums. We have seen squirrels, pigeons and other birds. We have seen people. The people who inhabit the central city. We have seen structures which make our hearts sing – the Stadium, the new cycle infrastructure. Sixty percent of our ride has been on dedicated cycle lanes – “the best we can do with the re-
cent infrastructure,” says Gustav. He believes there is no better way of travelling. I agree. It’s a great way to see the city. We end up with our sparkling wine and delicious canapés, sitting over looking the water at the Cape Grace. I promise myself to bring my next out of town visitors on this cycling trip. And to come back to my list of things to do which I have acquired through learning on this trip. This is a great tour to do for teambuilding events as it’s both fun and informative. Contact Bike & Saddle Eco-Active Holidays Cape Town 021-426-2870 trips@bikeandsaddle.com www.bikeandsaddle.com www.bikeandsaddle.com
HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE CITY Have you done something fun and interesting in the Central City recently? Tried a new dance class or discovered a wonderful relatively undiscovered spot? Is there someone you have met – a retailer, an entrepreneur or an artist you would like to tell others about? Or have you discovered the perfect iced coffee, cocktail, nachos or burger? Let us know what excites you about the city. Or what makes your blood boil. We want to hear from you.
12 CityViews
October 2010
focus on
FOCUS ON
Local news
New South African movie – set in Cape Town – goes on Circuit
MY CAPE TOWN: REVEL FOX
My Cape Town: REVEL FOX
Film-maker Revel Fox’s newest script, “Long Street” went on circuit last month. Fox, who teaches film at the Media Studies Department of the University of Cape Town, has directed feature films, documentaries, commercials, music videos, multi-camera drama and music concerts. He has many prize-winning productions to his name, including the special jury prize at Tours film festival in France for his direction of “Sister”. “Long Street” was invited to the Mannheim Festival in Germany, where it was selected for development by a group of European producers. This film deals with addiction, healing and music.
What are your happiest memories of the place? RF The big events like the World Cup and the Jazz Festival – and the family being all together at Christmas time in the old farmhouse at Simonstown. What are your favourite design features of Cape Town? RF The Castle, The Bo-kaap, the City Hall, the Victorian architecture and the old Dutch farms. Which areas of design in the city could be improved upon? RF I would like to see the creation of beautiful, low cost houses and neighbourhoods. I would like to see a blending of the borders between the rich and poor. I would like to see any incentive that makes the city one city, a city for everyone. I would also like to see the protection of Cape Town’s character - in other words, applying rules to prevent money makers, investors and ambitious architects from knocking down the old and leaving Cape Town with their brand or with a flavour which future generations have to live with.
What do you love about Cape Town? RF Its beauty, its history, its vibrancy, its mix of people.
What are your favourite cities abroad? RF London, Paris and Lisbon, because I could live happily in any of those cities. I find most Italian cities beautiful. There is much of the world I have never seen.
What do you love doing in Cape Town? RF Exploring, sitting quietly, watching the people passing by, keeping close to the mountain or the sea.
What’s missing for you in Cape Town? RF Perhaps more spirit of it being one place, one community. A sense of being safe, to be able to walk, wander and explore, at all hours.
What building would you happily demolish in Cape Town? RF I’ve got used to many of the older constructions that I find unattractive, including many of the governmental buildings of the sixties and seventies - like the freeway near the harbour that cuts the city in two when you arrive by sea. I worry about the ones going up right now. There are many examples at the Waterfront: buildings which are too large in scale, too many, and built with no reference to the old Cape docks and its history. They don’t seem to mind turning the harbour into a theme park: it can become like any city in the world. Character cannot be manufactured. There are many castles of glass and concrete especially along the coastline that are odes to personal wealth and luxury. They take no care to fit in with the surrounding natural environment. Paul Newman (the actor) said he wanted to live in this world lightly, leaving very small footprints behind. I agree with that. If you could pass any law in the city, what would you do? RF Thou shalt not be unkind. What is the trait you like most about Capetonians? RF Their love of the city and the environment. Our cultural diversity. What is the trait you dislike most about Capetonians? RF I can’t generalise, but I like it when people show interest in everything and everyone. If you could choose to live anywhere else in the world where would it be?
RF London. Because I have and it worked for me.
If you had one piece of advice for tourists to Cape Town, what would that be? RF Get some tips from the locals. How have you integrated the city of Cape Town into your movie. RF I lived in England for a long time. So I had many years to think about home and especially Cape Town. I love the way the place has so much in a small area. The cultures gather here, San, Xhosa, Muslim, Christian and Jew. The Dutch, Portuguese, British - all these people have left their marks
“I always wish I could film the wind and the smell of the sea.” behind: music, culture, language, cuisine and textile. It all stands shoulder to shoulder, cradled in the most harmonious geometry of mountain, land and sea. I’ve tried to record what is here now, the reservoir, the unfinished highway, De Waal Park, the tiny alleys, harbour peers stretching out to sea. The changes are happening every day. Cape Town had a former life which is gone: there was a long promenade stretching out to sea. My grandfather won a diving competition at the end of it. I have made two films including as much as I can. I like the back alleys, the secret corners. I always wish I could film the wind and the smell of the sea. I have covered lots of the ground Jan Van Riebeek would have. In the Flyer, the boys were based in the lost city of District Six: the one we couldn’t save. I like to give a small sense of the real lives of people who live here. I have two more Cape films I’d like to do. Then I’ll be done.
Long Street, a new film, set in Cape Town, from South African director Revel Fox has been on circuit in selected cinemas. The film, which is based on the experience of Fox’s daughter Sia (Sannie Fox) and her struggle against drug addiction, is named after Cape Town’s Long Street. It tells the story of the relationship between Sannie and her mother Maria (Roberta Fox). With Long Street as the backdrop, it portrays the long journey the mother and daughter had to travel on their path towards reconciliation. In an unusual move, Fox cast his daughter Sannie and his wife Roberta - both well known actresses and singers in their own right – to play themselves in the movie. Of this decision, he says he wanted to direct a film that is both entertaining and helpful. On Long Street’s role, he said the street is the “spine” of the Mother City, a place where people congregate and where musicians practise.” Fox said Cape Town is a star in the movie, which records its “secret places” and its changing history. The movie was released on 24 September.