November 2020
g n i t a e Cr agic M Every day
CONTACT US
PICTURE PERFECT CAPE TOWN
We trust you will enjoy this issue and let us know if you have any ideas for future publications. Please keep safe and best wishes. It is now already November and this year has proven to be challenging for every single person in the world. The positive attitude of individuals makes me proud and certain that we shall overcome all the obstacles that lie ahead in the coming year. Thank you for all your support and look forward to see you for a bumper December issue. DEON MYBURGH Editor-In-Chief
Email: dmyburgh32@gmail.com
EDITOR IN CHIEF/ PHOTOGRAPHER DEON MYBURGH ASSISTANT EDITOR/COORDINATOR TERRY GABRIEL
WELCOME TO THE MIRAGE Indulge mind, body and soul in the most exhilarating of sailing experiences a cruise aboard the Mirage, South Africa’s newest largest and safest private yacht. As one of the most spectacular additions to the V&A Waterfront in recent years, the Mirage is a marvel of five-star service, gourmet dining and ultimate relaxation. Feel the thrill of adrenaline as you slice through Cape Town’s waters, in search of your next adventure. See the splendour of the Mother City laid out before you, in all her breath taking, scenic glory. Sail with us during the day or at sunset, on a private function or at an event, and journey beyond the horizon to a place of unsurpassed luxury and unparalleled pleasure.
THE YACHT Constructed by renowned yacht builders, Matrix Yachts, the Mirage is nothing less than a feat of nautical engineering – a 76-foot luxury catamaran, customised to withstand the capricious weather conditions of the Cape, and purpose-built to host a range of corporate events, special occasions and private functions. From top to bottom, the Mirage is uniquely capable of offering five-star experiences in every form, thanks to its generous layout and extravagant features: Stretch out on the Mirage’s ample double deck configuration, featuring a vast saloon area on the bridge deck level, and an expansive flybridge on the upper deck. Stick to the deck, and take advantage of the large contemporary bar, enough seating for 60 people, and huge open area, perfect for dancing, theatrics or more. Move upstairs to the flybridge, and revel in the prestige of it all, with VIP
seating for passengers,
unobstructed views of the Cape’s breathtaking vistas, and a second bar for the ultimate in convenience, service and personal attention. Enjoy complete comfort at all times with three large, luxuriously fitted bathrooms, accessible via stairs leading into the hulls from the saloon. Tantalise
your tastebuds with a delectable variety of gourmet cuisine,
prepared on board in either the Mirage’s fully-equipped commercial grade kitchen, or its two large stainless steel outdoor grills on the aft deck. Bask in the fortifying rays of the African sun on the catamaran’s front netting and trampoline area – either while improving your tan, or while seated on tailor-made decking, perfectly built to host weddings, live entertainment, and other special occasions.Savour a premier sailing experience no matter what the weather, with semi-enclosed saloon and flybridge awnings providing protection from varied weather conditions. And above all, enjoy complete peace of mind thanks to the Mirage’s watertight safety features, designed and built to the highest code prescribed by South African Marine Safety Authority, Passenger Ship Class VI. The epitome of excellence, every sleek inch of the Mirage as been built with your enjoyment in mind – a vessel designed to take you beyond the ordinary, to a place of exceptional quality, and incomparable luxury.
Enjoy a spectacular sunset on South Africa's biggest most luxurious yacht.
Nothing beats watching the sun go down while sipping on some local sparkling wine. Cape Town is most definitely the best location to watch the sun go down from the water. With the sheer beauty of Table Mountain, this is a “must-do” when visiting Cape Town. As you step onboard and you’ll immediately see why the Mirage holds the title of being the largest and safest private yacht in the V&A Waterfront – because with a meticulously constructed, wonderfully spacious layout, and a highly trained, responsive crew to attend to your every need, you’ll be able to stretch out and enjoy your sailing experience with complete peace of mind. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, or simply want to enjoy the crisp sea air, the flybridge beckons, a perfect vantage pointfrom which to take in unparalleled views of mountains above and dolphins below. And if you’re thirsty for more extravagance, simply make your way to the full-service bar, stocked with beverages, fine wines, and gourmet coffee. The price per person is R400. Cruise Includes A glass of Bubbles on arrival 1 and a half hour cruise Full-Service Bar that accepts cash and card Please note no catering is done on a Sunset Cruise, this service is only available on private charters. We only operate over the weekends Friday to Sunday and public holidays during this Covid Season. During school holidays we open from Thursday to Sunday. Bookings can be made 24 hours in advance. To book, please call us on 071 428 1126 or info@miragecatamaran.com
Make your birthday unforgettable this year or plan a fabulous party for a loved one with your own personal yacht for the day. Yacht parties are at the top of the list of amazing birthday party ideas in Cape Town, with atmosphere and luxury unlike any other. You’ll be the star of the party as you and your friends enjoy a beautiful day or evening on the water. Event-specific menu offerings prepared by on-site chef customizable bar packages including topshelf liquor and fine local & international wines. Entertainment
offerings
to
create
the
party
atmosphere you are looking for, from DJ’s to Live Performances, even theatrical productions. Transform the space to reflect your vision and theme for the event with interior design and decorating experienced team to assist you. The Mirage Yacht Charters of Cape Town makes you the captain of the finely-appointed yacht for a day so you can enjoy a truly spectacular birthday. Arrange
your
favorite
foods,
entertainment,
decorations and theme, and invite your friends to join you for the best birthday ever.Whether you are planning your own fabulous birthday party, or you are planning a party for a friend, parent, child, sibling, spouse or colleague, The Mirage Yacht Charter’s helpful staff will assist you in planning each detail.
When it comes to hosting your next Business Networking Meeting, why settle for the generic, when you could host your upmarket networking event on South Africa’s Biggest most luxurious yacht, The Mirage. The usual corporate gatherings is held in a hotel conference room or ballrooms. They pretty much look and feel the same. To truly spark and inspire your networking group or to impress current potential clients, you need a venue that breaks the mold. And that is where The Mirage Networking cruise comes cruising in! The journey will take you to Granger Bay, about a 15min cruise. This is a perfect opportunity for some open networking to get to know the different businesses on the yacht. Once we have anchored at Granger Bay the formalities would start and shortly after breakfast will be served.
Groot Constantia is nestled in the fertile Constantia Valley. It is here that we believe
time
should
be
taken
to
first
understand and then consume our awardwinning wines. The new Visitors Route offers a circular self-guided route of the heritagerich core of the wine estate. Activities
offered
on
the
Visitors
Route
include exploring the original Cape Dutch Manor House. One can also visit the famed Cloete Cellar which is the birthplace of Grand Constance. Go wine tasting and sample their world
class
wines
and
experience
a
chocolate and wine pairing. Enjoy a world – class cuisine at one of their fine restaurants. A trip to the wine museum and cultural history museum is recommended and be inspired by South African art. There is also free audio walking tours of the vineyards and modern-day production cellar.
In 1685, during an annual visit to the Cape, Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein granted the grounds of Groot Constantia to Simon van der Stel the VOC Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Van der Stel built the house and used the land to produce wine as well as other fruit and vegetables, and for cattle farming. Following Van der Stel's death in 1712 the estate was broken up and sold in three parts: Groot Constantia; Klein Constantia; and Bergvliet. In 1779 the portion of the estate including Van der Stel's Cape Dutch-style manor house was sold to the Cloete family, who planted extensive vineyards and extended and improved the mansion by commissioning the architect Louis Michel Thibault. The wine cellar was added by Cloete in 1791.The house remained in the possession of the Cloete family until 1885, during which period the estate became famous for its production of Constantia dessert wine. In 1885 Groot Constantia was purchased by the government of the Cape of Good Hope and was used as an experimental wine and agricultural estate. Following a disastrous fire in 1925 the house was extensively restored after the manor house completely burnt down. Funds were raised to reconstruct it to its original Cape Dutch splendour.
In 1969 the manor house became part of the South African Cultural History Museum, and in 1993 the estate passed into the ownership of the Groot Constantia Trust. The exhibition in the house is managed by Iziko South African Museum, and is particularly focused on rural slavery and the life of slaves during the early Cape colonial period. Today, other estates have joined Groot Constantia to form the scenic Constantia wine route. These estates include Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig, Steenberg, Constantia Glen, Eagles Nest and High Constantia.Groot Constantia’s rich history shows how one man’s love of wine established South Africa's first wine farm more than 330 years ago and how those 891 morgen of land formed the origins of the commercial South African wine industry, with Emperors and Kings such as Frederick the Great of Prussia and Louis Phillipe (King of the French) buying 'Constantia Wyn' at auctions across Europe. South Africa's oldest wine became so renowned it appears in Jane Austen's novel 'Sense and Sensibility' as a cure for a broken heart and is drunk to lift a character’s spirit in 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' by Charles Dickens. Perhaps it even soothed Napoleon as it was served during his exile on the island of Saint Helena.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT GROOT CONSTANTIA Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa. In July 1685, when Simon van der Stel was the governor of the Cape of Good Hope, he was granted the title to about 763 hectares of land by the ruling Dutch East India Company. Van der Stel, who owned vineyards back in the Netherlands, used the land for viticulture, as well as cattle farming. Following the death of Simon van der Stel, the farm was divided up into three parts: Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, and Bergvliet. Constantia Wyn gets a mention in literature Under the ownership of the Cloete family (1779 – 1885), the estate became well known for its production of dessert wine, known as Constantia Wyn. This esteemed sweet wine, which gets a mention in the works of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, fetched high prices at European auctions. While in exile, Napoleon had 30 bottles of the stuff shipped to St Helena every month! In 2003, the estate began producing its famous dessert wine – now called Grand Constance – for the first time since the 1880s. The original wine cellar boasts a pretty important sculpture When Hendrik Cloete took over the farm in 1779, he started upgrading and adding to the buildings on the property. One of the first buildings he erected was the Wine Cellar. The sculpture on the pediment of this building, The Rape of Ganymede, created by renowned German sculptor Anton Anreith, is regarded a historically important sculpture in South Africa.
The government bought the farm for a mere £5275 in 1885. Towards the end of the Cloete period, the vineyards suffered major setbacks. In 1859, powdery mildew destroyed many of the estate’s vines. This disaster was followed by an infestation of Phylloxera — a root louse — that plagued the vineyards for over a decade. When the farm was put up for auction in October 1885, it sold for £5275, which was a paltry sum compared to the £18 750 paid for the farm in 1824. The Manor House was almost destroyed in 1925 , a fire destroyed much of the historic Cape Dutch Manor House. At the time the farm, which was governmentowned, was used as an experimental wine farm. The fire forced the government to rethink the property and the house was restored under the chairmanship of the architect Franklin Kendall. These days, the Manor House is home to an exhibition of furniture, paintings, ceramics and copperware from the 18th and 19th centuries. Exhibitions on the estate also focus on the history of wine-making and the lives of rural slaves during the colonial period.
The popular hop on hop off double-decker red bus is known for being one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways of getting to Table Mountain and Cape Town’s other top attractions. The family-friendly City Sightseeing bus offers audio information about the journey in 15 languages, and even boasts an audio channel especially for children.The iconic red bus is an experience everyone should enjoy at least once, tourists and locals alike. Take the Red City Tour around the city and get your Table Mountain Cableway tickets directly from your bus driver to avoid the queues.The Blue Mini Peninsula Tour, Yellow Downtown Tour and Purple Wine Tour are all also highly recommended and included in your one or two day ticket. LaGuGu township tour offers a unique experience of Langa and Gugulethu and if you’re looking for something a little different, hop off the bus and try a City Sightseeing bus or a Harbour Cruise.
SAFETY FIRST Safety is a major priority when travelling on any City Sightseeing tour and stringent measures have been put in place to keep guests safe.Safety measures such as mandatory use of masks by staff and passengers.Temperature checks at entrance to all buses, boats and ticket offices.Buses are cleaned frequently throughout the day and deep cleaned every night.Hand sanitiser available at all touch points.The ticket office will be sanitised regularly.Limited capacity on the bus with strict social distancing protocols.Starting off with weekends and public holidays, the Red Bus will be on the streets of Cape Town again, unlocking the secrets of the city and again showing off her beauty to Capetonians who have been confined to their homes for more than 4 months.
The Cape Town City Sightseeing’s open-top, double-decker buses take you to Cape Town’s must-see attractions. A single ticket gets you to access to all the tour stops, with the power to hop-on and hop-off at your own pace. Choose to spend all day at a sight, or visit the whole tour’s offering, as each ticket gives you access to marked pickup and drop-off points where buses come around regularly. Ride on the top deck to capture the picture-perfect scenery, or relax on the bottom deck when the weather is tricky. Along the way, enjoy the complimentary audio guide that’s available in 15 different languages and packed with useful info and insider tips. City Sightseeing is a worldwide operation, with a hop-on, hop-off network that covers almost 100 cities worldwide. The concept of offering design-your-own sightseeing adventure came about in 1999 with the first tour offered in Seville, Spain. Today, the company is one of the most recognised brands in travel, with its well-known red and yellow double-decker buses attracting hundreds of visitors each year across the globe. As a special post lock down re-start offer, we bring you the Classic 1 Day Hop on Hop Off ticket at only R 179 per adult! We will ensure social distancing on the bus and bring you back safe and sound after a great outing, giving you the chance to fall in love with Cape Town all over again. You can buy your ticket at our ticket office at the V&A Waterfront, or right here on our website for contactless entry.South African Adults aged 18 and up: R179 (One day Hop on Hop Off - valid until 15 December 2020)South African Children aged 4-17: R 90
HOUT BAY Hout Bay (Afrikaans: Houtbaai, meaning "Wood Bay") is a seaside suburb of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is situated in a valley on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, twenty kilometers south of the Central Business District. The name "Hout Bay" can refer to the suburb, the bay on which it is situated, or the entire valley. The area was originally made up of two farms, which were slowly subdivided to make way for urban expansion. While still maintaining its rural atmosphere, the area of Hout Bay has more than 5,960 residences inhabited by a population of at least 17,900 people (as of 2011).
Hout Bay is surrounded by mountains to the north, east and west and the southern Atlantic Ocean to the south. In the north, it is bordered by Table Mountain National Park comprising the Orangekloof Nature reserve and the bottom slopes of Table Mountain beyond that. To the north-west, it is bordered by the backside of the Twelve Apostles, known as the Oranjekloof. To the west, it is bordered by Little Lion's Head, Karbonkelberg, Kaptein's Peak and The Sentinel. To the east it is bordered by the Vlakkenberg, Skoorsteenskopberg and Constantiaberg. Chapman's Peak Drive is carved out of the mountainside and leads towards Noordhoek and onwards to Cape Point. The sheltered bay of Hout Bay has a white sand beach, an attraction for tourists and locals alike. Hout Bay has one of the busiest fishing harbours in the Western Cape with an established tuna, snoek and crayfish industry. The harbour is home to the Hout Bay Yacht Club and several restaurants.
There are three roads leading to and from Hout Bay, all over mountain passes. One goes to Llandudno and Camps Bay through the pass between Judas Peak (part of the Twelve Apostles) and Little Lion's Head. This pass is known as "Suikerbossie" (known as the toughest hill on the Cape Argus Cycle Race). Between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, there is Chapman's Peak Drive, which was closed for many years and finally reopened in early 2004 with a controversial toll booth. Lastly, a road leads to Constantia over the Constantia Nek pass between Vlakkenberg and the back slopes of Table Mountain. As a historic and still-working fishing village, Hout Bay's local colour and scenery make it a tourist attraction among both local and international visitors. There are a variety of restaurants in the village as well as two hotels (the Hout Bay Manor and the Chapman's Peak Hotel), a number of bed and breakfasts and self-catering accommodation options. The harbour has restaurants, fresh fish outlets and craft stores, with views of the bay and boat rides to Duiker Island and around The Sentinel. Chapman's Peak Drive is a scenic mountain drive and underwent renovations to ensure the safety of travellers using the route.The East and West forts built by the Dutch in the 18th century can also be visited, with the original cannons and barracks still standing on the slopes of Chapman's Peak. The East Fort is the oldest operating gun battery in the world. The mountains surrounding Hout Bay also have hiking trails. In the same area is a bronze statue of a leopard on a rock at the water's edge, looking out over the ocean. One can find the Hout Bay Yacht Club situated in the working harbour and provides moorings for both recreational, fishing and sailing boats.
Hout Bay has several attractions, and receives a high number of visitors, especially on weekends and during peak season in the Christmas school holidays. Traffic builds up quickly and the small village can be congested by midday. Apart from the many famous view points and geographical sites, Hout Bay also has many restaurants like Mariner's Wharf and Fish on the Rocks near the harbour as well as the internationally acclaimed fine dining restaurant La Colombe. The World of Birds is a bird sanctuary and zoo found along Valley road which is commonly visited by families with young children. Hout Bay Museum has a small information centre located on its premises. The Hout Bay Harbour market and the Lions Club Sunday market are two of the places which are frequently visited during this busy time. The markets are used by both tourists and locals alike and offers handmade arts and crafts as well as a variety of foods.
The TwoOceans Aquarium opened its doors for the first time to visitors on 13 November 1995 and immediately became a place for local and international families and travellers to enjoy. The Aquarium’s 25-year history is one dappled with great achievements and a steady rise in recognition, not only in the international aquarium industry, the wide-spread conservation and education community, but also in the South African and international tourism industry. Over the years, the Aquarium has elevated its presence within the conservation and education community by continuously educating future generations about the wonders of the oceans as well as the impact of humans on the marine environment. At the beginning of 2020, the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation (NPO/PBO) was established. Through the Foundation, the Two Oceans Aquarium will continue to build on the conservation and education work it has done since 1995 and will continue to grow and expand its efforts in these fields in order for marine-related education and conservation to always have a place within the South African economy, community, culture and traditions and mind set.
The opening of the I&J Ocean Exhibit in 2016 saw the Aquarium expand its footprint to its current capacity. This does not mean that the Aquarium will stop growing. Inside the building things are always changing and will continue to change in the years to come. Updates, refurbishing and restructuring of exhibits along with the introduction of new exhibits, are always a top priority for the Aquarium team. So, keep an eye out for future developments. With 25 years of being a local and international favourite under its belt, the Aquarium along with its staff, partners, volunteers and members look forward to tackling the next 25 years with the same gusto, passion and love as they have before. We always love to sea you!
NU METRO CANAL WALK
Visit www.numetro.co.za to book your seat **NU METRO HAS IMPLEMENTED EXTENSIVE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN ALL THEIR CINEMAS TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF MOVIEGOERS AND STAFF – INCLUDING SOCIAL DISTANCING, HYGIENE, SANITISING AND OTHER ENHANCED PROTOCOLS IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS. VIEW NU METRO’S FULL SET OF PROTOCOLS HERE HTTP://NUMETRO.CO.ZA/COVID-19 NU METRO CINEMAS ARE CURRENTLY ONLY OPEN FRI-SUN AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. FOR MOVIE SHOWTIMES, MOVIE INFO AND TO BOOK TICKETS SAFELY FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME, PLEASE GO TO HTTP://NUMETRO.CO.ZA OR CALL 0861 246 362 FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
C CA AP PE E T TO OW WN N H HI IS ST TO OR RY Y
C CA AP PE E T TO OW WN N H HI IS ST TO OR RY Y