uA beautiful victory for Cape Town, a goal from which the rebirth of the city can start. An eco-sustainable renaissance, because the South African legislative capital was recently ranked 12th in the “Sustainable Cities Index” report Of Corporate Knights, out of 50 cities in the world and the first in Africa. Not only for investments in renewable energy plants, but also for resilience, thriving agriculture, 20 nature reserves, 14 parks and 307 kilometers of coastline with seas rich in marine biodiversity (at least 37 species of whales and dolphins) where the warm currents of the Atlantic and the cold ones of the Benguela cross. A must visit this season, at the end of the Southern Hemisphere summer.
Elevated oblique view of exterior facade at dusk. Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa. Architect: Heatherwick Studio, 2017.
See whales in South Africa
“We once thought marine scientists could change the world, then we realized we couldn’t do great things with grants alone. So we started creating experiences for travelers who seek insights and support our mission: to keep the oceans healthy,” says Justin Blake, marine biologist and founder of Rockhopper Fund, nonprofit organization. They collaborate with research institutes that they monitor marine fauna and offer tours by car or helicopter along the coastal “Whale Route”.beyond the protected reserve of Cape Point up to Hermanus: a former fishing village, among the best destinations in the world according to the World Wildlife Fund for the observation of whales, in particular of the giant southern right whales, about 15 meters long and also visible from the coast.
THEThe best time is from June to November, because they migrate from the freezing Antarctic waters. “The humpback often swims around the city, repeatedly leaping out of the water,” Blake continues. Optionally, you can book a boat trip with the experts for a close encounter or try to spot them on your own from the coast or from elevated points. As Table Mountain, one of the oldest mountains in the world, full of hiking trails, but also Chapmans Peak, Boyes Drive or Slangkop at Lion’s Head, among the most scenic places. The inhabitants here are so attached to the sea that they have coined the term sundowners: at sunset time it is inevitable to find yourself by the sea, on the sand or on the flat rocks, for a picnic or a do-it-yourself appetizer. At Bakoven Beach, Clifton, Camps Bay, Saunders Rock. A ritual for true Capetonians.
The tail fin of a cetacean in front of the city of Cape Town. (Getty Images)
Knowing how to receive the gifts of the earth
Sustainability means not only respecting the environment, but also support local communities, preserving their socio-cultural identity ethically and in communion with nature. Today’s traveler feeds on special experiences linked to the territory. Among the more unusual in Cape Town, a visit to one of the 100 community gardens created by Abalimi Bezekhaya, the Moya we Khaya (“Home spirit”) in a township in Khayelitsha, about 30 minutes from downtown.
A community garden in Cape Town. (Getty Images)
«We need to let people know that food comes from the land and not from shopswe are always here, fighters» says “mama” Christina Kaba, founder of the association, welcoming emblem of the “Mother City”, as Cape Town is defined, already named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the South African Department of Agriculture. Her program has grown from a small patch of municipal land to providing food security and income to thousands of families across the Western Cape, offering plots to cultivate (“people have no land, despite having hands and energy”) and educating young people to find a commercial outlet.
Many well-known chefs source from them as well as non-profit organizations and hotels, such as Uthando and Belmond Mount Nelson, organize guided tours for guests, visits to vegetable gardens, meetings with mama Christina and the opportunity to choose your favorite fresh produce. Maybe then cooked by the young souschef Brinelle Cunningham in a Harvest Lunch, a lunch based on local organic ingredients, to be enjoyed on a table suspended from the branches of a Banyan Treand secular in the park of the hotel. Among roses, tea trees, aloe trees, palm trees.
In the gardens of Cape Town
The same vegetation that is found in the Silvermine Nature Reserve and in Kirstenbosch Gardens, 36 hectares in a blaze of plants and blooms, also in Cape Town. It is no coincidence that South Africa is the third country in the world, after Indonesia and Brazil, for biodiversity. To admire many King Protea, on the other hand, an ancient flower and symbol of the country, goes to the Cape Floral Kingdom, near Hermanus, and then stop at Creation Wines, in HemelenAarde: a winery already in the top ten of the World’s Best Vineyards, and a model of sustainability involved in humanitarian initiatives and fundraising for schools and research. A small corner, beautiful and good, of paradise. To be sipped slowly, as is done with important wines and precious moments.
The King Protea, the national flower of South Africa.
When fashion is eco-friendly
«I love to combine attention to detail with sustainability, refinement with authenticity, design with helping the community. The city, already elected World Design Capital, is very creative, involved in helping locals. We all support communities. You have to be responsible with your life, expect a conscious change even in fashion» he explains Syndiso Khumaloa young South African fashion designer, already winner of the Lvmh Prize for its innovative vision, accompanied by the desire for responsible and local production. Sindiso, who draws all the motifs and prints on its fabrics in watercolor, while showing internationally, he chose to live and produce in the capital, employing a team of local women and collaborating with various NGOs. Her garments can be found at Merchants on Longamong the trendiest boutiques, alongside those of other South African talents such as Thebe Magugu, Isabel de Villiers and also Hanneli Rupert, who with her accessories brand Okapi has an eco approach and works with various communities.
Cape Town city of art
Another key to understanding Cape Town’s culture is its artistic scene: visit the Norval Foundation, a futuristic pavilion that houses the private collection of the family of the same name, on the slopes of Mount Constantiaberg and the Zeitz MOCAA Museumto admire temporary exhibitions and permanent works by African talents in a former silo at the V&A Waterfront. Next door, Watershed, once a warehouse and now a large space for about 400 independent fashion and home accessories brands, many of which combine tribal culture, modernity and the ability to work with recycled materials, such as Maiden Africa or Growbag Upcycled. It is the ability of many local designers, who have workshops in redeveloped neighborhoods, such as Woodstock, where on Saturday mornings one stops at the Neighborgoods Market, next to the Old Biscuit Mill, to browse through vintage objects, handcrafted jewels and fashion items made with organic fabrics. Between colors, music, prints, drawings and smiles. Those that are then found in the daily life of the city streets.
Where to sleep in Cape Town
The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel with Table Mountain in the background. (Press Office)
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
“The Pink Lady”, one of the most exclusive and historic hotels in Cape Town, active in environmental and humanitarian initiatives, is also loved for its Afternoon Tea and for the tropical park where you can enjoy the Harvest Lunch on a suspended table. Gastronomic news, with chefs Liam Tomlin, to revive the Grill Room, and the award-winning Vusi Ndlovu, founder of the Edge restaurant and promoter of traditional African culinary culture, in particular of braii (similar to barbecue) but in a contemporary version. Double from around 600 euros. www.belmond.com
Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
A few rooms in a refurbished two storey Victorian style building, with a private home atmosphere. Double from 450 euros. more.co.za/capecadogan
Where to eat
Kloof Street House
Casual restaurant in a historic home, also for aperitifs and brunch in the garden. The bar was made with vintage suitcases. kloofstreethouse.co.za
The Conscious Kitchen
Vegetarian restaurant. Inside there is also a sustainable fashion shop and organic beauty products. theconsciouskitchen.com
Salsify at the Roundhouse
In a period building, with panoramic windows overlooking Camps Bay and Lions Head, it offers the creative cuisine of chef Ryan Cole. salsify.co.za
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