Ten things I love about Cape Town
I just spent 12 days in Cape Town for the #cocreateSA project of the Dutch Consulate. It was the fourth time I visited this amazing city: time to share the 10 things I love most about Cape Town.
1. The setting
This amazing city has it all. It is close to the mountains and the beach is just minutes away. There’s literally no street without a view. The mix of African, English, Dutch and many more influences gives it a unique feel.
2. Food!
New restaurants and cafes pop up, familiar ones get even better. There’s so much choice of great food and wine, that you are almost ‘forced’ to eat out three times a day. Some of my favorites are: Cafe Paradiso (Beautiful house, amazing service), Kloof Street House (great food and decor), Truth Coffee (bulletproof coffee and healthy breakfasts) and Charango (Peruvian fusion food in a trendy atmosphere).
3. Friendly, outgoing people
We got invited to ‘board meetings’ (surfing on a Friday morning), hikes, dinners, parties, tours, workout sessions, viewpoints, sunsets, wine tasting, dance classes, receptions, walks, teas and cakes. Just because we were visiting Cape Town. Just because. Another thing I remarked is that South Africans share and admire our Dutch directness. Unlike the English, they don’t ‘beat around the bush’ but like to speak their minds, and appreciate it when others do so, too.
4. The favorable exchange rate
It results in unbeatable prices. You can have a full dinner in a trendy restaurants, including wine for less than €20. You can get an Uber taxi anywhere for less than €2 per trip. I am not much of a shopping addict myself, but quality, selection and prices are unbeatable.
5. Hiking
South Africans have a real outdoor mentality. Many go ‘trail running’, meaning they run up and down a trail before work that would take a ‘normal’ person like me hours of hiking at walking pace… However, I did manage to hike 2,5 hours up table mountain and enjoy the amazing view.
6. Rich history and culture
Not all of it is to be proud of, however, it needs to be shared for more awareness. Read my blog and contemplation about freedom after a visit to Robben Island Prison, where Nelson Mandela was kept as a political prisoner for 18 years.
7. Sunsets
With the backdrop of mountains and sea, each sunset is an event. Signal hill is a favorite spot. Bring some wine and ‘biltong’ and enjoy the amazing views and some quality time with your loved ones.
8. Climate
Summer in Cape Town is like our winter in Holland: spring like temperatures, cool nights, sunny days and an occasional rainy day. There is no time difference with Europe, meaning no jet lag after the (rather long, but direct) flight and no hiccups in communications and (virtual) meetings with Europe.
9. The entrepreneurial spirit
Almost half of young South Africans doesn’t have an official job. Still, they survive. That means they are doing things ‘off the grid’. Things that work. The right spirit is there, now imagine what these people could do if they had (access to) more resources.
10. Business opportunities
South Africa is a great place for Dutch companies to source talent: English as a native language, understanding of Afrikaans/Dutch, same time zone and very(!) favorable exchange rate.