South Africa culture, information, Cape
Town, travel, accomodation western cape, holiday, tourism, tourist,
things to do, tourism, getaway
Want to experience South African culture? Just follow my eyes and
ears as I take you on a tour of my surroundings from the vantage
point of a sidewalk cafe in Cape Town’s historic heart, Long
Street. As someone once aptly put it, here you'll find an eccentric
mix of the historically beautiful to the hysterically ugly –
referring to the architecture – which in a strange way is
very similar to Cape Town culture. A good mix of cross culture that
embraces change and diversity with trimmings of the good and the
bad: crippling poverty and crime tipping over to endless opportunities
that hold the promise of prosperity; glue sniffing street children
bugging you amidst a musicians' song of hope, while a mullah calls
his people to prayers in the distance; from prostitutes, transvestites
and informal African traders to yuppies and hip models.
Yip, all of this staged right in front of me during my traditional
Friday afternoon drinking appointment with myself – I have
to admit that some Fridays I enjoy bigger moments of enlightenment
owing to the next-door table‘s special brand of home-grown
going up in smoke.
Cape Town is indeed the birthplace of South Africa's "Rainbow
Nation" – and yes, we are Africa's gay capital too. It
was to these shores that once convicted political prisoner Nelson
Mandela returned as liberator and father of a new nation in 1990
after serving 18 years of his 27 year in prison on Robben Island
– a daily visible reminder of our nation's troublesome past.
A nation born of a convergence of cultures – Whites, Blacks,
Indian, Malay, Arabic, Chinese, and other minorities – speaking
11 different languages, shaped by a history of oppression and apartheid.
Returning from exile artists, writers, musicians and politicians
brought fresh ideas and renewed inspiration. Today our nation serves
as an inspiration to the world, giving the "Cape of Good Hope"
true relevance.
I once heard someone say that visitors come to South Africa to
liberate their souls. I know people leave Cape Town inspired. Few
places on earth will you be as welcome as right here. Come and savour
our offerings of culture, whether in the streets, on stage, in galleries;
whether it be a show of life, opera, ballet, live music performances...
Even our approach to art is user-friendly and uncomplicated –
rather than cold "kunst" for an educated elite, art here
serves to liberate the mind and offers everyone the opportunity
to express their special brand of creativity, from the metal flower
seller on the street corner to the sculptor in his studio.
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