Posted on: June 29, 2010
CAPE TOWN’S HOTSPOTS REVEALED
Katja Hamilton
The World Cup Soccer is hotting up, and while the world’s best football teams are battling it out on South Africa’s pitches, don’t forget to come up for air every now and again and get your taste of the best that Cape Town has to offer.
Be a tourist in your own town and explore it with new eyes.
Paging through the “Your Guide to Cape Town A-Z” included in The Big Issue’s 2010 FIFA World Cup™ special edition, opened up my eyes to how much we have to enjoy right on our doorsteps. The guide features listings from art, bakeries and comedy clubs to restaurants, markets and coffee shops. Everything that you’ve always wanted to know about Cape Town’s coolest hotspots is in here.
I liked these entries: Under “Art”: “Do yourself a favour while you’re here and go check out the From Pierneef to Gugulective exhibition at the Iziko SA National Gallery. This large exhibition, up until mid-September, represents a timeline of South Africa’s history in art, from the time of the formation of the Union of South Africa a century ago to the present [Government Ave, CBD/021-467 4660].” And this one under “Takeaways” got my tastebuds going: “In what may well become a disputed fact, The Big Issue readers have rated Biesmiellah [2 Upper Wale, Bo-Kaap/021-423 0850] as the reigning queen of the veg roti, with Sunrise Chip Ranch [94 Main Road, Mowbray/021-689 3250] coming in at a close second.
“In what may well become a disputed fact, The Big Issue readers have rated Biesmiellah as the reigning queen of the veg roti.”
One entry under ‘Jazz’ that really intrigued me and that I’d love to try out some time is that of the Rainbow Room. “At the Mandela Rhodes Place Lifestyle Centre [23 Church Street, CBD/021-422 1428], [this is] where local and international jazz stars perform regularly, often along with up and coming youth acts.”
There are loads more hidden gems like these listed in the guide.
“It’s the first time we’ve done something like this. There’s been a nice response especially from the tourism industry. I’m happy with it and we got more than enough listings for the guide,” said editor of The Big Issue, Melanie Bendix.
The initiative was the result of Cape Town Tourism and The Big Issue calling on the people of Cape Town to participate in sourcing the content by sending in their suggestions across a variety of themes using Facebook and Twitter. They were encouraged to suggest anything that they would like a 2010 FIFA World Cup visitor to experience in Cape Town.
“There wasn’t a big response from non-White communities so we don’t have enough of what to do in the townships or in the Cape Flats because we couldn’t shape or control the way people were going to respond, so I had hoped to get more diversity. But for tourists the “Your Guide to Cape Town A-Z” offers them something completely different from what they’re used to,” says Melanie.
“I’ve done a fair amount of travelling and I know what it’s like to be in a place where there’s this whole tourist veil and you know there’s this whole scene going on behind there which you’re not really invited to or you don’t know about. I’ve always managed to crack that and sneak behind the tourist veil to check what the locals are really doing – that’s always the best part of travelling. That’s what I want to achieve with this guide. I want the tourists to see that part of Cape Town behind the official guidebooks, to know to go to The Kitchen [111 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock/021- 462 2201] for a sandwich for example or to the Eastern Food Bazaar [The Wellington building, Darling St, CBD/021-461 2458], which is the mega home of Eastern takeaway. A tourist wouldn’t normally know that because no one tells them in the guidebooks, not so this time.”
“I’ve done a fair amount of travelling and I know what it’s like to be in a place where there’s this whole tourist veil and you know there’s this whole scene going on behind there which you’re not really invited to.”
The Big Issue provides employment to over 400 vendors. They, in turn, support some 1,500 people.
“The vendors are ideally positioned to be tourism ambassadors. We feel certain that this useful guide will push up sales and directly benefit these people during the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Cape Town Tourism CEO, Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold.
So whether you’re a visitor to Cape Town, or like me, a local looking for a new way to experience Cape Town, look out for your Big Issue vendor and get a copy of the magazine today before July 9.
It’s only R18.
Posted on: June 12, 2010
WORLD CUP KICKOFF SO AYOBA!
Katja Hamilton
OH MY GOD! The World Cup Soccer is here! and boy has it been fantastic. From the moment I boarded the train from Kenilworth into town there was gees (spirit) and even more gees.
It was impossible to think that so many people could actually fit into one train car, but en-route to Cape Town CBD, the doors opened and more people packed in. We certainly did “make the circle bigger” as the unofficial World Cup slogan goes – and the vuvuzelas got louder and louder. It was amazing to see everyone so revved up for the big day, the rainbow-coloured wigs, face paint in the colours of the South African flag, yellow Bafana Bafana t-shirts.
I remember catching sight of a tourist’s face while we were waiting to board the train; he and his wife looked like they could’ve been from the UK: he had this huge smile and his eyes were filled with amazement as he gazed up and down the platform soaking in the reverie.
“His eyes were filled with amazement as he gazed up and down the platform soaking in the reverie.”
Once we got into town, about 1h30, I can say that I have never seen so many people in Cape Town Station. Disembarking from the train, I felt swept up in this whirlwind of faces, of energy, an undercurrent of bewilderment in the air. Once I got through the exit turnstiles I breathed out again! To be honest, getting to the entrance of the fan fest was a bit of let down.
Police were guarding the entrance – the venue had been filled to capacity and there was no way they were going to let anyone else in. The crowd waiting outside was restless, waiting for a moment when they could get through. The horses used for safety patrols were restless too; one struggled to stay under control. I feared being kicked in the head by one, he buckled as if to lift his front legs.
The crowd suddenly panicked and they reared back. I could see how quickly a crowd could suddenly turn into a stampede, and decided it wasn’t worth my life standing and waiting to get into the FIFA fanfest and went in search of greener pastures in the urban jungle. Somehow I had gotten into my head that Long Street might have a big screen for the screening of the SA vs Mexico game but again there was nada.
“Now where to now?” I thought.
I didn’t want to miss the game.
And then I remembered Safari Burger on Greenmarket Square, and when I got there I had my very own window seat from which to enjoy seeing the world pass by. They even have a full-screen plasma TV. Cheese burger and chips, good beer …this was the life, and slowly the café filled up. By the time the kickoff began there were people literally crawling through the windows to get in, sitting on the counters, others craning their heads in to see a glimpse of the action.
“By the time the kickoff began there were people literally crawling through the windows.”
Among those in the crowd was a man from Mitchells Plain with his wife and daughter, there was a Rastafarian with the most impressive dreadlocks and beautiful brown eyes with his girlfriend, the sweetest of Irish couples who were going to the Uruguay/French game at the Cape Town Stadium afterwards and their friend, a blonde girl who was completely bossies (crazy) screaming at the TV with all her might; I could imagine that if the TV screen had a will of its own it might have considered growing legs and getting itself the hell out of there 🙂
Wow, and when South Africa scored I thought the roof of the corner café was going to blow off! Vuvuzelas were blowing and there were shouts of sheer happiness – and we were all singing Shosholoza eventually – goosebumps, goosebumps… I have never experienced anything like that in my life. The city was a throbbing high wire of exhilaration. Wow wow wow! And boy did everyone want to party afterwards when we drew 1-1.
“We’ll take that as a win!” said the brother of the bossies’ girl who was hugging her Irish friends. He was high-fiving everyone.
That was so Ayoba!
Posted on: June 3, 2010
ENGLAND ARRIVES FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP
World Cup Organising Committee
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) would like to welcome the national team of England, who arrived in the country this morning for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
“It is a great privilege to be able to welcome England to our shores. England are one of the teams with a great FIFA World Cup tradition, with fanatical support wherever they play and at the World Cup in particular. Tickets for England matches have proved to be very popular and the Three Lions’ participation in the tournament is sure to add a great deal to the character of the event,” said Chief Executive Officer of the OC, Dr Danny Jordaan.
“I’m very pleased to be here and my team is happy to finally be in South Africa. I hope this World Cup in South Africa is good for this country and of course for England. We now have to concentrate on the tournament and prepare well for the event,” said England coach, Fabio Capello, on his arrival at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport this morning.
England will open their World Cup campaign at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium against the United States on 12 June, before making the trip to Cape Town to face Algeria on 18 June. Their final Group Match will be against Slovenia in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth on 23 June.
David Beckham of England arrives
Photo: Luigi Bennett/Backpagepix
Posted on: June 2, 2010
NIGERIA ARRIVES FOR WORLD CUP
World Cup Organising Committee
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) would like to welcome Nigeria’s Super Eagles who arrived in the country this morning for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Nigeria to South Africa for the World Cup as the first of the African teams, besides Bafana Bafana, to arrive in the country. As giants of African football I am sure they will do the continent proud at the World Cup,” said Chief Executive Officer of the OC, Dr Danny Jordaan.
“First of all, I feel very privileged to be here and to be part of this World Cup; the first World Cup in Africa. We are looking forward to what we hope will be a good tournament. The few weeks (since I took over) have been wonderful for me – the players’ attitudes have been great. We have had great preparations,” said Nigeria’s coach, Lars Lagerback.
“We have a very tough group, the quality of the opposition is very good and what I know is that all the teams want to win, but the Super Eagles are ready to take on the world’s best. We know there are high expectations, especially from our fans. If we give our 100%, we can beat any team. I am happy with everything so far,” continued Lagerback.
Nigeria will open their campaign in Johannesburg against Argentina on 12 June before playing Greece in Mangaung/Bloemfontein on 17 June. They will then finish off their Group Matches against Korea Republic in Durban on 22 June.
* Photo: Members of the Nigerian team disembark from their aircraft
Anesh Dibeky/Backpagepix
Posted on: May 27, 2010
BRAZIL TOUCHDOWN IN SOUTH AFRICA
World Cup Organising Committee
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC), represented by its Chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, welcomed Brazil’s Seleção as they arrived in the country this morning at OR Tambo International Airport for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
“I am very impressed by the Brazilian team. You can see that they are confident and serious about this tournament. There is only one thing the coach (Dunga) said when the team arrived and that is, ‘we are ready’. The arrival of Brazil gives great confidence to all South Africans that this World Cup is really happening,” said Khoza.
The five times World Cup champions will open up their campaign against Korea DPR at Ellis Park stadium on 15 June, moving to Soccer City stadium to play Cote d’Ivoire on 20 June. They will then travel to Durban to face Portugal on 25 June for their final Group Match.
Photo: Brazil fans in South Africa – Confederations Cup 2009
www.goal.com
SA Soccer 2010 
