CULTURE, HISTORY AND POLITICS

Includes….
In Footprints of Nelson Mandela

Cape Town is where most of our known history began.
After Stone Age Khoi settlers and San Bushmen, came the Dutch, the British and many others. The South African nation was born. Apartheid was a big blot in our history. In the early 1990’s we had a ground-breaking transformation to Democracy and Nelson Mandela became President.

Cape by Design Tours will show you our culture, history and politics in a way, which is insightful and illuminating. We’ll take you to places a little off the normal tourist route and enrich your experience and understanding of our country.

 

MANDELA’S LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

South Africa lived under repressive Apartheid rule for over 50 years. Laws divided people according to race. The ANC was banned, Nelson Mandela and many others went to prison. Mandela spent 27 years in Robben Island and other prisons. In February1990 all this changed when the ANC was unbanned and Nelson Mandela finally left prison.

Through Mandela’s commitment to peace and reconciliation, our democracy has become a shining example to the world.

Cape by Design Tours will create a tour, which brings the story of our political  transformation to life. Some places we visit:

• Robben Island: where Mandela spent 17 years as a political prisoner.
• Now a World Heritage site and museum.
• The Houses of Parliament where Apartheid laws were passed and Nelson Mandela’s banning was announced in 1963. On 2nd February 1990, President F.W. De Klerk’s historic speech announced the planned release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC.
• Newlands Rugby Stadium, the place of the semi-final of the 1995 World Cup, as seen in the film Invictus.
• Pollsmoor Prison where Mandela spent 8 years after Robben Island.
• Groot Drakenstein Prison in the Winelands. Mandela’s last two prison years were in a house at this prison. On 11 February 1990 Nelson Mandela became a free man after 27 years and ended his Long Walk to Feedom from here.
• Be photographed with the life size statue of him, marking this momentous day.
• Cape Town City Hall balcony ,where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech as a free man on 11 February 1990 and preached peace and reconciliation to  fellow South Africans and the world.

THE FULL NELSON MANDELA TOUR

Nelson Mandela grew up in the Eastern Cape in the area called Transkei. The Nelson Mandela Museum has been created at three places closely linked to his roots; Qunu, Mveso and Mqhekezweni. This area has the making of a pilgrim’s route.
In the Footprints of Nelson Mandela - a journey to the Transkei, is an added 2- or 3- day tour option.

As a journalist during these incredible and transformational years of South Africa’s history, specialist guide Jacqui Braunlich witnessed the changes first hand and met Mr Mandela. Hence she is well qualified to guide such tours.

We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult one. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion is just beginning………………………Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

 

ROOIBOS AND ROCK ART:

Off the beaten track and far away from the usual tourist attractions is a wonderful wilderness area called the Cederberg.
It is the only place in the world where Rooibos tea grows and the place where you will find more Bushman rock art than anywhere else in South Africa. We have a team of specialist guides who will show you wonderful rock art and ensure a rich experience.

Cape by Design Tours offers a combination any of the following:

• Rooibos tea farm visit with tea tasting.

• The Cedarberg is effectively an outdoor gallery of hundreds of rock art sites of the San people (bushmen). A local guide will show you some of these well-hidden treasures.

• Worth a visit is Khwa Ttu, a San Culture and Education Centre, established to honour the ancient beliefs and customs of the San.

 

WEST COAST: There’s many a hidden Gem in this unspoilt part of our country.

Flower Safari where you get to witness some of nature’s best floral displays in the spring months of August and September. 
 
Wildlife Safari see eland, bat eared foxes, bontebok, ostriches and more wild animals roaming among the spring flowers.

West Coast Fossil Park; a fascinating display of fossils of extinct animals such as the sabre-toothed tiger and short-necked giraffe.

EARLY CAPE MAN:

Spend a day around Cape Town learning about little known archaeological sights, which tourists rarely get to see.

Our specialised guides make the stories come alive:

• Visit a Stone Age cave where a fossilised skeleton and early Stone Age artefacts have been found.
• Discover evidence of Strandloper middens and fish traps near Cape Town.
• View an outstanding exhibit telling the story of our early hunter-gatherers whose presence here long preceeded that of Europeans.

LIGHTHOUSES AND SHIPWRECKS OF THE CAPE OF STORMS:

In the 15th Century, the Portuguese seafarers named Cape Town the Cape of Storms. Many a brave ship went down around our coast and we have at least 300 wrecks around the Cape Peninsula. That’s why we have 6 lighthouses in Cape Town and a further 42 lighthouses in South Africa.

A Cape by Design Tour could include:

• A close look at a wreck or two.
• Stories such as the Flying Dutchman and his phantom ship, which had several sightings off Cape Point.
• A tour with a lighhouse keeper.
• For the serious lighthouse lover, a trip further up the coast to Cape Agulhas offers more lighthouses along the way.

 

CAPE DUTCH EXPERIENCE:

In the Western Cape, we have a unique and graceful style of architecture, which began when the Dutch arrived. It is reminiscent of townhouses of Amsterdam, built with local materials and suited to our conditions. The typical style has gables, an H- or U- floor plan, lime washed walls and Cape reed thatch.

Fortunately many beautiful examples still exist and Cape by Design Tours would love to take you on a visit to these gracious homes:

• Groot Constantia, the original home of its kind, built by Simon van der Stel in 1685. Now a museum with Manor house, wine cellar, outbuildings and lovely walks with great views.
• Vergelegen in Somerset West, a splendidly restored home of Cape Dutch elegance with exquisite trees and exceptional gardens.
• A private homestead not normally open to the public.
• An outdoor museum, which shows the development of the Cape Dutch and vernacular style.

ART, ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES:

Our rich history, beautiful people and expansive landscapes are reflected in much of our art. 

Cape by Design Tours will create any tour to suit your interest, which could include any of the following:

• Collections of the Dutch and British colonial period.
• The National gallery, South Africa’s finest art with some outstanding collections
• A craft centre with over 20 arts and crafts studios including African art.
• Contemporary African Art.
• Authentic high quality African crafts, nothing mass-produced here.
• Antiques and collectables at an exclusive fair or at a quaint place like Kalk Bay.

Art Deco: there’s nothing retro about the stuff you find in Cape Town, be it furniture, collectables or architecture.

Tours should never be a matter of choosing off a list - they should be created to suit the desires of the tourist.