South Africa's Cape Town is an amazing city of contrasts - busy city roads, beautiful sandy beaches, mountains, marinas... it's all there, making Cape Town a city that really does have something for everyone.
I visited in April 2013, and my 4 days there whizzed by far too quickly - I'll definitely be back! There's far too much to fit into just one blog post, so I'm going to start by writing about the township tour I did with my friend Ali, and the company she runs with her friend Mandy, The Township Sisters
The Township Sisters take guests around Masiphumelele Township, which means "we will succeed" in Xhosa (one of South Africa's 11 official languages) and my friends and I joined a tour with Charlotte, who has lived in Masi for most of her life. The great thing about these tours is that they're hosted by local people, who really know their community and the people in it, and can tell you stories and introduce you to other members of the community along the way like an outside tour guide never could. The tours are on foot - no soulless tour bus here, it really is an inside look at the township and Masi's friendly, welcoming residents.
Local kids saying hi!
Our tour took in the township school, library, hairdressers, shops, pub, homes and more. We were shown all around Masiphumelele and met plenty of friendly people along the way – from the teenage girls learning Beyonce dance routines in the community hall, to the older men enjoying a beer in the local pub. Everyone had a smile and a friendly greeting for us and we felt very safe and welcomed. It’s a great atmosphere in the township, you really feel the community spirit and positive vibe throughout.
I would recommend a township tour to anyone visiting Cape Town. The comparison between here and the five star waterfront area couldn't be more stark, but the friendliness and warmth in Masi shines through the comparable harshness of the living conditions. Taking a tour with The Township Sisters was a highlight of my time in Cape Town, and a unique experience. Thanks ladies!
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