Category: Uncategorized

Updated and Revised for 2023

I think you will agree, Cape Town has truly beautiful sea views, and, Cape Town also has a wealth of quality restaurants to choose from.

But what if you could be eating at a restaurant that offers quality dining AND impressive views? That would turn a simple lunch or dinner into a memorable experience. Today, we will be showing you exactly which places in Cape Town offer the perfect combination of great food and great views.

1) BLOWFISH RESTAURANT – BLOUBERG

Image credit: http://www.blowfishrestaurant.co.za/

Blowfish has become an institution among Capetonians because of its selection of freshly prepared sushi and serene views over the Atlantic Ocean in Blouberg. Blowfish is a stone’s throw away from the popular kitesurfing hotspot, Dolphin Beach. Not only can you catch glimpses of the shimmering ocean from any seat in the restaurant, you can watch water sportsmen showing off their keen skills.

The portions are hearty, and if you don’t fancy sushi on the day, you can order a delicious bistro meal. Blowfish is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sushi for breakfast anyone?

Opening Times: Monday – Sunday 6:30am – 10pm.

Address: 1 Marine Drive, Blouberg, Cape Town.

Tel: (021) 556 5464

See their menu.

2) SEVRUGA – V&A WATERFRONT

Image credit: sevruga.co.za

Sevruga at the V&A Waterfront is known for its delicious sushi and steaming dumplings, which you can enjoy while watching the back and forth of interesting people, as they go about their business at the harbour. Perhaps you would prefer to order tasty favourites, such as beef ribs and braised lamb shoulder from their varied menu. To quench your thirst, remember to try their house cocktail, the Sevruga. Popular among Capetonians and tourists alike, Sevruga certainly won’t disappoint.

Opening Times: Monday – Saturday 12:00 – 11:00pm

Address: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Tel: (021) 421 5134

See their menu here.

3) SOTANO BY CAVEAU – MOUILLE POINT

Image credit: sotanorestaurant.info

When you dine at Sotano by Caveau, the ocean is literally across the street, so sweeping ocean vistas and crisp sea breezes are guaranteed. This outdoor restaurant with beautiful sea views is the ideal location to relax with friends over a wholesome meal and a glass of wine after a stroll along the promenade. For a little romance, book a table outside to watch the sun setting over the blue horizon.

Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 7am – 10:30pm

Address: 121 Beach Road, Mouille Point, Cape Town

Tel: (021) 433 1757

See Sotano’s menu here.

4) TWO OCEANS RESTAURANT – CAPE POINT

Image credit: capetown.travel

If you’re craving a seafood platter of buttery crayfish, garlicky prawns and linefish, you would be wise to pay the Two Oceans Restaurant in Cape Point a visit. Although it is a bit of a drive from Cape Town city centre the scenery en route and the destination is totally worth it. The journey to Cape Point, the spot where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans are believed to meet, is incredibly picturesque and once there you’ll be rewarded with flavoursome food and 360 degree ocean views. The restaurant went out of business during the lockdown period, but has recently (late 2022) reopened for business, which is good news for food lovers because they are back and by all accounts delivering great food in a beautiful setting once again.

Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm

Address: 1 Radio Road, Cape Point, Cape Town.

Tel: 021 780 9010

5) CAFE ORCA – MELKBOSSTRAND

Image source: cafeorca.co.za

Capetonians enjoy drives out of the city on weekends, with many of them travelling to sunny Blouberg and Melkbosstrand. These vibrant suburbs welcome crowds of visitors to their numerous popular sea-facing restaurants and bars. One such restaurant is Café Orca, a popular meeting place for a Saturday or Sunday lunch, owing to its unsurpassed view of Melkbosstrand.

At Orca, you’ll be spoiled for choice. It is truly difficult to choose only one dish from the menu because they’re all incredibly appetising.

Opening Times: Monday ­ closed. Tuesday 12:30pm – 3:30pm, and 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Wednesday to Saturday 11:30am – 3:30pm, and 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Sunday 11:00am – 3:30pm.

Address: 88 Beach road, Melkbosstrand, Cape Town.

Tel: (021) 553 4120

Look at Café Orca’s menu.

NB: Due to Orca Café’s popularity, you would be wise to call them and to reserve a table before driving all the way there.

6) GRAND CAFE & BEACH – V&A WATERFRONT

Image source: grandafrica.com

Positioned on a private beach in Granger Bay, Grand Cafe & Beach is an outdoor restaurant with an amazing sea view. With a focus on fresh produce, this cafe offers a variety of dishes simply prepared by their experienced chefs. Fit for both the discerning diner and the worldly traveller, if you’re looking for a quality restaurant on the beach, Grand Cafe is certainly worth a visit.

Opening Times: Monday ­- Sunday: 12:00pm til late.

Address: Haul road, Granger Bay, Cape Town.

Tel: (021) 425 0551

See Grand Cafe’s menu.

7) The Vue Restaurant – Cape Town

Sadly Now Closed Down, A Casualty of Lockdown 😢

With 360-degree views of the city and beyond, The Vue offers picturesque views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and the expansive Atlantic Ocean. The Vue is wonderful for delicious meals and Tapas and perfect the perfect venue for some cocktails or sundowners. The Tapas menu offers an array of wonderful treats for the discerning palate. These include a stuffed lamb burger, peanut and chilli beef wontons, tempura vegetables with soya and wasabi, Dukkah lamb koftas with minted yoghurt and beetroot hummus and much more.

8) Thorfynn’s Restaurant – Noordhoek

Image credit: monkeyvalleyresort.com

Situated in a lovely natural setting, Thorfynn’s restaurant in Noordhoek offers fantastic sea views while you enjoy your hearty farmhouse breakfast, delicious lunch on the deck or a special dinner by candlelight. The lovely milkwood forest is ideal to wander through and you can make your way to a spectacular 8km stretch of unspoiled beach.

Thorfynn’s offers a variety of culinary styles on their menu, including wood-baked pizzas, sushi, seafood and a South African potjie. All of Thorfynn’s menu items are prepared using fresh, locally sourced, free range and organic produce, where possible.

Opening Times: Monday ­- Sunday: 07:00am – 23:00pm.

Address: Monkey Valley Resort, Mountain Road, Noordhoek, Cape Town

Tel: (021) 789 1391

9) Harbour House Restaurant – Kalk Bay

Image Source: harbourhouse.co.za

Perched above the rocks in the working Kalk Bay harbour, Harbour House restaurant offers exquisite views of the False Bay and the Hottentots Mountain Range.

The food at Harbour House is a fusion of elegant cuisine, offering beautifully presented dishes with a slight Mediterranean flavour. Because the restaurant owns their own boat, you can expect fish to go straight from sea to plate.

Opening Times: Monday ­- Sunday: 12:00pm – 22:00pm.

Address: Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay

Tel: (021) 788 4133

See Harbour House’s menu.

Diverse group of young people running along a seaside promenade. Fit young runners training outdoors by the seaside.

So you’ve been training for months and finally worked up the courage to enter the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. As time nears for the gruelling race, you suddenly realise that you might have bitten off more than you can chew. Don’t panic. Get outside your head and let us show you what to expect during your 42.2km journey. This journey is one aimed to put even the most seasoned athlete to the test. The classic Olympic distance of 42.2km is definitely an achievement to be proud of.

Pace yourself- Walk/run

Expect to reach a point where your body will feel like it has no more left to give. At this time, know that you still have about 30% left and you’ll need to push through the pain. This is where your training and mind-set will play a huge role in you finishing. Walk when you need to conserve energy and pace yourself. This is not only a gruelling physical activity but also a mental one. Spectator zones will be allocated along the route, take a breather, grab something to drink and draw some motivation from the amazing supporters who came out to cheer you on.

Spectator Zones can be found at these locations along the route:

• 13km: Observatory Main Road (Outside Pick ‘n Pay Observatory)
• 15km: Rondebosch Main Road (Outside Nations Café)
• 17.5km: Newlands cricket ground & Kelvin Grove
• 19km: Michaels Restaurant
• 20.5km: Rondebosch Common (Opposite Red Cross Children’s Hospital)
• 22km: Rustenberg Girls High School (Rondebosch Common)
• 26km: Liesbeek Parkway – Black River Office Park
• 26.5km: Salt River Circle, Woodstock
• 38.5km: FW de Klerk – battle of the bands – City Centre
• 39.5km: Loop Street outside Cullinan Hotel
• 40km: Bree Street & Waterkant Bridge (Prestwich Museum Area)
• 41.5km: Somerset Road – Fanwalk, Green Point (opposite Mano’s Restaurant)
• 42.2km: Finish (Green Point A-Track)

Arm yourself against chafing

Chafing is caused when exposed body parts rub together and create friction, leaving you red and painfully blistered. If you’re a first time marathoner, you can expect a lot of chafing. However, you don’t need to put your body through all that. Before the race, apply tons of Vaseline on areas prone to chafing. Apply a generous protective layer of Vaseline on your skin and focus on more important things during your run.

Keep yourself hydrated and well fueled

As you’ve been training, you should know by now what foods can carry your body through as you train. Eat up and get enough fuel needed before the race. It is easy to forget and get dehydrated during the race so keep in mind that grabbing a quick drink as you pass a check point is important. You might want to consider taking some hydration tablets before your run to ensure you don’t get dehydrated.

Don’t overthink it

As you prepare for the journey of finally completing your first marathon, try not to overthink things. It is easy to fall into a mind-set where you set certain standards and begin obsessing. Remember to enjoy the long run. Take in the beautiful scenery and remember to control your breathing. Let everything else go. As you prepare, track your runs and observe your progress but don’t begin to obsess over everything you do. Even during your race, be sure to let go and let your legs take one step at time.

Find a suitable running buddy

It helps to have someone with you running the same pace. Find a running buddy who enjoys the same pace as you and motivate each other throughout the race. Start conversations and help each other over the crossing line. It will help not focussing on the running as much and simply enjoying a light conversation with your buddy. Time will move faster and you can trick you mind to focus on something other than running. Do research on the route before the race so you’ll know where the most arduous turns and hills can be expected.

The race starts at the V&A Waterfront. It follows Mouille-Point Beach-front into Cape Town’s City Centre, and past some historical landmarks of Long Street, Mount Nelson Hotel, South African National Gallery, South African Holocaust Museum, St Mary’s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, City Gardens, City Hall, and the Castle of Good Hope to mention a few.

You’ll then head towards the Southern Suburbs. Turning back to the City alongside the Liesbeek River, before heading out along the National freeway towards Paarden Eiland.

Now you’ve reached the last stretch as you make your way past the World Cup 2010 Fanwalk towards the Cape Town Stadium. Your 42,2 km journey ends at Green Point A track. Here along with thousands of spectators and runners, everything will come together and culminate into a celebration.

Don’t panic

Before the race you’ll worry about everything from sleeping well the night before and cramming all your preparation to the night before. Use the entire week before the race to get some good rest. Your body will need the rest and your mind will too. Focus on positive thoughts. Listen to motivational music or podcasts and get your game face ready.

Remember to have fun. If you not having fun then what’s the point. Don’t focus too much on finishing the race within a set time. This is your first time. Be kind to your body and take it one step at a time. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon takes place from the 16th – 17th September and is one of the biggest sporting events on the Cape Town calendar. Simply just participating and making a concerted effort to change your lifestyle for the better is already half the battle won. Have your loved ones and friends come support you. Knowing they’ll be there waiting for you at the finish line might give you that extra bit of motivation to fight through some cramps. Let Vineyard Car Hire take you where you need to be, don’t miss out on what Cape Town has to offer. Order a reliable car to get you and your family to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.

“Men drinking beer, cooking and hanging out at an african Braai”

In the 24th September, South Africans gather to pay homage to the diverse cultures that have come together and culminated into the rainbow nation we so enjoy today. Now if all National Heritage Day means to you is a public holiday then keep reading.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the 24th of September was known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the legendary King Shaka Zulu. However, a South African political party with a large Zulu membership, known as the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), objected the Public Holidays Bill before Parliament as it omitted Shaka Day.

A compromise was reached when it was decided to create a day where all South Africans could observe and celebrate their diverse cultural heritage.

In an address marking Heritage Day in 1996, former President Nelson Mandela stated:

“When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.”

To celebrate this day, South Africans host a number of events across the country. Here’s how you can spend your day off and celebrate National Heritage day as a proud South African.

Visit Heritage Museums in Cape Town

To truly celebrate your heritage and rich history in this country, you need to take the time out to learn about how South Africa has become what it is today. By museum hopping through the city, you’ll find a deeper understanding as to how the rainbow nation came into existence. Learn about the painful history of slavery and how the Cape Malay community established its roots in the Mother City. You’ll find that somehow we are all not too different from each other. Visit the Castle of Good Hope and learn about Jan Van Riebeek’s life and how it influenced an entire way of life for citizens of this beautiful city.

Braai

If taking a step back in time is not the way you want to spend your public holiday then celebrate the present and host a braai. “Braai” is an Afrikaans word for Barbeque and it is definitely an age old proudly South African past time. Simply throwing slabs of meat and delicious local boerewors on an open air fire grill, is enough to get anyone in the mood for a celebration. Sitting around the fire as the meat sizzles and enjoying a cold beer as you catch up with close friends and family has to be one of the best ways to enjoy a day off from work. If you’ve never hosted a braai before and no nothing about starting a fire. Check out this step-by-step instructional video that will have you grilling the best meat in no time.

Discover your ancestral heritage

So you know about your great grandmother who came over to South Africa from Scotland in 1850 but how informed are you really when it comes to your ancestral heritage. Since South Africa is known as a melting pot of diversity, you might be surprised to find out that there is a lot more you didn’t know about your lineage. There are ways and means to go about this and it might take longer than you think but let this Heritage Day inspire you to go back into your family tree and learn about what your ancestors went through in the past. You might find that your great-great-great grandfather held a high position in the community and contributed largely to the development of something great. You might find that you’re an heir to a dynasty after your great-great-great-great-grandfather that came to the Cape in exile. Either way, knowing where you come from is a good start to knowing where you’re going.

Attend historic re-enactments in Hout Bay

The re-enactment of the Battle of Hout Bay is held around Heritage Month each year. The battle took place in 1795 between the British frigate in the bay and the coastal cannons of the Dutch and French defenders. While the British failed to take the fort at this time, they later took it along with the entire Cape Colony. Watch as locals re-enact this battle and take you through history. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some good ol’ family entertainment while learning about some great events in history.

Let Vineyard Car Hire take you where you need to be with their reliable car rental service. With a simple click of a button you can find the car that is most suitable for you. Make the most out of this National Heritage Day and discover the rich history of the Cape.

The tail fin of a Southern Right Whale off the coast of South Africa

Whale watching has taken over many fishing communities in Cape Town. It’s one of the biggest tourist attractions on the outskirts of Cape Town. For locals and tourists alike, witnessing these majestic creatures swim by is truly a magnificent sight. Here are a few spots to visit during whale season.

Cape Agulhus

Cape Agulhus is home to hiking trails that can take you along the dunes, beaches and cliffs that offer the best views of mammals and their offspring. About 50 pairs of Southern Right cows and calves are known to swim in these waters near the southernmost tip of Africa.

False Bay

One of the most popular spots for whale watching, False Bay, is not too far from the city of Cape Town. For a better chance at spotting them, choose a high vantage point along the False Bay coastline which includes Boyes Drive that runs between St James and Kalk Bay.

Hermanus

Hermanus offers some of the best land-based viewing opportunities because the whales often come within metres of the shoreline. World Wildlife Fund rated Hermanus as one of the top 12 whale-watching locations in the world. Whale crier alerts watchers to the presence of whale by blowing on a kelp horn. During the first week in October, the town hosts an annual whale festival which is considered a celebration of all things cetacean.

Misty Cliffs – Kommetjie

The road above Slangkoppunt Lighthouse has awesome views and excellent whale watching spots. The high vantage point offers great views of the whales.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

One of the most spectacular coastal roads on the plannet running between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Amazing views of Hout Bay and all the way to kommetjie. This is also excellent spot for Mountainside vantage viewing.

Here some tips on what you’ll need as you venture to whale-watching spots across the Cape:

• A warm jacket
• A good camera
• Binoculars.
• Learn how to identify the different type of whales
• Learn about whale behaviour

Vineyard Car Hire can help take you to these amazing spots for a rare whale-watching experience that is second to none. Find the spot that works for you and enjoy. Vineyard Car Hire offers a reliable car hire service, perfect for your venture to the mountain side vantage points.

It’s Saturday afternoon, the streets are quiet but the smell of sizzling meat lingers. If you’re visiting Cape Town and wondering what happened to everyone, just drop by your nearest bar and you’ll find South Africans glued to the TV screen. Saturdays have long been reserved for rugby matches and supporters know all too well that that means everything else pauses for 40 minutes. So, if you’re in Cape Town and want to get in on the rugby culture, here’s the rugby supporter starter kit to get you there

Cape Town is home to avid rugby supporters who don’t take the game lightly. South African families are united by the team they support. With the upcoming Cape Town Rugby Sevens on everyone’s calendar this year, you’ll need to get yourself in the spirit to truly enjoy the experience.

Boerewors On The Braai

For the rest of the world, a braai (barbeque) is an age old tradition on a weekend. For most, families get together and enjoy hamburgers outdoors. But for South Africans, to braai means a lot more than just sizzling meat on an open fire. It’s become an institution. Whether or not the weather outside is accommodating- South Africans will find any excuse to start a fire and cook up some steaks, especially on rugby day. To truly get into the rugby spirit; go to your nearest Checkers and grab some boerewors. Don’t forget the coals and firelighters. You’ll need to get the fire started before the national anthem is sung. Now you have the first part of your starter kit ready.

Quench Your Thirst

This part of the starter kit is considered of utmost importance. You’ll need to equip yourself with the popular drinks to enjoy during the game. Beer is acceptable but not just any beer. Grab a six pack of cold Castle Lager (never Castle Lite). The South African beer of choice. Secondly, if you’re not much of a beer drinker, the an alternative is the Klipdrift Brandy and coke combination, known as the branners. These two drinks are sure to give everyone a buzz and brace yourself as supporters begin cursing the referee.

Pick Your Team Wisely!

You might think that supporting any team currently on the field is a good idea. Think again. Who you support is key. If you’re not well versed in the ins and outs of the rugby arena, when in South Africa, do as South Africans do and support the Bokke! You simply can’t go wrong. Wear a Springbok jersey regardless of whether they’re playing or not. This will save you from having to enter into debate with the drunk die hard supporters of other teams.

Stock Up On Snacks

Whether you’re watching the game at a friend’s house or sitting at the stadium, you’ll need to stock up on some delicious South African snacks for the rugby game. Your cooler box should include:

• Biltong
• Nuts
• Droerwors
• Salt and vinegar chips

Rugby brings together communities and friends. It unites people from all walks of life. Remember that when you’re invited to a Saturday with friends for a rugby game, those are friends you’ll keep forever. Now you can get your starter kit together and join the Rugby family! Vineyard Car Hire offers affordable and reliable car hire service that is sure to get you to and from any rugby game in the Mother City. Don’t miss out on the action!

Last year, Cape Town’s Colour Run attracted nearly 13 000 enthusiastic participants. Despite drought-related concerns over this year’s event, it’s looking set to be even bigger than last year.

If you’re having trouble deciding whether to join in, maybe we can help.

What is the Colour Run?

Founded in 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona, the Colour Run is billed as the “Happiest 5k on the Planet”. The original paint race, it has expanded in six short years to encompass over two hundred events worldwide, with Cape Town holding its first run in 2013.

In form, the Colour Run is an untimed 5 kilometre run – that means that the emphasis is on having a good time with your friends.

But the Colour Run adds a further twist to the fun run formula: at each kilometre mark, the white-clothed participants are doused in coloured powders. And, at the end of the ‘race’, the finish festival takes things up a notch, with music, dancing and even more colour throws.

As we’ve mentioned, the race isn’t timed – and there’s a reason for that:

Healthiness, happiness and individuality

These three ideas – and one other that we’ll get to – are the guiding light behind the colour run:

• The event is intended to promote a healthy lifestyle, by encouraging people to get out and be active, no matter their age or fitness levels
• There is a huge emphasis on fun, both as a way of encouraging people to take part and be active, and simply for the joy of a good time
• By not having official winners or times, the Colour Run opens the door to a wide variety of individuals who might not otherwise take part in this sort of event. Everyone joins in for their own reasons, and gets to express their individuality through a kaleidoscope of colour.

By themselves, these are great reasons to take part in the run. Altogether, they add up to a compelling argument – but there’s one more reason to join up, and it’s a biggie.

Giving back

A major pillar of the Colour Run, both in South Africa and abroad, is about giving back to the community.

By partnering with local charities, the Colour Run gives participants the opportunity to select and give back to the community at large, making this event about more than just the fun of it.

Runners can get friends and family to back them, giving everyone the opportunity to come together and help out – while having a good time.

So that’s four excellent reasons to join the Colour Run. But there’s one more: Cape Town itself. The host city is a playground of vibrant life that anyone can enjoy, no matter their preferences. From the wildlife to the beaches and bars, even if you’re not from the city, it’s worth the trip to take part in this event, help out, and have a good time while you’re at it.

And once you’ve crossed the finish line, stay for a day or two, and just experience Cape Town living at its best. Hire a car, go sightseeing – you won’t regret it.

The Volvo Ocean Race is one of the world’s premier yacht events, held every three years.

The 2017-18 version features seven teams in a nine-month round-the-world marathon. With previous editions covering nearly 70 000km, this is a truly gruelling undertaking.

Starting in Alicante, in Spain, the race first stopped in Lisbon, before the yachts turned South – to Cape Town.

The teams are expected to make landfall in the Cape around the end of November, with an in-port event before they set sail for Melbourne, Australia on 10 December.

But what can Cape Town spectators expect from the stopover?

Port of Call: Cape Town

Cape Town has been a fixture of the Volvo Ocean Race since its inception in 1973.

This year is no different, with the creation of a Race Village towards the end of November giving punters a chance to experience things first-hand.

The Race Village, situated at the V&A Waterfront, includes a host of unique experiences:

• Team Bases provide a snapshot into the world of the Volvo Ocean Race, allowing fans the chance to learn more about the skippers and crews at the heart of the race
• The Pontoon experience brings the boats themselves dockside, allowing you to see the actual Volvo Ocean 65 yachts up close and personal
• The Globe touches on then storied history of the race, while speaking to the need for a more sustainable approach to our oceans
• At the Race Boat experience, you can get an intimate look at what it takes to be part of this more than eight-month journey – from the bunks to the galley

This is just a snapshot of what’s on offer; and that’s not including the city itself.

Cape Town holds a grand place in nautical history, and this event gives you a chance to explore the side of the city – or you could just enjoy the offers of the V&A Waterfront itself.

This mall complex holds what is quite possibly the most exclusive shopping in Cape Town, along with the Two Oceans Aquarium, and some of the best dining in the city.

Once you’ve exhausted the possibilities of the Race Village, head on over here to fill your appetite for shopping and fine dining.

Getting Around

Moving around Cape Town is possible with public transport, but not always ideal. Lugging shopping bags around on the bus gets tiresome fast. Uber offers another alternative, but for ease and flexibility, it’s hard to beat a hire car.

This will give you far greater flexibility, while giving you access to the wider world of Cape Town and the Western Cape.

Held at the – frankly stunning – Cape Town Stadium, the event brings together sixteen men’s and sixteen women’s sevens rugby teams from around the world.

Use our beginners’ guide to sevens rugby to make sure that you’re up-to-speed when the party rolls in to town.

What is the World Rugby Sevens Series?

Despite only recently gaining global popularity, seven-a-side rugby has deep roots: the first tournament is recorded as having taken place all the way back in 1883.

From those humble origins, sevens was eventually codified, before the advent of the World Series introduced the game to the world at large.

The game differs from traditional rugby union in two key ways. Naturally, given the name, there are only seven players on the field at any given time, as opposed to fifteen.

Games are also far shorter, with slightly different lengths for normal games and competition finals:

• The standard game is timed to 14 minutes – 7 minutes a half – with extra time given to stoppages
• Competition finals are given 10 minutes per half, again with extra time for stoppages

Sevens is played on full sized rugby fields. Combined with fewer players and shorter matches, it’s games become quick-fire high scoring affairs, seemingly designed to thrill.

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series brings teams from across the globe together in one competition. The Series takes place annually from roughly November to May of the following year. Each leg of the tour takes place over a single weekend, moving on to another country for each subsequent leg.

Teams in the competition compete to win each leg through a group and then knockout style tournament. A teams placement in each leg earns them points which go towards an overall total for the series, with the highest total at the end of the Series determining the victor for that season.

Which brings us, in a roundabout sort of way, to South Africa and the Cape Town leg of the series, taking place in a few short weeks’ time.

Cape Town Sevens

The South African leg of the World Sevens Series has been held in various venues around the country, until landing at Cape Town Stadium in 2015, its current home.

The stadium was originally built for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, and it shows – the white edifice is truly impressive, seating 55 000. Definitely a good spot for a sevens-inspired party, especially with the large abundance of nearby bars and restaurants.

The teams competing are sure to feed off the atmosphere. Host nation South Africa will certainly pitch up keen to perform, after taking ultimate honours in the 2016-17 tour, but coming second to England on their home turf.

Along with the home side, teams like Kenya, Samoa and New Zealand tend to be fan favourites. Expect to hear cheering all weekend – no matter who happens to be playing.

Getting to the stadium can prove a problem, unfortunately. While Cape Town’s MyCiti bus service will do its best to keep up, demand is likely to make this option an uncomfortable prospect. Indeed, if you’re visiting the city to jump in on the action, your best bet will almost certainly be a hire car, which will get you there much more comfortably, and give you an ideal chance to sample the post-tournament atmosphere when the final whistle’s been blown.

In early 2018 British comedian Michael McIntyre lands once more on South African Shores.

Performing at Cape Town’s Grandwest Casino on 18 and 19 January, McIntyre will bring his unique brand of comedy here as part of his Big World Tour.

The comedian, with a host of accomplishments to his name, is best known for his observational comedy – a style previously pioneered by the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, but which he’s made all his own.

Observing Michael McIntyre

Among stand-up comics, Michael McIntyre can be said to stand head and shoulders above anyone else (sorry).

Active since 1999, it was in the new millennium that his star rose. From an early best newcomer nomination at the Edinburgh Festival in 2003, he quickly built a name for himself – by 2006 he had performed in front of Royalty at the Royal Variety Performance, a venue he would return to in 2010 as the event’s youngest ever host.

His meteoric rise has led to him becoming, like the rock bands of the ‘80s, a stadium performer: in 2009 he performed to an estimated 500 000 people while on tour in the UK, including at Wembley arena over a record-breaking six nights.

McIntyre’s clearly impressive work ethic kept him on stage through much of the next two years, resulting in him reportedly being the highest-grossing comedian in 2012.

Truly, this is a man that works hard at his laughs.

The Big World Tour

In 2017, Michael McIntyre set out on a globe-spanning comedy tour of the ages: The Big World Tour.

Covering 15 countries, he will perform 83 times, including in Cape Town and Johannesburg. His last visit to South Africa, in 2013, saw the biggest audience at a comedy event in Africa – 9 000 fans turned up for the laughs.

His Cape Town shows are expected to bring impressive crowds, guaranteed a chuckle from his wry observations on everything you never knew you noticed.

If you’re in Cape Town to watch McIntyre, you’ll find transport options are limited. Unless you have your own vehicle, a hire car is undoubtedly your best bet, as Grandwest Casino is a little out of the way.

But for a good laugh, it’s surely worth it.

Ultra Music Festival returns to Cape Town for its fifth instalment on 9 and 10 February 2018. As part of Ultra Worldwide, the festival showcases some of the top local and international electronic music performers.

From its inception, the festival has stood as an inspiration of the reach and joy that can be had by simply going out and having a great time.

What is Ultra?

Inaugurated in Miami in 1999, Ultra has, from the beginning, gone hard.

The first festival – which took place over one day – included such luminaries of the electronic scene as Paul van Dyk, Rabbit in the Moon and Josh Wink.

Held in Miami, the first Ultra Festival saw ten thousand attendees; the organisers, however, still saw a loss on that first venture.

It wasn’t until the second year of the festival that things picked up. And once they did, they picked up quickly.

By 2001 the numbers had more than doubled, with more than twenty thousand concert-goers coming together to again watch the biggest names in electronic music – among them DJ Tiesto, Robin Fox, Paul Oakenfield and Paul van Dyke.

2007 saw Ultra Festival move to a two-day format, the dominant form of the festival ever since.

In the next year, Ultra went global: Ultra Brasil brought the same high-powered line-up that had defined the Miami event. Its growth continued, and now this landmark festival is a string of events that give audiences around the world.

Ultra inspired

The nearly two-decade history of Ultra Festival and its many incarnations has undoubtedly had an impact on the landscape of electronic music.

With hundreds of thousands of attendees globally, the festival has helped expose electronic music to the mainstream, raising a generation on the stars of the genre.

The influence of the musicians seen at Ultra and other festivals of its ilk has had a lasting impact on the production of modern music, as electronic methods of creating music bleed into the mainstream.

The hunger for the music heard at Ultra has helped the rise of services like Spotify and Soundcloud, as many artists who perform at the festivals use these platforms to debut and market new mixes.

In South Africa, Ultra inspires by bringing together artists that many local music lovers may not be able to see otherwise.

Ultra Cape Town

The 2018 edition of Ultra in Cape Town takes place in Cape Town Stadium. The stadium, designed for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, turns into a carnival for electronic music lovers, and the surrounding city and bars are sure to experience an eclectic influx of party-goers.

If you’re interested in taking part of the unique experience that is Ultra, it’s suggested that you avoid public transport – while it’s an option, it’s almost certainly going to be packed.

For those visiting Cape Town for the festival, a far better option is a hire car: not only does it allow you to set your own schedule, but you’ll be able to experience the wider Cape Town surrounds as well.