Aliya Naseer Farooq
South Africans’ love for music and Nelson Mandela are obvious to any visitor. Hearing musical notes and seeing life size statues and pictures of Mandela everywhere you go. Nations who keep the heroes alive by remembering their selfless struggle and contributions, keep their heritage alive and flame of freedom burning bright. Quotes from Mandela’s speeches are omnipresent in the art and craft. Lovingly referred to as ‘Mandiba’ or ‘Tata’, terms of endearment for the man who freed South Africa from the shackles of apartheid, won the Nobel Peace Prize and went on to become the country’s first black president. Calling him ‘father’ or ‘grandfather’ is their way of showing love and respect. ‘Mandiba’ is the name of the clan that Mandela belonged to and is originally the name of a respected chieftain during the 18th century. This nickname denotes South Africans’ respect for their leader. While ‘Tata’ means
father in the language of Mandela’s Xhosa tribe.
He said, ‘ If people can learn to hate, they can be taught to love for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.’
Be it the V & A waterfront with its tourist friendly sidewalks, benches and quaint little eateries alongside the clock tower and the Museum of Modern Art – there are surprises around every corner. The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa – Zeitz MOCAA for short, is carved out of the monumental structure of the historic Grain Silo Complex. The 9,500 sq metres of custom-designed space is a visual treat with its circular staircase and art installations is a definite must see.
The imposing Table Mountain forms a constant backdrop to this marvellous city. We took the Red City Sightseeing double decker bus tours. This hop on hop off tour of the city is the best way to get to feel of the place.
‘ Bo – Kaap ‘, meaning above the Cape in Afrikaans, with streets lined with fuchsia pink, pistachio green, ochre yellow box like houses, is a sight to behold. The colourful housing of Bo – Kaap denotes the residents’ expression of individualism and celebration of their freedom. As we got down for a few photographs, we saw some bridal photoshoots and even a few models posing in front of the turquoise blue house with its neon yellow staircase! The photographer clicking away to make the most of the golden hour, around four in the afternoon. Walking on the cobbled street in what was previously known as the Malay Quarters, the setting sun rendered the scene even more surreal. One is bound to ponder,
What a wonderful world!
It is hard to choose a favourite amongst the inspiring scenic sites of Cape Town. From Boulders Beach Penguins, Seals in the Wheels of V & A waterfront, the luxurious Bantry Bay – ,, known to be the playground of the rich and famous, Cape of Good hope with the table mountain in the backdrop. Still, time and the hour conspired to bring me to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. ‘ The most beautiful garden in Africa’, announced the sign board at the entrance. What seemed to be an enthused overstatement soon turned into an understatement upon entering this wondrous array of trees, shrubs send flowers nestled at the foot of the table mountain. Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Garden is proof that not all gardens were created equal. The 528 hectare garden is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It large expanse houses a fragrance garden, medicinal garden, 2500 species of plants found in the Cape Peninsula, a Protea garden, a Braille trail and a Cycad amphitheatre.
It had begun to rain. A pretty pitter patter that added to the beauty of our tree-lined walk around this fairyland. Our surroundings now looked like a landscape painting left out in the rain, mixing all shades of green! The rain, the green and the cool January breeze was enough to bring out the poet in anyone, hence, the following lines,
‘ Clouds kissing the top of Devil’s Peak
Table cloth mists that hang on
The Table Mountain
Fifty shades of green
In the lush rolling grounds
Kirsten Bosch
The most beautiful garden in Africa
Glinting glimpse of the turquoise ocean
Easterlies blowing flags of blonde, black and brown
Around myriad faces
Multiple, diverse and disparate
Music in the air spreads like love
While a cotton candy sunset
Is blowing in the wind’
The wharf, the coffee, the luxurious scented rooms of Victoria and Alfred hotel on the waterfront, the vineyards, ostrich farms, penguins at Boulders Beach; Cape Town is definitely a mixed platter. It has so much to offer and does so in style with a dash of humour and generous sprinkling of history, art, culture and music.
So long Cape Town, till we meet again, au revoir!
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