By Rachel Hill
The South African flag is a national symbol that you are bound to see several times during any visit to Cape Town. Adopted in 1994 following the election of Nelson Mandela as president, the flag represents a desire for unity and the convergence of a diverse and tumultuous nation. Originally, the colours stood for elements of both the past and the future; red representing bloodshed, blue standing for blue skies, green meaning the lands, yellow reflecting natural resources such as gold, and black and white representing the respective ethnicities. However, these colours represent much more in Cape Town.
Red is For…
…the Red City tour around Cape Town, which offers you the chance to see the city from the comfort of an open top bus. The hop-on hop-off bus service will take you around the city, allowing you to alight and board at your leisure, and getting you within close proximity to many of the major sights. See Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay and much more from the comfort of the bus, and enjoy the chance to explore them at your own pace.
Blue is For…
… the waterfront, and in particular the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Next door to Cape Town’s harbour, the waterfront is nestled in between Table Mountain and Robben Island, and is arguably one of the most visited areas of the city. A shopping and entertainment venue like no other in South Africa, incorporating fabulous lifestyle with fantastic views of the ocean, the waterfront is by far the most popular part of town.
Green is For…
… Table Mountain. Cape Town’s most prominent landmark, the flat-topped mountain is part of a stunning national park that is well worth a visit. Visible from all over the city the mountain is an integral part of the landscape, and of any holiday. However, if you can’t quite face the slopes on foot, you can always take the aerial cableway to save your legs. On arriving at the top of the Table Mountain, you are guaranteed to have your breath taken away by the stunning views of Cape Town and all that surrounds it.
Yellow is For…
… the Gold of Africa Museum in Cape Town. Home to a collection of at least 350 gold artefacts originating from Western Africa, this museum is the best place to learn about the history of the art of goldsmiths. If you are particularly interested in the making of gold jewellery, there are demonstrations and courses centred upon the making of jewellery held quite regularly, bringing the ancient artefacts exhibited in the museum to life for you.
White is For…
… the Witsand Nature Reserve. Witsand, meaning white sands, this Nature Reserve on the Northern Cape spans 2,500 hectares and is surrounded by red Kalahari sand which contrasts beautifully. The white sand is said by geologists to be caused by a collection of hillocks that are buried beneath the dunes. If you visit the nature reserve between September and April, you may even hear the roaring sound emitted by the dunes from time to time.
Black is For…
…the Black Marlin Seafood Restaurant. Housed in a building in Cape Town, which was once a whaling station, the restaurant’s proximity to the scenic coastline en route to Cape Point affords diners sensational views. With an extensive and contemporary seafood menu, and some of the most delectable local wines on offer, this really is one place you have to have dinner during your time in Cape Town.
So, next time you see a flag flying in Cape Town, be sure to do a quick run through your mental check list and make sure your trip has represented each of the colours on the flag.
About the Author: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.
Source: isnare.com
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