This page covers the areas of central Cape Town including District Six and Company’s Garden. I have separate sections on The V & A Waterfront and other suburbs.
The Castle is the oldest existing colonial building still functioning in the whole of South Africa. Construction started in 1666 and took 13 years to complete. There are several museums here including a military museum and a lovely display of art and ceramics in the Governor’s House. The courtyards are impressive as are the walls and bastion. It was suprisingly devoid of visitors when we were there.
City Hall
The City Hall is only a couple of minutes walk from the castle and is best known for Nelson Mandela’s speech that he made on the balcony upon his release from prison in 1990. It’s an imposing Edwardian building built in 1905. You can’t miss it – there is a statue of Mr Mandela waving at you from the balcony.
Company’s Garden area
The area around Company’s Garden is vibrant and Long Street and Adderly Street are nearby with a plethora of shops, markets and street performers. The area is not as safe as it used to be so keep your wits about you and any valuables well hidden. The Victorian wrought iron balconies on Long Street are lovely and we enjoyed mooching around the area.
The Trafalgar Place Flower Market on Adderley Steet was a delight and I was chuffed to find Mabu Vinyl record shop in Long Street, I even bought a record and a t-shirt!
The Company’s Garden-Rose Garden is the oldest garden in South Africa and was created in the mid 1600’s. There are monuments and statues dotted around and it is also the home to albino squirrels with their piercing red eyes. The South African Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Centre and the Iziko South African Museum are all located in the vicinity.
District Six and the Museum
Most non white inhabitants of District Six were forcably evicted from their homes when it was declared a White Group Area in 1966 and many ended up in the townships outside of Cape Town. It’s a traumatic story which is graphically told in the local museum.
The District Six Museum is a small museum in a former Methodist Church. On display are vivid and often very personal photos and memorabilia relating to the displacement of the former local inhabitants during the apartheid era. It’s worth paying the little extra for a guide to enhance your experience and understanding.
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