AMA Insider Fall 2016 | Page 47

prison: bmvdwest/istock; market: rapideye/istock

Robben Island, Mandela’s former prison

city centre beckons locals and visitors alike to shop, eat, play and wander among souvenir stalls, cafés and
restaurants. The cobblestone square
was once home to a slave market, but
now serves as one of the city’s largest
bazaars, featuring everything from
mimes and jugglers to African and
farm-to-table produce.
Though it has a newer and far less
infamous history, the V&A Waterfront
is also worth a visit. It offers a
combination of upscale shopping and
restaurants, and it’s a quick walk to
two popular beach neighbourhoods—
Green Point and Sea Point. At the
latter, sunseekers can stroll the Sea
Point Promenade, a five-kilometre
route along the ocean’s edge that
attracts walkers, runners and cyclists.
Sandwich carts dot the path, so you
can grab a Gatsby on the go—a hearty
serving of steak, fish or chicken with
fries on a foot-long roll.
Not too far from the promenade,
Muizenberg and Bloubergstrand are
paradises for beginners and pro surfers, and both beaches are regularly
haunted by laid-back locals in need of
their regular dose of “Vitamin Sea.”
Just because Cape Town is a big city,
doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to see wildlife. Chacma baboons,
Cape zebra and eland are just some
of the residents at Cape Point Nature
Reserve, on a peninsula just south of
the city. It’s also home to Boulders Bay,
a playground for African penguins—
who possess the unfortunate nickname
of the Jackass penguin, thanks to the
donkey-like sounds they emit. Visitors
can observe the playful 3,000-strong
colony from newly built boardwalks.
The next largest colony of these
funky fowl is on notorious Robben
Island. Accessed by ferry from the
V&A Waterfront, the island’s former

Cape Town’s colourful Greenmarket Square

prison is now a living museum and
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Political and criminal prisoners were housed
here from 1961 until 1996. Some former inmates now act as tour guides,
describing life in the island jail through
heart-wrenching personal experiences.
Robben Island is notable for three particular prisoners, all of whom would
later lead the new South Africa:
Mandela, Kgalema Mothlanthe and

current president Jacob Zuma.
A half-hour east of downtown Cape
Town, you’ll find the edge of the Cape
Winelands Region. As the major wine
production centre of South Africa,
vineyards line the countryside and provide many opportunities to taste the
country’s national grape: Pinotage, a
blend of Hermitage and Pinot Noir
varietals. A sip of the local blend feels
like savouring Cape Town itself.

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AMA InsIder

FALL 2016

47