World City Guide

Further Distractions

Bo-Kaap Museum
Built in the mid-1760s, the Bo-Kaap Museum was originally the home of Turkish scholar, Abu Bakr Effendi, and is the oldest extant residence in the Muslim community, as well as a rare example of urban Cape Dutch architecture. The furnishings are typical of an 18th-century Cape Town Muslim residence, right down to the main bedroom – an authentic bridal suite. Effendi was a revered Arabic teacher and wrote one of the first texts that documented the emergence of South Africa’s second language Afrikaans (a language developed from 17th-century Dutch). This is also a social history museum, focusing on the local community, with two new displays comprising a photographic impression of life in the Bo-Kaap and an exhibition that touches on the influence of apartheid on the area. The Bo-Kaap area is the traditional home of the Cape-Malay community, brought in as slaves from Indonesia. It has some of the city’s most interesting history and architecture, as well as fabulous views.

71 Wale Street
Tel: (021) 481 3939. Fax: (021) 481 3938.
Website: www.museums.org.za/bokaap
Transport: A 10-minute walk from Cape Town Station.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1630.
Admission: R5; concessions available.

Castle of Good Hope
Construction began on this five-pointed, star-shaped castle (originally a Dutch fortress) in 1666, which makes it the oldest colonial building in the country. Perhaps the most visible symbol of the colonial occupation of Cape Town and South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope became the apartheid government’s military headquarters in 1948. However, since the liberation of South Africa in 1994, South Africa’s oldest building has done much to polish up its tarnished image and has become very much a museum of the people. The castle hosts alternative art exhibitions and cultural events. Also within the castle, the William Fehr Collection is a superb record of colonial Cape art and culture.

Corner of Darling Street and Castle Street
Tel: (021) 787 1249. Fax: (021) 787 1089.
Website: www.castleofgoodhope.co.za
Transport: A short walk from the Grand Parade/Strand Street.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1600; guided tours daily 1100, 1200 and 1400.
Admission: R18 (including guided tour); R9 on Sun; concessions available.

William Fehr Collection
Tel: (021) 464 1260. Fax: (021) 464 1280.
Website: www.museums.org.za/wfc
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1600.
Admission: R18; concessions available.

Century City
Just 10 minutes from the city centre, Africa’s largest mall, Canal Walk, is located in the massive and architecturally astounding Century City development, which is also home to Africa’s first full-scale theme park, Ratanga Junction, with over 30 rides, as well as an entertainment complex, complete with clubs, pubs and restaurants. The MTN Sciencentre provides a myriad of scientific distractions for children of all ages, with over 250 interactive displays and a 200-seat multimedia arena. The 16-hectare (39.5-acre) man-made Intaka Island is a haven for bird life, while boat rides on the 4km (2.5 miles) of canals are also available.

Century City, Century Boulevard, Milnerton
Tel: (021) 550 7000. Fax: (021) 550 7001.
E-mail: info@centurycity.co.za
Website: www.centurycity.co.za
Transport: By car, exit 10 off the N1; bus from Strand Street to the new on-site Ratanga Terminus.

Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Tel: (021) 555 4444. Fax: (021) 555 0746.
E-mail: via the website.
Website: www.canalwalk.co.za
Opening hours: Mon-Fri and Sun 1000-2100, Sat 0900-2100. Admission: Free; parking charges apply.

Ratanga Junction
Tel: (0861) 200 300. Fax: (021) 550 8556.
E-mail: info@ratanga.co.za
Website: www.ratanga.co.za
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1000-1700 (end of Nov-May); Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1000-1700 (15 Dec-9 Jan).
Admission: R100; concessions available.

MTN Sciencentre
407 Canal Walk
Tel: (021) 529 8100. Fax: (021) 529 8179.
E-mail: info@mtnsciencentre.org.za
Website: www.mtnsciencentre.org.za
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0930-1800, Fri-Sat 0930-2000, Sun 1000-1800.
Admission: R24; concessions available.

Gold of Africa Museum
Although gold is more often associated with South Africa’s ‘City of Gold’, Johannesburg, Cape Town’s Gold of Africa Museum is focused entirely on all that glitters and is indeed gold. Located in the historic, 18th-century Martin Melck House, this museum is the first of its kind in the world and is all about the history and artistry of African gold, with a number of dazzling temporary and permanent exhibitions. Highlights include the West African gold artefacts from the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva, the goldsmith workshop and design studio, the wine cellar and a delightful, shady tea garden. Tours are available on request and the museum shop is there to satisfy the jackdaw in all of us.

96 Strand Street
Tel: (021) 405 1540. Fax: (021) 405 1541.
E-mail: info@goldofafrica.com
Website: www.goldofafrica.com
Transport: A short walk from Cape Town railway and bus stations; secure complimentary parking on the corner of Buitengracht and Strand streets.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1700.
Admission: R20; concessions available.