South Africa’s second city is like no other in a country of contrasts.
Its heart beats to a differentl pace from the rest of the country in so many ways.

This month our reporter went on a search for hippos; I might have felt the same way as Jan did when I first heard about the Rondevlei Nature Reserve. Do they really have hippos over there? But it’s practically in the city… They sure have! So I jumped in my car on drove on the M5 as fast as I could. So I could shoot those hippos just like Jan did… but with a camera this time! Read the story

Foreign visitors love Cape Town for it is remiscent of a European city with its narrow streets mediterranean climate. The architecture of its historic buildings borrows heavily from the Dutch and English, two countries for which the Cape served as a colony.

From humble beginnings as refreshment, station for Dutch East India Company (VOC) vessels en route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. Many thousands of migrants flocked to the Cape of Good Hope, some looking for fortunes and an escape from their past others forcibly brought here as slaves and political exiles from Dutch colonies like Batavia.

Cape Town may not well endowed like cities to the north with vast mineral wealth. What it lacks in diamonds and gold its makes u- for in its people, beautiful sights, andlots of sunshine throughout the year.

Still wrestling with its image as “Slaapstad”(Sleepy Town), Capetonians are being dragged kicking and screaming, out of its relaxed self-image. Today as a city of just over 3 million people, it has long ceased being a town.
A group entrepreneurs, civic leaders and tourism officials have realised that if Cape Town wants to provide job oppertunities for its growing population job oppertunities in the service sector will have to be created.

New developments in the city including hotels and entertainment centres has seen Cape Town maintain its position as the prime tourist destination in South Africa.

Relative to other parts of South Africa, Cape Town has a population that is highly skilled and literate, making it ideally suited for investment in a variety of sectors.

After years of neglect and local government incompentence new life is being breathed into an inner city that following Johannesburg’s example of neglect and capital flight.

Today the inner city is relatively safe for visitors and residents alike with improved security measures compared to just 5 years ago. The improved level of safety has prompted entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity, establishing bars, cafes, and all sorts of businesses in the heart of the city that otherwise would have been located in the leafy suburbs.

A plan to convert abandoned buildings in the Central Business Ditrict to residential housing is moving ahead, a plan that will see the city come to life at night from a deadzone after businesses hours.