The Rainbow Nation.
Blessed with an abundance of wildlife, mountains, beaches, wineries, South Africa has a lifetime of touring potential. In 2013, we arrived the day after the great man, Madiba, left this earth. Seeing the genuinely deep respect Mandela commanded, and the outpouring of sorrow was touching. To tour his prison of Roben Island with his fellow prisoner and comrade as a guard was to feel a genuine connection to the man and his legacy.
We first visited for the 2003 Cricket World Cup. (Some black and white pics of dubious quality went up late April.)
Next time we only visited Cape Town, to catch flights home.
Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Roben Island, off the tip of Cape Town. We visited on a clear December day, and still the winds were unforgivingly harsh.
Mandela was just one of thousands who served long cruel sentences here. Tours of the facility are lead by former inmates, ANC comrades of its most famous resident.
Pass cards were a key mechanism to control the black population in apartheid South Africa.
The District Six Museum contains stories and histories of the residents of District Six, which explain and personify the soul crushing cruelty of Apartheid.
The corridors of Robben Island prison, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years. "Prisoner 46664" was one of around 3000.
Signs like these were normal. Buses, train seats, whole neighbourhoods, beaches, school, even drinking fountains were designated for whites only.
Set against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, one of the great botanic gardens of the world.
The Khoikhoi people were using this land and had been here for about 2000 years, when Europeans arrived in 1400s. They grazed their cattle in Table Valley. Kirstenbosch has been a protected area in some from since 1657, and became a garden in 1903.
When the clouds clear, the views of Table Mountain are quite something.
Cape Town's bright Bo Kaap district was designated for "coloured" people. Cape Malays have developed their own identity, culture and cuisine. Enjoy!
"Madiba" was Mandela's clan name. He spent a number of years in Cape Town, both as a free man and a prisoner.
We arrived in Cape Town (via a 1600km truck ride) as the city was in mourning. Madiba touched eveyone's life in South Africa and his passing was felt by all.
Hiking down (or up) Table Mountain is an option. One route takes you down to the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Abseiling off the side is another option which we also declined. Cable cars also give great views.
The beauty of Cape Town, like much of South Africa, contrasts with its dark history. Few cities have a back-drop like Table Mountain.
Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens Cape Town
Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens Cape Town
Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens Cape Town
Lighthouse in the distance, Wilderness on the Garden route.
A winery in Robertson, a short drive from Cape Town.
In Pilansberg National Park.
In Kruger National Park, where we had earlier been charged.
Sleek, elegant, graceful, bloody fast. Cheetah in Kruger.
Addo Elephants National Park.
Jackal, Kruger National Park.