Marchelle Abrahams

Tokyo has its karaoke bars. Athens has its taverns. Cape Town has First Thursdays. What started as a free monthly initiative to encourage locals to visit art galleries and cultural centres after dark has now morphed into an institution of sorts. Inspired by similar events in London, co-founders Gareth Pearson and Michael Tymbios wanted to put a unique spin on the event. In a 2015 post on Medium, Pearson said that the premise behind the concept was for art galleries and other cultural attractions within a walkable area to stay open late on the first Thursday of every month. The duo explained: “The very first edition in November 2012 included just six spots on the map, one being a little pop-up exhibition we threw together in an empty retail space.” These days, First Thursdays is a whole lot more than walking Bree Street. It’s the infectious spirit of a city that plays hard. How about injecting some early excitement into your Easter Long Weekend with Time Out Cape Town’s ultimate guide to First Thursdays? Sign up to Time Out Cape Town's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Mother City. You can also follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! TIME OUT RECOMMENDS: 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏨 The best hotels in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town📍 The best things to do in Cape Town

The rave scene in The Matrix Reloaded (2003) always has me feeling some kinda way. Maybe it’s the way their sweaty bodies move in unison like a single organism, or that they’re dancing because the end of the world is nigh. Fluke’s Zion provides the backing track for the iconic setting. Today, it remains a classic in the progressive house genre. That single take was reflective of music’s power to evoke a frenzy of passion and community. And that, in a nutshell, is indicative of what club culture is. It’s the coming together of people who share a common love for music. Dance. Companionship. Connection. That trend is more evident than ever. Before the pandemic, nightclubs were packed to the rooftops with queues of patrons waiting to get in. Wear the wrong outfit? Gated. Look inappropriate? Gated. Under the influence? Gated. Well, the last one is warranted. But there was a certain aesthetic attached to gaining entry.  Meet some of the creatives behind these events Pulling off any of the suggested experiences we've curated below requires a team of creative minds who are exceptional at their work. Nobody knows this better than Léa Debbah, the founder of Edition Events. Debbah started hosting events at the tail end of the pandemic when people were craving connection. “I saw an opportunity to bring people together through music, creativity, and culture in a more intentional way,” she explains. Debbah wanted to create spaces that were more inclusive and diverse. “From the beginning, i

Welcome, fellow land dwellers. If you’re reading this, you’re almost a week into the Holy Month of Ramadan and have already run out of Iftar ideas. Or, maybe you’re curious about how Muslims observe Ramadan in Cape Town. Either way, you’re in the right place.  A spiritual reset This year, Ramadan began on Wednesday, 18 February, coinciding with the start of the Chinese New Year and the beginning of Christianity’s Lent, and marking a rare overlap of sacred calendars.  For Muslims, Ramadan typically lasts between 29 and 30 days, meaning it’s expected to end on or around Wednesday, 18 March or Thursday, 19 March 2026. As always, the final date is determined by the moon's sighting and marked by the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr.  It is most significantly associated with fasting from sunrise to sunset. Yes, kinda like intermittent fasting, for the wellness crowd. Only, the intention behind it isn’t the physical sacrifice of giving up food and drink. The act of fasting is a spiritual reset and a time for reflection and gratitude. Unfortunately, social media has dimmed the significance of the occasion leading up to Eid al-Fitr. Islam has become more of an aesthetic for influencers during Ramadan. The beauty, the food, and the decor all appear so exotic. But many don’t go into the “why” and the “how” of the holiest month on the Islamic calendar.  A word of advice: Even if you’re curious or have Muslim friends or family, do your research, and I don’t mean TikTok posts or memes. No

When I was 11, the only exercise I got was scaling our back wall, climbing the neighbour’s tree, and attempting to retrieve the juiciest loquats.  The kids these days are built differently. They’re hanging out at coffee shops, playing board games with their chommies. They’re connecting at silent book clubs and joining gyms.  For Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024), fitness centres and sports clubs are becoming the new social spaces. They are less formal and far less intimidating than school extramural activities. Gym culture is the new cool, and private gyms and franchises are locking into that trend. More Gyms Courting the Younger Generation The United States first noticed the uptick in younger memberships in 2024. According to the Health & Fitness Association, the older portion of Gen Alpha (16-year-olds) accounted for 30.8% of total gym memberships. That’s a third of many gym’s annual membership income. And while pre-teens don’t qualify for independent contracts, many are using their parents’ memberships to take advantage of the perks. That soon, too, might come to an end, because Cape Town gyms get it. They’re feeding into the zeitgeist and early adoption of healthy habits. It’s called supply and demand. Check out below which Mother City gyms are game for junior members. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍽️ The best restaurants in Cape Town🍸 The best bars in Cape Town🛏 Where to stay in Cape Town

I read an article the other day about how generations born during the boom of the Internet era will never experience the simple pleasures of childhood. It’s knocking on a friend’s door when wanting to play or waiting for the street lights to turn on, your cue that it’s time to go home. For me, Sundays were the best. My sister and I knew that if we behaved ourselves, our father would take us for a Sunday afternoon drive after lunch. If the planets aligned, and Neptune was in retrograde, we’d all pack into our Nissan Skyline, my dad’s pride and joy.  Yho, the way he loved that car! Most of us grew up looking forward to Sunday drives, whether it was a trip around the Cape Peninsula or through the Huguenot Tunnel. Now you can make your own memories with Time Out’s 10 scenic drives for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

By the time you read this, you’re probably planning your Christmas Day lunch. If not, then you should at least be thinking about it, right? No? Procrastination is not going to get that table booked.  And because Cape Town is tourist-central every festive season, time is not on your side.  Depending on your mood and budget, Time Out has curated a list of spots around the Mother City to enjoy a memorable Christmas lunch, ranging from buffet-style to the very top-notch experiences.   Why go mediocre when you can spend all your money on yourself? Cape Town is home to award-winning restaurants. So take advantage of it!  And of course, we haven’t forgotten about the plant-based fans. Thankfully, restaurants are catering to environmentally conscious tastes.    Time Out Tip: Besides MIKO, other eateries are extending their culinary prowess with vegan dishes. And they’re pretty decent as well. No “swap out this for this” options.  

Many associate high tea with aristocrats and royalty. But here’s a little braai broodjie morsel for you. You’re right to assume it has its roots in 19th-century Britain. What you might not know is that high tea was first thought up by the working class.  The modern version of supper, these hardworking men and women would have a substantial evening meal after a long day’s work. They’d eat at a high dining table, unlike the rich folks who preferred a “low tea,” a social affair served at low chairs and low tables. And here we thought high tea was all about sipping from a porcelain teacup with your right pinky finger pointed out.  If you fancy a cuppa, Time Out is serving the tea (piping hot) on the best high tea spots in Cape Town, high brows and higher dining tables not included.

You know that song ‘Dilemma’ by K.Keed? She raps, “I feel like bad decisions”. This line basically describes what New Year’s Eve should be. Do people still do that? Use one night of the year to throw away their name and their inhibitions for the sake of spontaneity? I get it. I was once young, free, and regretting my life choices, and a New Year’s Eve party gave me carte blanche to do silly things without worrying about the consequences. Now, people think before they act, which is always a good thing. But if you plan on painting the town red, do so responsibly. In the meantime, here’s a list of New Year’s Eve events happening in and around Cape Town. As a country, we’ve gone through the most this year, so let’s show 2025 flames and send her off with a bang. Psst: Keep an eye on this list as we'll add more parties as they become available. 

Like music, art is subjective. Either you like it or you don’t.  I remember once visiting a wine farm in Franschhoek to do a story on hotel galleries, and came across a piece. I don’t recall the artist, but what stuck with me was the look in the woman’s eyes. It was jarring and evocative. The oil painting evoked feelings of longing and melancholy.  If tragic beauty could be immortalised in a painting, this would be the benchmark. The reality is that it was hidden beyond the reach of everyday people, part of a private collection only for the eyes of the wealthy and privileged. Many view the idea of visiting an art gallery as a walkabout at the Zeitz MOCAA or a collection at the South African National Gallery. Yet, there’s another world of independent galleries that spotlight artists and strive to make their work more accessible. Even established creatives are championing the next generation. Award-winning visual artist Blessing Ngobeni is an outspoken advocate for creating platforms and accessibility to art. This is a man who took his lived experience, having spent several years behind bars, and used it as the match to light the spark. His art mirrors society: the light and the dark. For Ngobeni, making art accessible is important, and he adds that even dealers and galleries are open to discussing payment terms. “We don’t mind because if we don’t do that, we don’t participate in changing the narrative of ownership of art.” You don’t need to be an avid art lover to appreciate i

My childhood summers consisted of three drinks: metallic-tasting water straight from the tap, Sparletta, and tea. Yet, nothing beats the cold, refreshing taste of Oros aan-maak (premix) drink as it hits the back of your throat. Sweet and sour intertwined in a marriage of convenience. Throw in a few ice cubes, and you’ve got the mocktail equivalent of the Screwdriver. Nothing compared to it until I made the mango lassi’s acquaintance. The sun was a big, bright, shiny disk in the sky. I was hot, agitated, and heavily pregnant. Not an Oros in sight. My husband returned to our stuffy one-bedroom flat, bearing a gift. One sip and I was a gone girl.  Fresh mango pulp, yogurt, honey, cardamom, and crushed ice. The combination is really the girl she thinks she is. The drink has its origins in the Punjab region of India and dates back to around 1000 BC, according to foodie blog Classic Indian. While most of us enjoy it as a summer drink, mango lassi was initially used as a digestive aid. How’s that for your Chappies installment of “Did you know…” While the rest of the globe raves about matcha this and matcha that, nothing trumps a fresh mango lassi. For those who prefer their drinks without viral hype, we’ve curated a list of lesser-known cafes and food joints that serve the authentic Indian drink as we head into summer.

Can you feel it? That gees in the air? Summer is creeping in, and if you’ve played your cards right, you’ve probably already managed to sneak in a beach day (or two). We try to stay humble, we really do, but let’s be honest: when it comes to enjoying the festive season, is there anywhere better than Cape Town? (Spoiler: there isn’t. And no, we’re not taking feedback at this time.) From sunrise strolls along Muizenberg Beach to golden hour sundowners in Camps Bay, the Mother City really knows how to do summer right. As the days get longer, the vibes get lighter, and everyone collectively remembers what joy feels like, so we’ve rounded up the very best summer festivals happening in and around Cape Town. If enjoying a picnic with a drink in hand while local artists take the stage is more of your vibe, check out the full Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts line-up! TIME OUT RECOMMENDS: 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏨 The best hotels in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town📍 The best things to do in Cape Town Sign up to Time Out Cape Town's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Mother City. You can also follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do allow u

Paarl has long been the home of the Western Cape’s most prestigious public schools. That’s what it’s known for. Oh, and for birthing some of the country’s greatest rugby players (Handré Pollard, we see you, and we salute you). For decades, it’s struggled to keep up with Stellenbosch’s cosmopolitan vibe. Stellies has thrown its marketing budget at its boutique wineries and award-winning restaurants. Paarl has brandy and that massive granite rock.  In recent years, the town has made its mark as a premier wine destination. But the Boland dorp wants more. It wants to claim the tourism crown in the Winelands. SMEUL officially places it in the race for that crown. Tucked in the original cellar of the newly revived Zomerlust Boutique Hotel in Paarl, the restaurant signals chef Kevin Grobler’s bold return. A serious glow-up for Boland fine dining. For the Paarl local, SMEUL (Afrikaans for “smoulder”) is more than a restaurant; it’s a statement. The kitchen runs entirely on open flame and wood-fired Dover stoves. No shortcuts. Just fire. Instinct and skill. Chef Kevin’s resume is a testament to his tenacity. A stint at Michelin-starred Restaurant JAN in Nice, Delaire Graff, and SCAPE has cemented his presence on the local and international foodie scene. However, SMEUL is his most confident, most unapologetic expression yet. If the woody aroma drifting from Zomerlust Boutique Hotel in Paarl’s main road doesn’t entice you, the contemporary, quirky decor grounded in the hotel’s heritage

Oh, happy days! If there ever were a (pre) Christmas miracle, this would be it.  After announcing in July that it would close its remaining stores after 15 years of scooping, a beloved local ice-cream brand has pulled off the sweetest U-turn.  Following an overwhelming public response, The Creamery will live to scoop another day. And judging by the reaction, Cape Town was absolutely not ready to let go. The Creamery confirmed that its stores in Newlands, Mouille Point, Durbanville and Palmyra Junction in Claremont will remain open.  Its owner, Food Lover’s Market, which operates the brand through Seattle Coffee Company, says the response to the proposed closure was “pretty incredible.” Customers flooded the business with messages, memories and appeals to keep the brand going. So, yes, that collective citywide sigh of relief you just heard? Probably ice-cream related. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Creamery Ice Cream (@thecreamerysa) In an official statement on its social media channels, The Creamery declared: “Well, hello again. “We heard you. We felt the love. And we’re very happy to say… we’re still here! There’s plenty we’re excited to share, but for now, just know that The Creamery lives on. “The scoops keep coming! Watch this space.” A very sweet comeback  The Creamery opened in 2011, founded by former chef Kate Schrire and business partner Marianne Visser.  It started small, with handcrafted ice cream made with local and seasona

If you were at the second Test of the Springboks versus the All Blacks at DHL Stadium on Saturday, 29 August, chances are your urine was collected. Don’t worry, it was all for conservation reasons: all 3,600 litres of it. In the name of finding solutions to environmental and climate change, local think tank PeeCycling collaborated with Bidvest Prestige to collect urine from a single toilet and four urinal troughs. It then converted the waste on site into a liquid fertiliser, recovering both nutrients and water that would otherwise be flushed away.   While the project is in the experimental phase, PeeCycling’s Dyllon Randall is confident it could yield the company’s first commercial urine-to-fertiliser plant. Thus far, the results look promising. The judging panel was so impressed that PeeCycling was named the winner of the FNF GreenPitch Challenge 2026. READ: Dam levels and water restrictions still a concern, despite stormy weather ahead PeeCycling I SuppliedWhile the project is in the experimental phase, PeeCycling’s Dyllon Randall is confident it could yield the company’s first commercial urine-to-fertiliser plant. Shark Tank-style competition Hosted by GreenCape and a City-supported Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the GreenPitch Challenge was initiated in 2018. This year marks its expansion across the Global South. “Its expansion into a continent-wide challenge reflects both the scale of the environmental challenges facing African economies and the opportunities these cha

The Mother City’s iconic Pink Lady has once again checked into the global big leagues. Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, has been named No. 34 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026, placing the grand dame among the planet’s most celebrated stays. The ranking was unveiled at an awards ceremony in Paris, marking the fourth edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels and bringing together hotels spanning six continents. More than 800 anonymous experts, including hoteliers, travel journalists, educators and seasoned luxury travellers, cast the votes. For Mount Nelson, the recognition marks another chapter in a story stretching back more than 125 years.  READ:  Three South African hotels given the nod in World’s Most Beautiful list Photograph: Mount NelsonThebe Magugu Suite Heritage reimagined Nestled in eight acres of gardens beneath ancient trees, the hotel has been part of Cape Town’s cultural and social fabric since 1899. And while the famous pink façade remains gloriously old-school, the hotel has no intention of becoming a museum piece. Over the past year, Mount Nelson has doubled down on culture, design and gastronomy. One of its headline additions is a dedicated suite and atelier created in collaboration with acclaimed South African designer Thebe Magugu, giving guests a peek into his creative universe.  Then there’s Amura, the hotel’s new dining destination from Ángel León, the three-Michelin-starred Spanish chef famously known as the “Chef of the Sea”. “To be recognise

Los Angeles has Chinatown. Paris has Quartier d’Aligre. And Cape Town has Kalk Bay. All three are among the world’s 40 coolest neighbourhoods in 2026, according to Time Out's latest survey of its worldwide audience.  On-the-ground experts weighed in on which cool spots made the cut, and Cape Town’s very own coastal enclave, Kalk Bay, beat London’s Newington Green and the Distillery District, Lexington (USA), to the 31st spot. How did these locales make it onto the list? Over the past half-decade or so, much has changed in how we live, work, and play in our cities, says Time Out travel editor Grace Beard.  During the pandemic, our neighbourhoods became places of social gatherings and community hubs. These spots transformed into mini villages, attracting artisan coffee shops, intimate live band venues and pop-up galleries championing local art. Places like these keep a neighbourhood’s soul and heritage alive. This year’s list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods consists of downtown hubs and seaside strips, homely enclaves and warehouse districts. To decide the final ranking, a panel of Time Out editors judged the neighbourhoods on several criteria, including food and drink, nightlife, unique local businesses, liveability and community.  Why Kalk Bay? Photograph: SuppliedThe Reef, Kalk Bay Well, why not? Locals have for decades bragged about the warmer-than-usual Atlantic, the azure blue water lapping their doorstep. Not to mention its rich, storied heritage. Kalk Bay deserv

At Time Out South Africa, we make it our mission to help you find the best of your city - but this week it's hitting a bit differently. Right now, we can't do that without acknowledging that our country is living through a femicide crisis. Pretending it's not happening would be a failure of the job we've set ourselves, as local experts, to cover our cities in a real and trusted way. Our communities across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are gathering and refusing to be silent. We're adding our voice by sharing this round-up of memorials and support groups taking place near you: More than a moment of mourning: Where women can find support We believe everybody deserves to move freely, and most importantly, safely! We encourage you to take action, remain aware and support each other for a safer South Africa for all, especially women. Out and about in Cape Town: Best things to do this weekend The September school holidays officially start on Wednesday, 23 September. Whether you’re ready or not, the big question is: what are your plans, and how much will it cost? Hold on to that thought as you plot your weekend. And as usual, Cape Town is showing off. We’ve got the Baroque Festival and the 13th European Film Festival, all happening in the city centre. The Heritage Music Festival at Groote Schuur High kicks off the Heritage Month events. Emo Adams and Take Note will be headlining. And then, of course, all the ladies are in for a treat: Kenny Latimore brings his sultry R&B sounds

If you like Porn Star Martinis, then you should probably attend the AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival, happening Saturday, 14, to Sunday, 22 November. The Mother City will turn into a cocktail paradise for movers, mixers and shakers. And yes, there’ll be drinks. Lots of them. Now in its sixth edition, AJABU is a major fixture on Africa’s hospitality calendar. Its mission is refreshingly simple: put African bartenders, ingredients, flavours, creativity and ideas firmly in the spotlight, while bringing the rest of the world along for the ride.  Founded by Ghanaian bartender and drinks industry heavyweight Colin Asare-Appiah and his longtime collaborator Mark Talbot Holmes, AJABU takes its name from the Swahili word for something wondrous or miraculous.   Fittingly, the festival grew out of Colin and Mark’s desire to build stronger connections between Africa’s drinks community and the wider international hospitality industry. Less cocktail convention, more global bar crawl AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival I SuppliedExpect some serious international talent behind the bar, too. The festival kicks off with the AJABU Tasting Tables on Saturday, 14 November, then spills across the CBD for eight days of bar pop-ups, guest shifts, collaborations, masterclasses, seminars, workshops, live music and plenty of reasons to linger. Expect some serious international talent behind the bar, too.  Confirmed participants include Johannesburg favourites Sin + Tax, Obscura and Smoking Kills, alon

 AI might be changing how we plan holidays, but Pangea reckons the best part of travel still happens offline. The global social travel platform has launched Pangea Trips, a new collection of more than 50 group travel experiences planned for 2027, including adventures to some unconventional destinations. The idea is simple: use AI to figure out where travellers might want to go, then let real people, local knowledge and shared experiences take it from there. Pangea’s community now numbers more than 100,000 travellers, including globetrotters who have visited every country in the world. Their recommendations feed into the platform’s travel intelligence, helping shape everything from where groups stay and eat to which neighbourhoods and lesser-known spots make the cut. Pangea I SuppliedPangea isn’t promising travellers another algorithmically generated list of “must-see” attractions. Speaking exclusively with Time Out, Pangea founder and CEO Matt Gray explains that the company’s mission has always been to help its community explore the world together. “Africa is the largest continent, with 54 countries, so there is no doubt it’s a key focus for our community of off-the-beaten-path travellers and us,” says Matt. He hopes Pangea can help open up new destinations in less visited places and expand its community’s worldview along the way. Where Cape Town fits in PangeaSnapshot from Nomad Week Cape Town 2025. This launch takes Pangea from beta to a more robust global platform. Fo

Welcome to the second week of spring. The sun is sun-ning. The flowers are flower-ing. All is good with the world, unless your sinuses are sinus-ing. Then, I’d suggest you stay indoors for the foreseeable future. For the rest of you spring chickens lacing up for the OUTSURANCE Gun Run, good luck and stay hydrated. And for those cheering from the sidelines, it's best to park and walk. Traffic around Green Point is going to be not so lekker. Take a chance on Mamma Mia! The Musical! at the Artscape all the way through October. Remember, the winner takes it all; you snooze, you lose on tickets. Local artist Zarah Cassim has an exhibition at The President this month. Worth a visit if you’re interested in depth and perception.  And, yes, Chester’s Got Talent, or at least he thinks he does. You be the judge of that as the puppet master and his sidekick, Conrad Koch, take the stage at Cafe Roux on Friday. CBD MAMMA MIA! The Musical! Artscape I FacebookABBA fans will be delighted to hear all the band’s greatest hits. Friday, 11 September - Sunday, 11 October, 5pm Venue: Artscape Opera House, Cape Town CBD Cost: R200 - R580, bookings via Ticketmaster If you missed the 2023 instalment, you’d better book now. Tickets are selling out fast. ABBA fans will be delighted to hear all the band’s greatest hits, including ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Take A Chance on Me’, on the bill. Come along and join the fun with your feel-good energy. Baggage Claim FacebookBaggage Claim at the Labia Sunday,

The City of Cape Town has opened an additional round of its Film Fund for productions nearing completion. Following the success of its third funding round, the CoCT is inviting local filmmakers to apply for financial or municipal services support for projects due for completion during the 2026/27 financial year. The deadline? Wednesday, 7 October 2026. So, consider this your gentle nudge to get those applications in.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by kykNET (@kyknettv) Emerging talent, you’re up The Film Fund is designed to do more than help get productions over the finish line. It aims to boost the local economy, create jobs across Cape Town’s film and media industries and give emerging talent a leg up through training and skills development. Two projects supported by the fund screened at this year’s Silwerskerm Festival, while projects backed in earlier rounds have been making their way around the festival circuit, putting Cape Town talent in the spotlight. “The City is pleased to launch an additional Film Fund call as an extension of Round Three, aimed at filmmakers with projects nearing completion,” said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.  “We look forward to supporting a new selection of projects that will continue to showcase our city’s creative excellence and strengthen its position as a premier filmmaking hub,” Alderman JP Smith added.  READ: Khaki Fever: A safari comedy so sexy it needed two 'intimac

We have the mountain. The ocean. The trails. The city streets. And, if you time your route right, scenery that makes you forget you’re supposed to be counting steps. Now, the Mother City is stepping up (excuse the pun) its running game. On Sunday, 18 October, thousands of runners will take to the streets for the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon Cape Town, a major new event created in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.  And with Takealot coming on board as a sponsor, the race is shaping up to be about much more than crossing a finish line. Under the banner “Rise. Remember. Run.”, the event will celebrate South Africa, its people and the enduring values of Nelson Mandela.  A city made for running Cape Town has no shortage of routes for runners who like a little variety with their cardio. Fancy a flat(ish) seaside cruise? The Atlantic Seaboard delivers. Want hills that make you question every life decision? Cape Town has those too. Prefer a trail with dramatic mountain views? Take your pick. The city’s biggest running asset may be the fact that its routes can double as a history lesson. The Nelson Mandela Marathon Cape Town will weave through some of the most recognisable and historically significant landmarks, including the Castle of Good Hope, Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap and District Six. The event is expected to attract 30,000 participants across multiple race distances, including the marathon, half-marathon and shorter events. Golazo and Itheko Sport Athletic Clu

The Mother City’s street-art scene has never been particularly shy. Now, its colour is spilling beyond walls and onto sports fields, libraries, parks and other public spaces. Over the past year, eight public art projects commissioned through the City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Development Branch have given emerging artists a chance to leave their mark across the city. Their work is also giving some decidedly ordinary pieces of infrastructure a visual upgrade. “These artworks show what public art can do when artists and communities are given the opportunity to create something together,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.  The projects, completed during the 2025/26 financial year, brought together eight lead artists and more than 20 emerging and assisting artists. From murals celebrating sport and biodiversity to a first-of-its-kind community mosaic, the work shows how public art can turn familiar spaces into something people stop and look at. And in a city where graffiti and street art have become an increasingly visible part of the urban landscape, that’s a win-win. From sports fields to libraries  Luthando Tyhalibongo (CoCT Media ) I SuppliedGustrouw Sportsfield in Strand At Gordon’s Bay Sportsfield, artists Angelo Waterloo, Marquin van Aarde and Xolisile Sitwayi created a mural celebrating sport and the role recreational spaces play in bringing communities together. The nearby Gustrouw Sportsfield in Strand r

The Mother City is a place of dog walkers, cat people, bird enthusiasts, horse lovers and the occasional resident whose backyard contains chickens named “Walter” or “Sally.” Naturally, all those pets require rules. The City of Cape Town is proposing amendments to its Animal Keeping By-law, bringing a raft of new and updated regulations covering everything from dangerous dogs and stray animals to working horses, glue traps and wild animals in circuses. Here are seven proposed changes Cape Town’s animal-loving residents should know about. #1. Your dog can’t freelance in public  iloliloliCute pug dog with its tongue out, drinking fresh water from its metal bowl on a wooden deck during a sunny day, enjoying a refreshing moment outdoors Cape Town, we have a dog problem. Or, more accurately, a dog-control problem. During the last financial year, the City’s Animal Control Unit received 9,499 calls, including 4,431 reports about stray dogs, 2,839 about dangerous or vicious dogs and 107 involving dogs off-leash. The proposed amendments aim to bring greater clarity to the rules governing animals in public spaces, including requirements to keep dogs under control. So yes, your pooch may consider itself the mayor of the park. Legally, however, it still needs to behave. #2. Stray pets will have less time in the shelter Nobody wants to imagine their missing pet sitting in a shelter. The proposed amendments would shorten the window for reclaiming stray animals. The shelter period would be