Cape Town South Africa

As an unseasonably warm July in the Western Cape Province wraps up, the Mecca of South African wine-making is preparing to host its annual wine festival - and aren’t we lucky to be living so close by!

The charming, historic (established in 1679) town of Stellenbosch, situated less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is the hub of the country’s wine industry. Every year, the picturesque hamlet uncorks its renowned hospitality as an influx of both international and local visitors descend upon it to explore the area’s five distinct wine routes, visit over 100 wineries, and to drink in the area’s spectacular sights, sounds, and of course, its wines. This year, the festival is extra special since it coincides with South Africa’s 350^th wine-making anniversary.

During the event, festival goers will be able to experience some diverse activities. These include sampling more than 500 different wines; stocking up on their wine collections; taking part in comparative varietal tastings; meeting their favourite winemakers; witnessing some of the area’s top chefs in action – and better yet, tasting their creations - learning more about wine by attending courses; hearing live music and attending fashion shows and art exhibitions.

One of the more unconventional activities at the festival will be the the event where attendees will learn how to blend their own wines. Afterwards, they will even be able to take home their personally created blends to share with family and friends!

Those who are a bit more adventurous, active and fit can explore the winelands by bicycle; view the spectacular works of world-renowned landscape artist Strijdom van der Merwe; and have a “vertical” tasting – which means that you are treated to a tasting of various vintages of a label’s Merlot (to name but one example).

The festival lasts until Sunday, 2 August. In order to encourage responsible drinking and road safety, several shuttle services will operate to transport festival goers to and from Cape Town (departing from the VA Waterfront), Somerset West, etc.

The complete festival programme is available online at www.wineroute.co.za/festival.asp

Poets have always been inspired by the oceans and the creatures lurking within its unfathomable depths, so perhaps it is only apt that some of poets are going to come face-to-face with some of those creatures of the deep. 

An aquarium is therefore also not such an unusual place to have a poetry slam. The Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront is indeed going to be the location of the event DEEP: A Night of Creative Currents featuring Sharks, Poets and other Endangered Species tonight. The event will see the launch of Hyphen, a debut collection of poems by Tania van Schalkwyk and also feature works and appearances by Gus Ferguson, Justin Fox, Sarah Lotz, Helen Moffett, Malika Lueen Ndlovu, Henrietta Rose-Innes, Rebecca Townsend, Colwyn Thomas and others. Books and art will be on sale.

Tickets cost R40 and includes entrance to the aquarium and a free glass of wine upon arrival. It starts at 7pm.

Our beloved former President, Nelson Mandela, turns 91 years old tomorrow!!

The day has officially been declared Mandela Day around the world with a host of performances planned around the world in honour of Madiba. South Africans lucky enough to be in New York City tomorrow will be able to attend a special concert at Radio City Music Hall where artists the likes of legendary Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban and Alicia Keys will perform. Even heart throb actor Matt Damon is apparently going to make an appearance! But since the most iconic South African of all time is being honoured, the concert will definitely have a local flavour as well with Freshly Ground and the Soweto Gospel Choir representing and showing the world how awesome our homegrown talent is. 

Those of us NOT in the Big Apple needn’t despair. The Mother City will also celebrate Madiba Day in style at Mandela Rhodes Place where we will get to rock out to some of the finest South African artists at the Ubuntu Festival from 18 – 19 July. The line-up includes Coda, Claire Philips, the Pop Idols (including the very first one, Heinz Winkler) and Natalia da Rocha, to name but a few. 

For more information, call 021 422 1418

Happy birthday, Madiba!

According to a BBC news report, Cape Town could soon become home to the luxury cruise liner the QE2.

Plans are in the works to refurbish the ship and to turn her into a floating hotel. 

The ship is currently owned by real estate developer Nakheel in the United Arab Emirates. They bought it from Cunard for £50 million and plans to eventually turn it into a floating hotel off Dubai. 

The BBC quoted a spokesperson as saying: "In addition to alternative locations in Dubai, other ports in the Middle East and Africa have also expressed an interest in hosting this impressive maritime icon. Nakheel is currently evaluating these alternatives in order to ensure opportunities to experience QE2 in her current condition are maximised whilst ensuring her important heritage is at all times protected."

A former captain of the QE2, Commodore Ron Warwick, told the BBC that it is very likely that the ship could be moved to South Africa. 

Wherever she ends up, the cabins are said to be replaced with new, larger bedrooms and the engine space filled with a theatre, ahead of a planned opening in 2010.

One thing’s for sure, if she does end up here, it will definitely float our boat. Or… we will float her?