U2 to Tour South Africa

Oct 222010

U2A little heads up, because this one promises to be a monster.  U2, arguably the biggest band in the world, are making their way to Cape Town and Johannesburg in February for the South African leg of their 360° Tour.  It has been twelve years since U2 last graced South Africa with their legendary live show in 1998, and by all accounts the stakes have been raised.  This being no ordinary concert, an extraordinary venue is called for to accommodate the thousands of fans who have been waiting with baited breath for the Irish rock icons to return to South Africa.  Enter the Cape Town Stadium and FNB Stadium Johannesburg, two state of the art stadiums that wowed the world during the FIFA 2010 World Cup Finals.  U2 will be making history as the first band to stage a live concert at both of these stadiums, and its hard to think of anyone more fitting for this honor.

For those of you who have been in a coma for the last thirty years, U2, hailing from Dublin, Ireland, are Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullin.  They have released 12 studio albums, ‘No Line on the Horizon’ being the latest, and have won 22 Grammy Awards.  The group has produced countless hit songs and anthems including the classics ‘With or Without You’, ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, ‘One’, ‘Beautiful Day’, ‘Vertigo’ and many more.  The band, especially lead singer Bono, are also renowned for their charity work and are involved in numerous social campaigns.

U2 will be playing at the FNB Stadium on the 13th February and Cape Town Stadium on the 18th February.Tickets for the 360° Tour go on sale through Computicket on Saturday 23 October.  Ticket prices start at R161 and go all the way up to R2568 for the best seats in the house.  Book early and avoid disappointment!

Writing’s on the Wall

Oct 132010

What does Cape Town have in common with New York, Sao Paulo, Berlin, London and Paris?  It may not appear as the obvious answer at first, but Cape Town joins these other cities as one of the world’s top destinations when it comes to graffiti, or street art, as is fast becoming the preferred term. Traversing simple acts of vandalism and maturing into a fully fledged art form, street art is conscious of itself and its strength to communicate with people.  For this reason street art, perhaps more than any other form of art, carries strong social and political messages.  This is incredibly evident on the streets of Cape Town, which abound with striking pieces that are not only beautiful but also insightful and loaded with meaning.  From political icons such as Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko, heroes of the struggle against apartheid, to works that highlight issues of social injustices such as the abuse of women and the gap between the poor and rich – very real issues that South Africa is struggling to come to terms with – Cape Town’s street art gives a voice to the voiceless and a forum for authentic expression in the urban wilderness. Continue reading »

Loerie Awards 2010

Oct 012010

This weekend sees the Loerie Awards, South Africa’s biggest event in the world of advertising and media, roll into Cape Town.  First held in 1978 and now in its 32nd year, the 2010 Loerie Awards, dubbing itself ‘The biggest event of the year’, is looking to be bigger and bolder than ever before.  No longer content with a single award show, the Loerie Awards has stretched itself into a weekend festival from the 1st to the 3rd of October, encompassing all manner of events and activities across Cape Town. Continue reading »

Meeting Old Relatives at the Cradle of Humankind

Sep 072010

Mrs Ples, famous fossil discovered at Sterkfontein Caves

The famous 'Mrs Ples', a 2 million year old skull.

An hour’s drive from the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg one can find the Cradle of Humankind, a truly remarkable place that is sure to leave you dizzy trying to grasp the developments of life and our species on this planet.  Occupying 47 000 hectares of land and an official World Heritage Site since 1999, the Cradle of Humankind consists of 15 major fossil sites – sites where fossils of our ancestors have been discovered that date back over 3 million years!  The most famous of these sites, Sterkfontein Caves has produced over a third of early hominid fossils ever found.  Most scientists now agree that all humanity has a common heritage that begun in Africa, and nowhere else is this more evident than at the Cradle of Humankind.

Maropeng

Being such an important place not only to Johannesburg and South Africa, but to the entire world and everyone alive, the Cradle of Humankind has become a huge attraction to people from far and wide.  To this effort there has been a dual effort to add tourism infrastructure in the forms of exhibition and recreational facilities, hotels, and restaurants, while maintaining ongoing scientific explorations and conservation efforts.  This is evident in the Maropeng Visitor’s Centre, a highlight of any trip to the Cradle.  Maropeng, a Setswana term that literally means ‘returning to the place of origin’, is a state of the art exhibition centre that will take its visitors on a ride from the creation of the universe during the Big Bang 14 billion years ago all the way to the present.  On the way we stop and examine how the Earth came into being from a ball of burning gas 4.6 billion years ago and then move forward to 3.8 billion years ago when life first emerged on the planet.  Moving swiftly along, we find out how the earth has been rocked by 5 major extinctions, the last being only 65 million years ago when a meteor impact killed off the giant reptilian dinosaurs.

By all accounts nothing very exciting happened for the next 60 million years or so, the dinosaurs were dead and gone.  Larger, stronger and better adapted mammals developed and took their place.  Nothing exciting that is, until some primates began to shake things up.  This is where the Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng really come into their own.  From our 3 million old relative, Australopithicus Africanus, discovered in the Sterkfontein Caves, all the way to modern humans, Homo sapiens, that emerged only 200 000 years ago.  May seem like a long time, but in the grander scheme of things, as this brilliant exhibit demonstrates, it’s just a blink of the eye.  Maropeng, with its state of the art displays and unrivalled collection of human and early hominid fossils, tells the unbelievable story of humanities development and growth, development of language and technology.  Perhaps the greatest story ever told, and Maropeng does it amazingly.

Sterkfontein Caves, Cradle of Humankind

Sterkfontein Caves

From the riveting history lesson at Maropeng, one can visit Sterkfontein Caves for a more ‘in depth’ and close up look at where and how these amazing discoveries were made.  After learning about the famous fossils that came out of these caves and their historical significance, visitors can then take a tour of these magnificent caves.  Some of the more incredible finds here have been evidence of controlled fire that is 1 million years old as well as ‘Little Foot’, an almost complete Australopithicus Africanus skeleton that is over 3 million years old.

For more information check out Allabout’s listing or visit Maropeng’s website.

Orlando Towers: Johannesburg’s Playground for the Adrenaline Junkie

Sep 062010

The Orlando Towers, home to Johannesburgs most exciting vertical adventure centre.

The colourful Orlando Towers host Johannesburg's most exciting adventure centre!

Two weeks ago I reported how Cape Town’s Athlone Towers, the two enormous cooling towers of the decommissioned Athlone Power Station, met their demise in a spectacular controlled implosion.  The Athlone Towers however weren’t the only of their kind in South Africa.  In Soweto, South Africa’s most famous township based on the outskirts of Johannesburg, there is another famous pair of decommissioned cooling towers, the Orlando Towers.  Unlike their counterparts in Cape Town, the Orlando towers were not destined for destruction, but have come to serve another purpose entirely.  Instead, the disused towers were converted into a vertical adventure facility in 2007, the first of its kind in South Africa.

Vertical Adventure… What?

In 2001 rope access specialist Bob Wood was contracted for maintenance operations on the disused towers.  While performing this task, hoisted on a rope 100m above the ground and overlooking the vast metropolis of Johannesburg, Bob was struck by an idea.  Bob thought, as any sane person would, how awesome would it be to fall from here.  Or more precisely, to bungee jump, swing or abseil off these immense towers in the middle of Soweto.  Fast forward six years and Orland Towers, vertical adventure facility was born.

Bungee Jumping Orlando TowersSo what can one expect from this oversized playground for adrenaline junkies?  Well, first off to get to the top, where the thrills and fun begins, an external lift will take you up the side of the one tower.  This lift follows the concave structure of the tower, starting off leaning towards the tower, then straightening up, and then leaning towards the ground, 33 stories below, as it reaches the top.  After the lift stops you walk up a floating stairway to the jump platform as the city expands out far below you.  At this point the adrenaline is kicking in and nerves are on edge.  From here one has a choice between a number of extremely fun, albeit terrifying things to do.  For those wishing for a slower descent, abseiling down the tower is the way to go.  The abseil offers 40m drop before contact with the building, after which you can ‘moon jump’ the rest of the way.  For a much faster way down there’s the 100m bungee jump, off a suspension bridge suspended between the two towers.  Alternatively the power swing offers a pendulum style swing between the two cooling towers, guaranteed to take your breath away.  And if that’s not enough, how about trying the Abyss – the world’s first swing inside a cooling tower!

For more information on the Orlando Towers check out the Allabout listing or visit the Orlando Towers website.

Things to do in Cape Town: 5 Essentials

Sep 012010

Cape Town

Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa’s most prominent tourist destination is littered with things to do.  From eating at world-class restaurants, partying the night away at top-notch clubs or simply sipping cocktails while watching the sun set over pristine beaches and sparkling oceans.  From vibrant Long Street and trendy Green Point to Camp’s Bay and the Cape Peninsula, cosmopolitan Cape Town will entertain and enthrall all day and night long.  With so much on offer it’s difficult to narrow a list of things to do in Cape Town to just five essentials.  But, after much deliberating we have done just that.  So without hesitation, here are the five things to do in Cape Town before you leave.  Enjoy!

Continue reading »

Nando’s Comedy Festival hits Cape Town

Aug 302010

The 31st of August sees the start of Africa’s foremost and largest comedy festival.  Now in its 14th year, the annual Nando’s Comedy Festival is bringing a star-studded line up of international and local comedy heroes to our shores in what promises to be a fun-filled and side-splitting event.  Considered to be one of the top 5 comedy festivals the world, the Cape Town leg has been watched by over 150 000 audiences in its previous thirteen years, and if the list of comedians this year is anything to go by we are in for a treat yet again.  So who are these masters of laughter who will have Cape Town rolling in the aisles this year?  Well for starters there’s Jonathan Arons from USA, famous for his ‘trombone dancing’.  Also from America, comedian Bobby Lee shot to fame after being discovered by Pauly Shore and asked to open for him in Vegas.  From Australia, famed comedian Dave Thornton is sure to astound with his razor sharp wit, while British comedian Ava Vidal has been making waves ever since becoming the first female finalist in the BBC 3 New Comedy Awards in the very first year of her career.  Added to this international mix of superstars is local favourite Trevor Noah, who after just two years performing has shot to the top of the South African comedy circuit, and looks to hold his position there for years to come.  All this and more awaits at the Nando’s Comedy Festival this year.  Visit http://www.comedyfestival.co.za for more information.  As a little teaser, here’s Jonathan Arons doing his thing with the trombone:

Devil’s Peak and Van Hunks

Aug 272010

Table Mountains famous table cloth is one of Cape Town's major attractions.

Table Mountain's famous 'table cloth'

Ever wondered how Devil’s Peak, the smaller mountain to the left of Table Mountain, received it’s ominous name? Well, legend would have it that once upon a time, in the golden age of exploration, there lived a fearless Dutch pirate named Jan Van Hunks who had retired from a life of plundering and pillaging the Seven Seas to settle in what was later to become the great city of Cape Town. To settle, more exactly, on the slopes of Table Mountain. Now Van Hunks, retired pirate that he was, enjoyed nothing more than heading out to his favourite spot on what we now know as Devil’s Peak and smoking his pipe while admiring the majestic view in front of him. As the legend goes, on this one particular day as Van Hunks got to his favourite spot he encountered another man dressed entirely in black with a large black hat concealing his face. Not to be rude or discouraged, Van Hunks sat next to the man, took out his pipe and began to smoke it. Seeing this, the stranger produced his own pipe.

“I see you enjoy smoking that pipe of yours,” the stranger said. “I’ll wager that I can smoke more than you.” Now Van Hunks was very proud of his smoking ability and in all his adventures he had never once met someone who could out-smoke him.
“Don’t be foolish,” replied Van Hunks, “nobody alive can smoke more than me. I will gladly accept your wager.”

A large pile of tobacco was placed before both men and the smoking contest began (The legend says tobacco, but this being Cape Town I have my doubts…). And they smoked and smoked, non stop for an entire day. Huge clouds of smoke bellowed up around the two men and stretched out covering the whole of Table Mountain. Van Hunks had never encountered anyone who could smoke like this, but he refused to give up. And just when Van Hunks thought he could not possibly smoke anymore, the stranger all of a sudden put down his pipe.
“No more. I concede, you have beaten me.” Van Hunks was elated with his victory but he was still intrigued as to who this stranger that almost out-smoked him was.
“Never have I met someone who can smoke like you. Please tell me your name stranger?”

With that the stranger removed his hat and Van Hunks saw that the man he had been competing against was none other than the Devil himself. Now, we all know the Devil is a sore loser and hates to be beaten at anything, least of all smoking. Should the Devil be beaten at smoking, there would be hell to pay. And so, when the clouds of smoke that had grown around the two finally drifted away, neither Van Hunks or the Devil were anywhere to be seen. Now, when the clouds come again and the famous ‘table cloth’ covers Table Mountain, people say that old Jan Van Hunks and the Devil are at it again.

Sushi in the Mother City

Aug 252010

Cape Town SushiIf ever there was a food that has gained a cult following in Cape Town in recent time then sushi is it.  Locals and visitors alike cannot seem to get enough of the raw fish sensation from Japan.  From nigiri to maki and sashimi to California rolls, this multicoloured delicacy is illuminating plates and pallets across the city.  And for devotee, finding the perfect sushi restaurant has become a crusade that can be likened to finding the perfect cup of coffee or the perfect steak.  And like the aforementioned task, this is no easy feat.  With dedicated sushi restaurants popping up everywhere and sushi bars opening up in restaurants sporting different cuisines, finding that perfect fashion sandwich or rainbow roll is becoming more and more difficult.  Luckily Allabout is here to point you in the direction of some of the best sushi the Mother City has to offer:

Continue reading »

Art of a Distinct Nature

Aug 242010

September signifies the approach of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere and with it sunshine, longer days, flowers blooming and a revival of the natural world.  Kirstenbosch, the most famous botanical garden in South Africa, is celebrating the coming Spring with it’s Botanical Art Biennale.  Now in its tenth year, the biennale offers the perfect opportunity to experience two of life’s most profound pleasures – art and nature – and the interrelationship between the two that has inspired man throughout the ages.  Vincent van Gogh stated, “Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more”.  Perhaps in a reversal of this, the Botanical Art Biennale 2010 is using art to rekindle the love of nature, and highlight it’s plight in our current day and age.  The focus this year is particularly on rare and endangered plant species, the loss of biodiversity and the danger it presents to the ecosystem.  This theme challenges and encourages artists to build relationships with conservation organisations, scientists and horticulturists.  The event will run from 5th to the 24th of September and promises to be a highlight for art and nature lovers alike.  For more information click here.

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