Cape Town in December – the inside guide

TALI FEINBERG

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

Cape Town’s new museum of contemporary art, the Zeitz MOCAA, is the biggest thing to emerge in the Mother City since Table Mountain. It has been described as being on par with the Tate Modern or the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, and is Africa’s first contemporary art museum.

It is a showcase for the African art collection belonging to businessman Jochen Zeitz, as well as the museum’s permanent collection and loaned works. Just the architecture is thrilling to behold, carved within an abandoned grain silo at the V&A Waterfront. The building has a soaring atrium, fantastic views and over 80 galleries over 100 000 square metres distributed over nine levels.

There is also an eatery, a museum shop and a rooftop sculpture garden.

It’s best to make a day of it, whether you want to explore the extensive art collections or just to spend time in the area..

TIt’s an ideal outing for adults and teens.

Outdoor entertainment

It’s summer in Cape Town – the perfect excuse to enjoy indoor activities outside. The Galileo Open Air Cinema will be hosting film screenings such as The Jungle Book, The Holiday and Mamma Mia! every Thursday, weather permitting from 18:00- 22:30 at a variety of outdoor venues around Cape Town. Tickets from wwww.webtickets.co.za and visit thegalileo.co.za to see a full list of films and venues.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens has a riveting line-up of musicians to entertain you at their outdoor concert venue – think expansive lawns, mountain views, and you can bring along a picnic as Goldfish, Freshlyground, Prime Circle, the Parlotones and others, perform under the stars.

Visit Webtickets to buy tickets and www.insideguide.co.za/cape-town/kirstenbosch-summer-concerts/ to see the full line-up.

Ideal for families, teens and older kids.

Beaches off the beaten track

Clifton’s famous four shores and Camps Bay’s picture-perfect sea and sand, mean that many tourists will be heading for these locations, and you can definitely do the same. But if you’re looking for something a little quieter, calmer and where the locals like to go, Cape Town also has plenty to offer.

Queen’s Beach wins for convenience, kid-friendliness and lack of wind. Just off the Sea Point Promenade; its rock pools are heaven for children to explore, and while the rest of Cape Town may be blown over by summer’s South Easter, you can enjoy a sheltered beach day until sunset.

Beta Beach is possibly Cape Town’s best kept secret. Tucked away in Bakoven, this small stretch of sand offers breathtaking views, calm coves and sea for swimming, and wins all round for family-friendliness and being just too cool for the teens. Get there early to grab a parking place and a spot on the sand.

If you’re heading to the Southern Peninsula you’re probably planning to visit Boulders Beach, which is great for swimming with penguins in a calm (but cold) turquoise sea. There is a fee to enter, so if you’re looking for a similar free experience, head to Seaforth Beach nearby. It is sheltered from the wind and also has penguins and beautiful boulders with calm water for everyone to enjoy a swim.

Queens Beach and Seaforth Beach are best for families and kids of all ages. Beta Beach wins with the teens but is also great for kids and families.

To market, to market

Capetonians love their markets, and there really is something for everyone. You have probably visited the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, and it is still an excellent outing.

Looking further afield, the locals adore the Oranjezicht City Farm Market, which has now expanded to The Lookout Area at the Waterfront. Head there on a Saturday morning to grab the best local produce; then enjoy artisanal coffee and gourmet healthy treats.

An exciting development is the new Vegan Market, ideal for anyone interested in a more eco-friendly and kind lifestyle.Wide variety of goods on offer, from brownies to burgers. 10:00- 16:00, Khanyisa Waldorf School, Plumstead.

Head to Hout Bay for a truly local experience at the Bay Harbour Market near the harbour, open on Friday evenings and both weekends. Located in a once-abandoned factory, it has a rustic, energetic vibe and is filled with food traders, shopping stalls and entertainment both for kids and adults. 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay. Friday Nite LIVE! 17:00 to 21:00. Weekends: 09:30 am to 16:00.

Winning at the winelands

You’re spoilt for choice in visiting the Cape’s magnificent Wine Route.

Veregelegen Wine Estate on Lourensford Road, Somerset West has  beautiful grounds, manicured gardens, a historic homestead and library, award-winning wines and fantastic restaurants. Stables Bistro is a family-friendly restaurant and there is an amazing play area for the little ones a little distance away from the eatery. (021)  847-2100  www.vergelegen.co.za

Lourensford Wine Estate, also in Somerset West, is welcoming to families and even allows kids to join in wine tasting with a children’s kid’s grape juice pairing! The Millhouse Kitchen is a relaxed family restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a large garden and three natural wood jungle gyms. When booking, request a table near the kids’ play area. (021) 847-0030 www.lourensford.co.za

Vergenoegd Wine Estate,  a family destination in the Stellenbosch Winelands. is well-known for its  “Duck Parade”, where over 1 000 ducks run free to assist in the control of the snail and pest population in the vineyards. There are also outdoor games, giant chalk boards and cookie decorating, and a market. Wine tasting, picnics and a top-class restaurant means this really is the wine farm for the whole family. Baden Powell Drive, Faure, Stellenbosch, 7131. Reservations: + 27 (0) 21 843 3248 / +27 (0) 63 629 3629 / reservations@vergenoegd.co.za

Best suited to the whole family

Kosher cuisine and Chanukah fun

Chabad on Campus is having a Chanukah party for 18-25 year-olds on December 14. Visit ‘Chabad on Campus CT’ on Facebook for more information.

Coffee Time  at Astra Centre in the City Bowl offers kosher buffet lunches, an a la carte menu, all day breakfasts, speciality coffees, baked goods and takeaways and a gift shop. Your waitrons are from the sheltered employment centre, so support this worthy cause and enjoy excellent food and a lovely garden. A cupcake decorating workshop for kids at R100 per child. Visit Coffee Time on Facebook or call (021) 461-8414 for opening times and workshop dates.

Goldies Deli is opening a Chalav Yisroel kosher Popup Pizza takeaway at 176 Main Rd Sea Point – one door away from Goldies. Trading from 11:00 to 22:00 and Fridays till 15:00, Saturdays open one hour after sunset.

Goldies – (021) 434-1116 or (021) 439-3008 174 Main Rd Sea Point – trading from 08:30  Sun-Fri. Closing 18:00 Sun-Thurs, 16:30 Fri.

The Press Bar & Grill – (021) 434-7724, 176 Main Rd Sea Point – trading from 10:00 – 02:00 Sun-Thurs, till 16:00 Fridays and open one hour after sunset on Saturdays.

Private parties can be booked at The Press Grill as well as Shabbos dinners by arrangement.

Avron’s Place is open  through the season from December 16 to mid-January including, Saturday night. A themed Shabbat dinner at Ohr Somayach on  December 29 and traditional Shabbat dinners at Avron’s Place. A full catering facility for people wishing to have Shabbos at home, and a selection of lunchboxes available on order for picnics. Like the ‘Avron’s Place’ Facebook page for more info.

The Jacob Gitlin Library will be having a special Chanukah storytime for kids ages 3-7 on Tuesday December 19 from 11:00 – 12:00, 88 Hatfield St, Gardens. A morning of fun stories, art, crafts and games. Suggested donation: R10 per child. Info or to RSVP: Janine@gitlinlibrary.co.za or tel (021) 462-5088.

They invite children, parents and grandparents to enjoy the new children’s room at the library. Books available for young children and teens.

For bibliophiles, the library will also be selling a selection of second-hand adult books throughout the holidays.

Join educator and tour guide Craig Nudelman for a walking tour of Jewish Cape Town, where you will visit sites relevant to how the Jewish community came to be as we know it today.

Contact Craig on craig.nudelman@gmail.com or visit “Mother City Jewish Tours” on Facebook.

Martine Sandler will be hosting a kids’ holiday club in the City Bowl from December 11-14, 10:00 – 14:00 for girls in grade 2 and 3. Activities include baking, art and dancing. Lindy for more information: holidayclub234@gmail.com

The comedy theatre production “From Koe’siestes to Kneidlach”  at the Baxter Theatre from December 19 to January 6 at 20:15 nightly and a matinee on Saturday December 23 at 16:30. The story follows what happens when a girl from the Cape Flats gets involved with a Jewish boy from Johannesburg. Tickets range from R100 to R140 and New Year’s Eve R250. Book at Computicket.

And finally – don’t forget to save water while in Cape Town!