Tag Archives: Chapman’s Peak

Cape Town stars in Penny Vincenzi novel

UK blockbuster novelist Penny Vincenzi has included Cape Town in her latest 750-page book, “The Best of Times”, which was launched in Cape Town just over a week ago.

Speaking at the book launch lunch, organised by the Cape Times and Wordsworth, and held at Sevruga, Vincenzi explained that no experience or information she gathers is lost to her books.  Vincenzi and her husband had visited Cape Town for the launch of her previous book two years ago.

The new novel refers to two of the characters visiting Cape Town for a medical congress, staying at “the Vineyard: a five-star wonder nestled just below Table Mountain, with rambling showpiece gardens, complete with giant tortoises and incredible flowers, and a superb spa”, going up Table Mountain, driving along Chapman’s Peak to Cape Point, visiting the townships, going out to Robben Island, and then leaving Cape Town on the Blue Train, travelling to Pretoria, from where the couple flies to the Kruger National Park.

Cape Town’s popularity as a tourist destination should increase due to the reference in the book, given the success Vincenzi has in her book sales, selling millions of copies.  Her books hook the reader in, and are “utterly unputdownable”, as the cover of the book says accurately.

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Matt Damon celebrity Argus cyclist

Matt Damon is the most high-profile VIP to be riding in the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour today, together with 35000 other cyclists.

The Cape Argus reports that Francois Pienaar, ex-Springbok Rugby captain,  inspired Damon to participate in the Cycle Race.  Damon plays Pienaar in the movie ‘The Human Factor’, which is about the 1995 Rugby World Cup win for South Africa, and is being filmed in Cape Town at the moment.   Pienaar climbed Mount Kilimanjaro this past week, only to come back and get on his bicycle and participate in the Cycle Tour, all in aid of charity.

The Cycle Tour has been successfully hosted in Cape Town for many years, and is estimated to contribute R 400 million to the economy of Cape Town and the Western Cape through entry fees, accommodation and restaurant costs, and travel costs.   Part of the monies generated by the race will go to charities.    The Tour also plays an important tourism marketing role for the city and its environs. 

For the first time in a number of years, the Cycle Tour will go through Chapman’s Peak, but only after the cyclists have signed an indemnity absolving the race organisers from any responsibility.

Argus Cycle Tour opens Chapmans Peak

Chapman’s Peak is to re-open especially for the Argus Cycle Tour on 8 March, the Cape Argus reports.   Race participants will have to sign a special indemnity, and agree to use the road at their own risk.   The opening of the road is subject to the safety of the 30 000 cyclists participating in the race.

The MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Garth Strachan met Cycle Tour representative Ken Sturgeon, and agreed to re-open the scenic road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, which has been closed for the past few months since heavy winter rains caused heavy rockfalls. 

The province has also agreed to investigate the reason for the continued delays in re-opening Chapman’s Peak, a popular tourism route, and important link to the city for Noordhoek residents.