Tag Archives: Oranjezicht

Devastating fire destroys parts of UCT, historical Mostert’s Mill, Rhodes Memorial Restaurant, not yet under control!

 

Yesterday a devastating fire started in Cape Town on one of the hottest days this summer, not only devastating in terms of the loss of vegetation and wildlife in the Table Mountain National Park, and buildings, but also the historical nature of these buildings, some with tourism significance too. Vagrants living in the National Park illegally are alleged to have caused the fire.

The fire continued burning on Devil’s Peak last night, and now has spread to Vredehoek, with certain parts of the suburb being evacuated this morning. Unfortunately it is being fanned by a gale force South Easter. Continue reading →

Book Review: ‘Sex, Lies & Stellenbosch’ tells a saucy saga of transformation; fact or fiction?!

I was sent a copy of Eva Mazza’s ‘Sex, Lies & Stellenbosch’ by Jacana Press, to review, my first Book Review. Whilst I waded through the sex, and sex, and sex, I wondered how I would write this review, this being a family-friendly Blog. But it was right at the end that the message of the book was clear: no matter how terrible the life experiences one goes through, there is always growth and an opportunity to transform, and lead a better life, echoing my two ‘SwitchBitch’ books which I published last year.  Continue reading →

Should politics threaten Oranjezicht City Farm market held at ‘Villa Zille’?

OZCF Marquees Whale CottageIt was a surprise to read that the legality of the Oranjezicht City Farm market, now held on the lawns of Premier Helen Zille’s Leeuwenhof residence in Oranjezicht, is being questioned, in what smacks of political posturing by the ANC.

Resulting from a suggestion received on Twitter to help save the market from closing down whilst it was operating alongside the Oranjezicht City Farm, Premier Zille agreed to hosting the Saturday morning market in December. While she checked security and logistical arrangements, she ‘had opened Leeuwenhof to the market without following due process because state red tape would have delayed it‘, reports City Press.

Complaints re hosting the market at Premier Zille’s official residence, itself a provincial heritage site, are that a Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 18 February

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The inflation rate has dropped to 4,4%, a three year low, and down from 5,3% in December.  The lower petrol price and slower food price increase benefited the inflation rate.  The price of petrol is expected to increase in March.

*   SAA is two-thirds through its 90 Day Action Plan, with a ‘business unusual’ approach to turn the airline around.  ‘Cost-compression‘ measures have helped to achieve relative stability. Loss-making flights (to China and India) are to be cancelled, taken over by Middle Eastern airlines, and linked to SAA via code-share arrangements. More flights to Mauritius, Maputo, and Harare have been scheduled.

*   The new visa regulations for tourists from China and India are hurting the South African tourism industry, said Continue reading →