PAM’S CAPE TOWN SHOPPING GUIDE – 2009

Cape Town is a Mecca for African art sourced both locally and from around the rest of Africa.  It is important to bear in mind that in addition to African “curios”,  our shopping is much like the shopping you would find in the rest of the world.  There is a definite combination of 1^st and 3^rd world in Cape Town.  Imported clothing incurs an import tariff – as such it is likely that you will find “branded” products at a cheaper price in your own country.  The exception to this is the Swedish visitors – however you need to bear in mind that that pay 25% tax on everything they buy back home – so naturally we are cheaper!  Similarly to other parts of the world our clothing industry has taken a knock due to cheap Chinese imports – as such, you can pick up some bargains if that is what you are after!

Shopping Zones!

1. V&A Waterfront www.waterfront.co.za

Note that the locals call this the V&A or they call it the Waterfront – it is never referred to as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.   This is a shopping hub built around a working harbour.  It is well worth heading down here to explore, shop, eat, drink and to listen to the buskers playing music while you stroll around.  The advantage of doing your shopping here is that generally the shops have sourced only the highest quality African artifacts and curios – this saves time as you do not have to dig through every item and check that the quality is good.  There is a lovely atmosphere in the Waterfront.  Make sure you exit from the big mall and walk towards the Clock Tower side of the Waterfront, there are many shops on the way that are well worth checking out.  The shops selling African goodies are too numerous to mention.  Of note in the Waterfront are some uniquely South African made products that are worth checking out.  One is Charlotte Rhys, she makes a wonderful range of soaps, creams and chocolates.  Another is a store called RAIN.  Rain make glorious bath products.  An interesting store for those who like high quality linens is Nocturnal Affair.  Note that Woolworths in South Africa is not related to the Woolworth group overeas, it was opened by Marks & Spencer’s in South Africa and as such is out most upmarket food retailer in the country.  This is essential knowledge for those who are here for longer stays and plan to participate in Cape Town’s favourite activity – watching the sun set with a picnic and excellent wine/champers!  Look out for:

1.1  The Original T Bag Designs in the Blue Shed at the V&A

Original T-Bag Designs, started in Hout Bay Cape Town South Africa, was birthed out of a caring desire to improve the quality of life of impoverished South Africans. By using recycled tea bags, Original T-Bag Designs has created an innovative range of high quality hand made products, which are creatively unique. With outlets in Hout Bay and at the V & A Waterfront, it has gained a following from international visitors the world over. Find out more about its history and products at www.tbagdesigns.co.za

2. Bo Kaap area (just off Buitengracht rd in the city) – the Cape Malay quarter.

2.1  Bo-Kaap: Streetwires (www.streewires.co.za  ) 77 Shortmarket Street.  Tel: 021 426 2475

The Bo-Kaap is located in the city bowl.  It is the only area where people of colour were not forcefully removed during apartheid.  It  is home to our Cape Muslim community.  The area is one of Cape Town’s most beautiful suburbs and boasts wonderful brightly coloured houses.   The area is turning into a hub of community projects and Fair Trade projects.  I would highly recommend that you visit Streetwires while you are in Cape Town.

About streetwires: At Streetwires, we create and market the very best contemporary African wire and bead craft, blending First World resources with traditional Third World craft skills to the benefit of everyone involved.

Started in 2000, our Proudly South African project is providing training, support and raw materials neccesary to enable over 100 formerly unemployed men and women to channel their natural creative energies into this vibrant art form.

TIP: When you visit them – ask them to take you on tour of the factory where they are making the wire creations – it is fascinating and gives you insight into the project.

2.2  Bo-Kaap - Monkey Biz (www.monkeybiz.co.za) 65 Rose Street. Mon – Fri 9 -5pm, Sat 9 -1pm.  Tel no: 021 426 0636

Located around the corner from Streetwires is Monkey Biz.  I would highly recommend a visit to this community project as the work is fantastic and supports a really good cause.

From the Monkey Biz website:

Ceramic artists Barbara Jackson and Shirley Fintz, passionate collectors of African beadwork and art have facilitated a revival of an ancient beading tradition in Southern Africa. Together with Mathapelo Ngaka, they made their dream come true. A desire to create employment and empowerment for disadvantaged women in Cape Town has led to the creation of "MONKEYBIZ"

Historically, bead work, in a South African context, has been the domain of women largely within the Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele and Sotho communities. The women are introduced to the craft directly through their mothers, grandmothers and other women in the community.

MonkeyBiz is a non-profit organisation - all profits go back into the communities via payment for bead art and the provision of community services.

3. CITY:

3.1  Green Market Square www.greenmarketsquare.com

 This square was originally the first fruit and vegetable market in the Cape – hence the name Green Market Square.  Today it is our local flea market.  The emphasis of the market is predominantly on African goods and art.  The main tip I can give you here is to remember to barter.  The first price you get is never the real price.  A second reminder is that these people do not earn very much and as such, do not barter to the point where you know the guy is not making a bit of a profit.  My feeling is that when I visit a foreign country I wan to leave a little something behind that benefits the locals from my visit.  The square is located in the heart of the old part of town between Longmarket and Shortmarket streets.  It is well worth a visit and is surrounded by lovely cafes where you can enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine (or two!)

3.2  Long Street

Long Street has always been a hub for shopping in the city of Cape Town.  In addition it has some of our oldest and most beautiful buildings.  To get a proper feel for the street and its architecture, start walking up Long Street from Strand street towards the mountain.  Long street is home to funky little shops all the way along and it is fun to explore.  It also has loads of coffee and lunch spots and is the nightlife hub of the city.  Note that Lola’s is an institution on Long Street – it is a vegetarian restaurant which attracts a really interesting mix of people – well worth stopping for a coffee or a veggie juice and watching the eccentric locals.  A few of the interesting stores in Long Street: 

3.2.1        Tribal Trends: This is my absolute favourite for upmarket African designed items and art.  This store has the highest quality merchandise out of all of the stores I have visited.  Many of the items are large and can be used for interior décor – if I had the budget I would have bought half the store already.  Tel: 021 423 8008. Address: 72 – 74 Long Street (very close to Green Market Square)

3.2.2        Pan African Market: This is a little market where the entry is simply a doorway off Long Street.  Once you are inside it is a warren of little shops.  This is a good spot to explore if you are looking for masks and African odds and ends as there is a vast array to chose from.  Be warned the sellers are quite pushy and try really hard to make a sale.  http://www.panafrican.co.za (look under Vision once you click onto the site) 76 Long Street Cape Town

3.2.3        The African Music Store:  This store has a fantastic range of African music.  It may be a little more expensive than the big music stores – but they offer wonderful warm assistance while in the store.  The staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.  It is definitely a little gem of a store and is well worth a visit.  134 Long Street

3.3  City – near District 6 Museum

3.3.1        African Home – creative crafts – creating employment: The store is FAIR TRADE accredited.  They are an outlet that focuses predominantly on recycled artworks made from items such as used bags, bottle tops etc.  They have a retail outlet as well as a team of crafters who can be briefed to create anything from an artwork through to corporate gifting.  Oprah Winfrey recently commissioned candelabra’s made from used cooldrink tins for a function.  Address: 41 Caledon Street (corner of Canterbury Str).  Tel no +27 21 461 1700. www.africanhome.co.za  Hours Mon – Frid 08h30 – 17h00.  After hours by appointment.

3.3.2        Woodheads – best place to buy leather and animal skins such as zebra, nguni cows skins etc.  Woodheads is a wholesaler and as such supply retail stores around Cape Town.  Their prices are substantially cheaper than the regular stores.  This is well worth a visit.  Note that you need to go to the back room to see the skins and there is a small museum upstairs – should you wish to see it, you simply ask.  29 Caledon Street, Cape Town.  Web: www.woodheads.co.za Tel no: 021 461 7185

4. Kalk Bay: 

Kalk Bay is a  local Cape Town village which is located on the sea and boasts one of the quaintest small community fishing harbours.  It is also home to some of the Cape’s nicest restaurants that offer the freshest fish and a delightful shopping ramble.  Kalk Bay is a destination that many locals will head to on weekends – just to stroll up and down and relax.  The stores are a mix of antiques, bric-a-brac, art galleries and two wonderful African trading stores.  My two favourite stores in Kalk Bay are: Kalk Bay Modern (above Olympia café) and Artvark – both are well worth a visit to stock up on African art and craft.  www.artvark.org

5. Shopping Malls:

For those hardened shoppers who really need to have a 1^st world retail fix, visit one of the below shopping centres.  Both are useful if you need to get something for a wedding or function and have not bought it before arrival!

5.1  Cavendish Square – our most upmarket shopping centre.  Location Claremont Southern Suburbs

5.2  Canal Walk – a serious mall – lots and lots and lots of shops under one roof.  This is a blister creating shopping experience.  Location: Just off the N1 – about 15 minutes from the Waterfront.

Happy shopping in the Cape.  Look out for another installment from Pam before your next trip to the Cape. 

Written by Pam McOnie, a dedicated “foodie” who offers wine & gourmet tours of the Cape……………with the occasional side stop for shopping!