Cape Town Visit and Reflections on Nelson Mandela

I spent the month of September in Cape Town, South Africa. September is the tourism month worldwide and South Africa takes it very seriously; there were many events and activities lined up for the entire month.

I was fortunate to stay in Seapoint by the ocean, a popular tourist destination. I came to Cape Town looking so much forward to visiting the famous Albert & Victoria Waterfront, it was all I expected and much more! I enjoyed a ride on the Waterfront Wheel where you get a bird’s eye view of Cape Town. I browsed the numerous designer shops at the Waterfront Mall and was spoiled for choice at the food courts. The bus tour around Cape Town was very educative, enjoyable and worth every rand I paid!

Taking a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain was memorable, more so because that day happened to be my birthday, and what better place to celebrate ones 59th birthday than on top of the “world”! Table Mountain, recently voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the Natural World, is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions and South Africa’s most famous landmark attracting thousands of visitors each year. This is a massive benefit to the local economy as well as the communities of Cape Town.

Robben Island

The highlight of my Cape Town visit was the tour of Robben Island! Ever since I read Mandela’s autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom” It has been my dream to go to Robben Island and walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela. On the last day of my Cape Town visit the dream became a reality. I was lucky to make the trip, since it was my third attempt and every time, the trip was cancelled due to bad weather! The Robben Island tour is a life lesson, visiting a historic site of such great significance to mankind gives you mixed feelings, you experience anger, bitterness, fear, but best of all you experience hope in the ability of goodness to prevail over evil.

I have been fortunate to visit the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, and Niagara Falls, but standing by the tiny prison cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of jail time and walked out with a forgiving heart is simply phenomenal. On a lighter note, one can spend a night at the former club house now turned into a Guest House. At a rate of $700 a night you join the guest list of the rich and famous including the Clintons!