Cape Town’s Waterfront is full of fascinating history; some painful – prisons, torture and good-byes; others uplifting –  the excitement of the weekly mail ship and the buzz of the harbour. For this tour, Lesley Cox leads us on a carefully planned route.

Our focus is from the 19th Century when it was the country’s largest convict station, through to the development of the harbour and jetty for Robben Island’s political prisoners, like Nelson Mandela. We stop at stunning old buildings and places easy to miss, such as the treadmill, time ball and stone marking Prince Alfred’s launch of the breakwater’s construction in 1860.

Many of you will know Lesley from her popular history city Culture Connects. She has a degree in South African history and is member of the Simon van del Stel Foundation committee. Her passion is Cape Town’s history and walking tours here are her speciality. She has been guiding for nearly 20 years in and around Cape Town. This is a new tour for us. Please join us and have your eyes opened to buildings we pass many times without knowing their history. The Waterfront is a key part of Cape Town’s story.

• 10am to 12/noon
• Wed 28 July 2021, Sat 4 Sept 2021 – or book your own date (four people minimum)
• Cost: R300 per person, R250 if you pay 10 days in advance, includes a briefing pack
• Book soon as the group will be small: [email protected] +27 (0)72 377 8014 (WhatsApp great)
• Start: Reception of Breakwater Lodge (Protea Hotel), Portswood Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
• Finish: at the historic Clock Tower, pictured above (near to where you get the boat to Robben Island, Nelson Mandela Gateway. Also near to Nedbank offices, on the way to the Silo District)
• Please remember your mask and cancel if you have any symptoms that could be Covid (or you have been with anyone Covid positive)