Hey {{first_name | Brew}} ,
We see you, fellow weekender in training. This issue’s got local chaos, winter ramen therapy, events that slap.
Also: we just gave our site a glow-up. Peep the new look it’s giving retro Cape Town magic meets modern chaos we are looking for:
Quick one before we dive in 👇
If we threw a party… what would you actually show up for?
Now lets get into it:
🗞️ News – Best City brag, Woolies heists, Table Mountain drama, and office space wars
💎 Hidden Gems – Mandela magic, sneaky wine spots, and free kids’ meals that slap
🎉 What’s Happenin’ – Full July 18–24 guide: dance-offs, drama fests, fishy films, wine nirvana & more
Let’s dive in:
🗞️ The Headlines
🏆 CAPE TOWN: WORLD CHAMP (AGAIN. YAWN.)
Seventh time winning “Best City” (The Telegraph). Sydney? Seville? Snooze.
Why we’re side-eyeing:
UK voters: 20k+ Brits stanning our mountain/beach combo.
Mayor’s mic drop: “This ain’t luck, it’s graft and local passion.”
Cape Tourism CMO: “Bragging rights? Obviously. But mostly: our people, energy, and those damn views.”
🛒 COP CAUGHT WITH TROLLEY OF SHAME
Warrant Officer Madeley: 19-year SAPS vet. Also a Woolies grocery bandit.
Courtroom chaos:
Plan: Fill trolley + empty bags. Exit. Smooth.
Security: “Nah, bruh.” He bolted. Got cuffed.
Defence: “Bipolar! Absent-minded!” Judge: “Or… just a thief.” Dismissed.
🏔️ TABLE MOUNTAIN: SOS FROM THE SLOPES
Locals rage as SANParks lets our UNESCO gem crumble. Petition launched.
The mess:
Crime: Muggings, poaching, illegal campfires.
Trails: Overgrown. Roads: Pothole apocalypse.
Cash grab: R430m revenue → only R107m reinvested.
Verdict: “Protect our mountain or step aside.”
🏢 WORK-FROM-HOME? MORE LIKE WORK-FROM-CPT OFFICE
Remote work is so 2023. Cape Town’s office rentals just hit 22% above pre-Covid levels.
Why the U-turn?
Cape Town’s grade-A spaces: 11.7% rental spike (V&A Waterfront = prime real estate).
Durban: 5% growth. Joburg? Still playing catch-up.
Bosses: “We miss micromanaging!” (Probably).
🔌The Plug
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💎 Hidden Gems
🌟 MANDELA MAGIC: GIVE BACK, GET FED
Ladles of Love @ DHL Stadium: R250 = Feed a kid for a month plus craft toys/grow kits. Zones: Make, Create, Craft, Grow.
Mandela Run: Run 5/10/21km anywhere. Medal included. No pants required.
🍷 WINELAND WONDERS: UNDER-THE-RADAR EATS
No influencers. No fuss. Just flavour bombs.
Gino’s (Stellenbosch): OG Italian joint since ’96. Think: melanzane baked like nonna’s secret recipe. No bookings. No regrets.
Blue Coriander (Franschhoek): North Indian magic in a side street. Palak paneer = creamy witchcraft. Aleppy prawn curry? Life-changing.
🍕 KID-FUEL FREEBIES: PARENT HACKS
Feed tiny humans without bankruptcy.
Panarottis (Sundays): Kid eats free per adult main. Jungle gym + air hockey = sanity tax.
Mozambik (Mondays): Spend R100+ on mains → kid eats free. Afro-Porto vibes on a Monday? Yes.
Cape Town Fish Market (Thursdays): Ocean views + play area + free kids’ meal. Post-beach refuel sorted.
🌬️ What’s Happenin’
Got a poster-worthy event? Click here to feature it with a custom poster.
FRIDAY 18TH JULY(Mandela Day)
Secret Sunrise: Dance & Donate
Move your body, fill some bellies. This beachside boogie supports preschool meals through the Ukama Foundation. Dance, make sandwiches, then cool off in the ocean. Feel-good serotonin = activated.
Chop with Chef Jenny Morris
Join the Salesian Institute to prep soup and sarmies for those in need—with a dash of star power from the Giggling Gourmet herself. BYO knife and good vibes.
SATURDAY 19TH JULY
The Creative Collective at Armchair Theatre
Where artists meet to jam, perform, and vibe. Expect music, poetry, spontaneous acts and plenty of personality. Starts 7PM
Afrosonic at Club Paradise
House meets afrobeats at this late-night groove haven. Bring your crew. Starts 9PM
BMX Day at the V&A Waterfront
Epic stunts, freestyle flips, and high-energy tricks from the best BMX riders in the country. It’s free, and it’s wild.
SUNDAY 20TH JULY
Everybody Loves Sundays
Vibes on the rooftop with food, DJs, and cocktails. The city’s most underrated Sunday spot. Starts 1PM
Kintsugi with Liz – Golden Repair Workshop
Learn the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with gold. Come for healing, stay for tea. Starts 9:30AM
Johan Liebenberg: The Storytellers
Live acoustic tribute to iconic songwriters — Dylan, Simon, and more. Starts 4PM
MONDAY 21ST JULY
Monday Improv Class
Loosen up, laugh hard. This weekly improv jam is perfect for beginners and seasoned weirdos alike. Bring comfy clothes and zero expectations. Starts 7PM
Nik Rabinowitz: Geriatric Millennial (Work In Progress)
Cape Town’s comedy king tests new material in an intimate setting. Expect cultural roasts, millennial crises, and tears (of laughter). Starts 7:30PM
Pronk Toneelfees at Hoërskool Durbanville
High school theatre gets a dramatic upgrade. Local talent lights up the stage with short-form pieces as part of the annual drama fest. Starts 3PM
TUESDAY 22ND JULY
Cape Town International Hockey Tournament (U19)
The city’s biggest grassroots hockey showcase returns for its 20th edition. With 64 elite school teams, 200+ matches, and free entry across six venues, this is where future stars are made. Catch the action all day—starts 8:30AM
International Fly Fishing Film Festival
The world’s top fly-fishing films land in Cape Town for one night only. Expect stories, stoke, prizes, and saltwater dreams on the big screen. Hosted by Alphonse Fishing Co., African Waters, and Blue Safari. Doors open 6:30PM. Show runs 7PM–9:30PM. R395pp
WEDNESDAY 23RD JULY
Nik Rabinowitz Live at The Alma Café
Cape Town’s funniest export brings his rapid-fire wit and sharp cultural commentary to the Alma stage. Limited seating, big laughs. Starts 6:30PM
#8: Popcorn, Please. (The Pink Room Screening Series)
Film, vibes, and femmes. Join the 8th installment of this community-driven screening night that’s equal parts cinema and safe space. Starts 6:30PM
Wine, Sketch & Vinyl Night at KAYA Café
Sip wine, sketch with strangers, and vibe to mellow vinyl grooves. Materials provided — just bring your curiosity. Starts 6PM
THURSDAY 24TH JULY
Caroline’s Red Wine Review
80 of the best reds in the country. One crystal glass. A rare chance to sip the Cape’s top-tier Cabernet, Pinotage, Syrah, and blends plus chat to the winemakers behind them. R495pp, includes a tasting glass and 15% discount on orders.
Historical Beer Competition
Sip like it’s 1699. The Franschhoek Beer Company is hosting a one-night-only showdown of brews inspired by historic recipes. Come thirsty, leave slightly more educated (and buzzed).
Prime Circle Live
South African rock royalty, Prime Circle, takes the stage at HEROES Live in Brackenfell. Expect bangers, beer, and big energy.
🤔 Topic of the Week
Capetonians: What’s your best wet winter survival hack on a budget?
We saw a Reddit thread pop off with people sharing their clever, scrappy ways to deal with Cape Town’s soggy season.
How are you drying laundry without a dryer? Beating the damp without dropping R5k on a dehumidifier? Staying warm without melting your Eskom box?
Reply to this email with your tip or hit the poll 👇
How do you beat Cape Town’s winter blues?
Got a shot worth sharing?
Hit reply and show us what your lens sees out there.
That’s your week, fully brewed.
Go explore, cause chaos (the good kind), and if you land up at any of these events, we want pics. Bonus points for dogs, grandmas, or anything mildly unhinged.
Catch you in the next issue,
🍺 Team CPT Brew
P.S. Got an event, a gem, or a secret sandwich spot we need to check out? Just reply and tell us.
