Hey {{first_name | Brew}} ,
Cape Town’s been busy again, from locals dragging themselves up Kilimanjaro, to koesisters making a comeback as a cultural movement, to a blood moon promising peak Sunday-night vibes.
And because the city never does “normal,” we’ve also got astronauts, comedy legends, secret sunrise raves, and wine summits fighting for your calendar.
Here’s the lineup:
🗞️ News – Capetonians conquer Kilimanjaro, koesisters return with a cause, and a spinathon that pedals for change
💎 Hidden Gems – Shark-free surf spots, new restaurants, and cake joints that make salads look like a scam
🎉 What’s Happenin’ – Sept 5–11: moonlit hikes, Barry Hilton in Constantia, drag queens at Time Out, and Belgian Beer Day
Here’s what made us laugh, crave sugar, and look at our geyser timers suspiciously 👇
🗞️ The Headlines
🏔️ LOCAL HIKERS CONQUER KILIMANJARO (AND SURVIVE TO TELL THE TALE)
Five Capetonians. Eight days. One 5,895m mountain. Zero flushing toilets.
Why we’re obsessed:
Vernon Singh kept the team alive by singing old sports chants. I can’t even get my Uber driver to turn down the radio.
They witnessed climbers collapsing from oxygen deprivation. Meanwhile, I get lightheaded tying my shoes.
Stephanie Singh swore she’d “never again” attempt such a climb… then immediately started planning an Everest trip. Peak Capetonian behaviour.
Moral of the story: Life is short. Be grateful for flushing toilets.
🍩 WORLD KOESISTER DAY IS BACK (AND IT’S NOW A HERITAGE MOVEMENT)
After a four-year hiatus, the koesister is getting a glow-up.
The tea ☕:
This isn’t just about sugary doughballs anymore. It’s about youth empowerment, economic opportunities, and “indigenous-infused koesisters” (whatever that means).
They’re training differently-abled youth in hospitality. Because nothing says “inclusive” like a koesister served with dignity.
Mark Jacobs, the koesister philosopher himself, said: “Culture can unlock youth employment.” Or at least unlock my Sunday cravings.
🚴 MATRIX FITNESS LAUNCHES SPINATHON FOR CHANGE
Spin bikes. Social change. R1.2 million goals.
Why it’s cool:
They’re funding cycling academies in Khayelitsha and Masiphumelele. Because not all heroes wear Lycra.
Zeyd Sulaiman had a mid-race existential crisis about inequality. I usually just think about lunch.
Nicholas Dlamini (yes, the Tour de France legend) is MCing. If he tells you to pedal harder, you pedal harder.
🌕 BLOOD MOON ALERT: CAPE TOWN’S SKY IS TURNING DRAMATIC
Total lunar eclipse this Sunday. No special glasses needed. Just vibes.
Why you should care:
It peaks at 8:11pm. Perfect timing for those who’ve already given up on Sunday night productivity.
Top spots: Signal Hill, Devil’s Peak, Rhodes Memorial. Or just your backyard if you’re lazy (like me).
Pro tip: Bring a thermos, a blanket, and someone who won’t annoy you when you’re trying to be spiritual.
💎 Hidden Gems
🌊 SURF SPOTS WITHOUT THE SHARK ANXIETY
Noordhoek’s Dunes – Big waves, fewer people. Also, sharks are apparently on sabbatical.
Kommetjie – For when you want to show off. Or wipe out spectacularly. Sunset Reef starts breaking at 12 feet. Casual.
🍽️ NEW RESTAURANTS THAT’LL MAKE YOU FORGET YOUR DIET
Seoul Pocha (Rondebosch) – Korean street food that’s so good, you’ll consider moving to Seoul. Try the bibimbap and thank me later.
Tambourine (CBD) – Small plates with big flavours. Their cabbage dish will make you question everything you thought you knew about vegetables.
Veld (Stellenbosch) – Farm-to-table meets winelands chic. Try the springbok loin and pretend you’re fancy.
🎂 CAKE SPOTS FOR WHEN LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR SALAD
Charly’s Bakery – The OG of chaos baking. Their Chocolate Fudge Brownie is basically a religious experience.
Sweet LionHeart – For when you want your cake to look like it belongs in a museum.
Cake Canteen – South Africa’s first artisanal baked-goods marketplace. Because why choose one cake when you can have them all?
✨ Looking for somewhere to go right now?
Try our What To Do Now app for instant suggestions based on your mood. (Free)
✈️ Ready to Escape Cape Town?
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I found a Cape Town → London return ticket for under R7,500 last week.
That’s less than half of what I paid last year for the same route.
Deals like that don’t last long, it’s already gone up by R1,000+.
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🌬️ What’s Happenin’
✨ Want your event featured in Cape Town Brew? Click here to submit
🌟 FEATURED EVENT
Flavours of Cape Town: Share Your Family Recipes
Calling all food lovers — your gran’s curry, your dad’s braai sauce, or your mom’s melktert could star in Cape Town’s biggest community recipe collection.
Submit your family recipe and stand a chance to:
🍲 Be featured in the Flavours of Cape Town coffee-table cookbook (with pro photos + an interview)
🏆 Cook live at the Test Kitchen Cook-Off with celeb judges
🎁 Win fantastic prizes from sponsors
How to enter
Send your recipe to [email protected] or [email protected]
Include a clear photo of your final dish
(Optional) Add a short video of you preparing it
FRIDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER
Open Book Festival: Living in Crisis
Authors and thinkers unpack what it means to live through today’s madness.
Friends of Siki’s: Listening Session #002
Good coffee, deep cuts, and chill community vibes.
First Friday at Cape Point Vineyards
Wine, sunsets, and Friday vibes with a view that does all the talking.
Secrets of Psy: Hidden Sequence
Lose yourself to the bass — psy heads know the drill.
SATURDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER
Miss to Mrs Experience CPT 2025
Workshops, pampering, and celebration vibes for brides-to-be.
Kuier Lentedag 2025 aangebied deur Spekko
Celebrate spring with food, music, and good vibes.
Flower Power | Secret Sunrise
Silent disco + sunset + Blouberg beachfront energy.
Barry Hilton
South Africa’s comedy uncle takes the stage in Constantia.
Meerendal Full Moon Hike
Trail by moonlight through Durbanville’s rolling vineyards.
SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
Soetwater Sundays with John Battersby Band
Live music in a scenic outdoor setting by the sea.
Winehouse at Cellar Collective
A tribute to Amy Winehouse’s soulful hits in a cozy wine bar.
Full Moon Hike on Intaka Island
Explore wetlands under the glow of a full moon.
Gothic Spring
Dark, atmospheric sounds in a historic city venue.
MONDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER
Astronaut Commander Susan Kilrain Talk
A rare evening with NASA’s trailblazing astronaut sharing her journey.
Afro Wine Week Summit – Day 1
A gateway into the future of the global wine industry. Meet winemakers, investors, and global brands while supporting Black-owned labels and exploring new opportunities for wealth creation and inclusivity.
TUESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER
Meet New People: Board Game Night
Cards, dice, and laughter with new friends in Bergvliet.
SMA Culture Evening
A showcase of music, art, and stories from Silvermine Academy.
And Now For Something Completely Different
A quirky theatre production that does exactly what it says.
WEDNESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER
Freddy L: Colour-Full Soirée
A vibrant night of music and art under the city lights.
Art For Inner Alchemy with AshTree
Unwind through creativity and inner reflection.
SWAY @ The Athletic Club & Social
Live grooves and cocktails at one of the city’s favorite venues.
Bill Knight & The Old Dogs Band
Folk-rock energy lighting up Noordhoek.
THURSDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER
Carla Conrad at Selective Live
Indie sounds in a cozy listening room.
Belgian Beer Day 2025
Rare brews and beer culture at Banana Jam Café.
PechaKucha #67: In Full Bloom
Fast-paced storytelling, 20 slides × 20 seconds.
🤔 Topic of the Week
You load R1200 in electricity, flip the geyser off, cook on gas… and yet the units vanish faster than your willpower on a Monday.
Resellers often push rates up to R5.50/kWh.
Sliding scales mean the more you buy, the pricier it gets.
Fixed fees get taken before units load.
Some even found they were powering neighbours by accident (yikes).
The common theme? It’s not always how much you use, it’s how you’re billed.
→ What’s your price per kWh and best money-saving hack?
📊 How Was the Newsletter This Week?
Catch the blood moon, eat a koesister (or three), maybe send in that family recipe, and please check if you’re accidentally paying for your neighbour’s electricity.
See you next Thursday this time. Same chaos, new stories.
☕🍵Team CPT Brew
