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Hey {{first_name | Brew}},
It’s November in the Mother City, wallets thin, traffic thick, patience… eh. As one local columnist put it, the move now is simple: keep calm and be lekker.
Wave someone into your lane, greet the cashier, breathe through the chaos, because the festive stretch is incoming and Cape Town’s about to do what it does best: mix beautiful with bonkers.
This week had it all: a 13-year-old standing up for our baboons, a jaywalking fine that broke TikTok, a glossy TV comeback, and eight beaches flexing Blue Flags. So take a beat, be lekker, and dive in.
The Lineup:
🗞️ The Headlines – Kid hero fights for Kommetjie’s baboons, a viral jaywalking fine, Top Billing’s glam return, and eight CPT beaches score Blue Flag status.
🗓️ What To Do Now – Go full nostalgia at Barcadia: adults-only arcade bar, free games, strong cocktails.
💎 Hidden Gems – Thrift smarter at Kaap Diem, gift better at Lucky Fitsch, and start (or end) the night at Rita’s or The Village Idiot.
🎉 What’s Happenin’ – Silent discos, sunset soirées, and stacked festivals all over the city.
🎆 Topic of the Week – Guy Fawkes in Cape Town: tradition or menace? Fireworks vs. sanity, pets, and paint jobs.
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🗞️ The Headlines
🧒 JOSHUA WYNNE, AGE 13, IS THE HERO THE BABOONS NEED
A 13-year-old from Kommetjie just schooled the City of Cape Town on baboon management with a powerfully written letter, pleading for the safety and ethical treatment of five local baboon tribes.
Why this kid is our new hero:
He’s not just complaining; he’s proposing solutions. Baboon-proof bins? Community education? It’s almost like listening to the people who live alongside these animals is a good idea. What a concept.
He’s witnessed the stressful, paintball-riddled monitoring tactics firsthand, calling out baboons losing hair from stress. Meanwhile, most of us just complain about the traffic.
The official response was a classic civic "we note the letter and are busy finalising a plan." Joshua’s response? "I don’t think this plan will be very successful." He’s 13 and already understands bureaucracy better than we do. The future is in feisty, compassionate hands.
🚶 MAN FINED FOR JAYWALKING, TIKTOK LOSES ITS MIND
Kenneth Brookes became an overnight TikTok sensation after he was slapped with a R500 fine for jaywalking, sparking a nationwide debate on a law many didn't know existed.
Why this is the most Cape Town story ever:
The comment section was pure gold. “The first person in South Africa to get a ticket for jaywalking,” one user wrote. We’ve all done it, but Kenneth took one for the team and became a legend.
The law is no joke, though. Pedestrians account for a staggering 40% of road deaths. So while we all had a laugh, the traffic officials are, in fact, not clowning around.
It’s the perfect Cape Town paradox: we’ll meticulously separate our recycling but cross a deserted road 51 meters from a pedestrian crossing? Straight to jail.
✨ TOP BILLING IS BACK
South Africa’s iconic lifestyle show, Top Billing, is making a triumphant return to TV with a reunion special this month, followed by a full season in 2026.
Why this is a glamorous shot of nostalgia:
The reunion at Tintswalo Atlantic was a who’s-who of aspirational living. Basetsana Kumalo, Michael Mol, and the new guard—it’s like running into an old, incredibly well-dressed friend who still knows all the best places to go.
The show is partnering with Corona to showcase four of our stunning beaches on a global “Beach 100” list. Because if there’s one thing Top Billing always did perfectly, it was showing off our ridiculously beautiful backyard.
Executive Producer Patience Stevens said the show gave people "the vision and courage to make their own dreams come true." Cheesy? Maybe. True? Absolutely. Welcome back, you glossy, glorious beast.
🏖️ EIGHT CAPE TOWN BEACHES EARN BLUE FLAG STATUS
Eight of our iconic beaches have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status for the 2025/26 season, meaning they’re officially world-class in safety, cleanliness, and management.
Why this is our flex for the summer:
The list is a roll call of perfection: Bikini, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg, and Silwerstroomstrand. Go ahead, pick your favourite. I’ll wait.
This isn’t just about clean sand. It’s a commitment to keeping our coastal gems safe and stunning, with lifeguards on duty and water quality you can trust.
In a week of chaos, it’s nice to have a simple, uncontested win. Our beaches are, officially, still brilliant.
🗓 What to Do Now?
This week’s pick from the What To Do Now app is Barcadia, the adults-only retro arcade bar.
Imagine crushing a cocktail while your friend fails miserably at Street Fighter II. The games are free to play, making it the perfect spot for a Friday night that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
It’s less about grinding and more about genuine, unadulterated fun.
💎Stop wondering what to do this week, we already found it for you.
Tap below to get your own free custom itinerary in 20 seconds.
PS: Want to join our What To Do Now app as we expand worldwide? Secure your spot in the database here.
💎 Hidden Gems
🛍️ TWO SHOPS TO LEVEL UP YOUR STYLE & GIFT GAME
Kaap Diem (Bo Kaap): This isn't just a thrift store; it's a gorgeous little hub for a sustainable wardrobe refresh. The magic? Bring in your own quality clothes, and if they're selected, you get store credit. It’s shopping, but make it a guilt-free, circular economy party.
Lucky Fitsch (Sea Point): Your secret weapon for gifts that actually impress. This absolutely gorgeous boutique is a curated collection of beautiful things you won't find anywhere else. When you need a present that says "I have impeccable taste," this is your spot.
🎉 KICKSTART YOUR FRIDAY NIGHT
Rita's (Kloof Street): A slick cocktail bar that smoothly transitions into a vibey dance spot as the night goes on. It’s packed with a mid-to-late-20s crowd and has a resident DJ on Fridays. The perfect start that can easily become the whole night.
The Village Idiot (Long Street): A classic for a reason. If you're after sing-along tunes, high energy, and the kind of vibe where a bachelorette party can commandeer the music, look no further. It’s unapologetically fun.
Barcadia (City Centre): As featured above, because an adults-only arcade bar is a gem that deserves two shout-outs. Such a vibe.
🎃 What’s Happenin’ — Halloween Edition
✨ Want your event featured in Cape Town Brew? Secure a top spot here
FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
🎶 Final First Friday at Cape Point Vineyards — golden-hour picnic vibes, food trucks, wine + lawn blankets with a mountain/ocean backdrop.
🎸 Albert Frost Trio (Live) — SA blues-rock royalty in an intimate room; proper guitar hero night.
🩰 An Ode to Rocky Horror Picture Show — camp, corsets, callbacks; a cult classic tribute on stage.
🎬 The Toxic Avenger (Reboot) — midnight-movie energy at the Labia; gore, giggles, grindhouse.
🕺 Punk Prom — leather, eyeliner, and loud choruses on the EVOL dancefloor.
SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER
🎧 Blouberg Sunset Silent Disco — three channels, barefoot on the sand, Table Mountain silhouette.
👑 Salon Kewpie: The Legacy Ball ’25 — ballroom categories, looks, and legends—paying homage to District Six icon Kewpie.
🎭 Suits & Sneakerz: Masquerade — dress codes and skyline views from the 27th floor; DJ-led city soirée.
🎪 Kulo Summer Festival — township culture, live acts, and community energy in Langa.
🪩 ANTI @ Botanik — late-night house/tech with neon jungle aesthetics.
SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER
🌿 Guided Fynbos Walk (with Rupert Koopman & Veld & Sea) — seasonal blooms, foraging lore, and coastal botanicals.
🎻 Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba (Live) — spiritual strings and Zulu folk-jazz storytelling.
🎬 Frankenstein (1931 on 16mm) — rare reel, gothic chills, and pure cinema nostalgia.
😂 Happy Tails Langa Charity (ft. Nik Rabinowitz) — laughs for a cause; comedy + community fundraiser.
🍺 RockSteadys Sunset Session — easy grooves to close the weekend with a brewery pint.
MONDAY 10TH NOVEMBER
🎥 The Spirit of Malombo (1998) — film fest gem on South Africa’s sonic roots.
🛡️ Parent Talk with Emma Sadleir — digital law, kids, and online safety decoded for parents.
🎭 Monday Improv Class — jump-in workshop for beginners; play, fail, repeat.
TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
🧀 Unique Artisanal Cheese & Wine Experience — guided pairings and small-batch finds.
🎤 The Deli Comedy Night — tight room, sharp sets, midweek serotonin.
⚖️ Emma Sadleir: The Digital Law Co — reputations, screenshots, and legal lines you shouldn’t cross.
🎭 Vrou Ens 1.2 — contemporary stage piece pushing language and identity.
💄 ARC × Guerlain Workshop — fragrance/beauty masterclass with hands-on treats.
WEDNESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
📚 Origin Stories — personal narratives meet performance; intimate, thoughtful theatre.
🍷 Steenberg Sunset Soirée — wine on the terrace with live music as the sky goes pink.
🤖 Windsurf Open Build (AI Collective) — hands-on evening building with founders and devs.
😂 Marianne Thamm: Round of Applause (Reloaded) — razor wit on SA absurdities; cathartic lol’s.
🎙️ Merna Nicholls (Live) — late set in a velvet lounge; cocktails + croon.
THURSDAY 13TH NOVEMBER
👗 Re-Loved Fashion Show — slow fashion on the runway; upcycled looks, winelands setting.
🎻 Songs, Strings & Beautiful Things (Johan Liebenberg) — classics reimagined, unplugged.
🎼 CPO Open Rehearsal: Summer Symphonies 2 — watch the orchestra tune and tackle the program up close.
🖼️ Bubbles & Brushstrokes (Fundraiser) — guided painting night with a glass in hand.
🎵 BandaBanda ZINZA Tour — bass-heavy Afro-soul with a stacked band.
🎆Guy Fawkes in Cape Town: Tradition or Menace?
A hot thread this week: does Guy Fawkes night still belong in Cape Town?
Between fireworks, vandalism, spooked pets, and Uber drivers avoiding certain areas, many residents say the chaos outweighs the fun.
Others argue it’s a once-a-year tradition that should be managed better not scrapped. What do you think?
Vote in this week’s poll:
📊 How Was the Newsletter This Week?
And that’s a wrap on this week’s brew.
See you next Thursday, same chaos, new stories.
🍷 Team CPT Brew
