Are you ready for Open Streets Bellville this Sunday?

In only two days, part of Voortrekker Road and Kruskal Avenue become Open Streets. Jump on the train, a minibus taxi, a bicycle or a skateboard and come play with us in Bellville on 4 October 2015.

And while you are marking your calendar, make sure to keep the upcoming Open Streets Days in mind: on 8th November, we go back to Langa to power the Red Bull Amaphiko Social Innovation Festival; in January 2016 we go back to Bree Street and in April we bring Open Streets to Mitchells Plain for the first time. Stay tuned for details.

What is Open Streets Bellville?
Open Streets Cape Town has partnered with the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, an economic area partnership between civil society and the public and private sectors helping create a vibrant, thriving, desirable and value-adding economically prosperous area, to bring Open Streets Bellville to the Northern Suburbs for the very first time.

Many thanks to our amazing team of volunteers and all the activity organisers. A special thanks to Vodacom for bringing some old school games for everyone to enjoy on the street. Look out for their spot!

Here is what you need to know about the day.
October is Transport Month in South Africa and Open Streets is the perfect excuse to use our city’s public transport. If you are not cycling or taking a minibus taxi, jump on the train with us.

Train together from the City
The train for Open Streets Bellville departs at 9:20am. Please meet us at Cape Town Central at 9am with ticket in hand. We will gather  at the Metrorail/Tourism Kiosk and board together.

Further transport info: http://openstreets.co.za/news/getting-open-streets-bellville-transport-information

The Cape Cobras will be launching their new season on the streets of Bellville, bowling and batting on the middle of Voortrekker Road.

Players such as Vernon Philander, Omphile Ramela and Wayne Parnell are looking forward to taking their game to the streets for a chance to share their passion with Capetonians, especially the kids.

Catch them on the tarmac from 10:30 onwards.

Imagine taking an early morning jog through Voortrekker Road and Kruskal Avenue, with no cars to contend with.

The volunteers from Bellville Parkrun have organised a fun run starting at 9am on Sunday morning for anyone and everyone.

Runners will convene at the corner of Vlei and Voortrekker Roads, and follow a 5km route through the Bellville CBD – a once off opportunity to run through the city.

More information about the run: https://www.facebook.com/events/1657714317776670/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 
We are still looking for some brilliant people to roll up their sleeves and be part of making the day run smoothly. As a bonus you get a free Open Streets t-shirt!

If you are one of these people please: info@openstreets.co.za.

Here is the “map of happiness” which shows all of the confirmed activities for the day. As usual…expect to be surprised by other spontaneous activities; even better, bring your own!

Cape Town welcomed a Royal visitor – the Queen Mary 2

Cape Town welcomed a Royal visitor this past weekend when the Queen Mary 2 docked at the Cape Town Harbour on Friday for a one-night stay.

The Queen Mary 2 is Cunards flagship cruise liner, not only majestic to view but also in luxury afforded its patrons.

The Queen Mary 2 leaving in Cape Town – pic http://www.cunardline.com.au/

Strong winds delayed Queen Mary 2’s docking however the magnificent cruise liner finally docked at E berth in Cape Town Harbour. Cunard is celebrating 175th years of ocean travel with the Queen Mary 2 on a world tour, the liner arrived in Cape Town before departing for Walvis Bay then Southampton on Saturday morning.

Resplendent in all aspects Cunard’s Queen series of cruise liners are the ultimate in luxury cruising, offering the very best available to all who board, from high quality cuisine to the finest linen, top entertainment and of course the very best living quarters.

In 2003, the Queen Mary 2 was the longest passenger ship ever built, at four football fields long and able to carry 2, 620 passengers and 1, 253 crew. Her facilities include a theatre, five swimming pools, fifteen restaurants and bars, a casino, a spa, a ballroom, kennels, a nursery and the first planetarium at sea.

Cape Town has a long association with the sea having been established as a replenishment station in 1652 and has since carried on that tradition to this day is also known as “The Tavern of the Seas” by local sailors.

Cunard’s Queens hold a special place in the hearts of all Capetonians having docked in Cape Town throughout the company’s 175 year history and Cunard is set to continue that trend with the Queen Elizabeth and Victoria planning to dock in the Mother City in 2016.

It’s all happening in Cape Town

It’s going to be a busy weekend for Capetonians with a number of events in the City to keep them busy.

An influx of visitors from all over is expected to descend on the Mother City from Thursday evening.

The happiest 5km on the Planet.

Saturday kicks off with a bang when the Color Run gets underway at the Green Point Promenade, with more than 2 500 runners set to take part in this event billed as the “Happiest 5km on the Planet”.

Its party atmosphere has captured the imagination of people worldwide.

Hours later the Hindu Community of Cape Town celebrates the Festival of Diwali (also known as Deepavali) with at a grand gathering at the Green Point Urban Park. The celebrations start with a performance by Afternoon Ragas, followed by a spectacular stage production telling the story of the history of the Hindu culture through traditional dance and song.

Later in the day some Bollywood beats by the Bhangra Knights will entertain festival goers.

An Eastern Food Market is set to feed the hungry with traditional Hindu fare, also available are Indian fabric, jewellery and a wide selection of imported spices.

Kids are especially welcome; they have a special area dedicated for kiddies’ fun and games.

For the sport fanatics, there is football, rugby and cricket.

WP captain Juan de Jongh celebrating Gangnam style

On Saturday afternoon Cape Town’s beloved “Streeptruie” take on the Blue Bulls in a South/North battle for a place in the final of the Currie Cup.

The Newlands/Claremont area will be besieged by rugby fans from as far as Loftus while their local counterparts travel into town from the Boland and the West Coast to catch the action live at a packed Newlands Stadium, kick off is at 17h00.

Allistair Coetzee the Province coach has had to make some tough decisions with regards to his line-up and only a win will satisfy the Province faithful.

WP captain Juan de Jongh is well supported with the return of a number of Springboks. Top of that list is the Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, who recently led the national team to a famous victory over the All Blacks.

Province will revel in the atmosphere at Newlands Stadium as the Newlands faithful is most likely to pack the Cape landmark in their numbers to support their team.

On Sunday another South/North battle kicks-off at the Cape Town Stadium with a top of the table clash between Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs.

The battle of supremacy in the PSL has been a two-horse race until now and on Sunday its “Winner Takes All” for both teams.

Chiefs have dominated proceedings in the PSL so far but the Urban Warriors are said to “Skrik for Niks” with the youngsters reveling in the spotlight of PSL football.

Rivaldo Coetzee in action at the 2013 U17 Engen Knockout Challenge

Who can blame them especially when the Bafana’s youngest ever debutant, Rivaldo Coetzee is a starting defender in your line-up and the team captain, Travis Graham is an “old professional” at only 21 years old.

So the scene is set for a battle royal with ardent football fans from both camps set to invade Cape Town Stadium in numbers.

Meanwhile the picturesque Paarl Valley is hosting the Cape Cobras host the Highveld Lions in the limited-over 1-Day Cup (10am start). Its early days yet however Paul Adams and his team would like to get their campaign off to a winning start.

There is no space for the faint-hearted in Cape Town this weekend, whether it’s the Color Run, the Festival of Dewali or the action of the Rugby, Football or Cricket, it’s all happening here and as we say “Ons Skrik vir Niks” (Nothing frightens us).