Water Music (Clare Hart 5 )

Travel Guide

Cape Town

Welcome to the most untouristy and violent side to Cape Town that you will ever see. This is a gritty city where women are often victims, where they are treated as second class citizens. The city is relatively lawless it would seem as the police are in battles with themselves and each level of authority. What is also clear is the relationship between all kinds of authorities influencing the unions in post-apartheid South Africa.

As well as the political and violent landscape, however, the beauty of the region shines through :

“Clare took a footpath that vanished up Judas Peak , where Mandla and Gypsy were waiting…The Surrounding terrain was a nature reserve, with a ravine that led up the back of Table Mountain.”

Despite this, the atmosphere is dark and foreboding. The night air out here in the dusty streets and desert like parkland is oppressive and chilling. Those who live in these circumstances,the inhabitants of the city and its townships are difficult to fathom. They keep things close to their chest and suspect each other, not just outsiders.