Chas Everitt - Cape Town South

Away from Table Mountain and the city centre, the bulk of Cape Town's residential sprawl extends east into South Africa's interior. It's here that the southern suburbs, the formerly whites-only residential areas, stretch out down the east side of Table Mountain, ending just before Muizenberg on the False Bay coast. All the main suburban attractions are concentrated in this area and, not surprisingly, the best shopping areas and cinemas.

From anywhere in the southern suburbs you can see Table Mountain rising above Cape Town. The area offers some quick escapes from the city heat into forests, gardens and vineyards, all hugging the eastern slopes of the mountain, and its extension, the Constantiaberg. The suburbs themselves are pleasant enough places to stay, eat and shop, but sights are thin on the ground.

It seems that every suburb has a claim to fame! Mowbray and Observatory boast the world famous Groote Schuur hospital while Newlands is the sporting capital of the Country! Rondebosch is home to the University of Cape Town, the beautiful original buildings being designed by Sir Herbert Baker, on land bequeathed by Cecil John Rhodes. The commercial heart of the area is Claremont where a great deal of exciting redevelopment is focussed, but there are popular commercial centres in Wynberg and Rondebosch too. Outstanding schools, rich in history and tradition are an attractive aspect of the area, with names like SACS, Rondebosch Boys and Bishop's being regarded very highly by all of Cape Town. The Southern Suburbs boasts some of Cape Town's best restaurants and pubs.

The suburbs south of the City Bowl are called "Southern Suburbs", consisting of Observatory, Mowbray, Rosebank, Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Bishopscourt, Kenilworth and Wynberg.

Although not situated at the sea, the Southern Suburbs belong to the most popular residential areas in Cape Town. Here, it is green, relatively well protected from the wind, European and cosmopolitan. There are good shopping facilities, sports grounds, doctors and hospitals and - of foremost importance - the best schools for the children. The University of Cape Town (UCT) is also to be found here. The airport is nearby and the centre of town in easy reach.

The southern suburbs don't offer any major attractions, except for a number of interesting sights like the Irma Stern Museum and Mostert's Mill in Mowbray, the Baxter Theatre in Rosebank, the Rugby Museum and the South African Brewery in Newlands.

The lifestyle in the suburbs of Rosebank, Rondebosch, Mowbray and Observatory, with the University being situated here, is shaped by the students and intellectuals. Here one can still live and dine for little money. Many student pubs and restaurants can be found here, especially in the lively Main Street of Observatory. This part of town is named after the observatory which is unfortunately, only open once a week to visitors.

Affluent families make their homes in the Southern Suburbs. The parts Newlands, Constantia and Bishopscourt are the most noble addresses in Cape Town.

Sport enthusiasts find interesting spots in the Southern Suburbs. In the huge Newlands Stadium, Cricket and Rugby matches are being played regularly and at the Kenilworth Race Course, important horse racing events take place. The golf courses in Mowbray and Rondebosch belong to the best in town.

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