Out and about in Cape Town: Best things to do this Mandela Day weekend

Welcome to the Mandela Day (Saturday, 18 July) edition of Out and About. This weekend, we pay homage to the great Tata Madiba. In the spirit of giving, there’s much going on in the Mother City.

Bree Street will host a community gathering as Young Urbanists South Africa transforms part of the popular street into a giant Langtafel for up to 1,600 people to share a meal.

Youngblood gallery calls on members of the public to donate clothing, toiletries, non-perishable food, books, or toys in support of Siyaphambili Orphanage Village. And Pure Good Portswood will Rave for Mandela for 67 minutes.

Also, don’t forget the DHL Stormers XXIII versus the Suzuki Griquas at the DHL Stadium on Saturday, in what is their very first Carling Currie Cup campaign. Boerewors rugby at its best.

CBD

Khayelitsha Fashion Week 

• Saturday, 18 July, noon
• Venue: Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore 
• Cost: R150 - R350, bookings via Webtickets

Khayelitsha Fashion Week returns to the Artscape for its 11th anniversary edition. The event serves as a platform celebrating local creativity, sustainable fashion and emerging talent. About 45 aspiring models will take to the runway as part of the Mother City Fashion Experience.

Sounds of Africa

• Saturday, 18 July, 6pm - 10pm
• Venue: Youngblood gallery, 70-72 Bree St 
• Cost: From R150, bookings via Quicket

How about spending your 67 minutes for Mandela with live music and donations? Bring along clothing, toiletries, non-perishable food, books, or toys to support Siyaphambili Orphanage Village.  

ATLANTIC SEABOARD

DHL Stormers XXIII vs Suzuki Griquas

• Friday, 17 July, gates open at 5:30pm
• Venue: DHL Stadium, Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Green Point 
• Cost: From R65, bookings here

The DHL Stormers XXIII have a lot riding on this game. Competing in the Carling Currie Cup for the very first time this season, the team will take on the Suzuki Griquas on their home turf. Let’s show our support, ouens, for the love of braaivleis and Corsa bakkies!

Cape Town Festival of Running  

• Saturday, 18 July - Sunday, 19 July, 7am
• Venue: Sea Point Promenade (opp SABC building)
• Cost: From R350, bookings via website

Racers of different skill levels compete in different categories. It’s just about having fun. The route takes runners from the Sea Point Promenade all the way down the peninsula’s coastal roads. Now that’s a great way to spend a Sunday.

Time Out Tip: The 5kmx5km relay race is ideal for families, corporate teams, and groups of friends. 

Mandela Day Coffee Rave

• Saturday, 18 July, 8am - 10:30am
• Venue: Pure Good Portswood, Portswood Precinct, 6 Marina Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront 
• Cost: Free, bookings via Quicket

A coffee rave in honour of Mandela Day? I honestly can’t think of anything more fitting. Let your hair down for 67 minutes and donate towards creating a hope-filled South Africa. DJ PRLLI will be on the decks. Proceeds will go towards The Angel Network’s Educational Pillar.

SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Stitching Heritage Series: Khoisan Leather Workshop

• Saturday, 18 July, 10:30am - 1:30pm
• Venue: Bertha House, 67, 69 Main Rd, Mowbray 
• Cost: Free, bookings via Quicket

The opening workshop of the Stitching Heritage series by Cape Town Stitch to Resist is a creative, hands-on gathering where craft, cultural memory, and storytelling come together as a practice of reflection, connection, and restoration. 

Madiba Day Cleanup Walk 

• Saturday, 18 July, 8am - 9:30am
• Venue: Imhoff Farm - Grass Outside Blue Water Cafe, Kommetjie Rd, Kommetjie 
• Cost: From R70, bookings via Quicket

For 67 minutes of joy, join Secret Sunrise at Imhoff’s Gift and trek to the corner of Noordhoek Beach, collecting as much trash as you can, leaving the beach in its natural, beautiful state. Come dressed in African print or your favourite South African-inspired getup and comfy hiking shoes.

CAPE FLATS

Cape Town Private Night Tours at SAAO

• Tuesday, 7 July - Thursday, 23 July, 8pm - 10pm
• Venue: SAAO Cape Town, 1 Observatory Rd, Observatory 
• Cost: From free, bookings via Quicket

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You don’t want to miss Cape Town Private Night Tours. Hosted by SAAO Cape Town Open Nights, your ticket gives access to the main building, visitor centre, McClean Dome and Museum and stargazing (weather permitting).

Mandela Day Fundraiser

• Saturday, 18 July, 8am - 11pm
• Venue: Trenchtown, Trenchtown, 143 Lower Main Rd, Observatory
• Cost: From R67, bookings via Quicket

Every Saturday and Sunday, volunteers from OBS Can Feed You, in partnership with Trenchtown, prepare and serve breakfast to members of the Observatory community. Tickets are R67 minimum, but you’re welcome to contribute more.

NORTHERN SUBURBS

Danny Smoke live by Kapstadt Brauhaus Durbanville

• Friday, 17 July 8pm - 9:15pm
• Venue: Kapstadt Brauhaus Durbanville, Heritage Square C/O Gladstone and Vrede St, Durbanville 
• Cost: From R200, bookings via Quicket

Danny Smoke is heading to the Kapstadt Brauhaus Durbanville stage for the very first time. Get ready for a night packed with energy, incredible music and Danny’s unique charisma that keeps audiences coming back for more.

WEST COAST

Dumpling Squishy Workshop

• Friday, 17 July, 10am - 11:30am
• Venue: Canvas and Craft, 108 Raats Dr, Table View 
• Cost: From R250, bookings via Quicket

Squishy art is taking over TikTok, so it was only a matter of time till Canvas and Craft entered the group chat with its DIY Dumpling Squishy Workshop. Create your own squishy dumpling from scratch. Workshop facilitators will help you through the process.

Killarney Drag Day

• Saturday, 18 July, 9am
• Venue: Killarney International Raceway, 6 Potsdam Road, Table View 
• Cost: R10 - R100, bookings via Webtickets

Welcome to round six of the Western Province Drag Racing Championship. Killarney’s Drag Days are all about purpose-built drag racers, lightweight bodies fitted with highly modified, insanely powerful engines and huge ultra-soft “wrinkly” tyres. 

CAPE WINELANDS

Karen Zoid Live at Lourensford

• Saturday, 18 July, 7pm - 9:30pm
• Venue: Lourensford Wine Estate, Lourensford Rd, Somerset West 
• Cost: From R250, bookings via Quicket

Karen Zoid brings her melancholic sound to the Lourensford cellar. The South African Queen of Rock trades the stadium roar for a more intimate setting, surrounded by aged wine barrels.

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