High and dry

South Africa

I do not expect to be confronted with it so soon after arriving, but there it is: no water in the taps at Cape Town International Airport, only bottles of hand sanitiser. Large ‘water crisis’ posters on the walls and, at my hotel, a red sticker on the mirror reminds me to limit my showers to one minute at a time.

This year Cape Town has suffered its worst drought in more than 100 years, prompting the government to warn of a ‘Day Zero’ – the moment when dam levels would run so low that taps would be turned off and residents sent to communal water points. Apocalyptic headlines followed across the world, as water restrictions were implemented, with residents and tourists told to limit usage to 50 litres a day. Despite the crisis only affecting Cape Town and its surrounding areas, not the wider Western Cape, there has been an inevitable impact on tourism.

Navigating the drought seems daunting, but I soon realise it’s easy to stop and start the tap every time I wash my hands and to be more mindful of how much water I am using. It is because of everyone making seemingly small adjustments like these that Day Zero has been averted, for now.

Russel Brueton, chief communications officer for Wesgro, the Cape Town and the Western Cape tourist board, says water usage is down 60 per cent: “We are now at a record low of 502 million litres per day.”

With winter now here, the rains have begun, bringing much-needed water to the city’s reservoirs and easing the strain on its natural resources. There is every chance that the city could experience another drought next summer, but the government plans to be ready, investing in alternative water sources, including desalination plants, and collecting runoff from Table Mountain.

CAPE TOWN AND BEYOND

I begin my tour of the Western Cape, South Africa’s southernmost province, in Cape Town, the “Mother City” of four million people, which sits before the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain. Locals tell me I am in luck: it is rare to see the landmark without its “tablecloth”, the line of fluffy white clouds that cover its summit, so I take the opportunity to go up straight away. From the mountain’s flat top, the views are spectacular: clear all the way to Cape Point, the jutting stone promontory that is the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent. The sun is shining, and the dassies – giant guinea pig-like animals, said to be the closest relative to the elephant – are out in their dozens. But even up here, away from the bustle of the city, I am reminded of the big issue: the toilets flush grey water; the taps are empty.

There is plenty to do, see and eat in Cape Town, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. The active traveller can surf, hike and paraglide off Lion’s Head, or abseil off the top of Table Mountain. There is also, of course, Robben Island, which now pays tribute to former prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, who was born 100 years ago this month.

SAA Review

ABTA Magazine got to try out both business class and economy from London to Johannesburg, aboard South African Airways’ new Airbus A330-300.

The new flat beds in business class fully recline and aid in a good night’s rest, while, in economy, there is now more leg room, making flights more bearable for those with longer legs. Both classes could do with a better inflight entertainment selection, but the stand-out feature was the staff, who were always friendly and ready to help in any way they could.

Esme travelled to Cape Town as a guest of South African Airways and South African Tourism

After Cape Town, I head for the delightful town of Stellenbosch, amid rolling hills and golden vineyards, known for its traditional Dutch architecture and, of course, wines. The water crisis is less severe here, but restrictions have still been put in place, and many wineries have had to adopt innovative means of lessening water consumption. Deeper into the Winelands, however, many areas have experienced no drought at all.

I take a hop-on, hop-off safari with Hermanus Wine Hoppers to visit the best of the wine makers, including the sublime Whalehaven Winery, where wines are paired with floral chocolates; the historic Bouchard Finlayson, the first winery in Hermanus; and Creation Wines, which has an exquisite tasting and pairing menu.

THE WORLD IN ONE PLACE

This area of the Western Cape is more about the marine Big Five than land safaris: it is home to southern right whales, great white sharks, bottlenose dolphins, African penguins and Cape fur seals.

The southern right whales are the undoubted stars of the show, and can be seen all along the Cape Whale Coast, one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. The whale season lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November and is centred on the picturesque town of Hermanus.

Sadly, I am not in time for whale season, but I do have the chance to get up close and personal with the endangered African penguins at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai. The town is also the shark cage diving capital, and the place from where tours leave to Dyer Island, home to one of the biggest African penguin colonies in the country, as well as Cape fur seals.

The highlight of my trip, however, is the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a safari with a difference. High above the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, Grootbos is home to plants found nowhere else on the planet and offers mesmerising views of the surrounding fynbos (a belt of heathland with exceptional biodiversity), the De Kelders sand dunes and the ocean beyond. It was once a humble group of self-catering cottages, but today Grootbos is one of the region’s most luxurious lodges, where lavish villas are hidden among the ancient milkwood forest.

WELCOMING PEOPLE

It’s not that I am tired of autumnal vineyards, countless glasses of fragrant pinotage and dramatic coastal habitats, but I am also keen to see another side of South Africa, and to learn more about its mix of cultures and languages. So, Ann Heyns, development manager for Route 360 Township Tours, takes me to the home of Nocawe Piedt, in Kayamandi township, near Stellenbosch, who regales me with stories and songs, and treats me to a meal in her home. Nocawe is from the Xhosa people, and has welcomed more than 1,000 visitors through the Township Tourism project.

“Water shortages are nothing new for the townships,” I am told. “Many people don’t have running water in their homes and often have to queue to fill buckets, making them last all day.” (See picture below.) I cannot help but think, despite the problems it has caused, that this drought has been a much-needed wake up call, not just for South Africans, but for all of us around the world. ABTAmag.com

Interview with Derek Hanekom, the Minister for Tourism and Sisa Ntshona, chief executive of South Africa Tourism

How has the water crisis affected tourism?

Derek Hanekom: “Anything that affects Cape Town affects South Africa. Whatever droughts we experienced, we can only expect more. We do have alternatives in place, plans for desalination plants, reduced consumption and raising consciousness.”

Sisa Ntshona: “Cape Town is open for business, but not in the same way. It has to be a more sustainable way.”

Are there plans for the visa situation for children, so they do not need to bring birth certificates?

Hanekom: “It will be addressed and soon, but it’s important to combat human trafficking. We will change it to say you may still have to prove your relationship to children, rather than you must.”

How does the government plan to regulate activities such as shark cage diving?

Ntshona: “We need to educate tourists to ask the right questions. We are working on new guidelines, but legislation takes a long time.”

What is planned for the Mandela centenary year?

Ntshona: “We are creating 100 sites and experiences. Each site will tell the story of Mandela, from where he used to get his coffee, to where he was imprisoned on Robben Island.”

British Airways has a new route to Durban from October 29. How will this change tourism?

Hanekom: “It’s going to make a big difference. We are trying to spread the load, getting a better geographic spread of where tourism occurs and a better seasonal spread, too. All of that is better for tourism, so having a direct flight to Durban, especially from the UK, is very significant for us.”