Today was such an adventure. I saw Cape Town from every angle, from Rondebosch to Mitchell’s Plain, from the Grand Parade to the airport, from Khayelitsha to Green Point. I got to see the high income areas and the low, the schools, the businesses and the bars.

The disparity between the different areas in Cape Town is well known. It is one of the most unequal places in the world. The history of apartheid has created social and physical rifts in the city.

But today, for me, it was all one place. I got to experience it all at once.

My favourite moment was reflecting with a close friend while we were at Lookout Hill in Khayelitsha. We could see the whole township around us. To the north, table bay. To the south, false bay. To the east, the winelands of Stellenbosch. To the west, table mountain and the “Southern Suburbs”.

We reflected on how magnificent the city was, but how sad and frustrating it was that its beauty was only accessible to a few. There is so much that needs to be done, and we cannot stop until everyone can enjoy the fruits that this city has to offer

As we were driving out, the street art by Faith 47 at the entrance to Khayelitsha captured our reflections perfectly:

“The people shall share in the country’s wealth”

We all need to do our bit to make this city and country a more equal place

Image is from Lookout Hill, looking toward Table mountain. I was there (and in Mitchell’s plain) with my friend who had flown down to do research for her masters thesis.