It only takes a scroll through social media — platform regardless — to realise that Cape Town is a very reactive community, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson. So, when the swells rise or a heatwave hits, you can bet your bottom dollar that that the Mother City will have something to say or do about it.
Also read: WATCH: Cape Town swells peak, surfers charge Sunset Reef
This weekend was one of the warmest I have ever endured. The only other time I’ve experienced such calefaction was in Ais-Ais, Namibia. Labelled as the “Hottest Day on Earth” on Saturday, and reportedly breaking heatwave history in South Africa, Capetonians all responded to the weather in true Capetonian colours: dramatically.
With temperatures forecasted at nearly 50-degrees in Boland and surrounding towns, it’s no wonder locals wanted to get as far away from inland territory as possible. Thousands flocked to the beach.
Also read: Cape Town reportedly makes history: hottest temperatures ever recorded
On Saturday (and Sunday) beaches were packed to capacity and parking was not an option. Traffic leading into town was glacial and if you weren’t at the beach before midday, you weren’t getting a spot. Even Boulders Beach, where you’re required to pay R152 for adults and R76 for kids (R42 and R21 for locals) to enter, was closed for being too full.
Gordon’s Bay, Bikini Beach, Strand Beach and Noordhoek Beach were also at 100%. An extension of gratitude is owed to the NSRI team and local lifeguards for their service.
Also read: A fatal downing, a resuscitation, and a missing man – heatwave repercussions
I had plans to visit Silvermine Dam on Saturday. That too had reached maximum capacity — even before the fires broke out. I was fortunate enough to get to Kalk Bay before police closed Ou Kaapse Weg. A friend joining me at the beach was less fortunate and sat in stand-still traffic for an hour (usually a 15-minute drive).
Fires. Those who weren’t at the beach (or stuck in traffic trying to get there) were apparently lighting fires. Approaching Silvermine from the M3, I could see smoke on the mountains ahead. My eyesight isn’t fabulous but my heart sank, knowing full well that it was far too hot to be a cloud.
My partner and I managed to get over Ou Kaapse Weg before the road closure. Fires had broken out everywhere and firefighters were working hard to extinguish the flames. I managed to snap some pictures. The blaze was so close to the car that if I put my hand out the window, I would have been burnt.
Huge props and respect for the men and women who worked, full gear, full sun, and full on flames on such a scorcher.
It was hot enough for a fire to have been sparked off stray litter, but unfortunately, whispers of arson were confirmed today. Enviro Wildfire is offering a cash reward of R10 000 to anyone with relevant information pertaining to the arrest and conviction of the person who allegedly started several fires on Ou Kaapse Weg.
In a post, the team called on information in relation to a vehicle driving very slowly over Ou Kaapse Weg between 11.40am and 12pm, direction Sun Valley, on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Cape Town energy was electric. It felt a bit like that strange panic that went down when COVID first popped up on the scene and everybody flocked to the shops to buy toilet paper. There was an element of risk and excitement to be out and about on the hottest day on earth!
Then there were those, probably much more logical than I, who decided to keep things cool and stay at home. Ramaphosa would be so proud!
I don’t have a swimming pool at home and I needed to be in the ocean. Lots of people don’t have a pool. I wondered how you’d cope. Apparently, with plastic pools and electric fans because reports indicate that retailers couldn’t keep up with the demand.
Lovely idea, but I’m almost certain that that little kiddies pool would have been able to make a steaming cup of tea after a few minutes in Saturday’s sun! Besides, my sanity depends on a weekly dose of sea salt. It was worth the risk.
Whether you flocked to the beach, bought a kiddies pool or made me laugh on Twitter — So hot in Cape Town today even the cockroaches are wearing Havaianas — I think it’s fair to confirm that Cape Town loves a bit of a reaction.
#RobynintheHood
Insta: @Robyn.inthe.Hood
Twitter: @Robynhoodcpt
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A wild week of ocean activity for the Cape – check out the shots!
Picture: Robyn.inthe.Hood