Gone are the days of being fooled into buying things we don’t need! In the age of information, consumers are smarter than ever before. Not only are they smarter about their own needs but an increasing social and environmental awareness means that people are interested in the overall impact of their behavior. This influences the demand for products and services we consume and the tourism sector is no exception. Responsible tourism, simply put, is about creating great destinations that are both better to visit and live in, and it’s everybody’s business! It involves local government, the tourism sector, visitors and residents working together to ensure that tourism leaves a lasting positive impact on the environment and socio-economic climate of the destination city.

In 1996, South Africa became the first country to include responsible tourism in legislation and in 2009; Cape Town won the award for “Best Destination” at the 2009 Responsible Tourism Awards. The Cape Town Declaration of Responsible Tourism was also adopted as the world definition. While this is some indication that the city is in the forefront of responsible tourism globally, there is still lots of work to be done in order to claim worthiness of the award.

Some of the initiatives put in place by the city during the 2010 World Cup to promote responsible tourism include Zibi bins (or public recycling bins), the upgrading of the city centre, construction of walkways and deployment of CCID security to make the city safer and more pedestrian friendly as well the Integrated Rapid Transport System (MyCiTi buses). However, it remains to be seen if these and other initiatives can be sustained in the long run!

That all sounds great, but you’re probably wondering what you can do? Well, for most of Connect-123′s Cape Town program participants, half the job is done! By the very nature of the work that you do at your host organizations, your visit to Cape Town is in some way contributing to improving the economic, social and environmental climate in the city. But as you know, there is always more you can do, so here are our top 8 tips:

1. Learn the lingo: Connect-123 recently started offering introductory Xhosa lessons. Why not join the class to learn to greet colleagues at your host organization in their home language? It’ll be sure to both impress and amuse them.

2. Local is “lekker”: Buy crafts and souvenirs from markets rather than major shopping malls to ensure proceeds go straight back into the communities. Buying locally produced goods saves money and is less harmful to the environment. Try All Gold ketchup! It’s Proudly South African and is just as good as Heinz J

3. Maximum respect: Ask permission before photographing people.

4. Paint the township red: consider going on a township tour. Organizations such as Andulela arrange packages with various interactive activities such as drumming, beading and soccer.

5. Be streetwise: never give money to beggars on the street. Choose a reputable charity if you wish to donate money to a worthy cause.

6. Quench your thirst: Drink tap water. South African tap water is the third best in the world!

7. Green fingers: Plant a tree during Arbor Week, the first week in September, to help offset your carbon foot.

8. Don’t be a pickpocket: The shells look prettier on the beach than they would on your window sill at home and flowers are always most beautiful on the plants from which they blossom. Take a picture instead!

Remember that while your stay in Cape Town may be relatively short, 4 million people call it home! So let’s all show the Mother City the respect she deserves!

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, attracting people from all corners of the earth, and instilling a tremendous amount of pride in the hearts of those fortunate enough to call it home. With everything that this amazing city has on offer for visitors and locals alike, it becomes our collective responsibility to keep it green! Dutifully disposing of litter, especially when braaing or picnicking in public spaces goes a long way to preserve the natural beauty of the Cape and prevent wild fires, but more needs to be done.

Be it as a result of shock tactics, a guilty conscience or the all-the-cool-kids-are-doing-it effect, there has been a growing awareness around sustainable environmental practices. Connect-123 has also recently started the process of greenifying our operations and thought it would be useful to share some tips with you. Read on for more information about the three Rs, reducing energy and water consumption and becoming a green commuter.

The R that receives the most attention is recycling.  However, before even considering recycling, listen to the green fairy whispering words of encouragement to reduce and reuse first. While it remains a fundamental component of an integrated waste management system, recycling consumes energy and results in the release of carbon emissions.

There are a number of thrifty ways to reduce waste that require minimal effort:

• Do not buy plastic shopping bags
• Use concentrated products and detergents
• Avoid using disposable products (e.g. cameras, razors, plastic cutlery etc)
• Refrain from purchasing products that seem overly packaged

The next step is to consider reusing what would ordinarily be considered garbage. Reusing junk, giving it away or donating it to charity takes the pressure off Cape Town’s already overflowing landfill sites. Connect-123 is in contact with several organizations that could put your old clothes, food, books etc. to good use so contact us before throwing them in the garbage.

While the City of Cape Town has not yet successfully implemented an integrated waste management system, this is no excuse to dispose of recyclables. Some of our program participants may find that their host organizations run recycling programs – be sure to check with your roommates! Otherwise, there are various recycling depots around the city; the closest is located at the Jan Van Riebeeck Primary School in Tamboerskloof. They accept paper, cardboard, glass, most plastics and tin.

While renewable energy seems to be a very real possibility for the near future, a fair amount of controversy surrounds Cape Town’s green energy sources.  In the mean time, there are of course alternate (and incredibly simple ways) of reducing water and energy consumption:

Save water

• Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth, washing your hair, washing your hands or shaving
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap
• Report leaky faucets to Connect-123 as soon as you notice them

Save electricity

• If you’re not using it, switch it off at the outlet!
• Showers use less hot water than baths
• Wear warm clothes and use hot water bottles instead of heaters

With carbon emissions being the main contributor to global warming, carbon footprint reduction has received plenty of attention in the media.  While the option of offsetting your carbon footprint by paying an extra 100 GBP for a flight from JFK to Cape Town International is available, there are also more affordable alternatives. Walk whenever you can, of course only when it’s safe to do so. Share cabs when you’re going out at night and use public transport rather than hiring a car if it is a safe and convenient option.  Remember to ask if you are uncertain about safety!

While soaking up all that this wonderful city has to offer, remember to tread lightly on this very precious corner of the earth.  Leave only footprints of the non-carbon variety behind!

To most, the thought of Cape Town evokes sights and sounds of summertime, sun worshippers lining the beach, people edging slowly up Table Mountain and public parks littered with picnic blankets. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that during the winter Cape Town has many hidden attractions that are often overlooked in summer. The Mother City is fortunate enough to boast about its moderate winters, demanding no more than an extra layer of clothing and an emergency umbrella to get you through the colder, wetter months. In fact, even though we’ve passed the halfway mark for winter, we’ve been lucky enough to count on one hand the amount of rainy days we’ve had thus far and have enjoyed many days warm enough for the beach! Mother Nature, never one for predictability, will surely keep things in balance by sending rain clouds our way so the Connect-123 team are ready to offer local advice on great activities to keep your warm.

The city is alive with indoor attractions and cosy eateries offering up some great food to warm the soul. Many of the city’s restaurants offer great winter specials served next to roaring fireplaces, accompanied by locally produced red wine. The Connect-123 Winter Restaurant Specials List gives you the breakdown of all the specials on offer with over 80 restaurants to choose from. The city centre itself is a gateway to the Cape Winelands, the estates of Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek offer cosy and scenic locations from which to enjoy the rainy season. This is a great time to visit the wine farms, participate in cellar tours and tastings and spend the afternoon enjoying a hearty meals made from freshly grown produce.

Cape Town’s city centre plays host to numerous museums, historical sites and galleries. A stroll along the Company Gardens will lead to the South African National Art Gallery, hosting both local and international artists with rotating exhibitions. As well as the Iziko South African Museum, the Planetarium and the Slave Lodge offer insight to the bygone era and natural history that acts as the foundation of the city’s landscape as it stands today. The Cape Town Holocaust Centre, Bo- Kaap Museum and District Six Museum are well worth the visit and highlight the cultural diversity of Cape Town.

With the final whistle of Africa’s first World Cup about to blow, a number of galleries are currently holding football-related exhibitions in the Cape Town. The Amen Photographic Exhibition on Grassroots Football throughout Africa runs at the Joao Ferreria Gallery until 24 July. Dreams & Goals at the Waterkant Gallery captures football fan mania on a global scale.

Rainy days in Cape Town also offer a good excuse to squeeze in some retail therapy. Hosting a multitude of shopping malls, Cape Town is often seen as a premier shopping destination. The V&A Waterfront, Cavendish Square, the Cape Quarter and Canal Walk offer a variety of shopping experiences, with a fine selection of local and international products to choose from as well as housing the surefire favourites of cinemas and restaurants. The Two Oceans Aquarium showcases the diversity of South Africa’s unique marine ecosystem and is best way to get acquainted with marine life without getting wet! The indoor Redshed Craft Market, also located at the V&A Waterfront, offers an eclectic mix of locally produced handmade items – which you will often purchase directly from the creator themselves.

For live entertainment, we are spoilt for choice, with world- class theatrical performances at venues such as Artscape, Masque and Baxter Theatre. Everything from classical ballet, contemporary dance, local theatre productions, burlesque, stand up comedy and musicals are on offer, providing you with a range of mainstream and unconventional entertainment. Music enthusiasts can enjoy winter concerts every Sunday at the Silver Tree Restaurant in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Even though the rainclouds might be gathering in the distance, pull yourself together, wrap up and set your sights on a winter exploration of Cape Town, whether it’s watching a local production, shopping up a storm or enjoying a cosy meal with a group of friends. And remember Connect-123 has an insider’s perspective on what activities are happening to keep the winter blues at bay!