Sunset in the Mother City {Pictures}

Table Mountain (Cape Town, South Africa) as seen from Bloubergstrand

If you have ever had the privilege of visiting Cape Town in South Africa, you will be familiar with the breath-taking scenes and friendly hospitality of the "Mother City", as many South Africans call it.  Interestingly enough, it seems that the nickname Mother City has a more elaborate story than anticipated...

One explanation is that Jan van Riebeeck, the founding father of European settlement in South Africa, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope (where Cape Town is today) in 1652, and established a refreshment post for the Dutch East India Trading Company's many ships passing by. This eventually aided the influx of Dutch, French and German settlers, who were the founding fathers of most Afrikaner families still in South-Africa today. Therefore, for many South-Africans, Cape Town is where it all started - hence the name "The Mother City".

Another, less obvious, explanation is that many people started to refer to Cape Town as a metropolis in the early 20th century, since it had grown into quite a large city by then. The term "Metropolis" is a Greek term, which basically means 'mother city of a colony', which is exactly what Cape Town is to many South Africans.

Another, more tongue-in-cheek, explanation is that it is called the Mother City because everything takes 9 months to happen in this laid-back, relaxed city.

It doesn't matter what you call Cape Town, it is still a magical place. To prove it, here are a few pictures, taken during December 2011 of a beautiful sunset as seen from Bloubergstrand, and the city lights as seen from Signal Hill. This is a must-see for everybody (the real thing more so than the pictures).

Sunset from Bloubergstrand (Cape Town, South Africa)

A family going for a walk on the beach at Bloubergstrand

The last light over the ocean

City lights starting to light up at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain

The moon hanging over the city, as seen from Signal Hill

Cape Town's lights, at the foot of Table Mountain

Cape Town Stadium at night

{Copyright © 2012 Nico Strydom.}