When John Mulder, Operations Manager at Cape Tourism, reached out recently with a simple question, “If you could tell visitors just one thing about your business right now, what would it be?”, I didn’t expect my answer to take me quite so far back.

But here’s the thing about Cape Town and the Western Cape. The magic isn’t new. It’s layered.

My clients and friends who visit from the US, Ireland and the UK have all said that the Mother City, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and beyond the Breede River have been beyond their wildest expectations. That never gets old to hear. I’ve lived in Cape Town since 1977 and it still stops me in my tracks.

A Career That Started With Something Extraordinary

Way back in 1977, long before the travel businesses, I was working with an events management company called FACT, Festivals and Conventions Trust, headed by a remarkable Canadian named Bill Mounsey, who taught me so much in those formative years.

We organised major events during what were, it must be said, very dark days in South Africa’s history. And one of those events changed me completely.

The First World Wilderness Congress

The 1st World Wilderness Congress (WILD1) was held on 23–28 October 1977 in Johannesburg, a pivotal moment in global conservation that introduced the wilderness concept as a critical, international issue. Founded by the incredible and iconic Ian Player, it brought together 2,500 delegates from 27 countries to promote the protection of wild nature.

Ian Player’s mentor, Magqubu Ntombela, was equally present in that story, a man of extraordinary wisdom and grace.

I was hugely privileged to get to know both Ian and Magqubu on many a wilderness walking trail. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Why This Still Matters

Promoting South Africa and the Western Cape is a huge joy and privilege, and it has been since those very early days. The country has a way of getting under your skin, of surprising you, of exceeding expectations even when you think you know it well.

That’s exactly what I tell my clients. And it’s exactly what John’s question reminded me of.

If you’re thinking about visiting the Cape, or exploring South Africa more broadly, I’d love to help you plan something truly memorable. Reach out to us, we’ve been doing this for a long time, and we genuinely love every moment of it.