What better way to start the New Year than by going on an adventure to Cape Town, South Africa?! That is precisely what an intrepid group of TCLoc and CAWEB students will be doing in a few weeks’ time, from February 18th to February 24th, 2018.
Why Cape Town ?
The primary reason for the visit is to explore the technical communication landscape of South Africa. Our team will meet with movers and shakers in the African localization, marketing and design industries. We will also visit several Cape Town-based companies, including Rhino Africa and Folio Online.
In pursuit of this goal, the team will be assisted by the University of Stellenbosch and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. These universities have been kind enough to provide facilities and expertise where needed.
Secondly, the team will have the privilege of experiencing the astounding beauty of the place. This includes seeing the majestic outline of Table Mountain from white sands of Bloubergstrand. The team will also look down on the harsh, windswept serenity of the Cape peninsula from the heights of the Mountain itself. On top of the obvious attraction of the natural abundance of Cape Town, which includes African penguins, great white sharks, and proteas, our team will also have the privilege to meet its people.
Cape Town is a cultural hotbed
The Cape Malay community is an integral part of the Capetonian landscape, having shaped its culture, music, food, and language for centuries. This is most apparent in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, with its unique and colorful architecture. When in Cape Town, the team will be able to sample Cape Malay specialities, such as bobotie and kerrievis, while enjoying some of the best wines the world has to offer.
Of all South Africa’s many official languages, Afrikaans and English tend to dominate in the Cape. The French-speaking members of the team will therefore have a great opportunity to practice their English! Fortunately South Africans are warm-hearted people who are always keen to lend a hand.
Follow the trip on Facebook on the TCLoc or CAWEB pages.
South Africa, here we come!
Sources and further reading:
- https://www.sanbi.org/creature/african-penguin
- http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/cape-malay
- http://www.capetown.travel/visitors/see-do/top-attractions/bo-kaap/five-fascinating-facts-about-the-bo-kaap
- http://www.wosa.co.za/The-Industry/Winegrowing-Areas/Winelands-of-South-Africa/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikaans
Article written by Willem Beckmann, CAWEB Master’s.