Disgrace

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The Western Cape - Cape Town

Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape, part of the area formally known as the Cape Colony, then Cape of Good Hope Province (usually shortened to the Cape Province).

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Map of South African Provinces before 1994 - Credit: Htonl

Map of South African Provinces since 1994 - Credit: Htonl

Location of Cape Town in the Western Cape - Credit: Htonl

Cape Town - Credit: Andreas Tusche

Originally a supply hub for Dutch ships sailing through to Eastern Africa, India and beyond, Cape Town was the first permanent European colony in South Africa. After various British conflicts with the Dutch, it finally came under the total jurisdiction of the British in 1814 and in 1910, when Britain formed the Union of South Africa, Cape Town became its legislative capital.

The photograph was taken from the top of Table Mountain. Due to its natural amphitheatre shape, the area at the heart of the city is known as City Bowl.

Cape Flats area, Cape Town - Credit: Thomas Sly

Like everywhere else in South Africa, Cape Town was affected by the victory of the National party in 1948 and the introduction of apartheid. Due to the new government's policy of creating separate living areas according to race, many black and coloured people were forced out if their homes and were subject to forced removals to townships. A particularly notorious instance of this, occurred in District Six, after it was officially designated a whites only area. Many of the people forced out from there were re-located to the area north of the city known as 'apartheid's dumping ground': Cape Flats.

View over Cape Town from Robben Island - Credit: Matthias Kniese

While Cape Town draws in plenty of tourists due to its attractive harbour area and its scenic panorama, including Table Mountain and Devil's Peak, in these post-apartheid days people are also able to visit one of the places that became synonymous with opposition to apartheid: Robben Island.

Entrance to Robben Island - Credit: Brian Burger

Although Robben Island has had many incarnations during its lifetime, including army training ground and hospital, in 1961 it reverted to one of its main previous uses and became a prison housing political prisoners. Many notable anti-apartheid actvisits were imprisoned there including, most famously, Nelson Mandela. His release, after twenty seven years, on 11 February 1990, marked the beginning of the end for the apartheid state.

The Eastern Cape - Salem and Grahamstown

Salem and Grahamstown are in the area of the Eastern Cape sometimes referred to as Frontier Country, due to its geographical and historical prominence in the story of South Africa. Like many of the towns and villages within this area, they were involved in the numerous conflicts between the indigenous Xhosa people and the Dutch, then the British.

The smallholding where Lucy lives is situated just outside the village of Salem, halfway between the towns of Kenton-on-Sea and Grahamstown. Salem, meaning peace, was established in 1820 by British settlers who built stone cottages and set up farms in the area. It gained its name from an incident during the Frontier Wars in the 1830s when the Xhosa people agreed to leave the village after peaceful negotiations.

Impala, Keriega Game Reserve, Eastern Cape - Credit: Steve Cornish

The scenery and wildlife are typical of that found along the eastern Cape, while the village itself is particularly noteworthy for its tiny Methodist church, still standing today.

The picture of the antelope was taken at Keriega Game Reserve, a short distance from Salem on the Grahamstown road. It is one of the numerous game reserves situated in the Eastern Cape.

Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. - Credit: Tim Giddings

The city of Grahamstown is a short car ride away from Salem. Named after the Lieutenant Colonel, John Graham, Grahamstown was the first town established by the British in South Africa, starting life as a military outpost. In 1819, it was the subject of an unsuccessful attack led by the Xhosa warrior, Makanda Nxele, as he sought to prevent further incursions into Xhosa territory. After the attack, Grahamstown and the surrounding area became a popular place for British settlers, and for a while it became the second largest city after Cape Town.

Due to its historical importance as one of the first frontier towns and its long association with British settlers, there are many historical buildings from this era, as well as monuments celebrating the role these early settlers played in the formation and development of Grahamstown.

Memorial for Thomas Charles White,The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George, Grahamstown - Credit: Larry McElhiney

Grahamstown is sometimes referred to as 'The City of Saints', due largely to the fact that it houses fifty two churches covering various different denominations. The cathedral of St. Michael and St. George, now the seat of The Anglican Bishop of Grahamstown, opened in 1830 and became a refuge for many women and children during the frontier wars.

Inside, there are numerous memorials to those who lost their lives during the battles between the Xhosa and the European Settlers. An example is shown on the left. Note the wording: 'slain by kafirs', and 'irruption of the kafir tribes'.

Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George, Church Square, Grahamstown - Credit: Tim Giddings