Peninsula Tour, S Africa

June 10
Ian took me on an all day scenic Peninsula Tour, down the Atlantic coast to the Cape of Good Hope and returning along the coast of False Bay. There are many days of strong winds and stormy seas. Over the last approx. 300 years, 2600 shipwrecks have been recorded (popular for scuba diving). On the Atlantic coast we drive by many beautiful bays, stopping at Hout Bay and Chapmans peak. I try to take a walk on Noordhoek Beach (known for horseback riding, sand dunes, and quick sand) but the gusty wind is too strong.

Fighting the strong gusty wind, a 45 minute hike up and across a plateau takes me from the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwesterly point of Africa, to Cape point, the farthest southern point on Cape Peninsula. On the way, several hundred stairs lead down to a pristine beach with huge load waves (picture 3,4). At Cape Point, I climb up to the lighthouse for more spectacular views, including being able to see the Atlantic coast on one side and the False Bay coast at the same time. During WWII there was a radar station at Cape Point which was used to detect German Submarines, and Battleships (disguised as Merchant ships), which were attacking S African supply ships on their way to England.
Baboons are a nuisance at the parking lot and shops at Cape Point, and take food from anyone they can get to. Several guards with sticks chase them away.

In the 1400's, Portugese explorers were looking for a way around the bottom of Africa to reach and trade with the Spice Islands (China, Indonesia, Asia, etc.) Up until this time, Arab caravans carried spices on long journeys across land, and therefore spices were very expensive and not readily available in Europe.
On the way back along the coast of False Bay, we stop at Boulders to see the colony of African Penguins. They mate for life and take turns taking care of their young. One anxious young 'teenager' not yet able to swim, was waddling up and down the beach looking for its parents to return from feeding in the ocean.
False Bay is 40km wide, and is the breading ground for the Great White shark.
Fish Hoek beach is a nice wide flat beach with relatively small waves on which I take a 40 minute walk, passing colorful beach chalets (picture 1).

We drove through Bishops Court, the most exclusive residential area in Cape Town, and
Constantia residential area with small vineyards on its outskirts.

June 11
In the pouring rain I begin my City Tour of Cape Town with Ian. We drive thorough several high end residential areas on the Atlantic coast, Clifton, Bantry Bay, and Sea Point (previously a Jewish neighborhood). The Jews of S Africa made a significant contribution to its economic development, arts, sciences, politics, law and sports. They also were strong Zionists who helped in the survival and growth of the state of Israel, many of whom immigrated to Israel in the 1960's and 1970's.
The Jewish Museum is located in the Old Synagogue, next to the Holocaust museum. The first Jewish congregation was began in 1847, and the first Synagogue was established in 1863.
In 1795 Great Britain took control of S Africa, and in 1804 implemented religious tolerance. In 1806 the first Jewish Settlers from England and Germany arrived for economic opportunities. In 1880 over 4000 Jews came from Eastern Europe, mostly Lithuanians. Thereafter, 60,000Jews came from the Baltic countries after the Pogroms in Russia and the Ukraine. At its peak, S Africa had 120,000 Jews.
The discovery of diamonds in 1860, and gold in 1886 dramatically changed the economic activity in S Africa. Jews were among the founders of Johannesburg in the 1880's, and in 1909 it had its 1st Jewish Mayor. Jews were involved in mining, stock brokering, and property development. They were organized in the religion, education, and welfare of their community.
In 1930, the Quota Act was passed which stopped Eastern European Jews from immigrating into S Africa. In 1937 the Aliens Act stopped all Jewish immigration (until early 1940's ??)
During WWII, S Africa was under British rule and Nazi supporters were put in Jail. Nazi ideology was based on the rejection of individual rights in favor of totalitarian control and the belief of superiority of the 'pure Aryan' race. After the war ended in 1945 they were released, and in 1948 they won in the elections by manipulating and dramatically increasing the number of Parliament seats given to sparsely populated areas. In addition the opposition party was weak.
Apartheid is defined as the policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race.
In 1949 the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act was passed (between whites and blacks). In 1950, the Group Areas Act was passed and each of 4 racial groups (Whites, Africans, Asians, and Coloreds) was restricted to its own residential and trading sections of towns and cities. In 1960
S Africa gained its independence from England. The Prime Minister of S Africa from 1958-1966 was the architect of apartheid. Many prominent Jews supported Blacks in their struggle against apartheid. My guide Ian told me that things began to in the 1980's with the new generation of educated white Africans growing up and deciding that Apartheid was not OK.
Finishing at the Holocaust Museum I thought how hate and propaganda can cause such a horrible human acts. I thought how people who were living normal lives were then thrown into hell. If I was living at that time in that place it would have been me and my family. In fact it happened to relatives I never knew.