The Cape Town Jazz Festival

This weekend, the 30th and 31st of March, Cape Town will be host to one of the world's most famous and celebrated Jazz Festivals. The Cape Town Jazz Festival began during the year 2000 and received a huge turn out, with over 14 000 people purchasing tickets for the event. Last year, record numbers visited the festival, and this year, twelve years since the very first event, Cape Town's Jazz Festival is aiming to have more than 2011's 34 000 visitors.

It's known to be "Africa's Grandest Gathering", and showcases the soul, style and true elegance of South Africa's local Jazz scene, which adds its own twist to the event with a touch of Mzanzi. This year, the festival is set to bigger and better than before - packed with workshops and training sessions by some of the world's greatest and most talented Jazz professionals. 

Ranked number four of its kind in the world by Melodytrip, the Cape Town Jazz Festival will undoubtedly, once again, put on a great show this year. And with a line up of international and local big names, they're already on their way; with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Alfredo Rodrigues and the Alexander Sinton Jazz High School taking the stage and leading tickets to quickly sell out. For a full list of performances, click here. 

Speaking of tickets, you can purchase weekend passes for R550, day passes for R400 and performance passes for R30. You can purchase tickets from Computicket or can purchase passes for selected performances on arrival at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

With over 34 000 locals and foreigners set to visit the event, make sure you book your self-catering accommodation as soon as possible. Making your way to the event shouldn't be difficult however, as it's based in the centre of Cape Town - easy to find, with many private taxi's readily available. 

The Most Beautiful Race in the World...

If you’re visiting Cape Town over the long Easter weekend, it’s likely you’ll come across several thousand runners timing their personal bests around Cape Town. This is the event all Capetonian runners work towards and spend their Sunday mornings training for. The Two Oceans Marathon is quickly becoming South Africa’s most popular and loved marathon, and promises to be even more of a success than last year with a record number of entrants and a new scenic route for the runners to enjoy.

The first Two Oceans Marathon took place in the 1970 with just 26 runners gearing up to run the race. At this start, the only option was to complete the 42km or pull out of the race with better hopes for next year, however now a days runners can sign up to run the Two Ocean’s Half Marathon, allowing them to call themselves champions even if their legs aren’t able to manage the whole marathon’s 42km route.

What used to be one event has now become several, with trail runs, fun runs, expos and of course, the famous half marathon. Thousands of volunteers line the streets on race day to serve drinks and cool down participates while both professional cheer leaders and locals make their ways to the event to cheer on the brave runners.

The race has become known internationally as “the most beautiful race in the world” with scenic views to distract any runner from the pain of the distance they’re covering. The Ultra Marathon – the 42km run – has made a name for itself by covering some of the most beautiful roads in Cape Town, taking runners through the Southern Suburbs, along the sea front of Kalk Bay, and eventually over Chapman’s Peak and to the University of Cape Town via Hout Bay. Runners can also enjoy being looked after by professional biokenetists, a medical team and can even enjoy free massages after the race.

If you’re planning on visiting the Mother City during this big event, make sure you get ahead and book the self-catering Cape Town accommodation needed for your holiday before the masses get their chance.  Not only will you be sorted in time to participate in the famous Two Oceans Marathon, but you’ll have the chance to see the best of the Mother City and support thousands of runners brave the streets to reach their personal bests and call themselves champions.