We met our private tour guide, Sali, at 9:00 and headed out on a tour of the city. First stop: The Castle of Good Hope. It “is a bastion fort built in the 17th century in Cape Town. The Castle was originally located on the coastline of Table Bay, but following reclamation, the fort is now located a short distance inland within the Central Business District.
“In 1652, the Dutch East India Company (DEIC) settled on the shores of Table Bay to establish a refreshment base for ships en route from Europe to East Asia and to maintain its monopoly over the Spice Trade.”
In the detail over the entrance, know that (VOC) stands for Dutch East India Company. The two lions represent the kings of Africa—signs of strength that Dutch were king. The shields across the top represent the five cities that formed the VOC: Amsterdam, Batavia (now Jakarta), Delft, Enkhuizen, and Hoorn.
The vast courtyard in the middle of The Castle of Good Hope is used today for cultural events including concerts and festivals. Today, Doek on Fleek Lifestyle was hosting an event. Doek on Fleek by Thandi Mavata is a movement dedicated to empowering & fostering women connections.
