CPT Brew – 24th October, 2026

Muizenberg's beachfront upgrade is nearly there, just in time for summer. The St James Walkway and the refurbished western parking area are now open, and you can reach the western side of the beach from Surfer's Corner again. The project is more than 84% complete, with the bulk of the work due by mid-December. The new central ablution facility, playground, landscaping and more coastal protection are still to come.

Kenilworth's Inez Shaw won the City's Wear the Hope challenge with a red-on-black crochet vest stitched from squares made by friends, family, students and neighbours, using leftover yarn. The mayor may wear it at the Festive Lights Switch-On on 29 November. Her grandmother taught her to crochet at four, and it shows.

The Litterboom Project, which keeps plastic out of the ocean by catching it in rivers including Cape Town's Black and Lotus rivers, has won a global conservation award. It was one of six winners picked from 56 shortlisted projects in the first Defender Awards, and it gets a Defender 4x4, a £100,000 bursary and expert mentorship.

Stellenbosch Street Soirees

Drostdy Street fills with wine stalls, food and live music for the first of nine summer evenings, 18:00 to 20:00. R280 includes a branded glass and 10 tasting tokens. It is in Stellenbosch, so plan the drive.

Wicked Wine Festival and Haunted Harvest Market

Halloween at The Wild Fig in Observatory: a market on the Great Lawn, live jazz and wine from local estates. Tasting is R150, markets are free. No under 18s.

Joburg Ballet: Celestial Bodies

Ballet meets live piano and a narrating physicist, from the Big Bang to the first spark of life. Five shows at the Baxter, 12 to 15 November, R250 to R625.

Cape Open Air

Jeremy Loops headlines Muizenberg Park, with Bongeziwe Mabandla as first guest act. Gates open at noon. Tickets are R265 plus a R35 booking fee, and this one could sell quickly.

Max Bagels is a hole-in-the-wall bagel shop at 120 Bree Street. The menu runs from breakfast bagels to a grilled fennel and leek number with avocado and pesto.

Pauline's keeps coffee simple: thoughtfully sourced beans, quality ingredients and an eatery menu to match. There are branches in Green Point, Sea Point and on Park Road, so check the site for yours.

Judd's Local at 141 Kloof Street is a restaurant and wine bar open Monday to Saturday, 08:30 to 23:00. It can handle your late breakfast and your Saturday night. Closed Sundays, so Saturday is the day.