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Bafana are through. For the first time in the nation's history, South Africa has qualified for the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, and if you were awake in the early hours of Thursday, you already know what the city sounded like. The feeling is real. Hold onto it.

While the squad made history on the pitch, Nhlanhla Ndlovu was making his own at halftime, performing with Soweto Street Beat as a Djembe soloist inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. South African culture for the whole world to see.

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Now, back to Cape Town 👇

Today  |  High 17°C  |  Low 11°C  |  Wind NNW  |  Showers likely this afternoon (65% rain chance)  |  Sunrise 7:43am  |  Sunset 5:43pm
Headlines 3 reads

South Africa qualifies for the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 for the first time in the nation’s history. #BafanaPride swept social media in the early hours of Thursday, as supporters across the country celebrated what every football fan here has waited a lifetime to see. The entire squad of 23 players made it happen, and Cape Town was loud about it.

Outside the Bowl Africa is celebrating 10 years of feeding vulnerable children, and marking the milestone with an ambitious new target: 10 million meals. Founded in Wellington by Mark Maingard, the non-profit now reaches around 10 000 children daily through schools, churches, and community organisations across the country. To get there, they’re running a series of campaigns this year including a Mandela Day packing event on 17–18 July in Wellington, a charity golf day in October, and a celebration for 10 000 children in November. You can chip in from R100 via the Beanie Project, which funds 20 meals per donation.

South African performer Nhlanhla Ndlovu brought African rhythm to the global stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show on Thursday, joining the celebrated Soweto Street Beat as a Djembe soloist and vocalist during the Group A clash between Bafana Bafana and the Czech Republic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Best known for a decade with The Lion King on Broadway and in Madrid, Ndlovu used the world’s biggest football stage to do what he does best: make South African culture impossible to ignore.

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Events 4 plans
Thursday
R650pp		 Wimbledon Afternoon Tea at Cape Grace. While the world’s biggest tennis tournament plays out on screen, Cape Grace’s Heirloom Restaurant serves fresh scones, Battenberg cake, an edible tennis ball, Pimms, Cape Grace No. 96 gin, and their signature Cederberg Rooibos blend. Seatings between 1:30pm and 3pm, Thursday through Sunday until 12 July. Cape Grace Hotel, W Quay Rd, V&A Waterfront. Book on Dineplan.
Fri 26
From R180		 Jack Parow Live at Woodstock Brewery. After a postponement, the Afrikaans rap icon is finally bringing his show to the heart of Woodstock this Friday. Supported by student rock band The Unknown and the Indonesian-South African duo Ultra Mal. There is a dedicated burger-and-chips station, brewery specials, and Parow’s signature one-of-a-kind delivery. 8pm until 11:35pm, 252 Albert Rd, Woodstock. Book on Quicket.
Fri 26
R250 to R300		 Puss in Boots: Opening Night at the Baxter. KickstArt Theatre launches its annual holiday pantomime tonight, following last year’s sell-out Jack and the Beanstalk. Set on a Caribbean island, this family production stars Rory Booth as the quick-witted cat, with a full ensemble cast. The run continues through 18 July. Baxter Theatre, Pam Golding Theatre, Main Road, Rondebosch. Friday performances at 2:30pm.
Fri 26
Ticketed		 Here & Now: A Luther Vandross Tribute. A tribute concert celebrating the silky soul of Luther Vandross, one of the most distinctive voices in R&B history. An evening of lush balladry and classic hits, performed live on the Artscape stage. Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore. 8pm. Tickets via Artscape.
Hidden Gems 3 finds

The Blue Room at Grub & Vine, 103 Bree Street. Tucked inside one of the city centre’s most beloved restaurants, this intimate cocktail lounge is dedicated entirely to live jazz and blues. The collaboration between chef-patron Matt Manning and jazz artist Buddy Wells makes for something rare: genuinely good food, genuinely good music, and a room that earns its name. Open Wednesday to Saturday evenings. No cover charge to enter the lounge.

Asoka on Kloof Street has been a neighbourhood staple for over a decade for good reason: it does cocktails with real care, the atmosphere is warm without being loud, and it handles a date night as well as a late Thursday solo. Jazz and house music feature on rotation. It is one of those places that Cape Town locals keep recommending to each other as if they discovered it themselves.

Athletic Club & Social, 35 Buitengracht Street: three floors of mood, including a hidden basement bar that earns the “speakeasy” description without leaning on it too hard. A sophisticated wine and cocktail list, a Mediterranean-influenced menu, and live jazz on weekends. Open Thursday nights until 2am. The kind of place you take someone you’re trying to impress, and it does the work for you.

Quote of the Day

“It always seems impossible until it is done.”

Nelson Mandela
The weekend door is open. Walk through it well.
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