Posts Tagged ‘cape town’

V&A Waterfront emerges as pedestrian safe haven

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

I hate beginning articles with a rhetorical question but I feel maybe this is unavoidable. Have you ever noticed that the only place, in the whole of South Africa where motorists stop for pedestrians crossing at a pedestrian/zebra crossing is in the V&A Waterfront? Now that’s just plain weird.

I’ve road tripped most of South Africa (a few times) and I’m basing this entirely on sound personal experience, but I don’ t think I’m wrong. It’s just that overseas, the UK in particular, a motorist will get the ABS involved to stop for a pedestrian waiting to cross. I think that down here we just don’t respect pedestrians enough.

So what is it then? (more…)

OverdriveTV grabs 8 minutes and 26 seconds with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Top Gear is massive. And no matter what you think of it’s chief-whip Jeremy Clarkson, the staggering success of the brand is undeniable. But watching it on telly is so…2D. Luckily, inspired by a pint or eight, the brains behind the show decided to make it live and take it around the world. Genius.

But let’s be honest, it could have been rubbish. It could have consisted of some depressed announcer making laughably unfunny jokes as a Chevrolet Spark crawled across a stage. Thankfully, Clarkson & Co have the imagination of seven year-olds and the budget of a Saudi prince, which unsurprisingly is a winning combination.

It’s difficult to describe the awesomeness of what you’re in for if you’ve managed to secure a seat at any of the shows in Cape Town or Johannesburg, and we sure as hell won’t spoil any of it for you. In the meantime though, we thought we’d bring you this: 8 minutes of Jeremy and Richard talking about everything from enviro-mentalism to which cars their kids refuse to go to school in, complete with a mic wire hanging across their faces (thanks Gav!). The best part is, they’re exactly as you see them on the tube, just smokier.

Driven: Mazda 3 Individual

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

mazda 3 individual (2)

Premium Hot Hatches are pretty damn popular in South Africa. You’ve got Volkswagen, Opel, Mazda, Ford, BMW, Renault, Citroen and everyone else I’ve forgotten vying for your attention by fitting bigger wheels, bigger engines and bigger chin-spoilers to their pleb-hatches and then charging R100 000 more.

Although that’s sort of how it used to be. Nowadays, the top of the line hatch in a manufacturer’s line-up is generally quite special. The Volkswagen GTI for instance has grown up so much it now feels like it’s punching two classes above its weight. The Astra OPC looks ferocious and Renault can sell you car with a trick front diff for unlimited front-end traction and a Spaniard’s signature on the dash board. Mazda’s top-line offering is a bit different, however.

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Scene: 1960-something Jaguar E-Type

Monday, November 9th, 2009
My uncle, Eric, and the owner, Henk, man bonding.

My uncle, Eric, and the owner, Henk, man bonding.

I absolutely love a morning walk along the Sea Point promenade. Skipping along at a ferocious pace this morning with my uncle today, we were feircely debating whether the BMW 507 was faster than the Jaguar E-Type of the time, when, serendipitously, one appeared in front of us.

Hit the jump for a gallery and chat with the owner.

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Scene: We’re pretty sure this is illegal

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Car bar

That’s how we roll down here in die Kaap. Hansa Pilsener, baby.

Scene: Cape Town locksmith tries to unlock his own bakkie

Thursday, October 8th, 2009
locksmith locked out

Keep on trucking mate, it's nearly the weekend.

Spotted at the Caltex garage in the Waterfront this morning: this poor bugger. You know your Thursday is going to suck when you’re a locksmith trying to unlock your own work van. How on earth did that happen? And where did he get the tools from?

Apologies for the cellphone quality, one more pic after the jump.

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