Cape Town Locals
The most rewarding aspect of our study abroad program was the frequency with which we were able to interact with locals living in Cape Town. Social entrepreneurship, the foundation of the program, inherently involves listening to locals describe what solutions would improve their communities. A social enterprise will avoid imposing Western influence when coming up with solutions because it wouldn’t necessarily be helpful in certain circumstances; culture and local living play a huge part in the success and usefulness of a business.
The design of the program allowed us to work with TSiBA students for two weeks, listening to unique problems in the townships through their point of view. We also met with community leaders who walked us through the areas and offered up a valuable perspective that made our work feel more real and tangible. This program is completely unique in the amount of opportunity it provides students to meet locals. Some students work or study in Cape Town on separate programs and cannot even step foot inside of a township due to the dangers present. Knowing respected local leaders allowed us to take tours, share meals, and engage in conversation that walked us through the many hardships that people face in Cape Town.
The currency of South Africa is the rand, beautifully colorful bills that feature Nelson Mandela and the big five game animals: the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros. Currently the exchange rate is 15 South African rand to one U.S. dollar. It’s beneficial to be an American student making purchases in Cape Town, and the exchange rate makes everything extremely affordable. Most of my fellow students have not kept strict budgets because the exchange rate is in our favor, but it is definitely possible to easily keep track of finances in Cape Town. Many of the programs are actually included in the cost of the program, and students really only fend for themselves when it comes to food or additional excursions.
There are so many opportunities to buy trinkets and souvenirs. Some of them are more touristy than others and therefore more expensive, but you can (and should) always bargain for a better price. We were encouraged to spend our money buying products when we did our township visits because our money would have such a huge impact on the seller. Cape Town offers truly amazing souvenirs: unique beadwork, jewelry, art, and statues to name a few. One can definitely feel overwhelmed walking through a market with all of the beautiful colors surrounding you. One of my favorite purchases was a pair of sneakers that featured extensive beading throughout the canvas, and culminating in a beaded South African flag on the tip of the shoe. A few of my friends bought them together and got compliments everywhere we went. I’d encourage everyone to make some purchases in Cape Town, whether to encapsulate the memories you’ve made or to recognize the hard work and craftsmanship of the seller.
