Radio talk show host, Renaldo Schwarp, tells us about his City Bowl neighbourhood
Hosting a late-night radio show on Cape Talk encouraged Renaldo Schwarp to make the move to the Mother City from Stellenbosch, where he lived after studying there for his BA in Drama.
“I’d fallen in love with the idea of staying in the Cape Town CBD,” he says. “I wanted a spot that was close enough to the studio and set, but also a place where I could wind down – a place I could make my own. Vredehoek satisfied both of these requirements. I found a lovely spacious apartment with two of my closest friends from campus radio, who also work in commercial radio now, and we decided the moment we viewed the apartment that it was exactly what we were looking for.”
When asked what he loves most about Vredehoek, he says the view is at the top of the list. “It’s absolutely breathtaking! I have majestic Table Mountain to one side and the vibrant City Bowl on the other. My apartment is literally at the foot of Table Mountain, with astounding views, so breakfast with friends in our sunroom is always a treat. The area is extremely central, very close to work and town, but it also offers a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The fact that it’s also on a MyCiTi bus route was a bonus.”
There’s lots to enjoy about Vredehoek on the weekends too. “Hosting a late-night radio show has made me somewhat of a nocturnal creature,” says Renaldo. “So my ideal weekend off would probably start with sleeping in a bit later than usual, waking up to a late brunch with friends at one of the many coffee shops, and then hiking up Table Mountain. Or packing a picnic basket, finding a spot overlooking Cape Town and just enjoying the view with good company. Perhaps then it would be time for a cocktail and light early dinner at Sidewalk Cafe, and then I’d hit the town – seeing as it’s so close to Vredehoek.”
Another thing that defines Vredehoek for Renaldo is the people. “I have come to love the friendliness of the people here. They’re always ready with a big smile and a warm ‘hello’. Vredehoek is becoming more attractive for young working adults to stay, so I often bump into someone I studied with back in Stellenbosch who also stays here. One really does fall more in love with this area every day.”
Vredehoek is stunning and extremely well located. It offers the best of both worlds, close to work and town, with picturesque hiking trails and lots of cute coffee shops.
-Renaldo Schwarp.
About Renaldo Schwarp:
After a doing a BA in drama at Stellenbosch University and a stint on campus radio, Renaldo did an internship at Netwerk24, where he created online and video content for Media24. He then became the official ambassador of WeCan24, a digital school network. This led to hosting his own late-night show on Cape Talk and producing and presenting an Afrikaans entertainment news show at VIA TV.
Where to eat in Vredehoek:
- Sidewalk Cafe: for sundowners and a bite to eat
- Red Sofa Cafe: for brunch and coffee
- The Woodlands Eatery: for cosy get-togethers over delicious food
- Deer Park Cafe: for great breakfasts and lunches
- Carlyles on Derry: for delicious pizzas and a pub vibe
- Con Brio Bistro: for small plates, pizzas and more
Things to do in Vredehoek:
- Have a picnic with friends in Deer Park.
- Enjoy the natural surroundings at Vredehoek Quarry on foot or on a mountain bike.
- Enjoy pub grub and watch sport at Perseverance Tavern.
- Head to the Gardens Centre for boutiques and specialist food stores.
- Hike the trails around Devil’s Peak.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
View more of the neighbourhood here:
