National Women’s Day is just around the corner, and we’ve got the perfect way to celebrate being a woman. Join City Sightseeing and Groot Constantia Wine Estate for a weekend of wine tasting and exploring all that the City Sightseeing blue route has to offer, from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to the bustling Hout Bay harbour with its restaurants and markets. Groot Constantia Wine Estate is the oldest wine-producing estate in South Africa, with its historic buildings, award-winning wines, and breathtaking vineyards that are sure to be the highlight of your sightseeing adventure.
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On 9 August, South Africans come together to commemorate National Women’s Day, a date rooted deeply in South African history. This holiday marks the anniversary of the 1956 march, when thousands of women, led by activists like Lilian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph, protested and delivered a petition to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. They stood against the apartheid pass laws, which enforced segregation and fueled widespread discrimination.
They sang a song specially composed in their honour, saying ‘if you strike a woman, you strike a rock.’ This expression is still used today throughout South Africa to signify the strength of women. National Women’s Day in South Africa is a day that honors the courage and resilience of women who fought for justice on 9 August 1956. On that day, women marched to the Union Buildings to demand an end to pass laws and other oppressive measures imposed by the apartheid government.
This day has become more than a remembrance of the past. It’s a powerful reminder of the fight for gender equality and the ongoing struggle to end issues like domestic violence and gender-based discrimination. Across the country, events highlight cultural pride, celebrate the achievements of women, and raise awareness about the challenges that remain.
Communities host rallies, workshops, and performances that reflect South Africa’s diverse heritage and the shared goal of liberation and empowerment. Activists and leaders use the occasion to speak out on topics ranging from economic opportunities for South African women of all races to ending gender-based violence.
National Women’s Day isn’t just a holiday. It’s a time when South Africans reflect on their history, honor the courage of those who came before, and renew their commitment to true equality for all.
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Hop on the City Sightseeing Red Bus to follow the blue Mini Peninsula route to change over at STOP 21 to get onto the Wine Route. From there, you can take the bus to STOP 25, where you’ll find Groot Constantia Wine Estate.
At Groot Constantia, your ticket will get you access to the Manor House and the Cloete Cellar, where you can take a self-guided tour of the Manor, the Modern Day Cellar, and the Vineyards at your leisure. You’ll also get the chance to go on a guided tour of the original Cellar, which has been producing wine since 1685, making it South Africa’s oldest wine estate.
Not only that, but it wouldn’t quite be a tour of Constantia without getting to enjoy some of their signature wines. Enjoy some wine tasting on Women’s Day with a selection of 5 of their best wines, and get to take home your own souvenir Spiegelau Crystal Glass. Meanwhile, the kids can play on the on-site jungle gyms and run wild between the towering oak trees and gardens. They may even spot a squirrel or two.
Wine tasting tours are every hour on the hour between 10 AM and 4 PM.
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If you’re feeling hungry after the tour, you and your friends or family can head over to one of the two on-site restaurants, Jonkershuis and Simon’s. They’re top-notch restaurants, and Simon’s offers picnic baskets if you’d like to eat your lunch out on the sprawling lawns.
Remember that both restaurants are very popular, so make sure you try to book in advance on Women’s Day to ensure you get a table.
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Book your bus ticket online or purchase it from our ticket offices at STOP 1 and STOP 5. Keep your map and timetable on hand to know just when and where to hop on and hop off the bus, and dress in layers to stay comfortable this Women’s Day.
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