WALKING a ROUND

On a fine sunny Saturday morning, March 7 (the day before International Women's Day), over 20 of us met to do Woman Zone's CIRCLE IN THE CITY women's walk n talk route.

Starting point was the one and only Charly's Bakery - and joining us was Romaney Pinnock of the Desmond and Leah Legacy Foundation....

...who walked with us down to the wonderful Tutu Museum - formerly House of Correction for Riotous and Abandoned Women - aka the women's jail! She also showed us the gracious stairway where the Arch greeted 'royals' Harry and Meghan.

From there we went to the memorial for Cissie Gool, 'jewel of District Six' - first black woman to be called to the Cape Bar.....

....from where we progressed down towards the Central Library, arriving...

...at the discreet but heartwrenching memorial to 7000 destitute children of the 19th century. Mosaics by Lovell Friedman who worked with some of today's destitute children

Coming down Darling Street we came next to Trafalgar Place, fountain controversially honouring Archdeacon Lightfoot...and home of the famous flower sellers.

Here we also heard about the City Hall, the Grand Parade and how it reflects societal change as regards the face of fashion.

Selling flowers here for around 140 years although little is officially known of the history, the women and the flowers speak for themselves.

Next stop was Krotoa Place in St George's Mall with the stories both of young Khoisan woman Krotoa Eva ana about the present day BRAVE Rock girls....then on to Greenmarket Square.

Here we talked about the Free City walks available, about the women who come to Cape Town from other parts of Africa often to a mixed reception - and about the many people who took refuge outside the Methodist church here recently and have since been relocated......whilst one of our party took refuge in the shade.

Up Church St amongst its art galleries and artefacts, we came across Brenda Scarret, who brought the concept of vintage fashion to Cape Town back in the 60's with her shop Second Time Around.....

On to the steps of St George's Cathedral where we talked about the buildings struggle history as well as Woman Zone's annual Women's Humanity Walk....on past Parliament and Queen Victoria's statue - one of so few of women in the Mother City.

...and into Long St known for its contemporary fashion outlets, and the Aladdin's Cave that is the African Women's Market.

We talked about The Slave Lodge, the Slave memorial in Church Street and the site of the Slave Tree on Spin St - we also found out why it's called Spin St.

Present day heartbreak to see evidence of the removed remaining refugees outside the District Six museum.

Eventually coming full circle back to Charly's Bakery.....

...where, over coffee, owner Jacqui Biess told us the story of Charly's the family business, a favourite Cape Town landmark.... which

is famous for it's extraordinary range of ready made and bespoke cakes.

....which some of us were completely unable to resist! A wonderful walk in which the voices of women past and present were heard, loud and clear. To book a walk or find out about the next one coming up, email us on info@womanzonect.co.za or check our facebook page. See you there! Nancy and Theresa xx