Cape Town identity

C APE Town is home to most of the Western Cape’s population and the seat of the South African Parliament.

The city is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, also for such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Town is also Africa's most popular tourist destination.

Cape Town is the economic centre of the Western Cape Province, South Africa's second main economic centre and Africa's third main economic hub city. It serves as the regional manufacturing centre in the Western Cape.

The large government presence in the city – both as the capital of the Western Cape and the seat of the National Parliament – has led to increased revenue and growth in industries that serve the government.

Cape Town has four major commercial nodes, with Cape Town Central Business District containing the majority of job opportunities and office space. Century City, the Bellville/TygerValley strip and Claremont commercial nodes are well established and contain many offices and corporate headquarters as well. Most companies headquartered in the city are insurance companies, retail groups, publishers, design houses, fashion designers, shipping companies, petrochemical companies, architects and advertising agencies.

The municipality’s strategy for the future is based on five interrelated pillars: an opportunity city in which conditions attract investment and, thus, job opportunities; a safe city with safer streets for all citizens; a caring city with all citizens having access to basic services; an inclusive city where every resident has a say and a stake in the future; and a well-run city with transparent and corruption-free local government.

Read more for an archive of news stories relating to Cape Town.

Contacts

Executive Mayor: Patricia De Lille
Tel: 021 400 1300/2525

City Manager: Achmat Ebrahim
Tel: 021 400 1233/1330