Muizenberg has a long history, most notably being where Cecil John Rhodes had a holiday home and, in fact where he died in 1902. Rhodes, a British born South African was a politician, gold mining magnate and founder of De Beers, the diamond company that still markets 40% of the world’s rough diamonds.
You could say that Muizenberg is actually a bit of a “rough diamond”. In its heyday, the rich and famous built their holiday homes here, it boasted luxury hotels and was “the resort” to go to.
Unfortunately, the area fell into disrepair somewhere along the way but there are still many beautiful architectural buildings along the promenade reflecting Edwardian and Victorian styles.
More recently, Muizenberg has cleaned up its act and it is slowly coming back into fashion. There are new buildings, old ones have been renovated, restaurants have popped up and there are now numerous surf shops and smaller boutiques all vying for attention.
As far as I can remember, the Muizenberg beach was the place to go if you wanted to learn to surf – it still is, even though sharks, and in particular, the Great Whites also like to share this stretch of paradise. In 2004, the Shark Spotter initiative was started where spotters watch out for sharks and alert the surfers to any danger. This project is working quite well at present, but one must still be aware of the dangers.
Personally, the Muizenberg beach is my “walking” beach, it is the closest beach to my home, about a 12 minute drive away and I love to go for long leisurely walks either along the beach which stretches for about 20kms.
Or one can walk along the coastal pathway which goes all the way to Kalk Bay. This also includes the historical mile where you will find one of the oldest building in South Africa, the Het Posthuys built in 1742, also the SA Police Museum and as mentioned Rhodes house amongst others.
The red-bricked Muizenberg station, with its wonderful teak clock tower overlooks the beach – built in 1913 the station has been beautifully kept, just be careful about being caught taking photographs by the over-zealous security guards. For some reason they told me it was not allowed….
The Muizenberg beach is most probably most famous for its colourful rows of “changing rooms” – you can find a photograph of these on most postcards bought in Cape Town.
Although there are many other words beginning with “M” that spring to mind when thinking about South Africa, as this is my personal version, Muizenberg came out tops. On 
the weekends in the summer months, the place to find me will be down at the Muizenberg beach taking a stroll with hubby.
Sometimes the wind will be howling (not so pleasant) and then we retreat to Knead Bakery, Empire Cafe or Gaslight Cafe for breakfast but most times, its perfect.
Have you been to Muizenberg and taken a stroll on the beach? What words would you as a South African have chosen for the letter “M”?
I can’t wait to take a walk there with you very soon!
it will be a wonderful start of a new day!
Looking forward to you guys enjoying the walks with me – After the cold in Prague, am sure you will love it.
Beautifully depicted! Muizenberg is ‘The Place to be’.
Have a lovely time away.xxxClair
You should know Clair, you are lucky enough to live right across the road from this super beach!
MAGNIFICENT!!!!!
Indeed!
I love your blogs, Cyn. Brings a little bit of ‘home’ home to me! Thank you for the lovely pictures.
I agree that M for Muizenberg is an excellent choice. Others might think of Mossel Bay, or Muratie Wine Estate on the Stellenbosch Wine Route, or we could cheat and put Mountain first and think of the big one, Table Mountain, or the Drakensberg Mountains, or the Cederberg, or the Simonsberg, or any of the many other magnificent mountain ranges that I associate with the Cape in South Africa especially. Sun , sea, beaches and mountains. Wonderful imagery.
Enjoy the Garden Route. I look forward to pictures. Sandi xx
Other “M’ things I was thinking of were “Mampoer” – do you remember what that was?
It sounds lovely, Cynthia. Perfect for walking – the possibility of sharks, not to mention my fear of big waves, would keep me out of the water.
No fears, I too am not too partial to the big waves… which is why I love the Med but the sea is very beautiful to just watch and of course the beach is amazing, have yet to find beaches like the SA ones anywhere in Europe
Really good Cynthia. Remember what Muizenberg was like 10 years ago? Really awful and now it is fabulous.
Enjoy the Garden Route.
Thanks Janet, yes indeed, things have improved vastly – departing on our road trip at 6am tomorrrow, looking forward to it as have not been down that way for quite a while.
Cynthia, you have captured the heart of Muizenberg. You have brought back fond memories of walks along the brach, the ‘Snakepit’ jammed with bodies suntanning, walking to Kalk Bay and all the other treasures of the Indian Ocean side of the Cape.
Thanks Cynthia
Carol
How lovely to hear from you all the way from Canada! Hope it made you nostalgic to come and visit??? Would be great to see you!
A great post to promote Muizenberg. I have to say that I have never spent time in Muizenberg and should really try to do so at some stage during a visit to CT. The beach looks ideal for walking and there is lots of history. The Shark Spotters does an awesome job and the securite guards at the station clearly the opposite, Saw yout tweet that day and its truly is ridiculous that you can’t take photos there.
You really do need to visit Muizenberg Beach, it’s just such a “laid back” spot unlike the beaches like Clifton and Camps Bay. Put it on your list!!