For the first time, Cape Town is taking part in the global City Nature Challenge. This challenge sees cities around the world competing to record the most observations of plant and animal species in their city!

The competition will run from 26 to 29 April 2019 and is open to residents and tourists of all ages to participate.

This is the first year that African cities are taking part, and Cape Town joins Nairobi and Port Harcourt in taking up the challenge.

The City of Cape Town will coordinate activities in the conservation areas around Cape Town and will be opening all of its reserves to scholars and anyone interested in recording, mapping or assisting with the challenge for a period of four days. All you need is your cellphone!

‘Bioblitzes’ and tours of the reserves with local experts and managers will be taking place during the course of this challenge.

Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Marian Nieuwoudt has invited all Capetonians to ‘bioblitz’ our nature reserves and natural open areas to record everything alive over those four days.

“With over 150 cities taking part, we know this challenge will be no small task for Cape Town. Our city is incredibly blessed with vast nature reserves and many natural open areas but it is now up to us to showcase and display our fauna and flora. This challenge will provide residents and visitors with a fun opportunity to get outside and actually look for nature in this beautiful city.”

Participants may record any plant, animal, fungi, slime mould or any other evidence of life (scat, fur, tracks, shells, carcasses) found in Cape Town and should not forget to record the location of their findings.

In order to share these observations and participate in the challenge, participants need to register on iNaturalist.com and upload all the findings.

Schools, universities and social groups are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to facilitate, manage and support student outdoor learning and exploration in schoolyards, nearby parks, or other green spaces.

For more information, contact Eleanor Hutchings at Eleanor.Hutchings@capetown.gov.za or Tony Rebelo at t.rebelo@sanbi.org.za.

Interested participants are encouraged to visit the site and download the iNaturalist app to prepare! Click HERE to find out more and to download the app.

Cape Town Cycle Tour Junior

The kid’s bike race (it isn’t a race, but it sure acts like one on the day!) hosts the future of cycling: Give your little ones a taste of your big adventure on Sunday, 3 March 2019. The Junior event offers three distances, tailored for six different age groups, on a safe, contained route at the Cape Town Stadium Precinct.

All children up to the age of 12 are welcome to participate (13 is the age of entry for the Cape Town Cycle Tour). Each finisher gets a medal, and there are even grown-up-style water points, for the full “Big Race” effect. Snake shows, magicians and lucky draws as well as a host of other activities will guarantee an afternoon nap for kids and parents alike.

The littlies (up to the age of six) get to hare around a single-lap 1.3km route, and must be accompanied by a parent on foot. The 6-12 age-groupers can choose between 4 or 7km routes, and may be accompanied by a parent on a bike if they don’t feel confident enough on their own.

Join us as we keep all the kiddies entertained! Smile Breakfast co-host Lindy Letho, as well as our Smile Ranger, will be on site to kick things off as the juniors start each race. To end it all off Smile Drive co-host Angel Campey will be handing out medals at the prize giving.

Date:     3 March 2019

Time:    08h00

End:       15h00

Venue:   Green Point Precinct

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Cape Town Cycle Tour Main

The Cape Town Cycle Tour was established in 1978 and is currently the world’s largest timed cycling event.

Now in its 41^st year, this future-star event is hosted in the Cape Town Stadium Precinct, in the shadow of Table Mountain, taking in South Africa’s biggest cycling exhibition, the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo.

Be part of the vibe with Smile 90.FM by visiting their vibe point situated at “crash corner” in Bantry Bay.  Smile 90.4FM presenters Gavin Arends, Sam Roy & Dean Friederich will be on site to keep spectators entertained and energised!

Join us as we keep the riders motivated and on track in the final stage of the race.

Date: 10 March 2019

Time: 06h00

End: 17h00

Venue: Grand Parade Precinct.

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