Valentine’s Day in Cape Town comment count

• News
• February 09, 2010 ∥
• By Annely Ickua

Buy your sweetheart flowers from the Adderley Street flower sellers. Photo courtesy Thomas Berg

This Valentine’s Day we unearth a centuries-old African symbol for love, re-visit the origins of the day and celebrate love in the Mother City. Valentine’s Day, named after one of the early Christian martyrs, Valentine, was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496AD. The association with romantic love reportedly started in the 11th to 13th centuries with the rise of “courtly love”, which involved chivalrously expressing your admiration. This practice was established when sending Valentine’s cards became fashionable in the 19th century.

Today, Valentine’s Day is still associated with expressing admiration for that special someone, be it a public or secret declaration. The Mother City sets the scene for the perfect romantic day, with plenty of places to pick up a gift of chocolate or jewellery and that perfect bunch of flowers, a romantic stroll along Mouille Point promenade and a candlelight dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants. 

Glenda Bowman, who has been selling flowers at the Adderley Street Flower Market for 30 years, told us that the most popular flowers for Valentine’s Day are red roses, but, a colourful floral bouquet is also a top choice, along with a bunch of lilies. Whitburn Florist has been operating on Green Market Square for 51 years and owner Tessa cites Valentine’s Day as one of its busiest days, with roses being the favourite purchase, and 80% of roses sold being red. 

Speaking of symbols of love, in West Africa, the Adinkra symbol for love shows the North Star, a woman, awaiting the return of her lover, represented by a crescent moon. Traditionally, this symbol was printed on high-quality cloth that had been hand-embroidered. Many of us have no doubt walked past sarongs, shirts or even jewellery on Green Market Square, or at St. Georges Mall, which displays this symbol, without realising its significance. 

Take advantage of the Sunset Special offer with a romantic ascent to the top of Table Mountain with the aerial cableway. Photo courtesy Tara Turkington

Robben Island Museum may not be quite what Capetonians or visitors think of when considering where to take their wedding vows, but it is the venue of choice of couples who will tie the knot there on February 14, 2010. Every year, the island plays host to a mass wedding on Valentine’s Day, with 25 couples pledging their love last year. The event is fast becoming a tradition, with love-struck couples from Germany, the UK and USA joining South Africans in taking their vows, after obtaining special permission from the Department of Home Affairs. 

Should your imagination, or your wallet, be failing you, leading up to the most romantic day of the year, we’d like to inspire you with the following suggestions:

• Take advantage of the Sunset Special offer with a romantic ascent to the top of Table Mountain with the aerial cableway, and pay half-price for your ticket. Sip Cap Classique wines on the summit, or enjoy a view of the city while you sample the Table Mountain Café’s special Valentine’s menu.
• Marvel at southern hemisphere stars during a lecture at the SA Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town on Saturday, February 13.  Entrance is free, but a small donation would be welcome.
• Head off to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden with a picnic basket and blanket for the Sunset Summer Concert on Sunday, February 14, to see pop group Jamali & Friends. Tickets are R65 per person.
• Book your tickets now for Viaje Flamenco, performed by the La Rosa Dance Theatre at the Artscape, from February 17 to 21. A history of the passionate flamenco, this production is now in its 20th year. Ticket prices range from R95 to R125 and can be booked at Computicket or the Artscape Box Office.

For more creative ideas on what to do this Valentine’s Day, visit our website http://www.capetown.travel, which includes a special section with Valentine’s Day offers tailored to your pocket. If you’re still looking for inspiration, read our blog featuring last year’s great Cape Town Love Stories competition winners.