Bobsforgood Foundation

Heart Global & Cape Point Route are giving you the latest update into the fantastic new fun-raising and social event to hit Cape Town today (Monday 15th February). Bob Skinstad will be entertaining all as he gives up 2 weeks of his hectic schedule to campaign on behalf of the 7.5 million school children in South Africa that do not have shoes. Bob will be actively raising funds with your help for his ‘bobsforgood foundation’ which addresses this under valued social problem. heart are the champions behind the management and organization of the whole campaign.

bobsforgood was born out of the need to give pride and dignity to South African children who currently go to school barefoot. Bob saw an opportunity to provide full leather school shoes to disadvantaged children with a view to restoring their confidence and pride. Bob has taken it upon himself to launch an array of fun packed, fun-raising and interactive events all under the one campaign called ‘Walk This Way’. With your help and a little work Bob can make sure that children who need shoes go to school how they should – protected from the harsh African terrain and with a sense of dignity.

Listen to KFM from 8am on Monday to reveal the event's antics! Bob will live in a make shift jail cell for 5 nights at the V&A Waterfront’s Barrow Court from Monday 15th February to 20th February. Everyone is welcome to meet Bob, make a difference, have fun, win excellent prizes, meet Bob’s passionate team and learn more about the social space in South Africa. There is something in store each day for everyone! The aim of the ‘jail break’ is to raise as much funding as possible, so we can reach out and benefit the 5000 neediest children in the Cape.

Get involved! Do Good. Make that little bit of difference to restore the faith in 7.5million South African children. It's easy to give your bit. Visit www.bobsforgoodfoundation.org and donate securely online (bank details also on website to do a quick EFT). Not got internet? Call Bob's passionate staff on 0861 00 BOBS or why not come meet Bob in person and give him your pledge at the V&A Waterfront. Bob will personally call anyone who donates R5000 or more so make sure you supply Bob with your details!

Bob will be released at 10am on Saturday morning by Gerhard Pieterse, aka jail4bail. After a farewell speech at the Waterfront’s Amphitheatre, Bob will commence a community walk from the Waterfront to Newlands stadium. Everyone is welcome to join the walk to the JP Naude supporters club if you don’t have a ticket to the game. We fully encourage fancy dress, corporate colours, sports gear and anything that makes us look as colourful as the bobsforgood logo!

From Sunday 21st Bob begins the epic journey across the Western Cape visiting the neediest schools, making our donations with the public funds raised and of course meeting as many people as possible on our way! Bob needs as much funds raised to ensure we meet the needs of 4000 of the Cape's poorest children. Bob wants to shoe them all but he needs your help! For a full schedule of where we will be on each day please visit www.bobsforgoodfoundation.org

We return to Cape Town on Saturday 27th February after 2 huge donations in Paarl and Worcester where Bob will join the hundreds of rugby fans at Canal Walk food court to watch the Super 14s at 5pm.

The tour finale will happen on Sunday 28th February where Bob will lead happy drivers from Noordhoek Farm Village at 10am on a Peninsula tour heading back to the Waterfront. The tour is completely free to anyone who would like to join and is being organized by the magic of Sally Grierson of the Cape Point Route. Expect quirky events, lots of laughter, visits to some of the gorgeous attractions on the way and with the end of the campaign being at the Waterfront, grab a lovely lunch or come see Bob give his final speech in the Amphitheatre.

For extensive information on all the events please visit www.bobsforgoodfoundation.org
The site goes live Monday 8am!

If you want to get involved or simply get in touch, please contact Claire anytime on 021 442 9628 or 072 523 7282 or email claire@heartglobal.org

On behalf of Bob Skinstad thanks so much for any contribution you may make.

Romance on the Cape Point Route - sunset spots!

Weather is gorgeous, love is in the air and we think the having a perfect view spot to watch the sun set is one of the most romantic things to do on the Cape Point Route - so here our some of our hottest tips.

We do recommend visiting one of the local delis on the Cape Point Route to organise a private picnic basket and taking your loved one to spot for some wining and dining with views to die for and sunsets right over the ocean. If you are in Noordhoek - pop into the Foodbarn Deli at Noordhoek Farm village. In Hout Bay try Deli Delish or Scarecrows, In Kommetjie the organic farmstall at Imhoff Farm has wonderful home made, home grown produce. If you are near Cape Point - the newly revamped food Store has some fantastic deli products and take-aways for your picnic. And what's a deli if you haven't visited Olympia Cafe and Deli in Kalk Bay.

Picnic in hand, head for your spot and settle in. The sun sets on the Atlantic Seaboard and with a combination of mountain and sea as the backdrop and the view, you just can't get more romantic when trying to find a secluded romantic venue for sunset. We always recommend going HIGH!
Great locations include:
* Scarborough & Misty Cliffs - both have a wild edge to them but very secluded.
* Kommetjie - either head to the top of the Slangkoppunt Lighthouse for one of the best views on the Cape Point Route. Unfortunately you can't stay at the top for the actual sunset but walk across the road and up towards the Rubbi Chapel for some quiet space and beautiful viewing.
* Noordhoek - you can't beat the beach - the long, white, sandy space with sea and sky surrounding you!
* Chapman's Peak Drive - this remarkable road has to have the best view over Noordhoek Beach and you can view all the way to the lighthouse in Kommetjie! If you are on the Hout Bay side, stop at any of the picnic spots or the viewpoint at the top for glorious panoramas of Hout Bay and the Sentinal.

If you are on the False Bay side, you don't see the sun set but the glow in the sky, and pink hues and stunning views won't disappoint! Boyes Drive overlooking Muizenberg and Hout Bay win the award but heading up any of the hills above Fish Hoek, Glencairn or Simons' Town will do equally well. Drive as high as you can and there are numerous mountain paths that will have you alone on the mountainside in a few steps.

For More romantic ideas - contact Cape Point Route for our Valentines' specials.

Baboons on the Cape Point Route Matter

BABOONS ON THE CAPE POINT ROUTE: Published in CAPE UNPLUGGED January 2010
By Sally Grierson

Many visitors to the Cape Point Route will be excited to see baboons as they travel the scenic route from Simons Town to Cape Point. The antics of baboons entertain and delight tourists, and it is easy to understand the fascination our furry cousins hold – but unsuspecting visitors should be warned that the baboons of Cape Point have been taught some very bad behaviour – from the very visitors who find them so amazing.

Since the 1930’s, baboons along this scenic route have been recipients of food handed out by people en route to the famous Cape Point. The intelligent and opportunistic baboons have come to associate vehicles and bags with easy food rewards and have become skilled at opening car doors and grabbing bags.

But while head-on confrontations with baboons can be frightening, these curious creatures also have a smart, sensitive side to them, which is most clearly displayed when they are at ease in their natural environment, away from urban influences.

For baboons, life in the troop is full of drama – and to the observer this dynamic has the quality of a soap opera. The females are quick to take umbrage to perceived slights, yet equally fascinated by the babies of their friends. Quarrels flare up and die down with no grudges held, and the contented sighs and sporadic grunts as communication resumes are an intriguing indication of socialisation happening between troop members.

Baboons spend almost equal amounts of time grooming and resting as they do foraging for food. As they make use of a great variety of plants, bulbs, seed – and even insects – they have to work quite hard in order to meet their nutritional requirements.

Sadly, the future of these interesting creatures is not assured. Development on the Cape Point Route has mushroomed in recent years, causing ongoing human encroachment on wilderness areas. This has led to continual clashes between baboons and humans and high mortality rates for the baboons. Current statistics suggest there may not be a viable baboon troop left in the region within a decade.

But the Baboon Monitor Project may change this bleak outlook. Started 10 years ago, the initiative has considerably reduced the conflicts between primates over the past eight years by keeping baboons out of villages for roughly 85% of days. With the ongoing involvement of committed baboon monitors, the people of Cape Town may yet find a path to peaceful co-existence with our furry cousins.

FACT BOX:

Baboon Matters offers a once in a life time opportunity as their unique walking tours take you to visit baboons. The experienced guides ensure your safety at all times, whilst you have the amazing chance to learn more about the baboons of Good Hope.

The walking tours are suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness – but booking is essential as the groups are limited to just six people at a time. The Baboon Matters “Walking with Baboons" tours have been rated as a world class experience, and everyone who participates leaves with a great understanding and appreciation of the baboon families who have roamed the Cape Point Route for centuries.

Contact Baboon Matters on: 021 785 7493 or email baboonmatters@cybersmart.co.za

For information on any accommodation in the area, activities or regional attractions please contact Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 or visit www.capepointroute.co.za