Before anyone thinks I’m sharpening my pencil to write a list of complaints, let me reassure you: that is not the purpose of these articles/reviews at all.

 

In fact, quite the opposite.

 

I absolutely love Cape Town. I love its breathtaking scenery, its incredible diversity of experiences, its wine farms, its restaurants, its family adventures and the endless opportunities it offers to get out and enjoy life. So much so, that I will soon be calling the South Africa’s West Coast home permanently.

 

What is this Series About?

This series is not about finding fault with businesses or criticising the hospitality industry. It is about something far more important: ensuring that what is being marketed is genuinely what visitors can expect to experience.

 

When a venue is described as “child-friendly,” “family-friendly,” “pram-friendly” or “wheelchair accessible,” families should be able to trust those descriptions. Parents should not arrive expecting smooth access to a play area only to discover deep gravel, steep slopes or uneven terrain. Wheelchair users should not have to navigate unexpected barriers after specifically choosing a venue based on its accessibility claims.

 

The reality is that accessibility looks different depending on who you are. A pathway that seems perfectly acceptable to an able-bodied visitor may present significant challenges to someone using a wheelchair, pushing a pram, walking with a mobility aid, or managing multiple young children.

 

My Hope With The Articles/Reviews

 

My hope is that these articles will encourage a broader conversation about what true accessibility and genuine family-friendliness really mean. Not because Cape Town is getting it wrong, but because Cape Town is a world-class destination that has the opportunity to get it even more right.

 

If we can move beyond marketing labels, countless Facebook pages marketing “child-friendly” and “accessible” venues (that truly aren’t!) and start talking honestly about real-world experiences, everybody benefits—businesses, visitors, parents, grandparents, wheelchair users, and most importantly, families who simply want to enjoy a day out together.

After all, accessibility isn’t about special treatment. It’s about making sure everyone who arrives is able to participate in the experience that was promised.