Oranjezicht, Cape Town

Oranjezicht is known as an area that is on trend and extremely picturesque. It lies on the lower slopes of Table Mountain in close proximity to many of the great amenities that Cape Town has to offer.

A brief history of the area
The Oranjezicht story begins back in 1708, when a Swiss immigrant named Nicolaus Laubscher purchased land to farm at the base of the mountain, and named it "Oranjezicht" in honour of the spectacular views of the Oranje (Orange) bastion of the Castle of Good Hope. Following Laubscher's death, the land continued to be farmed for more than 200 years. The old slave bell from bygone days can still be seen in Oranjezicht today, as can some of the farm buildings. The site now occupied by Oranjezicht City Farm is where the original farmhouse lay.

Climate
As part of the City of Cape Town, Oranjezicht enjoys warm, mostly dry summers with temperatures reaching between 25ºC and 35ºC. In the winter months, maximum temperatures reach an average of 18ºC and 20º. Oranjezicht gets the vast majority of its rainfall during the winter months.

Schools in the area
Every parent wants their child to get the best possible education, and there's no shortage of great schools in the Oranjezicht area.

Primary schools close by include Herzlia Highlands Primary School, Tamboerskloof Primary School, Laerskool Jan van Riebeeck and Saint Paul's Primary School. Local high schools include Herzlia High School, Cape Town High School, Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck and Harold Cressy High School. Tertiary education needs are taken care of by the University of Cape Town and Cape Town University of Technology.

Healthcare in the area
There is no shortage of quality healthcare in close proximity to Oranjezicht. Hospitals in the vicinity include MediClinic Cape Town and the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. Numerous general practitioners, optometrists, dentists, paediatricians and other medical professionals have practices in the area.

Shopping centres
Gardens Shopping Centre offers a handy blend of shops and restaurants, bringing convenience and a cosmopolitan vibe to every shopping experience. The V&A Waterfront is also close by, as is the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village. With the Cape Town CBD just a few kilometres away, the sky's the limit when it comes to places to shop.

Distance from key points (Airport/CBD)
The driving distance from Oranjezicht to Cape Town International Airport is 19km, and the trip should take you approximately 20 minutes if the traffic is working in your favour. Oranjezicht is a less than 3km from Cape Town's city centre.

Restaurants
Since Oranjezicht is in the heart of Cape Town, which can arguably be given the label of South Africa's culinary capital, one is never more than a stone's throw from any type of meal one's heart may desire - from steak, seafood or sushi to Asian, Mediterranean or Italian cuisine and everything in between.

Special attractions
1. Oranjezicht City Farm
Oranjezicht is home to a small not-for-profit food garden which brings farming activities into an urban setting for young and old alike to enjoy. With a host of educational programmes and kids' activities, Oranjezicht City Farm has something for everyone.

2. The V&A Waterfront
If you have visited the V&A Waterfront in the past year, you are one of 24 million people to have done so. With seemingly endless shops, restaurants and entertainment opportunities, it's no wonder that it is one of Africa's most visited spots.

3. Two Oceans Aquarium
Discover the magic of the underwater world, have your first scuba diving experience or meet one of Cape Town's adorable penguins - the options are endless at Cape Town's well-loved aquarium.

Make Oranjezicht your home. Let it be your story.
Oranjezicht is a suburb for artistic and creative types to fall in love with. Come and explore some of the magnificent homes on offer in this area of Cape Town.