By Majesstic

City Sightseeing Cape Town recently made it possible for previously disadvantaged young men from Beth Uriel “House of Light” to be tourists in their own home town for a day!  They enjoyed a day tour driving around and exploring the city of Cape Town on City Sightseeing’s big red double decker open top bus…

The men of Beth Uriel along with volunteers had a wonderful time on the City Sightseeing Cape Town tour. Many of the men were born and raised in Cape Town, but still found the tour to be informative and exciting. Many of the guys said that they learned things that they did not know about the city, even though they are locals. They took pictures, laughed and enjoyed sitting on the second story of the bus, which all of the guys loved.

So what did the guys think? How did they expeirence the day cruising around Cape Town on an open top bus?

Let’s hear it from our local tourists themself:

“For me it was a great experience. I got to be a tourist in my own region. I got to feel like a real tourist. We all know that tourists go on the buses, so it was great to feel like THE tourist in my own city. I did not know what it was like to feel like a tourist before that day. It was a special moment of our holiday.” -Masixone Feni

“Thank you for everything. I liked it so much I would like to take a ride again.” -Choza January

“I had a very pleasant time and it was a really good learning experience. I really enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity to be exposed to those sorts of things. It was fantastic; I enjoyed it to the fullest and I would like to do it again.” -Khumbula Mndende

“It was nice to go out to the bus. I learned so many things that I did not know about around here in Cape Town. Especially District 6. I did really enjoy it and it means a lot to us that you let us go. God bless you.” -Aza Mahlati

“I liked the history of South Africa. I liked knowing about the people of South Africa. It was nice to learn about district 6 and the beach of Jan Van Riebeeck was interesting. It was good to learn about the slaves also.” -Siya Ngxangxa

“It was my first time on the bus and it was my first time to hear that Strand Street was the sea. I really liked the Cape Town tour.” -Andile January

“It was my first time doing the bus. It was really cool. I learned about where they kept the slaves and more about Nelson Mandela. I liked going to table mountain. I also liked all the different languages you had for us to listen to.” -Raymeech Adams

“It was fantastic. I experienced a lot about history that I did not know. I met people from different countries on the tour also. Thank you for being so supportive of Beth Uriel. Thank you very much.” -Bobby Joe Alexander

“I learned a lot of things about Cape Town like the where the President sits. I did not know that before the tour. Thank you for the free tickets for all of us. God bless you.” -Joseph Fortuin

“I liked the program that we listened to on the bus. It was really good because it kept me more interested. I liked the way that the bus went all the way around Cape Town and talked about the history of the city and what happened in the past.” -Wandisile January

“I have lived in Cape Town for 10 years and there were things that I learned on the tour that I did not know. I really appreciate that you all gave the guys and me the opportunity to see Cape Town in a way that normally only the tourists get to.” -Ryan Dalton (Social Worker at Beth Uriel for 3 years)

“City Sightseeing Cape Town was unbelievably generous to our organization. They donated over 20 tickets for our young men to be able to go on a tour of the city. Everyone that I spoke with from your business while I was trying to get the tickets donated was nothing but kind, helpful and cheerful. Businesses like yours who give back to the local community deserve to prosper. Thank you for giving our young men a chance to feel like real tourists.” -Maribeth Barton (volunteer)

The Beth Uriel guys - LOCALS GET TO BE TOURISTS FOR A DAY on City Sightseeing Cape Town's big red open top double decker bus...

About Beth Uriel “House of Light”:

Home to 26 previously disadvantaged young men between the ages of 16 and 24, Beth Uriel, “House of Light” is committed to the passionate pursuit of independence for each of our family members.  With Christian principles and family values at our core, the Beth Uriel family is dedicated to creating opportunities for those who would otherwise have none.  Wrestling with issues of poverty, lack of education and the affects of HIV and AIDS on youth, Beth Uriel aspires to offer comprehensive care in every aspect of our program.  Due to a very limited budget, Beth Uriel relies heavily on generosity of the local community.

For more information click on these links:

Beth Uriel “House of Light” Cape Town City Sightseeing Cape Town District Six Jan van Riebeeck Cape Town’s history

Visit our website:  www.citysightseeing.co.za

Experience Cape Town and District Six Museum. City Sightseeing Cape Town’s blog tells you the stories behind the best attractions and events in Cape Town, South Africa.
Get your tickets at www.citysightseeing.co.za/district-six-museum