The Cape Town Weekly | 2–8 February 2026

Februar 6, 2026

The Cape Town Weekly

Your guide to the Mother City

📅 6 February 2026 · Edition #3

SONA Week — Cape Town in the Spotlight

Next Thursday, President Ramaphosa delivers the 2026 State of the Nation Address from Cape Town City Hall — the same Grand Parade stage where Mandela first spoke to a free South Africa 36 years ago.

Meanwhile, the Lumineers just played two sold-out nights at GrandWest, petrol prices have dropped to a four-year low, the rand is powering ahead at R19.07/€ and R16.31/$, and the Franschhoek fires are finally winding down.

In this edition: SONA preview · fuel price relief · exchange rates · 12 weekend events · fire aftermath · weather outlook · safety & power update · emergency contacts.

Fuel & Exchange Rates

Pump Relief (from 4 February)

Petrol 93 and 95 both down 65c/litre. Diesel down 50–57c/l. Second consecutive monthly cut. Coastal 95 now R19.27/l — the lowest since February 2022.

A stronger rand (closing at R15.74/$ on 29 January — its best in over a year) combined with lower global crude to deliver real relief. Fuel carries 4.6% weight in the consumer-price basket — these cuts push headline inflation toward 3%, building the case for potential interest-rate cuts.

New Coastal Prices (Cape Town)

Petrol 95R19.27/l↓ 65c

Petrol 93R19.20/l↓ 65c

Diesel 0.05%R17.09/l↓ 50c

Diesel 0.005%R17.12/l↓ 57c

Illuminating ParaffinR15.29/l↓ 70c

Exchange Rates

USD / ZARR16.31Rand strengthening

EUR / ZARR19.073-year best

The rand’s rally below R16.50/$ and under R19.10/€ is the strongest sustained run since early 2023. Good news for importers and travellers; the currency strength is a key driver behind falling fuel prices.

LPG Goes the Other Way

LPG gas up 31c/kg in Gauteng, slightly more in Saldanha. Gas users won’t share in the relief this month.

SONA 2026 — Thursday 12 February

State of the Nation Address

Venue: Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, Grand Parade
Time: 19:00 (proceedings from 17:00)
Watch: DSTV Ch. 408, SABC, Parliament YouTube
Debate: 12–13 Feb · President’s reply: 14 Feb

This is the third SONA of the 7th Parliament, delivered from the same City Hall where Nelson Mandela first addressed the nation on 11 February 1990. President Ramaphosa will outline government priorities, reflect on ERRP progress, and set the policy direction for 2026–27.

What to Watch For

Economy & Jobs

Inflation trending toward 3%, fuel dropping, rand rallying. Expect pronouncements on growth targets and rate-cut signals.

Energy & Grid

Load shedding suspended since March 2024. Will Ramaphosa declare the crisis over — or flag load-reduction risks?

Foreign Policy

G20 presidency wrapping up. Updates expected on the ICJ case, US relations, and regional diplomacy.

Safety & Crime

National murder down 12.4% in Q4 2024/25. Will SONA commit to expanded LEAP deployments?

Road Closures & Security

Expect CBD road closures around City Hall, Darling Street, and the Grand Parade from mid-afternoon on 12 Feb. SAPS and metro police will deploy in force. Plan alternative routes.

This Weekend — 6–8 February

The Lumineers — GrandWest Grand Arena

Dates: 4 & 5 February (sold out — still buzzing!)
Tour: The Automatic World Tour
Two Cape Town nights of Ho Hey, Ophelia, and Stubborn Love. Missed it? Bryan Adams at GrandWest in April is the next big international act.

5–8

Feb

Ndlovu Youth Choir — Artscape Theatre

Internationally acclaimed ensemble. African classics, global anthems, reimagined contemporary hits with vibrant choreography.

6–7

Feb

Cape Town 10s — Green Point Common

SA’s biggest social sport & lifestyle event. 3 music stages, 7 sports, food tents, dance parties. From R125 via Quicket.

Feb

Silo Concerts — V&A Waterfront

Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra performs FREE at the Silo District. 7pm in front of Zeitz MOCAA.

Feb

All Day I Dream — Cabo Beach

Deep melodic house makes its Cape Town debut. Soul-stirring sunset-to-night session at V&A beach club.

Feb

The Sandlot — Galileo Open Air Cinema, Kirstenbosch

Classic coming-of-age film under the stars. Bring snacks, blankets, and nostalgia.

6–7

Feb

Dan Corder: Real State of the Nation — Homecoming Centre

Comedy with impeccable SONA-week timing. Friday & Saturday at 8pm.

Feb

Nederburg: The Celebration — Paarl

Mi Casa & Lloyiso headline. Premium wine, oyster bar, cocktails from 3pm. Tickets incl. drinks + glass.

Feb

LEGACY Love Pride Ball — Old Biscuit Mill

Celebrating queer culture, creativity & community. Ballroom, voguing, and a joyous Saturday night.

Feb

Pretty Woman — Galileo Open Air Cinema, Zevenwacht

Romantic comedy classic under the stars in the Stellenbosch winelands. Pack a picnic.

Feb

Msaki & ALT BLK Collective — Kirstenbosch

Boundary-breaking Sunday concert. Gates 4pm, show 5:15pm. R255–R360.

Feb

Dr Mark Jennings — Guitar Classics, Observatory

UK virtuoso performs Rodrigo, Albéniz, Bach, Tárrega. Theatre Arts, 7pm. R180.

Still Running

Twelfth Night at Maynardville — Shakespeare meets La Dolce Vita in a jazz-infused outdoor production (until 7 March, 8:15pm, from R212). Marc Lottering: Aunty Merle Is Back — beloved musical comedy at the Baxter (final week!).

Free Options

Sea Point Promenade — best at sunrise or sunset. Green Point Urban Park — fitness equipment, biodiversity garden, walking paths. First Thursdays — happened yesterday (5 Feb) but galleries stay open all month.

Franschhoek Fire — Aftermath

Status: Largely Contained · Mopping-Up Phase

Fires that raged from 8 January are largely over with occasional flare-ups in remote terrain. 23,500+ hectares burned in Franschhoek; over 100,000 hectares province-wide. The Western Cape Government has requested a disaster declaration.

Wine journalist Tim James, visiting in late January, described mountains stripped bare but vineyards “living green, with hanging, swelling fruit.” Harvest 2026 is approaching — the big question is whether smoke taint will affect grapes. Winemakers are cautiously optimistic.

23,500+

Hectares burned (Franschhoek)

R15m

Aerial firefighting spend

Fatalities

Franschhoek Pass — Scheduled Day Closures

Day closures from 5 Feb to 26 Feb for post-fire road repairs. Check before travelling. Wine estates and town remain open.

Weekend Weather

Fri 6

24°

Scattered cloud

Sat 7

22°

Light rain

Sun 8

23°

Light rain

Mon 9

27°

Clear & hot

Tue 10

28°

Clear & hot

A light southerly change brings showers Saturday and Sunday — good for fire-risk reduction but pack a layer for outdoor events. Monday brings full summer with highs near 28°C.

Safety & Power Update

Crime: National Improvement

SAPS Q4 2024/25 data shows: murder down 12.4% (64/day average), aggravated robbery down 10.4%, attempted murder down 5.8%. Encouraging — but the Western Cape remains one of four high-crime provinces, with gang violence and extortion-linked shootings persisting on the Cape Flats.

Load Shedding: Still Suspended

Grid Stable — No Load Shedding Scheduled

National load shedding remains suspended. However, Eskom implements load reduction (targeted cuts due to illegal connections and network strain) in select Cape Town areas through 8 Feb. Check your status: capetowndata.com/en/loadshedding

Emergency Contacts

Life-threatening emergency

112

Cape Town Metro

107 / 021 480 7700

Crime Stop (anonymous)

08600 10111

Fire emergency

021 590 1900

GBV Command Centre

0800 428 428

The Week Ahead (9–15 Feb)

12 Feb: SONA 2026

President addresses the nation from City Hall. CBD closures from afternoon. 19:00 start.

10–14 Feb: Nina Hastie

Brand-new stand-up comedy. Fresh material, sharp delivery. Check Quicket for venue and tickets.

14 Feb: Valentine’s Day

Paradisco beach party, rooftop singles events, MasterChef cooking classes, Lipizzaner shows. Book early!

5–7 Feb: Jesse Brooks Magic

Illusions-themed show from one of SA’s top magicians. Intimate theatre — limited seats.

Local’s Pick: Sunset at the Silo District

This Friday, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra plays for free at the Silo District (7pm, in front of Zeitz MOCAA). Grab a drink from one of the V&A restaurants, settle on the waterfront steps, and let the orchestra soundtrack your sunset. It’s the kind of evening that reminds you why you live here.

Pro tip: Arrive by 6:30pm for a good spot. The Watershed next door hosts a vinyl record market on Saturday with 6,000+ records — perfect for the morning after.

Sources & Credits

South African Government (gov.za) · Parliament of South Africa · Dept. of Petroleum and Mineral Resources · News24 · TimesLive · The Citizen · The South African · Xe.com · Time Out Cape Town · What’s On in Cape Town · Cape Town Tourism · IOL · Cape Winelands District Municipality · CapeNature · SABC News · Winemag.co.za · Western Cape Government · Eskom · SAPS · MyDorpie Weather · AccuWeather

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for general information only. Events, prices, and conditions may change without notice. Always verify with official sources.

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