When Hollywood actress Gabrielle Union recently touched down in Cape Town, she didn’t just take in the city’s postcard views - she immersed herself in its people, culture, fashion, and food scene.
Among the local gems she highlighted during her stay was AKJP Studio on Kloof Street, a design space known for celebrating contemporary African fashion and locally made pieces.
The actress shared moments from her visit online as she explored some of the Mother City’s most loved cultural experiences while supporting local businesses along the way.
Union's trip included a return to Klein Goederust, believed to be Franschhoek’s first Black-owned wine farm, where she previously celebrated her 50th birthday with family. Reflecting on the visit in a heartfelt Facebook post, she wrote: “I left my heart in South Africa.”
“A few years ago, I came to Klein Goederust with my family to celebrate my 50th. We were out in the vineyard, planting, learning, and connecting with this beautiful place and the people behind it,” she shared.
“Coming back and seeing how much the winery has grown and transformed since then, and getting to taste the fruit of our labor, was really special.”
“What they’ve built here is truly incredible… and somewhere along the way, the owners and their families became like family to us too,” she said.
She also shared a personal post revealing that she had buried her father’s ashes at a Cape Town winery, beneath the same vines she and her family helped plant years earlier
The actress also visited Boulders Beach, where she spent time experiencing the famous penguin colony, while also exploring Cape Town’s culinary scene and embracing the city’s nightlife by dancing to amapiano.
Social media users praised her for highlighting and supporting local South African brands during her Cape Town visit.
Online reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with Kylie Eccles saying, “Glad you got to enjoy my country and city. Is it not one of the most beautiful places in the world?” and Genevieve Lentz added, “We have the best sunsets and beaches in the world.”
Others joked online about discovering that South Africa is home to penguins, referring to the colony at Boulders Beach, with some admitting they had no idea such a wildlife experience existed in the country, sparking lighthearted conversation online.
Find the CapeTowner on TikTok and Instagram @the.CapeTowner