ENTERTAINMENT

Welcome to the new and improved CapeTowner

  • Murray Swart
3 min read
The Towner Tote is more than a canvas bag, it's a symbol of curiosity, local discovery and experiencing Cape Town one story at a time.
The Towner Tote is more than a canvas bag, it's a symbol of curiosity, local discovery and experiencing Cape Town one story at a time.Picture: AI Generated

After more than 25 years in journalism, I never imagined I'd be writing about a canvas tote bag.

Yet here we are.

The truth is, the CapeTowner Tote isn't really about a bag. It's about a different way of experiencing Cape Town.

As we reimagined CapeTowner as a digital-first lifestyle publication, we kept coming back to one simple question:

What do we want people to feel when they encounter our brand?

The answer wasn't breaking news.

It wasn't chasing clicks.

And it certainly wasn't creating another logo.

We wanted people to think about exploring Cape Town, supporting local businesses, and discovering experiences they might otherwise have missed.

That's how the CapeTowner Tote was born.

The first Towner Tote wasn't made in a factory, it was hand-printed by Madelize van der Merwe at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, where traditional printmaking met CapeTowner's digital-first future.
The first Towner Tote wasn't made in a factory, it was hand-printed by Madelize van der Merwe at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, where traditional printmaking met CapeTowner's digital-first future.Picture: Murray Swart

More than a tote bag, it's a symbol of exploring Cape Town

The very first prototype was hand-printed by Madelize van der Merwe at the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town.

I love the symbolism of that.

As CapeTowner embraces a digital-first future, the first physical expression of our new brand was created using traditional printmaking techniques. It's a reminder that while technology changes, great storytelling is still crafted by hand, with care, creativity, and purpose.

Over the coming months, you'll start seeing the CapeTowner Tote appearing throughout our stories and social media.

The first Towner Tote prototype takes shape, handcrafted to celebrate local storytelling and inspire people to explore more of Cape Town, one neighbourhood at a time.
The first Towner Tote prototype takes shape, handcrafted to celebrate local storytelling and inspire people to explore more of Cape Town, one neighbourhood at a time.Picture: Murray Swart

Where you'll spot the Towner Tote

At independent coffee shops.

At neighbourhood markets.

Along Cape Town's beaches and hiking trails.

Inside art galleries.

On wine farms.

Maybe even balanced rather precariously on the back of my bicycle.

Not because we're trying to sell you a tote bag.

Because we're trying to tell a different kind of story about exploring Cape Town.

Why local stories matter more than ever

Throughout my career, I've discovered that the stories people remember aren't always the biggest headlines.

They're the stories that inspire you to visit a hidden café.

To wander through a neighbourhood you've never explored.

To support a local artist.

To discover a weekend market.

Or simply to put your phone away long enough to watch the sun disappear behind the Atlantic Ocean.

That's the CapeTowner we're building.

A publication that doesn't just tell you what's happening in Cape Town, but helps you discover the best things to do in Cape Town, from neighbourhood cafés and markets to beaches, art galleries, wine farms and hidden gems.

More than a canvas bag, the Towner Tote is a symbol of curiosity, community and discovering the best of Cape Town. 📸 CapeTowner The handcrafted To
More than a canvas bag, the Towner Tote is a symbol of curiosity, community and discovering the best of Cape Town. 📸 CapeTowner The handcrafted ToPicture: Murray Swart

Discover Cape Town one story at a time

If the CapeTowner Tote encourages even one person to explore a little further, shop a little more locally or fall in love with this city all over again, then it's already achieved exactly what we hoped.

Who knew a humble canvas bag could carry such a big idea?

Cape Town has never been a city that's best experienced from behind a screen.

It's a city that rewards curiosity.

It rewards slowing down.

It rewards looking beyond the obvious.

An invitation to experience Cape Town differently

So if you spot someone carrying a CapeTowner Tote, don't just notice the bag.

Think of it as an invitation.

To explore a little further.

To stay a little longer.

To support local.

And to experience Cape Town with fresh eyes.

Because sometimes the smallest things can inspire the biggest adventures.

• Murray Swart Online Editor, CapeTowner

WIN A TOWNER TOTE

You’ve read the story. Now let’s see if you were paying attention.

TODAY’S QUESTION

Who hand-printed the first Towner Tote prototype?

Think you know the answer?

HOW TO ENTER

  1. Find the answer in this story.
  2. Click the button below to go to the CapeTowner Facebook page.
  3. Find today’s Towner Tote Giveaway post.
  4. Leave your answer in the comments.
  5. Follow CapeTowner on TikTok.

Your answer must be submitted in the comments of the official CapeTowner Facebook competition post to qualify as an entry.

👉 ENTER THE COMPETITION ON FACEBOOK

THE PRIZE

One winner will receive a Towner Tote plus CapeTowner goodies.

The winner will be selected from the correct entries and announced on CapeTowner’s Facebook page.

FIND IT. READ IT. ANSWER IT. WIN IT.

Good luck, Towner.