A new perspective on seeing the Atlantic Seaboard
Some of the most prestigious, most luxurious properties in South Africa are to be found along Cape Town’s fabulous Atlantic Seaboard. If you’re not familiar with this incredibly beautiful, lengthy stretch of Cape coastline, you may well wonder why this should be so. Why would people go to such extreme efforts and expense to build homes perched on difficult, often steep terrain, simply to see the sea?
As a correlating matter of interest, lovers of music, who possess a wide-ranging interest in many genres, styles, and eras, may recall a 1936 hit song entitled “We Saw the Sea”. The movie for which the song was written starred the legendary and masterful dancing pair, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
The song’s opening lyrics indicate the sailors’ disappointment (on film) with their occupation and their latest lot in life: “We joined the navy to see the world – and what did we see? – we saw the sea”. Further on, the songster declares: “But the Atlantic isn’t romantic”.
It’s obvious to us at the Cape Town office of Fine & Country South Africa, plus all the owners of luxury properties whom we’ve helped to settle successfully on the Atlantic Seaboard, that the lads in question were very far away from our own Cape Atlantic Seaboard, otherwise their lyrics and sentiments would’ve been very different and joyous.
Most sought-after, luxurious properties
To our knowledge, no one would dream of complaining about seeing our seaboards’ seas. In fact, people pay handsomely to do so, because these properties are amongst the most sought-after, luxurious properties with exceptional investment value in our lovely land.
Sure, if you purchase a luxury property on the Atlantic Seaboard, you’re extremely likely to see the sea. In fact, you might turn up your nose at a property in any of the Atlantic Seaboard suburbs which do not overlook the mighty Atlantic Ocean, allowing you an unhindered marine view and the opportunity to see the sea every moment of every day, during each day of the year, whenever you choose.
Life-giving oceans and currents
This is precisely why people gladly go to such extreme efforts and expenses to build homes perched on difficult, often steeply sloping, terrain – simply to see the sea. However, there’s a great deal more to loving and appreciating the sea and oceans, of which we have two in the Cape – the Atlantic and the Indian.
Although the warm Agulhas Current in the Indian Ocean supports rich marine and related biodiversity, it’s the current in the colder Atlantic Ocean which ensures that South Africa has its healthy fish stocks and marine industry, which feeds and sustains millions of countrymen. Both currents, particularly the cold marine waters that migrate to our shores from the south, determine the vitally important climate and life-sustaining rainfall throughout the country.
The importance of the oceans cannot be over-emphasised, as they provide essential oxygen and moisture – which support life. Moisture becomes rainfall and water, without which life, agriculture, and virtually all socio-economic activities and prosperity would also cease.
From the 1st to the 31st of October 2018, South Africans are encouraged to recognise and support National Marine Month, which the government created to focus citizens’ attention on conservation, preservation, and responsible use and care of our marine and associated natural resources.
If all South Africans do their bit, the positive results will be significant – recycle, keep plastics, medicines, chemicals and toxic substances out of water systems and nature, and buy organic, locally sourced seasonal foods and fish according to the sustainable resource guide.
Gardening with indigenous plants and water-wise methods should also feature prominently. Owners and occupants of luxurious Atlantic Seaboard properties probably already have indigenous gardens in their unusual landscapes – the best spots from which to see the sea and appreciate our marine bounty.
