Discovering Cape Town, wild swimming and rare handicrafts

Other local artisans that I love, excellent in ceramics, are Zizipho Poswa, the Madoda brothers and Siyabonga Fani, as well as Porky Hefer for his installations: they are all participating in this edition of Homo Faber, currently taking place in Venice, curated by the Michelangelo Foundation, of which I am vice-president. To discover African art, the Zeitz MOCAA is a must, as is the collection of the Ellerman House, a boutique hotel with a unique selection of contemporary works that take visitors on a journey through the country's cultural history. Among the hotels, I also suggest The Winchester, on the promenade. It is one of the best known streets, perfect for a stroll or for exercising with a view of the ocean: I sometimes run along it in the morning, it is a burst of energy.

Una stanza all’ultima edizione della Cape Town Art Fair.

My approach to the city is all about physical activity and nature: a short drive takes you to Table Mountain, which is criss-crossed by more than 300 trails. One of my favourites is the Kasteelspoort, with views of Camps Bay and Lion's Head, but for more complex treks, it's best to rely on Rodger Bowren or Escape+Explore, who design private, tailor-made adventures. Not only hiking and water sports: in Cape Town, golfers can play on picturesque courses, such as those at the Royal Cape Golf Club and the Pearl Valley Club, while botany enthusiasts can enjoy the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. The city is small, everything can be reached quickly and, within a few minutes' drive, the landscape changes completely.

“The New Negro Escapist Social and Athletic Club (Thurgood)” 2008, di Rashid Johnson, esposto allo Zeitz MOCAA.

I recommend a day out in Stellenbosch, the place where I grew up: after a stop at my family's museum, the Rupert Museum, where a collection of African art from 1940 to 2000 is on display, lunch at The Fat Butcher for delicious meat. A wine tasting is inevitable at DeMorgenzon, where you can sample local wines, and then explore the statues in the indigenous Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. Dinner is at Rust en Vrede, a restaurant on the well-known wine estate of the same name: reserve a table in the garden to taste the best meat accompanied by wines that have made the area's terroirs world-famous. In the region, barbecue has a great tradition.

I like to renew it for Sunday lunch: meat, vegetables, fish and a South African wine. My favourite is Optima, a red wine produced in the Anthonij Rupert Wine cellars. As a wild swimming enthusiast, the last thing I do before leaving Cape Town is go for a swim. For an exceptional freediving experience, you can contact Hanli Prinsloo: she organises tours all over the world, but is based in the city, and knows these waters inside out.