In short: this is our home. We love our space very much and hope you will take care of it the same way we would.
There are a few things we expect you to follow:
No smoking (not even on the balcony) No shoes in the house (not even tiptoeing to the bedrooms) No pets (not even cute ones) No parties (not even quiet ones) No extra guests —other than those we expressly agreed upon— are allowed. 🛜 WiFi
WiFi network: Perro de Colima
Password: 0796370767
The unit has fast internet (100mb upload / 100mb download speed). Perfect for streaming and work videos.
Should there be any power outages (known in SA as “load shedding”), there is a WiFi battery (UPS -- uninterrupted power supply) connected to the WiFi router. It should provide uninterrupted internet connectivity for up to five hours during power interruptions.
👀 Monitoring devices
Note that we have a white nanny cam in the entrance area. This is in place to communicate with our cleaner, Charles, when we’re not at home. Once you’ve entered, you can simply unplug the camera (just remember to plug it back in after checkout again!).
There is also a pink air quality monitor in the flat. It measures moisture, humidity and carbon; please leave it plugged in.
🇿🇦 Not enough power, too much wind
🔌 Electricity
Sockets and voltage
South Africa has for many years used the big and unique “type M” sockets, but these are being phased out in favour of “type N” and “type C” sockets. . We have equipped the apartment with travel adapters that should work with most laptop and phone charging cables from Europe, Japan, India, China, and North America.
Note that we use 220v ~ 50Hz electricity in South Africa, so appliances that are rated only for 110v use, like some from the United States and Taiwan—often hair dryers— should not be plugged in. Those rated for only 220v or a range of 110v to 220v (like most laptops or devices from elsewhere in the world) will work.
Electricity use
As in the upcoming page, South Africa is experiencing a (which peaked in 2023 and seems to be subsiding). Please be mindful of your electricity use. Consider using a fan before the air conditioner; close the windows if you’re using the air conditioner or heaters; consider hanging your clothes in stead of using the dryer; turn off lights when not in use; and don’t leave anything running when you leave the apartment. Load shedding
As noted earlier, South Africa experiences “load shedding” — scheduled power outages in different parts of the country. These usually last between 1 and 4 hours. It peaked in 2023, and we’re happy to say that we haven’t had any load shedding since March 2024. It may come back during high-use periods. You can see if any load shedding is scheduled . We’ve tried to make this annoying matter as non-disruptive as possible:
Lights: Most (but not all) ceiling and bedside lights throughout the flat have light bulbs with built-in rechargeable batteries; they will continue to work for a few hours after the power goes out. WiFi: We have a Gizzu UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply battery) connected to the WiFi router. This should should supply uninterrupted WiFi internet for an additional ~6 hours. In a pinch, it also has USB plugs for charging your phone/devices. Stove: Since this is a gas stove, it will work, you’ll just need to use a lighter to light it. There should be a lighter in the second drawer (beneath the cutlery). However, you will not be able to use the oven, air fryer, electric kettle, or anything else plugged into the wall sockets. Coffee grinder: The beans grinder won’t work; there is a hand grinder in the cupboard above the stove. Find our stovetop kettle in the cabinet as the electric one won’t work. Hot water: Since we have a solar geyser, you should continue to have hot water, unless there has been more than a few cloudy days in a row. To know in advance when load shedding is planned, we recommend downloading the ESP (”Eskom SE Push”) and adding the suburb of “Tamboerskloof, Cape Town” to monitor (and get notified) of when the next load shedding is scheduled. The user experience on the app isn’t the best, so here are some tips:
How to use the ESP app (click-to-expand)
💨 Wind
Portuguese explorers called this the “Cape of Storms,” and one big reason for that is the crazy wind. It gets intense. As in: we somewhat regularly have tree-uprooting storms of 100km per hour. The wind generally gets stronger in summer but can happen year-round.
In the apartment, this just means:
Close all windows and the balcony door when you leave the flat! Don’t place breakable items next to open windows, in case the wind starts up ;) Don’t put anything on the balcony railing Check the before planning a braai/barbecue on the balcony Bring in your laundry when you leave the flat If the forecast is for it to be very windy or rainy, please move the balcony sofa cushions indoors Make sure nothing is left outside on the balcony when you leave it — including ensuring that the Weber braai (barbecue) is inside the cabinet when you’re done cooking (Once, we left our braai on top the cabinet and the wind ripped off the metal lid and sent it flying into our neighbor’s garden. Luckily, nobody was harmed!) 🛋️ Dining & living room
Tables: On all wooden furniture, please use coasters and place mats. Don’t put plates and cups on the table. Fireplace: Please only use the fireplace if you are 100% confident you won’t smoke up the house or cause damage to our house. Don’t leave the fire unattended and always keep the door latched (else ash could go flying in the house if the wind picks up). You can purchase firewood at most supermarkets. Please keep wood stored on the patio, and not indoors, as firewood in SA often carries invasive beetles which can burrow into and destroy other wood (which all our floors & much of our furniture is made of!). Ceiling fan & light: The main switch (on the wall) gives electricity to the fan-and-light. So, if it’s off a the wall, it doesn’t get power. But when it is on at the wall, you still might need to pull the drawstrings (the long one for the lights, the short one to set the fan speed). Music & speakers: We have a Sonos receiver connected to some good (and retro — 50 years old!) Bang & Olufsen speakers. Once you’re connected to the WiFi, you’ll see it listed as “Living room” in your Spotify or other streaming account. You can also download the to use with Pandora or Tidal, or alternatively connect via Bluetooth (the amplifier is called Ampie Omo). They’re both in the cabinet under the speakers in the living room, if you need to fine-tune the bass. Please be mindful of the music volume not to disturb the neighbours. 🍳 Kitchen
Please see the separate for info on: Washing machine / Dryer / Clothes horse For other things:
Gas
Open the gas valve in the cupboard after arrival (and close it again before departing)
The big 9kg gas cylinder under the sink runs out every 4-6 months. If it runs out while you’re staying, you can swap it out with the gas cylinder for the braai (in the balcony, inside the cabinet). Otherwise, you can arrange for Simply Gas (WhatsApp/call: 061-147-2044) to come swap out the gas tank for you. Shortly before it runs out, there might be a faint gas smell (something about the ratio of air to gas in the tank, we’ve been told); this is the signal that you need to change it. I think generally they send an invoice (so you can just have them send it to us, thewerlotte@gmail.com).
Use of coffee/tea - Please help yourself to some coffee or the tea Use of condiments, spices, etc - Please feel free to use condiments in the fridge (e.g. mustard, Sriracha) and oils/spices (in the pantry) for your cooking! 🛁 Bathroom
Hot water geyser - We have a solar water geyser — it provides hot water warmed by the sun— with an electricity backup (for cloudy days). In summer we run completely on solar-heated water. The electric backup is scheduled to turn on twice a day, at 6:30-7:30am and 7:30-8:15pm, during winter. We’ve found that the water is hot at all hours with this schedule, but let us know (or ) if you need to adjust it. Please take short showers to conserve water. Toiletries - Feel free to use liquid soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. Towels - We left a grey body towel and a face towel per person. Please don’t use any of these for the beach or park picnics. For that, we’ve left a picnic blanket and a pair of Turkish towels for you, in the main bedroom cupboard. 🛌 Bedrooms
Linens: Unfortunately, we won’t be able to provide a change of linen, but you’re welcome to wash yours if needed (or request that Charles the cleaner, who comes in on Wednesdays, to change them for you). Cupboard space: Any unlocked space that’s empty is yours to use! We’ll clear out some space for you in both bedrooms, including some extra hangers. Extra blankets: We’ve left an extra cotton blanket in the main bedroom cupboard, in case the current duvets are insufficient. Space heaters: If it’s winter-ish (May to Oct), we’ll leave some space heaters out or in the cupboard for you to use. None of them have timers, so please remember to turn them off when you leave the room/flat. Fans: In the warmer months (Nov to Mar), use the floor/table fans left out or in the bedroom cupboard. The white table fan has a solar panel and a battery, so can work during load shedding. Ceiling fans: As described in “Living room” above, there are ceiling fans in the main bedroom and living room. Air conditioner: Please consider opening windows and using the ceiling/floor fans first instead of air conditioning, as nearly all electricity in SA is powered by dirty coal. But there are of course nights when the heat could be insufferable, so there is an air conditioner for that purpose (but only in the main bedroom). The remote is in the bedside table. Negative airflow: After a lot of experimenting, we’ve found the fastest (and greenest) way to cool down the bedrooms at night is to create a negative pressure draft. Put a fan in the window (in front of the mosquito screen) pointed inside the room and turn it Then turn on the the fan in the living room (by the speakers, also in front of the mosquito screen) but pointed outwards. Close all other windows and it should create a draft that sucks in cold air from outside and pulls it through the bedroom (even when the bedroom door is closed). 🪟 Balcony
Braai (barbecue) - We have a little Weber gas braai (barbecue) in the cabinet, which you’re welcome to use. Please remember to close the gas cylinder when you are done and put it back in the cabinet when done. (See note above re: the crazy Cape winds blowing the last braai off the balcony!!) Wind! - We know we’re being repetitive here, but it bears repeating. 🚭 Smoking
As per our description, this is a strictly no smoking apartment.
You may not smoke cigarettes, nor tobacco, nor cannabis, nor e-cigarettes (vape), not anywhere in the apartment, not blow it from inside to outside the windows, and not on the balcony.
Unfortunately, some non-smokers like us are allergic to smoke or suffer from asthma. Complaints and penalties will go to Home Exchange against those who break this rule — including recovering the costs to steam clean the curtains, linen, mattress, duvets, pillows, blankets, rugs, sofa, and more.
🌳 Plants
If you’re staying less than two weeks: You don’t need to water the plants. Our cleaner, Charles, will water them before and after your stay. If you are staying for longer than two weeks and Charles won’t be cleaning while you are here: Please water (not too much!) once per week. We’ve specifically chosen low-water, low-admin plants, so over-watering might kill them. 🛒 Supermarkets
on Kloof is where we do the majority of our shopping. You can also order groceries to be delivered using their app, (but you’ll have to meet them on the street, they generally don’t carry the groceries up for you). There is a well-stocked convenience store two blocks away, . on Kloof is another good option. We also stock up on grains/oils/etc at the zero waste shop in town, and sustainable cleaning/toiletries products at (physical shop at the V&A Waterfront mall, or bigger selection by ordering online). All three supermarkets have liquor stores or wine shops next to them.
📦 Deliveries
Uber Eats and are the most popular food delivery apps, available on iOS and Android. Save the full address and your South African phone number in the app before ordering. Collect from the delivery person downstairs. It’s common to tip 10% for deliveries (in the app or in person to the delivery person in cash).
If you ordered something online for delivery ( and are popular), they can only guarantee the day of delivery, but not the time (they just say “sometime from 8am to 5pm” 🙄). The delivery person will then call you when they arrive at the property, to hand you your parcel in person. This is often inconvenient, unless you work from home, so you might find it easier to collect from one of their pickup points instead. (The closest Takealot one is in Foreshore, the closest Amazon one is the Kloof Nek Grocer 300m from the flat)
🏢 Building (Bagamoya) rules
Noise & Quiet hours
This is our home. Please be respectful of our neighbours, and keep music and noise to a reasonable level.
The building has quiet hours between 10pm and 8am each day. It is strictly a “no parties” apartment (there are many bars, restaurants, and clubs nearby for that sort of thing).
Other rules
All residential buildings in SA have a Rules of Conduct document that applies to all residents and guests and says what can and can’t be done in the building. These rules apply to you and your stay.
You can view them here:
Bagamoya - Conduct rules January 2021 (3).pdf
159.7 kB
📞 Phone numbers
You can always reach us via WhatsApp.
Emergencies
Cape Town fire, police, and general emergencies: +27214807700 South Africa general emergencies: 112 (from a mobile phone) Wilderness Search & Rescue: +27 21 937 0300 (all mountain, ocean, and outdoor emergencies — save this number if you plan to hike Table Mountain or Lion’s Head) 🧯There are fire extinguishers on each corridor of the building (go outside the flat, go to the middle of the corridor, and you will find the fire hose. We also have another small extinguisher in the kitchen cupboard.
The apartment guide
