The club's new home was officially inaugurated on 31 March 2002 by Mr Tito Mboweni, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. Nestling in the spectacular Table Mountain bowl which overlooks Table Bay, the club house is within easy walking distance of the city's rejuvenated commercial centre, and the Company's Gardens, Cape Town's major inner-city park which was established by the Dutch settlers who founded the Cape settlement in 1652 as a victualling station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company as they plied their lucrative trade between Europe and the Far East.
The walk down the oak-lined avenue of the Company's Garden passes the stately South African parliamentary buildings and ends in the heart of the city, a short walk to the Cape Town International Convention Centre on the foreshore and onward to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, South Africa's most popular tourist destination.
The club house is much admired for its well-proportioned frontage, elegant interior and delicate timber-lattice verandah. The particularly fine teak façade sashes, internal folding shutters, winding stair, fireplaces, and old lath and plaster ceilings are all typical of the nineteenth-century details of this classic building.
The upper floor of the club houses the Great Room, which incorporates the Rhodes bar, lounge and library which have been magnificently restored and appointed in keeping with the traditions and history of a respected Cape Town institution. The spacious lounge opens onto a verandah overlooking a sheltered garden and pool, providing a cool and peaceful escape from the summer heat of Cape Town's Mediterranean climate.
Pictures, including portraits of some of South Africa’s most famous figures, and memorabilia assembled by the club over the past century and a half, grace the walls and cabinets of these rooms. The club’s library boasts an invaluable collection of Africana that reflects the colourful history of southern Africa, and some of the great classics of its printed heritage.
Internet, e-mail, fax and telephone facilities are available in the club house.
The Club hosted Former President FW de Klerk and his wife, Elita, to a formal dinner on Thursday 10 November. The attendance was one of the best the Club has experienced for a long while and had to be held in the Long Lounge on the 1st floor. The staff performed a small miracle in transforming the lounge into an elegant dining room with candles and flowers on the tables and the dining chairs looking stylish, covered in a black cloth.
Drinks were served before hand and, shortly after the arrival of President and Mrs. De Klerk, guests were seated. Following the starter our guests were introduced and welcomed by Chairman Louis Krige following which President de Klerk delivered an address centring of the current political situation in the country. Mr de Klerk answered questions from members and this was followed by an address of thanks by Club President Colin
All agreed it was a grand evening when we were entertained to stimulating addresses and enjoyed good food provided by the Club and the opportunity to mingle and interact with fellow members. We look forward to the dinner to be addressed by Premier Helen Zille on Monday 28th November which will follow the annual flag ceremony at 6pm.
to view the photo gallery please click here
