Here in Cape Town, people move with music like it’s their ID. The rest of the country might operate differently, but on this side, having sound in your step is just standard.
Walking with a boom box isn’t seen as extra; it’s just how some communities grew up. Speakers on shoulders, that Motorola is on loud, vibes on standby.
And when summer lands, it levels up. Think beaches packed with cousins, camp chairs, and cooler boxes. Families posted on the sand, friends linking up for some sun, and naturally, someone’s got the music.
It could be a Bluetooth speaker tucked next to the towels or that one uncle who’s appointed himself Minister of Sound. The tunes are there to set the tone, in moderation, of course.
People want to chill with their people, enjoy the breeze, eat their snacks, and let the beat run in the background. No one’s trying to turn the beach into a club or chase off the pigeons.
However, when individuals play Kinky Afro loudly, as if at a beach festival, rules become necessary.
A recent incident highlighted the seriousness of these regulations. A Cape Town model shared a video on Instagram detailing an experience at Clifton Beach.
In the video shared on Instagram, he explains that if you’re caught with a speaker, it can be confiscated, and you may only retrieve it after facing the consequences.
He humorously adds, “If you come to Clifton, don’t come with a speaker. Otherwise, you’ve got to walk all the way back up these stairs.”
For those unfamiliar, the stairs leading up from Clifton Beach are notoriously steep and numerous. It’s a climb that can turn a leisurely beach day into an unexpected workout.
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But rules are rules, mense.
The City of Cape Town’s by-laws, specifically the Streets, Public Places and the Prevention of Noise Nuisances By-law, 2007, outline regulations to ensure that public spaces remain enjoyable for everyone.
According to these by-laws, amplified sound, including music from speakers, is prohibited in public places if it causes a disturbance. This includes areas like beaches, where large groups gather.
Law enforcement officers have the authority to impound equipment used to produce noise that violates these regulations. This means that speakers can be confiscated if they are deemed to be causing a disturbance.
The reactions online were classic. One viewer wrote, “Why do you need a speaker on the beach, though? Can’t you use headphones?” Fair play, headphones solve so many problems.
Another said, “About time! They should do this on the mountain as well.” Did not know that was a thing. Then there was the “Ag, they are just enforcing the law at the end of the day. I’m here for it; no one wants to hear someone else’s music.”
Basically saying, play your tunes quietly under your umbrella, enjoy your celery sticks, and let the next person enjoy their boiled eggs in peace.
So, as summer beckons and the beaches fill, remember: enjoy your tunes, respect the rules, and maybe leave the boom box at home
