Why is Cape Town called the Mother City?
South Africa‘s second most populated city, Cape Town, is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world and possesses a rich and colourful history.
It is only expected that it would have a few nicknames inspired by interesting tales and folklore.
Often referred to ‘The Mother City’, there exists several theories surrounding the origin of the nickname.
One theory draws inspiration from the fact the city is the country’s oldest and is seen as the mother of modern South Africa.
In 1652, Jan van Riebeeck, of the Dutch East India Company based in The Netherlands, set up Cape Town as a midway point for ships heading to or returning from the East.
Another popular inspiration behind the nickname involves some Greek history. In the 1930s, a Cape Town newspaper claimed that the coastal city was the only city, in the country, that could be referred to as a metropolis.
Source: thesouthafrican.com
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