Cape Town is no different from the rest of the world when it comes to being dependent on our phones for a variety of things. We are after all living in an age of connectivity. So if you’re looking for the next app to add to your collection, here are a few we find suit Capetonians to a T.
1. Forge
Forge easily guides avid hikers along their chosen route with its package of easy-to-use digital maps of the entire Cape Peninsula.
Each trail has been digitised and attributed by the Forge team so are accurate and up-to-date, letting outdoor enthusiasts lose themselves in the beautiful mountains without losing their way.
The Cape Peninsula is home to over 1 300 kilometers of hiking trails and Forge has got them down pat. Users can easily move around the map to discover the world of breathtaking trails right on their doorstep. The exploration options are endless.
Check out Forge’s website for more information: www.forgesa.com.
2. Shark Spotters mobile app
It goes without saying that Cape Town’s cool waters are home to a selection of predatory creatures, sharks being the most prominent.
Locals can stay up-to-date on beach conditions and visits from finned friends on the Shark Spotters mobile app available on Android or iOS.
You can download the app here.
3. MyCiTi app
Good news for Capetonians who make use of MyCiti buses – a new app has just launched, providing live updates and notifications relating to timetables, and routes, among other features.
Users will also receive news alerts while they are travelling and will be able to log queries and notices which will be sent directly to the Transport Information Centre.
The MyCiTi app launched on October 3, 2019 and can be downloaded free on Apple (iOS) and Android (Google Play) app stores.
4. Seek nature app
An interactive new way of getting to know the natural world is now available, thanks to a new app called ‘Seek’ created by iNaturalist.
Users of the app, which is similar to Shazam but for photos of natural life, can take a picture of any plant or animal with their phone camera, and Seek will try and identify the species.
It is the perfect partner for a hiking adventure and helps locals understand which plants and animals they encounter.
Download this helpful app in the App Store.
5. VoiceMap Audio Tour App
Take a tour of the Mother City’s most popular or lesser known attractions without the hefty price tag with VoiceMap.
This handy audio tour app will guide you everywhere from Bo-Kaap to Salt River’s street art route.
All you need to do is look through their selection, download the app, choose your tour and go.
Check out their tour offerings here.
6. The Entertainer
Cape Town’s popular tourist destination status has landed us a spot on this savvy leisure and lifestyle app.
The Entertainer provides thousands of Buy one Get one Free offers for dining, activities, attractions, health and fitness and more across 40 destinations world wide.
With so much to do and see, now even locals can feel like a tourist in the Mother City – without breaking the bank. Treat your kids to a fun weekend, or soothe your senses at a spa of your choice using the app’s many deals that are valid all year round. Available on Android and iOS.
7. ParkFind
As the most congested city in South Africa, finding a parking spot in the CBD is a painstaking task.
In fact, over 30% of Cape Town traffic is caused by drivers searching for a place to park.
A revolutionary app, ParkFind seeks to mitigate this issue by helping drivers find specific areas in the city centre where they are most likely to find an open street parking bay.
A simple colour-coded system indicates the likelihood of finding an open parking spot with green marking areas where motorist are highly likely to find a parking spot and red marking unlikely spots, while grey indicates no parking at all.
8. Minderz
Minderz functions in a similar method to Uber, connecting those who are looking for sitters for their fur-kids in surrounding areas to Minderz pet-sitters.
Using this app, locals can easily find the perfect sitter for their furry friends without the extra effort.
The organisation offers an array of services, petsitting at home, dog-walking, drop in visits during the day and pet boarding. Prices vary from R 99 – R 189 depending on the service. All pet sitters go through a validation process to be ideal candidates. In order to apply to be a pet-sitter, applicants must love animals, have had previous experience, volunteered at an animal shelter and have at least a year’s experience in pet-sitting.
More information at www.minderz.co.za
9. Bottles
Skip the lines and double your convenience the next time you’re looking to buy alcohol with the Bottles app.
No matter your occasion, Bottles will see that the alcohol of your choice is delivered to your location within an hour of request.
They operate in Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town CBD, Southern Suburbs, Century City, Table View, Plattekloof, Durbanville, Hout Bay, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Somerset West.
10. Sweep South
Customize your cleaning experience and needs with the Sweep South app.
This convenient app connects home owners with reliable cleaners and allows each client to choose exactly what they want cleaned and when.
Users can choose between regular cleaning options, on demand options and even office cleaning.
So if your home is in need of a clean and you don’t have the time or the resources to do it yourself, check out Sweep South.
Pictures: Supplied/Facebook/Pixabay/Pexels