We’ve all felt it. The hard gusts of wind that sweep throughout the city, marring our summer. The strong gusts of the so-called Cape Doctor have been blowing non-stop for at least a week, with a brief respite expected only on Sunday.

The relentless wind makes simple tasks like walking, wearing summer clothes and talking outdoors very difficult. Even driving in certain areas becomes terrifying, as the wind pushes against your car. Perhaps the worst quality of the wind however, is its role in spreading fires, man of which have devastated the Cape Peninsula. Just this week, we watched as fire fighters dealt with the Devil’s Peak Fire. So it’s no wonder people are complaining about the wind.

Screen-Shot-2016-01-14-at-8.25.12-AM

Even Capetonians, who know all about the wind, are tired of it.  No matter how much we wish it would stop blowing, the wind is not going anywhere. In fact it is going to be around for the rest of the summer, albeit not as strong as it has been of late. January and February are traditionally windy months, with things seeming to die down a bit in March, just in time for the rain and cold when winter sets in around May.

But rather that look at the negatives, here are the positives of Cape Town’s current wind situation. There is a reason the wind is dubbed the Cape Doctor. It actually keeps the city healthy, by blowing all the smog and pollution away, and making the air cleaner for us to breathe. On days when there is no wind, you also feel how incredibly hot it gets in Cape Town. The wind also acts like a natural fan, helping us cope (especially in the CBD).

cape doctor

The Cape Doctor is also responsible for the famous table cloth on Table Mountain, making for wonderful photo-ops and showing the world why our mountain is one of the New7Natural Wonders of the World.

And if nothing else, the wind provides us with a good laugh. Like in this 2012 video of people struggling to stay upright near the Cape Town Civic Centre:



Photography courtesy Jurg Slabbert and Gershon Isaacs

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92 Comments
  • CapeTownEtc
    CapeTownEtc
    January 14, 2016 at 9:08 am

    biltonghippie Definitely! Avoid the Civic Centre at all costs.

  • ILoveFoodiesCT
    ILoveFoodiesCT
    January 14, 2016 at 9:23 am

    CapeTownEtc The only problem is that if you stay high up you can’t open your windows, hence it’s even hotter. Cape Doctor killing me!

  • CapeTownEtc
    CapeTownEtc
    January 14, 2016 at 9:25 am

    ILoveFoodiesCT Ouch! We feel your pain…

  • Trish Roberts
    Trish Roberts
    January 14, 2016 at 10:14 am

    It’s called the Cape Doctor because it blows all the bugs away

  • Isabella Sherman
    Isabella Sherman
    January 14, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Would be nice to have one or two days of no wind!! :):)

  • Candy Martini
    Candy Martini
    January 14, 2016 at 10:37 am

    I will never complain about the wind. It blows away our pollution and it always rains up country when we have wind. Let’s be thankful for it.

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    January 14, 2016 at 10:41 am

    Sunday should be lovely.

  • Siobhan Breslin
    Siobhan Breslin
    January 14, 2016 at 10:46 am

    Oh gosh, really?! U0001f629

  • damiendutoit
    damiendutoit
    January 14, 2016 at 10:47 am

    CapeTownEtc News doing the rounds is that starting your tweets with “News doing the rounds” is kinda redundant

  • Frits Beudeker
    Frits Beudeker
    January 14, 2016 at 10:48 am

    they were warned that if they took the Rhodes statue down wind and drought would follow

  • CapeTownEtc
    CapeTownEtc
    January 14, 2016 at 10:49 am

    damiendutoit You’d be surprised.

  • Andre De Reuck
    Andre De Reuck
    January 14, 2016 at 11:17 am

    Yup, as true as BOB….Not that crazy oukie from Zimbabwe!

  • Edith Margaret Coombes
    Edith Margaret Coombes
    January 14, 2016 at 11:19 am

    Summer is the Cape Doctor.

  • Marc-Andre Daniels
    Marc-Andre Daniels
    January 14, 2016 at 11:50 am

    ……WE’D better get used to it….

  • Thuwaibah Harnekar
    Thuwaibah Harnekar
    January 14, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    I wish the cape doctor would visit Johannesburg!!!

  • Ann Correia
    Ann Correia
    January 14, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    Love the comments here 🙂 this is CT..imagine how hot it would be without the wind? We would all be dying!!

  • Myrtle Ball
    Myrtle Ball
    January 14, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Has been blowing solidly for tao weeks seems like forever keeps us cool but a break would be great

  • Mynhardt Saayman
    Mynhardt Saayman
    January 14, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    Thanks for the update….better get used to the wind.

  • Sandy Hearne
    Sandy Hearne
    January 14, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    Had enough of this wind now man

  • Org Potgieter
    Org Potgieter
    January 14, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    Ek het vanjaar nog nie eers ‘n vlieg gesien nie – hulle waai weg, kan nie in hierdie wind vlieg nie.

  • Pieter Brink
    Pieter Brink
    January 14, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    I also hate the wind. BUT, as long as it is howling, the areas up north is getting rain and we will hopefully have food.

  • Jacques Jacobs
    Jacques Jacobs
    January 14, 2016 at 8:07 pm

    Just like last summer…

  • Marian Pike
    Marian Pike
    January 14, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    When the wind blows in CPT it rains in the north. Bless it as it will save those farmers with cattle and crop dying in the north.

  • Clare Rodrigues-Henderson
    Clare Rodrigues-Henderson
    January 14, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    Seems like you left just in time, Leon Jody Rodrigues. Don’t blow away, now, Justin Groep!

  • Leon Zeelie
    Leon Zeelie
    January 14, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    Give it some broolets…get his wind out..

  • Leon Zeelie
    Leon Zeelie
    January 14, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    Take up kite surfing..

  • Leon Zeelie
    Leon Zeelie
    January 14, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    and the last……windgatte hier onder….lol

  • Brigid Ryan
    Brigid Ryan
    January 14, 2016 at 9:21 pm

    Sarah Atmore is this the answer to your question?

  • Monique Lee Fleming
    Monique Lee Fleming
    January 14, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    We left just in time Lynn Joe

  • Brigitte Prinsloo
    Brigitte Prinsloo
    January 14, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    Keeps us cool in this horrible heat

  • Gertrude Bender
    Gertrude Bender
    January 14, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    I do hope you are right Marian Pike that would be marvellous. Let it blow!

  • Lynn Kanalos Fleming
    Lynn Kanalos Fleming
    January 14, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    Yikes… I had enough of that windU0001f32a

  • Pauline Hare
    Pauline Hare
    January 14, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    Yes how long does it last

  • Una Le Roux VanSchalkwyk
    Una Le Roux VanSchalkwyk
    January 14, 2016 at 9:40 pm

    Ek voel so iesegrimmig oor die wind wat nie bedaar nie.MAAR ek moet vasbyt want ons het gebid vir reën in die binneland en ons gebede is verhoor!Dankie Heer! AMEN.

  • Patrick Henry
    Patrick Henry
    January 14, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    Fabulous!! It means rain for us up here U0001f61cU0001f44dU0001f44d

  • Zara Gounden
    Zara Gounden
    January 14, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Welcome to Cape Town ???✌

  • Barbara van der Merwe
    Barbara van der Merwe
    January 14, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    Well they say it means rain for us upcountry … Yay!

  • Donna Bernhardi
    Donna Bernhardi
    January 14, 2016 at 10:38 pm

    well, then, let it blow!! gale force!!

  • Patty Mulder-Reibestein
    Patty Mulder-Reibestein
    January 14, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    In maart minder, he U0001f61cU0001f64c

  • Jill Mulder
    Jill Mulder
    January 14, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    Jaa gelukkig wel haha anders waaien we weg

  • Hazel Culverwell
    Hazel Culverwell
    January 15, 2016 at 12:50 am

    I can remember as a child hanging on for dear life to a pole while waiting for the lights to change in Darling Street. Strongest wind I have ever experienced. Great that it brings rain inland.

  • Sarah Atmore
    Sarah Atmore
    January 15, 2016 at 6:00 am

    Yes, but not the one I was hoping for…

  • Liesel Taute
    Liesel Taute
    January 15, 2016 at 6:20 am

    What about rain

  • Denise Russell
    Denise Russell
    January 15, 2016 at 6:23 am

    Thanks for up date

  • Gail Sinclair Sampson
    Gail Sinclair Sampson
    January 15, 2016 at 6:40 am

    Cape Doctor will send the rain to the farmers who need it !!!!!!!

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    January 15, 2016 at 6:44 am

    Till end of Feb, I’m afraid.

  • Cape Town Etc
    Cape Town Etc
    January 15, 2016 at 6:45 am

    Should have some rain from around April.

  • Peter Stevens
    Peter Stevens
    January 15, 2016 at 7:12 am

    Yes perhaps but at least it keeps the Vaalies off the beaches.

  • Bernadette De Wet
    Bernadette De Wet
    January 15, 2016 at 7:39 am

    Worse news ever but some areas need the rain, we will just continue taking head ache pills!

  • Jessica Roux
    Jessica Roux
    January 15, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Noooo….. so no going to the beach for me then 🙁

  • Julie Wedderburn
    Julie Wedderburn
    January 15, 2016 at 7:57 am

    Well thank you doctor for all the rain upcountry!!!!!

  • Ellenise May
    Ellenise May
    January 15, 2016 at 8:14 am

    Cape town now the new windy city.

  • Gail Parsons
    Gail Parsons
    January 15, 2016 at 8:25 am

    Good, means more rain for Joburg!

  • Virginia April
    Virginia April
    January 15, 2016 at 8:29 am

    Thinking of the ashmatics that can’t handel this wind

  • Luqman 'Luke' Kajee
    Luqman 'Luke' Kajee
    January 15, 2016 at 8:49 am

    yoh….i have met up with this

  • Luqman 'Luke' Kajee
    Luqman 'Luke' Kajee
    January 15, 2016 at 8:49 am

    the wind that is

  • Alta Kotze
    Alta Kotze
    January 15, 2016 at 8:56 am

    En “Van Hings” het sy pyp gerook!

  • Stella Arthur
    Stella Arthur
    January 15, 2016 at 9:00 am

    Oh my goodness no hair style days coming up.

  • Michelle Cupido
    Michelle Cupido
    January 15, 2016 at 9:09 am

    Neeee man ek was da n=g ni op Di Kaapse strande Di jaar ni not ayoba

  • Ayabonga Qwabi
    Ayabonga Qwabi
    January 15, 2016 at 9:19 am

    why is it called the cape doctor ?

  • Genevieve White
    Genevieve White
    January 15, 2016 at 9:37 am

    As irritating as the wind is, the bottom line is that when it stops we FRY.

  • Bettie Amira
    Bettie Amira
    January 15, 2016 at 10:17 am

    Rather have the wind with the blasted heat to cool us all down imagine no wind we would burn up haha

  • Maria Jansen
    Maria Jansen
    January 15, 2016 at 11:18 am

    U0001f615 nobody owns the beaches – we all just immigrants from one place or another – good income tourist trade for the Cape U0001f60a

  • Jean Reed
    Jean Reed
    January 15, 2016 at 11:29 am

    It blows all the pollution away from the city!

  • Terry Cartwright Thompson
    Terry Cartwright Thompson
    January 15, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Quite frankly, I’ve had enough!

  • Catherine Anne McLaren
    Catherine Anne McLaren
    January 15, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Well its frying today… with no wind in sightU0001f608

  • Kathryn Cooley
    Kathryn Cooley
    January 15, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    No you don’t , Come to the garden Route! We get rain as well

  • Len Boshoff
    Len Boshoff
    January 15, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    Lovely. Good and clean and fresh air straight from the Indian ocean.

  • Andre Hugo De Villiers
    Andre Hugo De Villiers
    January 15, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    Seems it stopped

  • Alta Oosthuizen
    Alta Oosthuizen
    January 15, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    Van Hunks is smoking his pipe!

  • Jennifer Bow
    Jennifer Bow
    January 15, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    This wind is almost unbearable, spoils all outdoor activities.

  • Nogi Davis
    Nogi Davis
    January 15, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    I love it! Without the wind it will be so hot and humid! Remember.

  • Sandi Cooney
    Sandi Cooney
    January 15, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    Hoesit ou maat …

  • Naiema Arendse
    Naiema Arendse
    January 15, 2016 at 4:40 pm

    Omw wind till the end of Feb……rain only in April…..u must be joking!!!!!!!

  • Felicia Van Rooi
    Felicia Van Rooi
    January 15, 2016 at 4:49 pm

    Good! It means rain in the drought stricken areas

  • Kleintjie Huipie Neethling
    Kleintjie Huipie Neethling
    January 15, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    Julle moet nie oor die wind kla nie. As die wind gaan le sal ons verstik in die hitte. So waai wind waaaaai

  • Dusanka Stojakovic
    Dusanka Stojakovic
    January 15, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    Have just checked Paternoster – a gentle 18kph – all week. Sigh.

  • Elena Sella-Rolando
    Elena Sella-Rolando
    January 15, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    Summer in cape town ALWAYS has south easter wind..that’s just the way it is

  • Barend Coetzee
    Barend Coetzee
    January 15, 2016 at 8:42 pm

    Wai alie kak tranvaal toe

  • Cheryl Thomas
    Cheryl Thomas
    January 15, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    You gotta be born there reckons Dave.

  • Malcolm Fawkes
    Malcolm Fawkes
    January 15, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    At least it is sending rain here. Keep pumping South Easter!

  • Drienie Jurg
    Drienie Jurg
    January 15, 2016 at 10:08 pm

    Luv the wind…but misses a good sunny day at the beach

  • Colin M. Davids
    Colin M. Davids
    January 15, 2016 at 10:46 pm

    Love it, better than the heat wave.

  • Hazel Dennis
    Hazel Dennis
    January 15, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    I luv C T wind en to c de funny hair styles

  • Rupert Steenkamp
    Rupert Steenkamp
    January 16, 2016 at 12:35 am

    South Easter needs to blow strong to bring rain to the Kalahari. Bring it on!

  • Ray Wilson
    Ray Wilson
    January 16, 2016 at 12:41 am

    That’s interesting – wondering why…?…sounds good…this must be he worst year for wind since I have been in Cape Town …over 15 years ….

  • Roy Brickles
    Roy Brickles
    January 16, 2016 at 12:41 am

    Van Donck will be blowing his pipe for a few more days those u remember van Donck

  • Peter Stevens
    Peter Stevens
    January 16, 2016 at 12:47 am

    Pleeeease………..get a f…ing life.

  • Ivana Souza
    Ivana Souza
    January 16, 2016 at 1:33 am

    Danilo Paranhos Feliz Ano Novo…olha esse lugar, Geógrafo !!

  • Robert Cox
    Robert Cox
    January 16, 2016 at 3:57 am

    At least we’ll always have clean air U0001f601U0001f601U0001f601U0001f44dU0001f44dU0001f44d

  • Ann de Roo
    Ann de Roo
    January 16, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Love the wind, it clears the air of pollution and cools things down!

  • Rika Selzer
    Rika Selzer
    January 16, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    Peter Stevens Why don’t you? You give other Capetonians like us a bad name. They help with our economy here in tourist seasons.

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