Empowering The Blind Through Creativity In Cape Town

The Cape Town Society for the Blind is helping the blind and visually impaired to gain confidence and become independent by training them to create beautiful cane furniture. Through their hands-on methods, they’re changing lives one day at a time and what’s more, most of the products are for sale to the public.
By making use of a variety of resources, from career development programmes to public speaking, the society is able to arm the blind and visually impaired with the necessary skills to live an independent life. They are taught to have confidence in whatever they do, both in their personal lives and economically. One way that the society is helping the blind to gain this confidence is through cane furniture workshops, equipping them with the means to continue creating products to sell, long after the course has ended.

Each cane item is handmade with the utmost care

Creating artisanal cane furniture to boost confidence

The Cape Town Society for the Blind is teaching artisans to create beautiful, quality cane furniture. From baskets to chairs and even baby cribs, if you’re after a unique piece for your home, you need look no further. The society hosts small groups of students on a daily basis at their studio in Salt River, and those who master the craft then move on to the advanced level. After completion, students receive a certificate from the society that allows them to start a small business if they wish to do so.

Baskets created by the blind and visually impaired

The blind barista

While visiting, make sure to grab a cuppa at the vibey coffee shop, Café 45, where delicious light meals and caffeine-filled drinks are served. Since its launch in April 2010, the café has proven to be extremely successful, owing much of this success to the talented blind barista working his magic behind the bar. The café creates opportunities for the blind and visually impaired to develop skills, enabling them to work in the hospitality industry. Stop by and get your fill of tasty breakfasts, toasted sandwiches, wraps, salads and of course, lots of coffee.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.