Athlone

Athlone, Southern Suburbs

Athlone lies to the east of the city centre in what's commonly known as the Cape Flats - a large and very flat section of low-lying land to the southeast of the City Bowl, colourfully described as apartheid's 'dumping ground'.

Athlone is a large suburb that contains within it smaller residential areas like Crawford, Bridgetown, Kewtown and Silvertown. Athlone is also a superb place in which to find traditional Malay and Indian food and delicacies, which you can seek out at places like The Wembley, a classic roadhouse (you can actually wait in your car to be served) and something of an institution in Cape Town.

Ask anyone where Athlone is and they will refer to one of two major landmarks in the suburb - the Athlone Power Station - two large stacks that make up the coal fired electrical generating plant that is a feature of the city's landscape and out of operation. These towers, commonly referred to as the 'Athlone Towers' are not only decomissioned but are also to be demolished soon - although this decision was taken in late 2007 and they are yet to tumble. There is concern that the towers and the land around the towers contain asbestos and blasting them will endanger people's health.

Athlone's second major landmark is the Athlone Stadium, the home stamping ground of Ajax Cape Town and Santos Cape Town. The Stadium underwent extensive upgrades leading up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, when it acted as one of the main training venues in Cape Town.