[imagesource:instagram/@pigcassohoghero]

Cape Town is already bursting at the seams with unique experiences and fun things to do.

Add a world-renowned pig painter, tufting to aid gender-based violence survivors, and a special space to de-stress by smashing things to smithereens and we have ourselves more than enough to remain entertained, socially responsible, and mentally well.

If you’re like a petulant teenager who whines that they’re bored as they stare blankly at their iPhone, PlayStation, VR Headset and other entertaining thingamajigs, then consider yourself saved for stumbling upon this article.

You’re about to delve into three quirky activities that are sure to make you feel satisfied, starting with the very special Pigcasso at Franschhoek’s slice of Hog Heaven’, Farm Sanctuary SA:

The farm is a registered NPO where the creative duo Pigcasso and Joanne Lefson inspire mass awareness about the devastating effects of animal agriculture through their dynamic artworks.

The story, as Joanne says in the video below, is the ultimate rags-to-riches tale, with Pigcasso rescued just before slaughter in  2016 only to land up picking up some paint brushes to create magic across the canvas.

This unlikely creative duo have been all over major news sites, with some of Pigcasso’s artwork even sitting pretty in some celebs’ homes. Yes, you can grab your own original painting, which comes signed by Pigcasso’s nose-tip, countersigned by Lefson and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Proceeds from the sale of every artwork benefit the registered nonprofit Farm Sanctuary SA that Lefson established in 2016.

More art, less meat, as their saying goes.

You can even book a stay at the stunning Farm Sanctuary SA and witness the shenanigans as they unfold naturally:

 

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A post shared by Farm Sanctuary SA🇿🇦 (@farmsanctuarysa)

As if giving a pig a bacon-free life is not enough to warm the heart, then consider a tufting workshop from some folks in Kensington, Cape Town who are giving hope and employment to women who are survivors of or vulnerable to being exposed to gender-based violence (GBV).

 

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A post shared by Spinnerkop Rug Makers 🇿🇦 (@spinnerkopcpt)

Zahier Davids and his childhood friend Geoff Wanamaker established Spinnerkop in 2021, and although they make carpets, they do not sweep the pertinent issue of violence against women and children under the rug.

Davids told News24 back then that they are focused on creating employment, marketing and networking opportunities for communities at risk by training female survivors to help them become independent.

 

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A post shared by Spinnerkop Rug Makers 🇿🇦 (@spinnerkopcpt)

He explained that Tuft-Love, based in the USA and run by Wanamaker, as the sister company of Spinnerkop, supplies tuft guns and other materials needed to manufacture rugs. They host workshops from their location in the Shawco Centre in Kensington as a way to create more opportunities for employment and community engagement.

 

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A post shared by Spinnerkop Rug Makers 🇿🇦 (@spinnerkopcpt)

Follow them on social media – Instagram and Facebook – to keep abreast of their next workshop and rug-making opportunities.

One way to take out your anger in a measured and safe way, okes, is to hit Smash Lab Co. in Durbanville:

Smash Lab Co. describes itself as an “unfiltered, out-of-the-ordinary experience, where grown-ups get to TOTALLY SMASH STUFF.” It is promised to be heaps of fun while elevating the mood by being thoroughly emotionally detoxifying and destressing.

As a participant, you get to pick a piece of e-waste and go to town on it with whatever “WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION” you see fit. The company then diligently recycles your smashed bits for you – a win for all, even Mother Nature.

The venue seems to change regularly, so contact Smash Lab Co. for bookings and queries at smashlabco@gmail.com and check out the smash packages here.

Ja, hey, Cape Town is cool.