CAPE TOWN

Flesh is set in Cape Town, South Africa.  Cape Town is the country’s most popular international tourist destination, with well-known attractions like the ubiquitous Table Mountain.  Essentially, the city lies at the foot of the mountain and is now home to almost three and a half million citizens.

Cape Town is unquestionably the jewel of the expansive Western Cape Province, and its economic centre. Various urban renewal programmes have seen Cape Town transformed into a world class city. It is currently South Africa’s second largest, and boasts a wonderfully cosmopolitan atmosphere.  Of late, the city has experienced a boom in the real estate and construction markets for two major reasons: first, because of the looming 2010 World Cup, and second, because it has come to be regarded as a prime location for summer vacation homes. Acknowledged as a trendy hotspot, international stars are often spotted at street cafés sipping drinks while enjoying the spectacular ocean views.

Cape Town is currently also one of the top gay tourist destinations.  The country has one of the most liberal constitutions in the world and fully acknowledges the rights of gay people.  In December 2005, the South African Constitutional Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to prevent people of the same gender from getting married. It gave the South African Parliament one year to make the necessary legislative provisions for same-sex unions.  This fact has seen an influx of gay tourists who come to the country to formalise their relationships.