Tokai Area Information

Tokai at a glance

Positioned on the foothills of the Constantiaberg mountain range and bordered by the SAFCOL pine tree plantations as well as the suburbs of Zwaanswyk, Kirstenhof, Steenberg, Bergvliet and Constantia, lies the large and upmarket residential suburb of Tokai. Homes in the Tokai area are stately, set in stunning established gardens and tree-lined avenues, allowing residents to experience a peaceful, green utopia. Many beautiful streams run through Tokai and the pine plantations, forming beautiful green belts where an abundance of wildlife make their home; These green belts also provide residents with many recreational areas that can be used for walking, dog walking and even cycling. Until recently, the once extensive pine plantations were also regarded as a prime location to observe birds of prey, including buzzards, owls, hawks and certain eagle species. Residents living in Tokai have easy access to the popular Blue Route Mall, the Tokai Forest, Steenberg Wine Estate, Constantia Winelands and even the prestigious Norval Art Foundation, which was opened in 2018 and houses a collection of unique artwork in possession of the Norval Family. With so much happening in and around the suburb, it is no surprise as to why residential properties in the upmarket Tokai area are highly sought-after.

Brief History of the Area: 

The history of Tokai begins in 1792 when Simon van de Steel granted the estate to Johan Rauch, who sold it to Andries Teubes two months later. Teubes, along with the help from the famous French master architect Louis Michel Thibault, was responsible for the construction of the magnificent Tokai Manor House; The gable of the Tokai Manor House is widely considered to be one of the earliest usages in Cape of a rectangular pediment. The cost of building the manor left Teubes in financial ruin and he declared bankruptcy in 1799 and after a series of temporary owners, the property was officially purchased by Petrus Eksteen in 1802. The Eksteen family were renowned for their reputation of hosting lavish parties and their wine cellars were extensive and luxurious. Petrus Eksteen eventually went bankrupt but the lavish parties continued when his brothers took over ownership of the estate. One New Year's Eve they hosted their usual celebratory NYE party and in the presence of many guests, Eksteen Senior dared his son Frederick to ride his horse upstairs and into the dining room. Frederick was poised and much to the delight of the party guests proceeded to prance around the dining room before finally departing the room on horseback. Much to the horror of his father and in full view of the guests, the horse slipped and along with Eksteen Junior, they fell to their deaths. To this day a ghostly horseman is often seen and heard on the premises and in the surrounding forest, especially on New Year's Eve. In 1883 the estate and manor were acquired by the colonial government who used it as a reformatory for a period of time. During the 1960s it underwent an extensive restoration process and was eventually declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation in 1961. Today the premises are home to the Table Mountain National Park Wild Card Sales Office, while the surrounding forest forms part of the SAFCOL pine tree plantation which extends up the slopes of the Constantiaberg mountain range. The suburb of Tokai that exists today took its name from Tokaj, a range of hills in Hungary and was built in the late 1940s due to the urgent need for housing for South African soldiers returning from World War II.

Schools in the Area:

Tokai is situated in proximity to several respected public and private schools.

Public schools in the area include:

• Zwaanswyk High School

Located just outside of Tokai at number 370 Main Road in Dreyersdal, Bergvliet, lies Zwaanswyk High School, a co-educational high school which seeks to serve learners from different communities. Zwaanswyk High School is grounded on the idea proposed by American Educational Psychologist Maurice Elias, that "a school that prepares learners for academic and life success has a democratic, inclusive spirit". The staff at Zwaanswyk High School mirror this vision and are fully committed to providing the finest education and opportunities to all learners, ensuring the foundation for access to tertiary-level education and a promising future is established. In 2017, under the guidance of new Principal, Ms Shandre Otto, Zwaanswyk High School achieved a 98% pass rate, with 66.2% of those Matriculates attaining a Bachelor's Pass. Each year the school strives to improve these results. At Zwaanswyk High School, learners are acknowledged as individuals and treated respectfully, cultivating a sense of self-confidence and purpose within them. Parents are welcomed as partners and are encouraged to give their full support and assistance, playing a vital role in their children's education. Zwaanswyk High School instils in its students a thirst for knowledge and principles with a robust system of values and integrity, ultimately equipping them to comfortably face the challenges of modern society.

Private schools in the area include:

• Reddam House Constantia 

Situated just outside of Zwaanswyk along Reddam Avenue in Constantia and cradled by the magnificent mountains, lies the prestigious Reddam House Constantia. As a top-performing IEB school offering a premium private education, Reddam House Constantia places an emphasis on excellence that permeates every sphere of daily school life. The school is equipped with world-class facilities that include art, dance, music and drama studios, science and computer labs, a cricket oval and AstroTurf, expansive sports fields, a massive assembly hall and a well-resourced library. An exciting new development to the Reddam premises is their new aquatic centre, currently under construction. Reddam seeks to nurture talent, self-assurance and individuality by offering many challenging academic, sports and arts programs aimed at enriching its students and filling them with confidence and a sense of personal individuality. Offering an internationally recognised and respected IEB curriculum in a relaxed, safe and self-disciplined setting, Reddam seeks to instil its students with a sturdy system of values and a thirst for knowledge. With expert guidance in an optimal learning environment, Reddam House Constantia inspires and encourages its students, equipping them with the tools required to face and overcome the adversities of life.

Shopping Centres:

Tokai is in proximity to several popular shopping centres, including the large and well-frequented Blue Route Mall, which is located at number 16 on the corner of Tokai & Vans Road in Tokai. Blue Route Mall seeks to offer its patrons a world-class retail experience with the finest quality service levels. Patrons may engage in unbridled retail therapy across two full floors, complete with over 120 stores - some of which include major brands like Checkers, Woolworths, Mr Price, American Swiss, Foschini, Carlton Hair and more together with other prominent brands like Dis-Chem, Cape Union Mart, Sunglass Hut, Forever New, BT Games and Incredible Connection among others. Take a break from your busy shopping excursion to enjoy a hard-earned meal at one of the popular eateries or restaurants located in Blue Route Mall's well-equipped food court, home to Kauai, Ocean Basket and Jakura Sushi & Asian Cuisine to name a few. Blue Route Mall also houses several banking establishments such as FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank and many mobile stores like Vodacom Shop, MTN and Cell C, catering for any consumer needs its patrons may have. Finally, for those looking to pass the time relaxing, Blue Route Mall is equipped with an 8-screen Ster Kinekor cinema complex. With panoramic views of the Constantiaberg mountains and easy access from all major routes, as well as multi-level underground paid parking, there is no better place to spend the afternoon engaging in some light browsing or some serious retail therapy. Another popular shopping centre in the Tokai vicinity, the Steenberg Village Shopping Centre, which is located along Reddam Avenue amidst the celebrated Constantia Wine Route. The peaceful, village-like ambience of the centre brands it as more than just a shopping destination, but also as a favourite meeting venue for friends, family and even business executives. Steenberg Village Shopping Centre vaunts a choice of many popular restaurants that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning of patrons, these include The Hussar Grill, Basilico, Rock Thai Sushi and a local favourite, Jakes In The Village. Steenberg Village Shopping Centre offers its patrons a wide variety of stores, with anchor stores including Pick N Pay, Woolworths Food, Carlton Hair and MTN. Other stores include Wellness Warehouse, Sorbet, The Write Shoppe, Raynor Jewellery Design Studio, Wayne Hodgkinson Optometrists and many more. Despite its relatively small size, the Steenberg Village Shopping Centre caters to all the needs of its patrons and is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours engaging in some retail therapy, a quick coffee or even lunch or dinner at your leisure.

Distance from Key Points: 

Tokai is situated in proximity to several key locations, including a quick 4km drive to the nearby Steenberg train station, which gives visitors and residents easy access to the rest of Cape Town and the CBD. The Cape Town International Airport is only a 28km drive (or Uber ride) from Tokai.

Restaurants/Entertainment: 

• Tai Chi Restaurant (Tokai) 

Located at Shop number 7 in the Forest Glade House, situated on the corner of Dalmore and Tokai Roads, lies the Tai Chi Restaurant (Tokai). Tai Chi endeavours to deliver to its patrons, world-class sushi and Chinese cuisine at an affordable price. The restaurant features a spacious dining environment filled with modern décor and dark wood furniture against a black/red/white colour palette, providing patrons with a casual and welcoming ambience. All meals are freshly prepared and made to order and Tai Chi also caters for vegetarians, providing many delicious options for those less-inclined to eating meat. Sushi menu favourites include the Prawn Tempura, Fashion Sandwich, Salmon Platter, Deep-Fried Sushi and the Part No.1 Platter, while Chinese menu favourites include Dumplings, Pancake Duck and of course Sweet & Sour Pork. Tai Chi runs several specials including a half-price sushi special and a 40% off special on take-away meals. With friendly staff and impeccable service, Tai Chi Restaurant in Tokai is a hidden gem that should not be missed out on.

Special Attractions:

• Norval Foundation

Positioned just outside of Tokai at number 4 Steenberg Road on the Steenberg Estate and adjacent to the iconic Table Mountain National Park, lies the prestigious Norval Art Foundation, owned by the Norval Family. The Norval Foundation was designed as a centre for cultural expression and art and, as a result, they are dedicated to the research, education and exhibition of 20^th and 21^st century visual art from South Africa and beyond. The foundation delivers an experience that can be summed up as the perfect combination between art and the appreciation of nature, owing to its magnificent Sculpture Garden, a research library, outdoor amphitheatre and purpose-built exhibition spaces. This multisensory experience is complemented by a bespoke shop, a children's playground and of course the culinary arm of the Norval Foundation, The Skotnes Restaurant & Bar. The Norval Foundation is also the custodian of the Edoardo Villa Estate Collection, the Alexis Preller Archive and the Gerard Sekoto Foundation. At its core, the Norval Foundation aims to create high-quality exhibitions and public programming, with the goal of broadening the general public's understanding of the visual arts. For those looking to spend the afternoon immersed in art, culture and the beauty of nature, there is no better place to do so than the Norval Foundation.