In Cape Town, the best things in life are free (on your birthday)!

There used to be a lament in my household when I was growing up: nothing for nothing and very little for a rand. But my very smart wife Laylaa Abarder – armed with a magical list compiled by our friend Brett Fish – was able to prove that the best things in life are indeed free. And if it’s your birthday in Cape Town, you’re in luck, writes Gasant Abarder in a new #SliceofGasant.

Abarder, who recently launched his book, Hack with a Grenade, is among the country’s most influential media voices. Catch his weekly column here, exclusive to Cape {town} Etc.

Last Thursday, four of us celebrating our birthdays in February were able to claim birthday freebies to the tune of more than R3, 000. We took advantage of free bike rides on the Sea Point Promenade, a free Table Mountain cableway return trip, a free slice of cake and passes to an outdoor cinema.

Picture: Gasant Abarder

Those weren’t even half of the freebies available to us. In these tough economic times, it really felt like we were being spoilt without paying a cent.

The morning started with the helter-skelter of the school run. After the kids were safely at school we set off to the first destination: Up Cycles on the Sea Point Promenade. This is one of my favourite small businesses in Cape Town. For just R90 you can ride the Prom and beyond for an hour and take in some incredible sights from a bike saddle.

The bike ride is free on your birthday if you show your ID card. So Laylaa and her twin sister Nicole got their rides free. Nicole’s partner Craig and I were happy to pay for the ride.

Picture: Gasant Abarder

After a quick brunch, we raced to the cableway to claim our free return passes that are valid for the month of your birthday.

After another school pick-up, we were able to sit down at Mugg and Bean and enjoy the most delicious free slices of cake. All you have to do is download the app and you will be sent your voucher.

Picture: Gasant Abarder

Nicole and Craig went their separate way in the evening. Laylaa and I got free entry to the Galileo outdoor cinema – this time at Kirstenbosch Gardens. Included in the free pass were the reclining seats and blankets. We watched “King Richard”, starring Will Smith. This was the perfect way to cap a perfect day.

Picture: Gasant Abarder

Had we had more hours in the day we could have benefited even more from Brett’s Benevolent Birthday list.

These are the things you can do for free or heavily subsidized on your birthday in Cape Town:

• Table Mountain free return Cable Car trip valid for birthday month on presentation of ID.
• Sorbet 50% off voucher up to 50% off in the birthday month. Sign up for a loyalty card.
• The Body Shop R75 voucher sign up for a loyalty card. The voucher is pre-loaded. Visit in your birthday month with your ID.
• JC Brasserie’s free drink with a meal to the value of R80. Bring your ID.
• Cape Wheel Ride for free register on the website for a free ride on your birthday.
• Rush Hour free jump. Bring along your ID (socks excluded).
• Two Oceans Aquarium free entry is valid on your birthday and six days after. Bring your ID.
• Ster Kinekor free 2D/3D ticket to movies on your birthday. Join the Ster Kinekor movie club to qualify. Valid for 7 days.
• Up Cycles 1-hour free bike ride on your birthday. Bring along your ID.
• Mugg and Bean free slice of cake. Download the Mugg and Bean app.
• Cape Town Fish Market R100 voucher on your birthday – valid for 30 days. Sign up for the Cape Town Fish Market loyalty card.
• Dolce Bakery treat of your choice on your birthday. Bring your ID.
• Galileo Open Air cinema free entry, seat and blanket on your birthday – valid for 7 days. Present your ID at the front desk.

February is a crazy month for the Abarders so the birthday freebies really came in handy. Craig’s birthday is on the 3rd, mine on the 8th, and the twins on the 9th. And you had best believe that Craig and I will get into huge trouble if we don’t go big on Valentine’s Day. At least we had a top day out to celebrate our birthdays without breaking the bank.

How do I manage? I don’t. But you only live once. It’s been 18 years now of getting used to this hectic month of celebrations so you could argue that by now I should have the conditioning and a handle on things.

Happy birthday to us and keep the freebies flowing, Cape Town!

Also read:

Apartheid was better? If you’re asking that you’re a johnny-come-lately!

Picture: Gasant Abarder

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