Cape Town.
A city within a paradise, a photographer’s dream.

For a city boy like me, working in Cape Town is truly one of the best experiences one can ever ask for. I was fortunate to be selected to South African Mutual Life Assurance, commonly known as Old Mutual, as part of the exchange program between OPA and Cape Technicon.

Old Mutual is THE biggest company in South Africa.  Managing assets in excess of about 60 billion Rands, it is massive as well as commanding.  I was posted to Old Mutual Asset Manager (OMAM), which is an investment arm of Old Mutual.  Located at Mutual Park in Cape Town, OMAM boasts of the largest assets managed and the largest research base in South Africa.

My area of focus was International Banks. Working under a senior portfolio manager, Mr Kokkie Kooyman, I was required to build the infrastructure for OMAM to invest in the International Banks stocks when the exchange controls in South Africa are lifted. In constructing that, I did financial modeling for 25 international banks, Regional linked matrices as well as a Final Price-Valuation Matrix.  Accompanying the above quantitative analysis are bank profiles which are qualitative in nature.

My work stint in South Africa was enriching with lots of hands on, lots of problem solving and some real eye openers.  For example, I was very privileged to attend a meeting with the Managing Director of a local bank. I was also very fortunate to attend a Bloomberg course conducted by a Bloomberg representative specially flown in from London.  The session taught me how to access real time information from the world’s most established news provider.

On the other side of the picture, coming to Cape Town also brought me to a whole new world and a refreshing way of life.  For one, the weather in Cape Town is not one for the fainthearted.  Cape Tonians often say that Cape Town is just like “a little baby…full of wind and water.”  In my two months there, I experienced all kinds of climate. From rain to shine, from snow to hurricanes, the temperatures fluctuate with such quickness that it jumps in big magnitudes.  Sometimes cool sometimes wet and other times harshly cold, the nights in Cape Town can be very unforgiving.

However, such is just a small constituent of what makes Cape Town so beautiful.  Whether it is the snowcaps on the mountains or clouds that form a “table cloth” on the famous Table Mountain, Cape Town is nothing short of breathtaking.  Coupled that with awesome beaches and fantastic waves, Cape Town is a dream for even the most traveled persons.

Life in Cape Town is slow paced which makes it more enjoyable for me. Nothing beats getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life and retreating to paradise.  Together with two other exchange students from NTU, I managed to see practically the whole of the Cape Province covering the Wine Routes, Peninsular, Garden Route and the city.  Our adventurous spirits motivated us to venture to other parts of the country. While up at the North, we also visited Kruger National Park, which is the largest wild life reserve in South Africa.  Spanning 350 km in length, it is home to thousands of free roaming animals.

Sun City, a piece of architectural excellence and splendour, is an ever buzzing entertainment city.  With casinos, theatres, restaurants, shopping and much more, I was extremely captivated.  Of course, I tried my luck at the casino. Perhaps the most rewarding event was my meeting with Jackie Chan who was filming in Johannesburg with Emil Chau. I managed to chat with them and took some photos.

In my two months of stay, I made some very good friends. Never mind what the media claims, South Africans are wonderful people who are considerate, jovial and fun loving.  I relished the drinking sessions with the guys and also the South African braai.  At this point, I must also add my thankfulness to the Blundens and the Harleys, the family that I was staying with. Their thoughtfulness and kindness are things I will never forget.

Though Cape Town may be thousands of miles away, its beauty, its purity and its people will always remain close to my heart.  To good friends and memories that I have had in Cape Town, I say for the time being, “Molo (Goodbye) Cape Town, I will return.”