Small South African town becomes a key point in an international battle

Simon’s Town, a small town in the Western Cape, has become a key geopolitical point in an international battle between the United States and China.

Simon’s Town is located on the shores of Simon’s Bay in False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula.

It is home to Naval Base Simon’s Town, the South African Navy’s largest base, providing support functions to Fleet Command.

Its origins are in a small dockyard facility established by the Dutch East India Company in 1743. The British Royal Navy later took over the facility in the 1790s.

In 1885, the government of the Cape Colony transferred the assets of the Simon’s Bay Dock and Patent Slip Company to the British Admiralty.

It was expanded in the early 1900s as more space would be needed to accommodate the requirements of a modern Navy.

The naval base was handed over to South Africa in 1957 under the Simonstown Agreement, and the dockyard was expanded in 1975.

In 2015, Naval Base Simon’s Town became the main base of the South African Navy and the home port of the frigate and submarine flotillas.

The small town also houses the South African Naval Museum which is a maritime museum, that contains collections and artefacts related to the local maritime history.

There is more to Simon’s Town than its Navy activities however. It is also a picturesque coastal village and a popular tourist attraction.

There is a stretch of old buildings showcasing Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, including museums, old churches, and quaint shops.

It offers restaurants and coffee shops, and visitors can view the famous colony of African penguins.

It is also a great location to see the Marine Big 5, and seal and whale-watching tours are particularly popular.

The town has excellent coastal hikes and impressive viewpoints, with wildlife like baboons, ostriches, and antelope.

Other popular activities include boat trips, kayaking, visiting local beaches, golfing, fishing, and the very popular Scratch Patch.

Simon’s Town’s global importance

Despite Simon’s Town’s tranquil and quaint exterior, its location makes it a key geopolitical point in an international battle between the United States and China.

Joel Pollak, the frontrunner to become the United States Ambassador to South Africa, explained the relevance of Simon’s Town in a global context.

“The reason Simon’s Town is important globally is the same reason South Africa has been important for hundreds of years,” he told Biznews.

He explained that Simon’s Town is situated near the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans come together.

It has achieved elevated importance due to the Indo-Pacific’s role in international relations and its prominence in trade and military affairs.

“Despite the town’s beauty and tranquil nature, it has been a point fought over by empires for centuries because of its strategic importance,” he said.

“It remains important. Although it is a small port, it can be expanded. It is an important naval station in the Indo-Pacific.”

He added that there is great interest in what China might do if it gains more influence on the African continent.

China has a pattern on the continent where it lends money to African countries with unfavourable terms.

When these countries cannot pay, China will seize key assets in these countries, including ports, airports, mines, and infrastructure.

“There is a real concern that South Africa’s closeness to China could lead to it taking over key strategic assets that are important to the local economy,” he said.

Another possibility is that China can take over military installations that are important to maintain peace worldwide.

Pollak said the United States wants to create a peaceful global environment which favours economic growth and prosperity.

China, in comparison, wants to control its sphere of influence, whether it is in the Western Pacific or Indian Ocean. Simon’s Town is a key point in this endeavour.

source:Small South African town becomes a key point in an international battle – BusinessTech