Cape Town is a city of dramatic landscapes – Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and the vibrant V&A Waterfront. But filming here comes with unique challenges: strong winds, intense sun, and crowds at the most famous locations. We sat down with Thabo Mokoena, a Cape Town‑based videographer who has shot travel content, documentaries, and commercial campaigns across the city, to get the real story on filming in South Africa's most beautiful city. From the top of Table Mountain at sunrise to the colourful houses of Bo‑Kaap at golden hour, Thabo shares his favourite locations, the gear that handles the wind and sun, and the permits you need to know about.
🎯 What You'll Learn in This Interview
- Best cinematic spots: Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Bo‑Kaap, and the beaches.
- Gear for wind & sun: Why Thabo favours weather‑sealed bodies, ND filters, and a good stabiliser.
- Permits & etiquette: Where you can film freely and where you need a permit (Table Mountain cableway).
- Golden hour over the Atlantic: His go‑to settings for that dramatic Cape Town light.
- Editing style: How he grades his footage to bring out the vibrant colours of Cape Town.
🏔️ Thabo's Top Filming Locations
- Table Mountain – at sunrise: The cable car opens at 8 AM, but the best light is at dawn – hike up early for spectacular shots of the city waking up. A wide‑angle lens (16–35mm) captures the full panorama, while a telephoto isolates Cape Town's landmarks.
- V&A Waterfront – at sunset: The harbour offers stunning views of Table Mountain and the ocean. Golden hour (just before sunset) is the best time for warm light and reflections. A gimbal is essential for smooth walking shots along the waterfront.
- Bo‑Kaap – the colourful houses: The historic neighbourhood is famous for its brightly painted houses. Mid‑morning (9–11 AM) offers the best light for the colours. A fast prime lens (35mm or 50mm) is perfect for street scenes.
📸 The Kit He Actually Uses
- Primary camera: Sony ZV‑E10 II – lightweight and weather‑sealed for the wind and dust.
- Go‑to lens: Sony 24‑70mm f/2.8 G Master – versatile for both landscapes and detail shots.
- Second lens: Sony 70‑200mm f/4 – for compressing Table Mountain and the cityscape.
- Variable ND filter: Essential for keeping shutter angle correct in bright sunlight.
⚡ Quick Cape Town Filming Tips
- Protect from wind: Use a camera strap and secure your gear – the wind can be fierce.
- Deal with glare: Use a polarizing filter to cut through the glare on the ocean.
- Use a variable ND filter to keep shutter angle correct in bright light.
- Shoot in flat profile to get the most dynamic range for grading.
- Ask permission – always ask before filming people, especially in residential areas.
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All recommendations are based on real‑world testing.