Hello, I’m Nicole Van Driel — but everyone calls me Nicky.

Welcome to my website. Here, you can explore Cape Town through a different lens — one shaped by the stories of freedom fighters. Their courage and sacrifices didn’t just resist apartheid; they shaped the ideas of freedom, championing non-racialism, non-sexism, and equality for all, regardless of colour, creed, gender, or sexual orientation.

Growing Up in District Six

I grew up in District Six, a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood. I was just three years old when forced removals began for those classified as Coloured and Indian, scattering families, including my own, to distant areas. The streets we called home were erased, but the memories and spirit of our community live on — and continue to inspire my work.

History, Storytelling, and Tours

I have studied history, both formally and informally, focusing on the struggle against apartheid and the communities it affected. Join me on my tours, and you’ll hear personal stories — my own, those of my partner, James April, and others from Athlone and the Cape Flats — stories about freedom fighters rarely told by tour guides.