Cape Town’s well-known Rainbow Crossing has had an unexpected makeover. For now, De Waterkant is PINK!
Cape Town, South Africa (08 September 2026) – If you have passed through De Waterkant recently and thought the Rainbow Crossing was looking a little… less rainbow, you were not imagining things.
The colourful pedestrian crossing has temporarily gone completely pink after it was vandalised over the weekend.
City officials moved quickly to repair the damage, but there was one small problem. Not all of the specialised paint colours needed to bring the rainbow back were available.
The missing colours have now been ordered, but they are expected to take around three months to arrive. Rather than leave the crossing looking worse for wear in the meantime, the City gave it a temporary all-pink makeover, with inspiration taken from Lisbon’s famous Pink Street.
Cape Town ward councillor Ian McMahon reassured residents that the change is only temporary.
“The rainbow has not disappeared permanently. Once all the required colours have arrived, the intention is to restore the Rainbow Crossing to its full rainbow design.”
The crossing first arrived in 2022 as a colourful celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community in Green Point and De Waterkant, an area long known for its LGBTQIA+ venues, nightlife and businesses. It was also joined by a pink route painted along nearby pavements which helps guide visitors through the neighbourhood.
“For now, think pink – the rainbow will return!” says McMahon.
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