Charming story of a fishy friendship

IF YOU’VE ever been to the Table Bay Hotel at the V&A Waterfront, you may know the story of Oscar the Cape Fur Seal. If not, you’re still covered, because author Marc Hoberman has put it to paper in his new book, Oscar!

The seal was named after a fisherman who used to cast his line from an old pier where Table Bay now stands. Every day, he would be joined by a seal who would swim in the water beside him. The old man would throw his bait to the seal and sometimes even the fish he had caught, and the two became the unlikeliest of friends.

After the fisherman passed away, members of the community named his aquatic friend after him, and so the legend of Oscar the Cape Fur Seal was born.

Even today, you can find a golden statue of the beloved seal just outside the Table Bay Hotel, celebrating him as the guardian and protector of Table Bay.

Hoberman said: “The book is based on a real story; about how the Oscar statue on the property grounds came to be. It’s a wonderful story so I had good material to work with.

Hoberman mentioned that he didn’t take very long to write the book, finishing it in one night, immediately after coming up with the idea.

“As one does, I thought of the idea in the dead of night to record the darling story for children to read. Young guests are often unaware of the history behind the statue at The Table Bay.”

Of course, no children’s story is complete without pictures, so Hoberman got illustrator and cartoonist Patrick Latimer to bring the story to colourful life.

“Although I hadn’t worked with him before, I fell in love with his work while researching local illustrators. We clicked straight away and shared the vision for the book,” said Hoberman.

Oscar! is available for purchase at R250 at the Table Bay Hotel.

“It tells Oscar’s story and helps keep his legend alive.”