Celebrating our heritage goes way beyond the annual Braai Day public holiday or dedicated heritage month. It is an opportunity to honour the diversity and vibrancy that makes up our city and country. From food and history to nature and experiences, Cape Town is brimming with things to do, see and taste to fully embrace our collective heritage.
DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM
District Six Museum is an iconic cultural hub of learning in Cape Town, home to the memories and histories of forced removals under the Apartheid regime in South Africa. The museum is a carefully curated space promoting social justice for the community of District Six while serving to be a place of learning and deep reflection on the harsh truths of this history. It encourages visitors to confront the realities of the past by observing the stories of forced removals through collections, exhibitions and education programmes.
Much of the Museum’s work exists beyond the physical interior; on the vacant site of District Six, which has been nominated as a National Heritage Site, visitors are allowed to walk through, to fully gauge the size of the removal destruction. District Six Museum allows visitors to wander in and take a self-guided tour. The exhibitions incorporate multiple forms of documenting the stories, showcasing the history of District Six through visual and sound elements, with audio narration and written transcriptions of the lives of former residents, a collection of photographs some taken by families of the area and artwork by community artists spanning from the 1940s to the 1990s. Guided tours led by ex-residents of the area are available, booking in advance is essential.
The District Six Museum is facing the dreaded reality of closure, which would mean a major loss of a deep-rooted cultural institution that encourages community activism and storytelling. The Museum requires urgent support to keep its doors open and continue educating and sharing a history that should not be forgotten, send a ‘Love Letter’ to District Six Museum by donating R50 monthly (the cost of entrance into the Museum) or donate R110 once-off (cost of a guided visit).
Where: 25 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town
Times: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm.
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 466 7200 | Website: www.districtsix.co.za
Instagram: @districtsixmuseum | Facebook: @d6museum
NORVAL FOUNDATION
The Norval Foundation is a new centre for the research and exhibition of 20th- and 21st-century visual art from South Africa and beyond. Located in the Steenberg area of Cape Town, adjacent to Table Mountain National Park, the Norval Foundation offers art exhibitions with global appeal, in an environment that also fosters an appreciation for nature.
Where: 4 Steenberg Rd, Steenberg Estate, Cape Town
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 087 654 5900 | Website: www.norvalfoundation.org
Instagram: norvalfoundation
!KHWA TTU
!Khwa ttu, the San Education and Culture Centre, is situated 70 km northwest of Cape Town in the Cape Floral Kingdom. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers an enriching experience of an immersive journey into the world of the descendants of the first indigenous people of Southern Africa. The !Khwa ttu Museum showcases a variety of artefacts and historical photos curated by The San community, exhibitions are interactive and engage the mind and body. Visitors get a new understanding of The San spirit and survival as a community.
!Khwa ttu offers three tours; The San Guided Experience which is led by qualified San Tour Guides, who share the stories of their history, traditional knowledge, skills, languages, customs and ancient survival skills. This tour also includes a drive through unspoiled fynbos to a replica village, where visitors can discover how to ‘read’ the landscape, the flora and the fauna. A ticket costs R285 for 90 minutes. The Heritage Centre Tour involves viewing the exhibition with a San guide, who will contextualise key exhibitions and stories in the museum, demonstrating the skills and knowledge of San, while telling the archaeological story of origins. A ticket costs R285 for 90 minutes. The Garden Tour is a walking tour that includes a tea ceremony, where visitors will learn the special healing qualities of indigenous plants, San click, punctuated languages, and the lost art of storytelling. A ticket costs R160 for 45 minutes. Museum entrance fees are free on the first day of each month.
A thriving non-profit establishment that has been providing jobs and practical residential training for San youth since 1999, !Khwa ttu attracts many tourists and locals with its restaurant that sources fresh and local food straight from the farm and accommodation options ranging from tucked-away farm cottages, and guest houses to furnished tents with open-air showers and a communal boma, where zebra, eland, springbok, and night hares can be spotted. Running, hiking and biking trails are open for visitors to explore.
Where: Yzerfontein/Darling, R27 West Coast Road | Times: 9am to 5pm daily
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 022 492 2998 | Website: www.khwattu.org
Instagram: @khwattu | Facebook: @Khwattu
SOUTH AFRICAN JEWISH MUSEUM
The South African Jewish Museum is an iconic cultural landmark, the only custom-built museum established in Cape Town in the last 50 years and housed in South Africa’s very first synagogue, the Old Shul, which was built in 1863. Much like the community which it represents, the museum has deep historic foundations that pay tribute to those who have been at the epicentre of South Africa’s economic, political and cultural narrative. Visitors will engage with the story of South African Jewry from its early beginnings, set against the backdrop of South African history over more than 150 years. Multiple themes are explored throughout the museum including; South African history, mining, commerce, Eastern European history, contemporary South African politics as well as an overview of the Jewish community’s contribution to all aspects of South African history and conscience.
The museum offers interactive audio-visual presentations, rare artefacts and dynamic displays that document how the Jewish community added significant value to great industrial empires and major metropolises within South Africa. Showcasing South African Jewry’s early roots and highlighting a community that actively helped to develop and build up the nation through extraordinary influence, and who continues to thrive and impact society at every level. As an added attraction, the museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Netsuke, Japanese miniature art.
A touching commemoration tracing the story of the South African Jewish community as a cohesive unit in the diaspora and their strong strides towards establishing great social, political and economic impact in the country. The museum is now open Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, price of tickets ranges from R100 for adults, R50 for pensioners, free for children under 12 years, R50 for children over 12 years and 50% discount for Red Sightseeing Bus visitors. For visitors interested in a more personal tour, The South African Jewish Museum offers privately guided tours which include viewing of special exhibitions with a trained guide for 1 hour, at the cost of R500 which is exclusive to the museum entrance fee.
Where: 88 Hatfield Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +27 (0) 21 465 1546 | Website: www.sajewishmuseum.org.za
Facebook: @JewishMuseumSA
FREE WALKING TOURS CAPE TOWN
Tours run every day no matter the weather, departing from Motherland Coffee in Mandela Rhodes Place, for approximately 90 minutes. Tours on offer include; the Historic City Tour and Apartheid to Freedom Tour which starts at 11:00 am, trailing through the Company’s Garden, Parliament, Green Market Square, The Castle of Good Hope and The Slave Lodge.
The Bo Kaap Tour and Apartheid to Freedom Tour start at 2:00 pm, including highlights of St George’s Cathedral, The Cape High Court and the “apartheid benches”, with a stop-over in District Six and the spot where Mandela made his first speech as a free man. Lastly, the Historic City Tour and Bo Kaap Tour includes strolls past the oldest Mosque, Auwal Masjeed, the story of Tuan Guru, the old Tailor’s House, the different coloured houses, Biesmiellah Cape Malay Restaurant, the Atlas Spice Trading Centre for spices from the east and the beautiful Chiappini Street, starting at 4:20 pm.
Where: Mandela Rhodes Place, Corner of Wale Street and Georges Mall, Cape Town
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 076 636 9007 | Website: www.freewalkingtourscapetown.co.za
Instagram: @capetownfreewalkingtours | Facebook: @capetownfreewalkingtours | Twitter: @Capefreewalking
CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE
The oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa, built between 1666 and 1679, representing the shared heritage of South Africans, The Castle of Good Hope is a beacon of historical value and national pride. It has been serving as a centre of civilian, political and military life since 1679. A must-see for all, to experience and celebrate a prominent cultural landmark that remains to share its history. Open to visitors daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with ticket prices being R50 for adults, R25 for pensioners and R25 for children.
The Castle of Good Hope houses three museums; The Military Museum, The William Fehr Collection which displays an array of paintings and artwork relating to the Cape, the people and landscapes of early colonial South Africa and the permanent ceramic exhibition, FIRED, which is situated in the old granary of the Castle. Additional attractions include; the Key Ceremony which is held every day from 10:00 am and 12:00 pm, where soldiers carry out a tradition of the past of locking up the Castle for the night and returning the key to the Governor of the Cape.
The Cannon Firing is another spectacle to watch performed by The Cannon Association of South Africa, who fire the signal cannon which was used in the past to indicate that a ship had been sighted at sea and to relay the message to people inside the fort, this occurs at 10am, 11am and 12pm. Ceremonies run from Monday to Friday and are weather dependent. Guided tours are also available which are led by experienced guides, from 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Virtual tours of the Castle entrance, inside the gate and The Outer Courtyard are now available.
Where: Corner of Darling Street and Buitenkant Street, Cape Town
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 787 1249
Website: www.castleofgoodhope.co.za | Facebook: @capetowncastle
CULTURE CONNECT
Culture Connect is a tour company offering every essence of Cape Town’s rich history and vibrant bustle. From heritage and social, township, Winelands, art, design and architecture tours – the selection is endless and dynamic, providing something for everyone. Tours and events are open to the public or can be arranged privately for a more intimate event. Founded and run by Kate Crane Briggs, a passionate patron of the arts and Cape Town’s expansive heritage.
The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden Tour led by globally recognised sculptor Dylan Lewis, who will guide visitors through his serene and stunning sculpture garden, just outside Stellenbosch from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at R700 with lunch included, date to be confirmed. The full range of stellar tours is sure to impress. Private Tours range from customised cultural, heritage, art and social tours which are carefully curated to fit the needs of guests.
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 072 377 8014 | Website: www.cultureconnectsa.com
Instagram: @cultureconnect_sa | Facebook: @CultureConnectSA | Twitter: @Culture_SA
BO-KAAP KOMBUIS
Bo-Kaap Kombuis nestles at the neck of Signal Hill and between the vibrant houses of the Bo-Kaap, praised by many locals and tourists as a must-try restaurant in Cape Town. Owned and run by Yusuf and Nazli Larney, both born and raised in the Bo-Kaap. The restaurant serves authentic Cape Malay cuisine from traditional savoury platters, meat, fish and vegetable curries, which represents the history and heritage of the Bo-Kaap and its people who settled in the area more than 300 years ago. Dine with the stunning views of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, Lions Head and Signal Hill Mountains all around.
Food is prepared fresh every day from local farmers and distributors, and cooked by highly-skilled chefs. Meals are affordable as the owners believe that “Food is an investment in a person and if you only invest in the wealthy, what does that say about you as a person? We want our food to be eaten by people from all walks of life,” says Yusuf.
Where: 7 August St, Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 422 5446 | Website: www.bokaapkombuis.co.za
BOESMANLAND PLAASKOMBUIS
Boesmanland Plaaskombuis/Farm Kitchen offers a unique informal dining experience with flavours from local seafood and African dishes to Boerekos. Boasting breathtaking beach views being located right on the beach at Club Mykonos in Langebaan. Run and owned by Susan and Lindes, who both are passionate about providing a warm, engaging and hospitable environment for guests.
Dishes are prepared on open fires in big black pots every day, making fresh and home-style food their speciality. Their famous Soetsuurdeeg bread is something not to be missed, prepared with salt and potato ferment yeast and baked in a wood-fired oven to give it that unforgettable taste. Boesmanland Plaaskombuis is a space where hearty food, friendly crackling fires and the soothing sound of the sea come together to create an idyllic atmosphere.
The restaurant is now trading at their original times under Level 1, for their dinner seating which commences from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm where guests can enjoy their stay until 11:00 pm.
Where: Langebaan, West Coast
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 022 772 1564 | Website: www.boesmanlandfarmkitchen.com
Facebook: @boesmanlandplaaskombuis
QUARTER KITCHEN
Offering guests a comfortably elegant experience with delectable dishes and stunning interiors. Located at the Portswood Hotel in the V&A Waterfront and housed in the original section of the Breakwater Convict Station built in 1860.
The acclaimed restaurant offers the popular mid-weekly Curry Buffet from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, a three-course meal including the most popular dishes on the menu and meals infused with all the best Malay spices. Enjoy a drink at The Link Bar while taking in the gorgeous Table Mountain views.
Where: The Portswood Hotel, Portswood Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 021 418 3281 | Website: www.legacyhotels.co.za
EVITA SE PERRON
Known well throughout South Africa, Evita se Perron is a lively place frequently visited by locals and tourists, where entertainment and enjoyment collide to create absolute pleasure. Apart from the praised performances by Pieter Dirk Uys as Mrs Evita Bezuidenhout, Evita se Perron is home to two cabaret venues, a restaurant, bar, arts and crafts market and conference facility.
Where: 8 Arcadia Street, Darling
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 022 492 2101 | Website: www.evita.co.za
Instagram: @evitaseperron | Facebook: @evitaseperron
CAPE TOWN FYNBOS EXPERIENCE
Cape Town Fynbos Experience offers uniquely curated Fynbos tasting and Apothecary workshops, educating and connecting guests to the Cape’s rich botanical heritage. An experience that imparts vast knowledge of over 7000 species of Fynbos onto visitors. The Cape floral kingdom is sacred biodiversity, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004, which South African can be highly proud of and take responsibility to preserve not only for the future but for the sake of our heritage.
The Fynbos Tasting is available to a minimum of four guests and should be booked in advance, the tasting experience is R1 200 per person for 2 hours. The Fynbos used for the tasting is procured fresh for each tasting, 80km outside of Cape Town in the Winelands area, fynbos is picked and prepared from eleven indigenous botanicals. Guests will be introduced to fresh edibles and infusions in the form of teas, cordials, tinctures, vinaigrettes, salts and digestives. The venue for the tasting occurs in the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town, at 15 Queen Victoria Street.
Apothecary Workshops are designed for guests to create herbs, essential oils, infusions, tinctures, teas, sprays, scents, scrubs, soaks and seasoning salts to take and use at home. Workshops are to be booked in advance for a minimum of 4 people, costing R2 100 per person for 5 hours. Guests can view the Edible Fynbos Exhibit with a limited tasting of Fynbos shortbread, cordials and seasoning salts.
Where: 19 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town
Times: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm | Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 066 225 5722 | Website: www.capetownfynbosexperience.com
Facebook: @capetownfynbos
