Cape Slavery, Islam, Apartheid and the Colours of Bo-Kaap.

Welcome to Cape Town!
Join me as we travel back in time to the Cape, to the years long before the stop offs by Portugues explorers and the arrival of the VOC / Dutch East India Company. Our journey explores the introduction of the Dutch Reform Church, the arrival of the first slaves, the proselytizing of Islam and the rise of Afrikaner Nationalism and the legislation of Apartheid in South Africa. Did you know that during the years of Apartheid, special courts were set up to reclassify South Africans who felt the need to appeal their race classification. This was very often in the case where families had been split. These reclassifications were based on a person's appearance, language, social circle and even food consumed.
Our visit to the Bo Kaap / Upper Cape traces its origins to the early days of the Dutch settlement and the growing need for low cost housing. Here we will discover the truth behind the colour houses and the reason for the clustering of Muslim families in a single nieghbourhood.
The Auwal Masjied, first Mosque in South Africa  is situated here and you will also learn about its founder Prince Abdullah bin Qadi Abdusalaam aka Tuan Guru. The Bo-Kaap's colorful historic narrative is also the story of the Afrikaans language, from its earliest birthing as a kitchen Dutch to Arabic Afrikaans to one of South Africa's 12 official languages. Our walk includes stops at Bo-Kaap's  famous Atlas Spice store, stockists of imported spices rice beans and seeds. Their variety of fynbos medicinal teas are practically world renowned. Also for a unique selection of scented candles and colorful Bo-Kaap printed fridge magnets amongst other, Noors home-based store is also a delightful stop. Experience has taught us that our taste buds have the best memory, so we've decided it necessary to  conclude our time together tastefully by sampling a Koesister, a unique Cape Malay sweet treat for your send off. 

In short, Cape Slavery Islam Apartheid and Colours Of The Bo-Kaap is a journey through a complex timeline of history peoples and politics, culture and custom, heritage and ultimately cuisine. No wonder we are called The Rainbow Nation.