Cape Town - Nederlandse liedjes and familiar folk music echoed through the cobblestone streets of Bo-Kaap as part of the the Bo-Kaap food fair in celebration of Heritage Day.
The Bo-Kaap community was abuzz with activity, with the Boorhaanol Islam Movement celebrating by showcasing traditional and authentic Cape Malay cuisine, and musical performances by a mix of Cape Malay choirs like the Young Brothers.
The festivities took place on Saturday at the Bo-Kaap Cultural Hub on Pentz Street.
Event co-ordinator Masturah Adams said the day was in celebration of Cape Malay cultural cuisine with home-made dishes by local cooks from Bo-Kaap.
Adams said the main purpose of the event was to raise funds for the Boorhaanol Social Welfare branch, with proceeds going towards its soup kitchen, and to highlight the community’s cooking skills at large.
“The theme is kifait and merang foods. From worreltjies and ertjies to suiker boontjie bredie, curries, pens en pootjies, akhni, porring en pastei, and braai platters.”
The day served as a chance to walk down memory lane and to remember one’s roots, said Adams.
“We are not going through an identity crisis. We know who we are and we can be proud of our rich culture and heritage,” said Adams.
Contact Adams on 083 286 2480 for more information or should you wish to donate.
Meanwhile, the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association held a “Living Heritage Day Celebration” at the Schotsche Kloof Civic Centre in upper-Yusuf Drive.
Chairperson Osman Shaboodien said the association had been celebrating Heritage Day for many years in Bo-Kaap.
“This year we are completing a process that was started three year ago with the South African Heritage Resources Agency, to identify heritage sites of which 19 sites were declared already,” said Shaboodien.
The elderly were invited to share their stories in relation to these sites.
“The history and heritage have become more important especially to the youth in the face of gentrification. The struggle for Bo-Kaap is real and heritage is one of the weapons we can use to prevent the erosion of our living history,” said Shaboodien.
shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za