After an insightful visit at Hotel Verde, the GLCM group headed to Bo-Kaap to learn more about the history and culture of the neighborhood. This predominantly Muslim community, formerly known as Malay Quarter, is recognized for its vibrant, flat-roofed houses, cobblestone roads, and vast history dating back to the Dutch occupation of South Africa. In the 1760s, the Dutch sent political exiles, slaves, and convicts to work in the Cape and live in Bo-Kaap. These houses were all painted white and constructed differently from the typical Dutch gable roof architecture style because the Dutch style features tall, triangular-shaped roofs more prone to damage from the Cape’s high winds and extreme storms. After the emancipation of slaves in 1834, many freed slaves moved into new parts of Bo-Kaap and painted their newly owned homes with bright colors to symbolize their freedom.

As we arrived, our guide greeted us with “Salam,” a common greeting in Arabic that directly translates to “peace.” She led us to a local family’s home, so we could experience Cape Malay cuisine. The meal started with samosas, chili bites, and a spicy chili sauce. Before the main course, we learned to craft our own samosas. Next, the main course consisted of mango chicken, tortillas, beans, and corn. Finally, we ate Cape Malay koeksisters for dessert, a spicy dumpling with a cake-like texture and sprinkled with coconut shavings. We were grateful to experience this authentic meal.

We had a 2:30 PM arrangement to enter Mosque Shafee, the fourth oldest mosque in South Africa. Our guide shared information about their religious customs for prayer. We learned that there are five calls to prayer made at the same time each day, men and women pray separately to minimize distractions, and the carpet in the mosque must be pointed to the Islamic center for prayer, Mecca. Additionally, we walked near Auwal Masjid Mosque, the oldest mosque in both South Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. When the Apartheid government imposed the Groups Area Act of 1950, Bo-Kaap was declared a Muslims-only area, and people of other religions and ethnicities were forced to leave the area. The Groups Area Act of 1950 restricted the movement of people based on their race and is a reason for the large Muslim population in Bo-Kaap.

Next, we ventured on to Table Mountain to enjoy the sunset. Rather than hiking up two mountains in a single day, we used the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to reach the peak of Table Mountain. Many students hiked down the trails to admire the landscape and were amazed at the flow of clouds through the valleys of Table Mountain. With a great fear of snakes, the students hurtled over tall grass like springboks frolicking through the South African savannah.

We ended off the experience with shopping in gift shops, eating dinner at the Ten 67 restaurant, and enjoying the golden hour before sunset. We captured a stunning group photo in front of the sunset before heading down the mountain. Many students came ill-prepared for the high winds and low temperatures at the peak of the mountain, leaving us shivering. After sunset, we returned on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and headed to our stay.

Blog by Matt Ross