To cap off our Wednesday we spent time eating dinner at Gold near the waterfront of Cape Town for an immersive African experience. Gold is well recognized in South Africa for its great celebration of African culture as well as its amazing food. The restaurant offers a chance to try a great variety of African dishes. The highlight of the night was the 14-course meal—yes, you read that right, 14 courses! Each dish was a masterpiece, offering a taste of the diverse flavors and traditions from across Africa. This was more than just a dinner, it was a cultural journey that left us full, both physically and emotionally, with a newfound appreciation for Africa’s culinary heritage.

The dinner experience started with Moroccan Zeilook, South African Roosterkoek, Malawian Kandolo Balls, and Babotie Samosas. These opening dishes really set the tone with a diverse combination of flavors from across the continent. The next round of dishes included Mazambiquan Chili Chicken Wings and a Namibian Venison Pie. The waitresses explained what each dish was as they handed them out and made sure to include detail about its origin.

From the main course it seemed that the fan favorites from the GLCM students included the Mango and Lime Congo Chicken, the Rainbow Corn Salad, and the Zanzibar Tamarind Fish and Prawn Curry. Following the main course, we were provided a sweet treat which included a Cardamon Ice Cream accompanied with a Karamonk Biscuit. The GLCM students left no crumbs on the table.

Throughout the evening, the GLCM students were greeted during their dinner with three performances. The First performance was from the rich traditions of Malian culture and included a puppet and a Praise singer. The two performers greeted us with an African song and dance as we entered. The puppets play a significant role in ceremonies marking the change of seasons. The second performance was a contest between two male warriors and female dancers which represented the strength and spirit of African men and women. The last performance of the night was a tribute to African royalty with a song dedicated to the Kings and Queens. During this performance the Queen sprinkled us all with 24-carat-gold which symbolizes wealth and power. The queen was wearing golf glasses which traditionally is worn to avoid eye contact with ordinary people.

The night was finished with a group dance to the Africa n hit song Jerusalema by Master KG. This joyful moment brought everyone together on the stage in front of everyone eating their meals, celebrating the vibrant spirit of the night. The GLCM students were particularly well-prepared for this dance, as it was the same choreography they had learned upon their arrival in Cape Town during a special evening at Ivy’s Kitchen. Revisiting the dance not only showcased their enthusiasm but also symbolized a meaningful connection to their journey and the warm hospitality they experienced in South Africa.

Blog by Christian Sechel