This was part of This Time for Africa - Day 5 🇿🇦 🔗.
At 4:00 PM, we set out from Green Market Square for the final walking tour of our stay: the vibrant and historic neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, this area is the spiritual heart of Cape Town’s Cape Malay community, descendants of enslaved people brought by the Dutch from South East Asia.
Our first stop was the Auwal Masjid, the oldest mosque in South Africa, established in 1794. It stands as a symbol of religious freedom and the endurance of the community’s identity through centuries of colonial rule.
As we moved deeper into the neighborhood, the scenery transformed into the iconic rainbow of colors Bo-Kaap is famous for. Legend has it that while the houses were leased, they had to be white; when the residents were finally allowed to buy them, they painted them in bright hues as an expression of freedom. The narrow, cobbled streets are lined with shades of lime green, electric blue, and hot pink that look incredibly vivid against the African sun.
We also passed Biesmiellah Restaurant, a local institution famous for serving authentic Cape Malay cuisine. This was a reminder of the rich culinary heritage that defines this part of the city.
We ended our tour on Chiappini Street, perhaps the most photographed spot in the area. The contrast of the brightly painted homes with the rugged, grey backdrop of Table Mountain is breathtaking.
