Bo-Kaap

Cape Town is renowned for its multi-cultural, cosmopolitan society, and the people of the Bo-Kaap are a vital part of this mix. Their forefathers came here as slaves, political exiles and traders from the Malay Archipelago, Indonesia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and India in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today they are fiercely proud of their heritage and follow a strict Islamic lifestyle. This title opens the door on this tight-knit community and the reader feels as though a local is taking them on a guided tour of his/her favourite spots. Spicy "Cape Malay" cooking has infused South African cuisine for many years, and even the trendy restaurant Ginja on the outskirts of the Bo-Kaap boasts Cape Malay influence in many of its dishes. The beautifully illustrated recipes in this title allow the reader to make Cape Malay dishes in their own homes. Some of the traditional ways of the Bo-Kaap's residents are under threat from gentrification, as investors move in and property prices increase.