7 Reasons the Cape Flats Deserve More Love

The Cape Flats often sits in the shadows of Cape Town’s polished image. It gets spoken about like it’s all trouble. People hear gangsterism, drugs, and poverty and think they know the place.

 

The Flats has a deep history that’s been shaped by the harsh policies of apartheid. Back then, non-white people were forced into this area due to the Group Areas Act and pass laws. This is where many Black and Coloured Capetonians were pushed into the margins and where they’ve had to make the best of it.

 

Today it might still carry that stigma, but it has a different side. There’s life here. There’s culture here. And despite the struggles, there are moments that stand out that tell you this place has so much more going on. So don’t be quick to judge the Flats before you get to know it.

 

Many Famous Names Came Out Of Our Neighbourhoods

 

The Cape Flats have produced many talented stars across different fields. Well-known actors like Kim Engelbrecht and Lesley Anne Brand (from Lucifer fame) got their start right here. We’ve also seen famous sports stars like soccer player Benni McCarthy and rugby player Nizaam Carr come up from the Flats. And we can’t forget influential politicians like Cheryl Carolus and Marius Fransman, who advocated for our communities. 

 

We Have Rich Culinary Traditions

 

The Cape Malay culinary tradition has shaped the city’s flavour over centuries. In the 1600s, people from places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and East Africa were brought to the Cape to work, and they brought their food traditions with them. Those early recipes grew into everyday dishes like breyani, bredie, koesisters that fill our kitchens with their scents. Of course, you can’t mention our food without mentioning the gatsby, an iconic sandwich sold in almost every local takeaway. 

 

Creative Expression Flourishes Here

 

Movies like Four Corners, Barakat, and Noem My Skollie have all been filmed here and won praise both locally and internationally. The fact that Noem My Skollie even became South Africa’s official entry for the 2017 Academy Awards says a lot about the quality of work coming out of the area. The influence of artists like Abdullah Ibrahim, who is recognised as one of the main figures in Cape jazz, and Taliep Peterson, a legendary figure in musical theatre, is still felt today. Then there’s the rise of Afrikaans hip-hop. Groups like Brasse Vannie Kaap and Prophets of Da City brought this new sound to the streets. And in community theatre we see groups like the Athlone Drama Society and Kinners Van Die Ses, who bring their own voices and stories to the stage. The Cape Flats is full of creativity.

 

The Cape Flats Has A Legacy of Political Activism

 

We’ve had activists who spoke out against the oppressive system and worked hard to challenge the status quo. People like Ashley Kriel, James April, and Blanche la Guma stood firm in their opposition to apartheid. The Coloured People’s Congress, which was set up in 1953, played a huge part in fighting for political rights. They didn’t fight alone either, joining the ANC and other political groups in the anti-apartheid struggle. These people helped make sure that everyone had a chance to be heard, and their work contributed to the country’s journey to democracy.

 

The Community Has Each Other’s Back

 

The Flats shows its strength when something goes wrong. If a child goes missing, the community does not rest until they are found. When crime becomes too much, people stand together and make their voices heard. There is no waiting for someone else to step in. The action comes from those who live here.

 

Organisations Work to Uplift Communities 

 

So many community groups are doing great work to uplift and empower the Cape Flats. Organisations like Beautiful Life Training and Arise help provide job skills and combat unemployment. Without these grassroots groups, many would be left behind. But we don’t give up on our own here. Our local organisations are making a real difference.

 

People Here Prove They Can Rise Above Anything

 

Some people defy the odds completely. Eshaam Abrahams and Jerome Samuels started out as taxi guardjies and turned their lives into success stories. Leon Jacobs, a former gangster from Tafelsig, now runs a church and foundation that helps others rebuild their lives. Lauren-Lee Davids from Bonteheuwel worked hard at school, despite challenges at home, and earned a place to study teaching at a top university. These are only a few examples of the people who prove that circumstances do not define the future.

 

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