The City of Cape Town backed a project dubbed Living Heritage in the Bo-Kaap on Saturday at the Ghoema Theatre in Rose Street.

This event served as an introduction to the Strand Street Quarry's planned development. The concept design envisions transforming the quarry site into a multi-use community precinct that combines sports, culture, economic activities, and tourism in a one-of-a-kind setting.

“We were extremely surprised and encouraged by the number of people who participated in the storytelling day,” said Eddie Andrews, the City’s deputy mayor and Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment.

“There is huge interest from the Bo-Kaap community and other residents in our efforts to record the Living Heritage of this neighbourhood which will also inform our proposed redevelopment of the Strand Street Quarry site.

“Living heritage is an essential source of identity. It includes our cultural traditions, the stories we tell about our shared past, and our memories of events and rituals. These are also the skills and indigenous knowledge that helped shape our collective being as we work, do business, socialise and congregate in our communities. The storytelling day is an opportunity for Bo-Kaap residents to share the stories of life experienced and be remembered in this historic neighbourhood,” said Mr Andrews.

Osman Shaboodien, chairman of the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers’ Association, said the threat of gentrification is real and that as residents they need to capture the stories that were denied being told during colonialism and apartheid for future generations.

“Most of last year there were public workshops to decide on what kind of project will suit the quarry and the community in Bo-Kaap to enable them to have sports and tourist facilities. The storytelling project is to capture not only the history of a community but its living heritage too. It is important to know your past to understand your future. Most books written about Bo-Kaap were written on behalf of us, not by us. This project gives people the voice to tell their stories which will become part of the project and be there forever,” said Mr Shaboodien.

Since January 2024 the City, aiding local residents, collected stories, pictures and video material regarding Bo-Kaap’s history.

“One of the amazing aspects of this project is that local youth facilitators have been mentored and trained in conducting the interviews with pre-selected participants, among which are business people, cultural heroes and activists, and religious leaders. They attended three days of content and technical workshop training about interview skills and the history of the area, while mentors with experience in history and living heritage work accompanied them during the interviews,” said Mr Andrews.