A Celebration of South African Culture

Where Culture Speaks

Last week was Heritage Day in South Africa, a national holiday that celebrates the diverse cultures, traditions, and history. I spent the day wandering around Cape Town, smiling as I watched people proudly wearing their traditional clothing and enjoying a strong sense of community. Even though everyone comes from different cultures, speaks different languages, and follows different traditions, they all came together to share, celebrate, and proudly showcase their heritage. For me, it was a great reminder that no matter where we come from or what traditions we follow, celebrating our differences can bring people closer.

So how did I celebrate Heritage Day?

Our first stop was a series of museums and began at Iziko Slave Lodge, where stories of the city’s past and the lives of those brought to Cape Town as slaves were told. From there, we explored the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum and the colourful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. The colors of Bo-Kaap catch your eye, but its soul lies in its Cape Malay heritage, with the culture, everyday life, and traditions that turn a neighborhood into a living museum.

Our final stop was Zeitz MOCAA, an incredible museum of contemporary African art that blew me away with its creativity and scale. Our final stop was Zeitz MOCAA, and wow, what a place. The art was bold and creative, and the museum itself was massive and had a rooftop overlooking Cape Town. What made it even more ‘wow’ was the live DJ playing while we walked around.

After the museums, we strolled to the V&A Waterfront, where the streets were alive with performances by drummers, dancers, and buskers putting on their shows for anyone who stopped to watch. Our wanders took our hungry stomachs to Oranjezicht City Farm Market, where we ended the evening for dinner.

Local Life

Then came the weekend, and I got to experience one of South Africa’s greatest passions: rugby. It was my very first game, and the stadium was alive. The fans were loud, proud, and completely invested in every throw.  I’ll be honest, I didn’t understand much of what was happening on the field, but the energy was contagious, and it didn’t take long before I was cheering right along with them.

Besides rugby, weekends here in Cape Town really are market heaven. Therefore, I have made it my mission to visit as many as I can during my time here. This weekend, I visited Straatwinkel in Imhoff Park, a cozy little market with handmade crafts, the Thrift Fest, with a field full of second-hand stalls, and lastly, the Green Point Flea Market. Each market had its own distinct character and its own kind of charm.

The perfect end to my week

Over the weekend, the weather was outstanding, so I had to do a beach day at Camps Bay. If you haven’t been, it’s absolutely gorgeous, with white sand, turquoise water, and mountains towering in the background. The place practically looks like a postcard. I spent the rest of my Sunday afternoon here, enjoying the sun, and even went swimming (and yes, it was a very, very cold swim). Later, we grabbed a late lunch at a new restaurant called Primi, where I got a glass of wine and a big bowl of pasta for just 60 sek, I know, a crazy price! And of course, no week in Cape Town is complete without a braai, the classic South African barbecue. We ended the evening on my friend’s rooftop, watching the sunset while we grilled our meat. Honestly, it felt like one of those perfect moments you wish you could bottle up and keep forever.

All in all, this week I explored a lot, and I’m really starting to get why people love Cape Town so much.