BO KAAP CIVIC VOICES CONCERNS OVER DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO HISTORIC AUWAL MOSQUE

Fri 16 August 2024:

Cape Town – A proposed six-story development on Buitengracht Street in the heart of Cape Town’s historic, vibrant and colourful Bo Kaap has ignited fierce opposition.

Local residents and activist groups have strongly challenged the plan to construct a hotel and restaurant in this culturally rich neighbourhood. They believe the project will contribute to the gentrification of the community and undermine the area’s history and cultural heritage.

In an interview with Salaamedia, Jacky Poking from the Bo-Kaap Civic Association emphasized how crucial the proposed site is to the community. Located next to the Auwal Mosque, the oldest mosque in the country, this area holds deep cultural and historical significance.

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However, this isn’t the first time the community has rallied against development here, previous attempts have also been met with strong opposition due to the site’s invaluable heritage.

Despite reducing the development proposal from ten stories to six, residents continue to resist. Their primary concern is the potential disruption to their way of life and the overshadowing of historical landmarks, which they fear will undermine their heritage and community.

Bo-Kaap residents reject the proposed plans to build a 6 storey hotel near the Auwal Mosque Jacky Poking a member of the Bo-Kaap Civic and a cultural heritage activist weighs in. #BoKaap #AuwalMosque #Heritage https://t.co/qzNBCUejOR

— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) August 15, 2024

“That particular space is right next to the Auwal Masjid, the first and oldest Masjid in the country. It’s got National Heritage status. The house next to it that you see is a provincial heritage site, so that particular block is a highly sensitive heritage node.”

“You also have to ask, do we really need another hotel in Bo-Kaap? People and tourists come to Bo-Kaap, and it’s an attraction because of our living heritage. It’s not just the fact that the houses are colourful.”

“People feel safe. They come to Bo-Kaap and can speak to and listen to the tour guides and the local community. When they walk in our area, they feel welcome and observe our living heritage and traditions.”

Although the residents are opposing the development by submitting an appeal against the approval of the project by the Municipal Planning Tribunal, Poking acknowledged that some form of development is inevitable.

However, they urge stakeholders to consider the concerns of the community and the development’s impact on their way of life, values, and cultural heritage. They call for a thoughtful and more balanced approach that ensures the essence of the Bo Kaap community is preserved.

“We are asking them to open their minds, apply their minds, and hear us. Hear what we are asking. I don’t think it’s unreasonable. I think it’s very fair to ask them to listen to us and our concerns and to uphold their heritage.”

written by Thaabit Kamaar

This article originally published in Salaamedia Click here