Eastside’s art, cafes & history

District Six’s forced removals 1960s – 1980s to favourite art spaces and cafes: this tour is paced so that the painful past is balanced with art and cafe stops.

Our tour is led by Tony Hartman, a lawyer by training and now a qualified tourist guide. Tony’s grandfather was from the area and had no choice but to move. Tony touches on District Six’s changes over the centuries, from the First Nations to farming, then mass destruction during Apartheid. He talks about new developments and art, as well as his own identity as a so-called Coloured person.

The styles of art vary from figurative murals (eg Nelson Mandela ‘s portrait and Peninsula Maternity Hospital) to conceptual installations, notably at the contemporary art laboratory,  A4 Art Foundation.

The cafes – all small businesses – are destinations in their own right. The oldest is New York Bagels which started up the road as Milly’s in 1940. We’ll have a quick tasting here and later a brief refresher at Swan Café (a little bit of Paris).

We’ll start at 10am Charly’s Bakery, with its world famous colourful cakes and premises:

36-38 Canterbury Street (by Harrington Square parking)

District Six, Cape Town, 8001

We’ll finish at the Lebanese Bakery, new kid on the block:

7 Constitution Street

District Six, Cape Town, 8001

Do stay on for an optional lunch at the Lebanese Bakery (at your own expense).

We’ll repeat this tour on Friday 6 February, 10h00 to 12h30 which includes, being a weekday, the mosaicists and fine art beaders at the Spier Arts Trust. For the first time, we’ll visit briefly the Desmond & Leah Tutu Foundation. CEO Janet Jobson will host us in their beautifully converted heritage building, previously called the Old Granary.

R400 per person paying 10 days in advance ie 21 October, otherwise R500. For payment info and to book:

kate@cultureconnectsa.com

072 377 8014

Want another date or to have your own tour (great for team building)?

Parking and public transport suggestions are included in the briefing, along with a short history.