Arts writer
CELEBRATE South Africa’s various cultures, diversity of beliefs and rich traditions with the District Six Museum in Buitenkant Street today, Heritage Day, the perfect opportunity to reflect on our past and all that makes us South African.
This year marks the District Six Museum’s 20th birthday – and 20 years of democracy in South Africa.
The museum, which officially opened its doors in December 1994, remains a significant part of our heritage; it serves as a memorial to a community of people who were forcibly removed from the area in the 1970s by the apartheid regime.
The museum will host a Remembering Hanover Street event today to commemorate this iconic street in the former District Six.
The celebrations will start with storytelling at the Homecoming Centre at 11am, followed by a procession to the Hanover Street site.
Thereafter individuals are invited to return to the Homecoming Centre for refreshments.
Entry is free for all South Africans.
The museum relies heavily on storytelling to recreate the period of forced removals and the devastating consequences it had on a once-vibrant community.
Visitors are encouraged to book a personalised tour through the museum with a former resident of District Six for a truly authentic experience. Alternatively, visitors can enjoy self-guided tours during normal opening hours.
Continue the celebrations on Thursday night with the museum’s Tafel Conversations and Supper Club from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
The new series will feature well-known storytellers with links to District Six specifically or the city in general.
The storyteller chooses a traditional dish which forms the main part of the guests’ supper.
The evening culminates in dessert, coffee and possibly even singing, as guests experience the spirit of community and camaraderie that was so abundant in the former District Six.
This month’s storyteller is Basil Appollis, best known for his portrayal of Richard Rive in Buckingham Palace and more recently in My Word: Redesigning Buckingham Palace– a new show which he co-created with Sylvia Vollenhoven.
Guests will feast on denningvleis (a lamb dish), followed by sago pudding.
l Tickets for Tafel Conversations, on the last Thursday of every month, are R150. To book, call 021 466 7200. See www.districtsix.co.za for more information.