Ministers Winde and Meyer Get a Dash of Cape Malay Culture | Western Cape Government

News

Ministers Winde and Meyer Get a Dash of Cape Malay Culture

14 September 2011

Today, Western Cape Tourism Minister, Alan Winde, and Western Cape Cultural Affairs Minister, Dr Ivan Meyer, donned striped yellow aprons to blend together the ingredients for a truly Cape Malay cultural experience. The event was held in celebration of Heritage Month and International Tourism Month.

Ministers Winde and Meyer were taught to make chicken curry rotis and samoosas at the kitchen table of Ms Faldela Tolker, a Bo-Kaap resident who draws her income from hosting cooking courses for tourists. Her guest book is testament to her belief that she has travelled the world from her very own kitchen.

The ministers also visited Atlas Spice Shop, where they were given Authentic Cape Malay recipes and the spices and rice to cook them at home.

Minister Meyer said: "Heritage is not just about museums and old buildings. Cape Jazz, Robben Island, the minstrels, Malay choirs, the rock paintings in the caves of Fish Hoek, the flower sellers on Adderley Street, the colourful houses of the Bo-Kaap and their residents, traditional family recipes handed down through generations, song and dance and so much more - these are the ingredients that when blended together make up our heritage, and we should all be very proud."

Minister Winde added: "The theme of this year's International Tourism Month is 'Linking Cultures'. Tourism plays a vital role in bringing the various cultures of the world together to build respect and mutual understanding for one another. In true Cape Town spirit, Faldela welcomed us into her home with open arms to share her culture with us. This is an experience that all Capetonians should have because it is a part of them, and all foreigners should share, because it is unique to our destination."

As part of our responsibility towards cultural and heritage tourism, the Department of Cultural Affairs in the Western Cape, its affiliated museums and Heritage Western Cape and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism are working with the City of Cape Town to develop local and provincial heritage tourism strategies. This will result in a greater offering to tourists.

As the ministers sat down with Faldela and her family to share the product of their cooking course, it was unanimously agreed that a trip to the Bo-Kaap should be included on every traveller's recipe for their visit to the Western Cape.

Media Enquiries: 

Greg Wagner
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 072 623 4499

Tammy Evans
Spokesperson for Minister Winde
Cell: 082 378 2235
Tel: 021 483 4327
Follow Minister Winde at: www.twitter.com/alanwinde