Half Day Tours

Overview

• This full day tour takes in District Six and the award winning District Six Museum, the tour then travels on to take in Bonteheuwel where many of those who were forcefully removed from District Six were resettled., We travel on to the African townships of Langa, Guguletu, Nyanga, Cross Roads and Khayelitsha, which are located some thirty minutes drive from the City.

• The Tour helps the visitor to understand the complexities of South Africa,   --- where she was and where she is going. --- The Tour exposes the visitor to the horrors of Apartheid, while at the same time shows what is being done to build a new and vibrant South Africa.   --- The Spirit of the people is the pulse of Cape Town. -- a truly remarkable experience.

• We visit the area known as District Six, which takes its name from the sixth Police Precinct of Cape Town ---- At the time of the abolition of Slavery in 1834, District six became a multi cultural / multi ethnic vibrant residential area, located within a short walk from the City centre.
• In terms of one of the numerous pieces of Apartheid Legislation known as “ The Group Areas Act” –District six was proclaimed as a “ Whites Only” area in 1966. -- By far the majority of residents were not white and therefore forced to move out of District Six. -- In 1977 the bulldozers moved in and flattened the area, thus started a very sad part of the history of Cape Town and indeed South Africa. We visit the District six Museum where they have in limited space tried to capture some of the spirit of District six. -- We then drive through District Six where generation upon generation of families once lived.
• The visit gives the visitor an idea of the heartbreak such forced removals imposed on the residents of District Six while at the same time demonstrates the triumph of the spirit of the people who once lived in the area.

• Langa is the oldest African township in Cape Town, where we take in the remarkable St. Francis Adult Education centre, an Arts and Culture centre, as we travel through Langa we learn about the infamous Influx Control and Passbook, system and its dire consequences.

• We travel through Bonteheuwel, a ”Coloured Township” where some of the Coloured folk who were forcefully removed from district Six were re-settled..

• Our Tour takes us on to Guguletu and a visit to Sivuyile College for Art & Design, Business Studies and Engineering -- here we visit a Craft & Pottery shop that also has an interesting pictorial history of early life in the African Townships, as well as some graphic scenes of the harshness of life in the Townships under Apartheid.

• We travel through this very typical African Township and get a feeling of what life in a Township is like to-day.

• We travel past Cross Roads which to-day is a peaceful Township.   In the late seventies early eighties it was an extremely volatile area.

• Khayelitsha is the largest African Township in the Cape Town area and second largest in South Africa.    We visit a weaving / batik work project, a large colourful indoor craft market, and an incredible training project for woman without formal education or skills, where they receive training in domestic skills i.e. cooking, dressmaking, domestic service etc.

• All too soon we find that we have run out of time and have to return to base --- You will take home a greater understanding of the complexities of South Africa, her past and an insight into the enthusiasm and spirit that abounds in its people for the future.

• Transport per Air-conditioned Toyota Quantum                       
• Public Liability Insurance.
• The services of a Professional, Registered Guide.

• Entrance fee to the District Six museum -- currently R25 per person.
• Lunch   --   including that of the guide.
• Refreshments.
• Spring Water.
• Gratuity.

• While this is a look and learn tour, it is also about helping the local folk who were previously disadvantaged. Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if you, as a visitor were to make a purchase, no matter how small or large, during your visit to one of the craft shops we visit. -- this will assist in helping and empowering the local economy.