Four stories of Cape Town
LocalPlaces regularly presents four different storytelling sessions about the history of Cape Town and South Africa, hosted in a whole gamut of different venues, or any other private venue of your choice.
The Storyteller
Gerald Garner is a legendary storyteller, tour guide and author. He presents the most captivating overview of the history of Cape Town AND South Africa in four separate sessions. Each carefully crafted to stand on its own, yet to make a stunning total story together. Guests do not have to attend all four storytelling dinners though, as any one of them would make for a fantastic experience. See the description of themes and venues lower down this page.
Storytelling dinner at BlackBrick Gardens.
Gerald will be presenting a series of storytelling dinners at the brand new BlackBrick Gardens soon. Watch this space for the announcement on upcoming dates.
Cost:
R750 per person for the storytelling and food menu.
Oder and pay for all food and drinks on site.
Booking with prepayment is essential as space is limited. To make a booking, send an email to gerald@localplaces.co.za or WhatsApp to +27 82 894 5216.
Details of the four themes:
(1) Cape Town’s astonishing backstory
From Ancient to Dutch Times (1200-1795)
From ancient African societies and kingdoms, living for centuries among cliffs, valleys and wide planes. To the Portuguese seafarers or the 1400s and the resultant early interactions and conflicts with the Khoe and the San. On to the emergence of British and Dutch shipping trade routes to the East, and the eventual establishment of a corporate refreshment station at the Cape. Through an era of migration, banishment, enslavement, expansion and conflict, to Cape Town becoming a unique, multi-racial and multi-religious society by the 1700s, until the Dutch East India Company ultimately lost control. A fascinating chronicle that provides new perspectives and twists to Cape Town’s lesser known history.
(2) Cape Town’s Mesmerizing Middle Story
The city’s British Times (1795-1910)
How did Cape Town fall into British hands by 1795, only to become Dutch briefly again? And how did it become the center of the British Scramble for Africa by the 1880s, from where industrialization was launched, in the quest for diamonds and gold in the hinterland? The tale of the birth and growth of a splendorous but contentious British colonial city, at the center of the South African (Anglo-Boer War). And the significance of Cape Town as the legislative capital of the Union of South African by 1910.
(3) Cape Town’s Riveting Recent Story
From Union and Apartheid Republic to Democracy (1910-1990)
How did Cape Town expand in the 20th century and what role did it play in the modern development of South Africa? All through the World Wars and onto the dreaded introduction of Apartheid, as well as the decades long struggle for justice and freedom, leading to the dawn of democracy. It is a story of state-sanctioned discrimination, destroyed neighbourhoods and the fight for a better future.
(4) Cape Town’s Contemporary & Future Story
Democratic Times to the future (1990-2025 and onwards)
An captivating story starting off with the 1990s transition to democracy and then delving into how Cape Town morphed during three decades of democracy, doubling its population during that time. While the city has become a tourism jewel, a tech-industry hub, a nature conservation marvel and its surrounds, a stellar agricultural region, has Cape Town overcome the legacy of apartheid? What does the future hold for this African city by the sea that is attracting thousands of migrants and inspiring new ways?
Private storytelllng dinner venues:
Apart from our regular public storytelling dinner series, listed from time to time, guests can also book a private, group dinner for any date and themes in at least five venues (listed below). We are also available to do storytelling sessions at other private venues and events. Simply be in touch.
(1) A Karoo farm-style dinner at “ate” Eatery in Kloof Street, Gardens.
Private group bookings welcome on any date, subject to availability.
Minimum spend on storytelling of R5250 or R350 per person if more than 15 guests.
Minimum spend on food menu of R11250 or R750 per person if more than 15 guests.
No liquor license, bring your own wine etc.
About the venue:
Proprietor, Tania Olivier – a 3rd generation Karoo farm girl – has spent many hours in a traditional South African Karoo farm kitchen. She has also been exposed to both Cape Malay and Afrikaans cultures, and keeps recipe books handwritten by her mother, grandparents, and great-grandparents! Her farm-styled dinners in a contemporary venue overlooking the city, are simply legendary.
Her hidden, private venue on the first floor of a Kloof Street building, seats 24 guests at three tables of eight. Guest bookings are combined to fill tables of eight. Food is served in the middle of the table from where guests dish up, choosing from the wide variety of dishes. Vegan or vegetarian guests are welcome but must specify so when making the booking.
(2) A scrumptious British-inspired meal at Four & Twenty in Wynberg’s Chelsea Village.
Private group bookings welcome on any date, subject to availability.
Minimum spend on storytelling of R5250 or R350 per person if more than 15 guests.
Minimum spend on food menu of R12000 or R800 per person if more than 15 guests.
Minimum spend of R16 500 (15 guests) on food menu and storytelling required for any private booking.
About the venue
Aptly hosted in the oh so English village of Chelsea in Wynberg on the southern side of Table Mountain. Here Four & Twenty is a favourite neighbourhood cafe and deli with the most scrumptious food. Owned and operated by Bianca and Chris Brayshay who for a decade long worked and cooked for the rich and famous on private yachts before settling down for a more serene and steady life in the leafy and pretty southern suburbs of Cape Town.
(3) A Xhosa-inspired, South African meal at Seven Colours Eatery in Battery Park at the V&A Waterfront.
Private group bookings welcome on any date, subject to availability.
Minimum spend on storytelling of R5250 or R350 per person if more than 15 guests.
Minimum spend on food menu of R11250 or R750 per person if more than 15 guests.
Full bar service available – order and pay for drinks on site.
About the venue
Chef Nolukhanyo Dube-Cele shares her passion for South African food and cultures, inspired by creativity, nostalgia and diversity. She prides herself in creating quality home-cooked comfort-food. The Seven Colours experience evokes wonderful childhood memories, as Nolu explains: “The term ‘seven colours is popular in my culture. It came about as a nickname for meals dished to guests at family gatherings. For us, it is common to place red beetroot, yellow rice, multi-coloured vegetables and brown meats together, all overflowing from the same plate. This makes for a delicious rainbow, soul-food experience. For reasons that are now hidden in legends, we term the experience ‘seven colours’. It is traditionally synonymous with wholesome soul food, home, community and togetherness. This is South African food, inspired by my upbringing and by many South African tables.
(4) A South African braai meal, including American-inspired smoked meats, at Curiocity Kloof Street, Gardens.
Private group bookings welcome on any date, subject to availability.
Minimum spend on storytelling of R5250 or R350 per person if more than 15 guests.
Minimum spend on food menu of R9000 or R600 per person if more than 15 guests.
Full bar service available – order and pay for drinks on site.
About the venue
As a youthful and intrepid entrepreneur, Bheki Dube has grown Curiocity Africa from a sole backpacker’s lodge in Johannesburg a decade ago, to an impressive multi-property, design-led, hybrid hotel group. Operating in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Curiocity’s hotels, hostels and accommodations are complemented by a wide selection of exceptional experiences. Bheki elaborates: “Curiocity is a travel movement that connects local and international travelers, digital nomads, and groups with authentic experiences that only Africa can provide. We deliver exceptional hospitality, ensuring that every guest feels welcome and cared for. We embrace our responsibility to enrich the lives of those we encounter—our team, our guests, our communities, and everyone we work with. As custodians for positive change, Curiocity expands our sense of self, the world, where we are and where we are from.”
We gather at Curiocity’s newest location in Kloof Street, Gardens, from where we marvel at the picture-perfect view of Table Mountain. This meal is presented as a slow-cooked braai with overnight-smoked meats and delicious salads. As South African as it can be, but with an international twist. The braai meal is prepared by Rory Burke who started Mugsy’s bbq over 30 years ago in his backyard. His award-winning, Colorado-style barbecue was his starting point, while years of travel and an enormous culinary curiosity have led to a melding of flavours from across the globe. Seasonal and local ingredients will change but no matter where, coals will be stoked, and meats will be smoked at Mugsy’s bbq.
(5) A scrumptious farm-style meal at Sibling in the Bo-Kaap.
Private group bookings welcome on any date, subject to availability.
Minimum spend on storytelling of R5250 or R350 per person if more than 15 guests.
Minimum spend on food menu of R14250 or R950 per person if more than 15 guests.
Full bar service available – order and pay for drinks on site.
About the venue:
A wonderful historic location, dating to 1903 but refurbished into a trendy, private kitchen studio and operated by the brother and sister pair of Louw Kotze and Lou Louw. Enjoy the most exquisite food in a casual but stunning, homely setting. One of Cape Town’s most delightful hidden gems.
To make a booking, send a WhatsApp to +27 894 5216 or email to gerald@localplaces.co.za
Guests participate in all LocalPlaces events at their own risk. Neither LocalPlaces, nor its hosts or guides, accept any responsibility whatsoever for any injury, accident or death that may occur while participating in a tour or event such as a lunch or dinner, whether in a public or a private space.
However, bookings cannot be postponed for any reason whatsoever within 21 days of the booking date, as we would lose the opportunity to take another booking for that slot.
LocalPlaces and participating venues reserve the right to cancel a dinner if less than 12 bookings is received for any specific date. In which case, guests will be notified at least 72 hours in advance and fully refunded.