History is simply fascinating. Especially when viewed in the context of international relations and how various events in the world have affected other regions over the centuries. This is exactly what Gerald Garner of @LocalPlaces sets out to do in his series of Cape Town-based storytelling dinners.
An example being the astonishing events that resulted in the Cape becoming a British Colony first in 1795 (till 1803) and then again in 1806 with proper annexation in 1814. The Cape was under control of the United Dutch East India Company from 1652 till 1795 (yes, ruled by a business!). Then British for eight years and a Dutch Colony again for three years. Only to become British again. Many things caused the British annexation, but a lot had to do with the rise of two, modern world powers in the late 1700s. First the United States of America in 1776 and secondly France, resulting in the French Revolution of 1789. France also supported the American War of Independence and helped fund the new state there.
It was in this time that France invaded the Netherlands, and the Dutch East India Company fell by the wayside. Various wars in Europe and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, meant that France was threatening the British Empire, while Britain had already lost 13 colonies in North America in the War of Independence. It was no surprise therefore that Britain decided to take over the Cape Colony, not only to secure control of the most important shipping route between the West and the East, but in many ways to recreate what they had lost in America in a series of new colonies in southern Africa. The Cape initially offered a replacement agricultural economy to the British Empire, but everything changed with the discovery of diamonds and then gold in the late 1800s. This ushered in the creation of a British-dominated industrial economy in what eventually would become the Union of South Africa. These events shaped the development of Cape Town and the future of South Africa.
Come and listen to the fascinating story of Cape Town and South Africa at a series of four storytellings by LocalPlaces. Each Thursday of the month, hosted at four different venues across the city. Each complemented by a scrumptious meal.
First Thursdays: Ancient to Dutch Times at Ate Eatery in Kloof Street.
Second Thursdays: British Times at Four & Twenty in ‘Chealsea’ village, Wynberg.
Third Thursdays: Union Times to the fall of Apartheid at Seven Colours Eatery in the V&A Waterfront.
Fourth Thursdays: From the dawn of democracy till today and into the future, at Curiocity Kloof Street.
Limited to 24 guests per dinner. An experience to cherish it is!
LocalPlaces – Johannesburg & Cape Town.
We change perceptions.
