for the neighbourhood will affect new developments, restorations, and the maintenance and alteration of properties. In other words, Bo-Kaap residents have been assured that any developments that threaten to infiltrate the zone would be restricted by the protection of the HPOZ. The city will also take care of all bills related to the restoration and maintenance of properties in the area. Last year, Bo-Kaap made headlines following heated clashes between developers and residents in the area. The City subsequently conducted wide public participation hearings and asked locals to have their say on the proposal to make the Bo-Kaap area an official heritage site.

There was a sector hearing on February 9 where community-based organisations and the business sector made oral presentations. The process concluded on February 22. At theand “romantic cobblestoned streets” date back to the 18th century. Residents of Bo-Kaap are descendants of slaves that were imported by the Dutch from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and various African countries during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Even though not all of the slaves were of Malaysian descent, they were largely known as “Cape Malays.” In 1795, the British seized Cape Town from the Dutch and this led to changes in subsequent decades including religious freedom, the abolition of the slave trade and finally the end of slavery. Eventually, the liberated slaves formed a new community at Bo-Kaap, which is sometimes referred to as the Malaya Quarter. A largely Muslim community, Bo-Kaap is characterized by a distinctive Cape Malay culture created by intermarriage between slaves from the