District Six is a neighborhood in Cape Town. It was once a community of artists, musicians, and immigrants. Many of the people who lived in District Six were Muslims. These people were called ‘coloured’ by the apartheid government. There were also white people, Africans, Jews, and Indians living in District Six. This made the area very diverse.

In the 1960s the apartheid government called District Six a slum that was not fit for living. However, the truth was that the area was being claimed by the government for their own use.

All of the people living in the area were forced to move, and the neighborhood was bulldozed to the ground. Hundreds of families and businesses were forced to move from their homes and made to live in townships outside of the city. More than 50,000 people lost their homes.

At the District Six Museum we met with Noor Ebrahim. Noor, the founder of the museum, lived in District Six before his home was destroyed. The museum teaches visitors about the diverse culture and history of the area before the bulldozing began.

The floor of the museum was a giant street map of District Six. On the map, residents who were forced to move have signed their names on the spots where they once lived. Noor told us the story of his family and pointed out where his home was on the large map.

The musum me think about how many people’s lives were ruined by apartheid. It also made me think about people throughout history that have been forced from their homes.

From Bo-Kaap. Pronounced Bow-Cap. Most of the people that live in Bo-Kaap are Muslim. Here, all of the houses are painted with vibrant colors.

We spoke with the friendly owner of a beautiful red house. He told us that houses are repainted each year during the religious time of Ramadan, when Muslim residents fasting. This fasting is a symbol of cleansing their bodies and lives. Neighbors speak to one another about which colors will look best. Because of this, no house is the same color as the one next door or across the street.

It is fun to think that if I visit Cape Town again, Bo-Kaap will look different.

Move on: To the Kraal Gallery.

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