From restaurants to vineyards, a canoe club to clothing, there are a tonne of incredible black-owned businesses powering the city of Cape Town. Below, we’ve listed a few of our favourites for you to check out during your time in the Mother City…
4 ROOMED KASI CULTURE
Founded by Abigail Mbalo, 4 Roomed eKasi Culture is a lifestyle concept based on the four-roomed homes found in the oldest townships of South Africa. Their restaurant in the township of Khayelitsha was named one of the top 30 restaurants in the world in Travel & Leisure magazine! We hold their bespoke dining experiences here at CURIOCITY Cape Town – think delicious food, great conversation and a good vibe all around.
SELECTIVE HEARING
Founded by Luyanda Mafiana, Selective Hearing is a record label and production company based in Cape Town. The label has a variety of DJs, MCs and producers that consider themselves non-mainstream with a funky neo-soul and hip hop sound. With their Selective LIVE events, the label plays a big part in the creative culture of the Mother City – you should definitely look out for one of their shows next time you’re in town.
KHAYELITSHA CANOE CLUB
Ready for a unique local experience during your time in Cape Town? The Khayelitsha Canoe Club are waiting for you. Established in 2013, The Khayelitsha Canoe Club has been described as the first of its kind in a South Africa township. Siyanda Sopangisa and his brother transformed a once overgrown lake with dense forest thicket into a thriving wetland and leisure area which has created employment and teaches the youth of the community about paddling as a sport. The brothers also offer boat rides for tourists who are welcome to head along for the ultimate local experience.
SEVEN SISTERS WINERY
As a woman of colour growing up during apartheid in Paternoster – a small fishing village on South Africa’s western coast – Vivian Kleynhans became driven by the goal to establish generational wealth for her family. After attending wine college as well as a variety of different industry management courses, Kleynhans founded her own wine company, Seven Sisters Vineyard in 2005. Her winery – located in Stellenbosch – is currently one of the only wineries in South African that is owned by a woman of colour and along with her sisters, is where some of the finest wines you could wish to taste can be found.
CHIMURENGA
Founded and edited by Ntone Edjabe, Chimurenga is a publication of arts, culture and politics from and about Africa and its diasporas. Starting in 2002, the Pan-African magazine provides an innovative and exciting platform for African to share free ideas and political reflections about Africa. Be sure to check it out online before you head over here and pick up a copy during your time in Cape Town.
AFRO CORNER
Afro Corner is a slick, modern hair salon located in Cape Town’s city centre. Offering a range of different services including hair braiding, colouring, styling, extensions, each customer receives custom attention and care from their experienced stylists. While you’re getting pampered, there’s also a refreshments bar to stay #hydrated. This spot is for sure the place to head for all your beauty needs.
AFROLIFE & PITSO’S KITCHEN
In April 2019, Pitso Monate opened up Afrolife & Pitso’s Kitchen on Long Street, known as being the place where Cape Town’s nightlife comes alive. Originally from Limpopo, Monate started selling homely stews and other local dishes in the township of Khayelitsha before moving to the Old Biscuit Mill market in 2017. As customer after customer asked him when he was getting his own restaurant. Monate decided to make his dream a reality. Offering the ultimate African experience, the restaurant – which serves a range of authentic local dishes – is described as a home away from home. And hey, you can also order beer by Cape Town’s first black-owned brewery, Ukhamba Beerworx.
OGUN CLOTHING
Located in Cape Town’s city centre as well as in Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock, this slick, simple menswear company is the ultimate place to get decked out. Using traditional manufacturing techniques as well as locally sourced cotton, denim, woollens and linens where possible, Ogun Clothing offers a wide range of designs that aim to be both functional and comfortable. Having style has never been easier with Ogun’s ready-to-wear collections so be sure to check out their spaces in the Mother City.
LEGENDS BARBER
Want a slick cut? Get in line behind the celebs because Legends Barbershop is taking the city by storm. Founded by Sheldon in Elorado Park Johannesburg, Legends Barber has now popped up with branches across the country and they are known for their slick trims. Hey, don’t just take it from us that these guys are the best barbers around – they even won Africa’s Best Male Grooming Salon in the African Hair Awards in 2018.
THE DRAWING ROOM
Opened by Durban-born husband and wife team, Derek and Candice Allison, The Drawing Room is an unpretentious café and gallery in the creative Southern Cape Town suburb of Observatory. Offering a homely, social space, The Drawing Room delivers great, budget-friendly food with each dish drawing inspiration from the couple’s history, experiences, travels and passions. As a multi-purpose space, this is a great place to unwind, interact with friends, draw, read and appreciate art. The Drawing Room also hosts a Show & Tell evening in collaboration with Open Studio entertainment every second Friday of the month, showcasing up-and-coming local artists and music acts.
