Preservation of the Bokaap, Cape Town: changes in attitudes and actions.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die Bokaap is 'n kenmerkende Kaapse Moslem-woonbuurt wes van die sentrale sakegebied van Kaapstad wat die tand van die tyd, handelsindringing en apartheidswetgewing oorleef het. Hierdie artikel is 'n studie van die verandering in houding en optrede jeens die Bokaap - en die ou Maleier-buurt daarbinne - oor die afgelope 50 jaar. Eers is daar ʼn bespreking van die verandering in houding wat verband hou met die probleme rondom die sloping van krotte en herontwikkeling binne die ou Maleier-buurt in die dertigerjare, en met die nie-amptelike veldtog vroeg in 1940 om die buurt te bewaar. Voortvloeiend uit die bewaringsveldtog was daar van die vyftigerjare tot vroeg in die sewentigerjare 'n verandering in die amptelike houding en optrede teenoor die ou Maleier-buurt.

• Summary: The Bokaap is a distinctive Cape Muslim residential area west of the Central Business District of Cape Town, which has survived the ravages of time, commercial intrusion and apartheid legislation. This article is a study in changing attitudes and actions towards the Bokaap – and the Old Malay Quarter within it - over the last 50 years. The article first addresses the changing attitudes associated with the problems of slum clearance and redevelopment in the Old Malay Quarter during the 1930s, and with the unofficial campaign early in 1940 to preserve it. Emanating from the preservation campaign there were changes in official attitudes and actions towards the Old Malay Quarter from the 1950s until the early 1970s.