About OCTH

PROTECTING AND PROMOTING CULTURAL HERITAGE 

Our Cape Town Heritage (OCTH) is a registered non-profit organization that is committed to protecting, promoting and preserving heritage and culture by exploring visual art and history through education. OCTH reclaims the narrative of Cape Town’s diverse heritage and cultures by 'decolonizing the art world' through accessibility, awareness and storytelling. 

The organization works at empowering and providing practical support to marginalized artists, showcasing cultural heritage stories at engaging exhibitions and online. The exhibitions serve to educate, encourage and uplift communities and youth alike by inspiring ongoing dialogue and encouraging audiences to embrace and honour the rich cultures found within Cape Town. Through art and education, the NPO works towards providing audiences with a greater understanding and appreciation of their own heritage, while honouring other cultures, using research and history of the archives to explore Cape Town's past, peek into the present and question the future of cultural heritage. Our Digital Exhibitions give a warm welcome to every story and artwork we plan to share.

DECOLONIZING THE ART WORLD

Decolonizing the art world is providing space, platforms, voices, visibility, and recognition to Indigenous peoples and all people of colour. The process of decolonizing the art world involves challenging its capacity to encompass different voices or perspectives (bearing in mind that decolonization differs and is distinct from diversity). It focuses on using art and its institutions to establish a critique of Western modernity and its colonial legacy, highlighting Cultural Heritage - as a strong resource or tool for promoting discussion, and the use of people-focused methods. We believe that decolonizing the art world stimulates both personal and shared awareness, evaluates our perspectives, and promotes a mindful transition from theoretical stances on decolonization to tangible steps towards new ways of thinking.

The art world in Cape Town has long been characterized by exclusivity and elitism, making it challenging for marginalized people of color to access opportunities. There are many obstacles encountered by marginalized artists of colour, challenges including prejudices towards traditional art styles, challenges in connecting and participating in art circles, and depending on connections for access to venues. The importance of accessibility has never been more crucial with the continued prevalence of cultural exclusion.

To decolonize the art world, OCTH employs innovative and artistic strategies and human-focused methods to challenge current narratives, raising awareness among the public about the varied interpretations and significance of heritage as perceived by various individuals, groups, and communities. Modern artists frequently act as observers, recording cultural traditions, dialects, and narratives that is in danger of vanishing. The documentation can come in various forms, and builds archives that are important resources for future generations. Art ensures cultural heritage is preserved, rejuvenated and communicated to broader audiences. We strive for a fair and dynamic cultural environment by identifying and overcoming obstacles that hinder marginalized artists of colour from engaging fully in the art world. We are committed to supporting artists of colour by amplifying their voices and promoting their cultural heritage artwork; supporting their vision of exhibiting and reclaiming the narrative. Artists preserve heritage and culture by taking inspiration from their cultural background, they incorporate stories and symbols that connect with their communities by including it into their artwork. 

We promote the acknowledgment and spread of diverse heritage stories from marginalized communities, and incorporate more collaborative approaches in managing and developing heritage. We understand that the power of art and heritage cultivates bonds and feelings of comfort and connection, especially when challenging a history of cultural imperialism. Planning exhibitions and events showcasing the work of marginalized artists of colour, decolonizes learning spaces centered around heritage, sparking open discussions on the significance of local, Indigenous, and minority cultures and challenge colonial stories. History remains alive and is shaped in the current moment and by confronting the past, it can lead to a promising and more comprehensive future.

CONFRONTING CULTURAL HERITAGE LOSS & DESTRUCTION

Our heritage provides insights into our history and how our culture has changed over time. It allows us to explore our past and customs, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves, and helps us cultivate a sense of self-awareness. It assists us in comprehending and clarifying the reasons behind who we are. 

Certain dangers arise when cultural heritage is destroyed or lost. When cultural heritage is jeopardized, it weakens a community's ties to its history, interrupts the passing down of customs and knowledge, and eliminates the visible and invisible symbols of its identity. It can result in individuals and communities experiencing feelings of disconnection, alienation, and diminished cultural pride. Heritage loss and cultural erosion endangers our capacity to acquire knowledge, to create memories, and to utilize the teachings from history in the present and future.

OCTH raises awareness of these vulnerabilities by encouraging communities to observe how impactful a sense of belonging is to our identity. We aim to inspire a wide range of audiences to learn more about cultural heritage, thereby preserving it through education and by enabling people to appreciate, respect and rediscover the diverse cultural heritages found in Cape Town. Getting young people involved is crucial for the lasting protection of cultural heritage. Through participation in heritage-focused events like engaging exhibitions, we can cultivate a feeling of pride and accountability in upcoming generations.

Follow us on social media for our Interactive and Digital Exhibitions that examine:

• PAST - With an aim to limit exclusivity within art circles, by making art and storytelling accessible to the communities that the stories are about - encouraging them to reclaim their narrative;

• PRESENT - Collaboration with experts, academics, and service providers to empower and offer practical support for artists of colour, to exhibit their work;

• FUTURE - Education across generations – uplifting communities by inspiring ongoing dialogue and action for the preservation of culture and heritage.

HISTORY OF OCTH

Our Cape Town Heritage (“OCTH”) is the brainchild of Tashneem Abrahams and was conceptualised in 2017. As a photographer, Tashneem had dedicated the past 5 years to nurturing her visual artistry of the Cape Malay Culture and its diaspora. Following a journey where cultural tradition meets the spirituality of a people descended from across the continents and planting the deepest of roots into the dorsum of Cape Town. The OCTH initiative became a reality when it was officially established in March 2022, after she officially exhibited her first photographs that aimed to highlight the Cape Malay heritage and the significant history and dangers of the loss of cultural heritage. With the help and execution of a team including Muneera Davids, the exhibition was greatly amplified and successful.

The exhibition was well received by media and audiences both; young and old, resulting in an extension. The exhibition increased foot traffic, welcomed a new range of visitors, and piqued interest in heritage and culture. The exhibition was executed by individuals who realised the struggles in reclaiming the narrative, the determination it takes to preserve historical and traditional stories and the problems faced in the cultural and artistic sphere. The individuals are the additional Directors of the organisation, Muneera Davids and Nazley Towfie. OCTH is an NPO for marginalized people of colour to have the opportunity to share their cultural heritage artistic work, while educating communities about the beauty of customs and traditions.

OCTH educates a wide audience about the importance of their past and identity. By giving artists the opportunity to share their work, we are able to revere and preserve our diverse history. The organization works towards encouraging communities; including the youth to embrace art, respect different cultures and provide inclusivity and accessibility through inspiration, motivation and more importantly, teaching. Offering greater knowledge to the audience about the past, present, and future of cultural traditions and heritage in Cape Town, South Africa. OCTH aims to empower artists of colour whose work opens a dialogue allowing preservation and protection of heritage and culture.

Why are we called OUR CAPE TOWN HERITAGE?

The intention behind our name is to unite, connect and reveal our bond as a people within our nation. Bringing together and showing the invisible links that we have with each other and the multi-cultures that emanate and grew from Cape Town, South Africa. Understanding and recognizing Cape Town's original inhabitants is crucial before the arrival of settlers. The Khoisan people, expert hunter-gatherers, had been living in the region for millennia before the arrival of Europeans. Table Mountain, Cape Town's famous symbol, was given the name "Hoerikwaggo," translating to "mountain of the sea."

Being the first major and oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town is considered the one that played a crucial role in shaping the nation into what it is today, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony and remains one of the most culturally diverse cities. Cape Town has some of South Africa's most important history and culture. The city shows how connected we are as a nation, with its rich history, historical landmarks and cultural treasures, has the nickname "Mother City" which was first used in the early 1900s by the Cape Argus newspaper. It was utilized to portray the city as the most ancient urban region in South Africa, along with its historical and cultural importance. A large number of our forefathers were sent to Cape Town as political prisoners, while numerous others were brought there to work as slaves. 

A vibrant blend of customs and heritage

The historical background of Cape Town, as well as South Africa, is rooted in Cape Town being the initial European settlement, leading many settlers to move to various regions in South Africa post the end of slavery, in search of new opportunities to begin anew. Dubbing Cape Town the Mother City due to its natural wonders. The first city that was settled and became a major urban center, before inhabitants dispersed and grew across the larger South African area. Cape Town was founded in 1652 to serve as a stopover for ships traveling to the East (the Spice Route). The city is commonly known as the Birthplace of South Africa as it is thought to have been the origin of 'civilization'. South Africa is a multicultural nation with a melting pot of cultures, people and history.

We recognize and celebrate the cultural wealth of our nation by commemorating its rich cultural history and heritage!

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