Bo-Kaap Naming:

The Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association began a process to have the name and demarcation of Bo-Kaap officially adopted and recognised in 2015.

The Bo-Kaap was officially renamed from Schotschekloof in October 2016 and the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association had a name giving ceremony, affectionately known in Cape Malay culture as a ‘Doekmal’. This is the traditional name that we use when a child is born and the name ceremony is called Doekmal because the child is wrapped in a ‘doek’ decorated with flowers. The event was marked with a ceremonial boundary walk on Saturday, 17 December 2016. The event started  with a ceremonial walk from the Strand Street Quarry to Wale Street via Buitengracht Street. This ceremonial walk started at 07h30 and ended before 08h00 when the main walk/race started in Wale Street. The main walk/race was followed by the unveiling of the Street Sign on Wale and Buitengracht street with the name Bo-Kaap on it. Formal opening and welcoming was done at Boorhaanol with music and entertainment for all. The event was free. This event marked the beginning of an annual Bo-Kaap festival that will celebrate Bo-Kaap culture in all its facets.