We're thrilled to announce that AfriFOODlinks has officially kicked off!
Our journey began with an incredible tour through the Cape Town CBD, bringing together over 90 enthusiastic entrepreneurs eager to learn, connect, and grow. This day was made even more special by long-term friends of Oribi at Unexplored Cape Town, who guided us as we explored the socioeconomic conditions impacting small food businesses in the CBD. Together, we explored the unique challenges these businesses face in a rapidly gentrifying city post-Apartheid.
Our tour began at New York Bagels, a Jewish bakery known for its tasty cheesecakes and bagels. Next, we headed to Nude Foods, a plastic-free, zero-waste grocery store committed to sustainable living. We also stopped at the Lebanese Bakery, where authentic Lebanese flavors come to life in the heart of Cape Town.
Church Square provided a perfect setting for our entrepreneurs to engage in insightful discussions about the problems, needs, and potential solutions within our food ecosystem. This stop served as a powerful reminder of the importance of community and collaboration in addressing these pressing issues.
We then visited the Heritage Shop in the historic Company’s Gardens. Here, we discovered an array of local botanical products, from fresh produce and iced teas, all reflecting the rich biodiversity of Cape Town.
Our next stop was the cozy Heaven Coffee, uniquely located within a progressive church. Here, we were serenaded by talented local musician Enkosi Camagu and participated in a rejuvenating bodywork session led by Nomvuyo Ntantala. It was a heartwarming and inspiring experience that left a lasting impression.
The journey continued at Durbz Spices, situated in the old post office and renowned for its variety of authentic and flavourful spices. Our final destination was the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, where we had the pleasure of meeting Jade De Waal from Food Jams. She led us in an engaging and interactive session, capping off the day with an informative AfriFOODlinks session led by our very own Tasneem Jhetam.
This tour was a beautiful blend of learning, inspiration, and community. We're incredibly excited for the journey ahead and can't wait to see the innovative solutions these entrepreneurs will develop to shape the future of our food systems! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this transformative journey with AfriFOODlinks.