Inter-cultural craft centre links communities

THREE very diverse communities have been brought closer together by the development of the Two Oceans Craft and Cultural Centre which is due to open along the Kommetjie Road near Noordhoek in the Western Cape in June. It brings together the collective talents of the Xhosa people from Masiphumelele, originally from the Eastern Cape, with those of the Cape Coloured community from Ocean View, a mainly Afrikaans-speaking community that was relocated from surrounding white towns during the 60s as well as with those from the Red Hill informal settlement located above Simon's Town. The center offers for sale the crafts produced in the communities and at the adjacent Noordhoek Valley Training Centre. Activities and experiences available include walking tours of the area, traditional singing, dancing and community drama as well as interactive drumming sessions. A selection of African, Malay and South African cuisine can also be sampled during a tea-buffet. Bookings must be made five days in advance for the cultural options (minimum 10 people), which can be incorporated into tailormade tours. The craft centre is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11h00 to 15h00 or on other days by advance booking. (Elizabeth Sheridan)