Bo-Kaap community response to COVID-19: living culture and tradition

Abstract

A week before the nationwide lockdown commenced, Bo-Kaap announced its closure to tourists. The neighbourhood with its colourful houses and rich history is located right behind the HSRCs Cape Town office. Over the coming months, the Bo-Kaap COVID-19 Community Response Team - a group of young activists and community leaders would provide humanitarian assistance, educational tools, religious guidance and virus screening to residents. Strong community ties and the adaptivity of Bo-Kaaps religious and cultural traditions proved critical to the efficiency of the response.