LocalPlaces

23/01/2025

Gain a new perspective. Learn something new. Fall in love with the extraordinary city that is Cape Town all over again. Leave inspired. This is what a LocalPlaces Cape Town storytelling dinner promises you. We offer four storytelling dinner experiences in sequence every month in Cape Town - each covering a specific period in the city’s history and hosted in a complementary venue on different Thursdays .

1st Thursdays: Cape Town’s Backstory (1200-1795), hosted at Ate Eatery in Kloof Street.

2nd Thursdays: Cape Town’s Middle Story (1795-1910), venue to be confirmed.

3rd Thursdays: Cape Town’s Recent Story (1910-1994), hosted at Seven Colours Eatery, Battery Park.

4th Thursdays: Cape Town’s Contemporary Story (1994-2024 and the future).

More details available here: https://www.localplaces.co.za/cape-town-storytelling-dinners/

22/01/2025

Join me for this LocalPlaces Storytelling Dinner in Cape Town. We host FOUR Thursday dinners per month, each in a different venue and with a different theme/time period.

Cape Town’s backstory: From Ancient to Dutch Times (1200-1795)

Hosted at "ate" Eatery in Kloof Street, Gardens.

Typically hosted on the first Thursday of every month.

Available dates:
6 March
3 April
1 May

From ancient African societies and kingdoms, living for centuries among cliffs, valleys and wide planes, to the Portuguese seafarers or the 1400s and the resultant early interactions and conflicts. On to the emergence of British and Dutch shipping trade routes to the East, and the eventual establishment of a corporate refreshment station at the Cape. Through an era of migration, banishment, enslavement, expansion and conflict. To Cape Town becoming a unique, multi-racial and multi-religious society by the 1700s, until the Dutch East India Company ultimately lost control. A fascinating chronicle that provides new perspectives and insight to history.

Storytelling by Gerald Garner.

About ate Eatery:
Proprietor, Tania Olivier – a 3rd generation Karoo farm girl – has spent many hours in a traditional South African Karoo farm kitchen. She has also been exposed to both Cape Malay and Afrikaans cultures, and keeps recipe books handwritten by her mother, grandparents, and great-grandparents! Her farm-styled dinners in a contemporary venue overlooking the city, are simply legendary.

Her hidden, private venue on the first floor of a Kloof Street building, seats 24 guests at three tables of eight. Guest bookings are combined to fill tables of eight. Food is served in the middle of the table from where guests dish up, choosing from the wide variety of dishes. Vegan or vegetarian guests are welcome but must specify so when making the booking.

Tania presents a smorgasbord of South African cuisine. The menu varies based on the freshest ingredients she can source on any day, but it would typically include dishes such as:

Starters:
Ouma’s pampoenkoekies (pumpkin cakes) in sweet cinnamon butter (vegetarian)
Cauliflower and cranberry garden (vegetarian)

Mains:
Oxtail and Pap
Porcini conchiglioni (vegetarian)
Chicken Dijo Ngesonka with bread

Dessert:
Japie se Gunsteling (citrus flavoured light baked pudding) (vegetarian)
Raaiseltert topped with a mergingue (vegetarian)

Price: 3-course menu and storytelling: R1250 per person
Bring your own wine etc.

16/01/2025

Change your perspective

Whether you are a traveler, a local or a temporary resident, at LocalPlaces our mission is to change your perspective. To empower you to view South Africa, its cities, people and places with new insight. We do this though captivating storytelling. Whether you participate in a single tour, a multi-day exploration, a storytelling dinner, or an event, we will enlighten and entertain you, while broadening your understanding of this extraordinary country.

We constantly delve into history, searching for untold stories and significant links between events, people and places that have shaped our world. We provide context by analyzing not only local history, but also international developments that have impacted South Africa. We do not glorify the past, instead we learn from the past and use this knowledge to understand contemporary culture.

If you are looking for a lighthearted, Instagram-moments tour or experience, then LocalPlaces is NOT for you. If you want to learn, understand and expand your knowledge in an enjoyable and inspiring way, then LocalPlaces, with its unique brand of storytelling, is certainly for you!

The LocalPlaces team is made up of two exceptional raconteurs who have an in-depth grasp of the history and culture of South Africa – and specifically its most prominent cities, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Gerald Garner is based in Cape Town and Charlie Moyo in Johannesburg.

16/01/2025

Looking towards Llandudno on a LocalPlaces Cape Peninsula Overview tour. A day of views, remote places, the Cape of Good Hope, penguins, lunch in Kalk Bay, exploring the village streets and sharing the astonishing history of Cape Town and South Africa.

09/01/2025

Another stellar LocalPlaces Joburg Overview - Charlie's Favourites tour.

09/01/2025

Wednesday was for a lovely LocalPlaces Understanding Cape Town walking tour.

06/01/2025

Hi everyone. Hello almal. My phone, wallet and computer got stolen yesterday. The thief then contacted all and sundry from my phone, asking for money. I apologize about all of that harassment. Luckily his messages were badly worded suggesting there had to be some scam involved. I am now back online on WhatsApp and Facebook - Gerald.

06/12/2024

19/11/2024

18/11/2024

📅 Save the Date! On the 5th of December 2024 experience the powerful History Exhibition: Prof. Robert Sobukwe.

Join us for a tribute to the life and legacy of a freedom fighter. You will get an opportunity to view rare photographs, poignant prison letters, and influential writings that bring Sobukwe’s voice back to life.

🗣️ Engage in a thought-provoking panel discussion on his lasting impact.

📍 Location: Umhlabathi Collective, 3 Helen Joseph St, Newtown, Johannesburg
📆 Dates: 5 December 2024 - 28 March 2025 | 15:00 - 18:00 | Free Entry for All!

Join us in celebrating the Centenary of Prof. Sobukwe.
For inquiries: [email protected]

29/10/2024

Our latest LocalPlaces newsletter is out! Read it all here: https://mailchi.mp/f43a26f38bce/year-end-again , and be informed of what we have installed for you this year-end and holiday season.

LocalPlaces - Johannesburg & Cape Town
Explore and learn with us.

We are ready to host you for exceptional storytelling dinners and other events in hidden gem venues such as the Red Room at JSE Newtown (above) and Sibling in the Bo-Kaap (below).

28/10/2024

The kind of email from a client that makes your Monday. Yay!

"Hi Gerald & Charlie,

I hope that you are well and having a fantastic Monday!

I just want to send through a MASSIVE THANK YOU to you both and the team that assisted with our Opening Dinner, you guys are absolutely incredible, and we couldn't have asked for anything better - the group truly loved it, I believe there was even a standing ovation in the bus on the way home! 😃

Thank you so so much, it was truly such an amazing evening - I really appreciate everything that you put into it!

Looking forward to working with you both soon again!"