Unforgettable Journeys Begin with Powerful Stories
At BOOKED Trips, we curate immersive travel experiences inspired by thought-provoking books. Our April 2024 adventure to Cape Town, South Africa, was no exception. We embarked on a literary adventure with 12 curious women from across the United States, guided by Mohale Mashigo’s captivating short story collection, “Intruders.”
Intruders: A Celebration of South African Marginalized Voices
Mohale Mashigo is a South African powerhouse – she is singer-songwriter, novelist, and even a Marvel comic book writer! She crafts stories that elevate the unheard, ignored, and mistreated. “Intruders” is a testament to this, a collection where forgotten individuals fight back and reclaim their narratives. Mashigo herself states, “I wanted to write stories about nobodies and make them somebodies.” Check out our interview with the author.
A Journey Centered on Black and Coloured South Africans
Our Cape Town, South Africa itinerary mirrored this theme. We consciously partnered with Black and women-owned businesses throughout the city and winelands. This ensured we learned about the city’s vibrant food scene, rich history, and diverse culture, all through the lens of local Black and coloured entrepreneurs. Cape Town’s beauty is undeniable, but its history of segregation is ever-present. BOOKED Trips strives to empower local changemakers who often go unnoticed on traditional tours.
Intruders: Shaping Our Exploration of Cape Town, South Africa
Each day of our trip was an homage to local stories, taking us beyond the typical tourist path. “Ghost Strain N,” for example, explores themes of color and cuisine. This story inspired our Bo-Kaap photowalk and a captivating Cape Malay cooking class. The story also subtly references the history of wine laborers, a theme that culminated in our visit to Klein Goederust, the Franschhoek region’s first entirely Black-owned winery. “Palermo,” a story that grapples with forgotten South African history, subtly influenced the entire trip, particularly our insightful Black history city tour.
An Evening Steeped in Storytelling: Opening Dinner with Mohale Mashigo
Every BOOKED Trips adventure begins with a special welcome dinner and book discussion. We were honored to have Mohale Mashigo join us for a lively discussion at SIBA, a fine-dining restaurant led by the acclaimed chef, Siba Mtongana. SIBA’s seasonal menus weave tales of Siba’s childhood in South Africa, blending seamlessly with her international culinary experiences. As one of Cape Town’s preeminent Black women chefs, SIBA served as the perfect starting point for our “Intruders” inspired journey.
Delving Deeper: Mohale Mashigo’s Inspiration
During our book discussion, Mashigo delved into the meaning behind “Intruders,” revealing how the stories were shaped by her family history and growing up in both apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa. While speculative in nature, many stories draw inspiration from real events. For example, “On the Run” references the disturbing case of Wouter Basson and Project Coast. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission exposed Project Coast’s development of lethal weapons targeting Black South Africans. Clips from the discussion can be found below.
We had a really rich discussion and time flew by. Before the night ended we celebrated the many birthdays on the trip with a custom cake from DOCES Artisan.
Stay tuned for more about our literary adventure in Cape Town, South Africa! In the next blog post, we’ll explore the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood and delve deeper into the themes of “Ghost Strain N.”
Ready to Experience Cape Town, South Africa Through a New Lens?
Our Cape Town adventure with “Intruders” was just the beginning. We are already planning our 2025 South Africa experience. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on upcoming destinations and featured books. You can also follow us on Instagram for more highlights from our trip.
