As Heritage Month kicks off, Cape Town is preparing to celebrate World Koesister Day this weekend. The celebration pays tribute to the Cape Malay koesister and the importance of preserving South Africa’s culinary heritage.

“World Koesister Day has always been about culture, craft and community,” said Mark Jacobs, weRproudly NPC.

Cape Town is preparing to celebrate World Koesister Day this weekend

This weekend’s event is also significant because it returns to the Mother City after a four-year hiatus. Food enthusiasts and culture lovers will come together at the Square Hotel in Gardens on Sunday morning to enjoy the beloved koesister.

Jacobs says, “After three years of practical testing, we are ready to show how dignity-centred hospitality training, designed with accessibility guidance from liveABLE, can create real pathways for youth.”

World Koesister Day 2025: From Cultural Tradition to Inclusive Hospitality Training

The event has been reimagined as a youth-centered cultural hospitality experience that combines tradition with opportunity. Originally conceived by Mark Jacobs (Co-Founder of Vannie Kaap, now Philosopher & Story/Creative Strategist), WKD has been reshaped through three years of iterative testing by weRproudly NPC. This social enterprise uses culture as a catalyst for youth empowerment and economic participation.

“By spotlighting the Cape Malay koesister, this event not only celebrates our heritage but also creates economic opportunities and positions Cape Town as a world-class cultural destination,” said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism.

7 September 2025 Live Showcase

This week at the SunSquare Hotel, Gardens, 20 youth participants will deliver a hospitality service and storytelling showcase. Judges will select three winners for the Best Indigenous-Infused Koesister. All participants will be fast-tracked into mentorship, placements, and enterprise pathways.

COMm UNiTY Portal Launch (Joint Venture – Insignis Solution| Leelyn Management and weRproudly NPC)

The event also launches COMm UNiTY, a youth platform providing:

• Onboarding into the Koesisters en Koffie Chapter (from October 2025).
• Ongoing mentorship, training schedules, and placement opportunities.
• Tracking of learner progress and surfacing of micro-business opportunities.
• A gateway for industry partners to engage, sponsor, and hire trained youth.