Bree Street is to become a Mandela Day Langtafel this weekend. This is a special Open Streets edition that will turn one of Cape Town’s busiest streets into a shared public table. Working on the project, Community Chest, Young Urbanists NPC, Studio H and Mission For Inner City Cape Town will transform Bree Street into the Mandela Day Langtafel on Bree.
Bree Street to become Mandela Day Langtafel this weekend
On Saturday, 18 July, from 12:00 to 17:00, the Langtafel will run from Wale Street to Strand Street, with one section of Shortmarket Street included. More than 1,500 people will be seated at one table, with thousands more expected to join the open street.
“Nelson Mandela had the unique ability to unite people; our Langtafel celebrates the very spirit of what Madiba represented. It’s about creating a sense of dignity and belonging.”
More than just a typical Mandela Day event, the Langtafel is an invitation for people from every community, background and walk of life to share the same public space, sit at the same table and break bread together.
Mandela Day Langtafel on Bree to bring Cape Town together on one public road
An important part of the day is that we have invited over 500 members of our homeless community to join us at the table and enjoy a complimentary, wholesome meal. Peter Heeger, Community Chest CEO, “Nelson Mandela had the unique ability to unite people; our Langtafel celebrates the very spirit of what Madiba represented. It’s about creating a sense of dignity and belonging.”
“A City of Hope isn’t built through big gestures alone; it’s built when people choose to see one another, share spaces and create opportunities for genuine connection.”
Guests are encouraged to bring their own food or purchase a meal from participating Bree Street restaurants. The emphasis is not on where the meal comes from but on the act of sharing it.
A powerful reminder that one table can bring together people from every walk of life
“A City of Hope isn’t built through big gestures alone; it’s built when people choose to see one another, share spaces and create opportunities for genuine connection. The Mandela Day Langtafel is a powerful reminder that one table can bring together people from every walk of life, creating the kind of inclusive, compassionate city we all want to live in. At Mission for Inner City Cape Town, that’s the future we’re working towards every day,” says Brad Armitage, Founder, Mission for Inner City Cape Town
The Mandela Day Langtafel on Bree also marks the return of Open Streets on Bree Street, with walking, cycling, families, restaurants, public life, and community activity along the route. Public transport into the CBD will run on the day, including PRASA services, with more details to be announced.
The Mandela Day Langtafel on Bree also marks the return of Open Streets on Bree Street
“Young Urbanist NPC mandate is to inspire a new generation of thinkers around how we see, manage and design our cities and towns. Through combining open streets and the Langtafel, we want to use public spaces (roads) and food to bring everyone together to say if we design our roads and develop the right way, we can help work towards realising the ideas of our constitution and the National Development Plan 2030,” says Roland Postma, the Managing Director of Young Urbanists NPC and the Co-Covener of the Safe Passage Programme.
A growing group of partners has come on board to help make the day possible, including Nando’s, Pick n Pay, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, Food Lover’s Market, SUUR Bakery, Chef Daddy, Baie Goeters, among others. The Green Squad will also be on the street with Mission for Inner City Cape Town, supporting the day through volunteering and community action. On top of coming and breaking a shared meal on the langtafel, anyone can come and volunteer on the day to help with the operations to bring the langtafel today and other activities like the Green Squad part of the Safe Passage Precinct.
“As a food designer, I believe a table can be much more than a place to eat. It can become a place to meet, to listen, to share stories and to see one another differently. The Langtafel is our invitation to imagine what our city could look like if we gathered together more often” says Hannerie Visser, Founder, Studio H.
Businesses and organisations are invited to support the day by adopting one of five available street blocks, donating through Community Chest, sponsoring meals, offering in-kind support, or bringing warm blankets on the day. All financial donations will be processed through Community Chest, a registered non-profit organisation.
