One Day Africa Salt River Street Art Tour
The One Day Africa Salt River Street Art Tour is the perfect daytime activity in Cape Town! Being in Cape Town is super overwhelming. There is so much to do, see, and eat! Rather than spending a day outside during our Cape Town week, I was crippled with choices and just stayed in our Airbnb while trying to compare activity options. If this happens to you—don’t worry… Trust me and take it easy by going on an awesome street art tour in Salt River run by One Day Africa!
The Tour Basics
- Meet-up location: Woodstock/ Salt River
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: R450/pp (well spent but check the website for the most up-to-date price)
- Booking: Online
- Tour Guide: Sipho (who is so much fun to hang out with!)
- Highlights: Awesome neighborhood, art, and artists information. Perfect solo activity.
There is soooo much street area and there is no way I can post every picture I took because it’ll slow down your computer or phone. Ha. I’m posting some of my favorite murals. You’ll have to go on the One Day Africa tour to see even more stunning artwork! You can check out the map of all the street art here.
International artist Sonny Sundancer is known for his wildlife murals around the world. He uses his art to raise awareness for conservation issues.
Disclaimer: I used information from https://ipafest.co.za/ to attribute credit to the artists. Lemme know if something needs to be corrected!
Leading up to the tour
While visiting Cape Town during another successful work-from-home away from home week, I decided to go on a Cape Town Street Art Tour. Our Airbnb was near the Salt River neighborhood, near Woodstock and the famed Neighbourgoods Market. One of our first days, we walked from our Airbnb to the Observatory neighborhood (known for cafes and restaurants). There were murals on almost every building! It was amazing.
Later on, after some googling on solo activities, while Wilhelm was working during the day, I came across One Day Africa on Instagram and soon booked the Street Art Tour. What actually encouraged me to book was when One Day Africa liked one of my insta stories and commented that my next stop should be a tour with them. This extra effort from One Day Africa was all I needed to help me decide!
I booked the night before the tour and the location was confirmed in the morning via email and WhatsApp. Meeting Sipho, my tour guide, I quickly felt like I made a friend. I’m sure you will too!
Flavio Favelli’s Sunday Times from the day Nelson Mandela was freed.
Salt River History
I met my One Day Africa guide, Sipho, in Woodstock at the Neighbourgoods Market area. Though the market is only open on Saturday, several of the permanent storefronts are open during weekdays.
While walking to Salt River, just 5 minutes away, I learned that Salt River is a predominantly Muslim community with Cape Malay roots. In fact, many community members were displaced here from District 6, an area known for the forced removal of inhabitants (predominately colored and/or Cape Malay) in the 1970s during apartheid. There are ongoing legal battles from Salt River community members to regain properties they or their families owned before the 1970s. The majority Muslim community is evident throughout our tour as we come across several street art pieces incorporating images of the Palestinian flag and freedom for the country.
Man.De on the left and Said Dokins on the right.
Why are there so many murals in Salt River?
The Salt River community is home to the International Public Arts Festival (IPAF) in Cape Town, organized by Baz-Art. Each year, 20 local and international street artists come to Cape Town to create art around a theme. The festival started in 2017 and for 5 years each new theme’s artwork contributes to the eclectic neighborhood.
Some of the themes include “Nature Doesn’t Need Us” (2018), Generation Next: Educate, Collaborate, Empower” (2019), “Digitalisation” (2020), and 100% Sustainable (2021).
I LOVED this house (and matching car) by Silas. “There is no such thing as away” is by Bazil Baxter.
Cape Town vs Johannesburg’s Street Art
Now, Joburg has pretty school street art. It seems like new mural pop up every month! Moreover, many of Joburg’s most famous artists (like Dbongz) come to Cape Town to participate in IPAF. I learned from Sipho that Cape Town has a lot more rules and regulations for street art and ‘vandals’ can be fined or jailed. However, this isn’t the same case in Joburg. (I’d need to do more research on this to provide justification but for now, take my word for it and then ask Sipho on your own tour!) Therefore, an event like IPAF supports emerging local and international artists in Cape Town.
From top left, clockwise: Petra Vonk’s Betty vs Veronica; to Bee or Not to Bee (with a spray can top!) from Dekor One; Stefan Smit for digitalization; and Hannie Bee painted the seascape when she was only 18 years old!
Community Involvement in Salt River Street Art
There are some guidelines about what can’t be drawn (graffiti-ed?, idk the right word!) on the mural but oftentimes homeowners don’t know what artwork they can expect on their homes until it’s complete. That takes a lot of trust!
Oftentimes, children are invited by the artists to participate in the process. Sipho will point out these murals to you!
Also, some community members are used as models for murals.
From top left, clockwise: Aleksandro Reis; Justin Nomad uses an interesting technique to get this washed-out look; and Cerbastian Davids for the digitalization mural.
Change over time
Some murals get painted over as the festival expands. One of the most interesting things I learned (that I only would have learned because of this One Day Africa Salt River Street Art Tour) is that some of the murals have been modified recently to show support for Palestine or the community.
This mural by Belgian artist Anetha Missy originally said “Save our trees, save us” where the Palestinian flag now is.
Screenshot Image from https://ipafest.co.za/
This classic black and white mural by VivaSage was modified to include the Palestinian flag colors. This woman is also a community member!
Screenshot Image from https://ipafest.co.za/
Featured here is soccer player turned coach (of South Africa women’s national soccer team), Desiree Ellis of the Salt River community. The community had the whole mural from the festival painted over. You’ll learn more about this on the tour.
Screenshot Image from https://ipafest.co.za/
So what do the artists think about this? Well, it is hard to tell but I guess that’s the nature of art in public spaces. Does anyone else remember this article where a couple thought the art in a gallery was interactive and contributed black splotches to a $500,000 mural?
Are you ready for the One Day Africa Salt River Street Art Tour?
I hope I’ve convinced you to buy your ticket ASAP! Whether you’re a Cape Town native, visiting from another South African city, or an international tourist I guarantee you’ll walk away with insight into the community and knowledge about the festival and its artists.
This is a perfect adventure for a solo activity, or bring your whole crew! I was the only one on my tour though I was prepared to be social (if necessary hehe). If the times on the website don’t work out for you, get in touch with One Day Africa and they can help organize something that will suit your schedule.
Maye incorporated what he saw as he made his mural. A bird flew above him, a man wearing a similar shirt struck up a conversation with him… You’ll learn more on the tour!
Tips:
- Bring a hat!
- The murals are so colorful! I would recommend you wear simple colors so you stand out from the murals in your pic.
- I went handsfree with a backpack to carry my water. A fanny pack would also be convenient to pull your phone in and out to take pics.
- After your tour, head to Shackleton Brewing Company or One Juice.
Do you see the lion and the girl by Tim Marsh? It took me a minute to figure it out!
What else does One Day Africa do?
One Day Africa operates in both Cape Town and Joburg. I was deliberating between the Cape Town Public Art Tour (which is on a bike!) and the walking street art tour. I was still recovering from our hikes of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head so I decided on the walk.
In Cape Town you can:
- Go on a photoshoot tour of Cape Town’s highlights like Bo-Kaap, the beaches, and city center. R700/pp
- Bike around Cape Town to see public art. R600/pp, 3 hours
- Enjoy a sunset picnic in a secret One Day Africa spot on Signal Hill. R750/pp, snacks included
In Joburg you can:
- Discover Soweto on a walking tour (R450/pp, 4 hours) or bike tour (R600/pp, 4 hours)
- Explore Maboneng Street Art, Maboneng is one of my favorite areas in Joburg! R350/pp, 2 hours
- Go on a Joburg city center walking tour. I deff recommend this as we were robbed while walking around by ourselves. R450/pp, 4 hours, lunch included
Say hi to Sipho for me!