As the 2026 local government elections approach, Aunty Kubra, a 67-year-old resident of Bo-Kaap, is preparing to cast her vote. She has lived in the vibrant community, known for its colorful houses and rich cultural heritage, for many years. Aunty Kubra is a well-known figure in Bo-Kaap, famous for her delicious koesisters and other traditional treats. Her home on Pentz Street is a hub of activity, with customers queuing up to taste her sweet creations.
Aunty Kubra has been baking koesisters for 30 years, making around 1,200 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and syruping them on Sunday mornings. Her customers include police officers, ambulance drivers, and traffic officials. Despite her passion for baking, Aunty Kubra finds it challenging to cope with the rising cost of groceries. She recalls that when she started baking, she charged only R1 per koesister, but now the cost of sugar and flour has increased significantly.
Apart from koesisters, Aunty Kubra is also an expert at making Tweegesiggie, a traditional Cape Malay treat that consists of a sweet coconut mixture in a soft-baked biscuit shell, covered with icing. The treat has a rich history, dating back to the 1920s, when it was created by women from the Cape Malay community as a response to the Hertzoggie, a biscuit shell filled with apricot jam and covered with a meringue-and-coconut mixture.
According to Aunty Kubra, the Tweegesiggie was invented as a symbol of resistance against the promises made by J.B.M. Hertzog, a commander during the Second Boer War and later prime minister of South Africa. He had promised to give women the right to vote and make slaves and white people equal, but failed to deliver on his promises. The Cape Malay women created the Tweegesiggie, adding spices and apple jelly to the recipe, and covering it with icing in two colors, chocolate and pink.
Aunty Kubra learned the art of baking from her father and has been passing down family recipes to her daughter and 12-year-old granddaughter. She emphasizes the importance of using every last bit of ingredient, as "stuff is expensive" and "nothing must go to waste." Her kitchen is filled with the smells of butter, warm spices, and sweet coconut as she prepares her treats.
When asked about her thoughts on current politics, Aunty Kubra expressed her skepticism about politicians, saying that some are "two-faced" and make broken promises. She believes that politicians should be held accountable for their actions and that the community should be involved in decision-making processes. Despite her concerns, Aunty Kubra is hopeful that her vote will bring about positive changes in her community.
With the local government elections approaching on November 4, Aunty Kubra is ready to cast her vote. She is fairly satisfied with the services in her community, citing the quick response to a recent power outage in Bo-Kaap. She hopes that her vote will help realize some improvements in her community, particularly in terms of service delivery and accountability from local leaders.
Key points
- Aunty Kubra, a 67-year-old Bo-Kaap resident, plans to vote in the 2026 local government elections, hoping to see improvements in her community.
