Soraya is a well-known kasidah, an Islamic song, in Cape Town. It is among the songs used as the inspiration for my video series, Sounds of a Cape Town Home.
Tag Archives: culture
Pieter-Dirk Uys Talks About Stuff
South African actor Pieter-Dirk Uys talks about stuff, including sending a message to “white South Africans” and the government. He’s always thought-provoking with a smile.
David Tlale
South African fashion designer David Tlale talks about going global, fights to protect his name and brand, while showcasing his fashion to audiences in various cities. Behind-the-scenes at his fashion shows, snippets of fans stopping him for photos and after-party chatter, all show what life is like for David Tlale.
Copyright: Yazeed Kamaldien (2014)
Darling, a creative small town’s tale
Darling is a small town near Cape Town, South Africa. Its reputation as a home for arts festivals has attracted visitors from all over the world. This short film explores how Darling’s residents have put their town on the cultural map.
Kramat Festival
‘Kramat Festival’ is a 15-minute documentary film, sharing the history and views about an annual gathering of Cape Town’s Muslim community at the shrine of Sheikh Yusuf from Makassar in Indonesia and known for bringing Islam to the Cape.
Sheikh Yusuf was detained by Dutch colonisers for resisting their occupation in his homeland. After being banned to the Cape, he taught Islam, which is still alive in modern-day South Africa.
He is buried in a small town called Macassar, 45-minutes outside of central Cape Town, which is named after Makassar. Muslims from different parts of the world still visit the kramat, or shrine, where he is buried.
Copyright: Yazeed Kamaldien (2025)