Inner City Voices

In this episode, we walk the length of St George's Mall, from Wale Street to Strand Street, strolling through one of Cape Town's earliest pedestrianised streets. This is a story about movement, as we explore history and the pedestrianisation with Johan van Papendorp, the City's Urban Planning and Design with Anees Arnold and the making of Strand Street Crossing with Shani Judes and Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx Along the way, we listen closely to stories of the St George's Mall and explore what it means to care for a shared public space.   00:00 Podcast Intro The Inner City Voices theme and an introduction to the series.   01:16 Johan van Papendorp Urban planner Johan van Papendorp takes us back to Cape Town's early urban logic, tracing how movement, water, and people shaped the city long before streets were named or traffic needed managing.   09:54 Anees Arnold Walking St George's Mall today with urban designer Anees Arnold, reflecting on what it means to plan, care for, and sustain people-first public spaces over time.   16:04 Heather Moore Crossing Strand Street with designer Heather Moore, we hear the story behind the daisy-patterned pedestrian crossing, a small but meaningful intervention that gently extends the logic of the mall beyond its edges.   22:28 Good Company Market Voices from the Good Company Market, speaking with Taric Esop, vendors, and patrons about food, gathering, and what it means to share space in the heart of the city.   25:42 Outro Closing reflections and a look ahead to Part Two of our exploration of St George's Mall.   This episode is Part One of a two-part series. In the next episode, we return to St George's Mall with deeper insight into pedestrianisation, change, and what it takes to keep people-first spaces working over time.

In this episode of Inner City Voices, The Mission for Inner City Cape Town wanders around Heritage Square, where centuries-old stories meet new expressions of art, design and everyday life. Once nearly demolished to make way for a freeway, the square was saved and restored through the vision of architects, artists and heritage advocates. The episode opens with Shani Judes, public art consultant behind the Bree Street Gallery, where a collection of murals by local artists has transformed the walls that border Riebeeck Square. We then walk across the road to speak to heritage consultant Ashley Lillie, where he shares how Heritage Square was rescued from demolition and reborn as a cornerstone of urban renewal. Designer Budi Adji then invites us inside his atelier, an 18th century buidling, now home to Budism Couture, a globally recognised fashion destination where craftsmanship, creativity and pioneers intersect. Right next door is the Cape Heritage Hotel, where steward Victoria Engelhorn, reflects on what it means to live with and look after history every day. The journey continues with Imraan Allie of Mami Wata, whose surf brand brings the rhythm of the ocean into the heart of the city. To close off the episode we hear from Lorette du Toit, who carries forward the legacy of artist Paul du Toit and his public sculpture Into Tomorrow at Riebeek Square.

In this episode of Inner City Voices, South African musician and Inner City resident Majozi takes us on a walking journey through Cape Town's Church Square. Together we explore its layered past, vibrant present and imagined future. He walks the streets with historian Cameron Peters, unearthing stories etched into the stones, buildings, art and spaces around the square. Majozi is then joined by The Mission's creative director Brad Armitage for a conversation about placemaking and what a more connected, hopeful Inner City could look like. A short walk later, he enters Ramenhead, where acclaimed chef and restauranteur Peter Tempelhoff (also known for FYN) shares why he believes in the potential and joy of running an Inner City food destination. Rounding out the episode is our CCID City Views segment, where cultural journalist and Heat Festival curator Mary Corrigall chats to Majozi about the artists and events that will fire up the city's cultural calendar this winter. Join us for a street-level view of Cape Town's Inner City, filled with insight, warmth and unexpected discovery.