This is a photo of Chiappini Street in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, showing colourful homes and cobblestone roads at the intersection of Church and Chiappini Streets. Chiappini Street in the heart of Bo-Kaap. Picture: Willem Law
Despite further regulations to ensure film shoots are not in conflict with the religious and cultural integrity of Bo-Kaap, residents continue to be frustrated with the inconvenience.
Bo-Kaap was awarded heritage protection status in 2019, with further recognition of sites in the area in 2021. However, residents remain concerned over the use of the neighbourhood for filming purposes.
The City of Cape Town has confirmed that the Film Permit Office approved permits for 17 shoots over the last six months, without any complaints.
“There are protocols specific to filming in the Bo-Kaap wherein companies are briefed to ensure they are sensitive to religious practices and prayer times,” the City said in a statement.
Wesgro, the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, has published a locations guide for filming.
The guide stipulates that all filming activity in Bo-Kaap “is to cease within five minutes prior to the athaan (call to prayer), whilst the athaan is chanted, and for 10 minutes thereafter (a 20-minute break). During this break, pedestrian access to and egress from all mosques is to remain unobstructed”.
Further regulations are in place to ensure that “the film shoot is not in conflict with the religious and cultural integrity of the area and its people” and prohibits shoots promoting alcohol, tobacco, nudity or gambling, as well as the inappropriate use of mosques and kramats.
Residents, however, are still frustrated by the inconvenience of filming taking place around their homes, schools and mosques, especially in relation to the blocking of narrow roads and private lanes.
“A number of challenges exist in how to monitor and assist the film companies,” said Osman Shaboodien, chairperson of the Bo-Kaap Civic Association.
Shaboodien went on to explain that community co-ordinators were nominated as there was no benefit to the community in the past, only frustration. Everyone who is inconvenienced is now compensated through a donation paid directly by the film company.
“There is still a lot more we would like to see, such as using the community for other tasks, food, and donations for our sports, although schools have benefited from the use of their premises,” Shaboodien said.
“Filming in Bo-Kaap is not easy; it disrupts.”
The City of Cape Town confirmed that a member of the public wanted access to Bryant Street Park on September 7 during a shoot. The resident was informed that he would be able to gain access only once the shoot was completed, but this was apparently not accepted.
According to the City of Cape Town, once an application is received from a film company, they (the company) are given the contact details of the Community Liaison for filming in Bo-Kaap. The application is also escalated to the relevant service departments for comments and once the service departments have given the go-ahead and the Community Liaison is comfortable with the proposed filming activity, a permit is issued. The Community Liaison then does a letter drop to the affected residents to inform them of the film shoot.
Bo-Kaap ward councillor Francine Higham, who took office last year, said that she had only received one complaint regarding filming in Bo-Kaap during her term as councillor for ward 77.
“Following receipt of the complaint, I contacted the City’s Film Permits Office requesting that they investigate the matter and take the necessary steps to address the matter with the film company should they not have the necessary permit or be found to be in violation of their permit,” said Higham.
“The City’s Film Permits Office confirmed that they had found the film company to be non-compliant with regards to their permit and they took the necessary steps to address this with them.”
Higham said that the film industry contributes significantly to job creation and the economy in Cape Town, but maintained that it is important that film companies adhere to any permitting requirements so as to minimise any negative impact to residents or businesses.
“If any residents have concerns about filming in the Bo-Kaap they’re welcome to contact me to discuss the matter further,” Higham said.
Meanwhile, a community leader who asked not to be named said that residents remain inconvenienced despite various consultations with the City.
“The people that are heavily affected are those who go to mosques. We have had to climb over cables and duck when lights shine on us on our way to the mosque, or we have to walk detours to get to the mosque,” he said.
“This is not a joke. There is definitely an agenda to disgrace Muslims and Islam.”
Residents can report illegal filming to the City, Law Enforcement or the Film Permit Office at 021 417 4025 or 084 572 0290 or 084 900 0146.
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