The Purple House

The Purple House (TPH) is an arts cafe with bookstore specialising in local memory & history. Co-created to restore dignity & pride in Bonteheuwel and surrounding Cape Flats communities. 

What is it about purple ?

There is deep meaning in the colour purple. Depending on its gaze, the pallet can mean a number of many things for different people. I consider purple a peoples colour because as a secondary colour it requires the mixing of red and blue to produce various shades of purple.

These two primary colours also have great symbolism in contrasting political positionalities and ideologies around the world. However, as the the gap widens in 'left-right thinking' we become an increasingly more polarised society. It is for this reason the colour purple becomes a reminder of our diversity but also our common need for love, self-identity, independence and self-determination.

What TPH is doing now ?

The essence of the The Purple House is one of home. Peoples curate their lives through music, poetry and regular film screenings. TPH particularly welcomes entrepreneurs to collaborate. TPH is not only an arts cafe with a bookstore, it is about people's access to their own stories and the development of local authors. It is a memory walk inviting each visitor and contributor to participate in the activation of community space.

TPH is a creative hub & arts cafe in the MNP block in the township of Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats. With 14 clusters of streets (blocks), it is our mission to create safe, clean and open spaces where people can grow, restore dignity and pride in their community.

In the last year, TPH has been proud to be a host of a coworking rehearsal space to a number of community artists. The most outstanding partnership has been with Bonteheuwel Legacy Arts Collective (BLAC) who produced the indigenous music programme resulting in the BLAC Boy Bow-Band faciliatated by Collin Meyer. A beautiful ensemble of primary school boy children confronting the meaning of growing up in our current environment.

Currently, TPH runs a coffee shop with printing services and secondhand bookstore. The greatest need is running costs. Rental fees, stationary, books, and perishables have been donated generously in the last year since the idea was birthed. There has become a greater need to expand as the economy grows and community needs are identified.

Short term, TPH is mastering its current products and services by connecting with customers, relevant stakeholders and investors. Other means of fundraising besides this current crowdfunding platform include training services. It has the potential to accelerate the raising of start-up capital within the next six months if incubated fairly. The Purple House short-wishlist includes: speakers, overhead projector, coffee machine and a purchase of 10 book titles(x3)

Long term, TPH should be in a position a year from now to set major goals as an industry player. Added services like accommodation and the rental or purchase of bigger property for coworking, creative and rehearsal space will make TPH an asset to an peri-urban community in dire need of intervention. The vision is furthermore to see local tourism flourish through education and training programmes provided by TPH. By investing or contributing to TPH, you are rest assured that your contribution is going toward an initiative that is rooted in grassroots and the informal economy.

Why on the Cape Flats ?

“The first youth congress named the Cape Youth Congress (CAYCO) was formed in the province in July 1983 bringing together 35 youth groups. It was the formation of CAYCO working with COSAS that spurred the development of youth structures outside of schools and universities. CAYCO came as an initiative from the coloured areas where the formation of a regional youth movement had been under discussion from 1981... In June 1987 CAYCO applied for and was granted an urgent Supreme Court interdict after submitting affidavits alleging torture, harassment, intimidation, assault, theft and sexual abuse committed by special constables. Thus in mid to late 80s CAYCO was at the forefront of battles with the police and army making possibly the most militant organisation in the region.”

extract from www.sahistory.org.za

"The purple shall govern" is not a political slogan unique to South Africa or Cape Town (Google it). It is a colour reminding us as Capetonians that we are much the same in our uniqueness. The mixed race issue as it relates to indigenous peoples of the Western Cape is an example of how this topic can become particularly volatile. https://camissapeople.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/lenses-on-cape-identities-2016-edition.pdf

The slave heritage of the Cape's people and influence of colonialism has impacted generations. Some may even argue that it has had far more reaching implications than apartheid ever did. It is for this reason, the Cape Flats needs to catch up with itself in history. It is important for people with such a history of displacement to be reminded about where they came from. We don't just want to remember the hardship but we want to celebrate the resilience and heroic contribution of our parents. It is particularly crucial for information like books and audio visual material to become accessible at a local level. Preserving oral tradition through storytelling by creating regular platforms for people to meet and share stories. This will only serve to the betterment of a future generation of diverse peoples that can take pride in their community and whence they came.

What is Freedom Square ?

With Heritage Western Cape (HWC) recently approving Bonteheuwel's Freedom Square as a heritage site, the humble arts cafe is a great way to end or kick-off a guided memory walk. After months of community participation and over 20 years of consultation, a generation of heroes will finally be honoured with the dignity and pride they deserve. Affectionately known as the peoples meeting place, it will be a memorial to youth activism. We will remember the contribution of young lions like Ashley Kriel, Anton Franch, Robbie Waterwitch, Coline Williams and many others played a critical role and continue to do so in civic organisations and building community. https://www.athlonenews.co.za/news/freedom-square-declared-a-heritage-site

#FreeSQ is the most important site of memory in our community. A centralised space common to most communities displaced either by apartheid or post-apartheid neo-libraeral policies; it becomes the community's sense of place. It not only holds historical significance but offers great economic opportunity for cultural entrepreneurs, informal traders and local business as municipal plans for urban renewal or regeneration become even more polarised. #DaarIsWerk #HierBlyMensa

About the founder

TPH is all about #PurplePower and calling on the spirit of self-determination. This is what cultural entrepreneur, Irma Titus is keen to master with the coffee bar concept she started at her childhood home in Bonteheuwel to make an extra income to cover her medical expenses. https://www.linkedin.com/in/irma-titus-4a77a4b2  The community and cultural activist is also an art lover braving the fragility of her health. Irma is nevertheless zealous and determined to put Bonteheuwel on the map by welcoming both local and international tourists at The Purple House.