KALK BAY, Western Cape — When tourists flock to the picturesque harbor of this coastal village just 30 kilometers from the Cape Town CBD, they are walking in the footsteps of the Kalk Bay Filipino settlers. While the area is globally celebrated for its scenic beauty in False Bay and its vibrant weekend atmosphere, the profound historical impact of the Filipino community, which arrived in the early 1840s, remains a largely untold story. Today, the descendants of these early 19th-century immigrants continue to thrive, preserving a rich maritime legacy that fundamentally shaped the region.
The Architects of a Fishing Village
More than 180 years ago, a wave of immigrants arrived from the islands of Java, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Having traveled thousands of kilometers by ship, these early pioneers brought with them a deep affinity for the ocean, natural physical strength, and unparalleled maritime expertise.
According to local historians and descendants, it was the specialized fishing abilities of these early arrivals that essentially established the village. They recognized the abundant resources of the area and utilized their skills to sustain the community for generations. Without this vital maritime foundation, the coastal village as it is known today would likely not exist.
Preserving the Bloodline of the Ocean
To ensure this rich heritage is not lost to time, local descendants are actively celebrating their lineage through cultural and historical projects. Tracy Quai, a sixth-generation descendant and decolonial ocean historian, recently curated a powerful open-air exhibition titled “The Sea Is in Our Blood.”
The exhibition serves as a visual journey through the community’s history. Dominica Hunter, a proud sixth-generation descendant, attended the display and identified historical photographs of her great-great-grandmother, Charlotte Daniels. The exhibit also featured rare images of Hunter’s mother as a young child, alongside family album photos of her uncles, allowing the community to visually reconnect with their roots.
For Hunter, embracing this ancestry provides a profound sense of dignity. She highlights the community’s historic capability to work with their hands in close connection with the ocean—an affinity she says was passed down directly from their island origins. She expresses immense pride in her ancestors’ arduous journey across the globe, noting that they were highly skilled people who brought a vibrant sense of culture to the Western Cape.
A Living Culture and Modern Landmarks
These ancestral traits remain highly visible in the modern era. The younger generation continues to display a natural aptitude for navigating both the ocean and the surrounding mountains. Many in the community still live off the sea, foraging and utilizing the exact survival techniques their ancestors taught them centuries ago.
The physical landscape of the village is heavily dotted with the footprints of the Filipino people, serving as a testament to their enduring presence. Around 80 years ago, the historic “Fisher Flats” were constructed to house the fishing community, and Hunter still resides in this area today.
In recent years, the village has taken significant steps to formally recognize this vital history through public landmarks:
- A 2025 Mural: A dedicated mural was recently painted to honor the early Filipino settlers and their contributions to the area.
- The Manila Steps: In 2017, a pathway located near the mountain was officially named the “Manila Steps,” paying a beautiful homage to the capital of the Philippines.
- The Historic Graveyard: Up towards the mountain lies a peaceful, now-protected area that served as the community’s graveyard from 1850 to 1903. A lone cross stands there today as a solemn remembrance of those who built the village.
Nearly two centuries after they first arrived, the Filipinos who made the best of their circumstances far away from their homeland have left an indelible mark. Their legacy lives on, having become an integral part of the beautiful, complex cultural tapestry that makes South Africa unique.