APC Visits Solms Delta

Duane Jethro

On the 24th of September 2016, APC fellows based in Cape Town visited the Solms Delta wine farm in the Franschhoek Valley. Solms Delta is known for its commemoration of the farm’s slave history and its innovative land-share scheme, as well as its excellent food and wine. A team-building exercise marking the start of the second semester, the visit was also an engagement with the ways in which the site styles history and heritage.

APC doctoral scholar Tracey Randle was Solms Delta’s resident historian between 2004 to 2015. In that position she was responsible for researching and curating the slave history exhibition in the Museum van de Caab. She also curated the innovative indigenous Cape music exhibition. Randle is now registered for a Phd in curation with the Michaelis School of Fine Art. A key aspect of her thesis is a critical reflection on her time as Solms Delta’s resident historian. The visit was therefore also a sounding board for the ways in which Cape history translated into heritage at Solms Delta.

APC guests travelled by bus to the site on a gorgeous, bright Sunday morning. Tracey welcomed us and invited us into the Museum van der Caab and took time to explain the thinking that went into the different exhibitions. She introduced her ‘the book on the wall’ curatorial policy in the Museum van de Caab, which in essence drew on the principles of Cape historiography, including footnotes, and applying them in the curation of a visually vibrant, detailed public history displayed on the old cellar walls. Stepping outside, she pointed out and explained archaeological practice at the site.

Later, when we sat down to lunch, Tracey introduced the resident indigenous gardener, Johan O’Rayn, who explained the importance of indigenous plants at the farm and the struggle to cultivate a truly indigenous garden. He used the heritage menu, with its detailed, historically accurate vignettes of each dish’s authentic Cape historical roots, to indicate and explain how different plants and herbs were used in cuisine at the farm.

Lunch conversation turned around questions of taste, history and heritage. We departed in the late afternoon sunshine back to Cape Town. APC would like to thank Tracey for helping to make this exciting field trip possible.