Katiravan Subrayan, 63, a passionate globe-trotter on his motorbike, has embarked on an epic journey across Africa, planning to explore much of the central and western regions throughout the year.
His quest, aimed at promoting Malaysia and championing environmental conservation efforts, follows his recently concluded Latin American expedition that included a visit to Antarctica in late November.
On Jan 10, the retired electrician-turned-adventurer and environmental advocate arrived in Cape Town, after flying over 7,000 kilometres from Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Speaking to Bernama, Katiravan shared that his trusty BMW touring bike, affectionately nicknamed Parameswara, was still en route from South America, prompting him to make the most of his time by exploring Cape Town’s historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, renowned for its rich Malay heritage.
"The Malay quarters were just 700 metres from my hostel. As I strolled through the Bo-Kaap streets, I saw traditional houses reminiscent of those back home in Malaysia.
“The Malay community here played a significant role in the history of how Islam spread to South Africa, and their culinary culture has become an integral part of South African cuisine,” he said.
During his explorations, he engaged with friendly locals who traced their ancestry to Malaya, brought to South Africa by the Dutch during the colonial era. However, he was slightly disappointed to find that most could only recall a few words of the Malay language.
Bo-Kaap's vibrantly coloured houses, clean streets, and prominent mosques impressed Katiravan. He also observed the community’s solidarity with Palestinians, evident through flags and messages displayed on the walls. The neighbourhood appeared affluent and well maintained.